AHEAD OF WINTER SESSION, OPPOSITION TABLES DEMANDS AT ALL-PARTY MEET

An all-party meeting called by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi took place on Sunday ahead of the winter session of Parliament. 31 parties participated in the all-party meeting. “42 leaders from various parties participated in a constructive discussion,” Joshi told a news agency. “The government is ready for any discussions permitted by the Chairman and the Speaker without any disruptions,” the Union Minister added.

The Opposition on Sunday demanded compensation for the families of Covid-19 victims and the farmers who lost their lives during the farm laws protest in the all-party meeting.

“Many issues including, inflation, fuel price hike, farmers’ issues and Covid-19 were raised in the all-Party meeting today. All parties demanded that a law guaranteeing MSP should be made,” Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI after the all-Party meeting convened by the government concluded at the Parliament Annexe Building. “We demanded from the government that families of Covid19 victims be given compensation of Rs 4 lakh each. Compensation should also be given to farmers who lost their lives during the farm laws protest,” Kharge said.

“We expected PM Modi to attend the meeting today. But for some reason, he did not attend it…The government has withdrawn farm laws but PM had said that he could not make farmers understand. It means that these laws may be brought back in some other form in future,” he added.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader Vijay Sai Reddy stated that his party demanded to bring the Women’s Reservation Bill in the upcoming parliament session.

Leaders of various political parties including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were present at the Parliament for the all-party meeting.

The BJP-led government has a heavy agenda for the winter session with its legislative business including 26 new bills.

The government has indicated that the bill to repeal three farm laws will be taken up on priority. The bill was cleared by the union cabinet earlier this week. The government’s agenda also includes the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021. The winter session will commence on November 29 and is scheduled to conclude on December 23. BJP and Congress both have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present in both the Houses of the Parliament on November 29.

Besides the ruling BJP, 30 parties including INC, DMK, AITC, YSRCP, JD(U), BJD, BSP, TRS, SS, LJSP, NCP, SP, CPI(M), IUML, TDP, Apna Dal, CPI, NPF, SAD, AAP, AIADMK, KC(M), MNF, RSP, RPI(A), RJD, NPP, MDMK, JKNC and TMC participated in the meeting.

TMC raised 10 issues including women’s reservation bill in all-party meet ahead of Winter Session. The TMC also raised the issue of BSF jurisdiction that has been increased in West Bengal and other states, Pegasus issue, disrupted Monsoon session and Covid-19 situation in the country.

Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday boycotted the all-party meeting alleging that the government never allows anyone to speak during the meet. “They (Government) don’t let any member speak during the all-party meeting. I raised the issue of bringing a law on the MSP guarantee in this session of the Parliament and other issues including the extension of Border Security Force’s jurisdiction, among others. They don’t let us speak in all-party meet and Parliament,” said Singh. “The government is busy with Jinnah and other issues, ignoring the core issues related to farmers and common man,” he added.