Today, the Rajya Sabha continued with its discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23, while Lok Sabha saw Opposition parties walk out.
Here are the latest updates :
House adjourned till 4.00 p.m. on March 14, 2022.
Matters of urgent public importance are being discussed.
1,47,725 Anganwadi centres don't have their own buildings: Bhartruhari Mahtab
BJD member from Odisha Bhartruhari Mahtab speaks on Anganwadi services being centrally sponsored and which is implemented through state govt. "The recruitment is undertaken by the concerned state govt and there are specific guidelines. Age limit is between 18-35. Nowadays Anganwadi centres look beautiful. We feel safe there and the helpers take care of the children, they get food, but it is not so everywhere."
BJD member from Odisha Bhartruhari Mahtab speaks in Lok Sabha on Friday.
"I reviewed these in my constituency. Problem is there not because of political reason. The political leadership is there to settle the issues. Land also should be provided. In 75 districts, 1,47,725 Anganwadi centres don't have their own buildings. Let the Anganwadi centres be nearer to the govt primary school, so the fear of going to a school will go away among children," he adds.
"Today Anganwadi workers and helpers are organised. They are sitting together in thousands in numbers to protect their interests and calling the attention of the govt."
Private members' business
Resolution: Discussion on welfare measures for Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers
BJP MP from Rajasthan, Kanakmal Katara speaks about development of Anganwadi centres.
BJP MP from NCT of Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri says that PM Narendra Modi saved the nation during COVID-19 situation by appreciating doctors in this country. He says that the infrastructure for the betterment of most backward districts in many states was enhanced. "Women in such states were educated about the availability of medical needs during emergencies. Counselling also was done by Anganwadi workers regarding the their children's education."
He says that India has become polio-free due to Anganwadi workers only. "Anganwadi workers should get more incentives, since they educate women and/or help their newborns and children keep up good health, get educated. The children are the future, and India's future is being shaped by Anganwadi workers."
"When nurses show up in front of a patient with their uniforms, any patient feels better and it creates a confidence among patients to get treatment. Similarly, Anganwadi workers should also be given a dress code so they are seen with respect."
Members discuss on points arising out of the answer given by the Minister of Rural development on Feb 08, 2022 to starred question regarding beneficiaries under PMAY-G.
Talking about natural disasters, INC MP from Assam Gaurav Gogoi talks about houses that are designed with a raised platform. "But those houses aren't stable in the long run and when government's bulldozers come to those affected areas, minorities are the first one to get affected, and they are forced to move away. In case there are sudden disasters, many houses are damaged. Can we bring some amendments in Pradhan Mantri Awaz Yojana?, he asks."
INC MP from Assam Gaurav Gogoi speaks in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Matters of urgent public importance are being taken up.
Congress, Trinamool Congress, National Conference walk out over Adityanath's remarks
Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC and National Conference, staged a walkout from Lok Sabha protesting against the remarks of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who had said that the state can become Kashmir, Kerala or West Bengal if BJP is not voted back to power.
As the House met for the day, Opposition members from various parties rose from their seats and reached near the well protesting against Mr. Adityanath's remarks .
MPs from Kerala Congress had moved an adjournment motion over the remarks.
Speaker Om Birla said the matter would be taken up after the Question Hour ends and asked the protesting members to go back to their respective seats.
Soon after, the members from TMC, Congress, Kerala Congress, National Conference, DMK and SP walked out of the House.
No shortage of fertilisers; no hike of urea price since Modi govt came: Mandaviya
There is no shortage of fertilisers in the country and the price of urea has not been hiked ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
He also said the government has been giving the subsidy of ₹ 1,650 in every bag of urea sold in the country.
"There is no shortage of fertilisers in the country. However, in between the season, some states highlighted the shortfall of DAP (diammonium phosphate) fertiliser, particularly in a few districts.
"Accordingly, based on requests of state governments, DAP rakes were moved to meet the requirement. However, the overall availability of DAP and other fertilisers in the country, including Tamil Nadu, is comfortable during the ongoing Rabi season 2021-22," he said during the Question Hour.
