Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said that Budget Session of the Parliament will begin on February 23. He added that the Government wanted full session of the Parliament as there were suggestions that department-related standing committee sessions were not being carried out.
The Government is of the view that the states should first review the department-related standing committee issues. Discussions have taken place between the Cabinet Committee and other Ministers and thereby a joint session would take place on the February 23, which would be presided over by President Pranab Mukherjee. The Railway Budget would be presented on February 25 and Economic Survey on the February 26.
"I am always optimistic. I am not pessimistic like others ...I am optimistic that GST, real estate development bill and bankruptcy bill will be passed during this session," he told reporters on the sidelines of India Investment Summit here.
The minister also appealed to the opposition parties, especially Congress, to let the Parliament approve these legislations as they were in the larger interest of the country. "I appeal to all parties...that as the country is moving forward, we need these legislations in the larger interest of the country. I appeal to them and I seek their cooperation for passing these legislations in the budget session," Naidu said.
The Congress has stalled the passage of the constitution amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, derailing the government's plan to roll out GST from April 1, 2016.
