The scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by Parliament was a historic one, President Ram Nath Kovind said today as he addressed a joint sitting of parliament, on the opening day of the budget session. The move, President Kovind said, paved way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
"The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," President Kovind said. While the comment drew long thumping of desks from the treasury benches, the opposition voiced in protest. President Kovind, in his address, also urged the opposition to engage in debate an desist protests, which he said weakens the country.
Addressing media before the budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hoped for detailed discussions on the economy and the empowerment of people ahead of the Budget Session of parliament beginning today.
"I want wide-ranging, qualitative discussion on economy in both houses. Our session should be focused on economic matters and how India can take advantage of the current global economic situation," said PM Modi in his customary remarks at the start of a session.
Pointing out that this was the first session of 2020 and the decade, he said the effort should be to lay a "strong foundation for the decade".
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day soon after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2019-20 in the House. Later, Ms Sitharaman also tabled the Economic Survey 2019-20 in Rajya Sabha.
The Union Budget will be presented on Saturday. The first phase of the session will conclude on February 11, while the second part of the session will begin from March 2 and end on April 3.
Here are the Highlights On Budget Session 2020:
बजट सत्र की शुरुआत पर आज संसद तक साइकिल चला कर गया और सन्देश दिया कि CAA पर विपक्षी पार्टी देश का वातावरण दूषित न करें।#IndiaSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/8apUXmVdOW
- Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) January 31, 2020
- My government has helped make a significant headway in digitising the economy. Bank accounts and digital initiatives have ensured that there is no pilferage and the money reaches those who it is meant to reach directly. This has saved over 1,70,000 crore from going into the wrong hands last year.
- Digital technology is also being extended to the census this time.
- My government has also brought in a data protection bill to ensure that citizen's and business' data is safe and secure.
- My government is determined to achieve the 5 trillion dollar economy it has set as a target for itself in this term.
- India is a youthful nation and my government is promoting India as a digital nation. Business is being encouraged among the youth.
- India already has the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world. My government is focusing on do all it can to promote such an environment.
#Watch | "Happy that both houses passed the #CitizenshipAmendementAct.": President Kovind in parliament. #BudgetSession2020
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 31, 2020
More here: https://t.co/G8aDBc7QXX pic.twitter.com/SYTcu6cOhU
- The opening of Kartarpur corridor was historic. Sikhs will now be able to visit the shrine of their founding guru.
- Priority will be given to those areas where development and progress is still lacking. This will be done along with all other projects that are already being carried out across the nation.
- 2019 saw some landmark decisions. Parliament's decision on Jammu and Kashmir was one of them. I congratulate the people of both union territories - J&K and Ladakh. They will now benefit from all that the rest of the country benefits from. The pace at which development activity will take place in the two union territories will also increase significantly.
- Several educational institutions will also be setup across J&K and Ladakh.
- My government has brought out many reform measures that have helped better India's rank on several global matrices and indicators.
- All initiatives taken by my government and schemes launched has been done to benefit the poor and marginalised, irrespective of looking into religion and caste. All the work being done are for all Indians, taking everyone along.
- The benefits from these initiatives and schemes are being received by all sections
- This will be a very significant decade for India.
- The Constitution of India is what will be the guiding light to all that we do this decade and beyond.
- The manner and maturity in which the citizens of this country reacted and maintained peace after the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ayodhya case was commendable.
- The mandate my government has been given is one to create a 'New India'. That is what my government has set out to do.
- My government has brought out many reform measures that have helped better India's rank on several global matrices and indicators.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at the Parliament ahead of the #Budget session to begin today. (ANI)
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 31, 2020
More on https://t.co/Fbzw6mR9Q5 and NDTV 24x7 pic.twitter.com/xjaM1yKusR
Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi, Shri @RahulGandhi & senior Congress leaders hold a #SaveTheConstitution protest outside Parliament today. pic.twitter.com/RLSvYvp8MU
- Congress (@INCIndia) January 31, 2020
