Consensus among parties on smooth conduct of Parl: Sumitra

A consensus has emerged among political parties that Parliament should run smoothly and the Question Hour should not become a victim of disruptions, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today.
Emerging from an all-party meeting convened by her on the eve of the Budget session, she said opposition parties were of the view that issues of pubic importance such as the system of reservation and overall functioning of universities against the backdrop of JNU row should also be taken up for discussion.
Mahajan said besides discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President's address, the General Budget and the Railway Budget, some "very important issues" can also be allowed to be taken up for discussion.

The Business Advisory Committee of Lok Sabha would meet tomorrow afternoon to chalk out the agenda for the coming week in the Lower House.
"Hopefully, the House should run smoothly in the Budget session," she said, adding that as the Speaker, she has to work as per rules.
Leaders of various political parties attended the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Varanasi in the day, also attended the deliberations at the fag end.

"If I relax the rules for one person, then others too demand the same," she said explaining the position of the Chair in running the proceedings.

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after the meeting that his party urged the Speaker to allow the Opposition raise issues of importance even if they have not been approved by the Business Advisory Committee.
He said there are certain issues which members have to raise without giving prior notice as people expect politicians to raise them in Parliament.
He also rejected the charges that it is Congress which disrupts House proceedings. "Don't blame Congress for not allowing the House to function...It is okay for bills for which there is unanimity, but on other bills, government will have to take steps," he said.