Mr. Mandaviya said the urea price has not been hiked in the past seven years so that the farmers do not get any hardship.
"We have not hiked the urea price in the past seven years despite there a hike in international price," he said.
The minister said various steps have been taken by the government to ensure the comfortable and timely availability of all fertilisers in the country. - PTI
40 lakh cancer cases, 22.54 lakh deaths reported in India in 3 years: Govt
More than 40 lakh cancer cases were reported and 22.54 lakh people died of the disease in the country between 2018 and 2020, the government informed Lok Sabha on Friday.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that 13,92,179 cancer cases were reported in 2020; 13,58,415 in 2019; and 13,25,232 cases in 2018.
As many as 7,70,230 people lost their lives due to cancer in 2020; 7,51,517 in 2019; and 7,33,139 people in 2018, he said in reply to a written question.
The minister said cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors of which include ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, alcohol, unhealthy diet and air pollution.
He said that screening of common cancers is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWC).
Mr. Mandaviya said the preventive aspect of cancer is strengthened by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.
There is focus on oncology in its various aspects in case of 22 new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY), he said.
The minister said the treatment of cancer is also available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
"India has more than 8500 Jan Aushadh stores. Medicines for cancer are available at affordable rates in Jan Aushadhi stores. There is a trade margin to cap the cost of medicines for cancer," Mr. Mandaviya says.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya speaks in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Financial assistance is provided to patients belonging to families living below poverty line, suffering from major life-threatening diseases including cancer under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and Health Minister's Discretionary Grant (HMDG), he said.
The minister said the financial assistance up to a maximum of ₹ 1,25,000 is provided under HMDG to defray a part of the treatment cost and the maximum financial assistance provided under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi is ₹ 15 lakh.
Mr. Mandaviya said he has a fund of ₹ 20 lakh under HMDG in a year but he has not given any money yet.
Speaker Om Birla then said that the MPs came to know about HMDG only now and there is a suggestion from them that the minister should more frequently utilise it. - PTI
Indian Army recruitment
"There are 11 zones for Army recruitment in this country. 48 regimental centres, 2 Gorkha regiment offices and 1 independent recruitment office in Delhi are there," Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju says.
He adds, "For Army recruitment, 47 rallies were conducted. But due to COVID-19 situation, recruitment process was stopped. Once the pandemic situation improves, the medical tests, physical tests, written tests will be conducted."
India consistently called upon Sri Lanka to fulfil commitments to protect interests of Tamils
India has consistently called upon Sri Lanka at all levels to fulfil its commitments on addressing the issues related to protecting the interests of Tamils living in that country, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
He also said that India's relations with Sri Lanka are on its own footing and independent and don't affect the neighbouring country's relations with any third country.
"We have taken note of China's participation in some development projects in Sri Lanka. But India's relations with Sri Lanka are on its own footing and independent and don't affect that country's relations with a third country,” he said during Question Hour.
Mr. Muraleedharan said ever since the Narendra Modi government assumed office in 2014, India's foreign policy has secured more reflection and attention.
"Our policy of 'neighbourhood first' led to enhanced bilateral relations with all our neighbours,” he said, adding India closely monitors all activities in its neighbourhood and takes care of its own interests.
Referring to Sri Lanka, the minister said India's support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is longstanding, as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony. He said the government of India has consistently called upon Sri Lanka during bilateral discussions at all levels to fulfil its commitments on addressing the issues related to protecting the interest of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
This was reiterated during the visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to India in November 2019 and February 2020, respectively, he said.
Mr. Muraleedharan said during the India-Sri Lanka Virtual Bilateral Summit on September 26, 2020 between the two Prime Ministers as also External Affairs Minister's visit to Colombo in January 2021, the issue was discussed.
The issue was also discussed during the visit of Foreign Secretary to Sri Lanka in October 2021.
