In the House: Discussion on Rail Budget to start as usual from March 9

Though the Railway Budget 2017-18 was merged with the General Budget after a span of 92 years, the Members of Parliament (MPs) will get an opportunity to discuss the demands for grants of Railway in the next half of budget session. The next session is scheduled to start on March 9.

On February 1, finance minister Arun Jaitley had presented the demands for grants in both the houses of Parliament. "The finance minister had requested the railway minister to provide answers on most of the issues raised in the proposed debate. Lok Sabha business advisory committee in its last meeting had decided to hold discussions on demands for grants for five ministries. Besides Railway, demands for grants for Home, Defence, Coal and Agriculture would be taken up in the second half of the budget session," said sources in the Rail Bhavan.

According to earlier discussions on demands for grants for individual ministries, the topic will be taken up from March 10. "It will continue till March 20, the day when guillotining of all other ministries would be taken up at 6 pm," added sources.

In the history of the Parliament, this will be the first time when the Finance Bill will be taken up for discussion. It scheduled to be passed on March 21.

"The budget session will conclude on March 22. Lok Sabha has also decided to have a discussion on the subject of sustainable development goals," said sources.