Parliament highlights: First leg of Budget session in Lok Sabha concludes; House adjourned till March 8

Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to merge the J&K cadre with the AGMUT cadre for All India Services. The Bill replaces an Ordinance. Replying to debate on the Budget in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the challenges of pandemic did not deter the government from undertaking reforms for maintaining long term goals of the country. Hitting out at the Opposition, Sitharaman said the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for common people and not for crony capitalists. Stay tuned for more latest updates.

First leg of Budget session in Lok Sabha concludes; House adjourned till March 8

Two Bills introduced in Lok Sabha

Two Bills -- Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2021 and Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 -- have been introduced in Lok Sabha.

Congress MP TN Prathapan moves notice for privilege motion against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on her 'Doomsday man of India' remark against Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi during her response to the budget debate today in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

Zero Hour submissions are now being taken up in Lok Sabha.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha.

Don't politicise J-K & Ladakh. If you want a political fight, come in the ring & let's compete. Nobody is scared. It's (J-K & Ladakh) a sensitive part of our country. They've been hurt & have doubts. This House's responsibility is to comfort them, not scrape their wounds: HM Shah

(ANI)

Around 25,000 government jobs will be created in Jammu and Kashmir by 2022: Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

Due to Covid-19, the whole world is going through a recession. Manish ji (Tewari), you come from Punjab, bring statistics from there, it's your govt (Congress) there.. or from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh. As far as the recession is concerned, J&K is doing better than all of them: HM Shah

(ANI)

Nobody, not even our rivals can say that there was fraud or unrest during the election (DDC). Everyone voted fearlessly & peacefully. 51% votes were cast in the Panchayat elections. Jinhone Dhara 370 waapis laane ke aadhar par chunav lada tha wo saaf ho gaye saaf: HM Shah in LS

(ANI)

Only 3 families ruled Jammu and Kashmir till Article 370 was scrapped, says Amit Shah in Lok Sabha.

'Nowhere it's written that J&K won't get statehood'

Many MPs said that bringing Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 means J&K won't get statehood. I am piloting the Bill, I brought it. I have clarified the intentions. Nowhere it's written that J&K won't get statehood. Where are you drawing conclusion from?: Home Minister Amit Shah

Children in Kashmir were forced to go to Madrasa, says Home Minister Amit Shah

I have no objection, I will give an account for everything. But those who were given the opportunity to govern for generations should look within if they are even fit to demand an account: Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

I have said in this House & I say it again that this Bill has got nothing to do with the statehood of Jammu & Kashmir. Statehood would be given to Jammu & Kashmir at an appropriate time: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

After 17 months of abrogation of Article 370, Cong is seeking details... Did we ask them about their 70 years of rule? asks Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

We were asked what did we do about promises made during abrogation of Article 370. It has been 17 months since the abrogation & you are demanding an account for it. Did you bring the account of what you did for 70 years? Had you worked properly, you need not have asked us: HM in LS

J&K made UT today, hope Bengaluru is not made UT tomorrow, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Before Session begins, Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha sit together for discussions. Discussions are held with Parliamentary Affairs Ministry too. After that we take decision. It will be in accordance with situation at that time: LS Speaker on Covid-norms for 2nd phase of Budget Session

(ANI)

There was an impasse in the first week, but it was soon resolved after I spoke to MPs & leaders of all parties. Everyone participated in discussions after that. Impasse was long, so we sat till late in the night later to make up for it: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

(ANI)

Rahul Gandhi becoming 'doomsday man' for India says Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying he is becoming a "doomsday man" for India by constantly insulting constitutional functionaries and creating fake narratives on various issues.

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FM accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of creating fake narratives on various issues.

You didn't succeed in giving 200-300 acres of land to Pandits. In your election manifesto, you'd promised that you will bring back Pandits. Did you succeed? You should at least say, 'raat gayi to baat gayi, election gaya to vaada gaya'. You should clarify your stand: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

(ANI)

'At least bring back those who were internally displaced'

Amit Shah ji, you'd said that you'll bring back Brahmins. Did you succeed in bringing back Pandits? You say you'll bring back Gilgit Baltistan. It's a matter for later. But at least bring back those who were internally displaced, those who can't go to Kashmir valley: AR Chowdhury

(ANI)

'J&K has not returned to normalcy'

The dreams that you had shown after the abrogation of Article 370 have not been fulfilled. J&K has not returned to normalcy. More than Rs 90,000 cr of local business has finished. We want you to tell us how will you improve things in J&K: AR Chowdhury, Leader of Congress in LS

(ANI)

J&K faced two lockdowns, one due to Article 370, another due to pandemic: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha is now discussing The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to merge the J&K cadre with the AGMUT cadre for All India Services. The Bill replaces an Ordinance.

A bill to replace an ordinance to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre of civil services officers with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Saturday.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ended her reply to the general discussion on the Union Budget.

