The budget session of Parliament is beginning today. The session will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee's address to members of both houses of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Government has sought cooperation from party leaders in both the Houses for smooth functioning of the session. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the people of the country look at the budget session with lots of hopes and expectations. He said yesterday that it is the collective responsibility of all parties and leaders to enable the people fulfill their hopes and aspirations through proper functioning of both the Houses of Parliament. 

He was addressing a meeting of the leaders of various parties in both the Houses which was convened by the Government for mutual consultations on the Budget session. Mr Modi assured the leaders that all the issues and concerns raised by them will be discussed in an appropriate manner keeping in view their importance and priority. He expressed hope that there would be a collective effort during the session in the interest of the common man.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu also sought cooperation from all party leaders in both the Houses of Parliament for smooth functioning of the Budget session. He said that this session will focus on financial matters, general budget, railway budget and the next priority will be given to legislate the Ordinances. He said that the Government is ready to discuss any matter in Parliament, particularly those related to the Ordinances. Mr Naidu also said that he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday morning and requested her to extend support to run the Parliament smoothly.

The Congress has made it clear that it will not support any anti-people legislation in the Budget session. After the meeting, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the party will not support the government on any ordinances, or bills, which are not going to help the farmers or the downtrodden.

AIR correspondent reports, over thirty leaders from both the Houses expressed their views with most of them highlighting the need for smooth functioning of Parliament to enable discussion on all issues of concern both for the Government and the Opposition. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also held a meeting of leaders of parties in the house last evening to ensure its smooth functioning. 

The first part of the budget session will continue till March 20. The second part will commence after a month-long recess from April 20 and conclude on May 8. The Rail Budget will be presented on February 26th, Economic Survey on February 27th and General Budget on February 28th.