President addresses Parliament, says India becoming a solution to World’s problems, firmness in govt's policies

NEW DELHHI: President Droupadi Murmu said that she was happy to be able to address the Parliament in the budget session. This was her first parliamentary address. The Economic Survey will also be presented in the Parliament today ahead of the union budget which will be presented tomorrow.

‘This is a happy moment. This is the country’s Amrit Kaal. The goal of the government is the development of all. The country is progressing on the path of development. The world's view of India has changed. People's confidence increased. This is the time to build an India which is 'aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) and also fulfils its humanitarian obligations. India is the fifth largest economy in the world today. This is an important moment in the country's journey. Many visible changes took place during this government. India's digital network is a model for the world. The image of the country at the global level has changed. Government works transparently. India is not dependent on other countries for its own needs. Other countries often seek India's help. India's pride is at its peak under this government. Women's progress is worth mentioning. There is firmness in the policies of this government. The country today is dealing with terrorism very strongly. This will be a budget that fulfils the expectations of the world,' said the President.

Meantime, the opposition parties demanded that the controversial BBC documentary ban be discussed in the all-party meeting held ahead of the budget session of Parliament. 37 leaders representing 27 parties attended the all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi at Parliament Annexe yesterday. However, Congress and SP parties did not attend the meeting.

Opposition’s demand
Issues like the spat between Governor and state government, BBC controversy, Chinese invasion should be discussed. Telangana's BRS party demanded that the governor-state government issue be discussed. The BSP also demanded a discussion on the Chinese encroachment on the border. The Trinamool Congress demanded the discussion of BBC controversy. The demand of YSR Congress was to conduct a nationwide economic census based on caste and to introduce a women's reservation bill. The Biju Janata Dal also made the same demand for the Women's Bill. The RJD demanded a discussion on the Adani issue. The centre sought the cooperation of all parties for the smooth functioning of the Parliament. Apart from Pralhad Joshi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal, Arjun Rammeghwal and V Muraleedharan participated in the meeting.

DMK leader T R Balu, TMC leaders Sudeep Bandopadhyaya, Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, TRS leaders like Kesava Rao, Nama Nageswara Rao, National Conference's Farooq Abdullah and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi and other opposition leaders were also present. BRS leader K Kesava Rao will soon decide whether to boycott the President's speech in the budget session. After the all-party meeting, a meeting of NDA leaders was held.

The Parliament session began today with the President's address. The finance minister will place the economic survey in the House. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget tomorrow. The first phase of the budget session will continue till February 13.