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In the wake of the growing concern over Covid-19, the Budget session of Parliament is headed for an early closure. In all probability, the Houses could adjourn on Monday after passing the Finance Bill that is listed for consideration in the Lok Sabha on March 23.

Sources in Parliament told The Tribune that once the Lok Sabha passes the Bill, it would be sent to the Rajya Sabha for consideration and return. The Upper House has no power to vote on a Money Bill and at best can send it back with suggestions, which may or not be accepted by the Lok Sabha. In any case a Money Bill is deemed to have been returned after 14 days.

Apart from the lockdown, the move to bring the session to an end gathered pace after reports of some MPs taking to self-isolation after a few attended a party where Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor was present. She later tested positive for Covid-19. Since then Rajasthan MP Dushyant Singh and former Union Minister Anupriya Patel, who were at the party, have been into self-isolation as has Trinamoo’s Derek O’Brien for having spent time with Dushyant.

The Budget session of Parliament began on January 31 with its first half ending on February 11. The Houses went into recess between February 12 to March 1, a period when Parliamentary Standing Committees discussed the Demands-for-Grants of different ministries.