Parliament Budget Session Day 4 highlights: Political differences apart, urge all parties and citizens to come together for creating Viksit Bharat, PM Modi in Lok Sabha

AAP Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney expressed concern over students facing difficulties in getting job placements and suggested several measures, including boosting manufacturing, to address the problem of unemployment. - PTI

SP MP Javed Ali khan said in RS said that a website can be opened where people can report about missing family members who have visited Kumbh, he suggested that this work can be given to Indian Army. He also said because of privatisation, representation of minorities in government jobs has decreased. He demanded proper representation of minorities in government jobs.

Kerala CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan said that the ruling party is trying to enter facilities of modern science and promoting their political ideology. V. Sivadasan also added that the draft UGC guidelines will destroy the autonomy of universities.

Kerala CPI MP Santosh Kumar P called for a special session of Parliament once a year in any South Indian state in Rajya Sabha and demanded special economic package for Kerala. He also drew attention to the rising man animal conflict in Kerala.

After having passed resolution of thanks for President’s address, the lower house concluded proceedings for the day. Proceedings recommence in the lower house on Thursday, Feb 6 at 11 a.m. 

Concluding his speech, PM Modi urged political differences apart, all political parties and citizens must come together to help attain the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by the 100th year of independence. “The country must stand paramount,” he stated. 

“Viksit Bharat is not a sarkaari dream, it is the vision of 140 crore people of India,” he stated, emphasising, “There are examples globally about it being achieved in the past. Moreover, India has immense capability: in terms of democracy, demand and demographics, why can’t we do it as well?”. 

Mr. Modi emphasising the potential for employment with MSMEs, he emphasised his government’s commitment for their betterment. 

“Political differences and dejection apart, how can we talk like about a President? India is now past this distorted mentality and is witnessing women-led development,” he stated. 

“BJP takes very competent members from Congress in their party and gives them the work of bad-mouthing the Congress,” says Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil. He slams the VIP entry in Maha Kumbh and blames this provision for the stampede in the event. 

Rajya Sabha is listening to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

The Prime Minister held his government’s approach for upliftment of the two communities also hinges on ensuring the unity of the country is kept intact and no social tension arises. He stated that one new university was established every week in the last ten years, an ITI every day and a new college every two days. “You can imagine how much this would have benefitted the SC, ST communities,” he stated. 

Mr Modi also placed before the house that the number of medical colleges have increased from 387 before 2014 to 780 at present. Furthermore, the number of ST seats in medical colleges have also increased from 3,800 to 9,000 in the mentioned period. Additionally, the number of seats reversed for scheduled castes have increased from 7,700 before 2014 to 17,000 at prese

In Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Ashok Chavan highlights the need for more highways, speed trains and UDAN flights to backward regions like Marathwada in Maharashtra. “I am sure India’s dream for stepping on the moon will soon come true,” says Mr. Chavan, lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the strides India has made in space. 

PM Modi held that his administration refrained from toxicity in politics. 

Separately, Mr Modi held that certain people talk in the “Urban Naxal” dialect and they would understand neither the constitution, nor the country’s unity. 

Addressing assertions about allegations of governors, Mr. Modi recalled that during her tenure as the Gujarat CM he took to compiling speeches of all governors from the past fifty years. “I was a BJP CM whilst the past governments had been those of the Congress,” he said. 

Emphasising about the objective, he held, “We live the constitution and its spirit.” PM Modi also pointed to him having established the Prime Minister’s Museum that encompassed all heads of state of the past. 

Mr. Modi emphasised his govt’s observation about the increasing positive proliferation of the gaming ecosystem in India. He placed his govt’s commitment to help the ecosystem – having noted that the participants are working steadfast in the realm. 

PM Modi further held that India holds a strategic importance in the global AI stage. 

Mr Modi also placed his govt’s commitment for Deep tech. 

Pointing to the increase in income tax exemption announced in the recent budget presentation, Prime Minister Modi stated that his government is working to increase savings of the middle class. “We have not only healed the wounds from the past (before his government came to power) but also put bandage,” he stated. 

PM Modi reflecting on varied measures taken to save money from expenditures and procurements, held that it was not utilised to construct ‘Sheesh Mahal’. 

He told the house that the infrastructure budget, which stood at ₹1.8 lakh crore before his government came to power, now stood at ₹11 lakh crore. 

Observing that India is not energy independent and relies on imports, Mr Modi indicated that blending contributed to savings of ₹1 lakh crore. According to him, this was disbursed to farmers. 

