Budget Session Live Updates: 'Govt committed to double income of farmers by year 2022,' says President

New Delhi: With President Ram Nath Kovind addressing both houses of Parliament, Budget Session of Parliament commenced today and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tabled the Economic Survey 2017-18. It will be Narendra Modi government's last full Budget before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Union Budget 2018-19 will be presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday. The government on Sunday had reached out to the opposition as it convened a meeting of senior parliamentary leaders of various political parties and sought their cooperation for the smooth functioning of the budget session. Budget Session of Parliament Live Updates:

• Economic Survey pegs 2018-19 GDP growth at 7-7.5 pc; says current high oil prices a major concern.

BREAKING: Finance Minister @ArunJaitley presents Economic Survey in Parliament https://t.co/JQJlKZeiOk?

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• After Independence while only 76 Airports were connected to Commercial flights, under 'Udaan' 56 Airports and 31 Helipads are being connected to commercial flights within 15 months only: President Ram Nath Kovind
• It's a matter of pride for us that UNESCO recognised Kumbh Mela as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity': President Ram Nath Kovind
• India has become exporter of electricity: Kovind
• Government increased minimum wage of labourers by more than 40 per cent: President Ram Nath Kovind
• To bring everyone closer to development, work under 'Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana' is being done speedily: President Kovind
• Work has started to connect villages with Broadband connectivity. 2.5 lakh Panchayats have already been connected so far: President Ram Nath Kovind
• The government is committed to double the income of farmers by the year 2022: President Ram Nath Kovind

• It is our duty that when we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary in 2019 we pay tribute to him by making our country completely clean: Kovind
• Baba Saheb Ambedkar used to say that without economic and social democracy, political democracy is unstable: President Kovind
• It's an important year for India: President Ram Nath Kovind
• President Ram Nath Kovind addresses both houses of Parliament

• President Ram Nath Kovind reaches Parliament

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• President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Parliament
• Budget will fulfill aspirations of people: Narendra Modi

• We want to clear Triple Talaq bill this time: PM Narendra Modi
• Economic Survey 2017-18 to be tabled at 11 am
• President Ramnath Kovind to address the joint sitting of the two Houses
• Budget session of Parliament to commence today. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to table the Economic Survey 2017-18
•  The session would conclude on April 6
• Parliament will be adjourned for recess on February 9 to reassemble on March 5

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told the media that the session is scheduled to have a total of 31 sittings (eight sittings in the first part and 23 in the second) spread over 68 days. The session would conclude on April 6. Kumar informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the all-party meet, underlined that his government gave "huge importance" to the issues raised by all political parties. However, the opposition was perhaps not totally convinced with the government's claims. Although most opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, stayed off the media despite repeated requests for their comments, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said that the government cared little for Parliament. "The number of 'full' working days in first phase of the budget session are February 5, 6, 7 and 8 -- just four days. This government cares two hoots about Parliament," O'Brien said after the meet. The meeting was also attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Image: Shashi Tharoor/ANI Meanwhile, on Sunday, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, reported ANI-"It's their (BJP) last budget, naturally they would leave a political message. Our economy isn't in good shape. They'll have to do something for farmers, there's agricultural stagnation. If they want votes, they'll have to do something about jobs they promised 4 yrs ago." (With inputs from agencies)