Parliament 2024 Budget session Day 1 updates: Both houses adjourn for the day

Having concluded the discussion on India’s preparedness for the upcoming Paris Olympics, the house was adjourned for the day. 

The next speaker, Bihar RJD MP Abhay Kumar Sinha, speaks about the WFI row. “It is embarrassing that our children who represent India and win medals for the country have to take to the streets and fight for justice in their country,” the MP says. “I urge the government to ensure that budget under Khelo India reaches nook and corner of the country, especially to ensure more women take up sports.”

Taking part in a discussion on India’s preparedness for the upcoming Olympics, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda spoke for India’s top wrestlers embroiled in a tussle against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan. Sports and sportspersons have been above politics… We must create infrastructure to protect their future… Our players shouldn’t have to fight the system, their own government,” Mr. Hooda said as he attacked the Union government and the BJP.

A discussion on Olympics is underway in the Lower House. Before the start of the discussion under Rule 193, the Opposition said that the debate should have taken place much before. “Preparations are over. What is the scope of having a discussion when teams have already left the country for Olympics... This is not fair on part of the government. Coming with a topic which is insignificant and irrelevant... ,” says N.K. Premachandran.

Speaker Om Birla, however, continues with the discussion, kickstarted by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal.

Speaking under Rule 377 in the Lower House, the BJP MP demanded steps to boost tourism in Himachal Pradesh. “Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Dharamshala are three international destinations in the constituency. I appeal to introduce heli-taxi service in my constituency. Thousands of tourists visit Pathankot to Dalhousie, but there is no rail connectivity. We must improve rail connectivity to boost tourism.”

“Kangra has several Shakti Peethas. A religious corridor must be set up to boost religious tourism,” the MP adds.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned to meet one hour post the presentation of the Union Budget for 2024-25 tomorrow. 

A.A Rahim, CPI(M) MP from Kerala raises concerns over recent hikes in mobile tariff plans, which have led to an increase of 15-25% in mobile phone bills. He asks the government to look into the matter, highlighting that the public relies on their mobile phones. 

The Lower House discussing matters of urgent public importance under Rule 377 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.

INC MP Jebi Mather Hisham brings up the concerns affecting duck farmers, particularly due to outbreaks of avian flu, which has resulted in several ducks either dying or needing to be culled. She highlights that several farmers have suffered substantial losses due to this. 

Banning duck rearing for a time period is not enough to contain the outbreak, she says, urging the government to take further steps. 

INC MP Pramod Tiwari requests that work on the Unchahar- Amethi rail line project be started. Dr. V Sivadasan, CPI (M) from Kerala, raises concerns over railway infrastructure in Kannur, include long waiting periods for trains.

Dr. John Brittas, CPI (M) from Kerala requests that the government expeditiously grant approval to establish an AIIMS in Kinalur in Kozhikode district in Kerala. 

IUML MP Haris Beeran raises the issue of rising airfares for Indian airlines, particularly for the Gulf region. He highlights issues with Air India Express, including irregular hiking of air fares and cancellation of flights. 

Haryana MP Kartikeya Sharma raises a special mention about the high costs of standardised English tests, and suggests that India comes up with an indigenised English test.

Pramod Tiwari says he appreciates the SC stay on UP and Uttarakhand govts order for eateries to display their name outside the shops.

Chairman Dhankhar says this will not go on record. 

The Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 2 p.m. with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar presiding

After the Question Hour, the Lower House was adjourned. Proceedings will resume at 2.30 p.m. 

India’s economy will grow at 6.5% to 7% in the current financial year ending March 2025, the Economic Survey 2023-24 said on July 22, projecting growth at below 7.2% forecast by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 

The growth projection in the annual report is also lower compared to 8.2% growth in the previous year, and the upwardly revised estimates of 6.8% to 7.2% by private economists and rating agencies. Read full report here

The Indian economy is on a strong wicket and stable footing, demonstrating resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges, the Economic Survey says. It notes that the Indian economy has consolidated its post-Covid recovery as policymakers ensured economic and financial stability.

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The RSS hailed the Centre’s move to lift the ban on government employees from participating in activities of the Sangh, saying the decision would strengthen the country’s democratic system.

It also accused the earlier regimes of furthering their own political interests by imposing the ban in the past.

There have been multiple instances of the government barring its employees in the past from associating with the RSS. - PTI

The MP gets cut off, Speaker Om Birla says that the matter is sub judice and the Centre has also brought a Bill related to the issue. “India’s examination system is the best in the world, why are you doing this?” Mr. Birla says.

Members demand hard copy of the Economic Survey, Speaker Om Birla says they are committed to “saving paper”.

