Opposition should join UPA to push reform agenda: Sibal

New Delhi: The opposition should join the government to push the reforms agenda instead of holding up legislation in parliament, Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said here Friday.

Addressing a function to release the 2013 calendar by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Sibal said: "There is no use of bills if parliament is not allowed to pass them." He was referring to the holding up of parliament by the opposition as well as parties supporting the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) over the promotion quota bill and other issues. Enumerating the government`s welfare schemes like direct cash transfer scheme, mid-day meal scheme, Janani Suraksha, Bharat Nirmal and other schemes, Sibal said the government`s aim was to maintain growth in the face of challenges of the 21st century. Criticising the opposition, Sibal said: "Either you are for the aam admi or opposed... We come up with legislations, but they are opposed on the floor of parliament... The country should realise who is for the aam admi and who is against." Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said the calendar is "dedicated to the aam aadmi". He said it was necessary to use every means to ensure that the benefits of the welfare schemes reach the common man. Minister of State in the Prime Minister`s Office V. Narayanasamy said the direct cash transfer scheme would help the beneficiaries get direct advantage. Narayanasamy said 60 percent of the central funds were going to states to implement the welfare schemes. "This should be known to people... the money is ours and someone else is taking credit," he said, adding that there was need to disseminate information about the government`s welfare schemes. The 2013 calendar portrays the United Progressive Alliance government`s flagship programmes like Right to Education, Aadhaar, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and others. IANS