Government Meets Opposition Leaders After Boycott Of President’s Speech

New Delhi: 30 Jan 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi are meeting floor leaders of opposition parties – via videoconference – to ensure the smooth functioning of the the Budget Session, which began yesterday amid protests over the agriculture laws.Junior ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and V Muralitharan are also part of the meeting.The Budget Session of parliament began Friday with strict rules in view of the Covid pandemic; in September the Monsoon Session ended eight days early after MPs and ministers tested positive.