Budget 2025: Economic Survey will tell the state of the economy today, Finance Minister Sitharaman will present the general budget tomorrow

The budget session of Parliament will begin on Friday amidst the hustle and bustle of the Delhi assembly elections. President Draupadi Murmu will address a joint meeting of both houses on the first day. After this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey. The survey will present an account of the health of the country's economy. Along with this, it will also have major trends in agriculture, industry, and service sectors along with policy suggestions to promote economic development and deal with challenges. Finance Minister Sitharaman will present the second full budget of the third term of the Modi government and her eighth consecutive budget on Saturday.

The first phase of the budget session will run till February 13, while the second phase is from March 10 to April 4. President Murmu will list the achievements of the Modi government in her speech as well as present a blueprint for future preparations. However, all eyes are on Sitharaman, who is going to present the general budget for the eighth consecutive time. Experts believe that infrastructure development, social welfare, and tax reforms will be the main agenda of the government in the budget. Through this, the government will give the message of keeping half the population happy, giving relief to the middle class, and fulfilling the resolution of developed India. This budget is considered the most challenging budget of the Modi government so far because it will decide in which direction the country will move forward. After the presentation of the general budget, discussion on the President's address will begin in both houses on Monday.

Appeal for cooperation in the all-party meeting

The budget session is likely to be tumultuous. The impact of the Delhi Assembly elections, the death of 30 devotees in the Maha Kumbh accident, and the Waqf Amendment Bill will be visible in the proceedings of the Parliament. In the all-party meeting called on Thursday, a day before the session, the opposition demanded a discussion on this, accusing the Joint Parliamentary Committee of arbitrariness in preparing the report on the Waqf Bill, and serious negligence in the management of the Maha Kumbh.

The Congress also demanded a discussion on Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's claim that the date of Prana Pratishtha of Ram Temple is real independence.

Many bills including the Waqf Amendment will be introduced.

The government is preparing to introduce some other bills along with the Waqf Amendment Bill in the first phase of the budget session. Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill will also be introduced. Apart from this, the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Goods Bill, Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill, and Immigration and Foreigners Bill are also included. Also, the Finance Bill, 2025 and related grant demands and appropriation bills will be introduced. There are also 10 other bills, which are pending in both houses since the last session.

Waqf Amendment Report submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker.

Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Committee (JPC) of Parliament considering the Waqf Amendment Bill, submitted the report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The committee accepted the 655-page report on Wednesday by a majority of 15-11. This report will be placed in both houses of Parliament during the budget session. The changes suggested by the BJP members have been included in the report. BJP members say that the bill will bring modernity, transparency, and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. While criticizing the report, opposition members had said that it was unconstitutional. This will open the way for government interference in the religious matters of Muslims and Waqf boards will be abolished.