Debate on Union Budget 2024-25 in both Houses of Parliament
Discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 is underway in both Houses of Parliament. Today, the Lok Sabha witnessed two adjournments following heated arguments between the treasury and opposition bench members. When Congress member Charanjit Singh Channi was participating in the Budget discussion, he referred to the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and grandfather of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. This triggered a war of words between Mr. Bittu and Mr. Channi.
As the noisy scene prevailed, the Presiding Officer adjourned the House till 2 PM. When the House reassembled, Congress member K C Venugopal said Mr. Bittu made allegations against Mr. Channi which is against the rule. He questioned the conduct of the Minister demanding action against him. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the members should maintain decorum in the House. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also urged members to maintain the dignity of the House.
Later, Mr. Channi resumed his speech and claimed that the previous Congress government in Punjab had given compensation to the family of the farmers who lost lives in the farmers’ protest. He said that the farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price claiming that the Centre had made a commitment to them in this regard.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal objected to his comments saying the Congress MP has made incorrect remarks. He accused him of misleading the farmers. Mr Goyal also questioned Mr. Channi over his comments that the National Security Act was invoked on famers saying the Congress members should authenticate his claims. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiu alleged that Mr. Channi has made misleading comments on farmers in the House and his matter should be referred to the Privilege Committee.
When NCP MP Sunil Tatkare started his speech on the General Budget, the House witnessed a heated exchange between treasury branch members and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee over seating arrangements. The Presiding Officer repeatedly urged the members for order in the House but the noisy scene continued leading to the adjournment of the House till 3 PM. Discussion is underway.
Congress and TMC objected to the comments made by BJP member Abhijit Gangopadhyay during his speech in the house yesterday. When the Lower House met this morning, members from Congress and TMC raised the issue demanding action against him.
The House had witnessed heated arguments between him and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said remarks made by the MP are not appropriate and against the dignity of the House. Speaker Om Birla said, a warning has been given to the MP over his comments.
He urged the members to maintain dignity in the House. Randeep Singh Surjewala of Congress raised the issues of farmers, poor and unemployment. He said that no provisions were made in the Budget for waiving of the farmers’ loans. He also said the government is not providing adequate MSP on foodgrains to the farmers. Discussion is underway.
In the Rajya Sabha, discussion is underway on the Union Budget and the Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Participating in the discussion, Randeep Singh Surjewala of Congress raised the issues of farmers, poor and unemployment. He said that no provisions were made in the Budget for waiving farmers’ loans. He also said that the government is not providing adequate MSP on food grains to farmers.