Speaker Meira Kumar to convene all party meet on Wednesday

New Delhi, Aug.24 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will convene a meeting of the leaders of all political parties on Wednesday to discuss and ensure smooth conduct of the House.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of the United Progressiev Alliance government's plans to get the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill passed before the end of the session ahead of United States President Barack Obama's likely visit to India this November.

Meira is likely to urge all political parties' cooperation to ensure smooth conduct of business during the remaining period of the ongoing parliamentary session.

As Parliament resumes on Wednesday after a short break, the Opposition looks all set to take on Government on the issues of Nuclear Liability Bill, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, spurt in Maoist violence and other issues.

The opposition parties are crying foul after the Union Cabinet on Friday last cleared 18 amendments, including the one which deals with a clause on liability of a supplier in the event of a nuclear accident.

While the Rajya Sabha session has been extended by two days to 31st August, there was no word about the Lok Sabha.

Both the Houses have been witnessing disruptions and adjournments for the day with the Opposition parties staging protests on various grounds off and on.

Last week after failing to get the government agree to their demand for getting their salaries on par with government Secretaries, the Opposition forced adjournment of the House.

Later about 70 of their MPs held a mock session that invited a strong rebuke from the Speaker Meira Kumar.

Even the BJP leadership was not amused by the fact that some of its MPs participated in it.

The controversial amendment to Clause 17 (B) makes it clear that an operator of a nuclear plant can seek damages only if an accident has occurred due to the "intent" of the supplier or its employees.

The BJP wants that the amended clause should be referred back to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

The party has made it clear that it would be very difficult to support the bill unless the government relents and brings back the original proposed legislation.

The Left parties are also up in arms accusing the government of diluting the suppliers' liability at the behest of the US.

The Rajya Sabha is expected to discuss the challenges posed by Maoists, insurgents and renewed violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Left parties are likely to take on arch rival Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee accusing her of openly supporting the Maoists. (ANI)