Running House is government’s responsibility, but it has to be shared by all - PM

New Delhi: With the Monsoon Session beginning on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to parties to utilise Parliament time for discussing all issues and said running both the Houses is a shared responsibility of all, even as he exhorted them to move forward on the contentious land Bill.

At a meeting with leaders of all political parties here, he asked them to collectively move forward on issues discussed in the last session while keeping the country’s interest in mind. With important legislations like the land Bill, the GST bill and the real estate Bill pending before Parliament, the government is seeking the support of all parties in their early passage.

The Monsoon Session that is likely to end on August 13, is expected to be a stormy affair with the Congress and other parties giving indications to that effect. Demand of the removal of Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the wake of their alleged involvement in Lalitgate and Vyapam scam will be raised. “Of course, it is the responsibility of the government to run the House and we have to take the initiative for it, but this responsibility has to be shared by all. “It is time to move forward. All of us have to collectively move forward. The country’s interest is paramount. Certain issues discussed in the last Session need to be taken forward,” the Prime Minister said at the meeting.

He said the Monsoon Session is short and hence its time needed to be utilised for debating important issues for which the government was ready. K.C. Venugopal, Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, said: “We are ready for cooperation in the passage of Bills provided there is elaborate cooperation and meaningful action on the recent important issues like Vyapam, Lalitgate and Indo-Pakistan ties. The government should be ready for a detailed discussion and strong action against those who are involved.The ball is in the government’s court.” There was no representative of the Trinamul in the meet.

IMPORTANT BILLS PENDING

• Land Acquisition Bill
• GST Bill (122nd Amendment)
• Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
• Whistleblowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill
• Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015