Parliament Budget Session 2025 Highlights: Efforts by Centre, state led to improvement in Manipur law and order, says Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to providing full financial support for Manipur’s economic development. She highlighted that the overall law and order situation in the state has improved significantly, barring a few sporadic incidents.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the Supplementary Demands for Grant (SDG) Second Batch 2024-25, Demands for Excess Grants for 2021-22, Manipur Budget 2025-26, and SDG (Manipur) 2024-25, Sitharaman assured that Manipur's development remains a priority for the government.

On Monday, she tabled the Manipur budget for 2025-26, outlining an expenditure of Rs 35,103.90 crore, marking an increase from ₹32,656.81 crore in the current financial year. Following the Proclamation issued under Article 356 of the Constitution on February 13, 2025, legislative powers in the state are currently being exercised under the authority of Parliament.

"...with the collective effort of both the Centre and state government, there has been an improvement in overall law and order situation in the state, to a large extent, except for some sporadic (incidents)," Sitharaman said.

She further informed the House that efforts to recover arms and ammunition looted during the recent unrest are underway. Reassuring financial backing for Manipur, she said the Centre is committed to ensuring faster economic growth in the state.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman said that in 1993, when Raj Kumar Dorendra Singh of Congress was the Chief Minister of Manipur, a major flare-up between the Kukis and Nagas occurred between April and December, resulting in 750 deaths and the destruction of around 350 villages in Manipur. At the time, the Prime Minister and Home Minister did not even participate in the debate. Nirmala alleged that Congress failed to control the situation.

Manipur’s Lok Sabha MPs on Tuesday urged the Centre to address structural inequalities in resource allocation, highlighting the state’s economic struggles and ongoing crisis. Alfred Kanngam S Arthur (Outer Manipur, Congress) and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam (Inner Manipur) criticised the Union government for neglecting the state’s needs.

Arthur stressed that Manipur’s development is integral to nation-building, calling out disparities between its hill and valley regions. He pointed out that 98% of the hill areas, home to tribal communities, remain underdeveloped due to inadequate funding. He also noted that critical sectors like agriculture and horticulture have seen no budgetary growth. Additionally, he raised concerns over the delay in MGNREGA fund disbursement and Manipur’s economic stagnation, questioning why there has been no course correction.

Arthur also condemned the government’s failure to rehabilitate nearly 50,000 people displaced by ethnic violence, accusing leaders of ignoring the crisis despite clear evidence of its origins. "Who is responsible for what has happened to my state today?" he asked, urging a revised budget with equitable allocations.

Akoijam echoed Arthur’s sentiments, accusing the Centre of treating Manipur with contempt. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the state in 2023, contrasting his international peace efforts with his silence on Manipur’s suffering. He highlighted the mass displacement of over 60,000 people, the destruction of villages, and the struggles of children and women.

Taking a direct jab at the Centre’s budget priorities, Akoijam questioned why Bihar received Rs 11,500 crore in aid while Manipur remained overlooked. "Is Bihar more Indian than Manipur?" he asked.

Akoijam warned that the people of Manipur are questioning their place in the Union of India, stating that the state is being made "invisible." He urged the government to show genuine concern and reflect it in the budget.

"We are providing all necessary financial assistance to support Manipur's economic recovery and will continue to do so for a faster rebound," says FM Nirmala Sitharaman on the Manipur Budget.

"The state of Jammu and Kashmir needs a lot of development activities," said finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman

"No one is imposing anything on anyone; it is a multilingual society," says Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.

Aazad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar raised concerns over atrocities against minorities, including Muslims, Jains, and Sikhs. He also highlighted incidents of police brutality targeting minority communities.

BJP MP Sambit Patra said, "Rohit Sharma is not unfit, but Rahul Gandhi is." He also stated that India will become a global champion only under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

BJP MP Sambit Patra, speaking on Manipur, acknowledged a lack of unity and said the opposition’s demands were justified. He stated that the government has provided relief to the internally displaced people in the state. Patra also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several matters.

MP Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) said, "We want an assurance from the government that the US tariff will not be imposed on India on April 2."

He also spoke about the situation in Manipur, highlighting the ongoing violence, internet shutdown, and the struggles of displaced people in camps, many of whom are suffering from mental health issues.

