Government ready to face no-confidence motion on FDI issue
New Delhi, Nov.16 (ANI)
Union Cabinet Ministers P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Manish Tewari on Fiday said that the government is ready to face a no-confidence motion from the opposition during the Winter Session of Parliament on its executive move to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector.
Addressing a news conference in the national capital, the three ministers said the government is ready to face any situation, including a no-confidence motion, but added that efforts were still being made to convince all political parties to support the decision and ensure passage of key bills.
"The Parliament session has a very heavy legislative agenda. We are reaching out to the various political parties to carry through these agenda in the four weeks that we have for the session," said Chidambaram.
"We sincerely hope that the forthcoming session will be a productive one and many bills will be passed," he added.
Among the Bills up for debate and passage are an Amendment of the Insurance Bill to raise FDI cap from 26 to 49 per cent, the Banking Regulation Amendment Bill and the Direct Taxes Code.
Reacting to reports that the opposition will target the government over FDI in multi-brand retail, Tewari said, "If they want to corner us, we no objection. We are ready to discuss anything if the rules permit. But if have Parliament is not allowed to function, it would not be good for parliamentary democracy."
Meanwhile, according to sources, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is expected to make a statement on the FDI issue in Parliament when it convenes for the Winter Session from November 22.