Parliament Budget Session 2025 Highlights: Efforts by Centre, state led to improvement in Manipur law and order, says Sitharaman
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  • Parliament Budget Session 2025 Highlights: Efforts by Centre, state led to improvement in Manipur law and order, says Sitharaman
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 12, 2025, 10:07:18 IST
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Parliament Budget Session 2025 Highlights: Efforts by Centre, state led to improvement in Manipur law and order, says Sitharaman

Parliament Budget Session 2025 Highlights: The Budget Session of Parliament resumed on Monday after a recess, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Question Hour. During a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, Birla emphasized the importance of an uninterrupted Question Hour, Lok Sabha sources said.

He noted that discussions during the session, which will continue until April 4, would include demands from ministries such as Railways, Agriculture, and Jal Shakti.

The Question Hour often sees heated exchanges as the opposition raises various issues. The session resumes after a nearly month-long recess, with an anticipated showdown between the government and the opposition. Key issues expected to be raised include alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, renewed violence in Manipur, and India's handling of the Donald Trump administration.

The government's primary focus will be on securing parliamentary approval for demands for grants, completing the budgetary process, seeking approval for the Manipur budget, and passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a statutory resolution seeking parliamentary approval for the proclamation of President's Rule in Manipur. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Manipur budget. The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The opposition, on the other hand, has signalled its intent to confront the government over issues like duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.
13:50 (IST) Mar 10
DMK MP accuses Dharmendra Pradhan of 'lying' on NEP
On National Language Policy and three-language policy, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said, "Dharmendra Pradhan lied by saying that DMK govt had agreed to sign NEP. We never agreed to NEP or 3-language policy, all we said that we can't. Why should our students in Tamil Nadu learn 3 languages whereas students from north India learn only one language? We are not against Hindi, if there are students who want to learn Hindi, they are free to do so but it should not be compulsory."
13:41 (IST) Mar 10
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday called for a discussion in the House over alleged discrepancies in the voter list, saying that similar concerns had been raised across multiple states. Citing the example of Maharashtra assembly polls.

"Question is being raised on the voter list in every states. In Maharashtra, questions were raised on black and white voter list. The entire opposition is just saying that there should be a discussion on the voter's list," he said.
13:32 (IST) Mar 10
Rahul Gandhi demands discussion in LS on voter lists
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday demanded a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the issue of voter lists on which several political parties have raised certain questions. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said the entire opposition has been demanding a discussion on voter lists.

"We accept your remarks that the government does not make voter lists. But we demand a discussion on the issue," the Congress leader said.

"The voter lists are being questioned across the country. Questions have been raised by the opposition in one voice in every state, including Maharashtra," he said.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy said there were some flaws in the voter lists and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has pointed out that voters with same EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) numbers were present in Murshidabad and Burdwan parliamentary constituencies and in Haryana.

Roy said a Trinamool delegation was meeting the newly-appointed chief election commissioner to flag concerns on voter lists.
12:59 (IST) Mar 10
'Opposition always obstructs the House': Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma
As the two Houses of the Parliament resumed their proceedings today, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma on Monday accused the opposition of always obstructing the House and stated that they will do similar things today also.

"The opposition always obstructs the House and important issues are left behind...Today also they will do something similar and we are ready for that too...only those issues will come up in Parliament which are for the public...whatever is in our agenda will happen..." Sharma told ANI.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dinesh Sharma also hit out at the opposition and said that the opposition is always ready for uproar and to obstruct the House.

He further said, "Today's need of democracy is that the opposition should have a healthy discussion and question the ruling party and the ruling party should satisfy the opposition by informing them about its good work but the opposition is not ready. The opposition is ready for uproar and to obstruct the House."
12:46 (IST) Mar 10
'Only the Tamil language will be the medium of instruction in PM SHRI schools,' says Dharmendra Pradhan
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Recently, the Government of India had a discussion with the Tamil Nadu government. A way of compromise was also found in this. If the Tamil Nadu government agrees to that path, we have no objection in giving them PM SHRI allocation. In Tamil Nadu, only the Tamil language will be the medium of instruction in PM SHRI schools. What is your (Tamil Nadu government) opposition? I don't understand this. Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra are all implementing PM SHRI and NEP... No one is imposing any language on anyone... They are just doing politics."
12:35 (IST) Mar 10

"It is a fantastic news for everyone, especially the Bhojpuri community, and the mothers and sisters of Bihar. It was unfortunate that there was no temple for Maa Sita at the place where she was born. However, what Amit Shah has promised, it will surely be fulfilled."

Ravi Kishan on Amit Shah promising Sita Temple in Sitamarhi

12:33 (IST) Mar 10
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Raj Thackeray's statement on Sangam water
"All the Union cabinet ministers, Prime Minister, Union home minister, chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra should answer this because BJP is a friend of Raj Thackeray."
12:27 (IST) Mar 10

Those who do not have concrete facts, they only want shout back the truth. They are creating an uproar and only misleading others. Today is March 10 and just few days are left before the completion of this financial year; the government doesn't have any issue in providing Tamil Nadu their allocation of PM SHRI, but they are not interested in it. Those who don't want to join the PM SHRI programme, I appeal to them, PM SHRI is (I everyone's) interest.

Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan

12:16 (IST) Mar 10
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urges disciplinary action against DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla directed the treasury benches to introduce a motion for disciplinary action against DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran over alleged disrespect toward the Chair. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that he would gauge the House's opinion before moving the motion, while also criticizing Maran's conduct.
12:14 (IST) Mar 10
'Tamil Nadu and other states will be losing so many seats,' DMK MP says on delimitation
On delimitation issue, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said, "We have a very genuine concern about the delimitation exercise that is due to be done in 2026...the birth control process has not been equal (in north and south). If it is done based on population, Tamil Nadu and other states will be losing so many seats. we will come down from 39 to 31, Kerala from 20 to 12...some states will get 30-40 more seats, so there won't be fair representation in the Parliament."
11:57 (IST) Mar 10
'DMK ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students,' Dharmendra Pradhan says
On the New Education Policy and three language row, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "They (DMK) are dishonest. They are not committed to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics. They are doing mischief. They are undemocratic and uncivilised."
11:55 (IST) Mar 10
'ED, CBI and IT work like the frontal organisations of the BJP,' says Congress MP Pramod Tiwari
On ED raids at the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says "ED, CBI and IT work like the frontal organisations of the BJP. The raid was conducted because Bhupesh Baghel became Punjab incharge of the Congress party...A raid does not mean the person is accused."
11:30 (IST) Mar 10
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12pm
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged members to return to their seats, but as disruptions from the Opposition continued, the House was adjourned till 12 pm.
11:29 (IST) Mar 10
Team India's Champions Trophy win praised in Rajya Sabha
On behalf of Rajya Sabha members, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh congratulates the Indian team for clinching the Champions Trophy.
11:20 (IST) Mar 10
'They're undemocratic, uncivilized, working against people's interest': Education minister Pradhan on DMK MPs
“They are undemocratic, uncivilized, working against the interest of the people,” Education minister Dharmender Pradhan said referring to Tamil Nadu MPs raising their govt’s opposition in the Lok Sabha to the language and new education policy. House proceedings were disrupted as DMK continued slogan shouting.
11:12 (IST) Mar 10
'Southern states will be at disadvantage': DMK MP on delimitation exercise
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said "The delimitation exercise is due to be done in 2026. As per the constitution, it has to be done under the population. Earlier in the 42nd Amendment and the 84th Amendment, it was decided to have it after 25 years because the birth control progress has to be noted...If the delimitation exercise is done on that basis, all the Southern states will be at a disadvantage, including Tamil Nadu...We are insisting that the government should evolve a way that the Southern states will not be affected by way of this delimitation exercise, and they have to find an alternate way."
10:10 (IST) Mar 10

Nirmala Sitharaman, under the leadership of PM Modi, had presented a visionary budget.. in Manipur, President's rule is under way so naturally, central government will present budget for Manipur. Government has taken it seriously.

BJP MP Biplab Deb

09:33 (IST) Mar 10
'Govt does not want the House to function properly,' says Socialist Party MP Premachandran
On Parliament budget session, Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N K Premachandran said, "The opposition's consistent stand has been that the House should function. The government does not want the House to function properly, which is why constructive discussions are not possible. We all know why the US President increased tariffs. This issue should be discussed. The Waqf Bill is probably going to come. We will oppose it. We are ready to cooperate smoothly with the government, but for this it is necessary that all these issues are discussed."
09:09 (IST) Mar 10
We are going to raise so many important issues in Parliament: Congress MP K Suresh
On Parliament budget session, Congress MP K Suresh said, "Today in Parliament, during the second part of the budget session...we are going to raise so many important issues in Parliament. Especially delimitation issue, which has affected southern states. Tamil Nadu already reacted, and other states have also expressed their views. Govt of India is going to start delimitation without any discussion with stakeholders..."
08:42 (IST) Mar 10
Parliament Budget Session Live: Suspension of business notice by AAP MP Sanjay Singh
08:13 (IST) Mar 10
The budget session of Parliament resumes on Monday in the shadow of a spate of controversies along the ‘opposition vs government’ battleline, ranging from Trump’s comments on tariffs, duplicate voter identity card numbers, three-language policy and delimitation, amid indications that the non-budget issues may set off fireworks.

