Pravash Pradhan/
Post News Network
New Delhi: Emphasising the need for smooth functioning of winter session of Parliament beginning Thursday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is all set to raise the prevailing drought-like situation in Orissa in the house and press for more Central assistance to the state.
Even as some Opposition parties are gearing up to gherao the NDA government on various issues, including intolerance, the saffron camp appeared upbeat on the prospects of a debate instead of disruption in Parliament.
Leaders of all the parties met in the day to formally put their point of view across for the smooth functioning. They also held separate meetings of their parties individually and respective alliances to fine-tune the strategies.
“The state government has given a memorandum to the Centre about the drought situation in different districts in Orissa. The issue should be raised in the Parliament. Both Centre and state governments should initiate steps to address the problem,” said senior BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahatab who attended the all-party meet.
BJD members are likely to raise the issue of special status for Orissa and release of drought package to the state.
“We favour smooth functioning of the Parliament session. So we will have a chance to speak and present various issues in the House,” said Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena.
Though Parliament affairs minister Venkai Naidu who had convened the all party meet sought support of all Opposition parties to run the house without disruption and pass important bills such as the GST, the session may be stormy, with the Congress and other Opposition parties keen on demanding a debate on the controversy of ‘intolerance’.
The winter session which will conclude December 23 will have 38 legislative items including seven new bills for introduction during its 20 sittings spread across 28 days.
Apart from the GST Bill, important bills like Real Estate Regulatory Bill is likely to be discussed during the session.
