Budget Session 2022: India one of fastest growing economies due to govt's relentless efforts, says Prez

Rajya Sabha adjourns for day after laying of Economic Survey by Finance Minister.

The IT Minister misled the Parliament by stating that Pegasus was not connected with the Indian Govt. Now the most credible newspaper of the world says the Pegasus deal was done during PM Modi's visit to Israel. That is why we're moving privilege motion: Congress MP KC Venugopal

Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow, 1st February 2022. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget tomorrow. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables the Economic Survey 2021-22 along with Statistical Appendix in the Lok Sabha.

MPs cutting across party lines were seen violating social distancing norms during President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on Monday. MPs in the first two rows, seating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, top Union ministers and floor leaders of various parties, were socially distanced but not after that. From the third row onwards, many MPs did not follow Covid protocol. This included several Union ministers. In some benches of the Central Hall meant to seat five, seven MPs were crammed together. Several parliamentarians were seen chatting with some of them dropping their masks. Following the spike in Covid cases during the third wave, arrangements have been made for MPs to sit in the Central Hall gallery as well as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers. During the budget session beginning on Monday, parliament proceedings will be conducted in two shifts -- Rajya Sabha in the morning and Lok Sabha in the evening.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam on Monday submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his statement in Parliament last year on the Pegasus spyware issue. Viswam said he submitted the notice in light of a recent New York Times report. The report claimed that India bought the Pegasus spyware as part of a USD 2 billion defence deal with Israel in 2017. It has triggered a major controversy with the Opposition alleging that the government indulged in illegal snooping that amounted to "treason". 

President Kovind said that India has set a target of Net Zero emissions by 2070 under its commitment to deal with climate change.

Gatishakti masterplan ushering in new era of multi-modal transport in India, says President Kovind.

President Kovind said that the government has given priority to Make in India in defence contracts, 209 items used by armed forces will not be imported.

India received USD 48 billion in FDI in first seven months of this fiscal; proof of investor confidence in country, says President Kovind.

President also said that relentless efforts by the government have led to India emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. 

President said that the government is setting up mega textile manufacturing parks to create more jobs.

President Ram Nath Kovind lauds UNESCO tag on Kolkata's Durga Puja, and Prayagraj's Kumbh Mela.

President Kovind commends operation Devi Shakti during Afghanistan crisis. It was an operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Afghanistan after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.

Kovind said that Khadi, which was a symbol of the country's consciousness under the leadership of Bapu in the freedom struggle, is once again powering small entrepreneurs. Due to the efforts of the govt, the sale of Khadi has increased three times as compared to 2014.

It is a matter of joy that all 33 Sainik Schools have now started giving admission to girls too. Govt has also approved the entry to women cadets at the National Defence Academy (NDA). The first batch of women cadets will come to NDA in June 2022: President Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind said that the Modi government introduced new labour and banking reforms. 

President Ram Nath Kovind said that the government has simplified rules to help drone companies.

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. 

President said India has heralded a new age in the transport sector. A huge spurt has been seen in highway construction across India. Work on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is also underway, adding that the expressway is near to completion. India is working towards an integrated transport scenario. In 2014, highway length amounted to 90,000 km. Today, it is 1,40,000 km. 

Local languages are being promoted as part of National Education Policy; emphasis being laid on conducting important entrance examinations in Indian languages. 19 engineering colleges across 10 states to teach in 6 Indian languages this year: President Ram Nath Kovind

More than 11 crore farmer families received Rs 1.80 lakh crore through PM-KISAN; big changes seen in farm sector: President Kovind.

President Ram Nath Kovind said that the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is the backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He said that over 13 lakh MSME firms have benefitted from government schemes. 

President Kovind said that over 40 unicorns emerged in India during Covid crisis, while lauding India's startup culture.

In his address, President Ram Nath Kovind commends India's performance in Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics during his address. "We saw the capability of India's youth power, in Tokyo Olympics. Giving its best-ever performance, India won 7 medals. In Tokyo Paralympics too, India won 19 medals & set a record," he said. To strengthen India's presence in Olympics & sports activities, Central Government - along with State Governments - is establishing hundreds of Khelo India centers, he added.

President Ram Nath Kovind lauds increasing the marriage age of women to 21, and removing triple talaq while talking about women empowerment and ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign. "In order to bring gender equity, my government has raised age of marriage for women to 21 years," he said.

Over 23 crore people have registered on e-SHRAM portal so far, says President Kovind during his address to both Houses.

Women are playing an essential role in empowering the nation, says President in his address. "Women empowerment is one of the top priorities of my Govt. We're witnesses to the success of Ujjwala Yojana. Through Mudra Yojana, the entrepreneurship & skills of women have received a boost. With 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' many positive results have come to the fore," Kovind said.

To ensure that no one returns home hungry, my govt distributes free ration to the poor every month as part of PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana. Today India is running world's largest food distribution program; it has been extended till March 2022: President Ram Nath Kovind

We can see the impact of the manner in which my government linked Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile, JAM trinity, to citizen empowerment. Crores of beneficiaries received benefits of direct cash transfer during pandemic with the linking of over 44 crore poor citizens to banking system: President

My govt is also running PM Svanidhi Yojana to benefit the street vendors. So far 28 lakh street vendors have received monetary support worth over Rs 2900 crores. Govt is now connecting these vendors with online companies: President Ram Nath Kovind

Government procured more than 433 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, which benefited more than 50 lakh farmers, says President Kovind. 

