FDI in focus, parties meet to discuss Parliament logjam

With the functioning of Parliament stalled for the fifth day, on Monday, in the winter session on various issues including the decision to permit foreign equity in retail, an all-party meet is in progress to discuss a way out of the logjam.

With the functioning of Parliament stalled for the fifth day, on Monday, in the winter session on various issues including the decision to permit foreign equity in retail, an all-party meet is in progress to discuss a way out of the logjam.

Government sources said the meeting convened by House Leader in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee will include floor leaders from all parties with four or more members.

The meeting will focus upon the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, which has become the bone of contention with not only opposition but also government allies opposing it. Other legislative and other business of Parliament will also be taken up, sources said.

"The meeting will also talk about other issues on the agenda in the winter session, including pending legislations," minister of state for Parliament affairs Harish Rawat told IANS. The move comes as five days of Parliament's winter session have been lost without transacting any major business.

While the two houses were adjourned on Monday on the issue of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, last week ended without transacting any business due to unending protests over inflation, corruption and demand for separate Telangana.

The opposition parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, the Left, AIADMK, along with parties giving external support to government like Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party and allies like Trinamool Congress and DMK demanded a rollback in the decision to allow FDI in retail.

The main opposition BJP has categorically stated it will not let parliament function without a rollback of the FDI in retail decision.

"The government should announce a rollback of the decision to allow FDI in retail. If they announce a rollback this night, there will be no need for this all-party meet," leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told reporters.