Parliament Budget Session Day 1 highlights: Govt’s third term is witnessing work at thrice the speed of previous dispensations, says President Murmu

As part of the obituary references, Speaker Om Birla expressed condolences on the deaths of 30 devotees during the ongoing Maha Kumbh festivities in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. 

The house observed a minute of silence as a mark of respect. 

Speaker Om Birla commences Lok Sabha proceedings. He makes references to the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Mr. Birla also expresses condolences on the demise of former Parliamentarians Kunar Hembram, Hassan Khan, Dr. Manda Jagannath, and P.R. Sundaram.

The government’s third term is seeing work being done at thrice the speed of previous administrations with a determination to end “policy paralysis”, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday (January 31, 2025), citing decisions on issues such as Waqf boards and One Nation, One Election.

Click here to read more on President Murmu’s joint address to Parliament

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar moves to read some parts of the President’s address in English. When he reads out the condolence message for victims of the Maha Kumbh stampede, certain members of the Opposition raise their voices in protest.

Let us once again reiterate the resolve of unity, and be committed to fulfilling India’s dreams, says President Murmu

“When we grow together, our future generations will definitely see a developed, strong, capable and prosperous India in 2047,” Ms. Murmu adds while concluding her address.

“In a time of global instability, India is presenting an example to the world by becoming a pillar of economic, social and political stability. Be it G7 Summit, Quad, BRICS, SCO or G20, the whole world has expressed confidence in India’s capabilities, policies and intentions,” President Murmu says. 

The government has taken historic actions to protect the country’s borders and ensure internal security. We have got very encouraging results especially in self-reliance in the defence sector. 

We have moved from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Make for the World’. Due to this, new employment opportunities are also being created in the country.

Along with protecting the borders, development of the border areas of the country is also an important part of our strategy. Border area roads and modern infrastructure like Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, Sonamarg Tunnel have given a boost to defence and tourism.

“For the development of India, my government has created three such strong pillars of Reform, Perform and Transform. Today these words have become synonymous with India’s new governance model all over the world,” President Murmu says

“PM Suraj Yojana has been expanded to provide easy loans to the backward sections of the society and sanitation workers. To extend the benefits of government schemes to the disabled people, more than one crore disablity identity cards have been issued.”

“Our manuscripts are our heritage. They contain vast knowledge that needs to be studied, researched and used for the benefit of mankind. Digitization and conservation of manuscripts using advanced technology is being taken up on mission mode.”

“In order to enable the entire country to see the potential of the eight States of the North East, the first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav was organised.” President Murmu says.

Along with the development of the North-East, the government has started working on the action plan for “Purvodaya” i.e. all-round development of the eastern States of the country, which will also provide new employment opportunities.

As a result of various steps taken for the economic empowerment of the cooperative sector, many employment opportunities are being created, President Murmu says. 

The year 2025 is being celebrated as the Year of International Cooperation, in which India will make an important contribution, she adds. 

“My government has given first priority to the welfare of our tribal communities, which continued to be neglected even after decades of independence. ‘Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan’ and ‘PM-Janman Yojana’ are direct examples of this. Health problems related to sickle cell of the tribal community are also being addressed by running a special national mission. About five crore persons have been screened under this mission.”

Saying that the goal of the govt is to have a modern and self-reliant agricultural system in India, President Murmu adds: My government is working dedicatedly to provide fair prices to the farmers for their crops and to increase their income.

For a weather ready and climate smart India, my government has started “Mission Mausam” at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore, which will also benefit our farmers.

President Murmu, in her joint address to the Parliament, speaks on the intersections of digital and health sectors. She says: U-WIN portal has been launched to keep accurate tracking of the vaccination schedule of pregnant women and children. So far, about thirty crore vaccine doses have been registered on this portal.

Citizens have got health benefits through more than 30 crore e-tele-consultations through telemedicine.

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project has been completed and now the country will be connected from Kashmir to Kanyakumari by railway line. Under this ambitious project, Chenab Bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge in the world, Ms. Murmu said.

India’s metro network has now crossed the milestone of one thousand kilometers. India has now become the third largest country in the world in terms of metro network.

In our rapidly digitizing society, another important topic related to national security is cyber security. Technologies like digital fraud, cyber crime and deep fake have also become a challenge to social, economic and national security, President Murmu says. Many steps have been taken to control these cyber crimes. 

There are employment opportunities for youth in the field of cyber security also, Ms. Murmu adds.

President Murmu highlights the expansion of banking services, penetration of digital payment services, and introduction of 5G services in the country. She says: 

For decades, the brothers and sisters of our country who made their living by setting up shops on the street vendors remained out of the banking system. Today he is getting the benefit of PM Swanidhi Yojana. On the basis of digital transaction records, they get more loans to expand their business.

Today India is making its presence felt as a major global player in the field of digital technology. The introduction of 5G services in India is a big example of this.

My government has used digital technology as a tool for social justice and equality. Digital payment is not limited to some people or some classes. Even the smallest shopkeeper in India is taking advantage of this facility. 

In her joint address to the Parliament, Ms. Murmu turns her focus towards discussing the govt’s plan for AI in India. She says: 

Taking forward India’s contribution in the field of Artificial Intelligence, “India AI Mission” has been started. 

