Budget 2024: Pralhad Joshi to meet floor leaders of political parties on Tuesday

A gathering of floor leaders from diverse political parties in both Houses of Parliament is scheduled for Tuesday, chaired by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, in anticipation of the upcoming Budget Session. The Budget Session, slated to commence on January 31 and extend until February 9, marks the final session preceding the anticipated general elections in April-May. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present the interim budget on February 1. The session will commence with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

Typically addressing fiscal requirements until a government is established post-Lok Sabha polls, the interim budget assumes significance. Simultaneously, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has issued pivotal recommendations ahead of the budget presentation. These encompass meeting disinvestment targets with a proposed 3-year disinvestment schedule, integrating petroleum, electricity, and real estate into the GST ambit with a focus on a 3-rate structure, elevating capital expenditure by 20% to Rs 12 lakh crores, and advocating for the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Investment.