Air views freely, have open mind: PM to MPs

Amid the logjam in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted MPs to air their views freely on national issues irrespective of party affiliations as he noted that the world is closely observing the decisions that are taken in India.
India has attained such a stature that the decisions taken here can have impact globally, he said in comments which came against the backdrop of some key reforms measures being stuck because of non-functioning of Parliament and resistance by opposition to certain legislations like Land bill and GST.
"Howsoever big an issue may be, usually we put our views on the basis of party's thinking and regional considerations. That is also important. But India has now attained a stature that the entire world closely observes our decisions," Modi said.

Emphasising the need for Parliamentarians to take a larger view of an issue, he said, "If we go with an open mind and make an effort to understand an issue without any pre-conceived notion, then we can start to see issues from a new perspective."
Modi, while inaugurating a workshop on Speaker's Research Initiative (SRI) to train MPs on various subjects of global importance, said both these aspects -- regional considerations and global dimension -- should be considered while taking decisions as these may have impact internationally.
"Today we cannot decide in isolation in a globalised world...Decisions need to be taken in the context of global situation. Suddenly, gold prices may fall or there may be a particular situation in Greece. We cannot say that 'it is happening somewhere else'. We have to see the context and assess whether there is impact on us.

"It is necessary to address our needs by combining these two aspects through the important medium of Parliament. Whatever rules or laws we make should be on the basis of these two aspects," he said.

Modi said some MPs have "mastery" over Parliamentary procedures and immediately point out rules to make their point and in this context, he praised Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, who was present. "I do not find faults with that," he said.
His comments assume significance as Parliament is unable to function due to a deadlock over opposition demand for ouster of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over various controversies.

The function, where the Prime Minister pitched for free airing of views irrespective of party affiliations, was attended mostly by MPs from BJP as also Trinamool Congress and some other parties. From the main opposition, Shashi Tharoor was the lone MP to attend it.