Budget Session: Naidu asks opposition to be firm not 'adamant'

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday appealed the opposition parties to not be adamant but firm, and hoped for a meaningful, constructive Budget Session of the Parliament starting today.

"We have GST, an important piece of legislation, which requires a constitutional amendment. We have this black money bill, also very important, then we have the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill. We've Land Fair Compensation and Rehabilitation Acquisition Bill, Scheduled Castes Amendment Bill, couple of more bills are there and we also want to utilize the time of the Parliament to complete the discussion on the agricultural crisis as well as recent untimely rains which have affected seven to eight states, in the form of hailstorm and all," Naidu said.

"So, we want to start the debate today itself on this hailstorm effected farmers, welfare measures taken by the government and member's suggestions also. Then, we will be taking up the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the evacuation efforts made in Yemen in the recent crises there," he added.

"Lots of other issues are also there and I am hoping for a meaningful, constructive session as we have performed in the first half of the budget session," Naidu said.

The Union Minister further made it clear that no one should be adamant.

"My point is that no one should be adamant. They can be firm, I have no problem because if they want to take an ideological position it is a different matter," he said.

The Budget Session of the Parliament will see the Lok Sabha reconvening its term today, while the Rajya Sabha will begin its second spell on April 23.

Among the key legislations to be passed during this period will be the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill and the Constitution Amendment Bill for introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), among others.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a clear majority of 335 in the Lok Sabha but is weaker in the Rajya Sabha, with just 63 seats.

Both Houses will have 13 sittings each till May 8.