Parliament's Budget Session Concludes Amid LPG Crisis Discussions

The recent budget session in Parliament concluded with significant discussions surrounding the LPG crisis and the passing of supplementary demands for grants. Opposition parties raised concerns over the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders, while the Finance Minister introduced an Economic Stabilization Fund to mitigate economic shocks. Additionally, light-hearted moments emerged during the session, alongside serious discussions on healthcare costs and agricultural insurance. This article delves into the key highlights and implications of these discussions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 18:11 IST

Conclusion of the First Week of the Budget Session

The first week of the second phase of the budget session has come to an end today, with both houses of Parliament adjourned until March 16. On Friday, members of Parliament submitted notices demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while the opposition sought to corner the government over the LPG crisis. Opposition parties urged the central government to take immediate action to address the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders in various regions of the country, while leaders from the ruling coalition accused the opposition of misleading the public on this issue.

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha passed the second batch of supplementary demands for grants for the fiscal year 2025-26. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated on Friday that a ₹1 lakh crore Economic Stabilization Fund would help the country withstand economic shocks without derailing government schemes amid the current global crisis. Responding to discussions on the supplementary demands, she explained that this fund would serve as a buffer against unforeseen global challenges similar to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Light Moments in the Lok Sabha

In a lighter moment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman humorously suggested that the MP from Nagina, representing the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram), change his name from Chandrashekhar 'Ravan' to Chandrashekhar 'Vidur'. She noted that Vidur is a respected character from the Mahabharata, known for his wisdom, and mentioned that she recently learned he spent his final days in Bijnor.

Tribal Affairs Update

Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durga Das Uike, announced that the Registrar General of India has requested the Bihar government to justify its proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Gangota community. Uike explained that the Bihar government had submitted this proposal along with an ethnographic report on November 4, 2019.

State of the Rajya Sabha

Derek O'Brien, a member of the Trinamool Congress, criticized the government on Friday, stating that while it excels at creating catchy slogans, the reality is starkly different as it has failed to deliver tangible results. During zero hour in the Rajya Sabha, he remarked that despite grand slogans, India remains vulnerable to external shocks.

Concerns Over Healthcare Costs

Swati Maliwal, an MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha on Friday regarding the high costs of treatment in private hospitals and the arbitrary rejection of claims by private and health insurance companies. She emphasized the urgent need to regulate these practices, stating that the collusion between private hospitals and insurance companies is burdening the common man.

Agricultural Insurance Issues

In the Rajya Sabha, Congress member Rajeev Shukla claimed that farmers are not receiving adequate relief during crises from the Agricultural Insurance Scheme and the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme. He called for timely and fair payments for farmers' claims, highlighting that these schemes were launched with great enthusiasm, promising significant assistance to farmers at lower premiums during difficult times.