New Delhi, July 17 (Bureau) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired a meeting of leaders of different parties in the Lok Sabha and urged them to co-operate in ensuring smooth functioning of the House during the Session. He expressed hope that political parties and Members will co-operate. “I have asked all the leaders of the political parties that the House should run smoothly, without any disruption, and leaders of all parties should co-operate in this, so that the aspirations and expectations of the people of the country can be fulfilled through this House,” Birla said after the meeting.”
The leaders of all the parties have assured me that they will co-operate in the proceedings of the House, discuss important issues and Bills, and will continue to do the same in the coming days with a positive approach,” he added. Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said they told the Speaker that sufficient time should be given to the Opposition in the House to raise issues. Floors leaders from different parties also demanded a discussion on the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, unemployment and farmers’ issues among others in the upcoming session.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, MOS Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chowdhury, DMK’s TR Balu and YSRCP’s PV Midhun Reddy, were among those present.However several parties, including the Trinamool Congress, BJD, TRS, TDP, Akali Dal, CPI(M), CPI, NCP, RSP, JMM, National Conference and Shiv Sena missed the meet.
The Monsoon Session starts on July 18 and will end on August 12. Birla said there will be 18 sittings, and a total time of 108 hours will be available, out of which, about 62 hours will be available for government business.The remaining time has been allotted for Question Hour, Zero Hour and private members’ business. In addition to government business, sufficient time shall be allotted as per the need for discussion on matters of urgent public importance. Birla also informed that the timing of submission of notice for raising matters during the Zero Hour has been changed. Like the previous Sessions, proper Covid-19 protocol will be followed. Birla said adequate arrangements have been made in this regard. Elaborate security arrangements have also been made for the Session. The Government has listed 24 new Bills for introduction in this session.