The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to commence tomorrow, July 22, with a total of 19 sittings scheduled until August 12. A key highlight of this session will be the presentation of the Union Budget on July 23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, marking her seventh consecutive budget presentation.
This year's budget will cover the fiscal year 2024-25, following an interim budget presented in February. Sitharaman's consecutive budget presentations are notable as she surpasses the record previously held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
During an all-party meeting held today ahead of the session, the Union government expressed its readiness to discuss a range of issues, including replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act and approving the budget for Jammu and Kashmir, currently under central rule. The Opposition is expected to raise concerns over various issues such as the NEET paper leak, government orders affecting eateries in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, irregularities in UPSC exams, and alleged misuse of probe agencies.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the importance of orderly proceedings and urged cooperation from all parties to ensure smooth functioning. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to maintain the sanctity of Parliament and avoid disruptions.
In addition to the budget and key bills like the Aircraft Act replacement, several other bills are slated for introduction and passage during the session. These include the Boilers Bill, aimed at replacing a pre-independence law, as well as bills focused on promoting and developing the coffee and rubber industries.
Amidst these legislative priorities, demands for special category status from various states, including Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, have also been raised by BJP allies and opposition parties alike. This presents a challenging issue for the government to navigate during the session.
To oversee the parliamentary agenda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), comprising members from different political parties. The BAC will play a crucial role in shaping the legislative agenda and ensuring productive proceedings during the Monsoon Session.
As the session unfolds, the focus will be on deliberating and passing key legislation while addressing diverse concerns raised by members across the political spectrum, thereby shaping the legislative landscape for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond.
