Parliament session set to be stormy Opposition to raise 'intolerance' issue
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India
New Delhi, November 25 2015:
The winter session of Parliament beginning on Thursday is expected to be a stormy affair, with the opposition set to raise the 'intolerance' issue and press for a resolution to condemn it even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the House should run meaningfuly and constructively.
Keen to pass key reform bills like GST and ensure a smooth session, government on Wednesday reached out to opposition parties saying it "does not support or condone" such incidents and is aware of their concerns on "unfortunate incidens like Dadri and killing of M M Kalburgi" .
An all-party meeting held here in the backdrop of cine actor Aamir Khan's remarks on 'intolerance' saw opposition parties making a strong pitch for an early discussion on the issue, insisting that the returning of awards by writers, artistes and filmmakers should not be taken lightly.
Assuring the members on this count, parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, "government is ready to discuss all issues including that of the so-called intolerance though it falls in the domain of states.
We do not support or condone such incidents" .
"The government is particularly aware of the Opposition's concerns over some unfortunate incidents that have happened in recent weeks including the Dadri incident, killing of MM Kalburgi.
The government has condemned those incidents as they go against the traditional and highly cherished values of tolerance," he said.
He noted that the Prime Minister has already said that such incidents are sad, undesirable and unfortunate.
"We are wise enough to appreciate that development is possible only in an atmosphere of peace and harmonuy.
We have a vested interest in pursuing the case of development beyond considerations of caste, creed, religion and hence, do not condone such incidents," said Naidu who hosted the meeting.
Modi, who attended the meeting briefly, said Parliament should run meaningfully and constructively to fulfill the people's expectations.
Modi assured the Opposition leaders that finance minister Arun Jaitley will talk to them to address their concerns, if any, on the key reform measure.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the all party meeting that Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation is in the interest of nation and the finance minister will speak to parties concerned to address their doubts on it," Naidu said.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who was in Bengaluru, said, "We are going to raise the issue of intolerance.
What is happening in the country is distrubing and the Prime Minister is silent" .
CPM general secreatry Sitaram Yechury said he has given a notice in Rajya Sabha seeking passage of a one-line resolution by the House condemning the incidents of "intolerance" and asking the government to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
"That notice has been accepted by the chair.
We want the resolution to be passed.
Government says it is ready to accept a resolution to acceptable to all," Yechury said.
Naidu, however, steered clear of questions on this issue while claiming that the tone and tenor of discussion in the all-party meeting gave a sense that there is a "collective and positive mood" to see the House function smoothly.
He also claimed that "in the meeting, there was a clear support for the GST.
Even the Congress said it was in favour of the bill" .
The winter session, which ends on December 23, will have 38 legislative items including seven new bills for introduction during its 20 sittings spread across 28 days.
Government treats 24 of these items as under the priority category, which include GST bill, three bills related to replacement of Ordinances and Real Estate Regulation Bill.
Urging opposition to enable passage of these bills, Naidu said, "GST Bill is significant for giving a push to economic activity through overhaul of a variety of taxes and enabling the emergence of a single national market in the country.
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