New Delhi [India], January 28 (HBTV): The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on Tuesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The Economic Survey of India is scheduled to be tabled on January 29, followed by the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 on February 1. Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance under the supervision of the Chief Economic Adviser, the Economic Survey provides an assessment of the economy for 2025–26 and an outlook for the coming fiscal year.
The session will comprise 30 sittings spread over 65 days and conclude on April 2. Parliament will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9 to allow Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments.
The first part of the session will focus primarily on financial business related to the Union Budget and the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. Legislative and other business is expected to be taken up mainly during the second part of the session.
Following an all-party meeting held on Tuesday and chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, leaders from various political parties outlined issues they plan to raise during the Budget Session and assured the government of their cooperation. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the party would raise people-centric issues, including ‘vote theft, SIR, procurement of paddy and bringing back MGNREGA’.
Several political leaders and ministers arrived in the national capital ahead of the session. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi were among those who reached Delhi to participate in the proceedings.
Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra said his party raised issues concerning Odisha during the all-party meeting, including distress among farmers due to stalled paddy procurement, deterioration of law and order, non-revision of coal royalty for over a decade, connectivity issues and rising unemployment. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said members highlighted concerns related to pollution, SIR and increasing unemployment.
Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal expressed hope for fair allocations in the 2026 Union Budget, stating that he was ‘expecting the rightful share from the Union Budget’ and called for rectification of past Finance Commission cuts that had adversely affected the state. He also criticised arbitrary central decisions and urged equitable support to all states.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh accused the government of failure on the foreign policy front and said he raised issues related to SIR and alleged deletion of votes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought cooperation from all parties for the smooth functioning of Parliament, stating that the government was ready to discuss all important issues in accordance with parliamentary rules.
‘As per the rules, the discussions should revolve around the Budget only. The President will address the joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session. After that, the motion of thanks on the President’s speech will be held, where all parties will participate. The government will always be happy to hear any suggestions,’ Rijiju said.
The government is expected to push its legislative agenda during the session, including bills pending in both Houses of Parliament. (ANI)