The Budget Session of Parliament began on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu delivering an inaugural address to a joint session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building.
President Murmu said she hoped meaningful discussions would take place in Parliament during the session, which marks the final sitting for the current Lok Sabha before the general elections expected in April-May.
All eyes will be on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is slated to present the interim budget on February 1, offering insights into the government's priorities.
As the President began her address in the newly constructed Parliament building, she remarked on the essence of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat' (One India, Great India) embodied within the structure and its reflection of India's cultural and civilizational glory.
"This is my first address in the new Parliament building. This grand building has been built at the beginning of the Amrit Kaal. This has the fragrance of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat'...This also has the resolve to honour democratic and parliamentary traditions. Besides this, it also has the resolve to build new traditions of the new India of the 21st century. I am confident that there will be meaningful conversation on policies, in this new building," she said.
In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the past year's historic achievements, including India's economic growth and milestones such as the successful hosting of the G20 Summit and the country's performance at the Asian Games.
"The last year was full of accomplishments for India. There were many successes - India became the fastest-growing economy. India became the first nation to reach the south pole of the Moon. The successful G20 Summit hosted by India strengthened the role of India in the world. India won more than 100 medals in Asian Games. India also got the Atal Tunnel," she said.
She also emphasised the eradication of poverty and the effective use of taxes to empower various segments of society, including youth, women, farmers, and the poor.
"The achievements that we see today are the extension of the practices of the last 10 years. We heard the slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao' since our childhood. Today, for the first time in our lives, we see poverty being alleviated on a large scale," said the President.
In his remarks ahead of Parliament's Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at Opposition MPs who "habitually" disrupt proceedings.
"Those habitual of creating disturbances, those who disrobe democratic values, all such honourable MPs must certainly introspect in this last session of Parliament of what they have done in the last ten years," PM Modi said.
On the eve of the session, the suspension of 14 opposition MPs, imposed during the previous session, was lifted, allowing them to participate in the House proceedings.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, who chaired an all party meeting on Tuesday, stated that the government had appealed for cooperation from all parties to ensure smooth proceedings.
