News Analysis India

Tag: Budget Session

  • On BJP’s White Paper, Congress Mulling ‘Black Paper’ Move Against Modi Government |

    The Congress party is planning to bring a ‘Black Paper’ against the BJP government after the ruling party said it will present a ‘White Paper’ on earlier UPA government’s economic mismanagement. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to present the report. As the government plans to present the white paper, the ongoing budget session of the Lok Sabha has been extended until Saturday, February 10. There will be no Question Hour session on the extended date. As per a Lok Sabha Secretariat notification issued on Wednesday, extension of the current session of Lok Sabha, as announced by the Chair today (7.2.2024) and agreed to by the House, the current session of Lok Sabha has been extended up to Saturday, February 10, 2024, in order to provide sufficient time for completion of essential items of Government Business.

    The BJP has planned to present the White Paper which will show the mismanagement of the economy by the earlier UPA government and the steps taken by the Modi government to improve the situation. It may be notable that under PM Narendra Modi, the Indian economy has become the fifth largest in the world from 11th in 2014.

    The last session before Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year was started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31. It was earlier to be concluded on February 9.

    Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, stated that his party is prepared to address any papers the government brings to the House. “Narendra Modi has Congressphobia. We are ready to fight. The government can bring a ‘White Paper’, Red paper, black paper, we have no problem. However, Mehul Choksi’s papers should also be presented to the House,” Chowdhury told ANI.

    Welcoming the idea of bringing a ‘White Paper’ to the House, BJP Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the document is a much-awaited call and should be brought so that the public becomes aware of the corruption that occurred during the UPA tenure before 2014. “The government has passed the finance bill and the interim budget. If I recall correctly, the PM mentioned in his speech that they would present a White Paper on the mess that prevailed prior to 2014. I think it is likely to be listed tomorrow. It is a much-awaited call,” said Rudy.

  • PM Modi Calls Himself ‘Sabse Bada OBC,’ Accuses Congress Of Indulging In Hypocrisy |

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a fiery response to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Parliament on Monday, proudly proclaimed himself as ‘Sabse Bada OBC,’ slamming the Congress for what he termed as ”hypocrisy” and ”double standards” in dealing with leaders from Backward communities.

    Congress Insulted Karpoori Thakur, OBC Leaders: PM

    In a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi accused the party of disrespecting Karpoori Thakur, a stalwart from Bihar who dedicated his life to democratic principles and constitutional values. He highlighted the recent conferment of Bharat Ratna on Thakur, underscoring the challenges he faced during his tenure as Bihar CM in 1970.

    “Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can’t tolerate OBCs…They keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?” PM Modi said in his reply to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s address.

     

    #WATCH | “Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here?….” asks PM Modi to Congress.

    “Congress party and UPA govt did not do justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what not was done to… pic.twitter.com/AqMemfzLNw
    — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2024

     

    UPA’s Injustice To OBCs

    Continuing his offensive, PM Modi criticized the UPA government for failing to deliver justice to OBCs. He pointed out the formation of the National Advisory Council during their tenure, questioning its lack of OBC representation and influence. “During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council – did it have any OBC members? Find out,” he added.

    Inflation Legacy Of Congress: PM

    PM Modi delved into history, linking Congress to inflation. He recalled popular songs during Congress governance – ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi’ and ‘Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai.’ Blaming Congress for inflation during their rule, he highlighted the insensitivity of their approach. “Two songs on inflation were superhits in our country – ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi’ and ‘Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai’. Both of these songs came during Congress’ governance. Inflation was in double digits during UPA’s tenure, it can’t be denied. What was their government’s logic? Insensitivity. They said – you can have expensive ice creams but why do you cry about inflation?… Whenever Congress came to power, it strengthened inflation,” he added.

    Lok Sabha Adopts Motion Of Thanks 

    Lok Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address after PM Modi’s impassioned response, where he not only lambasted the opposition but also outlined the government’s achievements. The motion passed through a voice vote, concluding a spirited debate with over 60 members participating.

