As Budget session resumes, Modi seeks Opposition support for controversial bills
New Delhi: As the second part of Budget session got underway on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the cooperation of all parties in the first half and hoped that the same would continue.
"The first part of the Budget session witnessed unprecedented outcomes. Even in terms of productivity, it was successful after many years because of the cooperation of all parties. I thank all parties for that," he told reporters outside Parliament.
"I am confident that in the second part too the level of discussions will keep rising. There would be discussion as per the hopes and expectations of the common people. Good decisions would be taken and we will take steps towards meeting the expectations of the people," he said.
Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister had tweeted that he looked forward to a "productive session, filled with constructive debates on several issues".
The controversial land bill issue is expected to generate much heat in Lok Sabha with the government deciding to table the new land ordinance on the very first day of the second half of the Budget session.
According to the schedule of business, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy will lay on the table a copy of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, promulgated by the President on April 3 under Article 123(2)(a) of Constitution.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also make a statement regarding the 'Recent Developments in the Republic of Yemen and efforts made for safe evacuation of Indian nationals from there'.
The Budget session will conclude on May 8. The Rajya Sabha is having a new session from April 23 that will end on May 13.
On the eve of the Budget Session, Modi had on Sunday voiced hopes that it would be full of "outcomes", noting that the productivity of Parliament had "reached 125 per cent" since his government came to power.
With Parliament set to witness a stormy session over a host of issues, including the land bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu has asked BJP MPs to be present in their House throughout.
The land acquisition ordinance, which the government could not get converted into a legislation in the first half of the budget session in Parliament due to stiff opposition in Rajya Sabha, was re-promulgated on April 3, a day before it was to lapse.
