Budget session 2018 Live: Aadhaar has helped in securing the rights of the poor, says President

The Budget session of the Parliament began on Monday. The Economic Survey is to be presented in the Parliament today. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the Union Budget 2018-19 on February 1.

As many as 28 bills are expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha this session, while 39 bills are listed for the Rajya Sabha.

Among the important bills that will be tabled are the Muslim Women’s (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, related to triple talaq, the Codes of Wages Bill, Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education.

Here are the live updates:

11.32am: It’s a matter of pride for us that Unesco recognised Kumbh Mela as intangible cultural heritage of humanity: President Kovind

11.30am: President Kovind says his government has increased the minimum wage of labourers by over 40%.

11.27am: Empowerment, and not appeasement of minorities, is our government’s mantra, President Kovind.

11.24am: Aadhaar has helped in securing the rights of the poor by eliminating middlemen, says Kovind.

11.22am: 

To bring everyone closer to development, work under 'Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana' is being done speedily. In 2014 only 56% villages were connected to roads, today more than 82% villages have road connectivity with the majority being in remote areas: Pres Kovind #BudgetSession pic.twitter.com/JuFeukCE1A

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018

11.19am: Work has started to increase broadban connectivity in villages. 2.5 lakh Panchayats have already been connected: President Kovind.

11.18am: President Kovind says that to provide food to everyone, the government under National Food Security Act is providing supplies at minimal rates to the poor.

11.16am: 

The government is committed to double the income of farmers by the year 2022: President Ram Nath Kovind #BudgetSession pic.twitter.com/1Ydo4cw5Ph

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018

11.14am: President Kovind says that his government has bridged the gap between the rich and the poor and the poor are getting new opportunities to grow and develop.

11.12am: Parliament approved a bill granting working woman paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, says Ram Nath Kovind.

11.10am: Mentioning the achievements of his government, President Kovind talks about the achievements of Mudra Yojna, Jan Dhan Yojna, Ujjwal Yojna which have benefitted the common populace of India.

11.08am: I hope the Triple Talaq Bill is passed soon so that Muslim women can live a life of dignity and without fear: President Kovind

11.07am: It is our duty that when we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019 we pay tribute to him by making our country completely clean: President Kovind.

11.05am: Baba Saheb Ambedkar used to say that without economic and social democracy, political democracy is unstable, says Ram Nath Kovind.

11.02am: We will realise the dream of ‘New India’ in 2018: President Kovind.

11am: President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Parliament. He will be addressing both the Houses at the commencement of Budget session.

10.50am: President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Parliament. He will address the Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament shortly.

10.43am:

This #BudgetSession is important. The world is optimistic about India. Agencies like World Bank & IMF have been giving an optimistic opinion of the country: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/aah5Xe44vX

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018

10.41am: I request all political parties to make Triple Talaq Bill pass in this Budget session of the Parliament, says PM Modi.

10.40am: We should make use of our system of parliamentary committees and discuss aspects of the Budget. We should think about the well-being of rural India, farmers, Dalits, tribal communities and labourers, says Modi.

10.35am:

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Parliament for the Budget session. pic.twitter.com/OCpw9ZN44n

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018

10.25am: The Budget session of the Parliament will begin at 11am with the speech of President Ram Nath Kovind.

9.30am: The Triple Talaq Bill had been passed in the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session and will be in focus in the Rajya Sabha this session.

9am: On Sunday, at an all-party meeting, the government said it would “leave no stone unturned” to ensure the passage of the Triple Talaq bill. At the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Budget Session was “very important” and that the government takes suggestions given by all political parties “very seriously.”

8.45am: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the Budget Session is scheduled to have a total of 31 sittings spread over 68 days. Parliament will be adjourned for recess on February 9 to reassemble on March 5. The session would conclude on April 6.