Government committed to Telangana formation, says PM

He urged political parties to make best use of the time available during the short winter session

The government is committed to formation of Telangana, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday.

He urged political parties to make best use of the time available during parliament's short winter session beginning Dec 5. "It should be everybody's endeavour to make best and optimal use of time available to the two houses," he said.

Talking to reporters after an all-party meeting convened by Speaker Meira Kumar, the prime minister said the government would do everything in its power to ensure smooth functioning of the two houses.

Leaders of parties in the Lok Sabha attended the meeting.

Members expressed concern at the short duration of the session, saying several important issues had to be discussed but there were only 12 working days. They said the government too had heavy legislative agenda.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded bill on formation of Telangana and discussion on price rise.

Asked about the demand for creation of Telangana, the prime minister said the government was committed to it.

"(We are) committed to formation of Telangana," the prime minister said, and added that the government would follow the process of law for creation of the new state.

The prime minister sought cooperation of members in the smooth functioning of parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters later that several parties expressed their views for extending winter session of parliament after a break for the Christmas and the government would take a view on the issue after wider consultations.

He said the parties agreed to bring the bill on Telangana in the winter session. "It will be (our) endeavour to have the bill as early as possible," he said.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters the party wanted passage of both the bill on Telangana and the Lokpal bill in the winter session.

Communist Party of India leader Gurudas Dasgupta said his party would bring an adjournment motion on the price rise at the beginning of the session and sought support from opposition parties.