Parliament Monsoon Session HIGHLIGHTS: Abhishek Banerjee criticises BJP on wage employment, housing issues

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee has criticized the BJP-led central government for alleged inaction regarding wage employment and housing provisions. Speaking to the media, Banerjee claimed that despite the BJP’s defeat in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, no financial assistance has been provided for 100 days of wage employment.

Banerjee highlighted that over 1.5 years, 11.36 lakh people have not received any funds for housing as promised. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and other government officials to release a white paper detailing the financial allocations and expenditures related to these issues to ensure transparency.

The Lok Sabha has approved the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. The budget, presented by the Union Finance Minister, received majority support from the members of the House after extensive discussions and debates.

The budget outlines various fiscal policies and allocations aimed at stimulating economic growth and addressing key sectors. Notable provisions include increased funding for infrastructure development, healthcare, and education, alongside measures to enhance tax efficiency and public welfare.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Lok Sabha on the budget, criticising the previous UPA government for its handling of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue. She highlighted that the National Commission on Farmers had recommended in 2006 that MSP should be set at 50% above the weighted average cost of production. This recommendation was not adopted by the UPA government.

Rejection of MS Swaminathan report

Sitharaman pointed out that a cabinet note from July 2007 indicated that linking MSP to a fixed percentage above production costs could distort market dynamics. She accused the UPA of rejecting the MS Swaminathan report in 2007, despite the Congress Party’s current criticism of MSP policies.

Call for accountability

Sitharaman criticised the Congress Party for its lack of implementation over the past decade, accusing them of merely expressing concern without taking substantive action for farmers.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed gratitude to the members of the Lok Sabha for their active engagement and interest in the recently presented Budget. She also extended her thanks to the citizens for their support. Sitharaman highlighted the significance of the current government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, securing a historic third consecutive term. This achievement, she noted, reaffirms the people's faith in the government and its people-centric policies.

The Finance Minister emphasised the government's commitment to building a stable and developed India, or "Viksit Bharat," by 2047, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi. She called for collective efforts to achieve this goal.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the central government has provided significant financial assistance to Jammu & Kashmir, including a substantial allocation of Rs 12,000 crore specifically for the J&K police. Minister Sitharaman emphasised the importance of these funds in bolstering the region's security and supporting the local police force, as part of broader efforts to promote stability and development in Jammu & Kashmir.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India is adhering to its fiscal deficit trajectory and is on course to bring it down to below 4.5% of GDP by the 2025-26 fiscal year. Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Minister Sitharaman emphasised the government's strategic financial planning and disciplined approach towards managing public finances, ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that India has emerged as the fastest-growing economy globally, successfully overcoming the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Minister Sitharaman attributed this remarkable recovery to a robust capital expenditure (capex) push, which has spurred infrastructure development and economic activity across the country.

The Finance Minister highlighted several strategic initiatives undertaken by the government, including increased public spending on infrastructure, which have been pivotal in revitalizing the economy and sustaining high growth rates.

BJP national president JP Nadda said, "...For the first time Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and it was a full proof scheme. Under this scheme road from the starting point to the end point, its budgeting was done together- in one go. Then in every constituency, all-weather road budgeting was done..." 

BJP president and Union Minister JP Nadda will speak on the Union Budget in Rajya Sabha today at 2:30 PM.

Speaking on the Wayanad tragedy in Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said there is an urgent need for mapping of landslide-prone areas and to take up mitigation measures and an action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in the ecologically fragile region.  "Early this morning, Wayanad was hit by several devastating landslides. More than 70 people have been killed. Mundakkai village has been cut off and the devastating loss of lives and extensive damage is yet to be assessed due to the scale of the tragedy. I have spoken to the Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Kerala. I request the Union Government to extend all possible support for rescue and medical care, immediate release of the compensation to deceased people - if that compensation can be increased as well - restore vital transport and communication lines, set up relief at the earliest and prepare a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the affected families. Even as I speak, the threat of landslides loom over many areas in Wayanad and the western ghats. Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in the last few years," he added. 

In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister JP Nadda says, "Discussions began here and all the Members expressed their concern over the massive tragedy that has occurred in Wayanad. "I would like to say this is a tragedy of not just Kerala alone, but the entire nation is concerned...Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Government of India is working proactively and doing everything necessary for the relief work in Kerala. On behalf of the Government, I assure you that whatever is needed will be done...PM spoke with the Kerala CM and gave him assurance. Support from central agencies for relief has reached there. Work is being done in coordination with the State Government. Right now, the primary thing is to recover the bodies and save those who can be saved...We should activate the Emergency Response System. All of that is being done," he added. 

On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's 'Chakravyuh' remark, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi slammed Rahul Gandhi for his 'Chakravyuh' remarks in the Lok Sabha. "I would like to tell Rahul Gandhi that our Government indeed formed 'Chakravyuh' for Congress' scam, corruption. We have zero tolerance towards corruption. But I would like to ask him one thing, if Rahul Gandhi and his mother ran the government for 10 years through a remote control, he tore an Ordinance. Why did they not have Caste Census? Why are they indulging in 'dramabaazi' now? This is 'dramabaazi'. Who rejected Mandal Commission recommendations? He is speaking all this to cover up the corruption and scams during the last 60 years and to ensure that the people believe him," Joshi stated. 

The proceedings have begun in both Houses of Parliament amid the ruckus by the Opposition parties in Lok Sabha.  

Congress MP Hibi Hiden has given an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha on the Wayanad landslide.

Congress MP KC Venugopal has given an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha regarding the massive landslide in Wayanad. He urged immediate search and rescue measures. 

Targeting the BJP, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said that the people of West Bengal are supporting Mamata Banerjee and rejecting the BJP for their cheap politics. "Bengal is ok; the state is moving towards development. The people of Bengal are supporting Mamata Banerjee, TMC and they are rejecting BJP. For their cheap politics, they are depriving Bengal, misusing the powers of Central agencies. They are trying to create confusion regarding the state," Ghosh said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed MP Sanjay Jaiswal as its Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha. Along with this, the BJP has also appointed whips in the Lower House. Dilip Salkia, Gopaljee Thakur, Santosh Pandey, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel, Devusinh Chauhan, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Sudhir Gupta, Smita Uday Wagh, Ananta Nayak, Damodar Agarwal, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Satish Kumar Gautam, Shashank Mani and Khagen Murmu has been appointed as Whips by the BJP.