Budget Session Begins Today: Centre braces for Opposition heat over Kumbh tragedy, economic concerns

Economic Survey to be tabled today; Union Budget on February 1

- VINAY KUMAR

NEW DELHI: The crucial Budget Session of Parliament will begin on Friday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing both Houses assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber. After the President's address, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

On February 1, Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the eighth consecutive time. It will be the first full Budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after the BJP fell short of the majority mark in the Lok Sabha in the 2024 general elections.

As the Opposition gears up to corner the government on a number of issues, the session is likely to get off to a stormy start. Opposition parties are likely to demand a discussion on the alleged mismanagement of the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, where 30 pilgrims were killed in a stampede.

At the all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the eve of the session, Opposition parties also accused the government of politicising the parliamentary committees and trying to push its agenda by using its majority.

The Opposition also accused the BJP-led government of politicising the Kumbh congregation and promoting VIP culture at the cost of the common man.