Indian govt and opposition face off as parliament opens
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Buy SPH photosNEW DELHI (AFP) - India's shaky government and the opposition are to lock horns on Thursday as parliament re-opens for a crucial session that will see a recent string of pro-market reforms being hotly contested.
The previous session was a washout in September with parliament passing just three or four bills because of disruptions by opposition protests about corruption.
The new winter session, which is slated to end on Dec 20, is scheduled to hold 20 sittings to legislate 25 bills and debate another 10, the news agency Press Trust of India said.
The ruling coalition lost its majority in September when a key ally withdrew its 19 MPs to protest against the government's decisions to hike fuel prices and allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector.