India continues to remain engaged with Sri Lanka at all levels in its efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka, he said.
The minister said that at the 46th Session of the UNHRC, India stressed its abiding commitment to aspirations of the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity.
It was reiterated that respecting the rights of the Tamil community, including through meaningful devolution, contributes to the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.
Therefore, India believes that delivering on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community is in the best interests of Sri Lanka, he said.
Mr. Muraleedharan said India has undertaken a number of projects for the rehabilitation of the war-affected and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
Besides assisting the affected people during the conflict, the government launched extensive humanitarian relief efforts after the end of the conflict.
He said India's total development portfolio in Sri Lanka is nearly $ 4 billion, out of which the grant component is $ 570 million.
India's flagship housing project, with an overall commitment of over ₹ 1,372 crore in grants to construct 50,000 housing units, is a major initiative taken with the aim of rehabilitation of the affected population, he said.
Mr. Muraleedharan said the project includes 46,000 housing units for IDPs in the Northern and Eastern provinces and 4,000 housing units in Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka. - PTI
Situation in Afghanistan 'natural concern' for neighbouring countries: Govt tells LS
The situation in Afghanistan is of natural concern for neighbouring countries like India and in broad terms the central Asian countries share same concerns and similar objectives, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said on Friday.
India in January hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format which was attended by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.
To a question in Lok Sabha by TMC member Saugata Roy over the broad consensus on Afghanistan at the Central Asia Summit, Mr. Muraleedharan said, "The issue of Afghanistan was discussed during the summit and the situation in Afghanistan is of natural concern for neighbouring countries like India and central Asian countries and I would say that in broad terms we share same concerns and similar objectives." India and the five Central Asian countries also decided to establish a joint working group on Afghanistan, the minister said.
"The Delhi declaration which was issued after the summit it reflects the broad consensus on Afghanistan including humanitarian assistance, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, preserving the rights of women and children and minorities," he added.
It was decided that leaders of India and Central Asian countries would hold a summit-level meeting every two years and the next summit was expected in 2024. - PTI
Tharoor demands release of journalists arrested in Kashmir, UP
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday urged the Union Home Minister to facilitate immediate and unconditional release of journalists Fahad Shah, Sajad Gul and Siddique Kappan who have been arrested on various charges.
Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, Mr. Tharoor said Shah and Gul have been arrested on charges of sedition and under the Public Safety Act respectively in Jammu and Kashmir, while Kappan has been in "prolonged detention" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Uttar Pradesh.
"Journalists in Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh or anywhere in the country deserve to do their job safely and without fear of arrest," Mr. Tharoor said.
He urged the home minister to facilitate the immediate and unconditional release of Fahad Shah, Sajad Gul and Siddique Kappan in the interest of preserving the freedom of press in the country.
National Conference member Hasnain Masoodi also associated himself with the issue raised by Mr. Tharoor.
Mr. Masoodi also voiced concern over the disparities in disability pension and honorarium given to home guards in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country despite the reading down of Articles 370 and 35A.
He said disability pension in Jammu and Kashmir was one fifth of what was being given in the rest of the country and demanded that it be raised to a minimum of ₹ 5,000 per month.
Mr. Masoodi said home guards in J&K were getting an honorarium of ₹ 2,700 per month which was a fraction of ₹ 22,000 per month given in other parts of the country and sought parity in this regard.
BJP member Rajendra Agarwal demanded a single-window system for granting of no objection certificates (NoC) related to pollution control to handloom units in Meerut.
He said seven NoCs were required to be obtained by handloom units from different authorities ever since Meerut became a part of the national capital region.
BSP member Ritesh Pandey demanded reduction in GST on thread used by weavers in his Ambedkar Nagar constituency.
Congress member Gaurav Gogoi demanded scrapping of the north-east industrial investment policy implemented by the Modi government, contending that it was not helping development in the region.
Mr. Gogoi demanded reinstatement of the policy implemented by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the UPA years.
