NEW DELHI: Ahead of the commencement of the Budget Session of Parliament, the Government held a crucial meeting with floor leaders of all political parties on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, with the aim of ensuring smooth functioning of the upcoming session.

In his opening remarks, Shri Singh welcomed the leaders to the first meeting of the floor leaders of the 18th Lok Sabha. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, provided key details about the Budget Session. He stated that the session will commence on Monday, July 22, 2024, and is expected to conclude on Monday, August 12, 2024. The session will include 16 sittings over 22 days, primarily focusing on the financial business related to the Union Budget for 2024-25, which will be presented on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Additionally, the Economic Survey of India will be tabled on July 22, and the Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be presented on July 23. The session will also address essential legislative and other business, with six legislative items and three financial items identified for discussion.

Shri Rijiju emphasized the Government’s readiness to discuss any issue on the floor of the House, as permitted under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business by the respective Presiding Officers. He appealed to all party leaders for their active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of Parliament.

The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law & Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan.

Concluding the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh thanked the leaders for their participation and highlighted the importance of maintaining the sanctity of Parliament during its proceedings. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to discussing all issues subject to the rules and decisions of the Presiding Officers.

In total, fifty-five leaders from forty-one political parties attended the meeting, indicating a broad-based engagement ahead of the Budget Session.

List of Bills Likely to be Taken Up:

1. The Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2024
2. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
3. The Boilers Bill, 2024
4. The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024
5. The Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2024
6. The Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2024

Financial Business:

1. General Discussion on Union Budget, 2024-25
2. Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants for 2024-25
3. Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the financial year 2024-25

The Government seeks to ensure a constructive and effective Budget Session with the cooperation of all political parties.