All-party meet held ahead of Budget session
   Date :31-Jan-2020
All party meet held ahead
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi flanked by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and other leaders during an all-party meet ahead of the Budget Session at Parliament library building in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)
 
NEW DELHI :
 
Modi says Govt ready to discuss all issues and calls for a ‘greater focus’ on economic issues; Oppn talks of anti-CAA protests, ‘worsening’ economy 
 
THE Opposition on Thursday raised the issue of anti-CAA protests at an all-party meeting and accused the Government of “arrogance” in not reaching out to protesters, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted his dispensation is open to discuss all matters in Parliament’s Budget session beginning from Friday. Modi also called for a “greater focus” on economic issues in the session and how India can gain in the prevailing global situation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after the meeting, attended by 26 parties. They raised a host of issues including the nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, “worsening” economic situation and “rising” unemployment. They also demanded the release of detained political figures in Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that Opposition parties sought immediate release of former State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah so that he could attend the session from Friday. Anand Sharma of the Congress added that the issue of some “incendiary” statements made by BJP leaders during the Delhi poll campaign was also raised and Modi was asked to intervene in the matter. The Election Commission on Thursday barred Union Minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma from campaigning for three and four days respectively for their objectionable remarks. Joshi said the Prime Minister told the leaders that parties should not confine themselves to mere “charcha” (debate) but should have rich and structured discussion on every issue. In his concluding remarks, Modi welcomed the suggestions of most members that the session should focus on the prevailing economic situation in the country, an official statement later said.
 
“Most of the members have asked for discussion on the economic situation concerning the country. I welcome this and we need to discuss the economic issues as suggested by you all. We should focus on how we can turn the global scenario in favour of India,” he said. “In this Budget session and in the beginning of the new year, if we can give a proper direction to the country’s economy, it would be in the best interest of the country,” he said, according to the statement. Referring to various other issues raised by opposition parties, Modi said there should be an open discussion on all.
 
He asked the leaders at the meeting to see to it that they contribute to increasing the productivity of the session and Parliament. “This is about the productivity of the session and the Parliament. In the last two sessions, we saw the increased productivity and the great public response in favour of it. As people’s representatives, it is our responsibility to increase the productivity of the House, while we discuss all issues with an open mind,” he said.
 
Asked about the Opposition’s charge that the Government is being arrogant in not reaching out to anti-CAA protesters, Joshi noted that the bill was passed by Parliament following a long discussion and asked rival parties to introspect their role in these protests. The BJP has accused the Congress and other opposition parties of inciting protests and violence against the law which, the ruling party has asserted, does not affect the citizenship of any Indian. In his remarks, Azad said Parliament’s sessions have been shortened gradually by the Government. He said Opposition parties are willing to back the Government on its legislative agenda if it is in national and public interest. He then accused the Government of focussing merely on the passage of its bills and spoke about the nation-wide protests against the CAA. “We brought the Government’s attention to these protests.
 
The Government has displayed arrogance by not reaching out to protesters to hear their concerns... Economic condition is worsening, GDP growth is down and unemployment is at its peak,” he said. All parties have assured cooperation, says Speaker: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday expressed confidence that the House will run smoothly during Parliament’s Budget Session, which begins from Friday, following a meeting with floor leaders of all parties. Birla said he was assured by the leaders of their cooperation in conducting the Lok Sabha proceedings without any adjournment and added that he would give adequate time to all parties to raise their issues.
 
Oppn parties may meet after Budget presentation
 
NEW DELHI :
 
OPPOSITION parties are likely to meet after the Budget presentation on February 1 to evolve a joint strategy for the upcoming Parliament session starting on Friday. Various parties have already held their individual strategy meets for the Budget session of Parliament and would soon get together to evolve a joint strategy to corner the Government on key issues concerning the common people, according to sources.