"240 brothers and sisters lost their lives, and over 500 were injured in Manipur. Ammunition was looted from police armouries, yet the BJP government remained silent on the matter," said AITC MP Saayoni Ghosh.

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MDMK MP Durai Vaiko has accused union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan of making false claims in Parliament regarding Tamil Nadu’s stance on the National Education Policy (NEP). Vaiko alleged that Pradhan "lied in the House" by stating that the Tamil Nadu government had agreed to the NEP, while chief minister MK Stalin and the state government have consistently opposed it.

"We always stood by the two-language policy," Vaiko asserted, reiterating Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the three-language formula proposed under NEP. He also accused Pradhan of using "unparliamentary words" that insulted the people of Tamil Nadu. While the minister later withdrew his remarks, Vaiko and his party are demanding a formal apology.

The Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings, but union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu was notably absent. As deputy chairman Harivansh repeatedly called out, “Honourable Minister, Honourable Minister,” there was no response. Members present in the House remarked, “The minister is not here.”

Reacting to the situation, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge took a swipe at the BJP. “JP Nadda said yesterday that opposition leaders need training on rules of procedure. So, I want to ask him—why don’t your ministers take training? Why don’t they come to the House on time? This is shameful,” Kharge said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha weighed in on the controversy surrounding Tejashwi Yadav’s statement, asserting that the issue stemmed from BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachol’s remarks. “The controversy has been created not because of Tejashwi Yadav’s statement but because of what Mr Bachol said. He made a threatening statement. This is India, and every religion’s blood is involved in this country,” Jha said during the Parliament Budget Session.

Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma criticised the opposition over the three-language policy debate, accusing them of attempting to create a divide between North and South India. "This is just politics, this is the politics of division. This is the politics of dividing South India from North India... I think the more languages ​​the children learn, the better it is. BJP is not against any language," she said. Sharma questioned the opposition’s stance, asking, "Do they not want the children there to connect with the North or learn the culture of the North? Why do they want to divide?"

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday after opposition MPs stormed into the well of the House, protesting against delimitation and other issues. The uproar disrupted the session, forcing the Chair to call for a temporary adjournment. Opposition leaders have been raising concerns over the delimitation exercise, alleging it could impact political representation.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, along with BJP MP Anil Baluni, is set to present multiple reports in the Lok Sabha today.

Among them is the sixth report, detailing government actions on the recommendations from the committee’s fifty-sixth report on ‘Regulation of Cable Television in India,’ under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Additionally, they will present the seventh report, which reviews steps taken on the committee’s fifty-fourth report concerning ‘Digital Payment and Online Security Measures for Data Protection’ under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Further, they will lay statements in the Lok Sabha outlining additional actions taken by the government based on past reports of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024-25). Other reports scheduled for presentation include:

The fifty-third report, which examines government responses to recommendations in the committee’s forty-seventh report on the ‘Review of the functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’ under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The fifty-fifth report, assessing actions taken on the committee’s forty-eighth report on ‘Citizens’ Data Security and Privacy’ under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha during the second phase of the Budget Session, protesting against issues related to delimitation and the New Education Policy (NEP).

In the Lok Sabha, MPs entered the well of the House, voicing protests as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in his address, accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being “dishonest” and engaging in “politics” at the expense of Tamil Nadu students’ future.

The second phase of the Budget Session began on Monday and is scheduled to continue until April 4.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today. The proposed legislation aims to update and consolidate India’s immigration laws.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to seek approval to introduce the bill, which grants the central government authority over passport and travel document requirements for individuals entering and exiting India. Additionally, it seeks to regulate visa and registration processes for foreigners and address related matters.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Nishikant Dubey, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, and Anil Baluni will present multiple reports in the Lok Sabha. These include:

The sixth report on government actions regarding the recommendations made in the committee’s fifty-sixth report on ‘Regulation of Cable Television in India’ under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The seventh report on actions taken regarding the committee’s fifty-fourth report on ‘Digital Payment and Online Security Measures for Data Protection’ under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Statements detailing further actions taken by the government concerning past reports of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024-25).
The fifty-third report on government actions related to the committee’s forty-seventh report on the ‘Review of the functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’ under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The fifty-fifth report on actions taken regarding the committee’s forty-eighth report on ‘Citizens’ Data Security and Privacy’ under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
On Monday, Parliament passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill, which aims to modernize and streamline railway operations in India. Additionally, the Lok Sabha passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, which seeks to align existing laws with contemporary legislation while simplifying provisions without altering their substantive aspects.

