Poonam Nath

Budget Session 2025: Key bills on agenda today; Deets here

Digital Desk: The Budget Session began today in parliament with President Droupadi Murmu's address to a merged session of both Houses at 11 a.m.

The session also witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla coming into Parliament, led by many Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah.

Following the talk, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Economic Survey 2024-25, which provided insights into the country's economic performance and prognosis for the coming fiscal year.

The survey was presented before the Lok Sabha at 12 p.m. and the Rajya Sabha at 2 p.m. The Economic Division of the Finance Ministry created a report, which provides a detailed analysis of major economic data and growth expectations.

Following are the key bills put up on the agenda list, including banking, railways, disaster management, and maritime laws:

• Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 
• Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 
• Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 & Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 
• Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 
• Boilers Bill, 2024 
• Resetting Scheduled Tribes' Representation in Goa Assembly Constituencies Bill, 2024
• The 2024 Bills of Lading, 2024 Carriage of Goods by Sea, 2024 Coastal Shipping, and 2024 Merchant Shipping are among the bills about the overhaul of maritime laws.
• Finance Bill, 2025 
• Aircraft Objects Protection of Interests Bill, 2025
• Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 

To enable Parliament to authorize government spending, the Budget Session will address Grant Demands for 2025–2026. The 2024–25 Supplementary Grant Demands and the 2021–22 Excess Grant Demands will also be covered, addressing the need for more funding and approvals that go beyond prior allotments.

In addition to the 16 legislative and three financial business topics that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju indicated for the Budget Session, the administration is ready to discuss other important issues. With both Houses meeting again on March 10 and adjourning on April 4, the session will last until February 13.