The Budget Session of Parliament is set to commence today, beginning with President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of both Houses at 11 a.m.
Following this, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in the Lok Sabha at 12 noon and subsequently in the Rajya Sabha at 2 p.m.
The Economic Survey, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance, offers a comprehensive analysis of the nation's economic performance over the fiscal year 2024-25.
It provides insights into key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services, and outlines policy recommendations to address economic challenges and foster growth.
The session's legislative agenda includes several significant bills:
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Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Aims to strengthen banking regulations and oversight.
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Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Focuses on enhancing the operational efficiency of Indian Railways.
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Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Seeks to improve disaster response mechanisms nationwide.
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Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024: Intend to reform the management of religious endowments.
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Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: Proposes updates to laws governing oil exploration and extraction.
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Boilers Bill, 2024: Introduces new safety and operational standards for industrial boilers.
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Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024: Addresses the reallocation of assembly constituencies to better represent scheduled tribes in Goa.
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Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, and Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024: Aim to modernise maritime laws.
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Finance Bill, 2025: Central to implementing the budgetary proposals and tax reforms to be announced on 1 February.
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Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025: Seeks to safeguard financial interests related to aviation.
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Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: Proposes changes to immigration and foreigner regulations in India.
The session will also focus on financial business, including discussions and voting on Demands for Grants for 2025-26, followed by the introduction, consideration, and passage of the related Appropriation Bill.
Additionally, the Second and Final Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25 will be reviewed, along with the introduction and passage of the relevant Appropriation Bill.
The Demands for Excess Grants for 2021-22 will also be addressed, requiring discussion, voting, and the introduction of a related Appropriation Bill.
Following an all-party meeting convened by the government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that tentatively 16 items of legislative business and three items of financial business have been identified for consideration during this session.
He affirmed, "The Government is prepared and ready to discuss any other important issue on the floor of the Houses as per the rules of both Houses."
The first part of the Budget Session will continue until 13 February. After a recess, both Houses will reconvene on 10 March, with the session concluding on 4 April.
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