Parliament Budget Session Live Updates | ‘BJP will win 370 seats’, says PM Modi, targets Opposition on nepotism, corruption

The Upper House would be taking special mentions tomorrow. It will reconvene proceedings on Feb 6, at 11 a.m. 

Lok Sabha adopts the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address via voice vote. The Lower House is adjourned till Tuesday February 6, 2024.

“Those who talk about separating from the Union, how many more pieces will you make of India?When we spoke of Jammu Kashmir, it was with concern. Now, after Article 370’s revocation, J&K people are witnessing unprecedented development. G20 summits are being held there,” says Mr. Modi. He also condemns politicians’ critique of the Armed forces. 

Affirming that India has a unique global opportunity, he asks the Opposition’s help in advancing the country to a new era along with 140 crore Indians. However, he warns, “If you do not help in India’s progress and insist on throwing bricks at us, I will use each break in laying the foundation of a developed India”. Asserting that he will continue to work for India’s progress, he concludes his speech.

Replying to the Opposition’s remarks on ED raids, he says, “10 years ago, the Parliament demanded action on the scams rampant in the country. Now you are angry that corrupt are facing action. You are defending the accused”. He adds that by Jan dhan accounts, his government has deleted fraudulent accounts saving Rs 30 lakh crores of taxpayers. 

Fuming at the defence of culprits, he asks, “How can you praise those who are convicted and are out on parole? Those who are accused will face probe. The agencies are independent and are investigating, while judiciary decides their fate. My war on corruption will continue. Whoever steals from India will have to return it”. 

He concluded his speech referring to Morning Consult research that held Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the most popular leader in the world. He told the house that the country as it seeks newer respect, would require a newer life and replenished momentum. 

Mr Modi expressed optimism that that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be forming the government again in 2024 and continue his endeavour of ‘Viksit Rashtra’. 

Unrelatedly, the BJP MP had earlier enumerated about how Mr Modi had, in the run-up to the pran-pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, had observed the pre-ritual practices while dispensing his daily duties. 

Speaking on “Nari Shakti’, the PM lists how women are now leading in all fields be it Olympics or defence. Comparing previous attitude of people as to when women would marry on joining jobs, he says now they ask, “When will open your bank accounts?”. Similarly, he says, people asked how women will continue working while pregnant, adding, “now they get 6 months paid maternity leave with extension”. 

Talking about the new deals India has signed with foreign countries, Mr. Modi highlights the job opportunities opening in aviation, tourism, construction. He claims that whenever Congress comes to power inflation was at peak, listing the rates during late PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and the last UPA govt. 

“We have kept inflation under control inspite of two global wars and once in a lifetime pandemic,” asserts PM Modi. The Lok Sabha has extended its functioning till PM Modi completes his reply to Motion of Thanks to President’s address.

The BJP MP from Bihar put forth that in his first year of governance, the Modi-led government managed to bring 13.5 crore people out of poverty. He further stated that 25 crore people have come out of poverty and formed what has come to be regarded as the ‘neo-middle class’. 

He specifically mentioned about the govts in Uttar Pradesh and his home state Bihar. 

Mr Modi further added that the average real of people increased by 50%. “People are living better, earning better with better expectation of future,” he told the house. 

Arguing about rising incomes, he told the house that millionaire count too rose from 1.14 lakh in 2021-22 to 1.70 lakh in 2022-23. 

Mr Modi elaborated that India achieved the feat while U.K.’s economy grew 3% during the period, France 2% and Italy 0%. He expressed confidence about India steering ahead of Germany and Japan to become the third larget economy in the world. 

He also expressed optimism about India attaining PM Modi’s vision of $5 trillion economy and becoming a ‘viksit rashtra’ by 2047. 

Mr. Modi adds, “Our next government will take historic decisions. We gave poor the tools to lift them out of poverty - housing, water, medical care, bank accounts, electricity, ration. We have prioritised far-flung villages, millets, defence”. His speech is often interrupted by Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Gaurav Gogoi. 

Condemning the Congress’ treatment of OBC people, he says, “The way they tried to topple Karpuri Thakur’s government. He, who worked to uplift the backward classes, they insult him. We have awarded him Bharat Ratna. They don’t like that. They keep asking how many OBC people are in govt posts”. Pointing to himself, he asks, “Can’t they see an OBC in front of them?”.

