President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha

Parliament was adjourned today after President Ram Nath Kovind's address to a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The budget session began today and will continue till February 13 with interim budget to be presented on February 1.

It will be the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha as the elections are likely to be held in April-May.

On the eve of Budget session, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday said all parties have assured their cooperation in smooth functioning of the house and urged the members to raise issues of national importance.

The brief session will have 10 sittings and the government is expected to make another push for getting the triple talaq bill passed in the Rajya Sabha, where it is pending.

Here are the LIVE Updates of the budget session:

Jan 31, 2019 14:13 (IST) Amid speculation over an announcement of a farm relief package in the upcoming Budget, President Ram Nath Kovind said the government is attempting to find "permanent solutions" for problems faced by farmers, who are the foundation of the economy.

The President recounted Modi government's commitment to doubling farmers' income by 2022 and listed measures taken during the last four and half years to address farm sector issues.

Jan 31, 2019 12:35 (IST) Vice President Venkaiah Naidu: With blessings of 130 cr Indians my govt has commenced a journey towards building a new India. A new India where every person has access to basic amenities, every person is healthy&educated, every person gets an opportunity to nurture his/her talent pic.twitter.com/BTVS2iWH8x - ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2019

Jan 31, 2019 12:30 (IST) While India has, is, and always will ensure we have good relations and ties with all nations, we are also challenged from time to time. But by carrying out the surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control, India has shown that she can defend herself against any challenge or threat: President Ram Nath Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 12:12 (IST) President Kovind said, "In 2017-18, more than 123 million people have traveled in the country. Under UDAN scheme, 12 lakh seats have been made available to the people at a reduced price. Due to this, today's ordinary family person is getting an opportunity to fly in the airplane."



Jan 31, 2019 12:10 (IST) President: Compromising with security needs is not in interest of present & future of country. New deals in last year, purchase of defence equipment raised morale of defence. After decades, Indian Air Force will use ultramodern Rafale aircraft in coming months&strengthen itself. pic.twitter.com/UvETm6GcEJ - ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2019

Jan 31, 2019 12:06 (IST) Launched the 'Energy Ganga Project' at a cost of around Rs 13 thousand crore, will expand the gas pipeline based industries in many cities in eastern India: President Kovind

Launched the 'Energy Ganga Project' at a cost of around Rs 13 thousand crore, will expand the gas pipeline based industries in many cities in eastern India: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:52 (IST) India is world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones: President Kovind

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.

My Government has the ability to become a new 'growth engine' of the country in the states of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and the northeastern states of India. We are also working towards the reconstruction of fertilizer plants in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, Sindri of Bihar's eyelashes and Jharkhand has been progressing steadily: President Kovind 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.

Jan 31, 2019 11:49 (IST) President Ram Nath Kovind: GST is a long-term policy and is a boon for the business sector. The taxpayers in the country trust this government. pic.twitter.com/3wkxZGyPoK - ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2019

Jan 31, 2019 11:45 (IST) Under Jan Dhan Yojana, 34 crore people have opened a bank account and almost every family in the country is connected to the banking system. According to an international agency, 55% of the total bank accounts opened between 2014-2017 were opened in India itself, says the President

"The expansion of 'direct benefit transfer' has reached over Rs 6 lakh crores of rupees to beneficiaries in the past four years. Because of this, about 1 lakh to 10 thousand crores of rupees are saved in the wrong hands," he added. Under Jan Dhan Yojana, 34 crore people have opened a bank account and almost every family in the country is connected to the banking system. According to an international agency, 55% of the total bank accounts opened between 2014-2017 were opened in India itself, says the President

Jan 31, 2019 11:43 (IST) 6.8 crore Indians are filing IT-returns: President Kovind

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. 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

Jan 31, 2019 11:39 (IST) Trying to double the income of farmers, Increase the MSP for farm produce.: President Kovind

My Government is trying to double the income of the country's farmers. While understanding the needs of the farmers, the government strives for lasting solutions to their problems. More assistance to farmers in the whole process of buying agricultural equipment and seeds from the market to deliver and sell agricultural products, this is the priority of the government: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:34 (IST) Educational Institutions

Every parent dreams that their children are well-read and continue to pursue good life. To enhance the opportunities for high-level professional education, the Government is setting up new educational institutions and setting up 7 IIT, 7 IIM, 14 IIIT's, 1 NIT and 4 NID: President Kovind

"Not just benefits, but infrastructure and institutions are also being built by my government at a record pace. From toilets to roads, hospitals to schools, institutes like AIIMS are being built at a brisk pace across various states in the country," he added.



