PM hopes for peaceful Budget session

Says govt willing to discuss all issues which opposition raises

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed hope that the Budget session of Parliament beginning tomorrow will be "peaceful" and "productive" and said the government was willing to discuss all issues which the opposition raises.

"I am looking forward to a fruitful and productive session of Parliament. The government on its part is ready to discuss any issue which may be brought by the Opposition," Singh told reporters emerging from an all-party meeting convened by Speaker Meira Kumar ahead of the Budget session.

The Prime Minister said he was "hopeful" that it will be a "peaceful, productive session of Parliament."

He said a lot of legislative work has to be accomplished in the coming session, including the passage of the Union Budget.

"Therefore," he said it "is the most important session of Parliament."

Against the backdrop of opposition's demand for a JPC probe into corruption, he was asked whether he was satisfied with the meeting.

He said he is "always satisfied".

"I am always optimistic," Singh said.