Parliament Budget Session 2026 LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman Says No Energy Shortage In India; Lok Sabha Revokes Suspension Of 8 Oppn MPs

It is due to PM Narendra Modi government that the Railways have linked the Northeast states to mainland India. "Congress made people forget our country's cultural heritage and always maintained a negative mentality. But PM Modi has focused on India's language, culture and festivals. Today, every department has brought a change. Our history that was first tried to be forgotten by the Mughals and then by the British is now being revived," he said.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day. Proceedings will resume from 11 am on March 18.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the BSNL is doing extremely well and meeting new targets. She said Congress government had weakened BSNL and MTNL from all aspects. With flooding of imports in the telecom sector, BSNL was left struggling, she said.

"Congress government sounded the death knells for BSNL and MTNL. Their license fee reimbursements were stopped, making them debt-ridden overnight. Today when BSNL is running so well we are being questioned. UPA government allotted inferior spectrum bands to them, while private operators got superior bands. They denied support for employee restructuring, denied mandatory use of BSNL and MTNL in government departments but our government has made it mandatory. They sabotaged BSNL network. We gave three times revival package of Rs 3.22 lakh crore to BSNL," she said.

The FM said, "The UPA government weakened our economy in a planned manner but now you are questioning GDP growth. You had almost killed BSNL and left. It was our government that brought back BSNL from the ICU," she added

FM Nirmala Sitharaman said the UPA government issued oil bonds without declaring those in the finance records and the Centre has cleared those. "Our government is clearing up the mess left behind by the Congress government. We paid entire oil bond burden of Rs 2.92 lakh crore till this month," she said.

The FM said that the money spent on clearing oil bonds could have been spent on upgrading infrastructure and developing education and health sectors.

Speaking on the Supplementary Demand for Grants in Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "India's economy stands at a stable position despite various challenges. This is because we have been able to tackle unforeseen circumstances. Our economy faced challenges during Covid, Russia-Ukraine War and present West Asia crisis. Despite all these challenges and newer problem, we have managed to sustain."

Sitharaman said India is not facing energy shortage despite ongoing turmoil in West Asia. "We have managed to ramp up domestic LPG production by 25 percent and are ensuring that the supply remains streamlined. It should be remembered that this did not happen by accident but due to our policy.

She said that India has been focusing on renewable energy since 2014 and the highest ever renewable energy expansion was witnessed in 2025.

Congress MP Mallu Ravi, who spoke on the railway budget during the ongoing budget session of the Parliament, said that the Railways was in a "very bad shape" while calling for an increase in the budget.

"This government has given Rs 2.81 lakh crore for railways. Still, the railways are in a very bad shape... It is important to increase the budget and take care of the second-class railway travellers... The Dornakal Gadwal line is a new project which is about 300 kilometres long. This has been sanctioned for a survey. It has been going on for a long time... I request the minister to order people to submit the survey report, sanction the project and take it up immediately...," Ravi said outside the Parliament.

Hospital treatments worth Rs 1.73 lakh crore have been authorised under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, covering 11.69 crore admissions till February 28, the government informed the Rajya Sabha. Minister of State (MoS) for Health Prataprao Jadhav said 4.40 crore admissions worth Rs 68,302 crore were recorded in the last two financial years alone. The scheme provides Rs 5 lakh annual health cover to around 12 crore families and has issued over 43.5 crore Ayushman cards, with more than 36,000 hospitals empanelled nationwide.

The government informed Parliament that 41.41 lakh ineligible ration cards were deleted in 2025, with the highest numbers in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Food Nimuben Bambhaniya said the deletions were enabled by digitisation of the Public Distribution System (PDS). She added that over 99 per cent of beneficiaries are Aadhaar-seeded and nearly all fair price shops have been automated, helping improve transparency and curb leakages.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has recommended a hike in the minimum pension under EPS 1995 and making e-Shram registration mandatory for gig workers. The panel, headed by BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai, also called for revising minimum wages in line with inflation and ensuring timely social security coverage for workers. It urged the government to clearly define the responsibilities of aggregators and strengthen monitoring of labour schemes to improve worker welfare.

BJP MP Sambit Patra criticised a US commission report recommending sanctions on the RSS and India’s intelligence agency RAW, calling it baseless. He said the Ministry of External Affairs has already rejected the report, stating it lacks credible sources and objective evidence. Patra also alleged that attempts were being made to defame India, asserting that no foreign body can dictate actions against Indian institutions.

