The Budget Session of Parliament resumed on Monday after the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned last Wednesday following a brief holiday on account of Holi.
While, the functioning of the Railway Ministry will also be discussed in the Rajya Sabha, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw replying to the debate. Discussion on the Manipur budget is also listed for the second part in the Upper House.
The second phase of the budget session began on March 10 and will continue till April 4.
Parliament Budget Session Key Issues:
BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh presented the report of the Standing Committee on Defence on grants to the Ministry of Defence for the year 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha.
The discussion on the issue raised by Samik Bhattacharya on March 12 on the functioning of the Railway Ministry will continue in the Rajya Sabha.
Opposition Walks Out Of Rajya Sabha On Duplicate Voter ID Disallowed
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the TMC, on Monday walked out of the Rajya Sabha after their demand for a discussion on the Election Commission's alleged lapses in issuing multiple duplicate voter ID cards and delimitation was disallowed.
Opposition MPs from the Trinamool Congress, Congress and Left parties gave notices under rule 267 that calls for setting aside business of the day to take up discussion on the issue being raised through them. But Deputy Chairman Harivansh said they could not be accepted as they were not in conformity with the rulings of the chair on such notices.
Opposition Slams: Rail Budget No Record Breaking But Failed Budget
The opposition on Monday slammed the Railways ministry in the Lok Sabha, saying making Instagram reels will not help the public behemoth which is on a "ventilator" due to poor management of the government.
Participating in the debate on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26, Congress' Varsha Gaikwad said claims that the rail budget was a "record breaking" measure were wrong and it was in fact a "failed budget".
She alleged that revenues were falling and making (Instagram) reels will not help in any way. According to her, the Railways was the only one in the race and it still stands at the runners up position and not the top.
Opposition Seeks To Discuss Exam Paper Leaks Issue
Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has filed an adjournment mption in the Lok Sabha to discuss the exam paper leaks, including the NEET paper leak.
"That this House do now adjourn to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely the recent spate of exam paper leaks, including the NEET paper leak, which has put the future of 85 lakh children in six states at risk, and the need for the government to take immediate and effective steps to prevent such leaks and ensure the integrity of the examination process," Tagore said in his adjournment motion notice, ANI reported.
Opposition Wants Debate On EPIC Number Duplication
Several opposition parties are demanding a discussion in Parliament on the issue of EPIC number duplication, while parties from the South also want a debate on the delimitation issue.
As per the reports, opposition parties have said they are flexible with the rule under which the discussion should take place, but insisted that Parliament should debate the matter.
The issue of duplicate numbers of voter ID cards in different states was raised by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on February 27.
