BUDGET SESSION 2021 LIVE UPDATES: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday, a customary speech delivered ahead of the commencement of the Budget session. As many as 18 Opposition parties are boycotting the President’s address in solidarity with farmers protesting against the three farm laws.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday strongly defended the three contentious agri laws that have sparked intense protests from a section of farmers and slammed as “‘very unfortunate” the violence during the farmers’ tractor parade on Republic Day.
Speaking about the violence on Republic Day, President Kovind called it “very unfortunate” and said, “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.” He said his government respects the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the farm laws and shall abide by it.
President Kovind’s customary address ahead of the Budget Session was boycotted by Opposition leaders of 18 parties, who skipped the event in solidarity with farmers protesting at Delhi’s borders against the three farm laws.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement to the media, called for debate and discussion in Parliament. “The coming decade is vital for India’s progress. We have to remember the vision and dreams of the greats who fought for our nation’s freedom. Let there be detailed debate and discussions on the floor of Parliament,” he said.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table the Economic Survey 2021, which will present a detailed account of the state of the economy, this afternoon.
The Budget session will be held in two parts, from January 29 to February 15 and from March 8 to April 8. There will be a total of 33 sittings. The Opposition is likely to target the government over a number of issues in Parliament including the pandemic economy, a stand-off with China at the Line of Actual Control, and the purported WhatsApp chats between Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami and former CEO of BARC Partho Dasgupta.
Budget 2021 LIVE | Vice President Venkiah Naidu addresses joint sitting of Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament
Summarises President Ram Nath Kovind’s address in English
>> Challenges cannot defeat us, when united we have always overcome – “Let us unite!”
>> Government ensured that no poor person went hungry during COVID-19 pandemic, also took care of migrants
>> India has demonstrated scientific abilities – manufacturing ventilators, PPE kits, and tests.
>> Immense pride that India is conducting a vaccination program and both vaccines are being manufactured indigenously.
Budget Session LIVE | Besides fulfilling the domestic requirements, India has provided necessary medicines to more than 150 countries. India is also committed to ensuring the availability of vaccines on a global scale: President Ram Nath Kovind.
Budget Session LIVE | 20 jawans made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan valley in June 2020. Every citizen is grateful to these martyrs. My Govt is committed to the protection of the interests of the nation. Extra Forces have been deployed at LAC for protection of India’s sovereignty: President Ram Nath Kovind
Budget Session LIVE | Last govts had made efforts for construction of a new Parliament building. It’s a delightful coincidence that the nation started construction while moving towards 75th year of independence. The building will provide more facilities to MPs in carrying out their duties: President Ram Nath Kovind
Budget Session LIVE | President Ram Nath Kovind on Agricultural Reform Laws
The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law & rules have to be followed seriously. Small and marginal farmers are also a priority for my Govt. To support such farmers in their small expenses, around Rs 1,13,000 crores have been transferred directly to their accounts, under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. My Govt would like to clarify that the rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three Farm Laws have not been cut short, in fact with these new agricultural reforms the Govt has provided new facilities & rights to farmers: President Ram Nath Kovind
Budget Session LIVE | It is a matter of pride that India is running the biggest vaccination program in the world. Both vaccines of this program are made in India. In this crisis India shouldered its responsibility towards mankind & provided lakhs of doses of vaccines to several nations. The facilities of Ayushman Bharat Yojana can be availed in any of the 24,000 hospitals across the nation. The poor are getting medicines at very low costs at 7000 centres across the country, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: President Ram Nath Kovind
