Budget session of Parliament to begin from January 29

New Delhi: The budget session of Parliament will commence on January 29 with the President’s Address while the union budget will be presented on February 1, a communique from Rashtrapati Bhawan said. The session will conclude on April 8 with a recess in between from February 15 to March 8.

The President will deliver his annual address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at 11 am on January 29. The two Houses will meet separately for tabling of the President’s Address. The Economic Survey will also be tabled in both Houses in this 30-minute sitting.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the union budget at 11 am on February 1.

The budget session will go into a recess from February 15 till March 8. During this period the various department related standing committees will discuss the Demands for Grants for various ministries and prepare reports.

Covid protocols will be followed in this session on the same lines as the monsoon session. The Rajya Sabha will hold sittings in the first half for four hours in both the chambers with some members also seated in the galleries. The Lok Sabha will meet from 4pm to 9pm.

The session is being held at a time when the government is grappling with the farmers’ agitation and the vociferous demand from the Opposition for the repeal of the three farm laws.

With Assembly elections due in April-May in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pudducherry, the Parliament proceedings are likely to be charged and the opposition will try to corner the government on a host of issues.

The Covid vaccination programme will also figure prominently in this session.