Winter Session of Parliament begins today, govt. says will discuss GST, intolerance

The winter session of the Parliament begins today and the month-long session is expected to be stormy as the opposition is ready to corner the government on issues like intolerance, GST and price rise.

Congress, Janata Dal (United) and the Left have already submitted their notices for adjournment motions demanding a debate on the issue of intolerance and passage of a resolution condemning such incidents.

Earlier, speaking at the all-party meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged all the political parties to work together to enable the Parliament to function up to the expectations of the people.

On GST, Prime Minister Modi said, "Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is in touch with leaders of different parties."

Talking to the media after the BJP Parliamentary Party executive and NDA allies meeting in New Delhi last evening, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that the government has nothing to hide and feel shy about the issue as it is a state subject.

He also said that the Centre is keen to pass the key legislations including Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and has decided to have dialogue with Congress on the issue.

Meanwhile senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had yesterday claimed that incidents of communal tension and intolerance have considerably increased and the issue should be addressed.

Array

On a query whether the party will support the passage of GST bill, Azad said, his party will support the passage but after certain amendments.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also held a meeting yesterday with floor leaders of all parties in Parliament House to seek co-operation for smooth conduct of proceedings during the session.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, she appealed to all political parties to have a debate on more and more issues.

She also urged them to maintain decorum in the House.