Manmohan Singh appeals for peaceful Budget Session

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today appealed Opposition to allow smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Budget session.

"I appeal to the Opposition not to have any disruption of Parliamentary proceedings as he Government is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament and," Dr Singh said as he arrived in Parliament for the start of the Budget session.

"We seek the Opposition's cooperation in the smooth running of this important session," he added.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to ask Dr. Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to come clear on the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan.

Deputy leader of BJP in the Rajya Sabha, S S Ahluwalia said, "On February 23, NDA will bring an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha and demand suspension of the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of price rise."

"BJP feels the UPA government is deviating from India's policy on Jammu and Kashmir. In 1994, a resolution was passed in Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India," added Ahluwalia.

The Prime Minister and the Minister for External Affairs should clarify in Parliament that they will abide by the 1994 resolution, he claimed.

The other issues that are expected to be taken up for discussion during the Budget Session of Parliament include the Naxal menace, the Ranganath Committee report recommending reservation for Muslims, the issue of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir as suggested by the Saghir Ahmed Committee report and the blast that ripped Pune's German Bakery.

The Railway Budget will be presented on February 24, while the General Budget would be presented on February 26.

The session would conclude on May 7. (ANI)