Parliament Budget Session to Begin Today with Prez Murmu’s Address

The Economic Survey of India is scheduled to be presented on January 29, followed by the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1. Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance under the supervision of the Chief Economic Advisor, the Economic Survey document provides an overview of the state of the economy and key indicators for the period 2025-26 (April-March), as well as the next fiscal year.

The session will span 30 sessions over 65 days and end on April 2. Both Houses will adjourn on February 13 and reconvene on March 9 to allow the Standing Committees to review Grant Requests from various ministries and departments.

The first part of the session will primarily focus on financial affairs related to the Union Budget 2026-27 and discussion on the Motion of Thanks in the President’s Address. Essentially, basic legislation and other issues are expected to be discussed in the second part of the session.

Following an all-party meeting chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, leaders of various political parties outlined the issues likely to be raised during the Budget Session and assured the government of full cooperation.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the party will raise people-centric issues during the session, including “vote theft, SIR, paddy procurement and restoration of MGNREGA”.

Meanwhile, a large number of political leaders and ministers arrived in the national capital ahead of the Budget Session. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian was seen arriving at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport early on Wednesday.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi also reached Delhi to attend the session.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra said that Odisha-related issues were brought up in the all-party meeting; these include farmers’ distress, paddy procurement halt, postponement of minimum support price payments, deterioration of law and order, rising crimes against women and minorities, lack of coal royalty revision, connectivity issues and high unemployment.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said members have expressed concerns over pollution, SIR and rising unemployment.

Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal expressed hope for fair allocation in the 2026 Union Budget, saying the state expects its rightful share and called for correction of past Finance Commission cuts, which he said had severely affected Kerala. He criticized what he called arbitrary central decisions and called for fair support to all states.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh accused the government of failing in foreign policy and said Shankaracharya had raised issues regarding Prayagraj, his alleged insult in SIR and deletion of votes.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought cooperation from all parties for the smooth functioning of Parliament and said the government was ready to discuss important issues in accordance with parliamentary rules.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rijiju said that the discussions in the session should primarily revolve around the Budget. He added that after the opening speech, a Motion of Thanks will be published in the Presidential Address with the participation of all parties.

The government is expected to push its legislative agenda during the session, including several bills pending in both Houses.