नवीनतम
Prez Murmu addresses joint session of both houses
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]:
President Droupadi Murmu was on Wednesday welcomed in Parliament premises by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and an official carrying the 'Sengol', adopted as a cultural symbol by the government.
The president arrived in Parliament in a six-horse-driven ceremonial buggy and escorted by the horse-mounted presidential bodyguard on a misty morning in the national capital. She was given a guard of honour in the lawns of the Parliament building and was escorted to the Lok Sabha chamber by Radhakrishnan, PM Modi, Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
The vice president, the prime minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker welcomed the president at the Gaja Dwar of the Parliament building and proceeded to the Lok Sabha chamber in a procession led by the officer carrying the 'Sengol' reverentially.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Union Budget Session 2026, highlighting the government's commitment to social justice, welfare, and transparency. In her address, the President said social security benefits are now reaching nearly 95 crore citizens across the country. She added that the government has taken strong steps to tackle corruption and scams, ensuring better and more transparent use of public funds.
As the President started her address, there was an uproar from the Opposition benches.
Murmu said social security benefits are now available to nearly 95 crore citizens of the country.
"My government is committed to true social justice," she said, adding that 25 crore Indians moved out of poverty in the last 10 years. In the third term of the government, she said, work is being done to further empower the poor. The President also said the government has been successful in tackling corruption and scams, ensuring proper use of public funds.
She said, "FTA with EU will fuel service and manufacturing sectors; will provide employment opportunities to youth." Talking about Operation Sindoor, she said, "Operation Sindoor showed India's valour; govt gave a message that any terror attack will invite resolute, decisive action."
She said that astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's visit to the International Space Station was the beginning of a historic journey. In her address, President Murmu said space tourism was now within reach of Indians.
"Subhanshu Shukla reaching the International Space Station (ISS) is the beginning of a historic journey. In the coming years, India is moving towards building its own space station," Murmu said.
"The nation is working enthusiastically on the Gaganyaan mission," the president said, amid the thumping of desks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders present in the Lok Sabha chamber.
Shukla undertook an 18-day mission on the ISS in June-July last year, the first Indian to visit the orbital lab. Earlier, astronaut Rakesh Sharma had undertaken a space sojourn tothe Russian space station Salyut-7 in 1984.
The Economic Survey of India will be presented on January 29th, with the Union Budget 2026-27 following on February 1st. Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the chief economic adviser's supervision, the Economic Survey document offers insights into the economy's state and key indicators for 2025-26 (April-March), along with an outlook for the upcoming fiscal year.
The session will run for 30 sittings across 65 days, ending on April 2. Both Houses will recess on February 13 and resume on March 9, allowing Standing Committees to review the Demands for Grants from various ministries and departments. The initial phase will focus primarily on financial matters related to the Union Budget for 2026-27 and discussions on the Motion of Thanks for the President's Address.
The second part of the Session will primarily address essential legislative and other business. Following Tuesday's all-party meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which outlined the Budget Session agenda, leaders from various political parties shared their perspectives on anticipated issues and pledged their full cooperation with the government.