Adding to the clutch of issues being debated in public are the renewed violence in Manipur and the Waqf amendment bill. The government is scheduled to bring a resolution to seek Parliament’s approval for proclamation of President’s rule in Manipur, and the opposition will use the discussion to raise the two years of continuing ethnic strife in the northeastern state. The state’s budget too will come up for discussion.
08:12 (IST) Mar 10
Parliament Budget Session Live: FM Sitharaman to table Manipur budget today, Amit Shah to seek President's rule nod
The Centre last month placed Manipur under President’s rule after the resignation of beleaguered CM N Biren Singh. Also, the Centre is expected to bring the controversial Waqf bill for passage, which is being opposed by the entire opposition. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has indicated that govt was in favour of early passage of the Waqf bill on which NDA allies have p ledged support.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is to table the budget for Manipur on Monday, which has been under President’s rule since Feb 13. Home minister Amit Shah is expected to move a resolution seeking Parliament’s approval for proclamation of President’s rule in the state. The three-language policy and delimitation have become contentious in the south, with states banding together to question the Centre.
08:11 (IST) Mar 10
Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin Sunday decided to send senior DMK netas to meet chief ministers and senior politicians from seven states, including BJP governed Odisha, to rally support for his campaign against Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise.

At a meeting with DMK MPs, Stalin assigned responsibility for each of the seven states. Tamal Nadu IT minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan will engage with Kerala politicians, while MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi will head a delegation to West Bengal. PWD minister E V Velu has been tasked with meeting politicians of Andhra Pradesh, while industries minister TRB Rajaa will head for Odisha. Similar delegations will be sent to AAP-governed Punjab and Congress-run Telangana and Karnataka.

Stalin had last week written to the CMs and other key politicians of these seven states, explaining TN govt’s position against populationbased delimitation.

Calling it “an unfair exercise”, the DMK chief said the Centre’s plan was a “blatant assault on federalism, punishing states that ensured population control and good governance by stripping away our rightful voice in Parliament”.

A senior DMK functionary said the chief minister directed party MPs and TN ministers to explain the harmful consequences of populationbased delimitation to govts and politicians in all seven states.
08:10 (IST) Mar 10
Parliament Budget Session Live: Congress's Manickam Tagore gives adjournment motion in Lok Sabha
Congress MP Manickam Tagore gives a Motion for the Adjournment of the Business of the House in the Lok Sabha to discuss "Internal security crisis in Manipur and Jammu: clashes, violence and government accountability."
08:08 (IST) Mar 10
Budget session set for 'EPIC' showdown; budget, Waqf bill top priority for govt
Parliament's Budget session resumes on Monday amid indications of an 'EPIC' showdown between the government and the opposition which is planning to raise issues such as the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, the fresh bout of violence in Manipur and India's handling of the Trump administration. The focus of the government will be on getting Parliament nod for the demands for grants, completion of the budgetary process, seeking approval for the Manipur budget and passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Home minister Amit Shah is expected to move a statutory resolution seeking Parliament approval for the proclamation of President's Rule in Manipur.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also scheduled to table the budget for Manipur on Monday. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13 after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The opposition said it is set to corner the government over the issue of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.
08:06 (IST) Mar 10
Delimitation Row: DMK resolves to raise issue in parliament
Amid the delimitation row, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs on Sunday passed a resolution to discuss the exercise in the upcoming parliament session, set to resume on March 10.

The DMK MPs have resolved to safeguard Tamil Nadu's interests concerning the Lok Sabha seat delimitation issue, emphasising that the population-based exercise would impact not only southern states but also others like Odisha and West Bengal.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva on Sunday expressed strong opposition to the proposed delimitation exercise in 2026, arguing that a population-based approach would disproportionately reduce parliamentary representation for southern states. He highlighted that Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana would lose seats, while northern states would gain.
As the Budget Session of Parliament resumed on Monday following a recess, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called on political parties to ensure the smooth conduct of the Question Hour in the House. Birla encouraged all members attending the business advisory committee meeting to continue the Question Hour without disruption, according to Lok Sabha sources. He also highlighted that the ministries of railways, agriculture, and Jal Shakti would have their demands discussed during the session, which is scheduled to run until April 4.

The Question Hour is often marked by heated exchanges, particularly as the opposition attempts to raise various issues. This session, resuming after nearly a month-long break, comes with expectations of a significant showdown between the government and opposition. The opposition plans to highlight issues such as alleged electoral roll manipulation, the ongoing violence in Manipur, and India's handling of the Donald Trump administration.

The government’s focus will centre on securing parliamentary approval for grant demands, completing the budget process, seeking approval for the Manipur budget, and passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to introduce a statutory resolution for Parliament’s approval of President's Rule in Manipur. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will also present the budget for Manipur on Monday.

The opposition is poised to challenge the government over concerns regarding duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, an issue raised by the Trinamool Congress. MPs have also raised motions on a range of urgent matters, including internal security in Manipur and Jammu, underfunded railway projects in Tamil Nadu, stock market losses, and the impact of the delimitation exercise on southern states.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has filed a motion to discuss the "internal security crisis" in Manipur and Jammu, focusing on escalating violence and government accountability. Meanwhile, Kanyakumari MP Vijay Kumar urged a debate on underfunded railway projects in Tamil Nadu.