Parliament Budget Session Updates | Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die

Concluding the present session of Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says that members of the Upper House have to ensure “exemplary standards of conduct.”

“We need to be a source of inspiration as Bharat steadfastly surges towards a Viksit Rashtra, and a global leader. We are in an era of immense possibilities, let us vigorously contribute for continual, incremental rise of Bharat,” he said.

He states that the productivity of the House stood at 137%, and adds that in addition to the discussion on Motion of Thanks, and the Union Interim Budget, the House also passed seven bills.

The House concluded with the playing of an instrumental version of the national song.

Speaking on the Ram Temple discussion in Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar hailed the inauguration day as a day of “national festival”. He called the temple a symbol of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. 

Mr. Dhankhar also goes on to appreciate the steps taken by PM Modi towards the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

In the upcoming sessions, we will do more to uphold the dignity and glory of the house, Speaker Om Birla says. We will ensure that our productivity will be more than 97%, will always be 100%, he says. 

He thanks the members, ministers, staff, presspersons and workers in the Parliament building. He expresses wishes for health and happiness and says that he hopes the members continue to dedicate their lives to upholding the values of democracy, 

The national anthem is then played and the Lok Sabha is adjourned sine die. 

Speaking on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says that people from all over India took part in it. He also thanks PM Modi for his “extraordinary contribution” to the creation of the Ram Temple. Mr. Modi was also key in organising L.K. Advani’s rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, says Mr. Goyal.

He goes on to list out the various initiatives taken by PM Modi towards building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and calls it “a service to the whole nation”

Speaking on the discussion about Ram Temple’s consecration in Rajya Sabha, BJP chief JP Nadda adds, “Under PM Modi’s rule, we can hope to establish Ram Rajya”. He then highlights Modi govt’s schemes like Ujwala, Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, Awas Yojana etc. He claims all these social schemes are implemented impartially, irrespective of religion, region. 

He also lauds PM Modi for passing the women’s reservation bill which had been a need for 30 years. Reminiscing the COVID-19 lockdown, he lauds PM Modi for choosing health over economy till the situation was handled before he reopened the economy. He concludes saying that the construction of the Ram Temple is historic and its consecration is etched in memory forever.

Om Birla says that the opportunity to be Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha would be unforgettable. He says that the members raised the issues of their region and of the nation as well. 

The moments spent with the members will continue to inspire me, he says. I have attempted to preserve the dignity and honour of the chair and Parliament, he says, and thanks the members for their support. 

He says that the session was productive and that all members, including newly elected ones, expressed their thoughts, which would remain a historic thing. 

Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership and his work ethic, as well as the people who worked even during the COVID-19 pandemic, helped build the new Parliament building, he says. 

This Lok Sabha saw the greatest productivity out of the last five sessions, at 97% he shares. He also credits the contribution of women, who stayed and worked late hours as well. He also highlights that the women’s reservation bill will be a great step. Besides these, there were many historic bills passed, including the Bharat Nyaya Samhita and the J&K Reorganisation Act. 

BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda highlights how the Ram Mandir’s consecration is seen as the world’s spiritual consciousness’ reawakening. He narrates the 500 year struggle for establishing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, crediting saints, kings, common people and legal scholars. 

“We had passed a resolution in 1989 Palampur session where we decided to set up a Ram mandir at Janmabhoomi which fructified at January 22. However, on that day, when the world celebrated the temple’s celebration, some people took a different view of the event, ignoring it,” said Mr. Nadda.

Comparing late PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s decision to avoid attending the Somnath temple’s inaugural, he lauds PM Modi for attending the Ram Temple’s inaugural, practising all rituals as a constitutional head. “We do not use Ram for politics. When we were 2 MPs, we struggled for Ram, and now when we are 303, then also we struggle for Ram,” said the BJP chief.

Chairman VP Dhankar is presiding over the session.

The journey of democracy and Bharat is a long one, and it must continue, Mr. Modi says

The elections are not far off, he says, adding that some people may be scared. He says that the elections will increase the grandeur of the country. 

We have been able to tackle all challenges, he says. 

He says that the discussion on the Ram Temple today was important for the next generation. We will keep getting excellent results in line with hopes and aspirations of the youth of the nation, Mr. Modi says, and concludes his speech. 