Emphasising his government’s objective with introducing technology and transparency into their purchases, Mr Modi stated that the Govt E-Marketplace (GeM) led to savings of ₹1.15 lakh crore in procure

In Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accuses BJP of voter influencing, misuse of Election Commission in Delhi elections. “People are being inked wrongly, threatened, bribed – just for winning the smallest state. They are trying to remove voters from electoral roll,” says Mr. Singh. His remarks are being opposed by treasury benches as Chair Harivansh demands proof of his accusations.

Mr Modi placing the figures held that those without a house would be able to value having a roof on their heads. 

Separately, PM Modi also told the house that his government built more than 12 crore toilets for the welfare of women in the country. 

Launching a scathing attack at the Opposition, the Prime Minister held that whilst certain political leaders were focussed on the “Jacuzzi and stylish showers” in their house, his government was committed to providing tap water connections to every household in India. 

PM Modi held that people tied to the ground are better aware of their own realities, thus, when they work tirelessly for the purpose of upliftment – change is possible. “We did not give the poor false assurance, rather real development,” he said. 

Further, launching an attack at the Opposition, he held, “The pursuit requires immense passion, something that certain people do not possess.” 

BJP MP Gulam Ali condemns politicisation of a tragedy in Maha Kumbh. Extolling the Centre’s preparations in the Maha Kumbh, he cites several instances when stampedes occurred. “They have abused the minorities as a vote-bank,” says Mr. Ali, lauding PM Modi for abolishing triple talaq. 

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan says, “Congress has publicised the deaths occurred in Kumbh Mela. You hid dead bodies and forced people to claim it as natural deaths and not due to stampede. Soon, a film will be made on it”. 

Mr Modi started his address thanking the people of the country for according him the opportunity to respond to President’s Address in the Lower House for the 14th time in his lifetime. 

The Prime Minister is expected to respond to the discussion on the President’s Address in the lower house at 5 p.m. today

Congress’ Chhattisgarh MP Phulo Devi Netam accuses the Centre of insulting the President. She lists the failures of the Modi government in the last ten years regarding inflation, poverty, water and food scarcity. 

MDMK MP Vaiko demands that Tamil be made one of the official languages of India. “Pt. Nehru stressed the need of a diverse country. These people want to make everyone as ONe nation, One election,” he says. He also condemns the adoption of the Waqf Joint Parliamentary Commission’s report by suspended Opposition members 

Observing the content of Mr. Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Godda MP accused the LoP of “shamelessly distorting historical and substantiative facts” alongside attempting to “ridicule our country and lowering the prestige of our Republic”. 

Whilst the Opposition raised their concerns about the alleged mismanagement at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), members of the treasury reiterated their objections to the contents of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech on Tuesday – particularly noting his comparison of paradigms of India and China. 

The treasury also objected to Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan’s remarks earlier in the day about Mahakumbh. She had stated in the Upper House that dead bodies of the deceased were thrown into the river. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut quotes Hindu philosopher Shankaracharya saying, “If the government denies a rumour, it means it has happened”. Lamenting the deaths in the stampede at Kumbh Mela, he asks, “Why are you hiding the deaths?”. His colleague Priyanka Chaturvedi highlights that the names of those deceased have not been released yet. 

CPI(M) MP John Brittas highlights the fear felt by the minorities due to the Modi government. Citing examples of Christians being arrested without just cause, he says, “This is the fear which has crept into the society”. He also questions federalism if the states are not granted allocation in the Union Budget, citing Kerala’s example. He also accuses the Centre of hijacking state universities, which leads to uproar by treasury benches. 

Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha, RJD MP from Bihar, says that it is important to ensure dignity in life, and even more to ensure to dignity in death. He says that it is shameful that we cannot ensuring dignity in death, refering to the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela. He questions the existence of VIP darshan. 

He also spoke about the inequality in earnings, saying that it is increasing. No one has the capacity to solve unemployment, but where is the blueprint, he questions, saying that to solve unemployment, one must acknowledge that it is present.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the government was hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj, and demanded strict action against those trying to cover up the “mis-management” in organising the fair.

“The government is continuously reeling out budget numbers, please also give the numbers of those who died in the Kumbh,” Mr. Yadav said. 

“The government ordered seers to put off their ‘shahi snan’ and broke with the traditions of the ‘sanatan dharma’. When there was a hue and cry, the government ordered them to re-commence the ‘shahi snan’, forgetting that the holy bath has to be taken at a specific time or mahurat,” he added. - PTI

RSP Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran said that the President’s address was disappointing. “It was a mere political statement of so-called achievements of the Modi government during the last 10 years,” he said.

“Urban unemployment is reaching 22%. Rahul Gandhi rightly spoke about the need of increased production yesterday. The manufacturing contribution of the country has dwindled. I want to ask the government what is its vision for youth and women. Unfortunately, the word ‘labour’ was totally ignored in the President’s speech. The statutory benefits of the labour forces is being taken away,” he added. 

