Naidu seeks Congress' cooperation for smooth functioning of Budget session

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that he has sought the cooperation of the Congress over a meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi for smooth functioning of the parliament ahead of the Budget session.

"I apprised Congress president of the need to allow the Parliament to function and sought cooperation of Congress. Congress president told me that they are also interested in allowing Parliament to function, but they have some issues they would want to raise," Naidu told ANI.

Naidu further said that the government is willing to discuss any objections raised by the opposition.

"She said opposition has certain issues. It must be allowed to put forth its views and we are with her on this. Government is ready to debate and discuss issues. If some parties have objection on certain points of ordinances, they can express objections," he said.

The budget session of Parliament will be beginning today with President Pranab Mukherjee's address to members of both the houses of Parliament.

The budget session contains 44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business.

The bills replacing ordinances on raising the foreign investment limit in insurance, auctioning coal mines and changing the rules of land acquisition are some of the important legislations scheduled to be tabled during the session.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Bill, The Labour Code on Wages Bill, The small factories (regulation of employment and condition of services) Bill, and The Labour Code on Industrial Relations Bill are also likely to come up during the session.