All-party meet called ahead of Winter Session

An all-party meeting was called to discuss the agenda for the Winter Session of Parliament, which will begin on Monday.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi party (SP) skipped the all-party meet convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

Twenty six political parties, and forty leaders were present in the meeting expect TMC and SP lawmakers.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu termed the meet as fruitful and meaningful.

"We had a very fruitful and meaningful meeting with all party leaders in both the houses of parliament. Twenty six political parties, forty leaders were present in the meeting expect Samajwadi and Trinamool; all most all political parties were present. The government has given a list of bills which we want to take up in this session of parliament," said Nadu.

Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party has given 12 points to the speaker, which includes black money and other important national issues.

"We gave detail of 12 points to the speaker which includes black money issue, atrocities, flood, and cyclone and price rise of essential commodities," he said.

Reportedly, there are 67 bills currently pending before the parliament.

Parliament would today for a month-long session in which the government is confident of passing legislation to allow more foreign investment in the insurance industry, despite hostile opposition parties. Other bills, including labour and land reform, will face stiff opposition.

After the session ends on December 23, focus will turn to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's second budget, due in February and seen as a chance for the government to address criticism it has not moved quickly or boldly enough on the economy.