Parliament Budget Session Day 1: President Murmu Begins Her Customary Address To Joint Sitting Of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha

After addressing the joint sitting of both Houses, President Droupadi Murmu left Parliament for Rashtrapati Bhavan, Her speech marked the formal commencement of the Budget Session, outlining the government's vision, key policies, and legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

Following President Droupadi Murmu's address, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar read portions of her speech in English. While delivering condolences for the Maha Kumbh stampede victims, some Opposition members protested, raising their voices in dissent during the Budget Session proceedings.

President Droupadi Murmu announced the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah rail link, establishing a railway connection from Kashmir To Kanyakumari. She also emphasised the rapid expansion of India's aviation sector, with airlines placing orders for 1,700 new airfact, reflecting growing passenger demand and industry development.

President Droupadi Murmu highlighted government efforts for Northeast and Eastern India's development, including the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav and Purvodaya initiative.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the government's focus on youth education and job creation. She announced the expansion of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide homes for three crore more families. Before her speech, she pais tribute to former PM Manmohan Singh and Maha Kumbh stampede victims.

President Droupadi Murmu began presenting her address to the joint sitting of the Parliament at 11 am. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar were seen flanking her. Prime Minister Modi was also present. She reached the chair from where she is presenting her speech in Hindi, in a procession where his guard led it holding the 'Sengol'. Earlier, she was received at the Parliament by Birla, Dhankar, Modi and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

President Droupadi Murmu ceremonially departed for Parliament to address both Houses as the Budget Session begins today. Her address will mark the official start of legislative proceedings, including the tabling of the Economic Survey and upcoming discussions on key bills.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Parliament for President Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Parliament which marks the beginning of the Budget session.

PM Modi addresses the media outside the Parliament ahead of the Budget session 2025-2026.

Foreign diplomats have arrived in Parliament to witness President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting ahead of the Budget session. Lok sabha Speaker, Om Birla also arrived at Parliament as preparations are underway for the session.

As the Budget session of Parliament begins on Friday, Congress leader Udit Raj expressed concerns over the country's economic situation. He said, "There is no hope as manufacturing is down and GDP growth is declining. The reliability of the number in the Economic Report is questionable. Domestic consumption has not increased, and taxes are rising. There is no hope from this budget."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, set to make history with her eighth consecutive Union Budget, has worked tirelessly with key officials, including Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, to prepare a budget of over Rs 50 lakh crore for FY26.

The Budget will have to address several challenges, including decelerating economic growth, falling value of Rupee against the US dollar and moderation in consumption demand.

The economic growth is estimated to slow to a 4-year low of 6.4 per cent in FY25. This is the lowest growth since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic which hit the world in 2019. (PTI)

The opposition CPI(M) and Congress urged the 16th Finance Commission to ensure direct funding for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Senior CPI(M) leader Bhanu Lal Saha said on Thursday that his party has "categorically demanded" direct funding for the TTAADC as it has its own expenditure and development process. Saha, the former finance minister of Tripura, said the CPI(M) also demanded the revival of the Planning Commission. (PTI)

Ahead of the Union Budget, the Congress party criticised the Modi government's handling of the economy, claiming that India is facing a slowdown, marked by joblessness, high inflation, stagnant wages, and growing income inequality. Congress released a report, 'Real State of the Economy', compiled by Professor M v Rajeev Gowda, asserting that the government is pushing India into a middle-income trap, which could lead to a less competitive and unequal economy. The report also highlighted that despite the projected 6.4 percent GDP growth for 2024-25, India needs to sustain 8 percent growth to capitalise on its demographic dividend.

President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint session of Parliament today at 11 am, marking the commencement of the Budget Session. Following her address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey.

Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Strengthens banking regulations, improves oversight, enhances financial stability, tackles cybersecurity threats, and streamlines mergers/acquisitions for robust banking infrastructure.

• Railways (Amendment) Bill,2024: Modernises Indian railways, improves operational efficiency promotes private sector participation, enhances passenger services, and integrates high-speed rail projects.
• Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Strengthens disaster preparedness, improves coordination, uses modern technology, enhances financial support, and enforces stricter building codes for disaster mitigation.
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 And Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024: Reforms religious endowment management, improves transparency, reduces disputes, and streamlines waqf property administration for better governance and community welfare.
• Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: Modernises oil exploration regulations, promotes foreign investment, improves safety standards, and boosts domestic energy production to reduce import dependence.
• Boilers Bill, 2024: This Bill introduces updated safety standards for industrial boilers, improves inspection protocols, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures operational efficiency and workplace safety.
• Readjustment of representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2024: Aims to reallocate constituencies for fair representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa, promoting political inclusivity and social justice.
• Maritime Bills (Bills of Lading, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Coastal Shipping, Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024): Modernises maritime laws, improves cargo efficiency, promotes coastal trade, and strengthens environmental norms, boosting India's global shipping competitiveness.
• Finance Bill, 2025: Implements tax proposals, reforms income tax, corporate tax, and GST, ensures fiscal discipline, and supports economic growth and development.
• Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025: Safeguards financial interests in aircraft transactions, strengthens investor confidence, and aligns with international legal frameworks to support India’s aviation sector.
• Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: Reforms immigration policies, enhances security checks, improves visa norms, supports skilled immigration, and ensures national security while modernizing the immigration process.

