The crucial Budget session of Parliament is set for a stormy start. The Parliament Session, which will be held in two phases, is important as the Centre will present the Union Budget 2021 on February 1 amid economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
President Ram Nath Kovind is set to address members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday ahead of the commencement of the 2021 Budget Session. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he will be addressing Members of Parliament seated in three separate locations for the first time. Ahead of the beginning of Parliament Budget Session, 18 opposition parties have prepared to corner the government on coronavirus pandemic, LAC standoff, economy and farm laws. The opposition, led by Congress, has also decided to boycott President Ram Nath Kovind’s joint address today in solidarity with farmers protesting against agricultural acts. The government has convened an all party meeting on Saturday to seek support of political parties to ensure smooth conduct of business in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
There will be 33 sittings in the budget session and this will be first Union Budget after the Covid-19 outbreak. The Rajya Sabha will also have both Zero Hour and Question Hour. The Question Hour will begin at 9:30 am. The Zero Hour and Question Hour were taken off during last year’s Monsoon Session since the House met for only for four hours every day.
