New Delhi: Opposition parties have unitedly called for a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Parliament's winter session beginning Monday and suggested that the debate could take place under electoral reforms. The government appealed to all political parties to allow the House to function smoothly.
NDA government has listed several crucial legislations as it seeks to reform the atomic energy sector, insurance and capital market sectors, among others. The government has also proposed a day-long discussion on the national song Vande Mataram.
At the all-party meeting convened on Sunday, matters related to SIR and national security dominated the discourse. The government side was represented by defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju and his deputies Arjun Ram Meghwal and L Murugan. Some Opposition leaders alleged that governors were sitting on bills passed by state legislatures and funds of Opposition-ruled states were being blocked.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Rijiju said: "Parliament should not be stalled; it should function smoothly. The government will keep discussing with all parties to ensure smooth functioning of the House. There are differences among political parties but if we decide not to disturb the House, then productivity will rise."
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the meeting "a mere formality" and said: "This session of 15 days will be the shortest in parliamentary history." Congress' Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi said his party has demanded a discussion on national security, air pollution, purity of voter list, foreign policy and farmers' issues.
Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav asserted that his party would not allow Parliament to function if a discussion on SIR is not held. Several BLOs killed themselves as they had been told to delete specific votes, he added.
CPI-M leader John Brittas said if Parliament is disrupted, full responsibility will be of the government. Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee said his party was ready to cooperate in running the House and the government should also allow a discussion on SIR. BJD's Sasmit Patra said all parties demanded a discussion on SIR, but his party wants a discussion on electoral reforms.
Later in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairperson CP Radhakrishnan held meetings with floor leaders of the respective Houses.
NDA government has listed several crucial legislations as it seeks to reform the atomic energy sector, insurance and capital market sectors, among others. The government has also proposed a day-long discussion on the national song Vande Mataram.
At the all-party meeting convened on Sunday, matters related to SIR and national security dominated the discourse. The government side was represented by defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju and his deputies Arjun Ram Meghwal and L Murugan. Some Opposition leaders alleged that governors were sitting on bills passed by state legislatures and funds of Opposition-ruled states were being blocked.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Rijiju said: "Parliament should not be stalled; it should function smoothly. The government will keep discussing with all parties to ensure smooth functioning of the House. There are differences among political parties but if we decide not to disturb the House, then productivity will rise."
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the meeting "a mere formality" and said: "This session of 15 days will be the shortest in parliamentary history." Congress' Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi said his party has demanded a discussion on national security, air pollution, purity of voter list, foreign policy and farmers' issues.
Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav asserted that his party would not allow Parliament to function if a discussion on SIR is not held. Several BLOs killed themselves as they had been told to delete specific votes, he added.
CPI-M leader John Brittas said if Parliament is disrupted, full responsibility will be of the government. Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee said his party was ready to cooperate in running the House and the government should also allow a discussion on SIR. BJD's Sasmit Patra said all parties demanded a discussion on SIR, but his party wants a discussion on electoral reforms.
Later in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairperson CP Radhakrishnan held meetings with floor leaders of the respective Houses.
