New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament is set to commence this Friday with the presentation of the Economic Survey 2024-25. A total of 16 bills are expected to be tabled, including the Finance Bill 2025, amendments to the Waqf Act and Banking Regulations Act, and a proposal to merge the Indian Railways and Indian Railways Board Acts.
Other significant bills likely to be presented include amendments to disaster management laws, regulations concerning oilfields, coastal shipping, and merchant shipping, as well as a proposal to rename the Institute of Rural Management Anand as Tribhuvan Sahkari University and declare it an institution of national importance.
Additionally, bills related to aviation finance, immigration policies, and the representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa’s Assembly constituencies are also on the agenda.
Key Bills To Watch Out For
1. Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Originally presented in August 2023, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes 44 changes to the existing Waqf laws, which govern Muslim charitable properties. The bill sparked strong opposition protests and was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
Despite nearly three dozen JPC sittings, opposition members alleged that their concerns were overlooked. The committee submitted its report this week. However, sources suggest that the Waqf Amendment Bill may not be part of the Finance Bill but could be introduced as a separate document later.
2. Finance Bill 2025
Even without the Waqf amendments, the Finance Bill remains crucial as it will implement key budgetary proposals by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will be presenting her eighth Union Budget—just two behind Morarji Desai’s record of 10.
3. Banking Regulations Amendment
The proposed changes aim to strengthen banking governance and enhance consumer protection through improved nomination rules and investor safeguards.
4. Maritime and Shipping Bills
A series of maritime laws will be modernized, including:
Bills of Lading Bill
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill
Coastal Shipping Bill
Merchant Shipping Bill 2024
These amendments are expected to streamline shipping regulations and improve India’s global competitiveness in maritime trade.
5. Oilfields (Amendment) Bill
This bill seeks to update oil exploration and extraction laws to encourage efficient and sustainable practices in the energy sector.
6. Boilers Safety Bill
Aimed at enhancing industrial safety, this bill will introduce new safety regulations for the operation and maintenance of boilers in various industries.
7. Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill
This amendment will shift the responsibility of disaster response planning to central and state-level forces. It also mandates the creation of an updated disaster management database to ensure quicker and more effective responses to natural calamities.
8. Representation of STs in Goa Assembly Bill
This bill proposes reallocating Assembly seats in Goa to provide better representation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
What to Expect from the Budget Session
With major reforms and controversial bills on the table, the Budget Session is expected to witness intense debates between the government and the opposition. The Finance Bill 2025, banking sector amendments, and the Waqf Amendment Bill will be among the most closely watched developments in Parliament.
Stay tuned for live updates and expert analysis on these legislative changes, only on The Pragathi News.