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha during the second phase of the Budget Session, protesting issues related to delimitation and the New Education Policy (NEP).

In the Lok Sabha, MPs entered the well of the House and protested as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, during his address, accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being “dishonest” and engaging in “politics” at the expense of Tamil Nadu students’ future.

The second phase of the Budget Session began on Monday and is scheduled to continue until April 4.

DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu on Monday strongly condemned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks, labelling them "uncivilised" and "unparliamentary."

"The words used against our Chief Minister and MPs are unacceptable. DMK MPs have repeatedly been told how to speak, but calling them 'uncivilised' is derogatory. Such language should not be used against anyone," Kanimozhi told ANI.

The controversy erupted after Pradhan referred to DMK MPs, the Tamil Nadu government, and the state's people as "uncivilised" in Parliament, prompting Kanimozhi’s strong objection. Addressing the Lok Sabha, she expressed her dismay, stating, "I am deeply hurt that the minister, in his response, called Tamil Nadu’s MPs, government, and people 'uncivilised'."

The debate stemmed from the National Education Policy (NEP), particularly Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the three-language formula. Kanimozhi reiterated that Tamil Nadu had clearly stated its concerns in official discussions.

"In our meeting, we explicitly stated that we cannot accept the NEP in full, as the three-language policy is not acceptable to the people of Tamil Nadu," she said.

She also pointed out that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Pradhan, outlining the state’s objections to the NEP and requesting the release of funds.

"The Chief Minister has officially conveyed Tamil Nadu’s concerns and urged the release of funds," she added.

On Monday, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi submitted a breach of privilege notice against Pradhan, accusing him of misleading the House and making defamatory statements while responding to a query about the non-disbursal of funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

DMK MP T Sumathy had raised a supplementary question during the discussion, and Kanimozhi alleged that Pradhan’s remarks not only misled the House but also amounted to contempt.

In her notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Kanimozhi stated that Pradhan’s claim that the Tamil Nadu government made a "U-turn" on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the PM-SHRI scheme was "factually incorrect" and contradicted official records.

Amid protests by DMK members in Lok Sabha over language provisions in National Education Policy, senior BJP MPs Monday staunchly defended promotion of Sanskrit in both academia and society, arguing that its status as one of the oldest languages merits greater recognition.

BJP MP Dilip Saikia called for Sanskrit to be made compulsory in universities nationwide, while Nishikant Dubey dismissed DMK’s protests as “politically motivated and attempt to divide the country by inciting passions by opposing NEP and delimitation of parliamentary constituencies”.
DMK is opposing NEP and delimitation out of fear of losing the Tamil Nadu assembly polls due next year, he said.

“DMK is only inciting passions. Tamil is an ancient language but Sanskrit pre-dates Tamil. Go to any temple across country be it in Tamil-speaking, Telugu-speaking or Kannada-speaking regions — everywhere puja is performed in Sanskrit,” Dubey said.

He said in 1973, Congress-led govt increased seats in MP and Bengal in delimitation of parliamentary seats but did not do so in Tamil Nadu. “Despite that, DMK is running govt in partnership with Congress. DMK wants to divide the country by inciting emotions,” Dubey said.

Leader of the House in RS J P Nadda Monday said govt is ready for discussion on any issue and questioned opposition’s intent over trying to raise matters through Rule 267 which calls for suspension of scheduled business to discuss urgent matters. He termed practice of opposition MPs giving notices under Rule 267 despite elaborate rulings by the chairman on the issue a “vicious design to demean Parliament”.

Harivansh did not allow leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to make his submission. Opposition MPs then protested for a while before walking out. Condemning the walkout, Nadda said opposition was not interested in debate and when their notices were rejected by the chair based on previous rulings, they wanted to give an impression that govt did not want to answer queries.

