PM asks opposition not to disrupt parliament

New Delhi, (IANS) The government was ready to "discuss and debate all issues on the floor of the house", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday and appealed to the opposition not to disrupt parliamentary proceedings.

"The government is ready to discuss all issues in parliament. I will appeal to the opposition not to have any disruption of parliamentary proceedings because the government is willing to discuss and debate all issues," the prime minister told reporters outside parliament on the opening day of the budget session.

"Parliament is a forum for debate and government is ready to debate.

"We seek the opposition's cooperation in smooth running of this important session of parliament which will be devoted to the passage of both the general budget and railway budget," he said.

"All issues which agitate the mind of the opposition can be debated on the floor of the house."

President Pratibha Patil will address a joint session of parliament later Monday.

The budget session will continue till May 7 with about three weeks leave in between.