India, March 24 -- After the demand for grants was cleared in Parliament on Friday, the government is expected to push for the passage of the finance bill this week before it tables the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

The government, officials familiar with the matter said, is hopeful of clearing the budget process in accordance with constitutional rules, before it gears up for a face-off with the opposition over amendments to the Waqf rules.

The Lok Sabha has listed "(Union finance minister) Nirmala Sitharaman [is set ] to move that the Bill to give effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2025-2026 be taken into consideration" for Monday.

The smooth passage of the Finance Bill is important...