Parliament to skip winter session, may meet for Budget in January 2021

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 15

Amid the ongoing protests by Congress MPs from Punjab, the government said a majority of parties in Parliament prefer doing away with the winter session and it is willing to call the Budget session in January 2021.

“At present, we are in the middle of December and a Covid vaccine is expected soon. I have informally contacted floor leaders of various political parties, and they have expressed their concerns about the pandemic and suggested doing away with the winter session,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said in a letter to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

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In his December 3 letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chowdhary mentioned a number of issues such as farmers’ agitation, status/preparation of Covid-19 vaccine, Chinese intrusion, economic slowdown and unemployment scenario to press for a short winter session. MPs from Punjab and Congress leaders from Haryana have been protesting at Jantar Mantar over their demand for calling a session.

“The government is willing to hold the next session at the earliest. It will be appropriate to have the Budget session in January 2021, keeping in mind the unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic,” Joshi said.