PM Modi highlights that the House has given a boost to research. The 17th Lok Sabha has played an immense role in the economic reforms that have taken place, Mr. Modi says. 

We removed many unnecessary laws, he says, adding that this was important for ease of business. By decriminalising petty offences, we have given the people power, he says. 

Those who are the margins have been reassured that there is a government, he says. He said that the 17th Lok Sabha has taken steps for the transgender community of India. We have given transgender persons an identity, he says, sharing that several have received their identity cards. 

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi reminds that Sena founder Bal Thackeray had proclaimed proudly that it was not just his hand, but his leg was also present in Babri demolition. She condemns the BJP for giving Ram Temple’s credit solely to PM Modi. Her remarks are drowned by BJP MPs and her speech is cut short.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights achievements of the 17th Lok Sabha. He says that Article 370 was a roadblock in the Constitution, and the work of abrogating it was done via the Parliament. 

We created a strong law against terrorism, he says. Mr. Modi says that the start of proceedings happened with a great measure, the Women’s Reservation Bill. He also says that the very important work of eliminating triple talaaq and bringing justice for women was done by the 17th Lok Sabha. 

The coming 25 years are important for our country. Politics is one side, but aspirations, dreams, hopes of the country has been formed, that these 25 years will be those where the country will get the results it seeks. 

He says that the resolve has been created, it is echoing through the streets, that in 25 years, the country should become ‘Viksit Bharat.’

These five years have been about reform, perform and transform, Prime Minister Modi says. It is not easy to see transformation take place in front of us, he says. 

He expresses the belief that the 17th Lok Sabha will continue receiving the blessings of the people. All members of the Lok Sabha have played an important role, and I thank you as a leader and colleague, he says, also expressing thanks to the Speaker. You have lead the House in a non-partisan manner and handled tough moments with courage and guided all of us, he says. 

We faced one of the worst challenges of humanity, he says, speaking about the Covid-19 pandemic. But you ensured that the Parliament continued working during this difficult time, he says to Mr. Om Birla. He also shared that the members took the decision to contribute 30% of their salaries on their own. 

He also expressed his thanks to Mr. Birla for ensuring that items in the canteen and outside were given at the same rates. 

You opened the Parliament library to the public, he says, thanking Mr. Birla. The Parliament has become paperless, he says, 

Highlighting that this session has seen 97% productivity, Mr. Modi expresses the hope that further sessions see 100% productivity.

This Lok Sabha has also experienced the 100th year of Constitution, as well as 75 years of Independence, he shares. 

INC MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says he does not know how five years have passed. He highlights that several epoch-making moments have taken place during the 17th Lok Sabha, such as the shifting to the new Parliament building. 

Speaker Om Birla has taken efforts to smoothen and improve the parliamentary practices and process and providing better facilities and amenities to members, he says. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters the House during his speech, leading to cheers and a chant of ‘Modi, Modi.’ 

Mr. Chowdhury also thanks the Speaker for the celebration of the centenary of the public accounts committee. He highlights that time had been lost to disruption, but says that debate and discussion is a part of democracy. The Opposition played its role responsibly and brought up matters of public interest he says. 

He says that the legislations passed during the current session include the bill providing reservations for women in legislatures, but says that there work still to be done for matters of social class cut across gender and other lines. 

He concludes by wishing his colleagues the best for the coming time. 

In his debut speech, Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan speaks in Tamil in the Rajya Sabha. Shortly after PM Modi established a ‘Sengol’ in the new Parliament, in the same era, the Ram Temple is being constructed. Asserting ‘Ek Bharat, Sreshta Bharat’, he says that PM Modi is linking the north-south divide with Kashi-Sivakasi.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala highlights the difference between Lord Ram who believes in love and the Lord Ram represented by hate. He questions why Lord Ram who is compassionate, principled, disciplined, fair and just is being represented by pro-capitalists, hatred, jealousy.

“Unlike Ram Rajya, can a common man raise a question on the ruling government?,” asks Mr. Surjewala, quoting Tulsidas Ramayana.

BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty thanks the Chair for giving everyone an opportunity to speak. He says that even in the future they will work with as much dedication and hard work as they have done till now.

