The Budget Session of Parliament is set to begin on Friday, with the government unveiling its legislative agenda, including the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, while the opposition is gearing up to raise key concerns such as inflation, unemployment, and constitutional issues.
Session Highlights
- President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of both Houses.
- The Economic Survey will be tabled ahead of the Union Budget presentation on Saturday.
- The government has identified 16 legislative items and three financial items for the session.
- Parliament will not function on February 5 due to Delhi elections.
Key Legislative Bills
Among the key bills slated for discussion are:
✔ Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
✔ Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
✔ Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
✔ Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
✔ Boilers Bill, 2024
✔ Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
✔ Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
✔ Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
✔ Finance Bill, 2025
Additionally, the session will include:
- Voting on Demands for Grants for 2025-26
- Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25
- Demands for Excess Grants for 2021-22
Opposition’s Concerns
At an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, opposition parties criticized the government over various issues:
🛑 Congress leader Pramod Tiwari accused the government of “systematically killing constitutional values” and failing on the economic front. He also raised concerns about the RSS allegedly altering the independence date of India and the treatment of Waqf-related discussions.
🛑 BJD MP Sasmit Patra demanded special category status for Odisha, reminding the BJP of its 2014 election manifesto promise.
🛑 Congress leader Jairam Ramesh strongly opposed the handling of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Bill, calling it a “mockery of parliamentary traditions.”
Government’s Response
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju assured that the government is prepared to discuss any critical issues raised by the opposition, subject to parliamentary rules.
The first part of the session will run until February 13, after which Parliament will reconvene on March 10 and conclude on April 4.
With key economic and legislative debates ahead, the Budget Session is expected to be highly contentious.