Parliament's Monsoon Session begins on Monday & Union Budget to be Unveiled on July 23

New Delhi, 20 July (H.S.): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget on Tuesday as the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins next week. The united opposition is gearing up to hold the NDA government accountable on various issues such as the NEET paper leak case and railway safety.

The session, which will have 19 sittings till August 12, will also see the government presenting six bills, including one to replace the Aircraft Act and seeking Parliament's approval for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under central rule. On Monday, Sitharaman will also table the Economic Survey in Parliament. Ahead of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has called for a meeting with floor leaders of political parties to understand their concerns.

The BJD, led by former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, has declared its intention to aggressively raise issues concerning the state, with a focus on demanding special category status for Odisha. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has stated that the opposition will also resist any government move to reduce its stake in public sector banks below 51 per cent. The government is expected to bring amendments to various laws, including the Banking Regulation Act, in the Budget Session, which could potentially lower its stake in PSBs.

Apart from the Finance Bill, The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill has also been listed for introduction, consideration and passing during the session in an effort to bring more clarity and coordination among organizations working in disaster management.