The Budget Session of Parliament is scheduled to kick off with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at 11 am on Wednesday. The upcoming session, expected to be the last before the Lok Sabha polls in April-May, is set to span a total of eight sittings over 10 days. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to present the interim budget on Thursday, February 1.
As per the business agenda outlined by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, proceedings in both Houses will commence half an hour after the President’s address. The Secretary Generals of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha will present a copy of the President’s address on the table of their respective Houses. Obituary references are scheduled for ex-MPs Bhadreshwar Tanti, Sonawane Pratap Narayanrao in Lok Sabha, and Hari Shankar Bhabhra, Shrimati Sushree Devi in the Upper House.
In Lok Sabha, TR Baalu is set to present the seventh report of the Committee of Privileges, while in Rajya Sabha, Anil Jain and GK Vasan will present the seventy-sixth report of the Committee of Privileges, addressing a breach of privilege against 11 Members for disrupting the proceedings.
A meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with floor leaders of political parties took place on Tuesday in preparation for the Interim Budget Session. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, informed that the session may conclude on February 9, providing eight sittings over 10 days. The focus will primarily be on the Financial Business related to the Interim Union Budget for 2024-25 and discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. Joshi also emphasized the readiness of the government to discuss any issue permitted under the Rules of Procedure, seeking cooperation for the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. The meeting, attended by 45 leaders from 30 political parties, concluded with thanks from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for raising important issues.