RLP member Hanuman Beniwal demanded enhancement in the compensation given to the kin of those who died due to COVID-19. - PTI
Pollution response teams set up by ICG deal with oil spill along coastline, says Sonowal
Pollution response teams have been set up by the lndian Coast Guard (lCG) to deal with any potential marine oil spill incident along the entire coastline of lndia, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday.
Mr. Sonowal also said in Lok Sabha that offshore patrol vessels, fast patrol vessels and interceptor boats are always available for recovery of oil on the sea surface during any oil spill incident along the entire coastline.
"Pollution response teams have been established by the lndian Coast Guard at Mumbai, Chennai, Port Blair and Vadinar (Gujarat) to deal with any potential marine oil spill incident along the entire coastline of lndia," he said during Question Hour.
The minister for ports, shipping and waterways said the response teams hold pollution response equipment such as different types of booms, skimmers, barges, dracones etc., to respond to any pollution response incident in their area of responsibility and also for subsequent recovery of spilled oil.
They also impart pollution response training to personnel of lCG, ports of oil handling agencies and coastal states and union territories he said.
Mr. Sonowal said the ICG has commissioned three dedicated pollution response vessels to deal with any potential marine oil spill incident along the entire coastline.
These vessels are equipped with recovery equipment like booms, skimmers etc, he said. - PTI
BJP LS member demands law to enforce two-child norm
BJP Lok Sabha member Uday Pratap Singh on Friday demanded enactment of a law to implement the two-child norm to reign in the growing population in the country.
"The country doesn't have the capacity to support 135 crore people. In the future, the population is projected to reach 160 crore which will be a strain on national resources," Mr. Singh said raising the issue during Zero Hour.
Mr. Singh, who represents Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh, demanded enactment of a population control law to implement a two-child norm in the country.
BJP member Nishikant Dubey urged the government to deny reservation rights to scheduled tribes if they convert to religions other than Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
"Under Article 341 for SCs it is clearly mentioned that if they convert to any other religion, their status as SC will cease to exist," he said.
Mr. Dubey, a member from Godda in Jharkhand, said a similar provision should be brought in under Article 342 meant for Scheduled Tribes to discourage them from converting to religions such as Christianity and Islam.
BSP member Danish Ali demanded that the government set in motion the process to appoint a new Vice Chancellor to the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) as the tenure of the incumbent is set to end in the next three months.
Mr. Ali, a member from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, said the court of the AMU of which he is a member had several vacancies which required to be filled to enable the process of selection of the vice chancellor. PTI
Lok Sabha takes up Question Hour as proceedings begin.
To begin National Ayush Mission, Centre and State work together, says Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonowal.
Lok Sabha member demands quota for Banjara community
Congress member Suresh Dhanorkar on Friday demanded inclusion of Banjara language into the eighth schedule of the Constitution and grant of reservation to the community under a special category.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Mr. Dhanorkar also demanded unveiling of a portrait of Lakhisha Banjara, a prominent trader in British India who donated large tracts of land to the then government to construct the Parliament Building.
Mr. Dhanorkar, who represents Chandrapur parliamentary seat, demanded that Parliament Street in the national capital be renamed as Lakhisha Banjara Street in his honour.
BSP member Shyam Singh Yadav from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh demanded establishment of an Ahir Regiment in the Army on the lines of other caste-based regiments such as Mahar and Dogra regiments.
Independent member Navneet Rana demanded that members of several communities, who had sought refuge in India from Pakistan before Independence, be granted citizenship.
She said several communities, particularly the Sindhi community in parts of Maharashtra, were facing difficulties due to lack of citizenship.
Mr. Rana, the Lok Sabha member from Amravati in Maharashtra, said the Sindhi community was industrious and has earned a name for themselves as efficient businesspersons but were unable to own property or businesses for lack of citizenship.
Mr. Rana demanded that the Sindhi community members be granted citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act passed in 2019.
K. Suresh, member from Mavelikkara in Kerala, demanded setting up of a Kuttunad Authority to address the issue of frequent flooding in Kuttunad taluka in his constituency.
