The Budget Session began on Thursday, 31 January, with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing the joint sitting of members of both the Houses of Parliament. The session, to last for two weeks ending 13 February, will be last of the Narendra Modi-led government.
On Friday, day two of the session, interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present Modi government's sixth and final Budget, which will be an interim one, keeping up with established tradition. The Budget will seek Parliament's nod for spending for four months till a new government is sworn-in.
During the session, the government is expected to push for the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Triple Talaq Bill.
The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Thursday, 31 January, and will run for two weeks, till 13 February. Modi government’s sixth and final Budget will be presented on Friday, day two of the Budget session. Interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present the Budget, which will be an interim one, keeping up with established tradition.
Modi Govt Has Commenced a Journey towards Building a 'New India': Venkaiah Naidu.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu addressed Parliament during the Budget Session on Thursday, 31 January, following the President’s address.
He said that with the “blessings of 130 crore Indians, my govt have commenced a journey towards building a ‘new India’.”
Rafale Will Improve India's Defence Capabilities: Kovind.
“India is soon going to induct the Rafale fighter aircraft, which will improve its defence capabilities,” President Ram Nath Kovind said in Parliament on Thursday, 31 January.
India Second Largest Manufacturer of Mobile Phones: President Kovind.
“I am happy to inform that under the government’s 'Make in India' initiative, India has become the world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones,” President Ram Nath Kovind said, while addressing a joint sitting of both Houses in Parliament.
GST Reduced Difficulties, Improved Transparency: President Kovind.
President Ram Nath Kovind, while addressing a joint sitting of both Houses, said that GST was going to help build an honest and transparent trading system in the country which will be a great advantage for the youth of the country.
Jan Dhan Yojana Benefited 34 Crore People: Kovind.
“Because of the government’s Jan Dhan Yojana, bank accounts of over 34 crore people have been opened in the country and almost every family has been linked to the banking system,” President Kovind said in Parliament on Thursday.
He added that the scheme had helped add Rs 88,000 crore to the formal economy.
“According to an international agency, 55 percent of the total bank accounts opened between 2014-2017 were opened in India itself,” Kovind said.
More Than 1.3 Crore Houses Have Been Built: President Kovind.
In the last four years, more than 1 crore 30 lakh houses have been built under the government's rural housing scheme, President Kovind said in Parliament on Thursday, 31 January.
Citizenship Amendment Bill Will Help the Oppressed: Kovind.
President Ram Nath Kovind, while addressing a joint sitting of both Houses, said that the Citizenship Amendment Bill will make it easier to provide Indian citizenship to those who had to take refuge in India after facing oppression somewhere else.
“They were not at fault, they were victims of situations like that,” he said.
Over Six Crore Gas Connections Issued Under Ujjwala Scheme: President Kovind.
President Ram Nath Kovind said that the Modi government, under the Ujjwala scheme, had issued more than six crore gas connections.
“Most of our mothers, sisters and daughters would remain sick because of the smoke released from stoves and thus, the health of the whole family would be affected. In only four and a half years, my government has added a total of 13 crore households to the gas connection,” Kovind said.
Healthcare My Government’s Top Priority: President Kovind.
While addressing a joint sitting of both Houses on Thursday, 31 January, President Ram Nath Kovind said that healthcare was his government’s topmost priority.
“I am happy to inform you that the benefits of government’s schemes are reaching poorest of the poor,” Kovind said.
Over 9 Crore Toilets Created Under Swachh Bharat: President Kovind.
Listing out the achievements of the ruling NDA government during the Budget session, President Ram Nath Kovind said that over nine crore toilets were built under Narendra Modi’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission.
President Addresses Joint Sitting of Both Houses
Addressing a joint sitting of both Houses on Thursday, 31 January, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the “country was going through a phase of uncertainty before the 2014 elections”.
After the elections, he said, “my government took up the initiative to form a 'New India’.”
‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is Our Mantra in Parliament: PM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking ahead of the start of the Budget Session, said that ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' was the government’s mantra and that this spirit will also be seen in Parliament.
“We are looking forward to discussing every issue,” Modi said.
