Budget session begins

Apart from general budget a host of bills ranging from the Food Security Bill to the bill creating the Lok Pal will be discussed in the budget session

The crucial Budget session of Parliament begins today with the United Progressive Alliance government set to face a stiff challenge because of the controversies surrounding the chopper deal.

Union Budget is expected to be tabled on February 28, preceded by the Railway Budget of February 26. On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said at a press conference that apart from the general budget a host of bills ranging from the Food Security Bill to the bill creating the Lok Pal will be discussed in the budget session, traditionally the longest in the year.

Besides this, the ordinance on stronger laws for rape - the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013- also has to be replaced with a bill within 42 days.