PM appeals for smooth functioning of the House

A day after three high-level meetings from the government side and the Chair of both Houses of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a fresh appeal to the Opposition for the smooth running of Houses in Monsoon session, offering to discuss all issues proposed by the Opposition.

However, the session began on a note of tumult with members from TDP protesting in and outside Parliament House, seeking special package for Andhra Pradesh and other Opposition members putting the government on notice on issues including mob lynching and moving a no-confidence motion.

Extending the olive branch to Opposition just before the beginning of the session, the Prime Minister, however, said the government is prepared to discuss and debate on any issue that any political party or a member intends to.

“In the monsoon session of the Parliament, several pressing issues of the country need to be discussed extensively. The deeper the discussion, better will be the inputs from the senior and experienced members of the house and the country will be all more benefit out of it.

The government will also gain from quality suggestions in its decisions and policies,” Modi said. The Prime Minister said he hopes that all the political parties will make maximum utilization of the houses’ time for carrying out important work.

“Everyone will completely cooperate and may the proceedings of the Parliament prove to be motivational and may it set an example for the states' legislative assemblies as well. I hope all the political parties will do that,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that time and again he has presented his hopes and aspirations and has also made efforts towards them.

“Even this time I once again present before you my hopes,” We must strive for it yet again and we will make relentless efforts. The government is prepared to discuss and debate on any issue that any political party or a member intends to,” he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to recent heavy rains that have caused serious challenges in some parts of the country while there has been a rain deficit in other parts. “I believe that discussing these issues will be quiet relevant,” he said.

A week ago, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had also written individually to all MPs telling them blaming some party in the past also disrupting Parliament’s functioning is no solution and urged all members to ensure an effective functioning of the Houses during the sessions.

In a joint reply, the Opposition members yesterday reminded the Speaker of her “role” and put the blame squarely on the government for “denigrating” rules and “disrupting” Parliament. The last Budget Session was a complete washout, which probably prompted the Speaker to shoot the missive to the Mps.