“Govt under PM Modi is ready to discuss anything under this roof. But there are rules & regulations for debates in the House,” Nadda said, adding MPs will get an opportunity to raise their issues during the debate on Union Budget over the next 10 days.

"Today, the Railway amendment bill was debated in Rajya Sabha. The opposition walked out because, during the tenure of Ashwini Vaishnaw and PM Modi, there have been more than 670 train accidents, more than 1500 people have been injured, and 700 plus have died. Recently, at the New Delhi Railway Station, we saw a stampede where 18 people died, including children...," she said.

"But the way the minister was replying to our concerns reeked of arrogance... Ignorance means he is refusing to acknowledge the kind of injury that has been caused to public property and people's lives in India due to the attack, negligence and failure of the railway ministry. But Ashwini Vaishnaw disappointed us with his arrogance, rejection of logic and total sycophancy of PM Modi. He gave us no scope for constructive criticism. Hence, we walked out and refused to support the Railway Amendment Bill 2024...," she added.

The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024 passed.

"The DMK is only inciting passions. Tamil is an ancient language, but Sanskrit pre-dates Tamil. Go to any temple across the country be it in Tamil-speaking, Telugu-speaking or Kannada-speaking regions -- everywhere puja is performed in Sanskrit," Dubey said.

"Despite that, the DMK is running the government in partnership with the Congress. The DMK party wants to divide the country by inciting emotions. The DMK is losing the Tamil Nadu assembly elections," he added.

The central government, citing a CPCB report in Parliament, stated that the water at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj was fit for bathing during the recent Maha Kumbh. Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, responding to questions from MPs Anand Bhadauria and K Sudhakaran, said the CPCB report found key water quality parameters—pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, and faecal coliform—within permissible bathing limits.

The government also reported allocating ₹7,421 crore to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for river cleaning from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (until March 9).

Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had first flagged the issue of numerous instances of 'duplicate' voter cards and the explanation given by the Election Commission was a clear breach of the Conduct of Election Rules itself.

The "faulty" voter lists were a matter of serious concern and amounted to a breach of Rule 20 of the Conduct of Elections Rule, the TMC member said.

Lok Sabha proceedings were on Monday adjourned for about 30 minutes after DMK members staged protests over Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remarks that the Tamil Nadu government was "dishonest" on the issue of implementing the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. Replying to a question on the PM SHRI scheme, Pradhan said the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has changed its stand on implementing the centrally-sponsored scheme which envisaged strengthening the schools managed by central, state or local bodies.

The state concerned has to sign an MoU with the central government that it would implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and in return the central government provides the fund.

"The Tamil Nadu government had initially agreed to sign the MoU. But now they have changed the stand. Many non-BJP-ruled states, including Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, have signed the agreement," he said.

The government on Monday sought Parliament nod to spend net additional Rs 51,462.86 crore in the current financial year ending March, with a large chunk going towards pension and subsidy on fertiliser. The gross additional spending sought by the government is over Rs 6.78 lakh crore, of which Rs 6.27 lakh crore would be matched by savings and receipts.

The additional expenditure includes Rs 12,000 crore towards fertiliser subsidy and Rs 13,449 crore towards pension for government employees, including for Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

The total spending also includes defence pension of Rs 8,476 crore and Rs 5,322 crore to the Department of Telecommunications.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman supplementary demands for grants, second batch for 2024-25, in Lok Sabha.

Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs L Murugan on Sunday claimed DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi knows Hindi, though she says that she doesn't.

"She speaks Hindi in Delhi. Tell her that I said this," Murugan told reporters in Chennai after inaugurating a BJP office in Nanganallur.

DMK MPs, including senior leader Tiruchi Siva, protest in Parliament over the issue of delimitation.

On delimitation issue, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, " When there is a sensus in 2026 or after, the new delimitation might end the arrangement for 50 years...that raises some very questions. What happens if the north Indian Hindi speaking states have a 2/3rd majority and can pass amendments? Will the south feel disenfranchised?...population keeps changing."

As he left Parliament, reporters asked Rahul Gandhi whether a discussion on the voter list would take place. He responded, "I don't think so."