The final day of Parliament's Budget Session is set to witness a concerted push by the Centre to secure the passage of several critical legislations.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024. The proposed legislation seeks to reserve seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly while rescinding certain existing seats.
“The Bill for enabling reservation of seats in accordance with article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes and to provide for the readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration,” states the legislative agenda.
Additionally, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy will introduce the Mental Healthcare (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to revise provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
The day's proceedings will also feature the presentation of key reports. Dr Bhola Singh and Dr Sanjay Jaiswal will submit the Sixth Report of the Committee on Estimates (2024-25) concerning the promotion of climate-resilient agriculture and natural and organic farming through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Meanwhile, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy and Alok Sharma will present the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (2024-25) on the Regional Rapid Transit System and the role of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
Several ministers, including Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Prataprao Jadhav, Jayant Chaudhary, Pankaj Chaudhary, Anupriya Patel, S.P. Singh Baghel, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Shantanu Thakur, Kamlesh Paswan, Sukanta Majumdar, Savitri Thakur, and Pabitra Margherita, will lay papers on the table for their respective ministries.
Also read: Parliament passes Waqf Bill 2025 after Rajya Sabha nod
The Parliament, in the early hours of Friday, passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following an intense debate. The legislation was approved with 128 votes in favour and 95 against.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced, “Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed.”
In a parallel move, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, was also passed in a session that extended beyond midnight.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, defending the legislation, accused opposition parties of attempting to mislead the public. He asserted that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill would serve the interests of millions within the Muslim community.
“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be renamed as the UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development) Bill,” Rijiju stated, adding that several recommendations made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee had been incorporated into the final draft.
The Lok Sabha had already approved the bill past midnight on Wednesday after a marathon debate. The amended legislation aims to rectify inefficiencies in the 1995 Waqf Act, improve the administration of Waqf properties, streamline the registration process, and incorporate technology into the management of Waqf records.
The Budget Session of Parliament was held in two parts, commencing on 31 January and continuing until 13 February. The second phase began on 10 March and concludes today.
Follow us
