Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Economic Survey In Lok Sabha: Updates

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023/24 in Parliament Monday, a day before she will present a record seventh union budget, and described the Indian economy as being on a "strong wicket and stable footing" and resilient in the face of geopolitical challenges.

"The Indian economy is on a strong wicket and stable footing (and) demonstrating resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges. The economy has consolidated post-Covid recovery with policymakers - fiscal and monetary - ensuring economic and financial stability..." the report said.

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament for the Monsoon Session.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said this government will make a record of paper leaks.

"There are some centres where more than 2,000 students have passed. As long as this minister (Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan) is there, the students will not get justice," he said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to all parties to cooperate and engage in meaningful discussions during the Budget Session of Parliament starting on Monday.

In a post on X, Speaker Birla appealed to all the leaders for cooperation and stated, "The Budget Session of the 18th Lok Sabha starts today. I hope all the Members of Parliament will cooperate and hold meaningful discussions. We will collectively contribute to the nation's progress."

The Budget Session is expected to run until August 12 and on the first day of the session on Monday, Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey.

This session will mainly focus on financial business related to the Union Budget for 2024-25 as on the second day, the Finance Minister will introduce the Union Budget in Parliament.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says "A lot of steps have been taken on Ease of Doing Business. Nearly 11 steps have been mentioned in the reply, but most importantly Decriminalisation of 63 offences and as a result of which companies today are able to carry on their functions without the worry of compliance. A central processing system has also been set up."

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday rejected notices from opposition MPs calling for discussion on an Uttar Pradesh government order asking shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display names of their owners and staff.

Opposition MPs had given notices under rule 267 seeking suspension of the business of the day to take up discussion on the issue.

Mr Dhankhar said the notices were "neither in conformity to requirements of rule 267 nor to directions given by the chair... And so the same are not accepted". 

Opposition MPs raise NEET exam issue in Lok Sabha 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "...No evidence of paper leak has been found in the last 7 years. This (NEET) matter is going on before the Supreme Court. I can say with full responsibility that more than 240 exams have been conducted successfully after NTA..."

Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says "The issue is that there are millions of students in the country who are extremely concerned about what is going on and who are convinced that the Indian examination system is a fraud. Millions of people believe that if you are rich and you have money, you can buy the Indian examination system and this is the same feeling that the opposition has..."

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan gives statement on the NEET-UG issue in Parliament. Opposition creates a ruckus and raised slogans in the Lok Sabha.

Budget Session Begins With Question Hour

PM Modi Speaks Ahead Of Budget Session

Congress MP Manish Tewari today gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha demanding a discussion on the border situation and India's trade deficit with China.

"I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance. That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to have a discussion on the border situation and the huge trade deficit with China," Mr Tewari stated.

He further stated that, since 2019, there have been ongoing border clashes between India and China, with reports of Chinese troops blocking access to patrolling points in Eastern Ladakh.

On Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table the Economic Survey Report 2023-2024, Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "The Economic Survey is clear in front of the nation. The central government has failed to control issues of corruption, unemployment, inflation, etc... It has failed in supporting businesses and MSMEs and preventing banking frauds. The country has seen the X-ray of this economic survey earlier, which is why the people did not give the complete majority to the central government..."

On the Parliament Session, MoS Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal says "We had an all-party meeting yesterday in which all the issues of the Opposition were mentioned by them, we have noted down. Now in Lok Sabha, the day and time of discussion will be decided by the Speaker and in Rajya Sabha, the Chairman will decide. The government is ready for discussion. As Rajnath Singh said yesterday that it is everyone's responsibility to run the House, it will be a good discussion..."

On Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table the Economic Survey Report 2023-2024, RSP MP NK Premachandran says, "...We expect some exemptions, especially in direct tax. The government is well served because RBI has already provided Rs 2.11 lakh crores as dividends. The government has never expected such an amount from the RBI. It is double the expectations of the government. Another favourable factor is regarding the direct tax collection... It is a favourable condition for the government because they have never expected such an amount from the RBI. So, it is the best opportunity to provide some exemptions and privileges to the middle-class section of society..."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on the ongoing controversy over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In his notice, Manickam Tagore urged the House to suspend all listed business of the day to discuss the "unprecedented cases of paper leaks in conduct of exams including NEET-UG and UGC NET and the failure of National Testing Agency (NTA)."

The Economic Survey document, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and formulated under the supervision of the chief economic adviser, will give insights into the state of the economy and various indicators of 2023-24 (April-March) and some outlook for the current year. Read more

Parliament's budget session will begin today under the shadow of multiple controversies including Kanwar Yatra, NEET and Manipur. Three states, two of them ruled by allies, are demanding special status. The Union budget will be presented on Tuesday. Read more