Government Calls All-Party Meeting Ahead of Budget Session

In preparation for the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament, the government has scheduled an all-party meeting on January 27 to discuss various legislative and other agendas. The Budget Session is set to commence on January 28, with President Draupadi Murmu delivering her address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

One notable aspect of this parliamentary session is the unique timing of the Union budget presentation, which is slated for February 1, a Sunday. This will mark Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget presentation, a significant milestone in her tenure.

According to a government source, the all-party meeting, organized by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, is scheduled to take place at the main committee room of the Parliament House annexe at 11 am on January 27.

The Budget Session is expected to run until April 2, with the first phase concluding on February 13 and Parliament reconvening on March 9.

Key Issues and Debates

During this session, the opposition Congress is actively campaigning against the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, which is set to replace the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. In contrast, the ruling BJP is promoting the new legislation as reformist and necessary to address the shortcomings of the previous law.

Additionally, the Union Budget presentation coincides with the global economic impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, adding an extra layer of complexity to the economic discussions.

Parliamentary Agenda and Discussions

According to an internal circular, the Lok Sabha has allocated three days from February 2 to 4 for discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. Notably, there will be no Zero Hour sessions on January 28 and February 1.

Currently, nine bills are pending before the Lok Sabha, including the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025; the Securities Markets Code, 2025; and the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, all of which are under scrutiny by the Parliamentary Standing or Select Committees.