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NEW DELHI: A dysfunctional Parliament adds to the prevailing gloom due to the coronavirus pandemic and all parties should, therefore, ensure Parliament remains productive session and offers an opportunity to address the concerns of people affected by Coronavirus, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M.Venkaiah Naidu told leaders if all parties on Saturday.
Naidu was chairing a meeting of leaders of various parties and groups in the Rajya Sabha ahead of the monsoon session beginning Monday.
He said the second wave put the existing health infrastructure to test and Parliament is the right forum to update all parties about various aspects of fighting the disease and draw from the ground level experiences of MPs and States and to prepare oneself for future contingencies like the third wave of corona virus that is being discussed.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said government has identified 29 Bills including 6 Ordinances replacing Bills and two items of financial business for the session. He sought the cooperation of all parties for enabling a smooth session.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikharjuna Kharge, sought discussions on the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and employment, poverty, the strong potential of a third wave and India’s preparedness, the ongoing farmers’ agitation, issues relating to cooperative federalism, China’s actions along the border, and Jammu and Kahmir, among others.
NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar, on the other hand, suggested a discussion on situation in Afghanistan further to withdrawal of US troops and it’s implications for India. TMC leader Derek O’Brien, sources said, called for more scrutiny of Bills by Parliamentary Committees, while other leaders stressed on the need for smooth functioning of the House and sought adequate time allocation for State specific issues and greater time for regional and small parties.
Sources said that a total of 20 leaders spoke in the meeting and made various suggestions. They also sought cooperation of the government in taking up various issues of wider public concern.
In his opening remarks, Naidu also complimented Piyush Goyal on being nominated as Leader of the House in Raja Sabha. “Piyush Goyal is no stranger to Parliamentary coordination having been the Deputy Leader before the recent elevation. I hope he will deploy his auditing skills to the best use for ensure effective management of the time of the House. I am sure Shri Goyal will not get to miss his ever present smile in his new role,” Naidu said.
Naidu also urged government to reach out to leaders of various parties before the House sits for better coordination. He also said that though it is for the Government to take a view on referring Bills to Parliamentary Committees , it may be done to the extent possible. “All issues can be discussed in the House but none should seek to force their own positions on others” said the Chairman.
Naidu also gave an assurance that regional and small parties that some improvement may be expected in time allocated to them.
Apart from Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and opposition leaders, 15 ministers attended Naidu’s meeting.
Naidu was chairing a meeting of leaders of various parties and groups in the Rajya Sabha ahead of the monsoon session beginning Monday.
He said the second wave put the existing health infrastructure to test and Parliament is the right forum to update all parties about various aspects of fighting the disease and draw from the ground level experiences of MPs and States and to prepare oneself for future contingencies like the third wave of corona virus that is being discussed.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said government has identified 29 Bills including 6 Ordinances replacing Bills and two items of financial business for the session. He sought the cooperation of all parties for enabling a smooth session.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikharjuna Kharge, sought discussions on the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and employment, poverty, the strong potential of a third wave and India’s preparedness, the ongoing farmers’ agitation, issues relating to cooperative federalism, China’s actions along the border, and Jammu and Kahmir, among others.
NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar, on the other hand, suggested a discussion on situation in Afghanistan further to withdrawal of US troops and it’s implications for India. TMC leader Derek O’Brien, sources said, called for more scrutiny of Bills by Parliamentary Committees, while other leaders stressed on the need for smooth functioning of the House and sought adequate time allocation for State specific issues and greater time for regional and small parties.
Sources said that a total of 20 leaders spoke in the meeting and made various suggestions. They also sought cooperation of the government in taking up various issues of wider public concern.
In his opening remarks, Naidu also complimented Piyush Goyal on being nominated as Leader of the House in Raja Sabha. “Piyush Goyal is no stranger to Parliamentary coordination having been the Deputy Leader before the recent elevation. I hope he will deploy his auditing skills to the best use for ensure effective management of the time of the House. I am sure Shri Goyal will not get to miss his ever present smile in his new role,” Naidu said.
Naidu also urged government to reach out to leaders of various parties before the House sits for better coordination. He also said that though it is for the Government to take a view on referring Bills to Parliamentary Committees , it may be done to the extent possible. “All issues can be discussed in the House but none should seek to force their own positions on others” said the Chairman.
Naidu also gave an assurance that regional and small parties that some improvement may be expected in time allocated to them.
Apart from Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and opposition leaders, 15 ministers attended Naidu’s meeting.
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