The Lok Sabha is scheduled to hold a one-hour discussion on the statutory resolution seeking approval for the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur. This decision was taken during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) chaired by Speaker Om Birla on Monday.
Alongside the debate on President’s Rule, the lower house will also deliberate on the Manipur budget, which was recently presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The discussion on the budget has been integrated with deliberations on the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25, as well as the Demands for Excess Grants for 2021-22. A total of six hours has been allocated for these discussions.
As part of the ongoing parliamentary schedule, the BAC has also made several adjustments to the sitting calendar. The committee decided to cancel the sitting on March 13 in observance of Holi. To compensate for this, the Lok Sabha will convene on Saturday, March 29.
In addition to the discussions on Manipur, the BAC has allotted ten hours for a debate on railway-related issues. Furthermore, one full day has been assigned for deliberations on the Demands for Grants of key ministries, including Jal Shakti, agriculture and farmers’ welfare.
The finance bill is also set to be taken up for discussion, with an allotted eight-hour debate. Meanwhile, the committee has granted the Speaker the authority to select two more ministries for discussions and voting on their respective Demands for Grants. The ministries under consideration include housing and urban affairs, social justice and empowerment, external affairs, and defence.
These discussions hold significant importance as the government seeks parliamentary approval for its financial proposals and administrative decisions. The debate on President’s Rule in Manipur is particularly crucial given the political climate in the state, while the budget discussions will shape the economic trajectory for the upcoming fiscal year.
With critical policy and financial matters on the agenda, the Lok Sabha’s upcoming sessions are expected to witness extensive deliberations, reflecting the priorities of both the government and the opposition. The outcome of these discussions will play a key role in shaping governance decisions and policy implementations in the coming months.