Discussion erupts in House after DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu alleges that the Governor of Tamil Nadu is behaving in an unconstitutional manner. Chair Ghanshyam Tiwari says that these statements will be expunged from the record, while DMK members say that Ms. Kanimozhi is merely describing events which happened in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, and question what should be done if a constitutional head acts in an unconstitutional manner. 

Mr. Channi added that Babasaheb Ambedkar was the father of the Constitution and was being betrayed by the governance in the country. He also sought an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah apologize over his remarks on B.R. Ambedkar.

Punjab’s INC MP Charanjeet Singh Channi lamented that the “seeds of hatred were being sowed” in the country and called for the government to stop discriminating against minorities. “The farmers are being treated with hatred,” Mr. Channi added.

States have stopped responding to questionnares and not complying with the Right to Information Act, says INC MP Renuka Chowdhury. The same thing is happening with Whistleblowers Act, she says, noting that it has not come to fruition although it was passed in 2014. 

Why do we not implement that which the Parliament has passed, with the collective intelligence of the people, she asks. Speaking of the promises made during the reorganistion of Andhra Pradesh have not been fulfilledm she says, asserting that both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been betrayed. She mentions projects such as a steel plant in Khammam and a central university which have not materialised. 

She says that all the Southern States are being discriminated against, questioning if this is since these States kept out the ruling party. 

The government does not tolerate irregularities and will take action if anyone is found guilty of indulging in corruption, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday amid allegations of corruption in Maharastra’s agriculture department.

“This is for the first time I am hearing. I don’t know what is the real position. But if there is any irregularity anywhere, we will conduct an inquiry and action will be taken against the guilty,” he said in the Lok Sabha.

Mr. Chouhan was responding to an allegation levelled by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, who quoted a minister and an MLA of Maharashtra of talking about alleged corruption to the tune of ₹5,000 crore in the State’s agriculture department. - PTI

Opposing the President’s speech, TMC MP Saugata Roy in the Lok Sabha said, “I want to ask what was achieved in the 10 years of Make-in-India. The President’s speech does not acknowledge pollution, unemployment.”

BJP MP Banshilal Gurjar resumes his speech, which was left incomplete on February 3.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the Uttar Pradesh and Central government for “hiding” the “real” death toll of the Maha Kumbh stampede and questioned whether this was the “Sanatani dharma” preached by CM Yogi.

“When it was known that some people had lost their lives, their bodies were lying in the mortuary and in the hospital, then the government filled their helicopter with flowers and showered flower petals. What kind of Sanatani tradition is this?”

Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu asks about the preparedness of the country for pandemics in the future. MoS for Health Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav mentions that various measures are being taken under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and by Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to tackle such pandemics in the future. 

“Prime Minister Modi still believes the country has a one-party government. Maha Kumbh tragedy clearly shows the failure of both the Central and State government. The President’s speech does not mention Manipur. The President is a tribal herself and she has not acknowledged the deaths of tribals in Manipur. She has not bothered to visit the State. We want the PM to visit Manipur immediately. The President’s speech also fails to address the Kisan,” said TMC MP Saugata Roy in Lok Sabha.

Demanding an all-party meeting on the Maha Kumbh stampede, the Samajwadi Party chief said, “There should be strict punitive action against those responsible and those who have hidden the truth should be punished. We ask the double-engine government, if there was no guilt, then why were the figures hidden and erased?.”

Blaming Yogi Adityanath administration for the stampede, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The bodies of the deceased were lifted with tractor trolley. The government is hiding the real death toll. Why are they hiding the truth.”

He further questioned the lack the of provisions made host over 100 crore people in the Maha Kumbh festival.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replies to questions about the Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme, which aims to place young educated persons in top 500 companies to gain work experience. She says that the scheme complies with constitutional directives pertaining to SC/ST reservations, and says that women have benefitted from the scheme. 

In response to MP Mausam Noor’s question pertaining to whether it is true that the scheme has achieved only 10% of its stated objective to offer 1.25 lakh internships, the Minister replies that some individuals may prefer other companies and that it is an evolving situation, and that the progress of the scheme since July 2024 has been heartening. 

In response to a question about facilities being offered to let persons for rural areas and small towns benefit from the scheme, the Minister says that the government provides Rs. 4500 and the company provides Rs. 500, and a one time payment of Rs. 6000 is offered after the person is selected for an intenship. She also highlights that some companies offer meals, and a provision is made to offer mentorship to the selected candidates. Advertisements for this scheme are also made in local languages, she says, while also urging MPs to promote adoption of the scheme in their States.

During Motion of Thanks debate in the Parliament, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue of Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj. He demanded that two minutes of silence be observed for those who passed away in the stampede.

