The Budget session of the Indian Parliament is going to resume from tomorrow. Several important bills and standing committee reports will be introduced in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. During this session, a heated debate is likely between the opposition and the government, especially over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Parliament Budget: Important bills to be introduced in Lok Sabha
According to the Lok Sabha agenda, several important bills and standing committee reports will be introduced. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce the “Tribhuvan” Cooperative University Bill, 2025, establishing the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) as “Tribhuvan” Cooperative University and declaring it an institution of national importance.
In addition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the details of estimated receipts and expenditure for 2025-26 of the state of Manipur. During this, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will also table the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, which will lay down important provisions related to trade and transfer of goods.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi will present the report of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, including the 251st report on “Condition of Prisoners, Infrastructure and Reforms”.
Legislative business will also be done in Rajya Sabha
In the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah will present the proclamation issued by the President under Article 356 in the state of Manipur on February 13, 2025. Apart from this, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will table the Railway (Amendment) Bill, 2024 passed by the Lok Sabha for consideration in the House.
Opposition raised issue in Budget Session: Controversy over Waqf Amendment Bill
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on March 7. Earlier, Parliament witnessed a heated debate between the opposition and the government on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. During this, the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was presented, which was placed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal in the Lok Sabha and BJP MP Medha Vishnu Kulkarni in the Rajya Sabha.
However, opposition parties objected to the report, saying that their dissent notes have not been included in the report. On this, Home Minister Amit Shah said that if the demand of adding dissent notes of opposition parties is met, then the government has no objection to it. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also acknowledged the concerns of the opposition and said that he has attached the suggestions of the members.
There was an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over the issue and opposition MPs walked out. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that “removing the views of the opposition is undemocratic and it is reprehensible. If the views of the dissent have not been included in the report, it should be redrafted.”
New Income Tax Bill 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the new Income Tax Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. This bill has been brought to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961 and simplify the tax rules. Several important changes have been made in this new bill, including the following:
- The term “tax year” has been included, thereby defining the financial year and assessment year differently.
- New terms like “virtual digital asset” and “electronic mode” have been added to reflect the increasing relevance of digital transactions and cryptocurrencies.
- Tax related rules have been defined in easy language, which will make it easier for common citizens to understand tax related issues.
- It has been proposed to send this bill to the Select Committee, so that necessary improvements can be made in it.
There will be huge uproar in the budget session
The budget session began on February 1, 2025, in which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth consecutive budget. This session will run till April 6, 2025. The opposition has accused the government of ignoring the democratic process and suppressing its views.
Opposition leaders alleged that their dissent notes have been removed from the report of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. On this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that “No changes have been made in the report. What the opposition is alleging is completely wrong.”
Conclusion
As the budget session of Parliament resumes, a heated debate is likely between the government and the opposition. The opposition will try its best to corner the government during the discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the new Income Tax Bill, 2025. At the same time, the government will put in all its strength to get its bills passed. source ANINEWS
Now it remains to be seen what kind of debate takes place in Parliament in the coming days and how important bills are taken forward.
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