The Budget session of Parliament begins today with the President addressing a joint session. While the Presidential address and tabling Economic Survey are the two major events in the House for the day, a lot of activity can be expected outside with the latest revelations on Pegasus software and alleged snooping by the government.
Here are the latest updates:
Rajya Sabha adjourned
Rajya Sabha stands adjourned for the day.
Proceedings will commence on February 1st, 2022, one hour after the conclusion of presentation of Union Budget in Lok Sabha
Nirmala Sitharaman lays the economic survey on the table in the Rajya Sabha
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, lays on the Table a copy of the Economic Survey 2021-22.
Secretary-General lays statement on the table
P.C. Mody, Secretary-General (Rajya Sabha) lays on the table a statement showing the Bills passed by the Houses of Parliament during the 255th Session of the Rajya Sabha and assented to by the President.
Rajya Sabha proceedings commence
The session commences with the President's address being laid on the table.
The chairman reads out of Obituary references.
The House observes a moment of silence for those who passed away.
Lok Sabha adjourned
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables the Economic Survey.
Nirmala Sitharaman lays the economic survey on the table
After the obit references, the FM laid the economic survey on the table.
The Speaker informs the parliament about the Digital Sansad application for the parliament's live updates.
Lok Sabha proceedings resume
Obituary references are being read in the parliament. One minute silence observed for all those who died.
The President finishes his address
My government considers it a responsibility to preserve, enrich and empower India's ancient heritage. It is a matter of pride that the Harappan site of Dholavira and the 13th century Kakatiya Rudreshwar Ramappa temple in Telangana have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After the Kumbh Mela Prayagraj, Kolkata's iconic Durga Puja has also been included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, he says.
We should work for the development of the country. The country will complete 75 years of independence next year, and it's our responsibility to take the country towards development.
I know that the citizens of the country will work towards the development of the nation, he says, and ends his address.
Jammu and Kashmir, North-East
Jammu and Kashmir is seeing development. In the sectors of education, health and development, the govt. is working consistently.
Sindhu Central Univ. is being developed in Ladakh.
India now has network of more than 1.40 lakh km of national highways as against 90,000 km in March 2014, says Kovind.
Eleven new metro rail lines have started which are benefiting lakhs of passengers across eight states, says President Kovind.
The North-Eastern States are being developed. Rail and air connectivity is being done, and these States are linked to the rest of the country.
Climate change
India has set target of Net Zero emissions by 2070 under its commitment to deal with climate change, says Kovind.
India has emerged as a responsible global voice in the world for climate change.
The govt. has envisaged to bring down green house gas emissions in the country.
Through One Sun, One World, One Grid, inter-connected global solar network is being to promote the use of clean energy, he says.
Afghanistan
Through Operation Devi Shakti, we provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Hindu and Sikh minorities have been airlifted during the time of Taliban takeover, he says.
Defence
Make In India is given importance in the defence sector, and by doing this, the govt. is reducing the dependability on other countries for defence imports.
Banking and labour reforms
New banking and labour reforms are brought out, and by opening the economy to the private sector, quality of services is ensured, he says.
Latest technology like drones are used, and simplified drone rules are announced.
My govt. is working tirelessly for the development of the country.
MSME, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and infrastructure
The govt. has provided free loans to help the MSME sector, he says.
Many important decisions have been taken to help the MSME sector, he adds.
India received $48 billion in FDI in first seven months of this fiscal; proof of investor confidence in country, says President Kovind.
During the freedom struggle, Gandhiji supported the idea of small businesses, and now this govt. is doing what Bapu wanted.
There has been a big infrastructure boost in the country, and every sector has been benefited because of this, he says.
Railways, highways and airways have been given infrastructure boost, he says.
Through PM Gram Sadak Yojana, roads are being built, and last mile connectivity has been done, he says.
My govt. has made the lives of poor and middle class families by increasing public transport facilities. Metro services are increased, and automatic train systems are built as part of Make In India.
Gatishakti masterplan ushering in new era of multi-modal transport in India, says President Kovind.
Seven Mega Integrated Textile Regions & Apparel Parks set up by my govt at an investment of Rs 4500 crores, says Mr. Kovind.
In last seven years, 24,000 km of railway route electrified: President Kovind
Through Sagar Mala programme, many villages are being linked with the main States and cities, he says.
Technology and economy
5-G technology is being developed in the country, he says.
Since 2016, more than 60,000 start-ups set up in country in 56 different sectors leading to 6 lakh new jobs, says President Kovind.
Relentless efforts by my government has led to India emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, says Mr. Kovind.
GST collection has been over one lakh crore since the last few months, he says.
Sports and mental health
India set a record of winning medals in Tokyo Olympics.