JD(U) MP Sunil Kumar Pintu thanks all 16 members of his party present in the House. He also thanks the people of his region, Sitamarhi, for giving him the opportunity to tackle issues. 

YSRCP MP M Sreenivasulu Reddy, says that he was very happy when he entered 12th Lok Sabha, and is thankful to God for him again being part of the Lok Sabha from among so many people in the country. He expresses his thanks to the Chair. In a lighter vein, he says that the session should be extended by two years to make up for the years lost to Covid-19 pandemic. He says that everyone has been like a family, and requests that a Central Hall be created so that they can mingle, like the previous building. 

BJP MP Virendra Singh and BRS MP Bheemrao B Patil also share their experiences in the Lok Sabha followed by BSP MP Girish Chandra and BJD MP Pinaki Misra.

BSP Kunwar Danish Ali says that Zero Hour became important during the 17th Lok Sabha, while BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab says that this Lok Sabha has added several pages to history which will make the country greater. 

Independent member Navneet Rana said that they have learned a lot about how to help their regions. 

BSP MP Ritesh Pandey says that discussion on many big issues took place in this House, citing the women’s reservation bill as an example. He thanks all the members and the Chair, saying that the seniors have “held his finger” and guided him through the session. 

Prince Raj, LJSP MP from Samastipur, Bihar, says that his experience was like a new student in a new school with many different types of schoolmates, with ministers, Opposition members, and silent members as well. He thanks the Lok Sabha staff. 

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, says that we got elected as member of NDA, but in the State, Shiv Sena became part of Mahavikas Agadi. He expresses joy that now Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made the decision to rejoin NDA. 

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari from Rajasthan says Ram Temple has been constructed as per Supreme Court’s orders which is welcomed by all 140 crore Indians. “I am a Ram devotee not his salesman. I believe in Ram’s principle,” he says. 

Claiming that those who believe in the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse, he asks why the temple was inaugurated before its completion. Terming it a political move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he claims that the inaugural should have happened in November 2024 when the temple would be complete.

House proceeding towards conclusion, Speaker Om Birla says, saying that leaders of certain parties will speak. 

NCP Supriya Sule reminisces about the past five years in the Lok Saba, and about memories in the previous building as well as this one. She also says that political arguments will continue, there should be no bitterness in our relationship and expresses a wish that all her colleagues are re-elected and return. 

Anupriya Singh Patel, MoS for Commerce and Industry, expresses heartful thanks and says that it is an opportunity as well as a responsibility when they are elected to Lok Sabha. It is my second term, I am from a small party and I have gained a lot of experience, she says. She also highlights the achievements during the 17th Lok Sabha

She says that every moment of Parliament is valuable, and expresses concern over time lost in turmoil, saying that it affects young representatives who are only elected for a term or two. She requests that time be used well in upcoming session, particularly asking that Question Hour not be adjourned. She also says that Question Hour is the strongest weapon of the Opposition. 

Rajya Sabha begins a short discussion on ‘Ram temple’s historic construction and its consecration.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi lauds the Ram temple’s consecration and narrates the history of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He claims that it was fate that the Ram temple was consecrated at the hands of PM Modi, a Prime Minister who has won the mandate twice and was skilled to fast for 11 days as per the Yajman rituals. 

He says that in 2030 India will not be just an economic super power, it will be a world leader. the Ram temple will represent the values India stand for, peaceful co-existence, while wars are happening between Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine.

This is a historic and proud moment, Speaker Om Birla says, expressing his sentiments about the Ram Mandir. With unity and devotion, we parliamentarians are part of the country’s enthusiasm and joy, he says. 

It is our honour that we witnessed the pran prathishta of Ram Lalla in Ayoydhya’s Ram Mandir, he says, calling January 22 a historic day for India. 

Rajya Sabha Chairman VP Dhankar gets emotional at the Opposition’s treatment of Jayant Chaudhary, says he was tempted to resign in protest. He says that as Mr. Chaudhary thanked the government for awarding his grandfather - late PM Chaudhary Charan Singh - the Bharat Ratna, several MPs told him, ‘Go wherever you want to go’, referring to the BJP-RLD alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. 

