Containing inflation priority for government, says Venkaiah Naidu

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Thursday that containing inflation is a priority for the newly-formed government.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a cabinet meeting, Naidu said that it is an obvious priority for the government to contain price rise.

"There is no need to elaborate. What is priority, it is a question of common sense. Naturally price rise is a priority," said Naidu.

He also downplayed the controversy surrounding the appointment of former TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"There is no controversy at all. The law had a lacuna which was rectified and Misra was appointed on the basis of his competence and track record," he said.

Naidu confirmed that the first session of 16th Lok Sabha will be held from June 4 to June 11.

Naidu said that former parliamentary affairs minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be the Protem Speaker, who will perform the duties of the office of the Speaker till the election of Speaker.

"During the inaugural session of the 16th Lok Sabha, newly-elected members to Lower House will take oath on June 4 and 5," Naidu said.

The first session will also witness election of the new Speaker and the joint address by the President to the two Houses.

The Rajya Sabha session will begin on June 9 with a joint address by the President Pranab Mukherjee, Naidu said.