Parliament, forum for dialogue on critical key issues, says PM

Amid government's efforts to end the logjam in Parliament over the JPC demand on the 2G scam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday admitted that "things are not what they ought to be" and asked MPs not to forget that Parliament is the primary forum for dialogue.

Amid government's efforts to end the logjam in Parliament over the JPC demand on the 2G scam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday admitted that "things are not what they ought to be" and asked MPs not to forget that Parliament is the primary forum for dialogue.

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"Parliament is a primary forum for discussion, dialogue, legislation and I don't think anybody would deny that things are not what they ought to be", Singh said while releasing 'Central Hall' a magazine of the Parliamentarians.

He asserted that MPs should not forget that Parliament is a forum for dialogue on key issues of the country.

"Therefore, all of us have a responsiblity to explore ways and means of ensuring that the primacy of Parliament as the primary legislative forum of our country, as a forum for dialogue on critical key issues of contemporary polity, society and economy, that these functions of Parliament, are not forgotten", Singh said.

Singh's remarks assumes significance as Finance Minsiter Pranab Mukherjee has invited the opposition for talks on February 8 to defuse the tension over the JPC issue and ensure functioning of Parliament during the Budget Session starting February 21. The winter session of Parliament was a wash out with the opposition unrelenting on the JPC demand.

"... And, therefore, I believe, apart from these, there are other issues which are engaging the public attention, the issue of electoral reforms, the manner in which political parties are funded, the issues that agitate people with regard to the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of affirmative action, which is a hallmark of Indian Constitution", he added.

He said he was hopeful that the in-house magazine of the Constitution Club would provide an opportunity to discuss and debate vital issues concerning national polity.