PM to call meeting of UPA allies on reforms road map

A meeting of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies and the Congress party is likely to be called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reach a consensus on economic reforms after he returns from Kolkata tomorrow evening and before he leaves for Russia on July 16 for a three-day meeting of the G8 countries.

Today, the PM met President A P J Abdul Kalam for 35 minutes, ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament beginning July 24.

Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman S M Khan said the meeting was "part of regular interaction between the two leaders." Singh briefed Kalam on the forthcoming Parliament session.

Both the Opposition led by BJP and the Left parties have made it clear that they would put the government on the mat for the steep all-round price hike. The Left allies of the government have questioned the nuclear deal and charged the government with compromising the country's strategic interests by conceding US 'conditionalities'.

What the PM did not mention was the nature or form of the Office of Profit Bill that the President must receive before the monsoon session for his assent.

The President has made it clear that he would like changes in the Act passed by both Houses of Parliament. But the government is loath to make any changes.