The government on Wednesday said it was ready for a debate on "intolerance" in parliament and that a positive "tone and tenor" among all political parties augured well for a "productive" winter session beginning Thursday.
"Some incidents have occurred; though law and order is a state issue, still if people want to discuss it, we are ready," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after an all-party meeting in New Delhi.
The Congress has already said it would seek a debate on the issue of intolerance during the upcoming session of Parliament.
Naidu said he was happy with the response of the representatives of all 42 parties who attended the meeting.
"I am happy to inform you that winter session of Parliament will be productive," he said, adding that the government was still ready to accept any suggestion on any issue that the opposition parties might like to discuss.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged all parties to let the House function and the people were "looking up to the parliamentarians" to do whatever they had been assigned to do, the minister said.
A day ahead of the begining of the winter session of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also pitched for the goods and services tax bill, saying it is "in national interest".
He asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to talk to all political parties to build a consensus on the issue, Naidu said after the meeting.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the all-party meeting today (Wednesday) that the GST legislation is in the interest of the nation," Naidu said.
"The prime minister also said that the finance minister will speak to all parties to address their doubts on the legislation," he added.
The legislation is seen as a facilitator of industrial growth and improved business climate in the country.
The Constitution (122nd amendment) Bill, 2014, or the GST bill as it is commonly referred to, is seen as a major step towards tax reforms in the country.
Since it is a constitutional amendment legislation, it needs two-thirds majority to be passed in both houses of parliament and also by legislatures of half of the states to become a national law. It is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha where the government is in minority.
