The Winter session of Parliament begins today. The Lokpal Bill, the Whistle Blowers' Protection and the Women's Reservation Bills are among the 25 bills that are lined up by the government for consideration and passage during the session. The Companies bill, the banking laws amendment bill, the insurance laws amendment bill, and the pension fund regulatory and development authority bills are likely to be taken up in the session. Ten bills are listed for introduction, besides voting on supplementary demand for grants for the current financial year. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar last evening held an all-party meeting seeking floor coordination. Later, she told reporters that leaders of all political parties have assured their cooperation.
Parliamentary affairs Minister Kamal Nath said, Parliament belongs to all and convergence has to be arrived at through discussion on contentious issues to avoid disruption of proceedings.
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said, her party has given notice for discussion on FDI in retail under the rule that entails voting. She alleged that the government has violated its earlier assurance that a decision on FDI in retail would be taken only after arriving at a consensus.
Samajwadi Party leader Rewati Raman Singh said all issues should be discussed in Parliament though FDI is the main issue. JDU chief Sharad Yadav said the mood among the opposition is that Parliament should function smoothly.