Budget Session Begins Today: Govt Calls For Discussion, Opposition To Raise NEET, UPSC Controversies

The Monsoon session of the parliament will commence today, starting from 22nd July to 12th August. 16 sittings are scheduled in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The session will start off with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the Economic Survey in the parliament today, followed by the Union Budget 2024-25 tomorrow.

This year will feature two budgets: an interim budget presented in February and the full budget on July 23. This follows the convention that an incumbent government cannot present a full budget immediately before general elections.

During the session, the Union government is also expected to introduce six legislative bills and three financial bills, including one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act. Also, the 2024 budget for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, currently under central rule, will be presented on 23rd July.

Today, prior to the commencement of the 2024 Budget Session of Parliament, a meeting was held between the Government and Floor Leaders of all political parties, chaired by Rajnath Singh, union minister of defence. Singh addressed the floor leaders meeting from both Houses of Parliament after the 18th Lok Sabha was formed.

The Opposition Demands

Ahead of the monsoon session, the united opposition is poised to challenge the NDA-led central government on various issues, including the recent NEET paper leak case, orders by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to eateries, irregularities in Union Public Service Commission exams, alleged misuse of probe agencies, and the appointment of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, among others.

The union minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the government is ready to address all major issues. However, the focus will be on the Union Budget and the discussions must adhere to the rules, he stressed on the fact that all parties need to be supportive for the smooth functioning of the parliament.

Other Bills To Be Presented

Other bills slated for introduction and passage during the session include the Boilers Bill, which will replace a pre-Independence era law, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, and the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill.

Additionally, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has formed the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to manage the parliamentary agenda for the upcoming session. The BAC, chaired by Speaker Birla, comprises members from various parties, including Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Trinamool Congress), PP Chaudhary (BJP), and Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), among others.