“As a farmer’s son, I felt hurt at Mr. Chaudhary’s treatment. I hope this is only the lowest this House will fall to,” says Mr. Dhankar. He urges the members to discuss such issues cordially outside the House. The discussion on the white paper on the economy ends.

Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, says that Ram is a cultural symbol of the country. She highlights that Buddha, Mahavir, Kabir, Guru Nanak etc are also similarly cultural symbols of India. In the last ten 10 years, our government has secured and protected all the cultural symbols of the nation, she says. 

Highlighting the prominence given to figures like Shabari and Nishadraj in the Ramayana, she says the government is trying to benefit everybody. 

She says that inequality is high even after 75 years of independence, and expresses the hope that the Parliament take better decisions to tackle discrimination and end inequality. 

Lauding her government for awarding Bharat Ratnas to ex-PMs, FM Sitharaman says, “They keep boasting who made Charan Singh PM? People made him PM. Chaudhary Charan Singh took oath as PM with the support of Congress (I). Within 24 days, he resigned after he refused to revoke cases against Indira Gandhi during the Emergency”. 

Talking about PV Narasimha Rao, she reminded how the Congress had not even allowed his last remains inside the party headquarters. She concludes saying that the Congress party had no right to shed crocodile tears on awarding him Bharat Ratna or grudgingly accept the award.

If a person has made a mistake, it is up to a person to fix it, says BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty. He says that India believes in “athithi devo bhava” (visitors are god) but some visitors have disrespected our country and our god. 

He asks the Railway Minister to see how to make good on the promise of a Puri-Ayodhya railway line. 

He says that Ram loved all creatures, whether it be a squirrel, a monkey or a eagle. We are from a culture where we are taught that we respect all religions, and we believe this, he says, calling Hinduism ‘a way of life.’ He asks that the atmosphere of peace and love in the country continue, and says that no one is doing politics about Ram in the country. 

Answering a query on jobs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says that the unemployment rate for graduates has declined from 17.2% in 2017-18 to 13.2% in 2022-23. Overall, unemployment has declined from 5.8% to 3.2% in 2022-23, said the FM. 

Talking on the ED raids on Opposition, she claims that agencies were not allowed to investigate money laundering cases to allow black money flow to politicians. Stating that no black money was restituted to banks in the UPA era, she says 1200 PMLA cases have been registered and Rs 16, 333 crores have come back to banks. Naming Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, who took loans during UPA era, she says extradition orders have been passed during Modi era.

Rajya Sabha is debating the white paper on the Indian economy tabled by the Modi government

This temple is a sign of cultural rejuvenation, it is a sign of the start of India’s golden age, Amit Shah says. 

This journey that we have started in 2024, we will take it to its completion, he said, expressing confidence that Narendra Modi will return to power. 

There were 80 Jan Aushadi centres in 2014 despite the scheme being started by the UPA government in 2008, Ms. Sitharaman says. She highlights there are more than 10,000 centres in December 2023 in the country. 

Ms. Sitharaman points out the current government approved 348 projects pending under the UPA government worth over Rs. 17 lakh crore.

We have operated in the past 10 years on a two track approach -- one to remove all the malpractices and archaic laws and the other to look forward at a futuristic approach to take the economy further, Ms. Sitharaman says. 

“The economy we inherited was like a cloth on thorny bushes, which is reflected in the White Paper,” Ms. Sitharaman says.

After 303 years, a long struggle has ended with the Ram Mandir inauguration, Home Minister Amit Shah says. This dream was supposed to come true during Modi’s time, he says. 

Many people have given their contributions to this project, he says, referring to the squirrels who helped build the Ram Setu in the Ramayana.

The Ram Mandir has been built following a legal and constitutional way, he says. We have fought the battle in the Supreme Court and have won, he says

Ms. Dwivedi highlights UPA government’s scams. Congress party only cared about their government, whereas Prime Minister Modi has always said that the country comes before a political party, Ms. Dwivedi says.

India’s culture cannot be separated from Ramayana, Mr. Shah says.

He recounts different versions of Ramayana across languages and cultures.

140 crore Indians and followers of Lord Ram are grateful to the House for allowing this discussion, Mr. Shah says.

“I am not responding to anyone today, I will only talk about how I feel on behalf of the citizens of the country,” he says.

