The first day of the Winter Session of Parliament was adjourned on Thursday without transacting any business.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamdi Ansari adjourned their respective Houses till 11 a.m. on Friday after obituary notices were read out.
Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government will make an effort to evolve a political consensus on all bills tabled by it in Parliament.
Speaking ahead of the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Dr. Singh said: “This session of Parliament is of short duration, and therefore, it is obligatory on the part of all political parties represented in our Parliament to make their best possible efforts to get essential business of the two houses transacted as speedily and as smoothly as possible.”
In all, 38 bills, including the Lokpal Bill, the Women's Reservation Bill, the Bill for the creation of the new state of Telangana and the Street Vendors Bill, are slated for passage during the session which will conclude on December 20.
The day also saw the core committee of the Congress Party meeting to decide on the floor strategy for the session.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had earlier this week said the government is determined to push through the Lokpal Bill and the Women's Reservation Bill during the Winter Session of Parliament.
Nath also informed that all parties are in agreement that the session will continue for extended hours to expedite pending work. Nath said leaders of all political parties have assured that session will run smoothly.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, has demanded the passage of the Telangana Bill and the Lokpal Bill during the Winter Session.
She said the Women’s Reservation Bill, and issues such as the atrocities against women, inflation and unemployment should also be discussed.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury demanded the passage of pending public welfare bills.
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