Congress Demands Discussion On Adani, Pollution, Train Accidents During Parliament Winter Session

Congress party seeks Parliament discussion on bribery allegations against the Adani Group, Manipur issue, pollution, and train accidents.

The government called an all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of Parliament Winter Session.

Source : PTI

The Congress party Sunday sought a discussion on bribery charges against the Adani Group when the Parliament would convene for its Winter session. The demand was put forth during customary all-party meeting by the government ahead of the Parliament session. 

The opposition party also demanded a discussion on the Manipur issue, pollution in north India and train accidents.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said the party wanted the issue to be taken up in Parliament as the first thing when it meets on Monday, reported PTI. 

The Rajya Sabha MP called the issue "grave" saying it involves the country's economic and security interests as over Rs 2,300 crore were allegedly paid by the company to politicians and bureaucrats to get favourable deal for its solar energy projects. 

US Prosecutors have charged industrialist Gautam Adani for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts. The Adani Group had dismissed the charges. 

The Winter session of the Parliament will commence on Monday and is scheduled to last till December 20. 16 bills are slated to be tabled for consideration during the session including the Waqf Amendment Bill. 

Several leaders from the opposition have said they will raise the issue of the indictment of Adani in Parliament while Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been calling for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill is among the bills pending in Lok Sabha and has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

The panel has been mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session.

Govt Ready To Discuss Every Issue: Rijiju 

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the government is ready to hold discussions on all the issues laid out by the parties. He also urged that the House should function properly. 

"Today the all-party meeting was held very well, all parties cooperated. A total of 42 political leaders, 30 party leaders and party floor leaders participated in the meeting and every party leader gave their suggestions." Rijiju said while speaking to reporters after the meeting.  

"I want to inform you all that we will discuss all the suggestions by the political party leaders with the business advisory committee and the speaker of both houses and then we will decide which issues to be raised in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We want a proper and peaceful discussion in both the houses," he added.