After addressing the joint sitting of both Houses, President Droupadi Murmu left Parliament for Rashtrapati Bhavan, Her speech marked the formal commencement of the Budget Session, outlining the government's vision, key policies, and legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

Following President Droupadi Murmu's address, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar read portions of her speech in English. While delivering condolences for the Maha Kumbh stampede victims, some Opposition members protested, raising their voices in dissent during the Budget Session proceedings.

President Droupadi Murmu announced the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah rail link, establishing a railway connection from Kashmir To Kanyakumari. She also emphasised the rapid expansion of India's aviation sector, with airlines placing orders for 1,700 new airfact, reflecting growing passenger demand and industry development.

President Droupadi Murmu highlighted government efforts for Northeast and Eastern India's development, including the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav and Purvodaya initiative.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the government's focus on youth education and job creation. She announced the expansion of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide homes for three crore more families. Before her speech, she pais tribute to former PM Manmohan Singh and Maha Kumbh stampede victims.

President Droupadi Murmu began presenting her address to the joint sitting of the Parliament at 11 am. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar were seen flanking her. Prime Minister Modi was also present. She reached the chair from where she is presenting her speech in Hindi, in a procession where his guard led it holding the 'Sengol'. Earlier, she was received at the Parliament by Birla, Dhankar, Modi and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

President Droupadi Murmu ceremonially departed for Parliament to address both Houses as the Budget Session begins today. Her address will mark the official start of legislative proceedings, including the tabling of the Economic Survey and upcoming discussions on key bills.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Parliament for President Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Parliament which marks the beginning of the Budget session.

PM Modi addresses the media outside the Parliament ahead of the Budget session 2025-2026.

Foreign diplomats have arrived in Parliament to witness President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting ahead of the Budget session. Lok sabha Speaker, Om Birla also arrived at Parliament as preparations are underway for the session.

As the Budget session of Parliament begins on Friday, Congress leader Udit Raj expressed concerns over the country's economic situation. He said, "There is no hope as manufacturing is down and GDP growth is declining. The reliability of the number in the Economic Report is questionable. Domestic consumption has not increased, and taxes are rising. There is no hope from this budget."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, set to make history with her eighth consecutive Union Budget, has worked tirelessly with key officials, including Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, to prepare a budget of over Rs 50 lakh crore for FY26.

The Budget will have to address several challenges, including decelerating economic growth, falling value of Rupee against the US dollar and moderation in consumption demand.

The economic growth is estimated to slow to a 4-year low of 6.4 per cent in FY25. This is the lowest growth since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic which hit the world in 2019. (PTI)

The opposition CPI(M) and Congress urged the 16th Finance Commission to ensure direct funding for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Senior CPI(M) leader Bhanu Lal Saha said on Thursday that his party has "categorically demanded" direct funding for the TTAADC as it has its own expenditure and development process. Saha, the former finance minister of Tripura, said the CPI(M) also demanded the revival of the Planning Commission. (PTI)

Ahead of the Union Budget, the Congress party criticised the Modi government's handling of the economy, claiming that India is facing a slowdown, marked by joblessness, high inflation, stagnant wages, and growing income inequality. Congress released a report, 'Real State of the Economy', compiled by Professor M v Rajeev Gowda, asserting that the government is pushing India into a middle-income trap, which could lead to a less competitive and unequal economy. The report also highlighted that despite the projected 6.4 percent GDP growth for 2024-25, India needs to sustain 8 percent growth to capitalise on its demographic dividend.

President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint session of Parliament today at 11 am, marking the commencement of the Budget Session. Following her address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey.

Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Strengthens banking regulations, improves oversight, enhances financial stability, tackles cybersecurity threats, and streamlines mergers/acquisitions for robust banking infrastructure.

• Railways (Amendment) Bill,2024: Modernises Indian railways, improves operational efficiency promotes private sector participation, enhances passenger services, and integrates high-speed rail projects.
• Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Strengthens disaster preparedness, improves coordination, uses modern technology, enhances financial support, and enforces stricter building codes for disaster mitigation.
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 And Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024: Reforms religious endowment management, improves transparency, reduces disputes, and streamlines waqf property administration for better governance and community welfare.
• Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: Modernises oil exploration regulations, promotes foreign investment, improves safety standards, and boosts domestic energy production to reduce import dependence.
• Boilers Bill, 2024: This Bill introduces updated safety standards for industrial boilers, improves inspection protocols, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures operational efficiency and workplace safety.
• Readjustment of representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2024: Aims to reallocate constituencies for fair representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa, promoting political inclusivity and social justice.
• Maritime Bills (Bills of Lading, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Coastal Shipping, Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024): Modernises maritime laws, improves cargo efficiency, promotes coastal trade, and strengthens environmental norms, boosting India's global shipping competitiveness.
• Finance Bill, 2025: Implements tax proposals, reforms income tax, corporate tax, and GST, ensures fiscal discipline, and supports economic growth and development.
• Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025: Safeguards financial interests in aircraft transactions, strengthens investor confidence, and aligns with international legal frameworks to support India’s aviation sector.
• Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: Reforms immigration policies, enhances security checks, improves visa norms, supports skilled immigration, and ensures national security while modernizing the immigration process.