Special courts have delivered judgments in 59 PMLA cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate, with conviction orders passed in 56 cases involving 124 accused between April 2021 and February 2026, the government informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the ED arrested 903 persons and registered 4,377 ECIRs during the period.

Charge sheets were filed in 1,245 cases, along with 447 supplementary charge sheets. The ED also filed closure reports in 93 cases where no offence of money laundering was established.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hailed the extensive discussion in the Rajya Sabha on rural development, calling it the longest-ever debate on demands for grants for any department. He said 54 members participated over four days and welcomed the focus on village-centric issues.

Replying to the debate, the Union Minister of Rural Development assured the House that constructive suggestions from members would be seriously considered and implemented, stressing that discussions should lead to meaningful outcomes rather than remain mere formality.

The Rajya Sabha took up the Appropriation Bill, 2026, for discussion after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. As a Money Bill, the Upper House cannot reject it but can debate and suggest amendments before returning it to the Lok Sabha.

A Parliamentary panel on External Affairs has strongly recommended that the government prepare a formal strategic document outlining India’s foreign policy objectives, calling its absence a “significant gap” given the country’s global stature and expanding engagement.

The committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said the existing annual reports are retrospective and not a forward-looking strategy. It also flagged that the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 remains pending, urging the government to treat it as a legislative priority and introduce it at the earliest.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced that several members completing their tenure will be given a farewell in the House tomorrow, on Wednesday. He said Question Hour and Zero Hour will not be taken up tomorrow to allow time for members to be bid farewell.

The government said there is no significant long-term decline in marine fish production in Kerala, citing findings of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

Replying in the Lok Sabha, Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said marine fish production in the state rose from 4.82 lakh tonnes in 2015 to 6.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, despite periodic fluctuations.

He said the Centre has approved fisheries development projects worth Rs 1,418.51 crore for Kerala under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) over the last five years. The initiatives include artificial reefs, deep-sea fishing vessels, aquaculture expansion, seaweed cultivation, and technology-driven practices such as biofloc and recirculating aquaculture systems. The government is also strengthening infrastructure, such as cold storage, transportation, and fish markets, while promoting digital platforms, such as the Fish Market Price Information System and ONDC, to improve market access.

Additionally, seasonal fishing bans and financial assistance to over 1.7 lakh fishers are being implemented to support livelihoods and conserve fish stocks.

Foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows from Indian equity markets have moderated in FY26, with net selling at Rs 96,974 crore so far, lower than Rs 1.27 lakh crore recorded in FY25, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said FPI flows remain volatile, driven by both global and domestic factors, with alternating phases of inflows and outflows. He noted that while the financial year began with strong inflows, sentiment turned negative in subsequent months, with significant outflows recorded between July and September and again in early 2026.

Despite the fluctuations, the overall outflow in FY26 remains lower than the previous year. The government said such movements do not necessarily indicate a weakening of global confidence, as FPI trends are influenced by factors such as geopolitical tensions, global investor sentiment, currency movements and portfolio adjustments.

Chouhan added that the state governments are also making budgetary provisions as India’s economic condition continues to strengthen. He said both the Centre’s and states’ budgets are increasing, with states receiving their due share from central taxes. The Minister added that even in states where his party is not in power, including Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, necessary provisions have been made in their budgets.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday invoked the ideas of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, saying "the poor are Narayan and the people are Janardan." Referring to leaders like Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, he said the principle of "one nation, one constitution, one flag and one head" has been fulfilled by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking a swipe at the Congress, he said the rural employment scheme was earlier called NREGA and later renamed MGNREGA for political reasons, alleging that the move was aimed at electoral gains rather than welfare.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised the importance of constructive criticism, saying it should be welcomed but not made merely for the sake of it. Quoting the couplet "Nindak niyare rakhiye…", he said that meaningful criticism helps improve governance, but unnecessary criticism is inappropriate. He described democracy as a "sacred temple", where the people are paramount and meaningful debate forms its essence, adding that he wholeheartedly welcomes such discussions.

