New immigration and foreigners bill on anvil

THE BILL AIMS TO STREAMLINE THE SERVICES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION AND FOREIGNERS

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties indicated on Thursday that they will press the treasury benches over the Maha Kumbh stampede that led to the deaths of at least 30 people among a host of other issues, setting what could be the tone for the Budget session that begins on Friday.

At the customary all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, opposition leaders also indicated they will raise the issue of the controversial UGC draft regulations while leaders of the ruling NDA ally Janata Dal (United) suggested that the JPC on One Nation, One Election should have extensive debate.

Both the JD(U) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) demanded that smaller NDA partners must get more time to speak in Parliament, according to people aware of the discussions at the meeting.

"We held a successful meeting with all party floor leaders today (Thursday) ahead of the Budget Session. I want to thank all the floor leaders. 52 leaders of total 36 political parties attended the meeting," Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said.

The Budget session starts on Friday with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The General Budget for FY26 will be presented by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. "We have noted the statements, suggestions, and observations of all leaders," Rijiju added.