    Budget Session Dynamics

    The ongoing budget session, possibly the last before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in April-May, witnessed President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of the two Houses, setting the tone for the upcoming political events.

  • Finance Bill passed with 45 amendments without any discussion

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: A day after passing the expenditure budget for 2023-24 without debate, the Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Finance Bill, too, without any discussion amid Opposition uproar demanding a JPC probe into allegations against industrialist Gautam Adani. 

    The Finance Bill, which gives effect to the tax proposals in the Budget, was passed with 45 changes.

    One of the key changes is the removal of the tax benefits on long-term investment in debt mutual funds (MFs with over 35 per cent allocation to debt securities). Now, gains from such funds, irrespective of the holding period, would be taxed at slab rates. Long-term capital gains from debt funds would cease to get indexation benefits.

    “An arbitrage is being created right now where interest income from debt mutual funds is not distributed and converted into long-term capital gains of 20 per cent (with indexation). In some cases, it comes to less than 10 per cent due to indexation. Thus, many taxpayers are able to reduce their tax liability through this arbitrage. This is sought to be addressed,” the finance ministry said. 

    In another setback to the investors’ community, the amended Finance Bill has increased the securities transaction tax by 25 per cent on both options and futures trades. On a positive note, the Bill brought relief to taxpayers with income marginally higher than Rs 7 lakh with an amendment clarifying that they won’t be unfairly taxed. 

    There is no tax for income up to Rs 7 lakh under the new tax regime but tax kicks in the moment one breaches that threshold. In such cases, the net payable tax can’t be more than the amount by which Rs 7 lakh is overshot, says the amendment. In other words, if a person’s income is Rs 7,00,100, the tax can’t be above Rs 100.

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she will set up a panel led by Finance Secretary TV Somanathan to look into the issue of pensions while maintaining fiscal prudence to protect common citizens. 

    READ MORE:

    Finance Bill 2023: Debt mutual funds to lose tax advantage, bank FDs may gain

    Finance Bill 2023: Govt hikes tax on futures and options trading by up to 25 per cent

    Finance Bill 2023: No respite for startups from Angel Tax

    NEW DELHI: A day after passing the expenditure budget for 2023-24 without debate, the Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Finance Bill, too, without any discussion amid Opposition uproar demanding a JPC probe into allegations against industrialist Gautam Adani. 

    The Finance Bill, which gives effect to the tax proposals in the Budget, was passed with 45 changes.

    One of the key changes is the removal of the tax benefits on long-term investment in debt mutual funds (MFs with over 35 per cent allocation to debt securities). Now, gains from such funds, irrespective of the holding period, would be taxed at slab rates. Long-term capital gains from debt funds would cease to get indexation benefits.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “An arbitrage is being created right now where interest income from debt mutual funds is not distributed and converted into long-term capital gains of 20 per cent (with indexation). In some cases, it comes to less than 10 per cent due to indexation. Thus, many taxpayers are able to reduce their tax liability through this arbitrage. This is sought to be addressed,” the finance ministry said. 

    In another setback to the investors’ community, the amended Finance Bill has increased the securities transaction tax by 25 per cent on both options and futures trades. On a positive note, the Bill brought relief to taxpayers with income marginally higher than Rs 7 lakh with an amendment clarifying that they won’t be unfairly taxed. 

    There is no tax for income up to Rs 7 lakh under the new tax regime but tax kicks in the moment one breaches that threshold. In such cases, the net payable tax can’t be more than the amount by which Rs 7 lakh is overshot, says the amendment. In other words, if a person’s income is Rs 7,00,100, the tax can’t be above Rs 100.

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she will set up a panel led by Finance Secretary TV Somanathan to look into the issue of pensions while maintaining fiscal prudence to protect common citizens. 

