Invoking the goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, before formal beginning of the Budget Session of the Parliament, Modi said, “I pray to Goddess Lakshmi to shower the poor, middle class with blessings.” Further he said, “I can say with confidence this Budget session will infuse new confidence, energy in attaining our goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’.”
Modi said that FY 26 Budget would be first full budget of his government in the third term. “I can say this with full faith that in 2047, when India will be celebrating 100 years of Independence. This Budget will provide new trust, new energy that the country will definitely become ‘Viksit’ when it will celebrate 100 years of Independence. 140 crore Indians will fulfill this resolution through their collective efforts,” he said. He also emphasised that innovation, inclusion and investment has been and will continue to be foundation of economic activities.
PM Modi also said “In the third term, we will; focus on India’s all-round development. We are moving ahead on mission mode. Innovation, inclusion and investment form the base of our economic activity.” He informed that In this session of Parliament, many historic bills and amendments will be discussed. After due and detailed discussions, these will be formed into laws. Especially “Nari Shakti and women empowerment will be the centre of focus. Reform, perform, and transform will be our second area of focus,” he said.
Meanwhile, later in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table Economic Survey for Fiscal Year 2024-25. On Saturday, she will present Union Budget for FY26.
The Government is expected to introduce key bills, including the Finance Bill, the Foreigners & Immigration Bill, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Protection of interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 among others during the Budget Session. The Waqf Bill has also been listed for consideration and passage.
Following is the list of bills to be taken up during the session:
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The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill , 2024
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The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
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The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024
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The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Ammendment Bill 2024
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The Boilers Bill, 2024
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The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024
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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
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The Musalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024
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The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
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The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
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The Costal Shipping Bill, 2024
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The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2004
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The Finance Bill, 2025
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The Protection of interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025
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The Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025
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The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025
Also, there will be three key items under financial business and they are:
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Discussion and voting on Demands for Grants for the year 2025-26 and introduction, consideration and passage/return of the related Appropriation Bill.
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Discussion and voting on Second and Final Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2024-25 and introduction, consideration and passage/return of the related Appropriation Bill.
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Discussion and voting on Demands for Excess Grants for the year 2021-22 and introduction, consideration and passage/return of the related Appropriation Bill.
All Party Meeting
Meanwhile, the session is likely to get off to a stormy start with opposition parties demanding a discussion on the alleged mismanagement of the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj where 30 pilgrims were killed in a stampede.
At the all party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the eve of the Parliament session on Thursday, opposition parties also accused the government of politicising the parliamentary committees and trying to push its agenda by using its majority.
At the all party meeting, the opposition accused the BJP-led government of politicisation of the Kumbh congregation and prevalence of VIP culture at the cost of the common man. The opposition parties also alleged that the government is steam-rolling its agenda in parliamentary panels and having disregard for parliamentary procedure of finalising House business at the meetings of the Business Advisory Committee.
“We expressed our concerns over the biased manner in the conduct of Parliament proceedings,” Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, told reporters here.
A section of the opposition leaders questioned the government over the publication of a parliamentary bulletin on the number of days allotted for discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, contending that this was the prerogative of the Business Advisory Committee.
“We have taken note of their concerns. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) will decide which issues will be taken up for discussion. We hope for a smooth and productive Budget session. Cooperation from all parties is essential for a meaningful and constructive parliamentary session,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
