New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament is set to begin today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at 11 am. This session, which precedes the upcoming Lok Sabha elections expected in April-May, will span over 10 days with a total of eight sittings.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the interim budget on Thursday, February 1. Following the President's address, the proceedings of both Houses will commence half an hour later, with the Secretary Generals of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha laying a copy of the President's address on their respective tables.
During the session, obituary references will be made to former MPs Bhadreshwar Tanti, Sonawane Pratap Narayanrao, Hari Shankar Bhabhra, and Shrimati Sushree Devi.
In Lok Sabha, MP TR Baalu will present the seventh report of the Committee of Privileges, while in Rajya Sabha, MPs Anil Jain and GK Vasan will present the seventy-sixth report of the Committee of Privileges concerning breach of privilege by 11 Members.
The Central government, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, held a meeting with political party floor leaders ahead of the session. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, announced that the session might conclude on February 9, offering eight sittings over the 10-day period.
The focus of the session will primarily be on financial matters, including discussions on the Interim Union Budget for 2024-25 and the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. Additionally, Supplementary Demands for Grants for the Year 2023-24 will be discussed.
Furthermore, discussions on the Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for 2024-25, along with Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2023-24, are on the agenda.
The Government expressed readiness to discuss any issue permitted under the Rules of Procedure, seeking active cooperation and support from all party leaders for smooth functioning. The meeting was attended by key ministers including Piyush Goyal, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and V. Muraleedharan.
Concluding the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked leaders for their contributions and important discussions.
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