    READ MORE:

    Finance Bill 2023: Debt mutual funds to lose tax advantage, bank FDs may gain

    Finance Bill 2023: Govt hikes tax on futures and options trading by up to 25 per cent

    Finance Bill 2023: No respite for startups from Angel Tax

  • Rahul’s remarks on PM Modi expunged, Congress says ‘democracy was cremated in Lok Sabha’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday strongly criticised the expunging of certain remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and alleged that “democracy was cremated” in Lok Sabha.

    Gandhi had made these remarks while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

    In a tweet, without mentioning the expunging of his remarks, Gandhi said, “Mr Prime Minister, you cannot wipe out the voice of democracy.”

    “Indian people are asking you direct questions, you must reply,” Gandhi said.

    Later, while heading into Parliament during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in Lok Sabha, Gandhi asked reporters, “Why were my words expunged?” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “With the expunging of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on PM linked Adani Maha Mega Scam, deMOcracy was cremated in the Lok Sabha. OM Shanti.”

    In another tweet, Ramesh said, “18 remarks by Rahul Gandhi in LS expunged: 1. Every question asked of PM- deleted! 2. All references to relationship between Adani & Modi before 2014- deleted! 3. Misuse of agencies & foreign trips- deleted!”

    “You can expunge, but you can’t exterminate! Jagadguru of Jhoot stands exposed,” the Congress general secretary said.

    He also tweeted the three pages of expunged remarks.

    18 remarks by @RahulGandhi in LS expunged:1.Every question asked of PM- deleted!2.All references to relationship between Adani & Modi before 2014- deleted!3.Misuse of agencies & foreign trips- deleted!You can expunge,but you can’t exterminate!Jagadguru of Jhoot stands exposed pic.twitter.com/R5NblM951Z
    — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 8, 2023
    In his remarks in Lok Sabha, Gandhi had alleged that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani’s fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 and he rose from the 609th to the second spot in the global rich list.

    WATCH: Rahul tears into the BJP government

    The Congress leader’s remarks had drawn a sharp response from the treasury benches, with Law Minister Kiren Rijiju asking him not to level “wild allegations” and to furnish proof of his claims.

    Outside Parliament, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had accused Gandhi of making baseless, shameless and reckless allegations and charged that the Congress and the Gandhi family were involved in “big scams” that “tarnished” the image of the country.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi responds to opposition’s criticism in Lok Sabha

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday strongly criticised the expunging of certain remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and alleged that “democracy was cremated” in Lok Sabha.

    Gandhi had made these remarks while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

    In a tweet, without mentioning the expunging of his remarks, Gandhi said, “Mr Prime Minister, you cannot wipe out the voice of democracy.”

    “Indian people are asking you direct questions, you must reply,” Gandhi said.

    Later, while heading into Parliament during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in Lok Sabha, Gandhi asked reporters, “Why were my words expunged?” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “With the expunging of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on PM linked Adani Maha Mega Scam, deMOcracy was cremated in the Lok Sabha. OM Shanti.”

    In another tweet, Ramesh said, “18 remarks by Rahul Gandhi in LS expunged: 1. Every question asked of PM- deleted! 2. All references to relationship between Adani & Modi before 2014- deleted! 3. Misuse of agencies & foreign trips- deleted!”

    “You can expunge, but you can’t exterminate! Jagadguru of Jhoot stands exposed,” the Congress general secretary said.

    He also tweeted the three pages of expunged remarks.

    18 remarks by @RahulGandhi in LS expunged:
    1.Every question asked of PM- deleted!
    2.All references to relationship between Adani & Modi before 2014- deleted!
    3.Misuse of agencies & foreign trips- deleted!
    You can expunge,but you can’t exterminate!Jagadguru of Jhoot stands exposed pic.twitter.com/R5NblM951Z
    — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 8, 2023
    In his remarks in Lok Sabha, Gandhi had alleged that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani’s fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 and he rose from the 609th to the second spot in the global rich list.

    WATCH: Rahul tears into the BJP government

    The Congress leader’s remarks had drawn a sharp response from the treasury benches, with Law Minister Kiren Rijiju asking him not to level “wild allegations” and to furnish proof of his claims.

