Parliament Diary

In the second week of the Budget Session, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha took up a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address and a general discussion on the Union Budget 2023-24.

During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks, several Members asked the government to bring a Women's Reservation Bill to ensure higher participation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies. Speaking on the Motion, the Women and Child Development Minister noted that of the 31 crore cancer screenings under Ayushman Bharat, 13 crore were utilised by women. Several members also raised their concern over the reduced allocation to MGNREGS. The Budgeted Estimate for MGNREGS in 2023-24 is Rs 60,000 crore, 32.9% less than the Revised Estimates for 2022-23 (Rs 89,400 crore).

During the general discussion on the Union Budget 2023-24 in Lok Sabha, several Members raised the issue of high unemployment in the country. Noting the reduced expenditure on subsidies, a Member stated that a large capital expenditure may not necessarily lead to job growth. In her response, the Finance Minister stated that the government has chosen to spend on capital expenditure for the recovery of the economy as it leads to job creation and multiplier effect. With respect to subsidies, she stated that the allocation to food and fertiliser subsidy was higher in the revised estimates of 2022-23 on account of high international prices.

General discussion on the Budget could not take place in Rajya Sabha on Thursday due to disruptions. On Friday, the House took up Private Members' Business before taking up the budget discussion. Also on Friday, one Member was suspended by the Chairperson for the remainder of the session, or until the Privilege Committee submits its report on the matter.

Next week, both Houses of Parliament are scheduled to adjourn for about four weeks. During the recess, Parliamentary Standing Committees will examine the Demands for Grants of individual ministries. 

Note that PRS analyses of the demands for grants for key ministries will also be published in the coming weeks. Our team will also be analysing the state budgets for several states. Please follow us on Twitter to be updated about these.

[Analysis of the Kerala Budget 2023-24] 

Proceedings in Rajya Sabha were ongoing at the time of posting this note.