Budget Session LIVE: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till Monday Amid Sloganeering By Opposition MPs

Budget Session LIVE: Follow this space to get all the latest news on Parliament's Budget Session 2023. The Union Budget was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Feb 1.

Background

Budget Session 2023 LIVE Updates: Hello and welcome to this ABP Live blog to find all the latest news on the Parliament's Budget Session 2023.Presenting the Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 raised the personal income tax rebate limit, doled out sops on small savings and announced one of the most significant hikes in capital spending in the past decade. This is the NDA government’s last full-fledged Budget before the Lok Sabha polls early next year. In his first reaction to the Budget for 2023-24 fiscal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in order to empower the middle class, the government has taken many significant decisions in the past years that have ensured ease of living.The prime minister said the first budget in 'Amrit Kaal' has established a strong base to fulfil the aspirations and resolve of a developed India.Meanwhile, Opposition leaders slammed the Centre for its "limited" focus on important sectors like health and education in the Budget for 2023-24 fiscal.In the annual budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the health sector has been allocated Rs 89,155 crore, a hike of around 13 per cent over Rs 79,145 crore allocated in FY 2022-23.The government also announced a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.The budgetary allocation for school education saw an overall increase of Rs 9752.07 crore (16.51 per cent) while for higher education, Rs 44,094.62 crore has been made available compared to Rs 40,828.35 crore in 2022-23, which is an increase of 8 per cent.Terming the 2023-24 Union Budget "big on announcements and short on delivery", Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that there is no boost to education and health budgets. "In fact, they have been reduced." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also accused the Centre of "neglecting" important areas such as education, health, social justice and women and child development.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the Modi government, claiming that its 'mitr kaal' budget has no vision to create jobs as well as no plan to tackle inflation, and proves that the Centre has no roadmap to build India's future."'Mitr Kaal' Budget has: NO vision to create Jobs. NO plan to tackle Mehngai. NO intent to stem Inequality. 1% richest own 40% of the wealth, 50% poorest pay 64% of GST, 42% youth are unemployed -- yet, PM doesn’t Care!" Gandhi said in a tweet."This Budget proves Govt has NO roadmap to build India’s future," he said.On January 31, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey (2022-23) in Parliament. The Economic Survey 2022-23 has forecast India’s GDP growth for the next fiscal 2023-24 in a broad range of 6-6.8 per cent. Its baseline forecast for real GDP growth is 6.5 per cent.  The Budget session of Parliament started on January 31 and is scheduled to go on a break on February 13. The session as per schedule will resume on March 13 and conclude on April 6.

03/02/2023 14:36:42

Budget Session LIVE: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned till Monday

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned till February 6 (Monday) amid Oppn sloganeering over Adani issue

03/02/2023 13:13:50

Collusion between SEBI & a particular industrial group: Congress MP Manish Tewari

SEBI has increased the margin money on Adani derivatives to 100%. The normal market rule is 10%- 15%. This collusion between regulator & a particular industrial group raises questions about institutional integrity of the regulator & that's why a JPC is important: Congress MP Manish Tewari said, as per ANI.

03/02/2023 13:03:53

Govt doesn't want discuss on any issue that will embarrass it: Shashi Tharoor

"All opposition parties unitedly want a discussion on this extremely imp issue. Govt do not want to discuss issues related to China, unemployment &price rise. Any issue that will embarrass the govt, they don't want to discuss it," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on the row over Adani stocks, as quoted by ANI.

03/02/2023 12:22:24

Congress issues whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to remain present in the House today

Congress has issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to remain present in the House today, ANI reported.

03/02/2023 12:18:18

TMC MP Mahua Moitra questions SEBI officer's links to Adani family

"Greatest respect for ace lawyer Cyril Shroff but his daughter is married to Gautam Adani’s son.  Shroff serves on SEBI’s Committee on Corporate Governance & Insider Trading. If at all @SEBI_India is examining Adani issue, Shroff should recuse himself. Perceptions are Reality," TMC MP Mahua Moitra tweeted.

03/02/2023 11:54:15

AAP MP Sanjay Singh demands confiscation of Adani’s passport

AAP MP Sanjay Singh demands confiscation of billionaire Gautam Adani’s passport.

03/02/2023 11:40:55

BBC documentary nothing more than Chinese-inspired initiative: Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani

"This is showing that BBC is completely financially interlocked with China, through Chinese state-owned companies. The documentary basically is nothing more than a Chinese-inspired initiative," Senior Advocate & Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani on the BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question'.

"More than 150 million pounds is being placed with Chinese state-owned companies. So they are completely financially dependent on them and they have a long history of anti-India output propaganda," he added, as quoted by ANI.