He elaborated that while late Chief minister Mr Thakur was the champion of social justice, Mr Advani’s accolade is a matter of according respect to Lord Ram devotees. 

Raising the issue about unmployment in the country, commented that it was not ‘ Amrit-kaal’, rather ‘ Mrita-kaal’. He sought the government must do with contractualization in jobs, instead focus on providing employment. 

Referring to rising inflation and the resulting stress to the middle class, Mr Rahim held that the treasury had altered the notion of democracy being “for the people, of the people, by the people” to “for the corporates, of the corporates, by the corporates”. 

As PM Modi lists the achievements of his government, Opposition MPs interrupt him, raising slogans on Manipur. Speaker Om Birla instructs the Opposition to resume seats and allow the Leader of the House to speak. 

Listing the scrapping of the British-era penal codes, vision for developed India, he adds,” Lord Ram has returned not only home, but to such a grand temple that it is definite that ‘Abki baar 400 paar’ (This time 400 plus). Even Kharge ji is saying it. Not only will NDA win 400+ seats, BJP itself will win 370 seats”.

“We gave 4 crore homes, it would have taken 5 generations (100 years) as per Congress government’s speed. We electrified 40,000 km, it would have taken 4 generations (80 years) as per Congress government’s speed. We provided 100% sanitation coverage, it would have taken 3 generations (60 years) as per Congress government’s speed. This is Modi’s guarantee,” says Mr. Modi, while highlighting his government’s achievements and speedy implementation. 

He also quotes late PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech, saying that he felt Indians were not as intelligent, hard-working as the Europeans. Quoting late PM Indira Gandhi, he adds that she felt that whenever the country was progressing, people were involved in self-interest. 

“They were wrong about Indians, but were right about the Congress party,” says Mr. Modi. 

Asserting that India will be the third largest economy in his third term, Mr. Modi quotes former PM Manmohan Singh’s 2013 speech, saying, “They were proud on being the 11th largest economy. They saw a vision that India will be the third largest in 30 years. We will not allow the nation to wait for so long. In the next term , we will fulfill it - this is Modi’s guarantee”. He compares the speed at which BJP government works to the Congress govt.

Condemning the Opposition for not speaking based on facts during the, he argues, “May be women, tribals, dalit, farmers, workers are not minorities for you all. Hence you are opposing schemes targetting them highlighted by the President”. 

Speaking on nepotism, he differs, “I do not speak about family members of politicians being in parties but of parties which are run by parties. If the father is the head of the party, his son only will be his successor”. 

As Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury points to the dynastic politicians in BJP, he affirms, “There is no party run by Amit Shah or Rajnath Singh. But Congress is run by one party not allowing any young politicians to progress. You are making multiple attempts to launch the same product”.

Trinamool Congress MP Mohd Nadimul Haque, raising concerns about President’s concerns, alleged that it was written by the treasury. The TMC MP further asserted that the BJP-led govt was destroying the country’s important (legislative and executive) institutions. Separately, responding to the govt’s enumeration of the poverty alleviation, listing relevant indicators, he suggested that the govt should instead learn from the West Bengal govt. 

Further, DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Sonu also objected to the President’s address which she stated, “failed to mention (the situation in) Manipur”. She also sought clarity on the 75 foreign trips undertaken by the Prime Minister in the last seven years. Dr Kanimozhi sought the govt must put forth the incoming investment and the observed growth resulting from those visits. She held that had it not been because of COVID, the Prime Minister would have “completed a century of such trips”. 

Targetting the Opposition, Mr. Modi says, “I want to thank the Opposition as well for the resolution they have taken to sit there (Opposition) for many decades. As per you wish, India’s voters will bless you to reach newer heights and soon you will be in viewing gallery. It seems like you have even lost the will to fight elections. Some people wish to leave the Lok Sabha and go to Rajya Sabha”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Lower House during the Budget session.

Listing the Centre’s multiple schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ujwala, Nal se Jal, Jan Dhan, BJP MP Satish Kumar Gautam says, “PM Modi provided free housing, electricity, water, ration, toilets, medical care and free bank accounts”. As he lauds the Modi government’s schemes, PM Narendra Modi walks into the Lok Sabha.

