'Collective responsibility' of all parties for smooth functioning of Parliament: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it is the collective responsibility of all political parties and leaders to ensure the smooth functioning of the Parliament.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during an all-party meeting called by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament.

"The Prime Minister noted that it is the collective responsibility of all the political parties and leaders to make efforts, to make effective use of Parliament, to help the common man meet his aspirations," Naidu told the media here after the all-party meeting.

"The Prime Minister also said the country and the people are keenly watching proceedings in both the houses during the Budget Session because they feel it is important," he added.

Naidu further said Prime Minister Modi assured that the issues raised by the leaders of various political parties would be given importance and would be taken up in the Parliament.

"The general view expressed was that the Parliament should function smoothly," he added.

Ahead of the all-party meet, Naidu earlier today called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and requested her to extend support for smooth functioning of the House.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has called an all-party meeting this evening to ensure smooth run of the Budget Session.

The BJP-led government at the Centre has proposed a 44-item agenda comprising financial, legislative and non-legislative business in the Budget Session, which begins tomorrow.

The Budget Session will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee's address to members of both Houses of Parliament.

The opposition had held up proceedings in the last session over several issues, including the religious conversions.