Pass pending bills first: CPM tells Centre ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament

New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said there are a lot of bills pending in the Parliament and if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government wants to pass those only on the basis of their majority, then it is not going to happen. Yechury said this after he emerged out of the all-party meeting called by the NDA, ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. "There are a lot of bills pending in the Parliament and even then, they are introducing so many bills. If they want to pass all the bills only on the basis of their majority in the House, then it is not going to happen," Yechury said. Yechury further said that at the present time, it is important to introduce three new bills, which have not been included in the list of the NDA government, but hold utmost importance. "The Women Reservation Bill, which was promised by the NDA Government in 2014 has not yet been introduced, which is very much needed. Secondly, farmers are committing suicide across the nation; it is important to bring Minimum Support Price bill," he said. "At last, after the introduction of Aadhar, all the data of the citizen is now available online. It violates the fundamental right of the citizen to privacy. A new law of Right to Privacy should be introduced," he added. Apart from these issues, the CPM has requested to resolve the matter of China and that of Jammu and Kashmir. "All these steps should be taken up, apart from the distress of the people due to national disasters, like the floods in Assam. These are some of the issues we have flagged off in this meeting," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the floor of leaders of parties of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha earlier in the day, said that for preserving the institution of Democracy in India, it is important that all political parties support the Government to conduct business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and constructive discussion takes place on issues of national importance. Prime Minister Modi further urged all parties to extend their support to the Government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection. He added that State Governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law. "Prime Minister Modi has asked the State Governments to take strict action against the anti-social elements creating violence in the name of cow vigilantism and punish them strictly," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said after the all-party meeting here. "People are trying to give it a political and communal colour, but it is not in favour of the country," he added. Further commenting on the issue of China, Kumar said that the political parties have already been briefed about the situation of China and India stands united on this issue. The Prime Minister also called on all the party to support the war against corruption, which has been initiated by the government. "He (Prime Minister Modi) also expressed concern over the flood like situation on the north-eastern part of the country and asked the state to take action to provide relief to the people," he said. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards all parties for supporting the Government in bringing historic economic reforms like preponing of Budget Session of the Parliament and bringing in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Prime Minister Modi also expressed deep concern for the floods in North Eastern States of India and assured all leaders that the Government is fully informed on the situation on the ground and taking all steps to reduce the suffering of people. Meanwhile, Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government will meet in the evening to chalk out their strategy to counter the Opposition in Parliament. It is also expected that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will discuss the name of its Vice-Presidential nominee during their Parliamentary party executive meeting in the evening. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called for a meeting of leaders of political parties at the Parliament later in the evening to ensure a smooth transaction of business in the House. The Monsoon Session of Parliament will start from Monday and will continue till August 11. The Opposition is expected to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in both the Houses, including the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and the ongoing clashes in West Bengal. (ANI)