The Budget Session of Parliament will begin today with the Opposition vowing to strongly raise issues like corruption and inflation. The government has expressed readiness to discuss all issues and order any kind of probe into the VVIP chopper scam.
The twin blasts in Hyderabad on Friday night, in which 15 people were killed and nearly 120 injured, was discussed in the Parliament today. Below are the highlights:
Sushma Swaraj, BJP:- Home Minister says there was intelligence information that was passed on
- If there were alerts and the attack was carried out, and innocent people were killed...then there is a massive failure
- Terrorists have no religion. Terrorists only follow the code of terrorism
- We need to be united against terrorism
- A terrorist has no religion, no colour or creed
Basudev Acharia, CPM:- We need to know why there was an intelligence failure
Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party:- The whole country, the house is with them, so the govt must explain where we are lacking?
- Even after we had the information, how can an incident like this take place
- An incident like this impacts the whole country, people are living in fear
- We need to know what is the strategy the govt is adopting
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon after uproar over Hyderabad blasts.
Full text: President Pranab Mukherjee's address to ParliamentPresident Pranab Mukherjee, making his first address to a joint sitting of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session, set the tone for what is expected to be an austere Budget 2013-14, saying that the past year had been financially difficult for the country, with the Indian economy experiencing slower growth.
President Pranab Mukherjee addresses Parliament:
- I hope this session will be productive and useful
- As I speak to you, I am aware that an aspirational India is emerging
- Our youth, our greatest national assets are a confident and passionate lot
- People are concerned about security of women and children and timely delivery of their entitlements
- My govt has taken several measures to revive investment activity and investor sentiment
- There is growing anxiety about economic slowdown, job security
- Past years has been very difficult for global economy
- Most emerging markets are growing very slowly
- It has been a difficult year for India as well
- Government is responding by taking initiatives to revive investor sentiment
- Important initiative is rollout of direct benefit transfer system
- This will help cut down leakages and lead to better targeting of beneficiaries
- 12th Plan proposes to consolidate central schemes in a smaller number and increase their flexibility
- Our slower growth is the consequence of global and domestic factors
Inflation is easing gradually but is still a problem - My govt had announced a roadmap for fiscal consolidation; working with state governments to achieve consensus on GST
- Government is committed to enacting the national food security bill
- My government will continue to lay emphasis on development of rain-fed and degraded areas
- Govt has enhanced allotment under the Indira Awas Yojana
- Confident that the land acquisition bill will be enacted
- Rajiv Awas Yojana extended to all small and medium towns with the target of 1 million houses
- MNREGA provided employment to 5 crore families.
- The government continues to break ground in providing employment
- My government has enacted a path breaking act - protection of children from sexual acts
- Strict punishment will be implemented
- After the JS Verma Committee recommendations, Govt has promulgated ordinance to provide stringent punishment for heinous offences against women
- Govt has also undertaken series of administrative measures to ensure safety of women
- Mid-day meal for schoolchildren started
- As far as higher education is concerned, my government encourages states for comprehensive higher education plans for students
- In January 2013, the government completed two years without a single detection of polio in the country - longest period of time
- Govt remains committed to creating a 100 million jobs within a decade
- The govt has liberalised FDI policy in single brand and multi-brand retail
- Govt remains committed to creating a 100 million jobs within a decade
- The govt has liberalised FDI policy in single brand and multi-brand retail
- Govt in the process of allocation of 17 coal blocks to govt companies
- More than 1 lakh unelectrified villages have been electrified
- Scheme for financial restructuring of state owned power companies
- Govt is targeting significant reduction of our dependence on imported oil and gas
- New international award - Tagore award - has been instituted. First awardee - Pandit Ravi Shankar
- Govt considering a scheme for concessional credit to handloom sector to benefit about 10 lakh weavers
- Govt is committed to dealing with left-wing extremisim in a constructive manner.
- Government is committed to dealing with left-wing extremisim in a constructive manner.
- Govt committed to probity; considering amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act
- Govt committed to judicial reforms; will introduce Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill
- We attach highest importance to relations with our neighbours
- It is important that Pakistan desist from acts that contribute to a trust deficit
- Govt intends to work with new Chinese leadership
- Seeking concerted international action against piracy; bill introduced in Parliament
- Govt is deeply committed to promoting the interests and security of overseas Indians
- Making progress in engagements with Sri Lanka in resettling refugees and ensuring life of peace and dignity for the Tamil people.
- Govt to introduce Constitution Amendment Bill to give effect to Indo-Bangla Land Boundary Agreement
- We have enhanced economic relations with countries of Africa, developed closer relations with ASEAN.
- At the Doha conference on climate change, India played a lead role in ensure the principle of equity be continued to recognised
- The world recognises India's democratic and secular practices as a major achievement
- The challenge is to widen opportunities within our democratic framework
Left parties boycott joint session of Parliament due to bandh.
Ahead of the Budget Session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "We are looking forward to a productive and constructive Parliament session. That's what people expect us to do. The way we conduct our discussion will determine how we face formidable challenges of our country. I expect cooperation from the house and hope for responsible conduct from Members of Parliament."
