Winter Session to be extended; govt committed to formation of Telangana, says PM
New Delhi: Amid demands that the bill to create a separate Telangana should be brought in the Winter session of Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said his government is committed to the formation of the new state.
In the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, a consensus emerged among political parties on extending the Winter session- which will have only 12 working days- after a week-long break on December 20. Though the Telangana Bill does not figure in the government's agenda for the session, several parties have demanded that it be passed in this session.
"Our government is committed to the formation of Telangana and it will be our effort to make full use of due process of law to ensure that Telangana does come about," Singh told reporters.
He was replying to a question on whether the government will bring the Telangana Bill in the Winter session beginning on Thursday. Government assured parties in a meeting on Monday that it will endeavour to expedite the bill by passing it in the Cabinet and sending it to the President for his assent.
Doors open on Rayala Telangana
With the government listing a heavy legislative agenda comprising 38 bills for passage and the other parties demanding discussions on key issues, all leaders agreed that the session should be extended.
"There is unanimity among parties for extending Parliament session concluding on December 20 after a one-week break," Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said.
Kamal Nath said a decision will be taken after consulting Rajya Sabha members as well as MPs from the northeast and the South. Government has already declared that passage of Women's Reservation Bill and Lokpal Bill will be its top priority.
The briefest session of the 15th Lok Sabha is expected to generate heat. It was clear from the fact that the Left parties want to bring an Adjournment Motion on price rise on the opening day itself while BJP demanding a debate on the increasing atrocities against women and internal security in the wake of the Patna rally blasts.
