Govt to take Opposition into confidence in winter session

The Centre on Tuesday said it would take the Opposition into confidence on reforms it wants to pursue even as it puts together a heavy agenda for the winter session.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has lined up a series of economic reform bills for the session beginning November 24, including the contentious Goods and Services Bill, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, changes to the Land Acquisition Act and tweaking of the United Progressive Alliance's flagship rural job scheme.

The government is also expected to push for the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill for a land boundary agreement with Bangladesh.

Key bills also include the Small Factories (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Services) Bill, the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, the Factories (Amendment) Bill and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill.

“We will go the extra mile to accommodate the opposition on debates on different issues,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu here.

In the recent reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, Modi had deputed senior leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Rajiv Pratap Rudy to assist Naidu. Both junior ministers assumed office on Tuesday.

“No reform can be carried out without taking Parliament into confidence. We will take the Opposition in confidence and move ahead. We are not in favour of conflicts,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Deccan Herald.

The government has lined up 60 pieces of legislation for Parliament's consideration during the winter session.