The scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by Parliament was a historic one, President Ram Nath Kovind said today as he addressed a joint sitting of parliament, on the opening day of the budget session. The move, President Kovind said, paved way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
"The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," President Kovind said. While the comment drew long thumping of desks from the treasury benches, the opposition voiced in protest. President Kovind, in his address, also urged the opposition to engage in debate an desist protests, which he said weakens the country.
Addressing media before the budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hoped for detailed discussions on the economy and the empowerment of people ahead of the Budget Session of parliament beginning today.
"I want wide-ranging, qualitative discussion on economy in both houses. Our session should be focused on economic matters and how India can take advantage of the current global economic situation," said PM Modi in his customary remarks at the start of a session.
Pointing out that this was the first session of 2020 and the decade, he said the effort should be to lay a "strong foundation for the decade".
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day soon after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2019-20 in the House. Later, Ms Sitharaman also tabled the Economic Survey 2019-20 in Rajya Sabha.
The Union Budget will be presented on Saturday. The first phase of the session will conclude on February 11, while the second part of the session will begin from March 2 and end on April 3.
