New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament, which began on Monday, is expected to be a stormy affair as the Narendra Modi-led government is seeking the support of the Opposition in getting proposed key legislations, including bills to replace a slew of ordinances, passed smoothly. The session was flagged off by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Here are the Live Updates:
- President concludes his speech
- Hope this session of Parliament will be highly productive: President
- The people of India, especially the poorest of poor, have firm faith on this institution for fulfilment of their aspirations: President
- Our Parliament is the sanctum sanctorum of democracy, says President
- My govt has made unprecedented efforts to reach out to the Indian community abroad: President
- My govt is creating greater cooperation and integration in South Asia: President Pranab
- Govt committed to rehabilitate 60 thousand displaced Kashmiri pandits: President
- Govt has endeavoured to create conducive environment in J&K especially for the displaced : President
- J&K has an important place in the agenda, our govt is committed to bring in conducive atmosphere there: President
- Terrorism poses a great challenge to internal security, govt firm in dealing with this: President
- Govt's efforts have enhanced global recognition for regional cultural heritage: President
- My government took several pro active steps for protecting wildlife & environment: President
- My govt is committed to clean energy and ensuring transparency in allocation of natural resources, says President
- Petrol price has decreased by more than Rs 17 a litre, says President
- Govt committed to provide housing for all by 2022 : President Pranab
- My govt is committed to building modern infrastructure & facilities in urban areas: President
- Govt is committed to restore and rejuvenate the soul of cities that are home to each cultural heritage of our country, says President
- National Urban Development Mission being finalised and Smart City programme close to finalisation: President
- My govt has taken every step to promote the shipping industry & development of the coastal regions: President
- Indian Railways are the arteries of our economy, says President
- Reforms for railways are on cards: President
- Government committed to safety of women, protecting girl child: President
- Focus is on technology upgradation & better financial access: President Pranab Mukherjee
- Launched Make in India programme to transform business: President
- Govt is committed to repealing obsolete laws; 1,741 such laws have been identified: President
- Legal reform is a priority for the government: President Pranab
- Govt has envisioned an ambitious program- Digital India to provide technology based transformation & citizen based transparent system: President
- Our GDP is going at 7.4 % which makes India a fastest growing economy in the world: President
- Inflation is at a record low due to a number of decisive measures taken by my Govt: President
- My Gov online platform, a path breaking initiative, has been launched. This has ensured public participation in decision-making: President
- My government is firmly committed to engage people in the process of governance and policy-making: President Pranab
- My govt is committed to taking all possible measures to stop generation of black money, both domestically & internationally: President
- As a result of my Government's sustained efforts & series of policy initiatives, our economy is again on high growth trajectory: President
- India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world: President of India
- My govt believes in the holistic development of every individual: President
- Maximum governance & minimum govt is the guiding principle of my govt: Prez Pranab
- 'Pradhan Mantri irrigation scheme' is being launched: President
- Government committed to providing a toilet in every school by August 15: President
- My govt has taken several measures to empower and protect dignity of women: President
- Inclusive growth, including progress of the most vulnerable sections, is the topmost priority of government: President.
- My govt created a new Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship with the theme "Hunar hai to Kalyan hai": President
- A new national policy for school development and entrepreneurship is in the offing: President
- Education is the priority of priorities for my Government for which Padhega Bharat, Badhega Bharat was launched: President
- Education is the top priority for my govt: President Pranab
- Cleanliness an article of faith for the government: President
- Direct benefit transfer being implemented with new vigour: President
- My Government has attached highest importance to sustainable socio-economic growth of rural India: Pranab Mukherjee
- Coverage under jan dhan yojna close to 100%: President
- The government believes in the fundamental tenet of 'sabka saath sabka vikas': Pranab Mukherjee
- My Govt is pledged to work for the welfare of the poor, the marginalized & the vulnerable sections of the society: President
- Within a span of 9 months my Govt has embarked on a comprehensive strategy for unleashing the economy : President
- The fundamental tenet of my government is 'sabka saath, sabka vikas – all together, development of all': President Pranab Mukherjee
- Parliament's budget session begins with President Pranab Mukherjee's joint address
- PM Modi reaches Parliament
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will not be present for the first week of the Budget Session of Parliament, reports ANI
- President Pranab Mukherjee's cavalcade en route to Parliament
- Parliament is the temple of democracy, there should be proper dialogue and discussion: PM
- In a democracy there should be dialogue, discussion & there be positive outcome,with this determination the budget session is commencing, says PM
- There should be constructive debate on every issue in this complete session: PM
- We hope Parliament's Budget session will be productive: PM Modi
- Issue of Ordinances should not be politicised: Naidu
- Govt ready to discuss any Opposition objection: Venkaiah Naidu
- By bringing the land ordinance the Government has proved that it is anti-farmer: KC Tyagi
- As far as support to Anna Hazare is concerned party will take decision later: Congress
- Hazare is supporting our Act, will muster the strength of those fighting against the ordinance: Kharge.
- Govt issued ordinance without consulting anybody,we feel the earlier act should be implemented: Kharge
- Opposition is together against this, will raise this in Parliament: Congress
- Govt doing all this is just to please corporates, get more investment: Congress
- Govt is adamant, hence adopting ordinance route: SP
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to build consensus around six ordinances, including the controversial land acquisition and insurance bills that the government wants passed in this session.
At a meeting of leaders of all parties in both Houses of Parliament hosted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Modi said, "Country looks at Budget session with hopes and aspirations, it is the collective responsibility of all parties to ensure it runs smoothly."
The Budget Session lasts till March 20 and the Parliament will reconvene on April 20 and the session is due to conclude on May 8.
Earlier on Sunday, Naidu met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and described the meeting as "cordial". The government would need the help of Congress, especially in the Rajya Sabha where it is short on numbers, to help push through legislation seen as crucial to PM Modi's reform agenda.
Important among these are ordinances on raising the foreign investment limit in insurance, auctioning coal mines and changing the rules of land acquisition, the latter having generated much protests from the Opposition as well as farmers' organisations.
"The government is willing to walk the extra mile to accommodate the Opposition. My only appeal is that House should be allowed to function smoothly," Naidu said.
But the Opposition appeared to be unimpressed and made clear its mood to take on the government, particularly on the move to amend the Land Acquisition Act.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Congress will not support those Ordinances and bills, which "do not help people". Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav said it will be a "fight to the finish" as he lashed out at the government, saying it had made the land law worse than what existed during the British time.
Naidu acknowledged that land acquisition is an "emotive issue" and needs to be addressed "sincerely without undue politicisation". The ordinances have to be ratified by Parliament within six months, or it expires.
In its seven months in office, the government has used the ordinance, or emergency executive order, 10 times due to its lack of majority in the upper house of Parliament or Rajya Sabha, where the opposition Congress has most numbers and has led other parties in holding up proceedings on a number of issues, not allowing legislation to be passed.
