Budget Session concludes, reconvenes in March after disruptions
Parliament's Budget Session concludes amidst disruptions, reconvening in March after recess.
The stormy first leg of Parliament’s Budget Session ended on Friday with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticising the removal of portions of his speech from the Rajya Sabha records. The second part of the Budget Session will start on March 9, and the session is scheduled to conclude on April 2. The acrimonious session was dominated by clashes over the speech by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on the India-U.S.
interim trade deal and his insistence on quoting from Four Stars of Destiny, the unreleased memoir of former Army chief General M.M. Naravane (retd), about an incident during the 2020 India-China conflict. The Chair disallowed the excerpts, triggering repeated protests, adjournments, and the suspension of eight Opposition MPs for unruly conduct.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the customary reply in the Lok Sabha after Speaker Om Birla advised him to do so, citing “specific information that women MPs could resort to an unexpected act that would lower the dignity of his office”.
Key Facts
The first part of the Budget Session ended on Friday.
The second part of the Budget Session will start on March 9.
The session is scheduled to conclude on April 2.
Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the removal of portions of his speech from Rajya Sabha records.
Rahul Gandhi's speech on the India-U.S. interim trade deal and his insistence on quoting from a former Army chief's memoir led to clashes.
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 2 - Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Connects to the syllabus by highlighting the importance of parliamentary proceedings and the challenges faced in maintaining order and decorum.
Potential question types include statement-based questions on the powers and functions of Parliament, the role of the Speaker, and the process of passing the Union Budget.
In Simple Words
The Budget Session is when our elected officials discuss the country's finances. It's like a school board meeting to decide how to spend money. This time, there were some arguments and disagreements, so the meeting was paused and will continue later.
India Angle
In India, these budget discussions affect everyone from farmers getting subsidies to students receiving scholarships. When politicians clash, it can delay important decisions about these programs.
For Instance
Think of it like your family budget. If family members argue about where the money should go, paying the bills or saving for a vacation might get delayed.
These political debates affect the budget, which decides how the government spends money on things like roads, schools, and healthcare. So, even though it seems distant, it touches your daily life.
Parliament's budget talks impact your wallet, so pay attention!
Visual Insights
Parliamentary Session Disruptions: A Recent History
Timeline of key events related to parliamentary disruptions and related actions, leading up to the current budget session.
Parliamentary disruptions have been a recurring issue, impacting legislative productivity and raising questions about parliamentary privilege and freedom of speech.
- 2020Changes to rules regarding tabling of statutory resolutions and amendments in Rajya Sabha.
- 2023Debates regarding the suspension of MPs for unruly behavior, raising questions about the limits of parliamentary privilege.
- 2023-2024Frequent disruptions in parliamentary sessions lead to concerns about legislative productivity.
- 2026Budget Session concludes with disruptions; Rahul Gandhi's speech and quoting from Gen. Naravane's memoir led to protests and suspensions.
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
In recent years, parliamentary proceedings have faced increasing disruptions due to disagreements between the ruling party and the opposition. This has led to concerns about the effectiveness of parliamentary debates and the passage of important legislation. The role of the Speaker and Chairman in maintaining order has come under scrutiny, with accusations of bias from both sides.
The conduct of members in Parliament has also been a subject of debate. Incidents of unruly behavior and the raising of slogans have led to suspensions and further disruptions. The use of parliamentary privileges and the interpretation of rules of procedure have become contentious issues. The need for parliamentary reforms to ensure smoother functioning and more productive debates has been highlighted by various stakeholders.
Looking ahead, there is a need for greater dialogue and cooperation between the government and the opposition to ensure the effective functioning of Parliament. The focus should be on addressing the concerns of all members and finding common ground on important issues. Parliamentary reforms, such as changes to the rules of procedure and conduct of business, could also help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings. The role of committees in scrutinizing legislation and holding the government accountable needs to be strengthened.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key dates associated with the Budget Session mentioned?
The Budget Session's first part concluded recently. The second part is scheduled to begin on March 9 and conclude on April 2.
Exam Tip
Remembering these dates helps in sequencing events related to parliamentary proceedings.
2. Why has the Budget Session been in the news recently?
The Budget Session has been in the news due to disruptions and disagreements between the ruling party and the opposition, specifically regarding speeches and remarks made by prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
3. What is the role of the Speaker/Chairman when parliamentary proceedings are disrupted?
The Speaker (in Lok Sabha) and the Chairman (in Rajya Sabha) are responsible for maintaining order and decorum in the House. They have the power to adjourn the House, suspend members for unruly behavior, and disallow certain discussions or remarks.
4. What are the potential impacts of frequent parliamentary disruptions on governance?
Frequent disruptions can hinder the passage of important legislation, reduce the time available for meaningful debate, and erode public trust in the parliamentary process. It can also lead to delays in implementing policies and addressing urgent issues.
5. What are the key facts about the recent disruptions during the Budget Session?
The recent disruptions were primarily triggered by disagreements over speeches made by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the India-U.S. trade deal and his intention to quote from a former Army chief's memoir led to protests and adjournments.
6. What related concepts are important to understand the Budget Session disruptions?
Understanding Parliamentary Procedures, Freedom of Speech in Parliament, Powers and Privileges of Parliament, Role of the Speaker, and Parliamentary Disruptions and Adjournments are important to understand the Budget Session disruptions.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Budget Session of the Indian Parliament: 1. It is the longest session of the Parliament, primarily dedicated to the presentation and passing of the Union Budget. 2. The second part of the Budget Session 2024 commenced on March 9 and is scheduled to conclude on April 2. 3. The session is convened only once a year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Budget Session is indeed the longest session of the Indian Parliament and is primarily dedicated to the presentation and passing of the Union Budget. Statement 2 is CORRECT: As per the news, the second part of the Budget Session 2024 commenced on March 9 and is scheduled to conclude on April 2. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Parliament convenes for three sessions: Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session.
2. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha?
- A.To maintain order and decorum in the House
- B.To preside over the sittings of the House
- C.To decide whether a bill is a Money Bill or not
- D.To participate in the debates of the House
Show Answer
Answer: D
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha maintains order and decorum, presides over sittings, and decides whether a bill is a Money Bill. However, the Speaker does not typically participate in the debates of the House, except to provide clarifications or rulings.
3. In the context of parliamentary procedures, what does 'adjournment' refer to?
- A.Termination of a session of Parliament
- B.Suspension of proceedings of the House for a specified time
- C.Postponement of a bill for future consideration
- D.Dissolution of the Lok Sabha
Show Answer
Answer: B
Adjournment refers to the suspension of proceedings of the House for a specified time, which can be hours, days, or weeks. It is different from prorogation, which terminates a session, and dissolution, which ends the term of the Lok Sabha.
Source Articles
Stormy first leg of Budget session over; Parliament to meet again on March 9 - The Hindu
Parliament Budget Session Day 12 LIVE updates: Both Housed adjourned, to resume on March 9 - The Hindu
A Goldilocks moment? - The Hindu
Opposition MPs demand Hardeep Puri’s resignation over alleged links with Epstein - The Hindu
When is Union Budget of India? Date, time & key details - The Hindu