New Delhi: With the Budget Session of Parliament set to commence on January 31, the government has extended an invitation to leaders of all political parties for an all-party meeting on Thursday, seeking their cooperation for the session’s smooth functioning.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to opposition leaders for constructive engagement in both Houses during the upcoming session. “Everyone is hopeful that a good Budget will be presented. On 31st January, President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. On 1st February, the Union Budget will be presented,” he added.
The session will open with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on January 31st. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on Saturday, February 1. Discussions on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address are scheduled for Monday.
Rijiju expressed hope that the upcoming budget would be balanced and beneficial, while also urging all members to ensure that discussions within Parliament are peaceful and orderly.
He specifically referenced previous sessions where disruptions had hampered legislative processes and harmed Parliament’s reputation. “In the last two sessions, there was some ‘hungama’ in the Parliament which created a poor image of our Parliament. I want to appeal to Opposition leaders and other MPs to take part and hold discussions in Parliament during the session. If the Opposition allows the Parliament to run, then discussions can happen easily,” he added.
The Parliamentary Bulletin has outlined the session’s schedule, which is divided into two phases. The first phase will run from January 31st to February 13th, with the presentation of the Union Budget being a key highlight on February 1st. The second phase will commence on March 10th and conclude on April 4.
“Discussion on the President’s Address- Three days, viz, Monday, the 3rd February; Tuesday, the 4th February; and Thursday, the 6th February 2025 (Reply on February 6, 2025) have been provisionally allotted for discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address to be moved by a Member and seconded by another Member,” the bulletin read.
