Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the House - his last speech in Parliament before the 2024 elections.
The Lok Sabha today discussed the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. BJP MP Satya Pal Singh initiated the discussion and said that Lord Ram belongs to everyone and not Hindus alone. He also said the construction of the temple was "historic".
"I am fortunate to get the opportunity to speak about the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram on January 22 inside the Parliament," Mr Singh said in Lok Sabha.
In Rajya Sabha, the lawmakers discussed the "White Paper on the Indian Economy" and its impact on the lives of the people of the country.
The Budget session of Parliament, the last of the 17th Lok Sabha, started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31. It is scheduled to conclude today.
Here are the live updates on the Parliament's Budget Session:
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar pulled up Jairam Ramesh for his remarks against RLD chief Jayant Singh, saying the Congress MP does not deserve to be in the Upper House of Parliament for his misconduct. Mr Dhankhar's decision to allow Jayant Singh to speak in the House on the Bharat Ratna honour for his grandfather and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh drew sharp protest from the Congress, leading to a heated exchange of words between the opposition and treasury benches. During this, Jairam Ramesh made certain comments. However, these could not be heard amid the uproar.
Several members of the 17th Lok Sabha hailed the tenure as "historic" and recalled Article 370, triple talaq, Ram temple, and the new Parliament building as the highlights, reported news agency PTI.
"Our elections will increase the world's respect for our country. I want to thank all the members. Due to several interesting attacks on us, our inner strength emerged. This House will keep inspiring us and with this faith, I want to thank everyone," PM Modi said.
"COVID-19 impacted us for nearly one-and-a-half years. We did good work but also lost some of our colleagues," PM Modi said.
"We focused on the marginalised people. The poor got free injections during the pandemic. We brought the Transgender Act. We gave transgenders an identity. Nearly 17,000 got identity cards. We gave Padma awards to transgenders," PM Modi said.
"We removed over 60 unnecessary laws. This was necessary to facilitate ease of business. Some laws meant that jails should be filled at all times. We trusted our citizens and this Lok Sabha worked towards that. Through the Jan Vishwas Act, we decriminalized several laws. We worked to solve disputes outside court," PM Modi said.
"The whole world is talking about data. By bringing the data protection bill, we have secured the whole generation. It's a tool for our youth. There are also guidelines in it on how to use data," PM Modi said.
"No government can function without innovation. This House formed a legal framework to promote innovation - National Research Foundation. Due to this, our country can become a global hub for research and innovation work," PM Modi said.
"The court ordered in favor of the Muslim women but they couldn't enjoy the benefit of it. This Lok Sabha helped end the injustice of generations," PM Modi said about ending triple talaq.
"Many reforms, that were game-changers, happened during this year. The country is moving towards a change. Works that many generations were waiting for happened in this Lok Sabha. Many generations dreamed of one Constitution but this house scrapped Article 370. People who had a role in creating the Constitution must be blessing us today. The people of Kashmir were distant from social justice. Today, we took it to them. We made tough laws to fight terrorism. The new House witnessed a big reform - Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam," PM Modi said.
"Your skill and the members' awareness led to nearly 90% productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha. But we should pledge that our productivity should be more than 100 percent. In the first session, both Houses passed 30 bills. The whole country celebrated its 75th year of Independence and the members have a big role to play in it," PM Modi said.
"You organised essay and oratory competitions on the biggest personalities. You took a major step to connect the students with the House proceedings. You opened the Parliament Library to common citizens. This is a big service and I want to thank you for that," PM Modi said.
"India got the presidency of G20. Every state demonstrated the strength of the country and the identity of the state in front of the world. And, under your leadership, P20 took place," PM Modi said.
"Everyone said that we needed a new building. Everyone wanted it but there was never a decision on it. We decided on it and owing to that we are sitting in the new Parliament today," PM Modi said.
"I want to thank members that during that challenging time, you decided to donate 30% of your salary to help the country. The members used to draw flak about the rates at your canteen. And then we decided to go for the same rates. And you never protested. I want to thank you all for that," PM Modi said.
"I want to specially thank the Speaker. You always keep smiling. Whatever happens here, nothing fades your smile. You behaved in an honest and balanced manner in difficult situations. Even when faced with accusations, you handled it sensibly. I want to thank you for this," PM Modi said. "In these 5 years, humanity faced the biggest challenge. We did whatever we could. We didn't let the country's progress stop. You (the Speaker) handled the House during that challenging time," he added.
It's a rare thing that performance is accompanied by reforms, PM Modi said in Parliament. "Every member of the House had a significant role to play and I want to thank all of you," he added.
"China tried to do what it did in 1962. Our leadership displayed resolve and not an inch of India's land was lost," Amit Shah said in Lok Sabha.
Speaking in Lok Sabha during discussion on Ram temple construction, Amit Shah said that the date January 22 will be a "historic day" for thousands of years.
ऐतिहासिक श्री राम मंदिर के निर्माण और श्री रामलला की प्राण प्रतिष्ठा की चर्चा पर लोकसभा से लाइव...
- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 10, 2024
https://t.co/yiVirHwEYI
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar hit out at the opposition benches saying "you virtually insulted Chaudhary Charan Singh, you insulted his legacy."
#WATCH | Union Minister Anurag Thakur says "Teesri Baar Modi Sarkaar, abki baar 400 paar'. PM Modi will get a Hattrick and make India the third largest economy of the world..." pic.twitter.com/LiVcXly3Mb
- ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2024
#WATCH | RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary says, "I have been in the opposition for 10 years, I am sitting on this side of this house for some time, the working style of the present government also has a glimpse of the thoughts of Chaudhary Charan Singh. When PM Modi addresses the issues... pic.twitter.com/nG2ytLTYSK
- ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2024
#BudgetSession2024
- SansadTV (@sansad_tv) February 10, 2024
#LokSabha takes up discussion under rule 193 on the construction of the historic Shri Ram Temple and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala. #RamMandirPranPrathistha #Budget2024 @ombirlakota @narendramodi
Watch Live : https://t.co/wybS3S6xMq pic.twitter.com/kiuWYyiiRz
#BudgetSession2024 #RajyaSabha takes up Short-duration discussion on 'White Paper' on the Indian Economy
- SansadTV (@sansad_tv) February 10, 2024
Watch live: https://t.co/JLcs04PWww pic.twitter.com/rGEqfKNXDE
During the discussion on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, BJP MP Satya Pal Singh said that he is fortunate to get the opportunity to speak about the "Pran Pratishta".
#WATCH | During the discussion on the construction of the historic Ram Temple and Pran Pratishta begins in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Satya Pal Singh says "I am fortunate to get the opportunity to speak about the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram on... pic.twitter.com/fEuUmOhn24
- ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2024
The discussion on the construction of the Ram Temple has started in Lok Sabha.
On the last day of the Budget session, a short-duration discussion on White Paper on the Indian Economy is scheduled in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Lok Sabha will today have a discussion on the construction of Ayodhya's Ram temple.