03/02/2023 11:46:52

Budget Session LIVE: LS, RS Adjourned Till Afternoon Amid Oppn Demanding Discussion On Adani Group Stocks

Both houses of parliament were adjourned till the afternoon amid sloganeering by opposition to discuss the matter of Adani Group stocks. Several MPs including Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge have given suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to discuss the issue of investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks, and financial institutions in companies losing market value.

"The parliamentary democracy survives on ruling of the chair and once the ruling has been given it can't be questioned as there are codified rules for it... My ruling has been continuously disregarded," Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said amid the sloganeering.

03/02/2023 11:24:44

Salaried people can change their tax system as many times as they want: FM Sitharaman tells BJP MPs

In a meeting with BJP MPs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made it clear that the salaried people can change their tax system as many times as they want, sources said. If people choose the new tax system, they can revert to the old tax system again and go back to new system as many times as they want to.

However, entrepreneurs who choose the new system will get only one chance to go back to the old system, after that they will not be able to make changes, sources reported the minister as saying.

03/02/2023 11:10:06

Budget Session LIVE: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

Rajya Sabha also adjourned till 2.30 pm.

03/02/2023 11:08:54

Budget Session LIVE: Lok Sabha Adjourned till 2 pm

Lok Sabha Adjourned till 2 pm.

03/02/2023 11:01:28

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson and MP Sonia Gandhi arrives at Parliament

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson and MP Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament, ANI reported.

03/02/2023 10:44:46

Budget Session LIVE: 16 parties take part in the Oppn meeting

16 parties that participated in the meeting called by Mallikarjun Kharge included Congress, DMK, SP, AAP, BRS, Shiv Sena (UT), RJD, JDU, CPIM, CPI, NCP, NC, IUML, KC (Jose Mani), KC (Thomas), & RSP.

03/02/2023 10:40:16

Budget Session LIVE: Kharge given suspension of Business Notice, to discuss the issue of investment by Public Sector Institutions

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has given suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to discuss the issue of investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks and financial institutions in companies losing market value.

03/02/2023 10:27:34

Opposition parties meeting underway in Parliament

Opposition parties meeting underway in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House, ANI reported.

03/02/2023 09:54:07

LoP Mallikarjun Kharge on Opposition meeting

"A meeting of floor leaders of Opposition parties has been called on how to move ahead. We will discuss our further actions in the meeting. We had given notices yesterday but no discussion was done": LoP Mallikarjun Kharge on meeting to chalk out strategy amid a row over Adani stocks.

03/02/2023 09:26:32

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in Parliament to brief all BJP MPs on Budget

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in Parliament to brief all BJP MPs on the Budget. All Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs are expected to be present.

Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, and BJP MPs Sukanta Majumdar & Sushil Modi arrived earlier.. 

03/02/2023 09:25:23

Suspension of Business Notices in RS, LS over to discuss Hindenburg report

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises, ANI reported.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva gave suspension of business notice under rule 267 to discuss "The adverse impact of the business activities of Adani group on India economically and morally."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari gave a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss "the issue of fraud in investment by LIC, SBI, Public Sector Banks and Other Financial Institutions losing market value."

03/02/2023 09:25:16

Suspension of Business Notices in RS, LS over to discuss Hindenburg report

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises, ANI reported.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva gave suspension of business notice under rule 267 to discuss "The adverse impact of the business activities of Adani group on India economically and morally."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari gave a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss "the issue of fraud in investment by LIC, SBI, Public Sector Banks and Other Financial Institutions losing market value."

03/02/2023 09:22:08

'Forced By PM To Invest In Adani': Oppn Demands Probe, Says Only Way To Save LIC, SBI

"Floor leaders of Opposition parties will be meeting at 10 am in chamber of LoP @kharge-ji in Parliament House to coordinate strategy. The demand remains the same. Only an independent investigation will save LIC, SBI and other institutions FORCED by PM to invest in the Adani Group," Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

03/02/2023 08:08:19

Mallikarjun Kharge calls meeting of Opposition party floor leaders to chalk out joint strategy

Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha calls a meeting of Opposition party floor leaders at 10 am in his parliament office to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House, ANI reported.

03/02/2023 07:19:50

Oppn Parties Agree To Jointly Raise Issue Of Hindenburg Report In Parliament, Differ On Mode Of Probe

Opposition parties on Thursday agreed to jointly raise the issue of allegations of fraud against the Adani Group in Parliament but were yet to agree on the mode of inquiry into the Gujarat-based corporate major.

At a meeting of like-minded political parties convened by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, there was a general agreement on raising the Adani issue vigorously in both the Houses and force the government to take up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address from Monday.

A section of the opposition leaders were of the view that the attack on the government should be targeted on "forcible" investments by public sector institutions in corporate entities having questionable business practices that have led to massive losses.

These leaders were also of the view a reference to the Hindenburg Research should be avoided as it would amount to taking the issue out of the context of India.

