Farmers Movement Archive

At all-party meet, PM Modi calls for healthy debates, says Oppn suggestions key

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meeting on Sunday a day before the Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to begin. The meeting was attended by more than 40 leaders of 33 parties, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.Addressing the meeting, Modi said that all representatives' suggestions, including those from the Opposition, are very valuable, added Joshi, according to an ANI report.The PM further said healthy and fruitful debates should take place in Parliament, adding the government is ready to hold discussions on any subject if raised as per parliamentary rules and procedures.Later, Modi put out a tweet that read, "We look forward to a productive session where all issues can be debated as well as discussed in a constructive manner."Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla also met leaders of parties in the lower House of Parliament.The Monsoon session is expected to be stormy with opposition parties preparing to take on the Union government on issues like the rise in petrol and diesel prices, the alleged Covid-19 mismanagement and vaccine shortage.About 17 bills are listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha and five bills for consideration and passage, and a similar number of bills are expected to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the session.Also read | Sonia Gandhi to meet Congress' Lok Sabha MPs today ahead of Parliament's monsoon sessionBesides Modi and Joshi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union minister and Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal were present at the meeting. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also attended the meeting.Floor leaders of all prominent opposition parties, including Derek O' Brien from TMC, Tiruchi Siva from DMK, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP's Satish Mishra were also present. Apna Dal leader and NDA ally Anupriya Patel and LJP leader Pashupati Paras also attended the meeting.Earlier, CPI (M) MP Elamaram Kareem a meeting of Opposition parties will take place at Parliament after the all-party meeting called by the government.BSP president Mayawati said Opposition parties should come together and hold the Central government accountable. “The government's apathy towards the farmers protesting against three farm laws is very sad. BSP MPs will raise matters related to fuel and LPG prices, inflation and Covid-19 vaccination in Parliament,” Mayawati said.“I have directed my party MPs to raise matters related to the benefit of the country and people in the Monsoon session of Parliament,” she added.The monsoon session will continue till August 13 with all pandemic-related protocol in place.

Hindustan Times

18-07-2021

India