New Delhi: A day ahead of the commencement of Budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged floor leaders of different political parties in Parliament to keep political differences aside and not disrupt the functioning of the two Houses.
Addressing political leaders in his concluding remarks after the two-hour long all-party meeting, Modi urged them to work cohesively with the government for the smooth functioning of the House.
The Prime Minister welcomed the newly-elected MPs and expressed hope that fresh zeal and energy would be infused in the functioning of Parliament. Modi also urged all MPs to introspect whether they were able to fulfil people's aspirations as their representatives.
"We are for the people... We cannot win hearts by disrupting the functioning of Parliament. All parties must keep political differences aside and commit themselves to tirelessly working in the direction of nation's progress.
The Prime Minister said the government was always receptive to the issues raised by the political parties and was ready to discuss all matters of national importance on the floor of both the Houses.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that there was consensus across party lines to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks.
Noting that the country would celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Independence in 2022 and the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year, Joshi said the Prime Minister urged all parliamentarians to think about the sacrifices they can make for the nation keeping in mind the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters.
Joshi said Modi had invited Presidents of all political parties with representation in Parliament on June 19 and MPs from both the Houses on June 20 to freely interact and exchange views with the government.
In the Budget session, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha would have 30 and 27 sittings, respectively, between June 17 and July 26. The coming session will mainly be devoted to oath taking, election of the Speaker, motion of thanks on the President's address and financial issues related to the Union Budget for 2019-20.
Time will also be provided for the transaction of essential legislative and non-legislative businesses. The resolution seeking extension of Article 356 in Jammu and Kashmir also needs to be approved by both the Houses by July 2.
The Economic Survey of India will be presented in Parliament on July 4 and the Union Budget for 2019-20 will be presented in the Lok Sabha at 11 am on July 5.
After the meeting, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the party told the government to focus on issues related to farmers, drought and water availability and take immediate steps to control unemployment which had increased in the last five years." This is a war of ideology and it will continue.
