Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged all the members of the Parliament to generate their best efforts and put forward exceptional ideas in the House during the last session before the 2024 General Elections, slated to be held in April-May.
The Budget session of the Parliament, commencing today, will conclude on 9 February and feature an interim budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February. The minister will present the interim budget as it stands, in light of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
During his customary pre-session media address, Prime Minister Modi directed his criticism at opposition members who were suspended in the previous session and urged them to engage in introspection.
“We are meeting in the last session today, and those who have become habituated to creating ruckus, who habitually tear apart democratic values, will definitely introspect as to what they have done in the last 10 years,” the Prime Minister said.
He went on to add that no one remembers those who create a ruckus and no matter how harsh the criticism is, rather a large section of people still remember those who benefited the House with their good ideas.
“Even in the coming days, when anyone watches the discussions in the House, each and every voice once emanated from the House will be revealed as a record of history,” Modi stated.
He also expressed his confidence that his government will present a full-fledged budget after the general elections.
President Murmu Addresses Parliament
The Parliament's budget session began with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to both houses, where she listed the federal government's achievements over the past few years.
“Last year was full of accomplishments for India. There were many successes -- India became the fastest-growing economy, became the first nation to reach the south pole of the Moon. The successful G20 Summit hosted by India strengthened the role of India in the world. India won more than 100 medals in Asian Games,” she said in her first address in the new Parliament building.
The President praised the new Parliament building, stating that it embodies the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ (One India, Strong India).
Murmu expressed optimism about productive discussions and commended the members for successfully passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women's reservation bill).
In this session, the Finance Minister will present an interim budget, and following the elections in April-May, the newly-formed government will present the full budget.