(Image source from: Budget session begins with lots of expectations)

The Budget session is all set to begin with JNU storms from today till March 16. The railway budget will be presented on 25 February and General budget on 29 February. The budget session of parliament starting on Tuesday is expected to be stormy with the Congress and some other opposition raring to target the government on a range of issues, including the JNU row, the Jat agitation and the unrest in Hyderabad varsity following the suicide of a Dalit student.

“The ruling establishment seems to have lost all sense of balance and proportion,” Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said on Monday.

"Several parties want discussion on issues such as reservations, JNU and Hyderabad University. We are prepared for it," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said.

The government has prioritised 32 items for the session, which includes 11 bills pending in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha. The Bills which will come up for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha include GST, Real Estate, Anti-Hijacking, National Waterways and Whistle Blowers Protection. In the Lok Sabha, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Amendment Bill is among others which will be taken up for discussion and passage.

“It’s a big country and yes, there are several issues. That’s what the Parliament is there for, to discuss those issues. Government has no hesitation in discussing JNU or Hyderabad University or any other issues. There are different views on it which needs to be debated,” Naidu told the media.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP-led government for unleashing its “divisive agenda by generating a wholly unwarranted debate on patriotism and nationalism” and said that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that parliament functions.

Urging the opposition parties to cooperate in running parliament smoothly, Naidu said that everyone would have an opportunity to raise issues but discussions should take place according to rules. There should be debate, but without disruption, said the minister.

“The government is as much concerned about these issues as any other party and we are more than keen for a detailed discussion on all of them,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Naidu said.

By Premji