Birendra Prasad Baishya, AGP MP of Assam, raises to support the motion of thanks for the President’s speech. He says that it is a critical time for the economy, saying that our economic growth is 7%, under the leadership of our Prime Minister. 

Don’t do politics about Manipur, he says. 

Dr. John Brittas, CPI (M) MP from Kerala, says that he is a “little sad” that the President has been made to read out the election manifesto of the BJP. As expected there has been mention of Ayodhya thrice, he says, adding that without mention of Ayodhya and Prime Minister the speeches of treasury benches are not complete. 

He says that we are passing through difficult times--- astrology will teach you science, godmen will teach you technology, Amit Shah will teach you harmony between State and Centre. All of a sudden, BJP has become law-abiding, he says, noting that they are referring to Supreme Court. Are they afflicted with selective amnesia, he asks, highlighting that the same Supreme Court has said that there was a conspiracy, calculated act and egregious violation. It also said that the desecration in 1949 leading to the ouster of Muslims, and its eventual destruction on December 6, constituted a serious violation of law, he highlights, saying that this has been done by the BJP. 

They all speak about Ram, Ram belongs to us also, he not just yours, he says. My Ram is Mahatma Gandhi’s Ram, of compassion, of harmony and love, he says, adding that “You also have a Ram, but there is a prefix to that”- their Ram is Nathu-ram .That is the difference between our Ram and your Ram, he says. Nowadays we cannot distinguish between the Prime Minister and the high priest---if there is a political programme, it will be turned into a religious programme and vice-versa, he says. 

They all accused us of staying away from Ayodhya, he says, highlighting that the Shankaracharyas also stayed away. They stayed away because they didn’t want to be part of the political drama being whipped up there, he asserts. 

He highlights that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel banned the RSS on February 4, the eve of today. He also says that he was sad to see the President being paraded behind a Sengol, asking if it is a modern, democratic country and saying that Sardar Patel would be turning in his grave, since he was instrumental in doing away with signs of monarchy. 

I am tired of hearing sabka saath, sabka vikas, he says, asking who they are supporting. The primary duty of the Prime Minister is to give pran to the citizens, not the gods, he should obviously stick to his duties, he should go to Manipur and conduct pran pratishta for the citizens, he says. Don’t create political drama to just get some votes, he says. 

The pastime of BJP-RSS is dismantling institutions, he asserts. 

The Congress MP raises the Galwan Valley standoff that happened in 2020 and says that the government has suffered “failure after failure” in its China policy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interrupts Mr. Chowdhury, says he disagrees with everything he has said about China.

A.D Singh, RJD MP from Bihar, says that the President’s address spoke about improvement and progress in the country, but the people of Bihar have not progressed. We are also a part of India, he says. 

He expresses that Rs. 40,000 crores are probably being lost because of the sand mafia and liquor mafia in the State. 

He asks if so many people have been lifted out of poverty, why are we still feeding 80 crore people? He also highlights that the President’s address did not mention Manipur, which has been facing violence since 10 months. 

India’s relationship with its neighbours is worrisome, he says. He also highlights the growing Chinese influence on our neighbouring countries, including Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 

He also questions the value digital middlemen are bringing, saying that the government could promote its own digital payment interface and that of PSUs. 

He points out delays in infrastructure projects, mentioned by the President in her speech. 

K.R Suresh Reddy, BRS MP from Telangana, says that the functioning and statistics related to Parliament are set to earn the contempt of the people. It is time for legislative and parliamentary reform, he says, adding that this House needs to stay alive to the needs and aspirations of people. 

Mr. Reddy offers some suggestions to improve the Parliament. Why don’t we increase the days of working of Parliament, he asks. He says that in some countries, the Opposition sets the agenda for the day, and suggests that this could be adopted. Private Members’ Bills should be taken seriously, he says. We should utilise committees more and rules should be framed post the passing of bills, he adds. He says that the anti-defection issue needs to be resolved. 

He also asks why the office of the President cannot be used to help solve the Manipur crisis, saying that it would bring a healing touch. 

A diverse country needs planning, keeping in mind the diversity of the country, he points out. You have made the NITI Aayog a toothless institution, he says. You need to have planning from district level upwards. Why are Indian becoming poorer and poorer---it is because of planning, he states.

