Budget session: Govt gets down to business on Monday

It will be budgets, business and more for the Narendra Modi government in its first full session of parliament starting Monday.

All eyes would be on the first general budget of the new government that stormed to power riding people’s expectations but faces dampers like a deficient monsoon as it struggles to boost the economy.

The tentative legislative agenda of the Modi government reveals a mix of strong anti-corruption measures with pro-reforms steps while reaching out to its political bases. Meanwhile, the fragmented Opposition will try to corner the government on unbridled price rise and steep hike in railway fare.

The NDA, accused by the previous regime of stalling key bills, has listed four significant anti-corruption legislations. The list includes a bill to regulate the booming real estate sector and protect buyers, and a legislation to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Also listed is the long-pending Insurance Act amendment bill. Pitted as a key financial reform, it aims to allow 49% FDI in the sector among other things.

“Ministries will inform us which bill they will take up on priority,” parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said after the all-party meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The government also wants to push bills for legislative councils in Assam (BJP got 7 of 14 LS seats here) and BJP-ruled Rajasthan. It will be budgets, business and more for the Narendra Modi government in its first full session of parliament starting Monday.

All eyes would be on the first general budget of the new government that stormed to power riding people’s expectations but faces dampers like a deficient monsoon as it struggles to boost the economy.

The tentative legislative agenda of the Modi government reveals a mix of strong anti-corruption measures with pro-reforms steps while reaching out to its political bases. Meanwhile, the fragmented Opposition will try to corner the government on unbridled price rise and steep hike in railway fare.

The NDA, accused by the previous regime of stalling key bills, has listed four significant anti-corruption legislations. The list includes a bill to regulate the booming real estate sector and protect buyers, and a legislation to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Also listed is the long-pending Insurance Act amendment bill. Pitted as a key financial reform, it aims to allow 49% FDI in the sector among other things.

“Ministries will inform us which bill they will take up on priority,” parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said after the all-party meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The government also wants to push bills for legislative councils in Assam (BJP got 7 of 14 LS seats here) and BJP-ruled Rajasthan.