Parliament Diary

Similar to last week, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments as Members from both sides of the well disrupted proceedings.

Amidst disruptions, Lok Sabha disposed of its listed financial business. The entire expenditure budget for 2023-24 was guillotined on Thursday, that is, it was passed without discussion. Lok Sabha also passed all four appropriation Bills without discussion. These relate to:

• Union Budget for 2023-24, 

• Supplementary Budget for 2022-23, 

• J&K Budget for 2023-24, and 

• J&K Supplementary Budget for 2022-23. 

On Friday, the Finance Bill was passed with 20 additional clauses that the government moved through amendments. While moving the Finance Bill, the Finance Minister proposed setting up a Committee under the Finance Secretary to discuss reforms to the National Pension System. The Committee will be responsible for evolving approaches to address the needs of the employees while maintaining fiscal prudence.

On Monday, the Joint Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 tabled its report on the Bill in Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend 42 Acts to reduce the compliance burden on individuals and businesses and ensure ease of doing business. Some Acts that are amended by the Bill include the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

In Rajya Sabha, discussion on the Working of Ministries was listed during the week but could be taken up due to disruptions. On Friday, Private Members' Business was taken up in the absence of Opposition members. However, resolutions could not be moved as the concerned Members were not present.

Both Houses are now scheduled to meet on Monday, March 27, 2023.