The Budget session kick-started on Monday with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing a joint session of Parliament. This is Mr. Kovind's maiden address in a Parliament session.
The first leg of the session will be between January 29 and February 9, during which the government will present the Union Budget on February 1.
Following a recess after February 9, Parliament will meet again from March 5 to April 6.
Live updates:
Lok Sabha proceedings begin with the playing of the National Anthem.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is in the Chair.
The President's Address is laid on the table.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lays ontable the Economic Survey 2018.
House is adjourned. To meet on February 1.
A sustained debate is required on the subject of simultaneous elections and all political parties need to arrive at a consensus on this issue, says Mr. Kovind.
''In 2022, when the country celebrates 75th year of Independence, we should not only fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters and founding fathers but also strengthen the dream of New India. This dream is not of one political party or organisation. This is the dream of every Indian.''
The President ends the speech with ''Jai Hind.''
Ease of Doing Business
For the first time, the Goods and Services Tax has been launched and in order to take the benefit of reduction in the prices of goods to people, the National Anti-Profiteering Authority has been launched, Mr. Kovind notes.
To bring transparency in government procurement and to provide opportunity to maximum number of entrepreneurs, a new system - Government E-market place has been created by the name of GeM, he says, adding that with the help of GeM portal, even the smallest of entrepreneurs are now capable of selling their products to Government. Because of these efforts, the country has jumped to 100th place in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business.
Armed forces
While the armed forces are giving reply to militancy and cross border terror, the government is open to restore youths who are giving up militancy, the President says.
Service to humanity is an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. Because of these values, India has always remained the First Responder in times of crises, such as the earthquake in Nepal, flood calamity in Sri Lanka and drinking water crisis in Maldives, he says.
We have brought back 90,000 Indians stranded in many parts of the world, he says.
Electricity generation
For the first time India has become net exporter of electricity. The 'one nation one grid' has helped states avail power at cheaper rates, the President says.
Around 50 crore LED bulbs have been distributed through the Ujala scheme, he says adding that Rs. 40,000 crore have been saved though the scheme.
After Independence while only 76 Airports were connected to Commercial flights, under 'Udaan' 56 Airports and 31 Helipads are being connected to commercial flights within 15 months only, the President says.
Minimum wages
My Government has increased the minimum wage of workers by more than 40 per cent. The number of registers for compliance of Labour laws has also been reduced from 56 to 5. All returns are now filed online on the Shram Suvidha Portal, President Kovind says.
Kumbh Mela was included in the list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. Last year, UNESCO accorded Ahmedabad the status of India’s first ‘Heritage City’. Chennai, on account of its glorious tradition of music, has been included in the list of Creative Cities by UNESCO, he says.
The President also mentions the landmark events of ISRO.
‘BHIM App’ is playing a major role in promoting digital transactions. The recently launched ‘Umang App’ has made more than 100 public services available on mobile phones, the President says.
‘Aadhaar’ has helped in securing the rights of the poor by eliminating middlemen. At present, digital payments are being carried out in more than 400 schemes of the Government, he says.
Education
Education provides the foundation for building the future of the Nation. My Government is committed to strengthening and modernising School and Higher Education system in the country, the President says.
ur nation is the youngest nation. My govt started Start Up India, Stand Up India, Skill India and Pradhanmantri Mudra Yojana to help the youth of the country to realise their dreams & make them self employed, he says.
My Government has approved over 2400 ‘Atal Tinkering Labs’ under ‘Atal Innovation Mission’, in order to inculcate a spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity in children at an early age: President Kovind
Healthcare
My government brought two unique schemes keeping in mind of the middle class and the poor — the health insurance scheme and Jan Aushadhi scheme, the President says.
My government has reduced the prices of stents by up to 80 per cent. The prices of implants have also been slashed, he says.
The number of seats for under-graduate and post-graduate medical courses have also been increased, he says.
Bamboo not tree anymore
Lives of lakhs of people in tribal areas especially in the North East region are dependent on bamboo industry. Inclusion of bamboo in the category of tree had adversely affected livelihoods associated with it, the President says adding that bamboo has been excluded from the category of tree to provide the freedom to cut, transport and use bamboo.
Committed to “Empowerment and not Appeasement”, my Government is making intensive efforts for economic, social and educational empowerment of the minorities, Mr. Kovind says.