He suggests that a Deputy Prime Minister be appointed to tackle issues related to farmers. He requests that a Supreme Court bench be instituted in South India, and that Hindi not be imposed. 

Digvijay Singh, INC MP from Madhya Pradesh, says that you have brought Ram to the temple, but have not brought back people like Nirav Modi. What happened to the promise of bringing back black money to the country, he asks. He says that before they divided Hindus and Muslims, now they are dividing devotees of Ram. 

He says that all the schemes which have been launched are those started by the Congress which have been given different names. 

Modi has three weapons, he says--- EVM, religiosity and ED, IT, CBI and NIA.

They have no association with dharma, he says. They are doing business in the name of religion/dharma, he says. He alleges that Mr. Modi is violating the Representation of People Act, 1951, by asking people to take Hanuman’s name and vote for the lotus, and speaking of religious inducements for elections. 

Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, highlights that we have made a lot of progress, speaking of the fact that we reached the moon, naming the point Shivshakti point. 

He quotes various sources which speak of the notable achievements of India, including Bill Gates’ statement that our digital payment system is unlike any other globally. He quotes Sunday Guardian as saying that the day Modi came to power should be treated as the day the British finally left India, since old models still endured. 

He says that no other religion in the world includes a woman in god, highlighting the instances of Ram-Sita and Radha-Krishna, among others. 

He speaks of the scientific achievements of the ancient Hindus. He highlights that the sanatan journey of India has been doing accurate calculations since 165 trillion years till 24 seconds, saying there is no other such culture in the world. 

He points out that there were questions about the muhurt for the Ram Janmabhoomi installation, and asks what auspicious time had the Congress taken into account, highlighting various incidents pertaining to the INDIA alliance and Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. He says that Mallikarjun Kharge accidentally said “400 paar” and the same day Mamata Banerjee said “40 ki darkaar.” 

Members protest against his remarks, and Chair Harivansh tells them to quieten down and that nothing will go on record.

He says that there is a lot of pain related to reservations, questioning whether it is real or whether it is brought up for benefit. They give reservations according to which vote bank is more useful, he says. 

He brings up the allegation of ED and CBI being used by the Centre and highlights that the only instance of bribery to protect a government which was proved in the Supreme Court was that of JMM members propping up P.V Narasimha Rao’s government. You have an old friendship with corruption, why are you accusing Modi and BJP, he asks. 

We are singing a song of progress, you should also join in, he says at the end of his speech. 

“It is absolutely a political statement of the government regarding their achievements, that too for the coming Parliament elections,” he says.

Mr. Premachandran says that as per Article 87 of the Constitution of India, the President must address a joint session of both Houses at the beginning of the first session each year and talk about the performance of the government in the previous years as well as the programmes and policies of the government for the new year.

The MP also says that although the President talked about economically weaker sections of society in her speech, there was no mention of minorities. “Ten years of achievements, not a single word regarding the minorities,” he says. 

V. Vijayasai Reddy, YSRCP MP from Andhra Pradesh, says that the President’s address was important because it highlighted the progress in the last 10 years, as contrasted to the misrule by the Congress. He says that Andhra Pradesh has suffered due to the Congress, and that the people of Andhra will never forgive it. The State was bifurcated in an unscientific manner, he says, highlighting that the four key issues of water sharing, electricity sharing, revenue distribution and the capital were not addressed. 

Even concerns raised by other Congress MPs were brushed off, he says. The Bill was passed behind closed doors, he says. This is how they have ruled the country and this is how they passed the Bills between 2004-2014, he asserts. 

He says that the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promised that Andhra Pradesh would receive special status, but the Bill was not amended to include this. This promise was a mere eyewash, he says. He asserts that YSRCP has been at the forefront for demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. 

In the upcoming elections, Congress will get only 40 seats, he says, pointing out that their own alliance party says this. 

They took a shortcut before the 2014 elections and bifurcated the State by passing the notification in 10 days, he says, calling it a cheap electoral trick. 

He says the people of Andhra Pradesh will not vote for the ‘spineless,’ ‘dokhebaaz’ Congress. Members in the House protest against his words and the Chair asks him to use Parliamentary language. 

