President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at Parliament to address the joint session. (Express photo: Anil Sharma)
Parliament Highlights: In his address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall, President Ram Nath Kovind said the government is moving ahead to create a strong, secure and inclusive India.
President Ram Nath Kovind said the people of India have given a “clear mandate” to accelerate the country’s development journey that started in 2014. In his customary address after the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha, the President added that the government has started a pension scheme to help farmers and small traders live a life of dignity.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day and will reconvene on Friday.
The Budget Session commenced Monday with jubilant BJP members raising ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogans as members of the 17th Lok Sabha were sworn in. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a total of 313 newly-elected MPs took oath Monday while 222 leaders were sworn-in Tuesday.
On Wednesday, two-time MP from Rajasthan Om Birla was elected Speaker of the House. While delivering a speech in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale extended his wishes to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on his 49th birthday while taking a jibe at his loss from the family bastion of Amethi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media as he arrives for the first session of 17th Lok Sabha, at Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)
Efforts of the Narendra Modi government in promoting the culture of the country will boost India's 'Thought Leadership' in the world, President Ram Nath Kovind said Thursday, addressing the joint sitting of the two House of parliament.
"Due to the efforts of my government, India's philosophy, culture and achievements have got a distinct recognition at the global stage. This year, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which is being celebrated world over, will provide a fillip to India's 'Thought Leadership'. Similarly, programmes related to the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, will help spread the light of India's spiritual wisdom throughout the world," he said. (PTI)
The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day. It will convene again tomorrow.
Kovind said the government will build a transport system with an emphasis on speed, security and environment and will also work to make rivers like Cauvery, Periyar, Mahanadi, Narmada and Godavari pollution free.
In his customary joint address to Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday outlined the NDA government’s objectives for “new India.” Stating that the government plans to make India a 5-trillion dollar economy by 2024, President Kovind in his address at the Central Hall of Parliament said, “My government is moving ahead to create strong, secure and inclusive India.” Read full story here
Elaborating on steps being taken in the education sector, President Kovind said, "My government is working to increase seats in higher educational institutes by 50 per cent by 2024 and will create 2 crore more seats."
After Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the government is now planning to take the banking services to doorsteps of people. For this, India Post’s postal payment banks are playing a crucial role, added President Kovind.
The government has set up a separate department for the overall development of fisheries. “Today, India ranks second in the world in fish production. We have the capacity to grab the first place,” Kovind added.
President Kovind also said that the government has also increased the amount of scholarships to children of brave jawans under the National Defence Fund. “This is the first time that the children of state police personnel have been included in the scheme,” Kovind added
In the best interests of agriculturists, President Kovind said the cabinet in its first meeting has decided to extend the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Siddhi (PM-KISAN) to all the farmers across the country, regardless of the size of their landholding. Announced ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the Interim Budget this February, the scheme provided Rs 6,000 a year in income support — to be distributed in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each every four months — to small and marginal farmers, who owned 2 hectares or less.
This year, events to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, being held around the world, will promote India's 'Thought Leadership'. Similarly, with the events of Guru Nanak Devji's 550th birth anniversary, the light of India's spiritual enlightenment will spread all over the world, said President Kovind.
The campaign against black money will be carried forward at a faster pace. In the last 2 years, more than 4 lakh directors have been disqualified and over 3 lakh dubious companies have been registered, President Kovind said in his joint address to the parliament.
President Kovind requested all members to extend their support to these efforts to make the lives of our sisters and daughters more dignified and improved. He further said, "To ensure equal rights for every sister and daughter in the country, eradication of malpractices like 'three divorces' and 'nikah-halala' is necessary. I would request all members."
Under the Prime Minister's Mudra Yojana, about 19 crore loans have been given for self-employment. The scheme will now be expanded to 30 crore people. A loan plan of up to Rs 50 lakh will also be brought in without guarantee for entrepreneurs.
In his joint address, President Kovind underlined the importance of healthcare in the country. He says, "About 26 lakh poor patients have benefitted from Ayushman Bharat scheme and 1.5 wellness centres are likely to function by 2022."
Under the 'National Livelihood Mission', over Rs 2 lakh crore has been given to 3 crore women in rural areas so far, said Kovind.
President Kovind says, "Empowerment of women is one of the highest priorities of my Government. The empowerment of women and their effective participation in society and economy is the test of a developed society. The Government is of the view that not only women should grow, but women should be led by development."
In his joint address to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, President Kovind said, "For the first time, a government has focused on the economic security of younger shopkeepers. A separate 'pension scheme' for small shopkeepers and retail traders has been approved in the first cabinet meeting. The scheme will benefit about 3 crore small shopkeepers."
Nearly half of the MPs have been elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time. This time, a large number of women MPs have been elected in Lok Sabha history which presents a picture of new India, said Kovind.
President Kovind said that the people have given a very clear mandate in the recently-concluded elections. After evaluating the government's first term, the countrymen have given even stronger support for the second time. By doing so, the countrymen have mandated a more uninterrupted, fast-moving development journey since 2014, he added.
This time, women have voted more than before and their participation has been almost equal to that of men. Millions of youth have played an important role in building India's future by voting for the first time. All voters deserve congratulations for the success of this election, said President Kovind.
"In the last five years, the citizen is concerned that the government is for them. People have voted long for getting the basic facilities", said President Kovind in his address.
The 17th Lok Sabha has seen a significant drop in the number of MPs taking oath in English, with members increasingly choosing regional languages to take the oath. This shift from English to regional languages has largely been observed among members from the southern states. The number of MPs who took oath in English has come down from 114 in 2014 to 54 in 2019. Read full story here
Good Morning,
Welcome to The Indian Express LIVE Blog. Join us as we track all the developments taking place on Day 4 of the 17th Lok Sabha.