Manoj Kumar urges government to not see Bihar only as a voting state, asks for special status for the state

Priyanka Chaturvedi brought to attention a 2023 RBI report which said there has been an increase in bank frauds, which also includes digital frauds.

Ms. Chaturvedi said there are also phishing calls, phishing websites and state sponsored hackings on politicians, journalists etc.

“We have already raised the issue of Pegasus”, she said.

Kerala MP A.A. Rahim raises the issue of the plight of train passengers in Kerala. “Train journey has become a nightmare for Kerala passengers. There are no adequate train services”, he says.

Mr. Rahim further says “Union govt is only interested in renaming passenger trains, due to which ticket fares have increased. Railways is not improving infrastructure in Kerala and is also not allowing the state govt to do so”, he says.

RS chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejects notices seeking discussion on U.P. govt asking shops on Kanwar Yatra route to display names of owners, staff.

“It’s obvious to the whole country that there is a very serious problem in our examination system. This is not just a question of NEET, it is [prevalent] in all the major examinations,” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says.

What exactly are you doing to fix this issue at the systemic level, Mr. Gandhi asks.

MP Pramod Tiwari said, while trying to raise a point kanwariyas, says “I’m only trying to save the nation”. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, however, stops him and goes to clarify Sanjay Singh’s doubts on the notices.

Sanjay Singh asks the chairman to clarify whether notices under Rule 267 need to be given physically before 9 a.m., or online only.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urges members to set an example for other legislatures and also for the nation.

Chairman informs the house that Dr. K. Keshav Rao from Telangana had resigned on July 4, 2024 and his resignations has been duly accepted.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says he hope proceedings of the House will be marked by debates and discussions.

Mr. Trong had dominated Vietnamese politics since 2011, when he was elected party chief. During his tenure, he worked to consolidate the Communist Party’s power in Vietnam’s single-party political system.

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Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar arrives in the House, national anthem plays

Speaker Om Birla arrives in the House, national anthem plays.

“We can go back to the field in 2029, when polls are due. Till then, let us utilise this House to improve the lives of women, farmers and youth,” Mr. Modi says.

He ends his address without taking any questions from the media.

While praising the country’s economic growth, Prime Minister Modi also blames the Opposition for disruptions in Parliament. “I am sorry to say that a few members couldn’t make their points in the House due to constant disruptions in the House,” he adds.

Mr. Modi also says that all political fights that happened during the election are in the past now. “The country has given its verdict...I request all political parties to rise above their politics and work only for the country.”

This Budget will set the direction of our work for the next five years, and will also lay the foundation for our dream of “viksit Bharat” (developed India) by 2047 when India completes 100 years of Independence, the Prime Minister says.

It is the duty of every MP, every political party to work for the country for the next five years, he says. 

“We have had our fights earlier, it is over now. People have given their verdict.”

This is an important milestone in the journey of Indian democracy, he says.

In a post on X ahead of the start of the Monsoon session, Mr. Birla said that he’s looking forward to constructive debate in Parliament to facilitate social and economic change in the country.

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In his notice, Mr. Tagore urges the House to suspend all listed business of the day to discuss the “unprecedented cases of paper leaks in conduct of exams including NEET-UG and UGC NET and the failure of National Testing Agency (NTA)“, news agency ANI reports.

The Economic Survey is an official report card on the government’s financial performance and the state of the economy during the year ending March 31. It also provides an outlook on future policy changes. It is usually released by the Ministry of Finance a day before the Union Budget is tabled.

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The Janata Dal (United), a key BJP ally which heads the government in Bihar, has strongly argued for a special financial package for the State to be granted during the Budget Session of Parliament that begins from July 22, since the government has already ruled out the grant of special category status.

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The first all-party meeting of the 18th Lok Sabha was held on July 21. 

The Opposition demanded a discussion on the Uttar Pradesh Government’s order to display nameplates at eateries falling on the Kanwar Yatra route, the rising number of terror cases in Jammu, internal strife in Manipur and irregularities in NEET and other competitive exams. While the allies, TDP, JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas) demanded financial aid for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

The Trinamool Congress skipped the meeting but had informed Mr. Rijiju that all its members are committed to be in the State for Martyr’s Day that the TMC observes on July 21. Among the allies, Apna Dal (Soneylal) leader Anupriya Patel and RPI’s Ramdas Athawale, though present, did not speak at the meeting. 

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The BAC decides the parliamentary agenda. 

Members include Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Trinamool Congress), P. P. Chaudhary (BJP), Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Telugu Desam Party), Nishikant Dubey (BJP), Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP), Dileshwar Kamait (JD-U), Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJP), Dayanidhi Maran (DMK), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT), Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), Anurag Thakur (BJP) and Lalji Verma (SP).