He asserts that Rahul Gandhi will not be a Parliamentarian in the next election, and says that by 2029 Congress party will no longer be there. The Grand Old Party will become Grand Extinct Party, he says. 

Whenever the Congress is in power, there is prolonged backwardness, he says. “There is no doubt in anyone’s minds that India grows only when Congress leaves,” he says, asking the Congress to keep this slogan in their minds and on their walls. 

Dr. Prashanta Nanda, BJD MP from Odisha, raises to continue the discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address. 

He points out that everyone is trying to move forward from the effect of the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the President spoke about the progress after this time. 

He says that finally Ram Lalla has been installed, saying that the dreams of many became true on January 22. He also points out that the Parikrama project is being undertaken in Odisha pertaining to Lord Jagannath, saying that no donations were taken for that. Every State is working on temple tourism, following the Ram Mandir, he says. Odiya residents would have been happy to hear about Lord Jagannath from the President, but it is in her heart, he says. 

He highlights that infrastructure has progressed, but there are still certain gaps. An example he cities is that of having multiple Vande Bharat trains, but repair work not done in local sectors. If you have to give, give to all States, we are a federal country, only the Centre will not progress, he says. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lays statements showing supplementary demands for grants 2023-24, supplementary demands for grants in respect of Jammu and Kashmir 2023-24, and the interim budget for Jammu and Kashmir 2024-25 on the table of the House. 

Jammu and Kashmir Interim Budget | Sitharaman proposes ₹1.18 lakh crore for 2024-25

J&K interim budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed an interim Budget of ₹1.18 lakh crore for fiscal 2024-25 for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir

Rajya Sabha continues with the discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address. 

Sandeep Kumar Pathak, AAP MP from Punjab, highlights that on the first page of the speech, there are three important things- ‘Ek Bharat shresth Bharat,’ ‘amrit kaal’ and believers of the democratic principles and practices, and says he will base his speech on these three elements. 

The question is whether we are doing the work to achieve ‘Ek Bharat shresth Bharat,’ he asks, saying that it will be achieved if everyone is equal and if they receive equal amenities and security. 

The work over the past 10 years has been patchwork, he says, asserting that no one institution has been picked up and developed. He says that three things are important in each citizen’s lives- income, cost of living and savings, and that these will show how the economy is faring. 

He points out that we have the least income from among the G-20 and BRICS countries, even below Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He says that there has been growth, but this should be contextualised with the global scenario. He points out that there has been price inflation in several essential commodities, including LPG and oil.

He also points out that the banking sector is suffering, and that there is a decline in FDI inflow. Our credit rating is also stagnant he says. He says there are two ways in which our respect among other countries increases- culture, heritage and collective behaviour and money. We have not improved on this front, he asserts. 

The CAG shows that government is hiding data, he says. Rural unemployment is at an all-time high. Patchwork doesn’t solve it, we need to focus on institutional improvement he says. He highlights that we rank at 93 in the Corruption Index, lower than countries like Bhutan (which was at 26), Ghana and Rwanda. 

Women’s issues are also not being heard, he says. 

Mr. Galla says that since he has decided to not contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, this is his last speech in the House. “It’s not easy to sail on two boats in one go -- to be in public life and also to continue as an entrepreneur. I’ve decided to give a pause to my political life,” he says.

The MP also adds that his “commitment to serve the nation” remains the same. “My group of companies is providing jobs to about 17,000 people and undertaking various welfare measures for them and their family members. So, I serve the country in a different form, and I’m sure this House and the people of my State will appreciate my decision,” Mr. Galla says.

The Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address is being discussed in the Upper House. DMK’s Tiruchi Shiva said, “This government is anti-federal, anti-secular, anti-poor, pro-rich, anti-women, anti-MSMEs, anti-CPSUs, pro corporates, anti-farmers, anti labour.” Mr. Shiva highlighted the stagnancy in passing the women’s reservation Bill, delay in releasing funds to States ruled by Opposition parties, farmers’ concerns and citizenship protests. 

“The whole world was watching Manipur...it stagnated everything in the country. We demanded an explanation from the government.....But there was only silence,” Mr. Shiva said. Moreover, when the Parliament security breach happened, “we were not allowed to discuss it.”

