PRESS RELEASE

 

 

The Budget Session, 2004 which commenced on Monday, 5 July, 2004 was adjourned on conclusion of its first part on Friday, 23 July, 2004 to re-assemble on Monday, 16 August, 2004 for  second part of the session.  During three weeks recess, Department-related Standing Committees will examine the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/Departments and present their Reports to the Houses on their re-assembly on 16 August, 2004.

 

The first part of the session provided 15 sittings spread over a period of 19 days. It was mainly devoted to transaction of Financial Business relating to Railways and General Budgets for 2004-05.  The Railway Budget for 2004-05 was presented to Parliament on Tuesday, 6 July, 2004, the Economic Survey of the Government was presented on Wednesday, 7 July, 2004 and the General Budget for 2004-05 was presented on Thursday, 8 July, 2004.

 

General discussions on the Railways and General Budgets were held in both the Houses.  The Lok Sabha also discussed and voted the Demands for Grants on Accounts relating to Railways and General Budgets and considered and passed the Appropriation Bills relating thereto during this period.  These Appropriation Bills were considered and returned by the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha also passed a Resolution regarding constitution of the Railway Convention Committee. 

 

Another highlight of the session was unanimous election of Shri K. Rahman Khan as Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, on 22 July, 2004. 

 

In the Lok Sabha, two Short Duration Discussions under Rule 193, namely, the discussion on (i) situation in Iraq and (ii) removal of Governors of four States on the basis of their ideologies, were also held.  The Prime Minister made a statement in the Lok Sabha regarding drought situation in the country.  The Prime Minister also made a statement in the two Houses regarding sharing of water by Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Highlights of the first part of the Budget Session, 2004 are as follows :

 

HIGHLIGHT OF THE BUDGET SESSION, 2004 (FIRST PART)

 

I – Government Business Transacted

(i)           Presentation of Budget Documents

 

  1.  Presentation of Railway Budget, 2004-05              = 6 July, 2004

 

  2.  Laying of Economic Survey                                     = 7 July, 2004

 

  3.  Presentation of General Budget, 2004-05               = 8 July, 2004

 

(ii)              General Discussion on Budgets and Discussion and Voting on 'Vote on Accounts'

 

(a) Railway Budget

Lok Sabha           Rajya Sabha

1.     Railway Budget for 2004-05       7.7.04                  7.7.04        

2.     Vote on Account (Railways)       9.7.04                   12.7.04

     for 2004-05                                  13.7.04                 13.7.04

                                                                   14.7.04                 14.7.04

                                                                   (11 – 30 hrs)        (11 – 42 hrs)

 

(b) General Budget

Lok Sabha           Rajya Sabha

1.     *General Budget for 2004-05     14.7.04                19.7.04      

2.     Vote on Account (General)         16.7.04                 20.7.04

     for 2004-05                                  20.7.04                

          3.  Demands for Excess Grants       21.7.04                

               (General) for 2001-2002             (17 – 26 hrs)        (9 – 34 hrs)

             

*(Due to early adjournment of the Rajya Sabha on July 21 – 23, 2004, the General

  discussion on General Budget could not be completed in the Rajya Sabha)

 

II - Election of Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha: 

 

Shri K. Rahman Khan was unanimously elected Deputy Chairman of the

Rajya Sabha on 22 July, 2004.

 

III - Time lost due to adjournment of the House on interruptions on various issues

 

Lok Sabha                                                           Rajya Sabha

 

          24 – 08 hrs (27%)                                                29 – 57 hrs (40%)

 

Discussions which could not be taken up due to disruption of proceedings

of the Houses are at Annex.

Annex

 

DISCUSSIONS WHICH COULD NOT BE TAKEN UP DUE TO DISRUPTION OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSES

 

 

LOK SABHA

 

1.      Suo motu statement of Foreign Minister on Indo-Pak Dialogue (Foreign Secretary Level Talks).

 

  1. Suo motu statement of Foreign Minister on Indian Nationals taken hostage in Iraq.

 

  1. Short Duration Discussion on Internal Security in the Country.

 

4.      Short Duration Discussion on Flood and Drought Situation in the Country.

 

  1. Half-an-Hour Discussion on Backward Districts Planning.

 

6.      Calling Attention on move to reduce interest rate of Employees Provident Fund from 9.5% to 8.0%.

 

7.      Calling Attention on move to curb the right to strike by employees.

 

RAJYA SABHA

1.      Suo motu statement of Foreign Minister on Indo-Pak Dialogue (Foreign Secretary Level Talks).

 

  1. Suo motu statement of Foreign Minister on Indian Nationals taken hostage in Iraq.

 

3.      Short Duration Discussion on Flood Situation in some parts of the Country.