Budget Session 2025: Key highlights from President Murmu's Parliament address
What's the story
The Budget Session of Parliament started on Friday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of both Houses.
In her address, she emphasized that the Union government's third term is moving at three times the speed of previous governments.
She started her speech by paying tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and those who lost their lives in the recent Maha Kumbh festival stampede in Prayagraj.
Government progress
President Murmu highlights government's achievements and future plans
President Murmu also highlighted the government's landmark decisions on Waqf boards and One Nation, One Election.
She emphasized the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide health insurance to six crore citizens aged 70 years and above.
The president also emphasized the government's commitment to youth education and job creation and its plan to extend the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for three crore more families.
Presidential reception
President Murmu's arrival and welcome at Parliament
Further, she announced a decision has been made to expand the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and provide new homes to an additional three crore families, to give appropriate rates to farm produce, and to increase the income of farmers.
Railways will soon connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari, as the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail project is completed, and many job opportunities will be created since several efforts have been taken to empower the cooperative sector.
Twitter Post
'1.75 lakh Arogyoa Mandir have been established'
President Murmu says, "To ensure health services to all citizens, 1.75 lakh 'Arogyoa Mandir have been established in the country. Looking at the rising number of cancer patients, custom duty on many cancer medicines has been waived off." pic.twitter.com/vvPtBZ5bJu
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025
Economic forecast
Economic survey to be tabled following President's address
After President Murmu's address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey ahead of the Union Budget presentation tomorrow.
The survey, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under Chief Economic Adviser's supervision, offers insights into India's economic state and various indicators for 2024-25 (April-March) and an outlook for the next fiscal year.
Legislative focus
Key bills and legislative agenda for the budget session
Several important bills are scheduled to be discussed in this session, including those to strengthen banking regulations, make Indian Railways more efficient, and improve disaster response systems.
The government's legislative agenda also includes bills to reform the management of religious endowments.
The first part of the Budget Session will continue till February 13, following which both Houses will reassemble on March 10 and adjourn on April 4.