Opposition parties boycott President address to Parliament
17 Opposition parties said Thursday they would boycott President Ram Nath Kovind’s customary address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Friday. They said this would be an expression of solidarity with farmer unions who have been protesting at Delhi’s borders for over two months, demanding the repeal of new agriculture laws.
Responding to the announcement, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi said: “I appeal to leaders of all parties not to boycott the President’s address. The government is ready to discuss all issues threadbare, and as much time as is required will be set aside when the Business Advisory Committees of both Houses meet.”
In a joint statement, the Opposition leaders said: “Lakhs of farmers have been agitating at the gates of the national capital of Delhi, braving biting cold and heavy rain for the last 64 days for their rights and justice. Over 155 farmers have lost their lives. The Government remains unmoved and has responded with water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges. Every effort has been made to discredit a legitimate mass movement through a government-sponsored disinformation campaign.”
“Unfortunately, there were few acts of violence on January 26 in the national capital of Delhi which was condemned universally and unequivocally. We also express our sadness over the injuries sustained by Delhi Police personnel while handling the difficult situation. But we believe that an impartial investigation will reveal the Central Government’s nefarious role in orchestrating those events,” the leaders said.
The signatories to the joint statement are Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma, NCP’s Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, DMK’s T R Baalu and Tiruchi Siva, Trinamool Congress’s Derek O Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav, RJD’s Manoj Jha, CPM’s Elamaram Kareem, CPI’s Binoy Viswam, RSP’s N K Premachandran, PDP’s Nazir Ahmad Laway, MDMK’s Vaiko, IUML’s P K Kunhalikutty, AIUDF’s Badruddin Ajmal and Kerala Congress (M)’s Thomas Chazhikadan.
Economic Survey 2021 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today
The Economic Survey 2020-21 will be tabled in the Parliament on Friday, January 29, 2021, by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, two days before the Union Budget gets presented. Generally, the Economic Survey is presented on the opening day of the Budget Session and provides a summary of annual economic development across the country during the financial year.
It analyses the trends in money supply, infrastructure, agricultural and industrial production, employment, prices, exports, imports, foreign exchange reserves as well as other relevant factors that have an impact on the economy and the budget. This year, the focus is going to be on the losses suffered by the Indian economy due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Economic Survey is one of the most important annual document of the Finance Ministry as it provides the resource allocations mentioned in the Budget. This document is prepared under the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the central government.
Government should avoid the temptation to levy new cess. Tax relief, in fact, could spur spending, give boost to economy, Hitesh D Gajaria writes. Read the full column here.
Following are the highlights of Economic Survey 2020-21, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.
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with an Express account.
– “Real growth rate for FY21 is taken as -7.7 per cent (MoSPI) and the real growth rate for FY22 is assumed as 11.5 per cent based on IMF estimates,” Economic Survey 2020-21 document said.
– The survey projected a V-shaped recovery: While the lockdown resulted in a 23.9 per cent contraction in GDP in Q1, the recovery has been a V-shaped one as seen in the 7.5 per cent decline in Q2 and the recovery across all key economic indicators.
– Despite the hardhitting economic shock created by the global pandemic, India is witnessing a V-shaped recovery with a stable macroeconomic situation aided by a stable currency, comfortable current account, burgeoning forex reserves, and encouraging signs in the manufacturing sector output.
– KV Subramanian said that India was the only country to announce structural reforms. “India focused on saving lives and livelihoods; took short term pain for long term gain. Recognized that GDP growth will recover, lost human lives cannot be brought back,”
-He said that Economic Survey calls for counter-cyclical fiscal policy to be an important point of emphasis, where the government steps in when the private sector does badly and steps back when the private sector does well.
The government's annual Economic Survey on Friday strongly defended new farm laws, saying they herald a new era of market freedom which can go a long way in improving lives of small and marginal farmers in India.
These legislations were designed "primarily" for the benefit of "small and marginal farmers", which constitute around 85 per cent of the total number of farmers and are the biggest sufferer of the "regressive" APMC-regulated market regime, the survey said.
The pre-budget document defended the farm laws in the backdrop of long-running farmers' agitation at various borders of the national capital seeking repeal of these legislations expressing concern that they are pro-corporate and could weaken government-regulated mandis, also called Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs). (PTI)
India's economy is likely to rebound with a 11 per cent growth in the next financial year as it makes a 'V-shaped' recovery after witnessing a pandemic-led carnage, the Pre-Budget Economic Survey said on Friday. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to contract by a record 7.7 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 31, 2021.