    Outside Parliament, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had accused Gandhi of making baseless, shameless and reckless allegations and charged that the Congress and the Gandhi family were involved in “big scams” that “tarnished” the image of the country.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi responds to opposition’s criticism in Lok Sabha

  • ‘Election speech’, says Opposition on President Murmu’s address to Parliament

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition parties came out all guns blazing on Tuesday against President Droupadi Murmu’s customary speech to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session. While Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the President’s address, most of the Congress MPs could not attend it as they were stranded in Srinagar after the culmination event of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

    “Due to delayed flights from Srinagar over inclement weather conditions, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and many other Congress MPs will be unable to attend the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

    Calling it an election speech, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the BJP government was trying to push its election campaign through the President’s address. “The President doesn’t contest elections. But it seems like the BJP government is conducting its next election campaign through her.

    The entire speech was an election speech trying to hail the government for its achievements,” he told the media. Speaking to this daily, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem said that the speech was disappointing as it did not address burning issues such as the economic crisis, unemployment, farmers’ distress, and others.

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition parties came out all guns blazing on Tuesday against President Droupadi Murmu’s customary speech to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session. While Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the President’s address, most of the Congress MPs could not attend it as they were stranded in Srinagar after the culmination event of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

    “Due to delayed flights from Srinagar over inclement weather conditions, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and many other Congress MPs will be unable to attend the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

    Calling it an election speech, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the BJP government was trying to push its election campaign through the President’s address. “The President doesn’t contest elections. But it seems like the BJP government is conducting its next election campaign through her.

    The entire speech was an election speech trying to hail the government for its achievements,” he told the media. Speaking to this daily, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem said that the speech was disappointing as it did not address burning issues such as the economic crisis, unemployment, farmers’ distress, and others.

  • Prez speech: Oppn says key issues remain unaddressed, call it BJP manifesto for 2024

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Tuesday criticised the President’s address alleging that the speech was like the “first chapter” of the ruling BJP’s manifesto for 2024 and key issues related to price control, communal harmony and women were “missing.”

    In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the country has a government that is “stable, fearless, decisive,” working for all classes without any discrimination and giving thrust to ‘virasat’ (heritage) as well as ‘vikas’ (development).

    Murmu spoke of the government’s relentless fight against corruption, the “biggest enemy of democracy and social justice.”

    Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the “government’s statement that has come through the President” and there is nothing new in it.

    “If the government is claiming that the country has progressed so much, then why do the poor people of the country continue to suffer due to unemployment and high inflation,” he said and alleged that the schemes “renamed” by the Modi government are not reaching the poorest of the poor.

    Asked about the President talking about every Indian being confident and India emerging as a self-reliant, strong nation, touching new heights and emerging as a solution provider to the world under this government, he said, “I do not blame her, but it is Mr Modi whatever he told outside, she is saying so. If it is so, why is there so much inflation, so much unemployment, why the money value has gone down and why is there so much hike in petrol/diesel prices.”

    TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said that while it is “convention” that the President’s address is “written” by the government of India, key issues were absent in her speech.

    “As is convention, President’s Address to both Houses of #Parliament is written by GoI. Any line in speech about controlling prices, creating jobs, strengthening (fiscal) federalism, promoting communal harmony, or passing Women’s Reservation Bill? Oh and 2 miserly lines about the North East,” said Brien.

    As is convention, President’s Address to both Houses of #Parliament is written by GoI.Any line in speech about controlling prices, creating jobs, strengthening (fiscal) federalism, promoting communal harmony, passing Women‘s Reservation Bill ? Oh & 2 miserly lines about the NE
    — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) January 31, 2023
    CPI MP Binoy Viswam alleged the empowerment of women, youths, Dalits and tribals was only on paper.

    “The historic Central Hall witnessed the President’s address, maybe for the last time. Everything related to freedom struggle and Constitution are being dumped. The address seems to be the first chapter of the ruling party manifesto for 2024. Words are lovely; truths are not..!” he said on Twitter.

