New Delhi [India], April 4: The Budget Session of the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, marking the conclusion of 26 sittings since its commencement on January 31, 2025. The session ended a day after the much-debated Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed. The Monsoon Session of Parliament will be announced at a later date. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 1:00 PM today.
Session Highlights & Legislative Activity
Speaker Om Birla, in his closing remarks, reflected on the productivity of the fourth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, noting that the total work output stood at 118%.
- 10 government bills were introduced, and 16 bills were passed, including:
- Waqf Amendment Bill 2025
- Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill
- 173 MPs participated in the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
- 169 MPs took part in discussions on the Union Budget.
- 202 matters of public importance were raised during Zero Hour, a record for any Lok Sabha.
Speaker Om Birla expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, ministers, opposition leaders, parliamentary staff, and related agencies for their cooperation in conducting the House proceedings.
Waqf Amendment Bill Renamed as ‘UMEED’ Bill
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 will now be renamed the UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development) Bill. The revised legislation incorporates recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee and aims to:
- Strengthen waqf administration.
- Improve the registration process of waqf properties.
- Enhance the role of technology in waqf record management.
Opposition Criticism
Following the bill’s passage, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government’s approach, stating,
“They have taken a negative stand, and they are pushing it forward. We presented our views, but they ignored them.”
The bill was passed past midnight on Wednesday after an extensive debate in the Lok Sabha. The government introduced the revised version after reviewing recommendations made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the bill introduced in August 2024.
Parliament Session Overview
The Budget Session was split into two parts:
- First part: January 31 – February 13
- Second part: March 10 – April 4
With the session now adjourned, Parliament will reconvene for the Monsoon Session, the schedule for which is yet to be announced.