India witnessed its last annual contraction of 5.2 per cent in the fiscal year 1979-80.
The Economic Survey 2020-21 said the agriculture sector is the only silver lining while services, manufacturing and construction were most hit by the lockdown that was imposed to curb the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (PTI)
"Even without lockdown, COVID-19 pandemic would have created a significant economic impact. But what the lockdown did ensure is help a coordinated response, enabling 'saving lives and livelihoods'," Chief Economic Advisor KV Subramanian said.
"Our team has done an analysis of what could have been vs what happened. Both on COVID-19 cases and deaths, India has done really well," informs CEA KV Subramanian.
"Chapter 1 of the Economic Survey is about India's policy response to #COVID19, Saving Lives And Livelihoods, amidst a once-in-a-lifetime crisis," Chief Economic Advisor KV Subramanian says.
Chief Economic Advisor KV Subramanian has launched the Economic Survey 2020-21 which has been tabled in Parliament today.
After an estimated 7.7 per cent contraction in 2020-21, the Finance Ministry’s Economic Survey projects that India’s real GDP would record a growth of 11 per cent in 2021-22. The nominal GDP growth has been estimated at 15.4 per cent, implying an assumption of 4.4 per cent inflation during the year. On what basis has the 11 per cent growth projection been made? Click here to read.
Press Conference by Chief Economic Advisor on the Economic Survey 2021.
According to the Economic Survey 2020-21, "Real growth rate for FY21 is taken as -7.7 per cent (MoSPI) and real growth rate for FY22 is assumed as 11.5 per cent based on IMF estimates."
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has tabled in Economic Survey 2021 in Lok Sabha, and the House has been adjourned till Monday, the beginning of the Budget session. Chief Economic Adviser K V Subramanian will soon address a press conference on the Survey.
Rajya Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien was among the Opposition leaders who didn't attend President Ram Nath Kovind's address in Parliament this morning.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is addressing the media. He attacks the Opposition for skipping the President's address. "What kind of precedence are they creating? It's unfortunate, this arrogance is not good. They think only they have the right to rule... The President is entitled to our respect. It’s a matter of great regret today that the Opposition boycotted his speech."
He also says an AAP member tried to push his way into the House and create disruptions during the address. "We were also in the Opppsition, but never did this," says Prasad.
There is no set format for the President’s speech. The Constitution states that the President shall “inform Parliament of the cause of the summons”. During the making of the Constitution, Prof K T Shah wanted the President’s address to be more specific. He suggested that the language be changed to specify that the President shall inform Parliament “on the general state of the Union including financial proposals, and other particular issues of policy he deems suitable for such address”. Read more on the history & precedent of President’s address in Parliament
Members of Parliament will reconvene at 3 pm after which the Economic Survey will be tabled. After this, Chief Economic Advisor K V Subramanian will address a press conference around 3.30 pm.
Vice-President Venkaiah-Naidu is now reading out some parts of the President's speech in English. Here are some of the key points President Kovind made:
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the construction of Ram Temple, President Kovind says the country has done many tasks which were once considered difficult.
"India supplied essential medicines to more than 150 countries along with meeting the domestic needs of the country. India is committed to ensuring vaccine availability globally... The Vande Bharat Mission, which is the largest such campaign in the world, is being appreciated. India has brought back nearly 50 lakh Indians from all parts of the world, as well as more than one lakh foreign nationals to their own countries," says President Kovind.
"In June 2020, 20 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in Galvan Valley to protect the country. Every countryman is grateful to the soldiers. My government is fully committed to protecting the interests of the country and is also vigilant. Additional forces have also been deployed to protect India's sovereignty over the LAC," says President Kovind.
President Kovind says the participation in the Jammu and Kashmir elections shows how the state is "moving rapidly towards a new democratic future".
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have also supported my government's development policy. Only a few weeks ago, for the first time since independence, the Zilla Parishad elections in Jammu and Kashmir concluded successfully. The participation of a large number of voters has shown that Jammu and Kashmir has moved rapidly towards a new democratic future. The people of the state have been empowered by getting new rights," he says.