    “Pride of secularism is absent. Hindutva pride of RSS mould was the tone. Empowerment of women, youth, Tribes, Dalits only on paper. Environment and Subhash Bose mentioned. Nicobar is crying…,” the CPI MP said in a tweet.

    1.The historic Central Hall witnessed the President’s address, maybe for the last time. Every thing related to freedom struggle and constitution are being dumped.The address seems to be the first chapter of the ruling party manifesto for 2024.Words are lovely; truths are not..!
    — Binoy Viswam (@BinoyViswam1) January 31, 2023

    2.Pride of secularism is absent. Hindutva pride of RSS mold was the tone. Empowerment of women,youth, Tribes, Dalits only on paper. Environment and Subhash Bose mentioned.. Nicobar is crying…..
    — Binoy Viswam (@BinoyViswam1) January 31, 2023

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Tuesday criticised the President’s address alleging that the speech was like the “first chapter” of the ruling BJP’s manifesto for 2024 and key issues related to price control, communal harmony and women were “missing.”

    In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the country has a government that is “stable, fearless, decisive,” working for all classes without any discrimination and giving thrust to ‘virasat’ (heritage) as well as ‘vikas’ (development).

    Murmu spoke of the government’s relentless fight against corruption, the “biggest enemy of democracy and social justice.”

    Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the “government’s statement that has come through the President” and there is nothing new in it.

    “If the government is claiming that the country has progressed so much, then why do the poor people of the country continue to suffer due to unemployment and high inflation,” he said and alleged that the schemes “renamed” by the Modi government are not reaching the poorest of the poor.

    Asked about the President talking about every Indian being confident and India emerging as a self-reliant, strong nation, touching new heights and emerging as a solution provider to the world under this government, he said, “I do not blame her, but it is Mr Modi whatever he told outside, she is saying so. If it is so, why is there so much inflation, so much unemployment, why the money value has gone down and why is there so much hike in petrol/diesel prices.”

    TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said that while it is “convention” that the President’s address is “written” by the government of India, key issues were absent in her speech.

    “As is convention, President’s Address to both Houses of #Parliament is written by GoI. Any line in speech about controlling prices, creating jobs, strengthening (fiscal) federalism, promoting communal harmony, or passing Women’s Reservation Bill? Oh and 2 miserly lines about the North East,” said Brien.

    As is convention, President’s Address to both Houses of #Parliament is written by GoI.
    Any line in speech about controlling prices, creating jobs, strengthening (fiscal) federalism, promoting communal harmony, passing Women‘s Reservation Bill ? Oh & 2 miserly lines about the NE
    — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) January 31, 2023
    CPI MP Binoy Viswam alleged the empowerment of women, youths, Dalits and tribals was only on paper.

    “The historic Central Hall witnessed the President’s address, maybe for the last time. Everything related to freedom struggle and Constitution are being dumped. The address seems to be the first chapter of the ruling party manifesto for 2024. Words are lovely; truths are not..!” he said on Twitter.

    “Pride of secularism is absent. Hindutva pride of RSS mould was the tone. Empowerment of women, youth, Tribes, Dalits only on paper. Environment and Subhash Bose mentioned. Nicobar is crying…,” the CPI MP said in a tweet.

    1.The historic Central Hall witnessed the President’s address, maybe for the last time. Every thing related to freedom struggle and constitution are being dumped.
    The address seems to be the first chapter of the ruling party manifesto for 2024.Words are lovely; truths are not..!
    — Binoy Viswam (@BinoyViswam1) January 31, 2023

    2.Pride of secularism is absent. Hindutva pride of RSS mold was the tone. Empowerment of women,youth, Tribes, Dalits only on paper. Environment and Subhash Bose mentioned.. Nicobar is crying…..
    — Binoy Viswam (@BinoyViswam1) January 31, 2023

  • Congress Parliamentary party to meet on April 5

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary party will be chaired by the party’s interim President Sonia Gandhi on April 5 at 9.30 am in the Parliament.