India's agriculture exports have crossed Rs three lakh crore, said President Ram Nath Kovind. "Despite Covid pandemic, farmers produced 30 crore tonnes of food grains & 33 crore horticulture produce in 2020-21," he said. 

Over six crore rural households getting tap water under 'Har Ghar Jal initiative', says Kovind in address to joint sitting of Parliament.

President Kovind also lauded the government's effort to empower farmers in the country. He said that the government stands by farmers and small farmers are the core of policies. He said that the government has taken several measures to increase their income. 

President Kovind said that the government ensured housing rights for poor. He added that the government is working on schemes to ensure no one sleeps hungry. 

More than 70 per cent beneficiaries have been administered second dose of Covid vaccine, says President Ram Nath Kovind. 

Dr BR Ambedkar had said that his ideal society would be the one based on independence, equality & harmony. Democracy is not just a form of the govt, democracy's base is sense of respect for people. My government considers the ideals of Babasaheb its guiding principle: President Kovind

India's capability in fight against Covid-19 was evident in vaccination program. In less than a year, we made a record of administering over 150 crore doses of vaccine. Today, we're one of the leading nations of the world in terms of administering the maximum number of doses: President

President Ram Nath Kovind said that the government is fully supporting the pharma sector. He said that the government has brought the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the pharma sector. Ayurved and indigenous treatments are also benefiting from government schemes. 

President Kovind said that the World Health Organisation's first medicinal traditional centre will come up in India. The WHO has announced that it will set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India. The WHO institution will become the centre for global wellness.

President Kovind said that Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has helped poor get quick access to healthcare. "Rs 64,000 crore PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission will prepare country for health crisis in future," he said.

In his address, President Kovid lauded the Modi government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that vaccines saved crores of lives from the virus. "Many lives lost due to Covid. Even in such circumstances our Centre, States, doctors, nurses, scientists, our healthcare workers worked as a team...I am thankful to our health care and frontline workers," he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind said starting this year, the government has begun the Republic Day celebrations from 23rd Jan - Netaji's birth anniversary. My government believes that remembering the past and learning from it is very important for the safe future of the country.

I bow down to the lakhs of freedom fighters who prioritised their duties and helped India get its rights. I also respectfully remember the personalities who contributed to the development journey of India in the 75 years of independence: President Ram Nath Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Central Hall of the Parliament; President's Address to both Houses shortly.

President Ram Nath Kovind's cavalcade arrives at the Parliament as the #BudgetSession commences todaỵ He will deliver the President's Address to both House of the Parliament, shortly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government is ready to discuss all issues in the Parliament's Budget Session as he called for meaningful debates and discussions. Addressing the media outside the Parliament, he urged all MPs, political parties to debate with open mind to take India forward on path of development. READ FULL STORY

Adhir Ranjan, Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, has written to Speaker Om Birla for moving a privilege motion against the government and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for "misleading" the House, as the government had denied the charges of "spying" in a statement in Parliament last year. The Pegasus row had led to a washout of the last Monsoon session when a united opposition did not allow both houses to function and sought a discussion on the matter.

Congress has said that it will reach out to like-minded parties to raise issues such as farm distress, Chinese "incursions", demand for a relief package for COVID-19 victims, sale of Air India and the Pegasus snooping row during the session.

The Budget Session of Parliament starting is likely to be stormy with opposition parties all geared up to raise the Pegasus snooping allegations, farmers' issues and the border row with China. The opposition is preparing to unitedly take on the government on the Pegasus snooping row after the New York Times claimed that India purchased the snooping spyware as part of a defence deal with Israel in 2017.

Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches Parliament. Today is the first day of the Budget Session. 

Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said today there will be President's address & Budget to be presented tomorrow. Everyone's ready to discuss these but new issues & issues already there - inflation, unemployment, farmers' issue, crimes against women & Dalits- will be raised from time to time.

According to Lok Sabha secretariat officials, four days beginning February 2 have been provisionally allotted for the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. The first part of the Budget Session will be held from January 31 to February 11 after which it will go into a recess to examine the budgetary allocations for different departments. The Session will resume on March 14 and conclude on April 8. The first part of the session will have 10 sittings while 19 sittings are scheduled for the second part.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey 2021-22 in Parliament today. One of the most-watched numbers in the pre-Budget Economic Survey is the projection of the GDP. The GDP growth projection for the next financial year is likely to be at 9%. 

The Lok Sabha will take up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address from Wednesday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the debate on February 7

The Budget session is being held in the shadow of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will return to separate timings with members seated in the chambers of both Houses to ensure social distancing norms. While the Upper House will sit from 10 AM to 3 PM, the Lower House will sit from 4 PM to 9 PM.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu will hold a virtual meeting with leaders of various parties and groups in the House on Monday evening for setting the agenda for the Budget session of Parliament. It is customary for the Rajya Sabha chairman to hold a meeting with leaders of various parties and groups ahead of every session of Parliament to seek their cooperation in the smooth running of the house and for discussing the agenda for the session. The first such session-related virtual interaction will be held at 5 pm on January 31.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday discussed preparations for the Budget session of Parliament amid the surge in coronavirus cases. The session begins Monday with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to members of both the Houses.

The stage is set for a stormy Budget Session of Parliament that begins on Monday with the opposition set to target the Modi government on issues such as the Pegasus snooping row, farm distress and Chinese "incursions" in eastern Ladakh. The session will begin with President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha assembled together in the Central Hall and chambers of both the Houses in view of the COVID-19 situation. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

The Budget Session of Parliamnent will commence today with the address of the President. The session takes place in two parts. The first part will conclude on February 11. The second part will comment on March 14 and conclude on April 8.