Budget Session to commence on January 31: Union Budget on Feb 1

The Budget Session of Parliament will take place from January 31 to April 8, with a nearly month-long break in the middle. On February 1, the President will address a joint session of both Houses to deliver the Union budget.

The session will take place during elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, and will coincide with an increase in Covid-19 cases. Due to the epidemic, the last five legislative sessions have been canceled.

Officials said they were looking into options like staggered timelines for the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, as well as seating arrangements that would reduce social distance during the Budget Session.

Says an official, “We are looking at various options. But the final decision will depend on the Covid situation towards the end of this month. The Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman will meet around January 25 or 26 to decide how to run the session.”

Many politicians, prominent leaders, and officials from both Houses have contracted Covid-19, according to the official, so it's uncertain whether the session will be shortened as a result of the outbreak.

Another important element that could result in a shortened session, according to a second official, is elections in five states.