Ms. Khan points out the White Paper doesn’t speak anything about the impact of the economy on people, or corruption, or rising prices, crimes against women or about unemployment. 

“Is this Ram rajya where seeds of hatred are sown, where bulldozers are used on poor people’s houses, where mob lynching takes place,” Ms. Khan asks.

Ms. Chaturvedi cites INC MP K. C. Venugopal’s remark and says the flagship scheme of the current government is the “weaponisation of CBI, ED”. 

Lord Ram is believed to be the one who always keeps his words, and if the government claims to follow him, what happened to the promises they made, Dr. Kolhe asks. “What about the promise to create two crore jobs for the youth of the country, what about the guarantee to double farmers’ income, what about the intention to provide pucca houses to everyone by 2022?” he recounts.

Mr. Javadekar points out how the Environment Ministry under the current government approved pending projects worth Rs. 4 lakh crore under the UPA government. He says the UPA government will only be defined by corruption and scams like coal allocation scam.

Mr. Siva points out the Indian economy grew 8% during the global financial crisis in 2008 under UPA-1 government because of agriculture and MSME sectors. He says that the sectors are failing under the current government. 

Mr. Gokhale points out the government hasn’t mentioned anything about demonetisation and unemployment rate in the White Paper because it reflects the Modi government’s “glaring failure”. He recalls PM Modi promised 2 crore jobs every year, but has only “allegedly created” 2.7 crore jobs in the last 5 years.

“How about a White Paper on women’s safety, rising cases of hate speech and Parliament security instead?” Mr. Gokhale asks. 

Mr. Gokhale says his party rejects this White Paper on the Indian economy by the government and will now walk out of the Rajya Sabha in protest. 

I also thank the Supreme Court for the decision, he adds.

Mr. Venugopal highlights flagship programmes by UPA government like Right to Education and questions what flagship programme has the current government released. He says the youth, farmers, are unhappy under the current government. Mr. Venugopal also questions the government’s stance on corruption.

“If you are against corruption, why have you not released your own CAG report,” Mr. Venugopal questions.

Mr. Venugopal questions why the Finance Ministry has not mentioned anything on the impact of demonetisation in the White Paper. He also questions why the Ministry makes no mention of unemployment rate, poverty and rupee value in the White Paper on the Indian economy.

“This White Paper is hiding the dark truth,” Mr. Venugopal says.

Mr. Chaudhary points out that the Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh is the biggest honour. He says when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the issues of toilets in village and the government prioritises women empowerment, he remembers Chaudhary Charan Singh’s words.

Mr. Dubey points out that Article 26 of the Constitution says that it will not interfere in anyone’s religion or religious practices. He counters Gaurav Gogoi’s remarks and holds up the ban on non-Hindus from entering certain temples.

Mr. Dhankar lashes out at LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress leaders and says they should respect the former PM’s legacy. “You are hurting every farmer in the country by creating such an environment inside the House on the issue,” Mr. Dhankar says.

We welcome the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Ram Temple matter, Mr. Gogoi says. 

He also adds that Congress believes in secularism but distances itself from the “western definition” of the word. “India is a religious country. We believe in equality of all religions, not just any one scripture,” the MP adds.

Mr. Gogoi recalls how Mahatma Gandhi’s quest for “Ram Rajya”, and how his last words were “Hey Ram”, pointing to how interpretations of the name of Lord Ram are common in the country. “In Mahatma Gandhi’s Ram Rajya, everyone was treated equally, but in 2023, there was around 50% increase in crime against Scheduled Castes and Tribes compared to a year before, is this Ram Rajya?” Mr. Gogoi says.

Mr. Goyal, during the short-duration discussion in Rajya Sabha, says Congress ‘should have been celebrating’ the Bharat Ratna honour for Chaudhary Charan Singh. 

“But unfortunately, he did not have Nehru-Gandhi in his surname,” he said.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar lauds Bharat Ratna honour for former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and said it was a moment of pride and joy for India’s farmers. 

The discussion is taking place under Rule 193.

DMK MPs in the House protest and complain that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not replied to a letter sent by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. 

Speaker Om Birla refuses to entertain the protest.

On the last day of the Budget Session, Rajya Sabha will hold a short-duration discussion on the White Paper and on the Pran Pratistha of Ram Lalla.