Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, marking the fourth day of the Budget session in Parliament.
This follows a strong speech by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday, in which he criticized the NDA-led central government. During his address on the Motion of Thanks, Gandhi claimed that the Modi government’s ‘Make In India’ initiative has failed, with the share of manufacturing in India’s GDP declining from 15.3% in 2014 to 12.6% in 2023, marking the lowest level in 60 years. He also called for a caste census and suggested that using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze such data could open up various opportunities.
In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. Rijiju pointed out that during his speech, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha had asked Gandhi four times to substantiate his claims, but Gandhi left the House without doing so. Rijiju stressed that as the Leader of Opposition, Gandhi should present his statements responsibly and with evidence. “If we allow such statements without verification, future leaders may follow suit, making unsubstantiated claims,” Rijiju said.
On the third day of the session, opposition MPs raised concerns over the Maha Kumbh stampede and called for a discussion on the tragedy. This led to disruptions in the House, with several MPs walking out.
Additionally, Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam will present the 360th report on the government’s action taken in response to the 354th report on the Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK) related to the Department of Youth Affairs. He will also table the 361st report on the review of education standards, accreditation, research, and examination reforms in Deemed Private Universities and other higher education institutions.
Lok Sabha MP Iqra Choudhary will lay the 158th report on the government’s action regarding mental health care and its management in contemporary times, as part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s work.
The Budget session began on January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu’s joint address, and it will continue until February 13. After a recess, the session will reconvene on March 10 and conclude on April 4.
