New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament begins today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, setting the tone for weeks of intense political and legislative activity. No other business is scheduled in Parliament today.
The session will be held in two phases, running from today until April 2. Ahead of the opening, both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA alliance are holding strategy meetings, signalling a stormy session ahead.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1. With Assembly elections due in five states, expectations are high for a series of voter-friendly announcements in the budget. The first phase of the Budget Session will conclude on February 13.
The second phase will begin on March 9. The Congress has announced plans to step up protests against the central government’s proposed new employment guarantee bill. At the same time, reports indicate that the Union Budget may carry key announcements aimed at softening opposition to the new employment scheme and the labour codes, making the upcoming session politically significant.