Bhagirath Chowdhury, who represents Ajmer, demanded setting up of fire brigade facilities at panchayat samiti level in Rajasthan to provide timely help to villagers to deal with incidents of fire.
He contended that the delay in arrival of fire brigade from urban areas to villages was leading to mounting losses as fire could not be extinguished in a timely manner.
Dean Kuriakose, member from Idukki in Kerala, demanded extension of MGNREGA to the dairy farming sector to ensure availability of quality fodder for cattle.
Benny Behanan, member from Chalakudy in Kerala, said the state had the least developed railway network and demanded Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains for the coastal state.
V.K. Sreekandan, member from Palakkad in Kerala, demanded setting up of AIIMS in his constituency with cancer treatment facility. - PTI
Rajya Sabha adjourned
With the first part of the Budget Session over, the Rajya Sabha stands adjourned for the day. The proceedings will resume at 10.00 a.m. on March 14, 2022
Compliment all members for smooth functioning of House
The Deputy Chairman informs the House of how the session was conducted. "The House has not witnessed any forced adjournments during the first part of the Budget Session," he says.
"I compliment all sections of the august House...and hope that we continue to be guided with the same spirit in the future," the Deputy Chairman says.
Special Mentions underway
Special Mentions being taken up in the House
Nirmala Sitharaman concludes her speech at the request of Deputy Chairman
'Rahu Kaal it is where the Congress party is, Ours is Amrit Kaal'
Finally, sir, a member who is not here now had mentioned - I hope I heard him right - He said he does not see Amrit Kaal, but instead has been seeing Rahu kaal since 2014
Sir, I wasn't sure if I heard him right if he said Rahu Kaal. Rahu Kaal is when a sitting PM was about to meet the US President and a bill he cleared was torn up.
Rahu Kaal is what produces what is called G23, it is where the Congress party is. Ours is Amrit Kaal. Rahu Kaal was thrown at me.
Sir, senior leaders from the party are leaving their own party and getting out. That is Rahu Kaal.
No wonder the Congress Party which is facing the Rahul Kaal is getting 44 seats and remaining there and is not able to go out.
Where Rahu Kaal is where the Congress leaders are saying Main Ladki hoon, Lad bhi Sakti hoon, but in Rajasthan they can't fight where such incidents are happening everyday. That is Rahu Kaal.- Vikas Dhoot
India's payoff for moderation was one of the strongest recoveries in emerging markets.
Countries which spent big money while we prioritised on Jaan bhi and Jahaan Bhi, I just want to bring this up - advanced economies relied almost entirely on demand push through direct handouts. Their outcome today is highly inflationary.
Economist Ruchir Sharma made this observation in October 2021 - Pandemic stimulus backfired. India can be thankful it didn't go in for aggressive stimulus spending.
India's payoff for moderation was one of the strongest recoveries in emerging markets.- Vikas Dhoot
A former economic advisor has said that Bangladesh will be growing faster than India.
Our economy is ten times bigger than Bangladesh, so if Bangladesh grew at 10% and we grew just at 1%, the absolute number in terms of growth will be the same.
To say Bangladesh is growing at 5.5% and we are growing at 4.1% is not a completely correct picture.- Vikas Dhoot
"Rural India's Internet connectivity growing"
India's rural internet user base is growing 3 times faster and is quickly catching up to surpass the urban user numbers, as per an Internet and Mobile Association report.
Data consumption through Bharatnet optical fibre surpassed 13,000 terrabytes in June 2021.
According to the TRAI, in a report of August 2021, the total number of internet subscribers increased to 82.5 crore in March 2021.
In the Budget, I have announced that the contracts for laying optical fibre connections in rural and remote areas will be awarded this year and will be completed by 2025.- Vikas Dhoot
"Rural India's Internet connectivity is also growing, she informs the House
"Was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who was from this House, also disconnected from ground reality?"
