LS Speaker expresses hope of smooth functioning of Parliament

Ahead of the Monsoon Session beginning from tomorrow, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday expressed hope that the Parliament would function smoothly without any adjournments.

"From tomorrow the new session will begin. Everyone welcomed the two new ministers-Ananth Kumar and his associate Ahluwalia. We have got assurance that everyone will cooperate in the smooth functioning of the Parliament. Some issues came up including Jammu and Kashmir situation, terrorism price rise etc. Let us hope the Parliament will function smoothly without any adjournments," Mahajan told the media here.

Mahajan had called an all-party meeting earlier today to discuss about the Monsoon Session.

The government had also called an all-party meeting earlier today in view of the Monsoon Session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to the opposition parties to ensure passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill while urging all to keep national interests above all issues.

Hoping for a meaningful Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Modi said the GST Bill is of national importance.

After senior ministers including Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and his deputy Anand Sharma earlier on Thursday, the government is optimistic that things would sail in smoothly in both the Houses of the Parliament, especially the upper house where the numerical strength of the Congress has so far stalled the GST Bill.

The Congress, which originally piloted the GST Bill, has said it is still in favour of the same.

The changes it has demanded include putting a cap of 18 percent on GST rate in the constitution amendment bill.

Of the 10 bills expected to come up in the Lok Sabha during the 20-day sittings are-the Consumer Protection Bill 2015, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2015, and the Lok Pal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill.