Talks with China: Indian government will hold meetings with political parties

Amid a concerted push by opposition parties for a discussion on border tensions with China_ parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday that a meeting of leaders from various parties will be held on Tuesday to decide whether such a debate should be held in the House. Joshi_ however_ added that the government was ready to discuss all issues decided by the business advisory committee (BAC) and appealed to parties for their cooperation. In the absence of the traditional all-party meeting ahead of the Parliament sessions_ the meeting of the BAC became the ground for opposition parties to press for discussions on various issues_ including the LAC situation_ economy and coronavirus. The BAC decided that both Houses will adjourn for an hour after paying obituary references to former President Pranab Mukherjee. It also decided_ unanimously_ to pass without discussion two bills pertaining to salary cuts for ministers and MPs. The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Ordinance_ 2020_ and the Salary_ Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance_ 2020_ legislation pertaining to a 30% reduction in sumptuary allowances of ministers and MPs_ is scheduled to be taken up for passage on Wednesday. The decision to reduce the allowances has been taken for a period of one year and is in light of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic_ which has severely pressured the state exchequer. The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill_ 2020_ which amends the Act to include protection for healthcare personnel combating epidemic diseases and expands the powers of the central government to prevent the spread of such diseases_ has been allocated three hours for discussion and passage on Wednesday. After the adjournment_ while Lok Sabha will take up legislative business_ Rajya Sabha is scheduled to hold elections to the post of deputy chairman. -Source: Times Of India