PM calls for productive, constructive debate in Parliament session

Reiterating that Parliament is a forum for discussions, for dialogue and all parties have an obligation to ensure that it runs smoothly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a productive, constructive debate in the upcoming Budget session leading to agreed solutions to many national problems that the country faces.

"This session of Parliament is going to transact the important financial business before the House and it is our sincere hope that we will have a productive, constructive debate leading to agreed solutions to many national problems that our country faces. I have said this before and I repeat it again Parliament is a forum for discussions, for dialogue and all parties have an obligation to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly," Singh told media after an all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

"I am hopeful and I am confident that this session is going to be a fruitful session. This is the session as I said, which is going to deal with the financial business. And our country faces many economic challenges and it is my sincere hope that all political parties will join hands to find productive, constructive solution to the formidable challenges facing our nation," he added.

The Lok Sabha Speaker had convened today's all-party meeting to ensure smooth functioning of the Budget Session of Parliament starting tomorrow.

The three-month-long session is expected to be tumultuous with the BJP-led Opposition set to attack the government on a number of issues, including the VVIP chopper deal and Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's "saffron terror" remark.

The BJP has criticised the government for speaking in different tunes over the need to cancel the copter deal.

The Home Minister's remark wherein he has accused the BJP and the RSS of running training camps has not gone well with the Opposition. The BJP, which has demanded an apology from Shinde, has made it clear it will seek an explanation on the issue.

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