Sonia expresses concern over poor attendance of Congress MPs

New Delhi, July 30(ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday expressed concern over the poor attendance of party MPs in Parliament, and asked the conveners of the parliamentary party to take measures to ensure full attendance.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party, Gandhi said the chief whips of the party are facing a tough task to mobilise all the members on crucial occasions. This reflects poorly on the performance of the party and does little justice to those who have voted to represent them here, Gandhi added.

Sonia Gandhi said expectations and demands from constituencies have increased and asked the ministers to give time and be of assistance to MPs.

She also insisted the ministers to visit party offices and interact with party functionaries when they travel within the country.

Gandhi informed that the party is planning training sessions for the newly elected MPs and asked them to regularly participate in the meetings of Standing Committees and Consultative Committees.

She asked the members to familiarize the policies and programmes of the government and regularly monitor the implementation of the programmes in their constituencies.

Hailing the election Meira Kumar as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said it reflected the party's steadfast commitment to women empowerment.

oting the budget has substantially increased allocations in key areas despite difficult fiscal environment, Gandhi asked the member's to work for the proper implementation of the enhanced allocations lead to improved outcomes and make a tangible difference to the daily life of common man.

The setting up of a delivery-monitoring unit in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and an independent evaluation office as proof of the party's determination to ensure that government spending has an effective and visible impact, Gandhi said.

Gandhi expressed hope that the Right to Education Bill would be passed by both the Houses of Parliament, while Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill and National Green Tribunal Bill would be introduced in the on going session.

Gandhi said the draft bill of the National Food Security Act, a key election promise of the party, is expected to make public shortly; she hinted that the government might take the help of the members of the civil society to draft the bill.

Taking note of the poor monsoon, she emphasized on the need of strict vigil on the prices of essential commodities, and assured farmers that the Centre would provide all possible assistance to them in areas of deficit rainfall.

Hailing enhanced allocation for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Gandhi said, the inflation adjusted wage rate of Rs 100 a day under NREGA would also soon become a reality. (ANI)