“In the 2024 elections, the INDIA alliance will win and bring back India to its original place,” Mr. Shiva concluded.

Replying to the President’s address, SAD leader Harsimrat Badal attacked the Narendra Modi-led government over issues related to farmers, welfare of women and the poor. Where is achhe din, the MP asked.

West Bengal MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said the Central Government’s delay in releasing MGNREGA funds to the State amounts to “fiscal terrorism”, and reveals a “constant tendency to erode [State’s] fiscal and economic space”.

He also challenged claims made about rural wage rates and progress in reducing inequality. The ‘One nation, One election’ proposal stands in opposition to the constitutional scheme, he says, noting, “We are a parliamentary democracy, not a Presidential form of government.”

On Monday, the government sought Lok Sabha’s approval for a net additional spending of Rs 78,673 crore in the current financial year. The second batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2023-24 fiscal was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The supplementary demands for grants includes a gross additional spending of over Rs 2 lakh crore, which would be matched by savings of over Rs 1.21 lakh crore.

The bill which was introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh earlier today, seeks to deal sternly with malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. It includes provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 1 crore.

The proposed law will act against organised gangs, mafia elements and those indulging in malpractices and government officials found in collusion with them.

The Bill proposes a high-level national technical committee on public examinations that will make recommendations to make the computerised examination process more secure.

(Inputs from PTI)

Sukhendu Sekhar Ray of AITC began by discussing the claims made In the President’s address on employment, poverty and legislative progress. There is huge economic inequality, but “we’re chanting the mantra of Amrit Kaal,” the MP said. He also objected to the claim that the Nyaya Sanhita Bill was passed after support from all Parliamentarians. “It reminds of a situation in 1933... when the Enabling Law was passed in Hitler’s regime, after sending 106 Parliamentarians to concentration camps.” Mr. Ray said. the suspension of 146 MPs in the Winter Session was also the highest-ever number in the history of India’s Parliamentary democracy.

Moreover, progress shown through job creation and economic growth are “lofty claims made in the report card of government to carry out disinformation campaign in the eve of Lok Sabha election...[but] reality is different.”

Read more about the Interim Budget here.

The Upper House is discussing the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

The Upper House witnessed brief commotion as Opposition MPs objected to the Vice-Chairman skipping Supplementary Question 18 by Dr. Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde, about funds allotted to Maharashtra under various schemes. Mr. Dhankhar said this was a “human error” and the issue will be taken in a “composed” manner after Question 19. MPs protest in the background as Mr. Dhankhar continues with proceedings. 

When Mr. Dhankhar returned to Question 18, MP Jaya Bachchan said, “Treat us respectfully. We are not school children.”

Ministers, including AAP’s Raghav Chadha, asked about the state of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country - including closures, falling exports, employment levels and wellness among the labour force.

Minister of MSMEs Narayan Tatu Rane said the decline and closures happened due to COVID-19, but MSMEs have been on an upward trajectory since due to government credit schemes. 

To MP Fauzia Khan’s question about a World Bank report flagging India’s declining per capita water availability by 2030, the Minister of Jal Shakti said there has been an “upward movement” in underground water resource capacity. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat added he can’t comment on the foundations and metrics used in the World Bank report, but assured the Upper House that under PM Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, India is making strides to improve the health of water resources..

In the Upper House, Jawhar Sircar of AITC asked Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas about disruptions in the global oil market due to attacks in the Red Sea.

“Yes, we have a certain degree of anxiety because these are non-state actors affecting supply lines,” Hardeep SIngh Puri responded. However, “we are reasonably confident that given the goodwill around, these factors making for anxiety will be contained and we will not have all-out escalation”, Mr. Puri said, adding that the international community, the geopolitical equations and market place have adjusted so far.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh moved for leave to introduce a Bill to prevent unfair means in the public examinations and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. MoS (Home) Nityanand Rai introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Subsequently, the House resumed debate and discussion on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented statements of estimated receipts and expenditure of Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2024-25, and the Supplementary Demands for Grants in respect of the Union Territory for the year 2023-24.

Papers were laid on the table of the House, as per the listed business of the day.

