Parliament LIVE: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that 16 opposition parties have jointly decided to boycott the President Ram Nath Kovind's Budget Session address. (PIB)President’s Address Live: The Budget Session of Parliament starts today with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address. The session is being held in two parts this year due to COVID-19 pandemic. As per tradition, the President addresses the joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session every year. Last year as well, President Ram Nath Kovind had addressed the joint sitting of Parliament from the Central Hall. The President’s speech generally highlights the government’s plan and policy vision for the next financial year. The president’s speech also highlights the work carried out by the government in past years.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that 16 opposition parties have jointly decided to boycott the president’s address over the manner in which the three farm laws were passed. They have also demanded an independent probe into the Centre’s role in the violence that shook the national capital during the farmers’ tractor parade on Republic Day. Meanwhile, BJP has slammed opposition parties for their decision accusing them of constitutional and moral bankruptcy.
The first part of the Budget Session is scheduled to conclude on February 15 while the second part will commence on March 8. It is expected to end on April 8. Given the COVID-19 outbreak, Parliament will sit in two shifts. Morning session is dedicated to Rajya Sabha while Lok Sabha will sit in the evening. The operating hours for Rajya Sabha will be from 9 am to 2 pm. On the other hand, Lok Sabha will function from 4pm to 8pm.
Highlights
Describing the opposition partes' move to boycott the President's address to Parliament as the 'most unfortunate', Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged them to reconsider their decision.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal in Odisha said its MPs will attend the presidents address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament, which commences its budget session today.
Bahujan Samaj Party to boycott president's address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament over Centre's stand on farmers' demand to repeal new agri laws and its dilly-dallying approach on matters of public interest: Mayawati
Slamming opposition parties for their decision to boycott the President's address to Parliament, the BJP accused them of "constitutional and moral bankruptcy". BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said if these parties think that the Modi government will backtrack from its support to three farm laws due to their collective pressure, then they should know that they lack such strength and that this dispensation bows only before people.
Union Budget to be tabled on 1st February.
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