New Delhi: Issues like price rise, Maoist
violence and problems faced by farmers including sugarcane
growers, are likely to be raised in the upcoming session of
Parliament which, in the words of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira
Kumar, promises to be "stormy".
A week before the start of the session, Kumar today
convened a meeting here of leaders of all political parties to
discuss ways and means to ensure smooth conduct of the
session.
"We look forward to a stormy session otherwise it will
get very boring," she said indicating that heated discussions
were better than a dull Parliament.
Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament beginning
November 19 she hoped that issues would be sorted out in the
month-long session even if there were "heated discussions".
She was answering questions from reporters after the all
party meeting whether she was apprehensive of a stormy session
in view of a variety of issues including price rise being
planned to be raised by opposition parties.
Kumar said that the "character of democracy" is that
different stands are taken by different political parties and
those are discussed in the House.
She said she has been assured by all parties that they
would extend support in smooth running of Parliament.
Some members also wanted that Government should ensure a
minimum 100 sittings of Parliament in a year.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal expressed
government's readiness for such a move but asked political
parties to help it prepare the schedule.
JPC for heritage status of Parl House
A Joint Parliamentary Committee
will soon be constituted to maintain the heritage status of
the imposing Parliament House, Speaker Meira Kumar said here
on Thursday.
The Committee, headed by her, would comprise leaders of
various political parties and have a technical advisory
committee of experts headed by Lok Sabha Secretary General.
The proposal for having a JPC, mooted by the Speaker, was
welcomed by leaders of all political parties at a meeting
convened by her ahead of the winter session of Parliament
beginning November 19.
"Now even if a nail has to be fixed, the Committee's
permission will have to be sought," she said adding eminent
architects, historians and those attached with INTACH and the
National Museum would be part of the technical committee.
Kumar had recently expressed concern over the building
showing "distressing signs" as it was being utilised by more
people than earlier estimated.
The foundation of Parliament House, comprising the Lok
Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the Central Hall and a library,
was laid by the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and the building was
inaugurated in 1927 by Lord and Lady Irwin.
The Central Hall is topped with a dome and 144 columns
guard the three semi-circular chambers, adding to the beauty
of the building.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 18:35