Staff Reporter
In the first part of the current Session, there would be discussions on the Union Budget that would be presented on Feb 1 and motion of thanks on today’s President’s address, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
A meeting of the government with leaders of all parties was held today, in a virtual mode, on the first day of the Budget session of Parliament. In his opening address, Mr. Joshi made a request on behalf of the government seeking cooperation from all parties for smooth functioning of the House during the Budget Session. He informed the leaders that the Session will provide a total of 29 sittings (10 sittings in first part and 19 sittings in second part) spread over a period of 68 days.
He said that in the Lok Sabha, the debate will be held for 12 hours in the first part of the session. Mr. Joshi informed that the Rajya Sabha will be sitting in the morning, followed by the Lok Sabha from 4 pm to 9 pm, due to the prevailing Covid situation.
When asked about the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping charges, he said the matter is sub judice, as the apex court is seized of the issue.
He added that both Houses of Parliament will be adjourned for recess on Friday, the 11th of February, 2022 to reassemble on Monday, the 14th of March, 2022 to enable the Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/ Departments and make their Reports thereon.
He said that the Session will mainly be devoted to the Financial Business relating to the Union Budget for 2022-23 and on discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President’s Address. The Union Budget for 2022-23 will be presented in Lok Sabha tomorrow at 11.00 A.M. Mr Joshi further said, 14 Bills and 6 Financial Items will be tabled on the floor of House in the ensuing Session.
The all party meeting convened by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister this evening was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal and V. Muraleedharan were also present.
Leaders of Indian National Congress, All India Trinamool Congress, DMK, YSRCP, Shiv Sena, BJD, JD(U), Bahujan Samaj Party, TRS, LJSP, Nationalist Congress Party, CPI(M), IUML, Telugu Desam Party , APNA DAL, CPI, AAP, AIADMK, KC(M), RSP, RPI(A), RJD, NPP, VCK and AGP also attended the meeting.