The first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session saw a fierce exchange between Opposition members, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG exam irregularities. The debate escalated quickly, marking a turbulent start to the session.
Heated Debate on NEET-UG Issue
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the NEET-UG controversy, asserting that no evidence of paper leaks had been found in the past seven years. This statement was met with immediate backlash from the Opposition, leading to loud slogans and protests within the House. Rahul Gandhi criticized the examination system, labeling it a “serious problem” and a “fraud.” He accused Pradhan of deflecting responsibility, stating that Pradhan had blamed everyone except himself. Pradhan retorted by accusing the Congress of failing to reform the competitive exam system during their tenure. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also joined the discussion, alleging that the “Modi government is set to make a record of paper leaks.” This intense back-and-forth highlighted the deep divisions and concerns surrounding the NEET-UG examination process.
Monsoon Session Agenda
The Monsoon Session, which includes 19 sittings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, will continue until August 12. A key highlight will be the presentation of the Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23. This follows the interim budget delivered on February 1, 2024. Finance Minister Sitharaman will also present the Economic Survey in Parliament. During the session, the government plans to introduce six bills, including one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act and seek approval for the Budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under central rule.
Opposition’s Strategy
A united Opposition plans to challenge the NDA-led government on various issues, including the NEET paper leak case, exam irregularities, misuse of probe agencies, and the appointment of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker. They also intend to address contentious orders from the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments regarding eateries. In an all-party meeting before the session, the government expressed willingness to discuss all issues, but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that discussions must adhere to parliamentary rules. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who chaired the meeting, stressed the importance of maintaining Parliament’s sanctity and avoiding disruptions.
Budget 2024: A Historic Moment
Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to make history on July 23 by presenting her seventh consecutive Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, surpassing the record previously held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. This will be her seventh full Budget for the period from April 2024 to March 2025. This year, there are two budgets: an interim budget presented in February and the full budget in July, adhering to the convention that a full Budget cannot be presented just before general elections. Earlier this week, Sitharaman participated in the traditional ‘halwa’ ceremony, symbolizing the final stage of Budget preparation.
Special Status Demand
Several BJP allies, including representatives from JD(U), BJD, and YSR Congress Party, have demanded special category status for Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. This demand adds another layer of complexity for the government to address during the session.
Key Bills and Committees
The bills slated for introduction and passage include the Boilers Bill, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, and the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to oversee the parliamentary agenda, with members from various parties ensuring diverse representation and cooperation. The session is set to be a challenging yet critical period for the Indian Parliament, with significant legislative and political developments on the horizon.