Three-day special sitting of budget session of Parliament begins
New Delhi, Apr 16, 2026 : The three-day special sitting of extended Budget session of Parliament commenced today. In the Lok Sabha, Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal tried to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026. Home Minister Amit Shah tried to introduce the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the House.
Congress MP KC Venugopal opposed the introduction of the Bills, alleging that these will undermine the federal structure of the country. Home Minister Amit Shah strongly rebutted that Mr Venugopal can raise only technical objections to the introduction of the Bill but cannot speak on the merits of bills.
Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav questioned the necessity to bring the Bills in such a hurried manner, saying that Census should be done first. TMC’s Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar opposed the introduction of the Bills saying women’s reservation is being made dependent on future delimitation exercise. Home Minister Amit Shah replied that the process of Census has begun and the government has already taken the decision to conduct the caste census.
Earlier, when the House assembled, Lok Sabha today paid tribute to legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away in Mumbai, at the age of 92. Paying tributes, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the remarkable career spanning more than seven decades, she made an invaluable contribution to Indian cinema and music.
Mr Birla said, Asha Bhosle lent her voice to songs in numerous Indian and foreign languages, earning immense popularity and admiration. He said, in recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
The House also paid Obituary references to the passing away of its Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, Mohsina Kidwai and Hari Narayan Rajbha. Members of the House also observed silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.