New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that his government will ensure smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament during the winter session that begins on Thursday.
"It's a short session and it is best for all to make optimal use... we seek cooperation of all segments of the two Houses," the PM said, after an all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to try and ensure that there is minimum disruption.
The 12-day winter session promises some heat, with main opposition party, BJP, having made it clear earlier at an all-party meeting on Monday that it will attack the government on a number of issues. Among these is the creation of Telangana state for which the BJP wants a Bill to be introduced and passed in this session.
The PM said that his "government is committed to formation of Telangana".
"It will be the government's endeavour to bring the bill as soon as possible," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said after the meeting.
A consensus also emerged at today's meeting for extending the short winter session.
"There is unanimity among parties for extending Parliament session concluding on Dec 20 after a one- week break," said senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
But Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said that a decision on the issue would be taken only after consulting leaders from the Rajya Sabha.
The BJP has demanded a discussion on internal security with special focus on the serial blasts in Patna just before its leader Narendra Modi's rally in October. Ms Swaraj said the BJP also wants discussions on crimes against women and the functioning of a parliamentary panel on the 2G telecom scam.
The Left wants the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar two months ago discussed. And a debate on the economy.
That is a lot of discussion for the short session, in which the government also plans to push Bills like the Lokpal Bill and Women's Reservation Bill which have been passed by one House and now await the other House's nod.