THE HEADLINES:-
- Budget Session of Parliament begins with President’s Address to joint sitting of both Houses; President Droupadi Murmu says, amidst global instability, India is setting an example by emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses confidence that Budget Session will infuse new confidence and energy in attaining the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey 2024-25 in Parliament; Union Budget to be presented tomorrow.
- Two terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- In Men’s cricket, fourth T20 International between India and England to be played in Pune this evening.
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President Droupadi Murmu has said that amidst global instability, India is setting an example to the world by emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability. The President said this while addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the Parliament House today. She expressed confidence that the future generations of the country will definitely witness a developed, strong, capable and prosperous India by 2047.
The President said that her government is working with unprecedented pace for the development of the country and to ensure welfare of the people with a vision of Reform, Perform and Transform.
President Murmu said that the capital expenditure budget witnessed a record allocation of 11 lakh crore rupees which was only two lakh crore rupees 10 years ago. Highlighting the steps taken for building a robust infrastructure in the country, she said, the country is moving forward from Make in India to Make for the World which is creating employment opportunities. She said, the government has sanctioned 70 thousand crore rupees to connect 25 thousand habitations under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. She said, massive work has been done to extend the metro network in the country which has crossed the one thousand kilometer milestone. She said, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. She said, the government is working to develop a modern and self-reliant agricultural system with the focus on doubling the income of farmers and giving appropriate rates to farm produce. She said, the government has started ‘Mission Mausam’ with the outlay of two thousand crore rupees to make the country weather-ready and climate-smart. She said, 41 thousand crore rupees has been disbursed to farmers in recent months under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The President said, the government has taken historic steps to protect the country’s borders and ensure internal security. She said, development of the border areas of the country is an important part of the nation’s strategy along with protecting the borders. She said the government has also made swift progress on critical issues like One Nation-One Election and the Waqf Act Amendment.
Now we go over live to our correspondent Ishfaq Shah in Parliament .
Q.Ishfaq, what were the major highlights of President’s speech in Parliament today.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that the Budget session of Parliament will infuse new confidence and energy in attaining the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Addressing media ahead of the start of the Budget Session of Parliament, Mr Modi said, in 2047, when India will complete 100 years of Independence, the country will fulfill its resolve of Viksit Bharat.
Mr Modi said, the people have given his government the responsibility for the third time to run the country and this will be the first complete budget of this term. Mr. Modi said it is a matter of great pride that India has completed 75 years as a democratic nation and has established itself well on the global pedestal.
The Prime Minister said, as always, this session will have many historic days and there will be many discussions in the House. Mr Modi said, with extensive brainstorming, laws will be made that will work to strengthen the nation. The Prime Minister said, to re-establish the pride of Nari Shakti, to ensure that every woman gets a respectable life free from the differences of caste and creed and gets equal rights, many important decisions will be taken in this session. Speaking on the mantra of reform, perform and transform, Mr Modi said, when the pace of development has to be achieved, the maximum emphasis should be on reform, the state and central government have to perform together and the country can see transformation through public participation.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey in Parliament today. The Economic Survey is a comprehensive review of the country’s current economic state and future outlook. It is prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor. More from our correspondent:
“Finance Minister Sitharaman will present the Union Budget tomorrow. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will discuss the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address on Monday. 16 Bills including the Finance Bill 2025, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will be taken up for discussion and passage. The first part of the Budget session will be held till 13th February while the second leg of the session will be held from 10th March to 4th April. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said the nation can not prosper without the contribution of half of humanity. Addressing the Foundation Day celebrations of the National Commission for Women in New Delhi this morning, Mr Dhankhar said, the country for the first time gave a constitutional prescription for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures. He said, women are breaking every glass ceiling and they are in combat positions in Defence Forces. The Vice President said, now all around there is an ecosystem that is affirmative for them. He said, women have tasted development and the women of the country at the moment are most aspirational. Mr Dhankhar said, gender justice in the country is much beyond legal framework or Constitutionalism.
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As only four days are left for campaigning for the Delhi Assembly polls, the city is heated up with roadshows, rallies, public meetings, and door-to-door campaigns. All political parties, senior political leaders, star campaigners, and candidates are not leaving any stone unturned to reach the voters. More from our correspondent.
“All parties and candidates are trying to woo the voters in the national capital. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to address a public meeting in the Dwarka area this afternoon. Other BJP leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, among others, will address voters in the city. While Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, senior AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and party MP Sanjay Singh, are scheduled to address public meetings in different constituencies. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally in the Madipur area, while party MP Priyanka Gandhi will hold a road show and a rally in Nangloi and Mustafabad. Saklen Akhtar, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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In Jammu and Kashmir, two terrorists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Poonch district. Alert Army troops also foiled an infiltration attempt by a group of heavily armed terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Khari Karmara area of Gulpur sector in Poonch district yesterday.
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In Men’s Cricket, India will face England in the fourth T20 International at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune this evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 PM.
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In the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, the semi final match between India and England is underway at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. India were 67 for one in 9.3 overs when reports last came in. Opting to bat first, England has set a target of 114 runs after scoring 113 runs at a loss of 8 wicket in the stipulated 20 overs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Budget Session of Parliament begins with President’s Address to joint sitting of both Houses; President Droupadi Murmu says, amidst global instability, India is setting an example by emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses confidence that Budget Session will infuse new confidence and energy in attaining the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey 2024-25 in Parliament; Union Budget to be presented tomorrow.
- Two terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- In Men’s cricket, fourth T20 International between India and England to be played in Pune this evening.
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