38 leaders of 26 parties including BJP Ministers participated in all party meeting held on Monday

Jan. 31: A meeting of the government with leaders of all parties was held here today, in a virtual mode, on the first day of the Budget session of Parliament. In his opening address, Union Minister for Parliamentary affairs, Pralhad Joshi made a request on behalf of the government that the Session run smoothly. He informed the leaders that the Session will provide a total of 29 sittings (10 sittings in first part and 19 sittings in second part) spread over a period of 68 days.

Addressing the media, Joshi said that representatives of all parties have agreed to cooperate with the government on the smooth functioning of the Parliament. He said, members should participate in the debates on President’s address and on the Union Budget, adding that other issues can be discussed later in the second phase of the session beginning from March 14. The debate on the President’s address and on the Union Budget will be held for 12 hours each in Lok Sabha. However, he said, the duration of debate that would take place in Rajya Sabha will be decided after the Business Advisory Committee meeting of Rajya Sabha. On the opposition demand to hold a debate on Pegasus snooping issue, he said the matter is subjudice as the case is in Supreme Court.

The Minister stated that the Budget Session, 2022 of Parliament commenced today, the 31^st of January, 2022 and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session may conclude on Friday, the 8^th of April, 2022.  He added that both Houses of Parliament will be adjourned for recess on Friday, the 11^th of February, 2022 to reassemble on Monday, the 14^th of March, 2022 to enable the Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/ Departments and make their Reports thereon.

He added that the Session will mainly be devoted to the Financial Business relating to the Union Budget for 2022-23 and on discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President’s Address. He also said that the Union Budget for 2022-23 will be presented to Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the 1^st February 2022 at 11.00 A.M.In the ensuing Budget Session tentatively 20* items have been identified for being taken up during the Budget Session, 2022, which includes 14 Bills and 6 Financial Items.

Addressing the meeting, after listening to points raised by the leaders of all parties attending, Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Defence, expressed his gratitude for the healthy discussion held in the meeting. He stated that there was a consensus that House not be stalled. Responding to the points made by leaders of parties attending, he said they could identify issues on which they would want discussions to be held. The all party meeting was convened by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi ahead of the tabling of Union Budget tomorrow. Senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also participated in the meeting. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles and Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines participated in the meeting. Ministers of State of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and V. Muraleedharan also attended the meeting.

Parties present were BJP, INC, AITC, DMK, YSRCP, SS, BJD, JD(U), BSP, TRS, LJSP, NCP, CPI(M), IUML, TDP, APNA DAL, CPI,   AAP, AIADMK, KC(M),  RSP, RPI(A), RJD, NPP,  VCK & AGP.

LIST OF BILLS LIKELY TO BE TAKEN UP DURING THE BUDGET SESSION, 2022:

I – LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

1. The Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2022
2. The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022
3. The Cantonment Bill, 2022
4. The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2022
5. The Emigration Bill, 2022
6. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2022
7. The National Dental Commission Bill, 2022
8. The Identification of Prisoners Bill, 2022
9. The Metro Rail (Construction, Operation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022
10. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2022
11. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
12. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bills, 2022 relating to UP
13. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bills, 2022 relating to Jharkhand
14. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bills, 2022 relating to Tripura

II – FINANCIAL BUSINESS

1. The Finance Bill, 2022
2. Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants   for the 2021-22 and introduction, consideration and passing of the related Appropriation Bill.
3. Discussion and Voting on Excess Demands for Grants for the year 2018-19 and introduction, consideration and passing of the related Appropriation Bill.
4. Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants for 2022-23 and introduction, consideration and passing of the related Appropriation Bill.
5. Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the financial year 2021-22 and introduction, consideration and passing of the related Appropriation Bill.
6. Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the financial year 2022-23 and introduction, consideration and passing of the related Appropriation Bill.