In order to improve India's performance in the Olympics and sports, the Central Government along with the state governments is setting up hundreds of Khelo India Centres in the country.
The government has also established Centres for Disability Sports in Gwalior with modern facilities to provide training to Divyang youth in para sports.
Mental health is also being given importance in the country, he adds.
Education
The govt. has come up with the National Education Policy to gave shape to Atmanirbhar Bharat. In ten States across the country, technical education will be taught in the regional language as a part of the NEP, he says.
Important entrance exams will be in regional languages.
Gender equality
In order to bring about gender equality, my govt. has raised the age of marriage for women to 21 years in the country.
My govt. has also helped Muslim women by making Triple Talaq a criminal offence.
While about three crore students from minority communities were provided scholarships prior to 2014, my government has provided scholarships to 4.5 crore such students since 2014. This has led to a significant reduction in the school dropout rate of Muslim girls and an increase in their enrolment.
A gender-inclusion fund has been set up across the country, he says.
Number of women in police force has also gone up after this govt. came to power.
Agriculture
Through Kisan-Rail, the govt. has helped farmers transport their produce across the country. 80% of the farmers in the country are small farmers, and through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the govt. is helping all small farmers in the country.
India's agriculture exports have crossed Rs three lakh crore, says President Kovind
Despite Covid pandemic, farmers produced 30 crore tonnes of food grains & 33 crore horticulture produce in 2020-21, he adds.
Government procured more than 433 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, which benefited more than 50 lakh farmers, he says.
More than 11 crore farmer families received Rs 1.80 lakh crore through PM-KISAN; big changes seen in farm sector.
Keeping in mind Atmanirbhar Bharat, the govt. is making sure there is crop diversification in the country.
Housing and Water
Through PM Awas Yojana, the govt. has constructed houses for the poor.
More than 2 crore pucca houses have been provided to the people in the country.
Through the Jal Jeevan Mission, many houses are getting tapped water connections. Over six crore rural households getting tap water under 'Har Ghar Jal initiative', despite the constraints of the country, he says.
The govt. has been working consistently for the citizens of the country, he adds.
On health and digital India
He says that Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushad have helped people in the country access health benefits at low cost.
Rs 64,000 crore PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission will prepare country for health crisis in future, says President Kovind.
WHO Traditional Centre of Medicine will be set up in the country, he adds.
Yoga, Ayurveda and traditional medical practices are also becoming increasingly popular due to the efforts of the government.
He says, "My govt. follows B.R. Ambedkar's vision, and backward castes are getting represented in the country." In the policies of the government, top priority is being given to villages, the poor,Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes and backward communities. he says.
The govt. is providing free ration to beneficiaries through PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
He says that the govt. has started e-shram portal and street vendors are being linked with food delivery organizations in the country.
Through Digital India and Digital Economy, citizens' accounts are linked, and the country is getting digitally strong.
President's address begin
President Ram Nath Kovind begins his address by wishing the parliament session, 75th Independence Day.
"Addressing both Houses of Parliament assembled together today, I salute lakhs of freedom fighters who gave highest priority to their duties and secured the rights of India. I also salute all the great personalities for their contribution in the development-journey of our country in these 75 years of independence," he says.
He says that COVID-19 has enveloped the whole world, and India has also become a victim of the pandemic. Country's health care workers, doctors and frontline workers have led the fight from the front.
We are in the third year of the pandemic, the citizens has displayed courage and confidence in the country.
He says that the vaccination drive is going strongly in the country, and India also started vaccinating the 15-18 age group. India is also giving precautionary dose to frontline workers and senior citizens. So far, eight vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the country. Three vaccines being manufactured in India have also got approval from the World Health Organization for emergency use. These vaccines manufactured in India are playing an important role in making the entire world free from the pandemic and in saving crores of lives.
Special events are being held in the country to mark the 75 years of the country's independence., he says.
We have started the republic celebrations from January 23 to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.
We have followed the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Aur Sabka Prayas'.
President's Address
At 11 am, the President will address Members of both Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Central Hall.
Amit Shah arrives at the Parliament
Prime Minister Modi speaks before the session
Plenty of opportunities for India in today's world scenario: PM Narendra Modi ahead of Budget Session. He says that Parliament sessions and debates get affected due to elections from time to time.
"I hope all MPs, political parties debate with open mind to take India forward on path of development," he adds.
Elections keep happening but Budget session very important: PM Modi
List of Business in Lok Sabha
1. Secretary General to lay on the Table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 31st January, 2022.
2. Obituary references.
3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to lay on the Table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Economic Survey, 2021-22 along with Statistical Appendix.
List of Business in Rajya Sabha
1. Secretary General to lay on the Table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 31st January, 2022.
2. Obituary references.
3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to lay on the Table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Economic Survey, 2021-22 along with Statistical Appendix.
