Vayalyar Ravi urges Opposition to cooperate during session

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi today appealed to the Opposition parties to cooperate with the Government to complete the listed business during the month-long second part of the 14th session of the fourteenth Lok Sabha, starting Friday.

Talking to newspersons, Mr Vayalar Ravi assured the Opposition parties that the Government was ready to discuss all issues raised by them depending on availability of time.

The session from October 17 and November 24, would have a total of 24 sittings during which 71 legislative, 2 financial and one non-legislative items were likely to be taken up.

Of the 16 Bills identified for introduction include the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2008, the Representation of the People(Second Amendment) Bill,2008, the insurance Law (Amendment) Bill, 2008, and the Prevention of Money Laundering (amendment) Bill, 2008.

The Bills for introduction and consideration include the Companies (Amendment) Bill,2008, the Limited Liability Partnership Bill, 2008, The Vice President's Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and two bills for replacing ordinances on the Employees State Insurance and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

Asked about the fate of the session being held in the backdrop of Assembly elections in five states, he said, "I can't say". To a question whether this is going to be the last session of Parliament before Lok Sabha election, the Minister quipped "I can't predict".

Mr Vayalar Ravi, however, said the Government was ready to accommodate any suggestions forwarded to it by the political parties. "But at the same time I will say the official business, which also includes two finance bills, is very important and needs to be passed in the session.

On the fate of the Women's Bill, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the legislation was still lying with the Standing Committee. It could be taken up only after it was sent back to Parliament, he said.

Asked if the impeachment motion about Kolkata High Court Judge (retd) Soumitra Sen would be coming up during the session, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said he was not aware of this. He would discuss the matter with the Law Ministry.

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