Overall allocation provided for welfare of SCs have shown an increase from Rs 83,257 cr in 2020-21, compared to Rs 1,26,259 in 2021-22. Overall allocation provided for welfare of STs have also shown an increase from Rs 53,653 cr from 2020-21 to Rs 79,942 cr in 2021-22: FM

(ANI)

Some members have questioned whether allocation for minority affairs, allocation for SC & ST has been reduced. No, they have not. Total allocation for minority affairs is Rs 4,811 crores in 2021-22 which is an 8.6% increase for the ministry, higher than actual expenditure: FM

(ANI)

Rahul Gandhi becoming 'doomsday man' for India says Nirmala Sitharaman

Congress kept saying nothing will go well for India... never trusted India: FM

Who are our cronies? Our cronies are the common 'janta' of this country: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

Where are the cronies? They're hiding probably in the shadow of that party which has been rejected by the people. The shadows who were invited to even develop a port. They invited, no open tenders, no global tenders: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

(ANI)

'SVANidhi doesn't go to cronies'

PM SVANidhi Yojana, for those who are constantly accusing us of dealing with cronies -- SVANidhi doesn't go to cronies. Damads get land in states which are governed by some parties -- Rajasthan, Haryana once upon a time: FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

I'll read up figures to say what's the allocation now...Under revenue Rs 1,16,931 crores in 2013-14, Rs 86,741 crores capital in 2013-14, under pensions Rs 44,500 in 2013-14. What is it now? Rs 2,09,319 under revenue, Rs 1,13,734 under capital & Rs 1,33,825 under pension: FM

(ANI)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

We don't work for Damads or cronies, we work for common citizens who believe in PM Modi: FM

There is mention about Defence getting no mention in speech, why hiding details about Defence?...Rs 1,16,931 cr Defence expenditure in 2013-14, this being so huge, unless we pair it down into 3 compartments, you aren't going to get a true picture-Revenue, Capital, Pension: FM

(ANI)

Damads get land in states which are goverened by parties: Sitharaman attacks Congress

I will firmly establish that in spite of bringing water & sanitation, the allocations to the core health has not come down. On the contrary, it has gone up: FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

'In the Budget speech, I very clearly said, we're taking a holistic approach to health. It is addressing preventive health, it is addressing curative health, it is also addressing well-being.'

Otherwise, you are not going to get holistic health-related governance: FM

(ANI)

If Congress is taking credit for MNREGA, is should be taking credit for mismanaging MNREGA: Sitharaman

"They give birth to schemes, announce huge budgetary allocations but not utilised, they give it to their cronies and forget the scheme..."

'Hum do hamare do' works for Congress: FM

'Hum do hamare do' is that -- we're 2 people taking care of party and there are 2 other people who I've to take care, daughter and damad will take care of that. We don't do that. Rs 10,000 is given to 50 lakh street traders as working capital for 1 year. They aren't anyone's cronies: FM said in Lok Sabha

Respecting Indian entrepreneurial skills, Indian managerial skills, Indian trade skills, Indian business skills, Indian youth, Jana Sangh onwards, BJP has consistently believed in India. We didn't borrow something from somewhere and gave a hybrid: FM in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

The Union Budget has set the pace for India to become Aatmanirbhar: FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

This Budget draws from the experience of the PM when he was CM -- on the ground in Gujarat, seen so many revivals happening at a time when the license quota raj was going away post-1991 & then based on that experience, commitment to reform was blended into this Budget: FM

(ANI)

Shedding crocodile tears for farmers doesn't help, money is lying there: FM attacks Mamata in a veiled comment

Agriculture Budget not reduced by 10,000 crore... has been misread... Benefits have been transferred to farmers since the inception of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana... Allocation has been rationalised.. reduced to 65,000.. allocation of PM Kisan scheme... about estimated 65 lakh West Bengal not received, then when we decided to give... not cutting down on allocation... state for whom we made allocation did not use it: FM

Respecting Indian entrepreneurial, trade, youth skills... BJP has consistently believed in India: Sitharaman

Our believe in Indian economy strength has been consistent: Sitharaman

Stimulus plus reforms -- an opportunity has been taken out of pandemic situation. A challenging situation like pandemic didn't deter Govt from taking up reforms that are going to be necessary for sustaining long term growth for this country: FM Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

(ANI)

The Finance Minister is now responding to the discussion on the Union Budget 2021-22 in Lok Sabha.

Watch Lok Sabha live here

Today in Lok Sabha

1. Minutes of committee on absence of members from the sittings of the house
2. Reports of committee on government assurances
3. Matters under rule 377
4. Further general discussion on the Union Budget for 2021-2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, February 11, 2021. Credit: RSTV/PTI Photo

Oppn pushing false narrative that Modi govt works only for cronies: FM

Nothing for common man in budget: Opposition in Rajya Sabha

Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha on Friday charged that the Union Budget serves the interests of capitalists that will help the rich turn richer and has nothing for the common man.

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Aatmanirbhar Bharat will be attained through Budget 2021: Sitharaman

Highest ever spending under MNREGA during FY21 under Modi govt, says FM replying to Rajya Sabha Budget debate

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has removed all ills from the rural-employment guarantee scheme MNREGA and spent highest ever about Rs 90,500 crore so far this fiscal.

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Chidambaram's speech on Budget only 'verbose': FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday hit out at senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, saying that his speech in Rajya Sabha was only "verbose" as he had nothing meaningful to say about the Budget.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the post-budget press conference, at National Media Centre in New Delhi, Monday, February 1, 2021. MoS Anurag Thakur is also seen. Credit: PTI Photo

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to reply to the general discussion on the Union Budget on Saturday. The ruling BJP has directed all its members to be present in the House on Saturday, party sources said.

The new shift in Parliament came into place in the Monsoon session. There was no Winter session. The lower house will go into recess Saturday evening and reconvene on March 8.

(PTI)

Lok Sabha will convene at 10 am instead of the usual 4 pm on Saturday, Speaker Om Birla has announced. Since Rajya Sabha went on a recess on Friday and would reconvene on March 8, Lok Sabha would meet in the morning.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman slams Opposition for creating 'false' narrative around Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday gave a strong rebuttal to the Opposition charge that the Union Budget this year was meant to serve only the rich and ignored the bulk of India’s poor.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the Budget discussion in Lok Sabha at 10 am today.