With the National Quantum Mission, India will be able to take a place among the leading countries of the world in this frontier technology.

The stability and resilience that the Indian economy has shown despite global concerns like Covid and its aftermath and war is proof of its strength.

My government has taken many important steps to promote ease of doing business.

Today our youth is bringing glory to the country in every field from startups, sports to space. Through MY Bharat portal, lakhs of youth are getting involved in the work of nation building, Ms. Murmu says. 

My government is preparing a modern education system for the students through the National Education Policy. No one should be deprived of education, that is why opportunities for education in mother tongue are being provided. Language barriers have also been overcome by conducting various recruitment examinations in thirteen Indian languages, she adds. 

Indian teams have performed well everywhere, be it the Olympics or Paralympics. By running the Fit India Movement, we are creating strong youth power.

Focusing on the aspect of ‘Nari Shakti’ in her address, President Murmu says:

My government believes in empowering the country under the leadership of women, i.e. women led development. Reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies through the Nari Shakti Vandan Act is an important step in this direction.

More than ninety one lakh self-help groups are being empowered under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. More than ten crore women of the country have been connected with it. A total amount of more than Rs 9 lakh crore has been distributed to them through bank linkage.

Our Banking and Digi Payment Sakhis are playing an important role in connecting people in remote areas with the financial system. Krishi Sakhis are promoting natural farming and our livestock is getting strengthened through Pashu Sakhis. Drone Didi Scheme has become a medium for economic and technical empowerment of women. 

Listing out the various schemes undertaken by the government, President Murmu speaks on the strides made by the NDA government. She says:

By expanding the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, it has been decided to provide new houses to three crore additional families. There is a plan to spend Rs. five lakh thirty-six thousand crore for this.

“Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh” campaign has been started for five crore people of tribal society. A provision of Rs. 80,000 crore has been made for this.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, it has been decided to provide health insurance to six crore senior citizens aged seventy years and above. They will get a health cover of Rs 5 lakh every year.

My government has placed special focus on the education of the youth and creating new employment opportunities for them. PM Vidyalakshmi Yojana has been launched to provide financial assistance to meritorious students in higher education. One crore youth will also be given internship opportunities in top five hundred companies.

Today, my government is giving new energy to this golden period of India’s development journey through unprecedented achievements. 

In the third term, work is being done at three times faster pace. Today the country is seeing major decisions and policies being implemented at an extraordinary pace, Ms. Murmu said.

In her address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, President Murmu highlighted the recent commemoration of the nation completing 75 years of adoption of the constitution. 

Ms. Murmu makes reference to the Maha Kumbh festivities under way in Prayagraj and expresses her condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the recent stampede incident. 

Making remarks ahead of the budget session, PM Modi alluded to the presence of foreign interference in previous Parliament sessions, which he says is missing in this one.

“You must have noticed, since 2014, this is the first Parliament session, which saw no ‘ videshi chingari’ [foreign interference] in our affairs, in which no foreign forces tried to ignite a fire. I had noticed this before every budget session. And many in our country leave no stone unturned to fan these sparks.”

Making his remarks to the media, ahead of the joint Parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today, at the beginning of the Budget Session, I offer my respects to the Goddess of Wealth -- Maa Lakshmi.”

“I pray to Maa Lakshmi that she bless this country’s poor and middle class population.”

“Our country has completed 75 years as a Republic. This is a matter of pride for the citizens. The people have elected me for the third time. This is the first full budget of my third term. I believe that this budget will provide new energy towards the fulfilment of the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, when we complete 100 years of Independence.”

“In the third term, we will push the nation towards holistic progress in mission mode. Innovation, Inclusion and Investment have been a constant foundation for our economic roadmap.”

Prior to the joint sitting of the Parliament, which will be addressed by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his remarks to the media, outside the Parliament building

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, set to make history with her eighth consecutive Union Budget, has worked with key officials, including Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, to prepare a budget of over Rs 50 lakh crore for FY26.

The Budget will have to address several challenges, including decelerating economic growth, falling value of Rupee against the U.S. dollar and moderation in consumption demand.

The economic growth is estimated to slow to a 4-year low of 6.4% in FY25. This is the lowest growth since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic which hit the world in 2019.

Ms. Sitharaman, who had steered the Indian economy through many difficult phases, including once-in-a-century pandemic, is again confronted with economic deceleration, moderation in consumption, stagnant private investment, and an uncertain geopolitical situation.

On account of various factors, the rupee plunged to an all-time low of 86.7 per U.S. dollar earlier this month.

The team, assisting the Finance Minister to frame Budget proposals for 2025-26, includes Revenue Secretary Pandey, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth, Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Arunish Chawla, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, and Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran.

- PTI

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Opposition parties, criticising the government for withholding information on the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, and the U.P. government’s alleged focus on VIP visits to Prayagraj rather than crowd control, called for a discussion on the tragedy during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament, at the all-party meeting on Thursday (January 30, 2025). 

The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He noted that the Uttar Pradesh government was probing the tragedy. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju has not provided any assurances but said the Business Advisory Committee would decide on the agenda for Parliament.