As the Budget Session 2025-26 begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that this is the first Parliament session since 2014 where he witnessed "no foreign interference."
Speaking to the media before heading into Parliament, PM Modi said, "You must have noticed, since 2014, this is the first Parliament session, which saw no 'videshi chingari' (foreign interference) in our affairs, in which no foreign forces tried to ignite a fire. I had noticed this before every budget session. And many in our country leave no stone unturned to fan these sparks. This is the first session without any foreign meddling."
Focusing on the government's priorities for its third term, PM Modi emphasized that the key areas of "Innovation, inclusion, and investment" have been crucial in the nation’s economic progress.
He noted, "In the third term, in the Mission MODE, we will make the country head towards all-round development, whether it is geographical, social, or economic. We are heading towards Mission MODE. Innovation, inclusion and investment have been primary in our economic growth."
He further reiterated the importance of reform, performance, and transformation. "Reform, perform and transform. When we have to achieve the pace of development, the most emphasis is on reform, and central and state governments have to perform, and transformation can be witnessed through public participation," the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister also touched on the key legislative business expected during the session.
"In this session, as always, many historic bills will be discussed in the House, and after extensive brainstorming, they will become laws that will strengthen the nation. Specially to re-establish the pride of women power, to ensure that every woman gets a respectable life and equal rights without any discrimination of caste and creed; many important decisions will be taken in this session in this direction," he stated.
PM Modi also expressed optimism about the young generation benefiting the most from the vision of Viksit Bharat. "Ours is a young nation, and today 20-25-year-olds will be the greatest beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat by the time they will be 50 years old... They will be at the helm of policymaking... The efforts to fulfil our vision of Viksit Bharat will be a huge gift for our young generation."
He went on to describe this Budget session as a "golden opportunity" for MPs, especially young ones, to contribute to strengthening Viksit Bharat.
"In this budget session, all MPs will contribute to strengthening Viksit Bharat, especially the young MPs, since it is a golden opportunity for them. They will be witness to Viksit Bharat... I hope that we will stand up to the hopes and expectations of people..." he said.
Before the start of the session, the Prime Minister also paid his respects, saying, "Ahead of the Budget Session, I bow down to Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity..."
The Budget session of Parliament will begin with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of both Houses. Following this, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey ahead of the Union Budget, which will be presented on Saturday.
The Economic Survey, prepared by the Ministry of Finance's Economic Division under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser, will provide insights into the current state of the economy, along with outlooks for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Several significant bills are expected to be discussed, including the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to strengthen banking oversight, and the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, focusing on improving the efficiency of Indian Railways. Other notable bills include the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, the Boilers Bill, 2024, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, and the Finance Bill, 2025.
The first part of the Budget session will continue until February 13, after which Parliament will reconvene on March 10 following a recess, with the session concluding on April 4.
