New Delhi: Presentation of the first budget by the Narendra Modi government will be the highlight of the over month-long session of Parliament starting tomorrow amidst signals that the issue of price rise could generate heat. Opposition parties have a number of issues to target the government, including the recent controversy over the government rejecting the name of former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium for appointment as a judge of the apex court, the rape case controversy surrounding Union minister Nihalchand and rising incidents of atrocities against women in the country.
A highlight of the proceedings on the opening day is expected to be a statement from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in both Houses of Parliament on the situation of Indians in Iraq. While presentation of the Railway Budget is scheduled for July 8, the economic survey will be released the next day and Union Budget 2014-2015 will be presented on July 10.
The issue of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha could see a confrontation between the government and the Congress during the session if the post is denied to the main Opposition party, which has secured just 44 seats in the 543- member House. Leaders of various parties want the issues of price rise, rail hike and federal structure to be discussed during the session, which concludes on August 14.
The session will have 28 sittings and 168 working hours. Since the Standing Committees for various ministries are yet to be constituted, the demands for grants for various ministries will be passed by both Houses by July 31 after discussion in Parliament instead of the committees. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has maintained that the government is ready for a discussion on any issue and has appealed to the Opposition to “cooperate” to ensure that the decorum and dignity of Parliament is maintained.
