Parliament Session 2024 HIGHLIGHTS: Both Houses adjourned for the day

Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day. The proceedings of Parliament will resume again on Friday at 11 am. 

On President's Address, BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb said, "...In this Address, the President clearly mentioned the achievements of the last 10 years of Narendra Modi Government and also spoke about the things that will be done in the time to come. The manner in which the PM has worked for the past 10 years, he will work with the same clarity and honesty in the time to come. Country will benefit from this..."

Congress MP KC Venugopal confirmed today that Lok Sabha Speaker officially declared Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition. Venugopal noted that it was a courtesy for Gandhi to meet and thank the Speaker.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the House about the appointment of Union Minister and BJP MP Jagat Prakash Nadda as Leader of the House for Rajya Sabha. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Union Council of Ministers in the Rajya Sabha. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomes and extends greetings to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his election as the LoP Lok Sabha.

After President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also addressed a joint session of Parliament.

To enable farmers to meet their small expenses, more than Rupees 3,20,000 crore have been disbursed to them under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, said President.

"An impartial investigation will be conducted into the paper leak, and the culprits of the paper leak will be given severe punishment," said President Draupadi Murmu during her address to the joint session of Parliament.

"I wish a better future for the families who have got citizenship under CAA," said President Draupadi Murmu.

On the record voter turnout in Kashmir, President Murmu said, "Decades-long records of voting have been broken in J&K. For the past four decades, Kashmir witnessed low voting amid shutdowns and strikes. India's enemies propagated it as the opinion of Kashmir on international forums. But this time, the Kashmir valley gave a befitting reply to all such forces..."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said "For a capable India, modernity in our armed forces is essential. We should be the best in the face of war - to ensure this, the process of reforms should go on continuously in the armed forces. With this mindset, my government took several important steps in the last 10 years. With reforms, India is indulging in defence manufacturing of more than Rs 1 Lakh Crores. In the last 1 decade, our defence exports have increased by 18 times and touched Rs 21,000 Crores."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said, "My government has also recently started the Krishi Sakhi program. Under this, so far 30,000 women of self-help groups have been given certificates as Krishi Sakhi."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said, "In today's time, technology is getting more advanced every day. In such a situation, its wrong use against humanity is very dangerous."

President Droupadi Murmu said, "My government is developing affordable and indigenous assistive devices for Divyang brothers and sisters. My Government is integrating social security schemes for workers. Work is being done to increase the coverage of accident and life insurance by using Digital India and the network of post offices...In the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the dignity of the life of the poor and their health have been made a matter of national importance. For the first time, toilets have been built for crores of poor people in the country. These efforts make us regret that today the country is following the orders of Mahatma Gandhi in the true sense."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said "It is possible to build a developed India only when the poor, youth, women and farmers of the country are empowered. Therefore they are being given top priority by my government. Our aim is to provide the benefits of every government scheme to them. India is working with the willpower that not even a single person should be left out of the government schemes. It is because of the government schemes that 25 crore Indians have come out of poverty in the last 10 years.

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said, "For the development of the northeast, my government has increased the (budget) allocation by over 4 times in the last 10 years. The government is working to make this region as Strategic Gateway under Act East Policy. All kinds of connectivity are being extended to the northeast. My government is working continuously to bring peace in the northeast. In the last 10 years, several old issues have been resolved, several agreements have been made and phase-wise repealing of AFSPA is underway in areas with unrest after making rapid progress there."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said "My government has provided Rs 3.20 lakh crores to the farmers of the country under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Since the beginning of the new term of my government, an amount of more than Rs 20,000 crores has been transferred to the farmers. The government has also made a record increase in the MSP for Kharif crops. Today's India is changing its agriculture system keeping in mind its current needs. Nowadays, the demand for organic products is increasing rapidly in the world. Indian farmers have the full capacity to meet this demand. Therefore, the government is integrating the supply chain of natural farming and related products...On India's initiative, the whole world has celebrated International Millet Day in the year 2023. You have seen that recently the whole world has also celebrated International Yoga Day."

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, said "A stable government with a complete majority has been formed in the country after six decades. People have shown trust in this Govt for the third time. People are aware that only this government can fulfil their aspirations. The 18th Lok Sabha is a historic Lok Sabha in many ways. This Lok Sabha was formed in the early years of the Amrit Kaal. This Lok Sabha will also be a witness to the 56th year of adoption of the Constitution of the country. In the upcoming sessions, this government is going to present the first budget of this term. This budget will be an effective document of the government's far-reaching policies and futuristic vision. Along with big economic and social decisions, many historic steps will also be seen in this budget."

