Today is the first day of the Budget Session of the 18th Lok Sabha. President Draupadi Murmu delivered a 59-minute address to the joint session of both the Houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
President Murmu began his address by expressing grief over the Kumbh tragedy. He said, “Honorable members, the Maha Kumbh is also going on at this time. I express my grief over the tragedy that took place there.”
The President praised the schemes of the Central Government. He said- 70+ senior citizens got the benefit of Ayushman, loan limit for small traders was doubled. Also, the target of 3 crore new houses will be achieved soon Budget.
The government is working at 3 times the speed. Today, big decisions and policies are being implemented in the country at an extraordinary pace. Women, farmers and youth are being given top priority.
Budget Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media outside the House. The PM said- Many historic bills will be introduced in this session. Many important decisions will be taken in this session to ensure that every woman gets a respectable life. We will reform, perform and transform.
On the second day of the session, i.e. February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the first budget of the 18th Lok Sabha and the first budget of the third term of the Modi government. This will be Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive budget as Finance Minister.
February 2 will be a holiday as it is a Sunday. After this, the President’s address will be discussed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from February 3 to February 6. Prime Minister Modi can reply to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha only on February 6.
Now read the President’s address Budget Session, in 10 points…
- The government is working on farmers to give fair prices to farmers for their crops and increase their income. 332 million tonnes of food grains were produced. MSP of Kharif and Rabi crops has been increased. Three times the amount has been spent on the purchase of millets. 109 improved varieties have been handed over to farmers for better production. The scope of agricultural infrastructure funds will be increased. Work has been done to increase the production of edible oil and tendu. A national mission for organic farming is being run.
- Budget scheme was launched for students to help them get higher education. They will also be given internships in 500 companies. A new law has been implemented to prevent paper leaks. The government has approved Rs 26 thousand crore for the Gram Sadak Yojana. 17 Vande Bharats have been added in the last 6 months.
- We are making efforts to ensure that the poor and middle class get a dignified life. Today, 25 crore people of the country are moving forward in their lives by defeating poverty. They have created a platform for the new middle class which is full of new energy. It has been decided to form the Eighth Pay Commission to honor government employees. It has been decided to provide 50 percent fixed pension to lakhs of central government employees under the Unified Pension Scheme.
- Today, everyone has a contribution to the development of the country and therefore we are experiencing the full potential of the country. Dalit, deprived and tribal communities are getting the benefit of it. We have given priority to the welfare of the tribal society which was neglected. Tribal children are being educated in more than 770 Eklavya schools. 30 new medical colleges have been opened. The health of 5 crore people has been checked.
- Modern infrastructure on infrastructure gives new confidence to the country. We have achieved many milestones. 10 years ago the infrastructure budget was Rs 2 lakh crore, now it is more than Rs 11 lakh crore. The foundation of the deep water mega port has been laid. This will be one of the top 10 ports in the world. Udhampur, Srinagar-Baramulla rail project has been completed. The country will be connected by a railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The world’s highest bridge, the Rail Cable Bridge, has been built.
- Cancer medicines for cancer patients on health services have been exempted from customs duty on health services. 9 crore women have been tested for cervical cancer. As much effort has been made on physical infrastructure, so has the effort on social infrastructure. The family expenditure is continuously decreasing due to hospitals, treatment and services. 1 lakh 75 thousand Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been built.
- On Banking-Technology Today, India is an important global player in technology. The launch of 5G in India is an example of this. UPI is influenced by the success of technology. More than 50 percent of real-time digital transactions are taking place. Even the smallest shopkeeper in India is taking advantage of this facility. Banking services, facilities like UPI are available. Dozens of facilities have been provided in more than 5 lakh merchant service centers. Digi Locker provides the facility to show your important documents anywhere and anytime.
- Reservation for women in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly is our important step for women empowerment. More than 10 crore women have been given Rs 9 lakh crore. The target is to make 3 crore lakhpati didis. More than 1.15 crore such sisters have become lakhpatis. These women are working as entrepreneurs.
- India has become the third largest country in the world in terms of metro network. It has been decided to run electric buses in the country. This will also create employment. Work is underway on 15 ropeway projects in the country. In 2014, the metro network in Delhi NCR was 200 km, now it has more than doubled. The number of airports has doubled in the last 10 years. Urban facilities have been modernized and work has been done to make them energy efficient.
- By expanding the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on the government scheme in budget, 3 crore additional houses will be built, Rs 5 lakh 36 crore will be spent. So far, 2.25 crore ownership cards have been issued under the Swamitva Yojana. 70 lakh have been implemented in the last 6 months. Last month, an amount of Rs 41 thousand crore has been paid under the Kisan Samman Nidhi in budget. It was decided to provide insurance to senior citizens aged 70 years and above under Ayushman. The limit of Mudra loan for small entrepreneurs has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.