On the issue of the impact of the government’s debt on the economy, Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray said, “When does the government estimate the investment rate to go up to 39% as it happened in 2011-12? The investment rate is low. Government’s tall talk hasn’t resulted in high investment growth.”

In his reply, the Minister said the government’s spending on infrastructure has boosted investments after a decline during the COVID period. He added that the country was on the path to reach the 2011-12 target. He, however, didn’t give a definite timeline as asked by the TMC MP.

R. Girirajan of DMK raised the issue of rising CNG prices, and the incentives to create usage among consumers. 

The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, in response, said the “lockdown prices don’t reflect reality prices”. Whilst global prices rose, domestic gas price was 83% lower. “Our constant effort to provide more gas available for domestic cooking purpose and transport sector. We are committed to making green transition,” Mr. Puri said, with availability, sustainability and affordability being the government’s focus. 

On the matter of encouraging people to switch to CNG vehicles, Mr. Puri said an “autonomous process of CNG transition” is underway. “The very fact that we can make natural gas available for the transportation sector at reasonable prices...that acts as an incentive. Same is happening with electric vehicles.”

During Question Hour, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the Finance Minister if the Centre was biased in the allocation of funds, which led to a heated exchange between the two leaders. 

The Congress MP asked, “There is a general perception that non-BJP States are being deprived of their due. Is it true that the State of Karnataka has been deprived of obtaining its legitimate due? It was all hunky dory six months back, what happened now?”

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed Mr. Chowdhury’s claims and said,“Devolution to States happens in direct tax matters as per recommendations of the Finance Commission. The GST, particularly to SGST goes 100% to States. No one can do anything. The IGST is collected because it involves a lot of interstate payments. It is periodically reviewed. Fifty per cent is grossly divided and periodically adjusted. The CGST is divided as per the advice of the commission. Rate fixation has nothing to do with the Government of India. Finance Commission meets different stakeholders and then submits its recommendations.”

“I don’t have the right or any role to play here. This apprehension that some States are discriminated against is a politically vitiated narrative. The systems are well-placed. I don’t have the discretion to play around with Finance Commission recommendations,” the Minister retorted.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh will not be taking an oath as the Rajya Sabha member at parliament in police custody, after Chairman Dhankhar refused permission. The matter is with the Privileges Committee, the Chairman said.

Mr. Singh was arrested in a money-laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise scam, and is in police custody. A Delhi court on February 3 had allowed Mr. Singh to take oath, with Special Judge M. K. Nagpal directing the jail authorities to take Mr. Singh to the parliament on February 5.

Ministers draw attention to railway connectivity issues in Jharkhand, the need for DASH camps for road safety and releasing the National Disaster Response Fund to Tamil Nadu in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung. INC’s Imran Pratapgarhi drew attention to DDA’s “unannounced” demolition of a mosque in Mehrauli last week.

V. Vijasasai Reddy brought to attention the UGC’s draft guidelines proposing that any vacancy reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates can be “declared unreserved” if enough candidates from these categories are not available. He called it an “unconstitutional step”, and urged the government to ensure vacant positions reserved for these communities are “expeditiously filled” and their constitutional rights are protected.

Highlighting the problems faced by children due to non-local teachers in schools, Congress MP form Arani, M.K. Prasad urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that local teachers are recruited in schools to overcome language barriers. “Most of the teachers are Hindi speaking and are from the North. Students find it difficult to understand [their subjects], at least at the primary level. I request the government to recruit teachers from local levels in all regions,” the MP said during the Question Hour.

The Lower House has commenced proceedings of the day. Question Hour is underway.

The Upper House begins. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar offered birthday greetings, and expressed condolence over the death of Namibia’s President Hage Geingob, who passed away on February 4.

Papers were subsequently laid on the table.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha today. The BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present on the fourth day of the ongoing Budget Session.

Here is the list of agenda for Rajya Sabha today:

• Papers to be laid on the table of the House.

• Report of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on ‘Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels.

• Hardeep Singh Puri to present a statement on status of implementation of the recommendations on Housing and Urban Affairs on Demands for Grants (2023-24), pertaining to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

• Question Hour

• Bhupender Yadav to introduce The Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024.

• Further discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address

• Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2023-24 to be presented by Union Finance Minister

• The Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir