The Budget Session of Parliament is set to commence on Friday, with the government outlining an ambitious legislative agenda, including the introduction and passage of 19 key bills. Among the highlights is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aimed at reforming the management of religious endowments. The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses, setting the tone for the government’s policies and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Economic Survey 2024-25 will also be tabled today, offering a comprehensive review of India’s economic performance and policy recommendations ahead of the Union Budget presentation on February 1. However, the session is expected to be marked by intense debates, as opposition parties gear up to raise pressing issues such as price rise, unemployment, and economic mismanagement.
Opposition’s Criticism
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari, speaking after an all-party meeting convened by the government, criticized the ruling NDA government for its handling of the economy. “The government has failed on the economic front, and the people are bearing the brunt of rising prices and joblessness,” Tiwari said.
Government’s Legislative Agenda
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that 16 legislative items and three financial items have been identified for discussion during the session. The government has also expressed its readiness to discuss any other important issues as per parliamentary rules.
Key Bills to Be Introduced:
- The Finance Bill, 2025
- The Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025
- The Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025
- The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025
- The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
Bills to Be Taken Up for Consideration and Passage:
- The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
- The Boilers Bill, 2024
- The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Musalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024
- The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
- The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
- The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
- The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2004
- The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024
Financial Business:
- Discussion and voting on Demands for Grants for 2025-26, followed by the introduction, consideration, and passage of the related Appropriation Bill.
- Discussion and voting on Demands for Excess Grants for 2021-22, along with the introduction, consideration, and passage of the related Appropriation Bill.
- Discussion and voting on the Second and Final Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25, followed by the introduction, consideration, and passage of the related Appropriation Bill.