Connectivity
About 2 lakh 70 thousand Common Service Centres have been set up that provide digital services at low cost, even in the remotest areas of the country, the President says.
To ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of society, my Government is actively pursuing the work of connecting all villages under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’. As compared to 2014 when only 56 per cent of the villages had road connectivity, now more than 82 per cent villages mostly in far flung and inaccessible areas have been connected by roads. Our target is to provide road connectivity to every village by 2019, he says.
Under ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, farmers are being provided affordable and simple crop insurance services. During 2017, under rabi and kharif crops, 5 crore 71 lakh farmers were provided protective coverage under this scheme, Mr. Kovind says.
My government has introduced insurance schemes for poor at a premium of 1 rupee per month and 90 paise per day. Over 18 crore poor have been covered under the ‘PM Suraksha Bima Yojana’ and ‘PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana’ and about Rs. 2 thousand crore has been paid out as claims, he says.
Farmers welfare
The highest priority of my Government is to remove various difficulties faced by farmers and to raise their standard of living. The schemes of my Government are not only removing their hardships but also reducing the expenditure incurred by them on farming, he says.
To enhance the income of farmers, an ambitious scheme has been introduced in the Dairy sector under which a ‘Dairy Processing Infrastructure Development Fund’ with a corpus of Rs. 11,000 crore is being set up, the President says.
The President now speaks on financial inclusion. He narrates how more poor people were able to open account through the Jan Dhan Yojana. This has benefitted the poor and women, he says.
As a result of Government’s policies and the hardwork of farmers, a record production of more than 275 million tonnes of food grain and about 300 million tonnes of horticultural produce has been achieved in the country, the President says.
The President begins delivers his speech.
Just like Pongal, Makar Sankaranti, Bihu and Basant Panchami, Republic Day is also a festival for us, he says. This year's Republic Day saw leaders of ASEAN nations participating in it. He likens it to "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam."
Invoking B.R. Amdekar, the President says constructing toilets are also part of social equality. He wishes by next year the country achieves total sanitation and becomes open-defacation free.
The President also lauds the Ujjwala scheme that provides free LPG connection for free women.
I hope the triple talaq Bill is passed in the House, he says.
My government has increased the maternity leave of the lactating mothers, the President says.
President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at Parliament Hall.
The President arrives at Parliament Hall in his ceremonial cavalcade. He is being welcomed by the Prime Minister, Vice President, Lok Sabha Speaker and Secretary Generals of both the Houses.
The National Anthem is being played.
President Ram Nath Kovind leaves the President Palace to Parliament House to address the joint session of Parliament. He will be addressing the parliamentarians of both Houses at the Central Hall of Parliament.
The President is expected to deliver his speech in Hindi and the English translation will be read out by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Help pass the triple talaq bill: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the opening day of Budget Session of the Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a brief address to the mediapersons as he arrives at Parliament Hall.
Mr. Modi asks all political parties to help pass the triple talaq bill in Budget session of Parliament as a New Year gift to Muslim women.
The Lok Sabha will have eight sittings in the first part of the budget session, during which 19 out of a total of 36 hours would be devoted on the discussion on the vote of thanks to the President’s address and the Union Budget for 2018-19.
After the recess, she said, there would be 23 sittings and 82 hours when more discussions on the functioning of various ministries were expected.
The government met leaders of political parties at a meeting in Parliament House on Sunday and sought their cooperation in ensuring the success of the crucial session during which the Union Budget would be presented.
The all-party meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Ananth Kumar, besides leaders of opposition and other parties.
The opposition was represented at the meeting by Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), D Raja (CPI), Kanimozhi (DMK), Derek O’Brien and Sudip Bandhopadhyay (TMC), Tariq Anwar (NCP) and Dushyant Chautala (INLD).
Sumitra Mahajan's appeal
On Sunday, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan sought the cooperation of various parties for the smooth functioning of the budget session of Parliament.
Ms. Mahajan made the appeal to leaders of various parties at a dinner hosted by her, a day before the start of the budget session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of various parties attended the dinner at Parliament House Library.
“We hope that the budget session of Parliament will function smoothly. Leaders of various parties have assured of their cooperation and smooth functioning of the House,” she told reporters after the dinner meeting.