This is also very much what came up during the Budget discussion. There was this indication by a respected member who is not here now - Finance Minister is not elected so she does not know the ground realities and her party should send her to contest an election.
To think that a member of this House will suggest this - haven't they in their time, also had members from the Rajya Sabha. Was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who was from this House, also disconnected from ground reality?- Vikas Dhoot
"10 years being guided from a Prime Minister from this august House, I don't expect a member to suggest that to me," she says.
Finance Minister's response continues
For 2022-23, the allocation is Rs 1 lakh crore to assist the States in capitalising overall investments in the economy for 50 years without any interest burden.
Keeping in mind States and their difficulties, in November 2021, we ensured an advance installment of devolution is given to them to double their cash in hand. Similarly, in January also, we again gave them double the monthly installment so that they can spend faster. We are being a bit more sensitive and frontloading their payments so that they don't suffer.
A member said our policies are remote controlled from somewhere, including Nagpur, this comes from a party where there is no party democracy and the policy was decided in 10 Janpath and announced in 7, LKM (Lok Kalyan Marg)
aAnd one cannot forget that one general secretary tore a Bill in public. The respected Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was going to meet the US president after two hours. Is that remote control or what is that?- Vikas Dhoot
On Crypto currency, I just want to say the act of taxing the crypto currencies, many asked if we are legalising it – we have taxed the profit emanating from the transactions. I am not doing anything to legalise it or ban it ore regulate it.
But then would you rather have me not to tax them and then tell me that i didn't take corrective action.
Legitimate or illegitimate is a different question, but i will tax as that is our sovereign right.- Vikas Dhoot
'You started privatisation in 1991'
I want to ask the Congress party? Do you want privatisation or not? You started it in 1991, Ms. Sitharaman says citing the Malhotra Committee.
What explains over 1 lakh crore disinvestment under UPA?, she questions- Vijaita Singh
"Disinvestment is a complex process," she adds.
"Highest inflation this country endured was from 2010-2014"
Comparing inflation figures from the U.S., Germany, and U.K. Ms. Sitharaman informs the House that "inflation management is an important job for finance ministries across the world," adding that WPI inflation is no longer the benchmark metric for measuring inflation. So CPI is what we look at, which RBI also looks at.
Since 2014, PM Modi has ensured that we keep our inflation contained...and it is every time brought back to being within 6%. "Our management is robust," she says.
"Highest inflation this country endured was from 2010-2014 when retail inflation was more than 9% in 22 out of the 28 months."
Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in the Rajya Sabha on February 11, 2022. Photo: Screengrab via Sansad TV
On MSMEs
Shifting her focus to the MSME sector, Ms. Sitharaman lists out the various monetary schemes and allocations being given to the sector in light of the pandemic .
"It was mentioned that 67% of MSMEs were shut," she says, but they failed to mention that the 67% of MSMEs were temporarily shut. "Obviously if the lockdown is there, won't they be shut," she says adding that they are currently afloat using credit guarantee scheme.
Union Finance Minister responds to statements regarding funds to Health Sector, and subsidies to Fertiliser. "We have ensured that burden doesn't shift to the farmer," she says.
On doubling of farmer's income, she says highlighting the increase of 6.6 times in expenditure of Department of Agriculture from 2013-14.
Shaktisinh Gohil of Congress raises the issue of unparliamentary language being used to the Deputy Chairman
"MGNREGA was infested with ghost accounts"
Responding to discussions on MGNREGA, Ms. Sitharaman says, It was an act because of them, but I would like to say that MGNREGA's misuse was also because of them. This elicits an uproar from the opposition.
"MGNREGA was infested with ghost accounts, its misuse was also to their credit" (pointing to the Opposition)
It is a demand driven program, meant to provide employment during lean season of agriculture, she says. - Vijaita Singh
It is one thing to create a scheme, it is one thing to misuse a scheme, whereas what we are doing now create and use it properly and transparently, she says.
