Budget session LIVE: Rafale jets will strengthen our Air force, says Kovind
The Budget session is expected to be a stormy one, with Lok Sabha elections just around the corner. Catch LIVE updates on Budget 2019 session
 "Ram Nath Kovind")
President Ram Nath Kovind
The Budget session of Parliament began on Thursday, a day before the Interim Budget 2019 will be presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal.
With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, this year's Budget session is expected to be a stormy one. The Budget session began with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing a joint session of Parliament. The President said, "India was going through "uncertain times" ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the Narendra Modi government after assuming power resolved to work towards a 'New India', giving hope to the people."
He said the NDA government has been trying to pass the triple talaq bill to empower Muslim women so that they can live a life without fear.
The government has been working to fulfil hopes and aspirations of all sections of people, he said.
Highlighting the government's achievements and various welfare schemes, Kovind said 21 crore poor people were covered under the PM's life insurance scheme, while over 2 crore households got power connection as part of the PM's Saubhagya scheme.
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PM makes an impromptu visit to Hari Mandir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes an impromptu visit to Hari Mandir, in West Bengal.
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PM makes an impromptu visit to Hari Mandir.
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Echoing similar views, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said the government should not take up controversial Bills during the session. He alleged that the government has found an "ally" in the Central Bureau of Investigation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
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Azad also said the Opposition has asked the government to take up only non-controversial Bills for passage in Parliament in the Budget Session. "We should take up only those Bills which are not controversial... on which there is total unanimity," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha told reporters after an all-party meeting.
Azad also suggested that it will be difficult for Parliament to function if the government pushes for contentious Bills.
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PM has told Opposition that govt will present Interim Budget: Azad
PM Narendra Modi has conveyed to the Opposition that his government will present an Interim Budget, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Thursday.
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Finance Minister Piyush Goyal gives final touches to Interim Budget 2019
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Government revises FY18 GDP growth to 7.2% from 6.7% earlier
The government on Thursday revised upwards the economic growth rate upwards to 7.2 per cent for 2017-18 from the 6.7 per cent estimated earlier. (Read more here)
"Real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for 2017-18 and 2016-17 stand at Rs 131.80 lakh crore and Rs 122.98 lakh crore, respectively, showing growth of 7.2 per cent during 2017-18 and 8.2 per cent during 2016-17," the CSO said.
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Core sector growth slows down to 2.6% in Dec
Growth of eight core sectors slowed down to 2.6 per cent in December 2018 on account of negative growth in the expansion of crude oil, refinery products and fertilisers. (Read more here)
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President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Rashtrapati Bhawan.
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After decades, Indian Air Force will use ultramodern Rafale aircraft in coming months: Kovind
Compromising with security needs is not in the interest of the present and future of the country. New deals in last year, purchase of defence equipment raised the morale of defence. After decades, Indian Air Force will use ultramodern Rafale aircraft in coming months and strengthen itself: Kovind
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Vice President Venkaiah Naidu reads President Kovind's speech in English at the joint session of Parliament.
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President Ram Nath Kovind concludes his speech.
President Ram Nath Kovind concluded his speech to thundering applause.
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President Kovind said, "6.8 crore Indians are filing income tax returns"
My government has curbed black money and corruption to a great extent. The government's crackdown on black money was seen during demonetization (notes ban). Notes ban helped integrate India's shadow economy with its regular economy. This strengthened India's market and stabilized India's financial sector: President Kovind
My government has also come down heavily on money laundering and has so far shut more than 26,000 illegal shell companies, he said.
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Kovind says India is world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones
I am happy to inform you that under the 'Make In India' programme, India has already become the world's 2nd largest manufacturer of mobile phones, said President Kovind.
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First Published: Jan 31 2019 | 10:23 AM IST