    This comes as seven key Bills, including “The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill” and “The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill”, have been listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha for the last week of the ongoing Budget session. Six of the seven Bills listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha have already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

    “The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022”, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, proposes to authorise the police to take measurements of convicts and accused for the purposes of their identifications and investigations in criminal matters to preserve records.

    The second half of the Budget session commenced on March 14 and will conclude on April 8. The first half of the Budget session began on January 31 and concluded on February 11.

    Moreover, these days, the Congress party is lashing out at the Centre against the fuel price hike that is reverberating across the country. Fuel prices continue to rise with petrol and diesel rates rising by another 80 paise per litre each on Sunday, taking the total increase in rates in less than two weeks to Rs 8 per litre.

    Congress on March 11 saw a significant defeat in Punjab wherein the new entrant Aam Aadmi Party snatched power from Congress in the state. The party also failed to make a mark in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

    Keeping in view of this development and ahead of the upcoming Assembly Elections slated to be held this year in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, wherein Bharatiya Janata Party is in power, the meeting called by the Congress party hold crucial importance.

    Notably, the Congress party is in power in five of the total states. It has chief ministers, however, only in two states: Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. In the other three — Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu — the Congress is a junior partner. 

  • Made in India vaccines playing important role in making COVID-free world: President Ram Nath Kovind

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday highlighted the achievements of the Modi government’s mega COVID-19 vaccination drive, and noted that 150 crore doses were administered to the country’s citizens in a record time.

    In his address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, Kovind said the Rs 64,000 crore PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission will prepare the country for a health crisis in the future. “We have administered 150 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines in a record time,” he said.

    The President said more than 70 per cent beneficiaries of the vaccination drive have been administered the second dose. Flagging other achievements of the central government, he said that over six crore rural households are getting tap water under ‘Har Ghar Jal initiative’.

    Kovind said that India’s agriculture exports have also crossed Rs three lakh crore. He said despite the pandemic, country’s farmers produced 30 crore tonnes of food grains and 33 crore horticulture produce in 2020-21.

    The President said more than 11 crore farmer families received Rs 1.80 lakh crore through PM-KISAN and big changes have been seen in the farm sector. He said that the Government procured more than 433 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, which benefited more than 50 lakh farmers.

    The session begins ahead of the crucial assembly elections in five states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

  • Budget Session Part I: Rajya Sabha to sit in morning, Lok Sabha in evening due to Covid restrictions

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The two Houses of Parliament will meet at separate times of the day for five hours each — Rajya Sabha in the first half and Lok Sabha in the second half — to ensure Covid distancing norms during the Budget Session beginning January 31.

    Lok Sabha will meet at 11 am on February 1 for the presentation of the Union Budget and it will meet from 4 pm to 9 pm from February 2 to February 11, when the session will go on a recess.

    During sittings of the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers and their galleries will be used for seating of members in view of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a Lok Sabha bulletin said.

    While the exact timings of Rajya Sabha are yet to be formally notified, sources said the Upper House of Parliament could meet from 10 am to 3 pm.

    A final decision on timing is yet to be taken as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is infected with COVID-19 and has isolated himself in Hyderabad.

    The budget session will begin on January 31 with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

    The second part of the session will be from March 14 to April 8.

    But the timings of sittings are not yet clear for Part II of the session.

    The Monsoon Session of 2020 was the first full session held under Covid protocol with Rajya Sabha meeting in the first half of the day and Lok Sabha in the second half.

    The same process was followed for the first part of the Budget Session in 2021.

    For the second part of Budget Session and Monsoon and Winter sessions last year, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha went back to normal timings, but with members sitting in the chambers and galleries of respective Houses to ensure social distancing.

  • Budget session of Parliament from January 31 to April 8: Sources

    After a month-long recess, the part two of the session would begin from March 14 and conclude on April 8, the sources said.