Budget Session of Parliament to reflect people´s expectations

USPA NEWS - New Delhi: Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi stressed the importance of the Budget Session of Parliament beginning from February 23, 2015 saying that the people of the country look at the session with lot of hopes and expectations.

He addressed the leaders of various parties in both the Houses of Parliament at a meeting convened by the Government for mutual consultations on the Budget session on February 22.

Prime Minister said that it is the collective responsibility of all parties and leaders to enable the people to fulfill their hopes and aspirations through proper functioning of both the Houses of Parliament. The PM assured the leaders that all the issues and concerns raised by them will be discussed keeping in view their importance and priority. He expressed the hope that there would be a collective effort during the Budget Sessions in the interest of the common man.

Prime Minister had lunch with all the leaders after the All Party Meet.

Broad consensus on Ordinances, Land concerns can be discussed: Union Minister

In his opening remarks, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mr. M Venkaiah Naidu gave details of the 44-item agenda of the Government for the Budget session including financial, legislative and non-legislative business. He said that of the six Ordinances to be converted into Acts of Parliament by April 5, 2015, there has been a broad consensus on five of them relating to Citizenship for Overseas Indians, Introduction of e-rikshaws, allocation of coal blocks and non-coal mines through open bidding.

The Minister noted, “˜Several state governments cutting across party line have expressed difficulties in land acquisition for development projects under the Act of 2013 and sought modifications. Subsequently, the central government sought to facilitate land acquisition for notified purposes like infrastructure and affordable housing projects in an easy manner without compromising on the remuneration to be paid to farmers and rehabilitation measures to be taken up for displaced persons. The Government is ready to address apprehensions, if any in this regard´.

Mr. Naidu further said what is required is the spirit of mutual cooperation in the true spirit of Parliamentary democracy. Let us collectively strive to build a conducive environment for effective functioning of Parliament during the Budget session.

Over thirty leaders from both the Houses of Parliament expressed their views with most of them highlighting the need for smooth functioning of Parliament to enable discussion on all issues of concern both for the Government and the Opposition.