NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) on Tuesday recommended convening of the Budget session of Parliament from January 29. The Union Budget is proposed to be presented in the Lok Sabha on February 1.
Sources said the CCPA, in its meeting, gave its nod to the proposal to recommend the convening of the Budget session in two halves — the first half proposed to commence from January 29 to February 15. The second half, after a recess, from March 8 to April 8. A day before the presentation of the annual Budget, the government will table the Economic Survey in both the Houses.
The government had earlier decided to not recommend convening of the Winter session on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of positive cases rising in the national capital during November-December. The Monsoon session, too, had been adjourned sine die prematurely after a number of the MPs tested positive for the Covid-19.
However, the government was able to push a number of legislative business in the Monsoon session, which was linked to the Aatmanirbhar package unveiled by the Centre to deal with the economic situations to deal with the business downturn because of the extended lockdowns. The three Farm Bills were passed by the two Houses of Parliament in the face of stiff protests from the ranks of the Opposition.
The Opposition is likely to put pressure on the government to revisit the farm laws in the Budget session. The government may consider a few amendments in line with the discussions with farmers that may include ensuring parity on cess in private procurements by the private entities on the line of the APMC mandis.