Though Kharge made the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation on the issue after the meeting of like-minded opposition parties, a section of the leaders favoured a Supreme Court-monitored probe or an inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

"Different parties will express their views on the floor of both Houses about what the mode of enquiry should be conducted to expose and unravel this scam," said Derek O'Brien, the TMC's Parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha.

All leaders of the like-minded opposition parties were unanimous that the issue of the tanking of stocks of Adani Group firms should be raised in Parliament during the discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address and the Union Budget.

"The parties are of the view that this scam of monumental proportions should be discussed on the floor of the House," an opposition leader said.

Opposition leaders said while the Congress pushed for a JPC probe on the issue, parties such as the CPI, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party, AAP and the TMC pushed for an apex court monitored probe.

Some parties favoured a probe by SEBI, the market regulator.

"Opposition leaders are being continuously harassed for no reason by the ED (Enforcement Directorate) and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). The government must take action against the perpetrators of this monumental scam and ensure that they do not flee the country. The hard-earned money of millions of Indians is in peril," said O'Brien.

The opposition parties are to meet again on Friday after a meeting was called by Kharge. The TMC and some other parties are unlikely to attend, sources said.

The opposition parties are also likely to meet near the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Friday and raise the Adani issue. (PTI)

02/02/2023 14:39:07

Nothing has been done for poor states like Bihar: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

"Nothing is being done in the interest of people. Nothing has been done for poor states like Bihar. There was a provision of Rs 73,000 Cr in MNREGA in 22-23 but it has been reduced to Rs 60,000 Cr. Budget of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi also decreased": Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, as per ANI

02/02/2023 14:12:16

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow.

02/02/2023 11:37:11

'Endangering hard-earned money of crores of Indians': Oppn demands discussion on investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks

"We have given the suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to discuss the issue of investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks and financial institutions in companies losing market value, endangering the hard-earned money of crores of Indians," Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said,

"We wanted a discussion on that. Our notices get rejected. When we raise important issues, no time is given for discussion on them. Money of poor people is there in LIC, SBI and other national banks & it is being given to selected companies," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Either a Joint Parliamentary Committee or a team under the supervision of the CJI of Supreme Court should investigate this, he stated.

02/02/2023 11:09:34

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned till 2 PM

Both parliamentary houses adjourned till 2 PM.

02/02/2023 10:59:09

Congress to demand Joint Parliamentary Committee on allegations against Adani group: Manish Tewari

"We'll demand that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should be constituted to go into the alleged aberrations. The question is not only about one promoter but about the efficacy of the entire regulatory system": Congress MP Manish Tewari said about the Hindenburg report against Adani Group, as per ANI.

02/02/2023 10:49:50

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister appeals to Opposition 'to let the House function smoothly'

Opposition can do a discussion on any topic. Constructive suggestions regarding the budget and President's address should be given. I appeal (to Opposition) to let the House function smoothly, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, as per ANI.

02/02/2023 10:38:38

PM Modi holds meeting with Union ministers to discuss government strategy in Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a meeting with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Anurag Thakur, Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi, Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju to discuss government strategy in Parliament, ANI reported

02/02/2023 10:37:47

Opposition parties to raise issue of Hindenburg report and Adani Stock crash: Sanjay Raut

Opposition parties will raise the issue of the Hindenburg report and Adani Stock crash in both Houses of Parliament: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut to ANI

02/02/2023 10:34:06

Like-Minded Opposition Parties Hold Meeting To Chalk Out Their Strategy

Opposition like-minded parties meeting underway in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House

02/02/2023 10:23:05

CPI(M) leader in Rajya Sabha gives suspension of business notice to discuss Hindenburg report

CPI(M) leader in Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem gives suspension of business notice under rule 267 to discuss the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises, ANI reported.

02/02/2023 09:33:08

Budget Session LIVE: Congress MP, BRS MP's notices to discuss the Hindenburg report

Congress MP Manickam Tagore, BRS MP Nama Nageswara Rao give Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises, ANI reported

02/02/2023 09:31:17

Budget Session LIVE: Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion notice in LS to discuss border situation with China

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the border situation with China, ANI reported

02/02/2023 09:29:33

Budget Session LIVE: BRS MP K Keshava Rao gives Suspension of Business notice to discuss Hindenburg report

BRS MP K Keshava Rao gives Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 to discuss the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises, ANI reported

02/02/2023 09:28:39

Budget Session LIVE: AAP MP Sanjay Singh gives notice over 'financial irregularities and fraud done by Adani Group'

AAP MP Sanjay Singh gives notice under Rule 267 to raise the issue of 'financial irregularities and fraud done by Adani Group', ANI reported.

02/02/2023 08:22:38

Budget Session LIVE: Personal income tax rebate limit raised

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 raised the personal income tax rebate limit, doled out SoPs on small savings, and announced one of the most significant hikes in capital spending in the past decade. This is the NDA government’s last full-fledged Budget before the Lok Sabha polls early next year.