Parliament LIVE Updates: Betterment of small farmers is need of the hour, MSP system will stay, says Narendra Modi in RS

India has invited record FDI despite recession: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that at a time when the world is facing recession, we have invited record FDI. “We are marching towards double digit growth. We are the leaders in smart phones. We have record numbers of start-ups and unicorns,” he said.

“The world saw India's capability through surgical strikes and air strikes. My government is committed towards the welfare of the poor. We will eradicate poverty,” he said.

Modi says need of the hour is to improve lives of small farmers

Speaking on the farmers’ protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agitation has been talked about, but not the reason behind it. “I would like to appreciate the contribution of Shri HD Devegowda Ji on the discussions relating to agriculture in the house. His words have added great perspective to the debate. He himself has a strong association with the agriculture sector," he said.

Quoting Chowdhury Charan Singh on small farmers, Modi said 68 percent of farmers are small and marginal farmers and over 12 crore farmers have less than 2 hectares of land. "Don't we have a responsibility towards the 12 crore farmers? This question of Charan Singh still exists, shouldn't we find a solution? Loan waivers don't benefit small farmers as they don't approach banks for loans. Such farmers don't even have a bank account,” he said.

“Everybody is aware of whether farm loan waiver is for political reasons on in the interest of farmers. Nobody thought for the small farmers. After 2014, we took some steps in their interest,” Modi said.

Our democracy is a human institution: Modi

Calling the Indian democracy a human institution and not a western institution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Rajya Sabha that it is essential to warn citizens about the attacks on India's nationalism

“India's nationalism is neither narrow now selfish and not even aggressive. This is inspired by the values of 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'. This quotation was given by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose,” he said.

TMC MPs stage walkout, Modi hits out at Opposition speeches

Trinamool Congress MPs walked out of the Rajya Sabha as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech continued. Modi referred to Derek O’Brien’s comments during the discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.

“He (O’Brien) had chosen good words - Freedom of Speech, intimidation. When I was listening to him, I was wondering if he is talking about West Bengal or the country,” he said.

In a veiled dig at Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa’s address, Modi said, “He was speaking in such detail that I thought he will reach Emergency (period) shortly and speak on it, he is just one step away from it. But he didn't go there. Congress disappoints this country a lot.

Dubbed 'third world country', India helping world with COVID vaccine: Modi

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country which was counted in the Third World is developing COVID vaccine for the world.

"It is a proud moment for the country that the largest inoculation drive is being conducted in this country. The credit to win this war goes to the people of India, not an individual or any government," he said.

He said that even the poorest in the country have participated in the battle against COVID, urging people to not indulge in things that weaken the country, he says.

"India emerged as pharmacy of world during pandemic, delivered medicines to 150 countries," Modi said, adding that India’s strength is its federal structure.

World expects India to contribute to planet's betterment: Modi

Thanking over 50 MPs for expressing their views in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. "Even family members couldn't help each other. The world was worried on how India would tackle the crisis," he said, calling the virus an "unknown enemy".

"The eyes of the world are on India. There are expectations from India and there is confidence that India will contribute to the betterment of our planet," Modi said.

Narendra Modi lauds President's address, hits out at Opposition boycott

Replying to the Motion of Thanks to President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the address was an important step towards realising the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal even as the world faces unprecedented challenges.

"It would have been nice had everyone had listened to President Kovind's address. However, the address was so powerful that those who didn't hear it also realised its importance," he said, hitting out at the Opposition for boycotting the address.

India is a land of opportunities, he said, adding that the 75th year of Independence should be celebrated as a festival of inspiration.

National Clean Air Programme to be implemented in several cities, says Prakash Javadekar

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said National Clean Air Programme will be implemented in several cities across India, in response to a question on air pollution by Dr Amar Patnaik, 

Javadekar further said air pollution in every city is different because of a variety of factors. "Delhi suffers from air pollution, especially in winters, while Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore do not suffer from air pollution as severly as Delhi because of wind flow and the type of soil found in those cities," he said.

Lok Sabha to discuss Union Budget

in the Lok Sabha, a general discussion on the Union Budget is scheduled to take place today.

Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will move that the Bill to further amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, be taken into consideration and passed.

Bills likely to be moved in Rajya Sabha

MoS G Kishan Reddy is expected to move the Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws Second Act, 2011.