Budget Session: Opposition likely to maintain heat on Centre over 'faulty' electoral rolls

New Delhi: Parliament will see discussion on ministries of Home, Agriculture, Health, Railways and Water Resources in the second week of Budget Session’s second leg starting Monday, even as the Opposition insisted that they will continue to demand a discussion on “faulty” electoral rolls.

The government has also indicated its intention to pass the Budget this week by listing discussion and voting, on Demands for Grants for Agriculture, Railways and Water Resources, guillotining outstanding Demands for Grants and passing The Finance Bill, 2025 as its business by March 21. However, sources said this is only a proposal.

On Monday, Lok Sabha will also see a discussion and voting on Demands for Grants for Railways while those for Agriculture and Water Resources will be held next.

In Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw is scheduled to reply to the inconclusive debate on the Ministry and will be followed by a discussion on Manipur Budget and other Appropriation Bills.

On Tuesday, Rajya Sabha will see a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Health followed by one on the Ministry of Home Affairs the next day.

The Opposition, which has not disrupted the proceedings in its entirety so far, is demanding a discussion on “faulty” electoral rolls at the earliest followed by one on delimitation.

A senior Opposition leader said they were not insisting on the Rule under which the debate on electoral rolls, including the issue of multiple Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) having identical numbers, should take place. “We want the discussion and the government can decide the mode,” he said.

The Opposition has raised both the EPIC issue and delimitation inside Parliament and staged low-key protests without disrupting Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings. Both the Houses have also passed some Bills and held discussions on ministries.

Opposition leaders expect that the government would see reason in their demands for discussion on both the subjects. Trinamool Congress is insisting on a debate on EPIC while DMK has spearheaded the protest for a discussion on delimitation.

While Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had demanded a discussion on electoral rolls in Lok Sabha, RJD’s Manoj K Jha has managed to raise the issue in Rajya Sabha. Leaders of DMK have raised the delimitation issue with the support of other Opposition parties in both the Houses.