New Delhi, Jan 2: The Lok Sabha will begin its discussion on the President’s Address, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set to move the motion thanking the President for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on January 28. According to the official list of business, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya will second the motion.

The House has allocated 18 hours for the discussion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to respond on February 4 (Wednesday). Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to give her reply on February 11.

The Lok Sabha will convene at 11 am today to address a packed agenda, with several key issues on the table. At an all-party meeting held on January 27, opposition parties urged discussions on a range of topics, including the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the ongoing Special Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR), and the controversy surrounding the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The ongoing Budget session will run for 30 sittings over the course of 65 days, concluding on April 2. A brief recess will occur from February 13 to March 9, allowing the Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants from various ministries and departments.

In a key development, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha. This marks her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation. Emphasizing the theme of “Yuvashakti” (youth power), Sitharaman outlined the budget's focus on long-term growth, economic sustainability, and infrastructure development.

Notably, the Union Budget includes the proposal for seven high-speed rail corridors across critical urban and economic hubs. These new corridors aim to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, lower carbon emissions, and stimulate regional economic development. Additionally, the budget plans the development of new dedicated freight corridors and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years, furthering the push for environmentally sustainable transportation.

This forward-thinking budget is part of the government's ongoing efforts to modernize India's infrastructure, support economic growth, and create sustainable solutions for the future.