Work Going On At War-Footing In New Parliament Building; But Upcoming Budget Session To Be Held In Current Parliament House Itself

Putting all speculations at rest, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has said that President Droupadi Murmu would address the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the upcoming Budget session in the existing Parliament House as the new building is still under construction.

Earlier, it was widely speculated that the upcoming Budget Sessions would begin in the new Parliament Building for which the construction work is going on full speed.

"The new Parliament building is still under construction. During the budget session, the hon'ble President will address members of two Houses in the existing Parliament house building," the LS speaker said in a tweet.

Besides, the joint sitting address in the old building, the rest of the Budget session, scheduled to be held in two parts from January 31 to February 10 and March 12 to April 6, will also be held in the old Parliament House, sources said.

Sources said the finishing work of the mega Lok Sabha hall inside the new Parliament building is continuing at war-scale.

The new Parliament building is part of the redevelopment of the Central Vista, the nation's power corridor.

In December 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building which will have modern facilities.Tata Projects Ltd is constructing the new Parliament building which will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India's democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

The Budget Session is scheduled to commence from January 31 till April 6 with a usual recess in between.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the annual general budget on 1 February, a day after President Droupadi Murmu addresses the joint sittings of both Houses as per a long coming Parliamentary tradition.

This would be the last budget before the 2024 LS.