Budget Session: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament.
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:
Finance Minister tables Economic Survey, Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
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.
Vijay Goel rides bicycle to Parliament with ''Don't pollute environment on CAA'' banner
BJP lawmaker Vijay Goel on Friday arrived in the Parliament for the budget session on a bicycle with a banner which read "Don''t pollute the environment on CAA".
"I have to say this the country''s environment is being polluted. When a law is passed then it is discussed with all the opposition but still, people are playing politics on the roads. I would like to say that don''t pollute the environment," the BJP leader told ANI.
My government is determined to achieve the 5 trillion dollar economy: President Kovind
- 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.
My government is promoting India as a digital nation: President Kovind- 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.
"More than a 1,000 fast-track courts have been set up to ensure timely justice across the nation."
Women empowerment top focus of government: President
A database has been made for crimes, atrocities and trafficking against women and children. This database will aid security forces and investigating agencies across the nation.
Opposition members protest after President Kovind hails amended Citizenship Act in address.
"The father of our nation - Mahatma Gandhi ji - had said after partition that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and other religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh (East Pakistan) should be granted citizenship of India if they came seeking refuge. We must respect and honour the wishes of the father of the nation. To that effect, I am happy that both houses of Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act to ensure Bapu's (Gandhi ji's) wishes comes true."
Bodo accor will ensure lasting peace in region: President
My government has recently signed a significant permanent peace deal with Bodo militants in Assam. This will ensure lasting peace in the region and will help the region progress faster.
Opening of Kartarpur corridor historic: President Kovind- 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.
Several educational institutions will also be setup across J&K and Ladakh: President- 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 taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade: President Kovind
- 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
Budget Session 2020: President Kovind addresses joint sitting of Parliament
The Budget Session of Parliament began today with an address by President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament. President Kovind delivered the speech in the Central Hall of Parliament at 11 am.
- 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.
President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for parliament ahead of the budget session. President Kovind will deliver a speech in the Central Hall of Parliament at 11 am. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will also chair a meeting of floor leaders of Rajya Sabha at his residence today.
PM Modi addresses media ahead of budget session
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the media ahead of the budget session, expressed hope to have a productive session.
Budget session: Sonia Gandhi leads anti-CAA protest in Parliament
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi led a protest of party leaders in Parliament against the CAA, NPR and NRC ahead of the Budget Session.
Party leaders held placards of ''Save India'', ''No to CAA, NRC'' and shouted slogans.
Senior Congress leaders Motilal Vohra, Ahmed Patel, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, AK Antony were present at the protest.
An all-party meeting called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi was held on Thursday in Parliament ahead of the Budget Session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the meeting along with other Union Ministers, namely, Rajnath Singh, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Arjun Meghwal, V Muraleedharan, and others.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav was also present in the meet. BJD''s Prasanna Acharya, NCP MP Supriya Sule, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, RJD leader Manoj Jha, and many other MPs were present in the meeting.
Copies of Economic Survey 2019-20 reached the Parliament complex on Friday morning. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present it later today.
Ms Sitharaman will present her second Union Budget on Saturday.