Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded a conciliatory note as he arrived at Parliament on Monday before the start of the Winter Session.
Modi told mediapersons his government was “ready to discuss all issues, it is also ready to answer all questions”. Referring to the possibility of opposition protests, Modi declared, “voices against government policies should be forceful, but dignity of Parliament and the Chair should be upheld”.
Spelling out his desire for a constructive session, Modi was quoted by ANI as saying, “This is an important session of the Parliament. The citizens of the country want a productive session. They are fulfilling their responsibilities for a brighter future. The session should be constructive. The benchmark should be constructive. There should be debate as well as peace.”
Modi also referred to the new COVID variant, Omicron, that was detected in South Africa. He said the country should stay alert in view of the new variant.
The government is expected to move a bill on Monday to repeal the three farm laws. In addition to issues of farmers' welfare, the opposition is expected to attempt to corner the government on the standoff with China at Ladakh as well as plans to sell two public sector banks.
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Meanwhile, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi joined other party MPs during a protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the Parliament complex on Monday to demand the repeal of the farm laws.
Rahul tweeted that “sunrise” in Parliament should be in the name of farmers, referring to the repeal of the farm laws and continued demand for minimum support prices.
Congress’ whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion, asking the government to repeal the three farm laws immediately and to provide compensation to the families of 700 farmers who lost their lives during the year-long agitation against the farm laws.
