New Delhi: Ahead of a possibly stormy budget session of Parliament, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan yesterday said lawmakers should emulate the Indian cricket team's discipline which has kept India on the top in the World Cup.
"The lawmakers should follow the young boys of the Indian cricket team who in today's match acted in complete coordination and responsibility," the Speaker told reporters after an all-party meeting which she had convened to ensure a smooth budget session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the dinner which took place after the almost two-hour-long meeting.
Asked whether Parliament will see a show-down over the land acquisition bill, Mahajan said that today's meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere which saw leaders seeking more time for debate and discussion.
"I take suggestions for more debate and discussion very positively," she said.
She said suggestions for use of less paper in the working of Parliament was also discussed with several members giving suggestions as to how to ultimately make it paperless.
"To start with, the Committee reports could be put online as also annual reports which will however be made available on demand," she said.
To a question on what action is to be initiated against members trooping into the Well, Mahajan said she has received a number of suggestions including one on members' violating getting suspended suo motu.
As per the present provisions, the Speaker has the power to suspend a member entering the Well, she said.
Mahajan said some members have given suggestions for holding discussions on certain important issues, while some sought more Ministries to be discussed during the debates on demands for grants before the passage of the Finance Bill during the current session of the Parliament.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was also there at the meeting, steered clear of questions on his party's stand on the controversial land ordinance. He merely said that he will put forth the party's view in Parliament.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister had gone to Saifai in Uttar Pradesh to attend the Tilak ceremony of Mulayam's grandnephew.
Others who attended today's meeting included deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, AIADMK's P Venugopal, BJD's Bhartruhari Mahtab, CPI-M's Mohammed Salim, RJD's Jayprakash Narain Yadav and Akali Dal's Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, among others.
Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Minister of State Rajiv Pratap Rudy were also present.
