Lok Sabha should be marked by debates and not disruptions, said Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, who urged the opposition parties to work in tandem with the ruling party for the functioning of a healthy democracy.
"We are ready to debate on any issue. Let Lok Sabha be for debates and not disruptions,” said Joshi, during his maiden press conference as minister in the Modi cabinet, in Bengaluru on Saturday.
A four-time MP from Hubli-Dharwad Parliamentary constituency, Joshi added that he would soon convene a meeting of all the leaders of the opposition parties.
Joshi, who is also the minister for coal and mines, said people have given an unprecedented mandate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. "It is a huge responsibility given to the Modi government. For the first time, pro-incumbency has helped a non-Congress party government get re-elected," said Joshi, adding the new cabinet had already taken off on a high note.
"The first decision of the prime minister after assuming office was to enhance the scholarship to children of deceased defence personnel. The scholarship scheme has been extended to children of martyred state police personnel too. The income support scheme has been extended to all the farmers, not just small farmers. Small traders will now come under the pension scheme just like the unorganised workers," Joshi said.
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Joshi further said the four ministers from Karnataka—D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Suresh Angadi and Nirmala Sitharaman and himself—would meet once every fortnight to discuss issues related to the state and would follow up on pending issues.
When asked about the contentious Mahadayi water sharing dispute with Goa, the minister said both Goa and Karnataka had sought clarifications and appealed before the Supreme Court, and added that the state government could not issue notification on the Kalasa-Banduri project.
"We must comply with the existing legal framework. Our legal experts opine that legally we cannot proceed with notifying the tribunal award. Moreover, the state has to make budget allocations. It is not a party issue but is between two state governments. When matter is referred to the tribunal by the Congress party, the state BJP had sought Kalasa- Banduri be exempted from tribunal as it was meant for drinking water. We need a legal solution and not political solution,” he said.
Referring to the shortage of coal supply to the state, Joshi admitted the state had stocks to last for 16-17 days. "I will ensure every state gets assured stocks for 25 days. The power production will not be stopped due to scarcity of coal in any state, " assured Joshi.
Budget on July 5
Joshi informed that the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha would begin on June 17.
"The new members would be sworn in on June 17 and 18, the Speaker will be elected on June 19, followed by the President's joint address on June 20.
On June 23, we hope to replace or amend as many as ten ordinances. Nine bills passed by the Rajya Sabha will be tabled in the Lok Sabha. The economic survey will be tabled on July 4. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Union Budget on July 5," informed Joshi.
