 "Sitharaman urges Congress to let Parliament work smoothly")
"We expect the opposition to also understand that the responsibility of running the Parliament is equally to be shared by all parties. The government will certainly discuss, consult and talk with all the parties and move forward. But many of the issues particularly related to the bills are being discussed in various committees and so the decision will be taken by them. People of India want these reforms to move forward with constructive inputs for improving the bill the government is always ready. Citizens will benefit from moving forward rather than staying in where we are," Sitharaman stated on the sidelines of an event by FICCI here today.
On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement that his party will not allow even "an inch of land to be ceded", the minister said if the party has any issue with any of the clauses of the land bill then they should take up the matter with the concerned committee and not pass such remarks as that then "dilutes" the work of the committee looking into the matter.
Sitharaman today also stated that the government is ready for an investigation by CBI on the Lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam.
The monsoon session of the Parliament, which is starting from July 21, is expected to be stormy as the government faces raging controversies concerning the Lalit Modi issue and Vyapam scam. The opposition is also miffed with the land and GST bills.
The commerce minister also spoke on the recent measures taken by the government in relaxing the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy by introducing composite cap. She said the government has allowed composite caps on FDI limits on all sector except in defence and banking sectors as the government does not want "fly-by-night operators, quick money" coming into these sectors.
She added that the government is also going to bring interest subvention measures for the exporting community which is reeling under subdued global economic conditions.