Budget session: Centre shuts down Opposition push for debates on MGNREGA, SIR

New Delhi: Ahead of the budget session of Parliament beginning Wednesday, Opposition parties demanded discussions on the proposed scrapping of MGNREGA, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, India's foreign policy and the state of the economy, while BJP ally TDP urged the Centre to waive tax on unmanufactured tobacco.

The government, however, rejected the demands, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju ruling out discussions on the replacement of MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act and the SIR during the budget session. "Once a law is before the nation, we have to follow it. We cannot reverse the gear and go back to the past," Rijiju said, responding to Opposition's contentions on the VB-G RAM G Act, which was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session.

Rijiju said the focus of the government during the first part of the budget session would be on the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President and debate on the general budget.


Rijiju appealed to all parties to cooperate in the conduct of proceedings but Opposition leaders said that their voice must be heard for Parliament to run smoothly.

At the customary all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, the Opposition leaders criticised the government for not circulating the tentative legislative agenda ahead of the session, calling it a breach of parliamentary convention. Rijiju downplayed the issue, saying the list of government business is shared after the President's address and assured members it would be provided to them. Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said his party would press for a debate on the dilution and proposed overhaul of MGNREGA. Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose raised concerns over the SIR exercise in West Bengal, alleging serious procedural flaws, while CPI(M) leader John Brittas demanded structured discussions on foreign policy, labour codes, Centre-state relations and the replacement of MGNREGA.

TDP floor leader Lavu Krishna Sri Devarayalu said the 18% tax on unmanufactured tobacco tax has severely impacted farmers in Andhra Pradesh, citing a sharp fall in procurement at mandis

Notably, barring Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad, no leader raised concerns over the latest UGC guidelines on the constitution of equity committees. The budget session will begin on January 28, with the first phase ending on February 13. The second half will commence on March 9 and conclude on April 2.