Speaker happy at consensus on price rise discussion

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Thursday said she was very happy that political parties had reached a consensus on holding a discussion on rising prices.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Thursday said she was very happy that political parties had reached a consensus on holding a discussion on rising prices.

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At a meeting of all political parties convened by the speaker Wednesday, it was agreed that the discussion would be held under rule 193, under which voting is not required and which the government is insisting on. The opposition's demand was that there should be an adjournment motion on price in New Delhi.

"I am very happy that all parties reached a consensus on the issue of price rise. It is a very important matter. The people are heavily hit by soaring prices of essential commodities," she told reporters here.

Meira Kumar had rejected the demand of an adjournment motion on price rise on Wednesday.

The Congress had said the government was ready to discuss all issues and requested the opposition to obey the speaker's ruling that the discussion would be held under Rule 193.

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj will initiate the discussion in the Lok Sabha after question house on Thursday.

Proceedings in both houses of parliament have been stalled for the last two days over the contentious issue.