Thu Feb 13 09:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Parliament Session Concludes Amidst Protest and Passing of New Income Tax Bill
**New Delhi, February 13, 2025** – The first part of India’s Budget session of Parliament concluded today amidst heated exchanges between the ruling BJP and opposition parties. A new Income Tax Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha before the session adjourned, while the tabling of the report of the joint committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill sparked significant protests.
The Lok Sabha saw lively debates throughout the session. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the Union Budget discussion, and sharp disagreements arose over the inclusion of Sanskrit in Parliament’s simultaneous interpretation services. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reported high productivity during the session, citing lengthy discussions on the President’s address and the Budget.
Rajya Sabha witnessed more dramatic scenes. Former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda, despite illness, raised concerns about issues affecting Karnataka, including Bangalore’s water supply and support for MSMEs. A corrigendum to the Waqf Bill was presented, prompting claims from the opposition that the changes were made in response to their protests. However, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar attributed the changes to the Leader of the House.
The tabling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill report ignited major opposition protests, centered on allegations that the government had censored dissenting opinions from opposition MPs. Opposition members accused the government of removing dissenting notes from the report, a claim the government denied. The protests led to several adjournments of both Houses.
The session highlighted significant policy discussions, including concerns about the budget allocation for education and the categorization of millets as a “superfood.” The session adjourned until March 10th. The upcoming second half of the budget session promises further debate and potential conflict between the ruling party and opposition.
First Piper 