Parliament Budget Session live: 'Despite two big wars and coronavirus my govt kept inflation under control'

CHENNAI: President Droupadi Murmu is set to address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament today. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim Budget on February 1.

The last session before Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year is to provide a total of eight sittings spread over a period of 10 days

The Central government on Tuesday held a meeting under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with floor leaders of political parties ahead of the Interim Budget Session of the Parliament.

The Union Minister also informed that the session will mainly be devoted to the Financial Business relating to Interim Union Budget for the year 2024-25 and discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, however essential Legislative and other Business will also be taken up during this session.

In addition to this, he also informed that Supplementary Demands for Grants for the Year 2023-24 in respect of the Union Government will be discussed and voted.

Further, he stated that presentation and discussion on Interim Budget of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for 2024-25 along with Supplementary Demands for Grants of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the financial year 2023-24 will also be taken up and voted.

PM addresses reporters outside Parliament before Budget Session begins for day

Wish everyone Ram Ram: PM Modi addresses reporters ahead of Budget Session

"Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed during the first session of this new Parliament. On January 26, the country witnessed women power and valour at Kartavya Path. President Droupadi Murmu's guidance later today and presentation of interim Budget tomorrow by Nirmala Sitharaman is like a festival of women empowerment," says PM Narendra Modi in his remarks at beginning of the Budget Session of Parliament.

"Those who have a habit of being involved in ruckus and degrading the Constitutional values, all those honourable MPs must introspect in this last session (of this term)," says PM Narendra Modi in his remarks.

Budget Expectations: "This is a small session, but very important as an interim budget will be introduced. And discussion will be done on how our (BJP) government will function in the next three to four months. Nirmala Sitharaman will present the (interim) budget and we (Parliamentarians) will have a discussion on it," says BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi

When asked about ED action against opposition leaders, she said, "I want to make it very clear that whether its ED (Enforcement Directorate) or CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), all of them are independent agencies. All of us should respect and cooperate with the working process of these autonomous agencies."

"This is a routine practice, the President's address will happen. Nothing new in it and it is a part of the Parliamentary procedure. We are not expecting anything positive from this government," says CPI MP P Santhosh Kumar when asked about expectations from Union Budget 2024.

President Draupadi Murmu leaves for Parliament in '40 years old Buggy'

President Droupadi Murmu arrives at the Parliament, to address the joint sitting of both Houses at the beginning of the interim Budget session

On the first day of Budget Session 2024, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma says, "Not being an economist himself, the magic PM Modi has cast on India's economy in the last 10 years, has strengthened India in the world. IMF has predicted India's economic growth rate crossing 6.5%, while the RBI has predicted more than 7.1%. IMF has also said that the economic growth of China and the US will remain under 3%. I feel proud that India is way ahead of developed countries... "

President Droupadi Murmu arrives at the Parliament for her address to the joint session of both Houses. Sengol carried and installed in her presence.

President Droupadi Murmu addresses Parliament Budget Session

Budget Expectations: "We expect some relief from inflation, and more employment opportunities which was a promise that was made to the people. Farmers, women, and youth, are all suffering in some way or the other. The budget should be made focusing on the entire 1.3 billion population, not some capitalists," says Shiv Sena (UBT faction) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi

"This is my first address in the new Parliament building. This new (Parliament) building has been constructed during the beginning of the 'Amrit Kaal' and it has the essence of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'," says President Droupadi Murmu addressing Parliament Budget Session.

"I am confident that we will have a positive discussion in this new (Parliament) building," says Murmu

Prez Murmu praises UCC (Uniform Civil Code) and Chandrayaan-3 mission in her first address in the Parliament Building

"I hail the members for the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women's reservation bill)," says President Droupadi Murmu addressing Parliament Budget Session.

President Murmu enlists the achievements of the government

"The last year was full of accomplishments for India. There were many successes - India became the fastest-growing economy. India became the first nation to reach the south pole of the Moon. The successful G20 Summit hosted by India strengthened the role of India in the world. India won more than 100 medals in Asian Games. India also got the Atal Tunnel."

Murmu says, "In last 10 years, India has seen completion of many such works in national interest for which people were waiting for decades". We heard the slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao' since our childhood. Today, for the first time in our lives, we see poverty being alleviated on a large scale."

"(People were) hopeful of construction of Ram Mandir (Ayodhya) for centuries and that dream has been fulfilled now. (People also) wanted the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir. Now, Article 370 is also history," says President .

 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' have become our strengths, says Murmu.

The President also lauds defence production crossing the Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

President Droupadi Murmu says, "My Government believes that the grand edifice of a developed India will stand on four strong pillars – youth power, women power, farmers and the poor."

President Droupadi Murmu says, "In the past years, the world witnessed two major wars and faced a pandemic like Corona. Despite such global crises, my government kept inflation under control in the country and did not let the burden on common Indians increase..."

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President Murmu says, "The government is building modern infra on our borders. Our Forces giving befitting reply to terrorism and expansionism. The meaningful results of my government's efforts for internal peace are in front of us. There is an atmosphere of security and safety in Jammu & Kashmir. There has been a huge drop in incidents of naxal violence."

"...My Government has also taken care of those who were far away from development, so far. In the last 10 years, electricity and road connectivity reached for the first time in thousands of tribal villages. Lakhs of tribal families have started getting clean water through pipelines only now. Under a special drive, my government is taking 4G internet connectivity to thousands of tribal-dominated villages...In tribal families, several generations have suffered from sickle cell anaemia. For the first time, a national mission has been started for this. Around 1.40 crore have had checkups under this, so far."

Parliament Budget Session: "In 2014-15, nearly 2000 EVs were sold (in the country). However, by December 2023, nearly 15 lakhs have been sold. In the last 10 years, my government has made good governance and transparency the basis of every system. This is the reason why we have seen several economic developments."

President Murmu speaks on the potential of India's growing tourism sector

"Tourism is a sector that provides employment opportunities to the youth. A record number of tourists are reaching the northeast region. There is excitement among people about the Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep....Around 13 lakh devotees have taken darshan at Ayodhya Dham after 'Pran Pratishtha'

'My Government believes that the grand edifice of a developed India will stand on four strong pillars – youth power, women power, farmers and the poor'

Murmu says, "My Government is working towards making India, a major space power of the world. This is a mode to make human life better. This is also an effort to increase India's share in the space economy. Important decisions have been taken for the expansion of India's space program. Several new space startups have been formed. The day is not far when India's Gaganyaan will go into the space."

President Murmu ends her speech and leaves from the Parliament.