Parliament – Lok Sabha Begins Debate on President’s Address, Budget Session Agenda Unfolds
Parliament – The Lok Sabha is set to begin an extensive discussion on the President’s Address on Monday, marking an important step in outlining the government’s legislative direction for the year. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will move the motion of thanks for the address delivered by the President at the joint sitting of Parliament on January 28. BJP Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya is scheduled to second the motion, according to the official list of business released for the day.
Extended Debate Scheduled in the Lower House
The House has earmarked nearly 18 hours for deliberations on the President’s Address, reflecting the significance of the debate for both the government and the opposition. Members from across parties are expected to participate, raising policy priorities and concerns related to governance, the economy, and social welfare. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to respond to the discussion on February 4, offering the government’s perspective and addressing points raised during the debate.
Packed Agenda as Lok Sabha Meets at 11 AM
The Lok Sabha will convene at 11 am with a full agenda that includes not only the discussion on the President’s Address but also other legislative and procedural matters. Parliamentary sources indicate that the session is likely to see active participation, as several key national issues remain under discussion following recent political and economic developments.
Finance Minister’s Replies and Ongoing Budget Session
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to deliver her reply to the Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha on February 11. The ongoing Budget session is scheduled to span 30 sittings over a period of 65 days and will conclude on April 2. Both Houses of Parliament will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9, allowing Standing Committees time to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments in detail.
Opposition Raises Key Issues at All-Party Meeting
During an all-party meeting held on January 27, opposition parties pressed for discussions on several pressing matters. These included demands for the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act allocations, concerns surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and issues linked to recent developments involving the University Grants Commission. The opposition emphasized the need for transparent debate and detailed responses from the government on these subjects.
Union Budget 2026–27 Presented in Lok Sabha
Earlier in the session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha, marking her ninth consecutive budget presentation. The budget outlines the government’s economic vision for the coming financial year, with a focus on infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and sustainable growth.
Focus on Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport
Highlighting the guiding principles behind the budget, the Finance Minister stated that the proposals are driven by Yuvashakti and structured around three key duties aimed at long-term national development. Among the major announcements were plans to develop seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major urban and economic hubs across the country. These corridors are intended to reduce travel time, lower carbon emissions, and promote balanced regional growth.
In addition to passenger rail initiatives, the budget proposes new dedicated freight corridors and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years. Together, these measures are designed to strengthen logistics networks, ease congestion, and support environmentally sustainable modes of transport.
Budget Session Continues with Legislative Focus
As the Budget session progresses, discussions on fiscal priorities and legislative proposals are expected to intensify. With extended debates, ministerial replies, and committee examinations scheduled in the coming weeks, Parliament is set for a period of sustained legislative activity leading up to the conclusion of the session in early April.