Talks on cane pricing fail at all-party meet

Discussions on sugarcane pricing remained "inconclusive" today at an all-party meeting, which was called to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament after both Houses remained paralysed for the first two days of the winter session over the issue.

The issue of sugarcane pricing dominated the meeting, in which top leaders of the ruling and opposition parties were present.

"Discussions remained inconclusive (on sugarcane). Sharad Pawar has been asked to convene another meeting tomorrow noon to discuss the issue with the opposition leaders," CPI leader D Raja said when asked whether the government and the opposition have reached any unanimity on the matter.

Raja, at the same time, maintained that the government does not appear rigid on the issue and appears to have "an open mind" on it.

Insisting that the issue has to be seen in its totality, Raja said the opposition was hopeful of a resolution but added "it is for the government to come forward".

The meeting was attended among others by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Leader of the opposition L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RLD chief Ajit Singh and RSP's Abani Roy.