Govt claims it has reached out to Oppn to start discussions on issues and let both Houses function smoothly
The Parliament remained paralysed for the 14th day running as the ongoing logjam continued on Thursday; even the no-confidence motions could not be taken up for discussion. However, the Central government made the first move and entrusted two junior ministers — Vijay Goyal and Arjun Ram Meghwal — to talk to the Opposition and agitating AIADMK and Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) MPs to ensure smooth conduct of business in both the Houses. The AIADMK and TRS MPs have been taking to the Well of the House over the past few days, forcing adjournments.
Taking note of the situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu expressed displeasure over the conduct of the members and said that the entire country is watching the "ugly scenes".
In the Lok Sabha, as soon as the House reassembled at noon after its adjournment, members from TRS and AIADMK again trooped into the Well, raising slogans in support of their demands.
TRS members have been demanding an increase in the reservation quota for jobs in Telangana while AIADMK members want the setting up of a Cauvery Management Board. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed her inability to take up the no-confidence motion moved by YSR Congress and TDP, saying that since the House is not in order, she cannot count the members supporting it. Members of Congress, TMC, Left and others were on their feet to support the motion.
Meanwhile, the government's initiative to reach out to the Opposition comes when only nine more sittings are left in the session until April 6. Goyal, who handles the government work in the Rajya Sabha, and his Lok Sabha counterpart Meghwal called a press conference to brief the media on their efforts after both the Houses were adjourned for the day.
Goyal said he has already met Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and that he will visit residences of the leaders of other parties in an effort to break the logjam, persuading them "to start discussion on their issues." He noted that over Rs 2.5 lakh is spent per minute in running Parliament, stressing that government was willing for a discussion on no-confidence motions against it, but that it enjoys a strong majority. On the Congress pressing daily for discussion on the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, he said the government has more to tell the people than the Opposition. "Sad that Opposition leaders debate outside and on TV channels, but not in Parliament when the government is ready to discuss all issues in the two Houses," he said.
REACHING OUT
- Goel said he has already met Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and will meet other party leaders at their homes
- He noted that over Rs 2.5 lakh is spent per minute in running Parliament, stressing the govt was willing to discuss no-confidence motions against it
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rajya Sabha")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}