President Kovind speaks about developments in the Northeast. "Today, insurgency in the Northeast is at an end and there has been a big reduction in incidents of violence. The youth wandering the path of violence are now returning to the mainstream of development and nation-building.
"The resettlement of Bru refugees is being completed with peace and harmony. Similarly, the historic Bodo Peace Accord has also been successfully implemented. After the agreement, this time the Bodo Territorial Council elections have also been successfully completed."
President Kovind speaks about the development and progress of India's infrastructure, including new expressways, waterways, Railways' freight trains and metro connectivity.
President Kovind says India has emerged as an attractive place for investors despite the Covid-19 pandemic. "The country has started recovering from the damage done to the economy amid efforts to save the lives of Indians. Even in these difficult times, India has emerged as an attractive place for the investors of the world," he says, in his address to Parliament.
President Ram Nath Kovind is listing the achievements of his government. He speaks of the advancements in the agriculture, education, technology, financial and social sectors. He also speaks of the appointment of women in the military.
President Kovind says his government is working on an ambitious plan of 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. "Under this, along with delivering every house water, water conservation is also being done at a rapid pace. Under this campaign 3 crore families have been connected to the pipe water supply so far," he says
President Kovind says on the contentious farm laws: "My government wants to make it clear that before the formation of the three new agricultural laws, there was no reduction in the rights and facilities which were under the old system. Rather, through these agricultural reforms, the government has given new rights to farmers."
On the violence on Republic Day, President Kovind says, "The insult to the Tricolour on Republic Day is very unfortunate. The Constitution that gives us the right to freedom of expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law and rule should be followed equally seriously.
With the session being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic, members seated in Central Hall are seen wearing masks and sitting with distance between themselves.
"The self-reliant Bharat Abhiyan is not only limited to construction in India, but it is also a campaign to raise the standard of living of every citizen of India and increase the confidence of the country," says President Kovind.
President Kovind says it is a matter of pride that India is running the world's largest vaccination campaign against Covid-19. "Both vaccines of this programme are manufactured in India. In the time of crisis, India has provided millions of doses of the coronavirus vaccine to many countries while discharging its obligation towards humanity," he says.
President Ram Nath Kovind begins listing the achievements of his government. He says nearly Rs 31,000 crore was transferred to Jan Dhan accounts of poor women; over 14 crore gas cylinders distributed for free under the Ujjwala scheme; free food grain of Rs 5 kg/month for 8 months distributed under 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana' during the pandemic, among other things.
"The government also cared for migrant workers, workers and people living away from their homes," he adds.
"In this fight against the pandemic, we have lost many people, including my predecessor, President Pranab Mukherjee, who also passed away during the pandemic. Six Members of Parliament also left us untimely because of Covid-19. I pay my humble tribute to all," says President Kovind.
President Kovind quotes poet Ambikagiri Raychaudhary:
Om tatsat bharat mahat, a chetonat, a dhyanot,
One practice, one impulse, one hoi za, one hoi za
(The greatness of India is the ultimate truth. In the same consciousness, in the same meditation, in the same practice, in the same impulse, become one, become one)
President Ram Nath Kovind tells MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: "No matter how big the challenge is, we will not stop and India will not stop. Whenever India is united, it has achieved impossible goals."
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla are entering Parliament now. In a few minutes, President Kovind will address both Houses of Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a short statement to the media outside Parliament, calls for detailed debate and discussion during the Budget session. "The coming decade is significant for India’s progress. We have to remember the vision and dreams of the great leaders who fought for our nation’s freedom. Let there be detailed debate and discussions on the floor of Parliament."It's the first time that the Finance Minister had to come out with different packages through the year.There were in fact four to five mini budgets in 2020. So, this Budget will be seen as a part of that series," he added.
The Budget session of Parliament will be held in two parts, from January 29 to February 15, and from March 8 to April 8 with a recess in between. There will be a total of 33 sittings. Due to Covid-19, Parliament was not convened for the Winter session; the Monsoon session was held last September. Covid-19 protocol and measures will be in place to ensure the safety of legislators.
President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of Parliament at 11 am, ahead of the Budget session which begins Monday. Leaders of at least 18 Opposition parties have decided to boycott his address in a show of support to farmers protesting against the three recently-enacted farm laws. The Economic Survey 2021 will also be presented today, which will summarise the state of the Indian economy. Stay tuned as we bring you live updates!