Work is being done to increase the coverage of accident and life insurance by using Digital India and the network of post offices, said President Droupadi Murmu.

The strength of our banks enables them to expand the credit base and contribute to the economic growth of the nation, said President Droupadi Murmu.

India today has the third largest domestic aviation market in the world, said President Droupadi Murmu.

"The coming time is of green Era. My government is taking every necessary step for green revolution as well, said President Droupadi Murmu.

On the first budget of this terms, President Murmu said, "This government is going to present the first budget of this term. This budget will be an effective document of the government's far-reaching policies and futuristic vision. Along with big economic and social decisions, many historic steps will also be seen in this budget..."

As a world leader, India has taken initiative to solve many global problems, said President Droupadi Murmu.

President Murmu hailed the present  NDA government led by PM Modi. The President called it a stable government, saying, "A complete majority has been formed in the country after six decades. People have shown trust in this Govt for the third time. People are aware that only this Govt can fulfil their aspirations...The 18th Lok Sabha is historic in many ways."

On record voter turnout in Kashmir during the elections, President Murmu said, "Decades-long records of voting have been broken in J&K. For the past 4 decades, Kashmir witnessed low voting amid shutdowns and strikes. India's enemies propagated it as the opinion of Kashmir, on international forums. But this time, Kashmir valley gave a befitting reply to all such forces..."

President Murmu hailed the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls during her address. She called it the world's largest election. She said, nearly 64 crore voters performed their duty with enthusiasm and zeal.

President Murmu begins her address. She said, "I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha."

President Droupadi Murmu addressing Members of both the Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha Chamber of Parliament House.

President Droupadi Murmu began her address to joint session of Parliament.

 President Droupadi Murmu being accorded the Guard of Honour upon her arrival at the Parliament. 

President Droupadi Murmu arrives at the Parliament. She will address a joint session of both Houses shortly.

Ahead of the President's address to the joint session of both Houses of Parliament, SP chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav said, "This is the tradition and it happens every time. We listen to the President. That is actually the speech of the Government."

On President's address to the joint session of both Houses of Parliament, Congress chief and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Let's see what new programs they are going to give and how many programs they implemented last and the year before that. We are expecting at least a good speech this year. It should not be a government speech, it should be a President's address."

Ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Parliament. 

Ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's address to the both Houses of Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at the Parliament.

AAP MPs protest against the arrest of Delhi CM and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, in Parliament premises.

On Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker post, Congress MP K Suresh said, "Let the election be announced. At that time, our I.N.D.I.A Alliance partners and Congress party will decide the strategy for the Deputy Speaker post. So far, the Deputy Speaker election has not been mentioned, that when they are going to elect. So, whenever they are going to elect, our Congress party and INDIA bloc leaders will discuss and decide."

AAP MP Sandeep Pathak said, "Today we will protest in the Rajya Sabha against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and we will boycott the President's address. The President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise our voices. We did not have a discussion with the remaining parties of the INDIA alliance regarding this but our party will boycott the President's address."

President Droupadi Murmu will address both houses of Parliament assembled together at 11 am in the Lok Sabha chamber, Parliament House. 

According to the information, President Droupadi Murmu will be received by Prime Minister Modi and the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha at the Gaja Dwar of the Parliament building from where she will be escorted to the Lower House chamber with the traditional sceptre 'Sengol' in the lead. According to Article 87 of the Constitution, the President is required to address a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the session after each Lok Sabha election. The President also addresses a joint sitting of both Houses in the first session of the Parliament every year.

The role of Leader of the Opposition, though not enshrined in the Constitution, will nevertheless bestow upon Rahul Gandhi certain significant powers. These powers include having a say in the appointment of bureaucrats to important positions. As the Leader of Opposition, Gandhi will now be accorded the status of a Cabinet minister. 

He will also be a member of important panels on key appointments such as the Lokpal, chief election commissioner and election commissioners, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, besides the selection of Central Vigilance Commission, Central Information Commission and the National Human Rights Commission chiefs.

A resurgent Opposition is preparing to challenge the government on multiple fronts, including NEET-UG irregularities, the cancellation of UGC-NET, terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, train accidents, and rising prices of essential commodities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to respond to the debate on the motion of thanks on July 2-3. In her address, President Droupadi Murmu is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the central government’s policies over the past decade, highlighting achievements across various sectors such as the economy, defence, healthcare, education, and social welfare.

Following his appointment as leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "I want to thank the people of the country, workers of the Congress party, and all leaders of the INDIA alliance. For me, LoP is your voice, your tool. I will raise all your concerns in the Lok Sabha through LoP. If the government tried to suppress the Constitution, I will oppose them with my entire force."