THE HEADLINES:-

• Budget Session of Parliament begins with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of both Houses; The President describes today's government as stable, fearless and decisive.

• President says, continuation of Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is hallmark of a sensitive and pro-poor government.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Economic Survey in both Houses of Parliament; GDP growth projected at 6.5 per cent for 2023-24 fiscal.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says world is looking towards India’s budget in the present global headwinds.

• IMF says India to remain fastest growing major economy in the world despite global slowdown.

• Filing of nominations for Assembly Elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya begins.

<><><>

President Droupadi Murmu today asserted that India has a stable, fearless and decisive government which is working towards realising big dreams. Addressing the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on the first day of Budget session, at the Central Hall, the President said, surgical strike, firm crackdown on terrorism, befitting response to every misadventure from LoC and LAC, abrogation of Article 370 and Triple Talaq are the examples of a decisive government.

The President said, today the country has a government that respects the honest and works to solve the problems of the poor and empower them permanently. She stressed on the need to build a nation by 2047 which not only embraces its glorious past but also encompasses every golden aspect of modernity.

On India’s growing stature in the world, President Murmu said, the people have witnessed many positive changes for the first time during the tenure of this government. She said, India which once looked to others for solutions to most of its problems, is today emerging as a provider of solutions for the issues faced by the world. Talking about India’s G20 presidency, the President said, with the mantra of One Earth, One Family, One Future, the country is attempting to find collective solutions to the current global challenges in collaboration with the G-20 member countries. She added that India has expanded its role keeping its national interests paramount.

President Murmu added that the government firmly believes that lasting peace is possible only when the country is strong politically and strategically. Therefore, it is constantly laying emphasis on the modernization of military strength.

Asserting that corruption is the biggest enemy of democracy and social justice, the President said, there has been a relentless fight against corruption in the last few years.

The President also said, major reforms have been introduced including Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity, One Nation One Ration Card, DBT and Digital India.

The President said, the government has decided to continue the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in line with the changing circumstances. This is the hallmark of a sensitive and pro-poor government.

On women empowerment, the President said, all the welfare schemes launched by the government have a women-centric approach and provide them new opportunities for employment. She lauded the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the world is looking towards India’s budget in the present global headwinds.

Ahead of the Budget Session of the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India's budget is an attempt to meet the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens. He said, the government's only motto is India First, Citizen First.

Terming the first day of the Budget Session an important day, the Prime Minister said, President Droupadi Murmu's speech is the pride of our constitution and parliamentary system. He said, this is also an opportunity for women empowerment.

<><><>

Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary said the President’s speech  has nothing about unemployment. Talking to media outside the Parliament he said, there are several issues which will be raised by his party in Parliament. He said the President’s speech reiterates what the government wants and does. Echoing similar sentiments, BRS MP K Keshava Rao said there was no mention of issues on unemployment and inflation.

<><><>

The Economic Survey 2022-23 has projected a baseline GDP growth of 6.5 per cent in real terms in the next financial year. The Survey was presented in both the Houses of Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamna ahead of the Union Budget to be presented tomorrow. According to the survey, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7 per cent in real terms in the current financial year. It also said India will remain the fastest growing major economy in the world.  The survey said, India has become the world’s fifth largest economy and the nominal GDP of India will be around 3.5 trillion US dollars in March this year. The survey stated that the rise in consumer prices has slowed considerably. According to the survey, the annual rate of inflation is below 6 per cent and wholesale prices are rising at a rate below 5 per cent. The export of goods and services in the first nine months of the current financial year is up 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2021-22.

<><><>

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said, despite global headwinds, India will remain the fastest growing major economy in the world. In its January update on World Economic Outlook released today, the IMF said, India will grow at 6.1 percent in 2023 before picking up to 6.8 percent in 2024 fuelled by resilient domestic demand.

IMF also pointed out that growth in emerging and developing Asia is expected to rise at 5.3 percent in 2023 and 5.2 per cent in 2024.

On a positive note, the IMF said that negative growth in global GDP or global GDP per capita is not expected despite the fear of recession. The IMF stated that growth in China is projected to rise to 5.2 percent in 2023 pointing to rapidly improving mobility.

<><><>

Filing of nominations for assembly elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya began today with the issuance of notification. Candidates can file their nomination papers till February 7. Scrutiny will be done on 8th of February and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 10. Polling for 60 seat Assemblies each of both states will take place on February 27, while counting of votes will be taken up on 2nd March along with Tripura Assembly Elections.

In Tripura, Polling will be held on 16th February. Filing of nominations for Tripura Assembly Elections ended yesterday. Our correspondent reports that a total of 305 nominations have been filed for a total of 60 seats. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be taken up today and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is 2nd February.

The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for free and fair elections in all three states. Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, FR Kharkongor said, 120 companies of CAPF will be deployed in the upcoming Assembly Polls and 40 companies are already stationed in the State.

<><><>

In Uttarakhand, under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Finance, a High Powered Committee meeting was held in Dehradun on the displacement and rehabilitation of disaster affected people in Joshimath. All aspects related to the Joshimath issue were discussed in detail and a draft report was prepared. The District Magistrate of Chamoli suggested three options for rehabilitation and displacement.

Meanwhile, the water discharge in Joshimath has reduced significantly and the number of buildings with cracks is also reported to have stabled.

<><><>

Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan has been opened for general public from today. On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, President Droupadi Murmu has given a common name to the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens as Amrit Udyan. The visitors will be able to see specially cultivated tulips of twelve unique varieties at Amrit Udyan which are expected to bloom in phases.

This time the Gardens will remain open for nearly two months, till 26th of March from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. except on Mondays. The Last four days of the Gardens will be for special categories, Farmers, differently-abled, personnel of Defence Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Police and for women including tribal women’s Self Help Groups.

<><><>

All India Radio has invited applications to design the logo depicting the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme. The participants can submit their entries latest by tomorrow. The logo should be designed on a digital platform and reproducible in multiple formats for multiple platforms. The details are available at the MyGov portal.

MyGov is also hosting a Jingle Contest for the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio. The purpose of the contest is to create a memorable, easily recognisable melody that will remain in the minds and hearts of the citizens.

<><><>

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has emphasized India's growing role as a trusted supply chain partner and contributor in the global technology value chain. The NSA also underlined the importance of easing export control measures to facilitate technology access, co-production, and co-development between India and the US. 

Mr Doval was speaking at the launch of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies at the Chamber of Commerce's US-India Business Council round table conference in Washington yesterday. The NSA reached Washington yesterday to attend the first formal talks on the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

<><><>

In Pakistan, the death toll in the mosque suicide blast has risen to 83, while 157 people were injured. The blast occurred in a mosque located in the Police Lines area of Peshawar near Afghanistan. According to officials, rescue operation is underway as many people are feared to be trapped under the rubble.

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

• Budget Session of Parliament begins with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of both Houses; Describes today's government as stable, fearless and decisive.

• President says, continuation of Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is hallmark of a sensitive and pro-poor government.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Economic Survey in both Houses of Parliament; GDP growth projected at 6.5 per cent for 2023-24 fiscal.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says world is looking towards India’s budget in the present global headwinds.

• IMF says India to remain fastest growing major economy in the world despite global slowdown.

• Filing of nominations for Assembly Elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya begins.

For details of these stories and more, log on to our website  <<<www.newsonair.gov.in>>> and News On Air App.

AND WITH THAT WE END THE MID DAY NEWS.

<><><>