Government outlines budget session agenda; opposition to raise price rise

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The Narendra Modi government has outlined its legislative agenda, which includes bills for amending insurance laws and regulating the real estate sector, in the budget session of parliament beginning Monday even as the opposition plans to turn the heat over price rise.

The rail budget will be presented July 8 and the general budget July 10, revealing the economic priorities of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government which came to office in May.

With Modi noting need of some tough measures to improve the country's financial health, the budget is expected to seek a balance between steps for fiscal consolidation and expectations of tax relief by the people who gave a full majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party for the first time.

Opposition parties have however made it clear that they will seek to put the government on the mat on the issue of price rise and rail fare hike.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that price rise was a major issue for the party.

"There has been hike in rail fares. Prices of diesel and petrol have gone up. This government had talked of bringing 'ache din (good days)'. Is this the way to bring them," Alvi told IANS.

He also said that the party will also raise the issues concerning Indians in Iraq.

Asked about Congress' keenness on its leader in Lok Sabha getting leader of opposition status, Alvi said that party should be recognised as the main opposition party.

Congress with 44 members is the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, but falls short of the 10 percent mark -- 55 members in the 545-member house -- which the government has cited as mandatory as per rules for getting the leader of opposition status.

Alvi contended there was "no hard and fast rule" about the need for the main opposition party to have 10 percent of the house's membership to be recognised, and noted the position was necessary as it "plays a role in some key appointments".

Apart from Congress, Trinamool Congress has also made it clear that it was keen to raise issues of price hike and increase in rail fares.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the government was prepared to discuss any issue permitted by the chair even as Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Saturday held a meeting with leaders of various parties to seek their cooperation in smooth running of the house.

The session, which ends Aug 14, will have 168 hours for work.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will make a statement on the situation of Indians in Iraq in both houses, while the government will bring bills to replace ordinances on the Polavaram project and the TRAI amendment which paved the way for appointment of Nripendra Misra as principal secretary to the prime minister

The passage of insurance laws amendment bill, the real estate regulation bill and the prevention of corruption amendment bill and mental health care bill is also on the agenda.