The Parliament’s Budget Session for 2024 commenced today amidst a tumultuous atmosphere, with the Opposition seizing the opportunity to bring up contentious issues. The session began with significant focus on the NEET controversy, with additional discussions anticipated on the Kanwar Yatra and the situation in Manipur.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2024-25 at 11 am on Tuesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been retained in her role for continuity’s sake, following her previous term. Ahead of this, the Economic Survey will be unveiled today, providing a comprehensive review of the economy, including performance metrics across various sectors, employment figures, GDP growth, inflation rates, and the budget deficit.
The debate following the budget presentation is expected to be contentious, with the Opposition prepared to raise a slew of controversial topics. Many of these issues had been left unaddressed during the previous session due to disruptions and procedural delays.
The BJP is anticipating a barrage of demands from its allies, including calls for a reversal of a recent order in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand requiring eateries to display their names publicly. The Opposition, including Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, and AAP, has criticized this measure as “communal and divisive,” claiming it disproportionately affects Muslims and Scheduled Castes by forcing them to reveal their identities. They have pledged to bring this issue to the forefront in both Houses of Parliament.
Furthermore, demands for Special Category status are expected to be a significant point of contention. Allies from Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have all raised their demands for this status, putting additional pressure on the BJP. The request for Andhra Pradesh’s special status, however, was notably absent from the discussions led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, according to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Jayant Chaudhary, a Union minister and leader of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, voiced concerns about the controversial eateries order, suggesting that it was implemented without adequate consideration and that the government’s stance has become rigid.
During an all-party meeting, Union Minister Rajnath Singh urged the Opposition to refrain from disrupting speeches by senior leaders. This appeal came in response to the repeated interruptions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the inaugural session.
The Budget Session is scheduled to conclude on August 12. By then, the government aims to pass six key bills, including one to replace the nearly 90-year-old Aircraft Act, with the goal of improving ease of doing business in the aviation sector.