“The government which is releasing figures on the Union Budget should also release the real death toll of the Maha Kumbh tragedy,” said Mr. Yadav.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday gave an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha over the issue of the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj, which occurred on January 29.

“I rise to discuss the tragic incident that occurred during the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, where a horrific stampede resulted in the loss of numerous lives and left many others injured,” Mr. Gogoi wrote in his letter. 

“The Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious congregations in the world, was expected to be a gathering of spiritual importance and unity. However, due to inadequate safety measures, overcrowding, and lapses in crowd management, this sacred event turned into a tragedy that shook the entire nation,” the letter read.

AITC MP Saket Gokhale asks about the blending of ethanol with fossil fuel, questioning why, if the scheme is being enforced, no cost benefits are being passed on to the consumer. He says that the people are tired of rising prices of diesel and petrol.

BJP MP S. Selvaganabthy from Puducherry raises concerns about the effects of climate change on agriculture, while P.T Usha raises the need for an AIIMS in Kerala, and placing a demand for one at Kinnalur, located on the Malabar coast. 

MP Satnam Singh Sandhu raises concerns about the preservation of regional dialects, particularly in the context of Punjab. He expresses appreciation of the National Education Policy’s move to promote education in the local language, and requests that this should include teaching in dialects. 

AITC MP Ritabrata Banerjee raises a demand to change the name of West Bengal to Bangla, while Sushmita Dev requests demands to manage the Barak river in Assam.

BJP MP Dr. K Laxman puts forward a demand to declare a national holiday on the birth anniversaries of Rishabhanatha and Mahavir, important Jain teerthankars, saying that this is important not only for the Jain community but also for lovers of peace. 

Meanwhile, BJD MP Debashish Samantaray requests that the Bali yatra be declared a national festival, highlighting that the marine pilgrimage links the countries of India and Indonesia. 

In Maharashtra, there has been a corruption of over ₹500 crore in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, NCP (SP) MP Suriya Sule alleged during the Question Hour.

“We will take action if any wrongdoing is found,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan in response.

BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari raises the issue of road accidents along national highways, referring to a horrific incident in Jaipur where at least 40 died and 40 vehicles were burnt. He highlights that more than 7 lakh persons lost their lives due to road accidents over the last five years. 

Traffic should be informed about diversions and highways to prevent accidents and drivers should be well-trained, Mr. Tiwari says. Companies should be held liable for the road accidents caused by their drivers, he adds. 

Other members raise issues pertaing to IITs and NITs, conservation of the vulture, a request to declare Bengal’s Gangasagar mela as a national festival and much-needed interventions in health and life insurance sector. 

Notices received under rule 267 are not admitted, rules Chair Harivansh. These includes motions to suspend the business of the House to discuss the stampede-like situation during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayaraj.

The House resumes proceedings with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar presiding as Chair.

Speaker Om Birla commenced the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressing the House.

Congress MP Benny Benahan questioned efforts taken by the agricultural ministry regarding coconut production in Kerala during the Question Hour.

Day four of the Budget session of the Parliament will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in both Houses, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to address the Lower House at 5 p.m. to reply to the Motion of Thanks to President’s address.

Opposition parties on Monday (February 3, 2025) took on the National Democratic Alliance government over issues ranging from caste census to Centre-State relations while participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha. However, NDA allies such as the Telugu Desam Party, countered that it was the people of the country who had given them the mandate to rule.

Leading the charge from Opposition, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi claimed that the President’s address glorified “civilizational nationalism”. She also slammed the NDA government for not having commented on the findings of Iron Age in Tamil Nadu.

Opposition protests over Maha Kumbh stampede deaths influenced the day’s proceedings in Rajya Sabha as well. Soon after convening, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that there were nine notices to discuss the Maha Kumbh deaths and also increasing incidents of disrespect towards the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. All notices were denied and several Opposition members protested loudly, demanding for the discussion. They then staged a walkout and the House continued with Zero Hour.

During Question Hour, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil answered various questions pertaining to their Ministries. Mr. Naidu said that the Centre is ready to help in setting up a new airport at Hosur, Tamil Nadu, but it was a “tricky” situation as it falls within 150km of the current international airport at Bengaluru.

The House then took up discussion on the ‘Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address’ and Mr. Dhankhar allotted 15 hours for the discussion.

Leading a sharp attack on the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday (February 3, 2025) claimed that the ruling party smelt a conspiracy behind the Maha Kumbh stampede and those responsible for it will have to hang their heads in shame once the probe is over.

Taking part in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, the MP from Bihar’s Patna Sahib constituency also raised the raised the issue of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi referring to President Droupadi Murmu as “poor lady” and accused the Congress of historically “disrespecting” the office of the President.