There was a question on increase in allocation of Urban Affairs, claiming that that increase is purely for Central Vista, Ms. Sitharaman says, adding that, the increase in Housing ministry budget is not for Central Vista but for PM Aawas Yojana-Urban- Vijaita Singh
On employment
She addresses the House of unemployment. "One big number that people picked it up...60 lakhs...what got missed out in that is PLI," she says.
PLI which is now being given for 14 sectors, for the PLI driven sector we kept the number at 60 lakh job creation, Ms. Sitharaman says in response to discussion on Union Budget.
Over 7 lakh crores being spent on infrastructure, this will also create jobs, she adds.- Vijaita Singh
Sources of calculation different so you will get different numbers in economic survey and Union Budget
There was a small discussion on the figures being given by Economic Survey being different than those in the Budget speech, she says.
I just want to highlight Economic Survey draws its source from one particular set of data, the government looks at advance estimate which comes just before the budget. The advance estimate which could not have factored in Omicron, have been added, so there is some variance in numbers, Ms. Sitharaman adds.
Sources of calculation different so you will get different numbers in economic survey and Union Budget- Vijaita Singh
"We will end up like 65 years of Congress"
If we don’t have a vision for the next 25 years, we will end up like 65 years of Congress, when everything was built for a particular family, says Ms. Sitharaman- Vijaita Singh
Every other country suffered, but India suffered a lot, she says. Ms. Sitharaman lists the incidents of when the economy of country contracted throughout history. She specifically highlights the period of 2008-09. However, this (pandemic) crisis is a big one, and the loss to the GDP is much higher, she adds.
"Our management of the inflation is that it is only 6.2%," she says adding that "Lesser crises you couldn't handle inflation, you took it to 9.1%"
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replies to discussion on Union Budget
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responds to the discussion on Union Budget 2022-23
"We went in for a budget that stands for continuity," she says, adding that it is a vision for "India at 100"
Stable and sustainable recovery was one of the motives for this budget, she says. - Vijaita Singh
Ms. Sitharaman highlights the importance of emphasising digital technology in governance in the budget, which she says would aid in transparency in governance beyond easing the process for common man. She cites KISAN drone as an example.
"Startups are being encouraged," she says adding the the budget therefore announces A high level committee for more resources in India to fund startup’s- Vijaita Singh
"Forward looking Budget"
K.C. Ramamurthy (BJP) continues the discussion, calling the Budget "forward looking."
Narendra Modi's vision is to resurrect pro-people economic policy, beyond the Left and Right dichotomy, he says.
He says that by moving up the budget presentation to February 1, Mr. Modi ended the colonial hangover.
He brings up the issue of crypto being unregulated entity. "Hence I compliment Finance Minister for starting to regulate crypto assets," he says asking the government to further regulate "misleading advertisements" on cryptocurrency.
General Discussion on Budget 2022-23 starts
Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar (TDP) begins the discussion on Union Budget 2022-23. "The future of the people of the State (AP) is gloomy," he says demanding an enquiry into borrowings and mismanagement of finances by the YSRCP government in the State of Andhra Pradesh. He asks for the intervention of the Centre.
Notice disallowed
Deputy Chairman Harivansh says Rajya Sabha Chairman has disallowed a notice for suspension of business moved by Member John Brittas (CPI-M) against U.P CM Yogi Adityanath for his alleged statements against federalism and secularism.- Vijaita Singh
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Paper being laid on the table
L. Murugan makes a statement regarding Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Twenty-seventh Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture on Demands for Grants (2021-22)
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10.00 a.m.)
1. Papers to be laid on the table
2. Statements by Ministers
3. Further Discussion on Union Budget 2022-23
4. Question Hour
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4.00 p.m.)
1. Question Hour
2. Papers to be laid on the table
3. Zero Hour
4. Private Members' Business
5. Discussion on points arising out of the answer given by the Minister of Rural Development on February 8, 2022 regarding 'Beneficiaries under PMAY-G'
Day 9 recap
General discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23 continued in both the Houses . In the Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman, gave a reply speech to the statements made by members during the discussion.