Jan 31, 2019 11:32 (IST) Citizenship Amendment Bill

In his address, the president said, "The Citizenship Amendment Bill will ease the way in which India's citizenship is obtained by those who have been forced to flee to India in the cause of harassment. They have no faults in it, but they are a victim of the circumstances."

Jan 31, 2019 11:31 (IST) With a sensitive approach towards injustices of every kind of community prevalent in society, my Government has attempted a proper transformation in the law system for social and economic justice: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:28 (IST) Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a prime minister who understood the miserable, sensitive issues including the problems of the poor. New departments, ministries and programmes were introduced for the masses: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:23 (IST) In the last four years, more than 1 crore lakh houses have been built: President Kovind

Be it a city or a village, my Government is trying to strengthen the health-related infrastructure. The government is opening new medical colleges, upgrading district hospitals and opening a wellness centre in every major panchayat of the country: President Kovind

"In the last four years, more than 1 crore lakh houses have been built under the government's rural housing schemes. While the first of the year 2014, in five years, only 25 lakh houses had been built."

Under the Prime Ministerial Fortune scheme, 2 crore 47 lakh households have been given power connections. Now India is rapidly moving towards the situation where each household will have electricity and no family will be forced to live in darkness, he added. Be it a city or a village, my Government is trying to strengthen the health-related infrastructure. The government is opening new medical colleges, upgrading district hospitals and opening a wellness centre in every major panchayat of the country: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:20 (IST) The Prime Minister's ' Safety insurance plan' on premium of just 1 rupee month and the 90 money per day premium has been granted to nearly 21 crore poor siblings as insurance safety shields on ' prime Life Jyoti Insurance scheme': President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:17 (IST) We are well aware that the expense of curing diseases is a burden for the poor families. My Government launched 'Ayushaman India Scheme' last year: President Kovind President Kovind





As part of the 'mass drug project', 4,900 mass drug centres have been opened in more than 600 districts across the country so far. Medicines are being provided at more than 700 of such centres at very low cost, he added. We are well aware that the expense of curing diseases is a burden for the poor families. My Government launched 'Ayushaman India Scheme' last year: President Kovind President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:14 (IST) More than 6 crore gas connections in houses under the Ujjwala scheme: President Kovind

Most of our mothers, sisters and daughters, would remain sick because of the smoke released from stove and thus the health of the whole family was affected. Under the Ujjwala scheme, more than 6 crore gas connections have been given so far. After decades of effort, there were only 12 million gas connections in our country till the year 2014. In only four and a half years, my government has added a total of 13 crore households to the gas connection: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:12 (IST) As a result, my Government has won immense affection and faith in the countrymen. The life of each of the people is better, that is the main mission of my Government: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:09 (IST) My government has taken a pledge for a 'New India', an India where nobody remains hungry, an India where everyone gets basic healthcare and education: President Kovind

I am happy to inform you all that the benefits of government schemes are reaching the masses, as had been aimed from the start. The poorest of poor are getting basic needs of life fulfilled, from healthcare to sanitation, education to cooking gas, and much more. The direct benefit transfers are also reaching the poor without any pilferage, he said. My government has taken a pledge for a 'New India', an India where nobody remains hungry, an India where everyone gets basic healthcare and education: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:07 (IST) The year marks the 70 anniversary of Constitution Day At the same historical Central hall, our great constituent manufacturers had created the Constitution of India. 2019 also marks the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who learned to live life with service sense and harmony, is also celebrating the same year: President Kovind

Jan 31, 2019 11:05 (IST) President Kovind At Parliament

An important year for our country. 2019 not only marks the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth, but also the 100th year since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre: President Kovind



Jan 31, 2019 10:57 (IST) All Party meeting ahead of the session





Jan 31, 2019 10:56 (IST) President Ram Nath Kovind On His Way To Address Parliament





Jan 31, 2019 10:47 (IST) Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas: PM

Those who do not believe in discussion and debate, they are forever upset and unhappy. I urge them and everyone else that they take active part in the budget session of parliament. I hope they will work for the betterment of people and not stall work: PM Modi

"We have always worked on the principle of Sabka saath sabka vikas and will continue to do so. We are committed towards the development of everybody and all sectors and I look forward to a positive and constructive budget session of parliament," PM Modi said.



