Parliament Budget Session 2019 begins: Details here
What's the story
On Thursday, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed a joint sitting of both Houses of the Parliament, and kicked off the Budget Session. The session, which will last from January 31 to February 13, will be the last Parliament session under the current Modi government. Meanwhile, an interim Budget is slated to be passed on February 1, Friday. Here are the details.
Kovind
President Kovind highlighted the Modi government's achievements
Addressing the joint sitting, President Kovind said that his government had taken up the mission of forming a 'New India'. He said that since 2014, the Modi government had constructed nine crore toilets under Swachh Bharat, had issued six crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Scheme, and had constructed 1.3 crore houses He added that the Jan Dhan Yojana had benefited 34 crore people.
Details
President Kovind also stressed on education and healthcare
President Kovind further said that the Modi government was trying to improve educational opportunities by setting up seven IITs, seven IIMs, 14 IIIT, one NIT, and four NIDs. He added that healthcare was a top priority for the government, and that government schemes were reaching the poor. The President also hailed the progress of Make In India, and urged support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Quote
India is the world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones
"I am happy to inform that under the government's 'Make In India' initiative, India has become the world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones," said the President.
PM Modi
Earlier, PM had urged lawmakers to utilize the session productively
Earlier, on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged all legislators to use the Budget Session for 'constructive debates', and had assured the Opposition that any issues raised by them would be discussed earnestly. He had added that debates during the Budget session should be aimed at benefiting both the people and the government of the country.
Session
Important things to look ahead to in the Budget Session
The interim Budget, accounting for four months of expenditure and income till a new government is sworn in, will be presented by interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal. The Budget apart, the Modi government is expected to push for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the Triple Talaq Bill during the session. It could have important bearings on the upcoming elections.