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that the Delhi Police is taking multiple preventive measures to curb begging, especially at traffic signals and busy junctions. He said special drives are conducted regularly to remove beggars from key intersections, while police personnel are deployed during peak hours at vulnerable red lights to deter such activities.

The Delhi Police is also coordinating with the Delhi government's Social Welfare Department to shift beggars and homeless persons to shelter homes. Additionally, CCTV surveillance is being used at major intersections to monitor and prevent nuisance-related begging, he added.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha said he raised the issue of minimum balance penalties in Parliament, urging that such charges be scrapped. He argued that the banking system should not penalise people for maintaining low balances, saying poorer sections keep money in banks for safety, not to be fined for their financial condition. The AAP MP called for reforms to make banking more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of low-income users.

The Rajya Sabha has resumed proceedings.

Household savings as a percentage of GDP have increased from 20 per cent in 2022-23 to 21.7 per cent in 2024-25, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He said household savings remain a key source of investment financing and play a crucial role in strengthening financial resilience.

The minister added that government measures aimed at improving ease of doing business, boosting employment, skilling and infrastructure are expected to support sustained growth in incomes and savings.

He noted that recent steps, such as the income tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakh and the rationalisation of GST rates, are likely to increase disposable income, supporting consumption, savings, and investment.

On inflation, Chaudhary said there has been no food or fuel inflation in 2025–26 so far. Retail food prices declined to (-)0.98 per cent during April-January FY26, compared to 7.3 per cent in FY25. He added that fuel inflation, based on WPI, stood at (-)3.16 per cent during the same period, though global crude prices have recently risen amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Eight Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday after their suspension was revoked by Speaker Om Birla. The members returned to the House following the revocation of their suspension and marked the occasion by paying homage to the Father of the Nation.

Further discussion and voting on the Demands for Grants under the Ministry of Railways for 2026-27 was taken up in the Lok Sabha. The exercise is part of the ongoing Budget process, with members debating allocations and moving cut motions related to the Railways sector.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is benefiting small entrepreneurs by providing loans without collateral. She said the scheme has three categories, Shishu, Kishor and Tarun, and shared data on outstanding loans as of March 31, 2025.

Outstanding loans stand at 12.4 per cent of the total amount disbursed under Shishu, 9.4 per cent under Kishor, and 7.92 per cent under Tarun, with banks actively pursuing recoveries.

Responding to a query on the limited reach of the Tarun+ scheme, Sitharaman said it is only a year old and requires more time before any revision is considered.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned and will meet again at 2 PM.

A group of 204 retired officers, including 116 from the Armed Forces, 84 bureaucrats and four senior advocates, has written an open letter expressing concern over the conduct of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs.

The letter refers to the events of March 12 on Parliament premises, raising questions about the behaviour of opposition members during the proceedings. The signatories, which also include former ambassadors, said such conduct undermines parliamentary decorum and democratic traditions.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the revocation of the suspension of eight opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha, calling it a positive development. He said it was unfortunate that the MPs had to sit on Parliament's steps during their suspension, despite being elected representatives. Tharoor added that the members were chosen by the people to raise their concerns in Parliament, and their return would ensure better representation of public issues in the House.

The government withdrew the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, from the Lok Sabha. The motion was moved by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The Bill had earlier been examined by a Select Committee, which submitted its report during the ongoing session.

In the Rajya Sabha, Congress Deputy Leader Pramod Tiwari raised concerns about the use of Ayush cards, stating that patients are often asked to pay cash upfront at hospitals even with the card. He said hospitals cite government reimbursement delays as the reason for this practice.

He questioned whether action would be taken against hospitals refusing to accept Ayush cards and whether steps would be taken to streamline and speed up the payment system for nursing homes.

Union Minister Jitin Prasada said the government’s export promotion policy is now focused on empowering small traders, moving away from the earlier subsidy-driven approach. Replying to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in the Lok Sabha, he said the shift aims to make exports more inclusive and strengthen the participation of smaller businesses in global trade.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suggested that the government form groups of MPs to help them better understand the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The proposal came during Question Hour while Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was responding to supplementary questions, and the minister agreed to the suggestion. The scheme provides farmers with affordable insurance coverage against crop losses caused by natural disasters.

The Lok Sabha passed a resolution to revoke the suspension of eight opposition MPs, paving the way for their return to House proceedings. During the discussion, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stressed the need to draw a "Lakshman Rekha" to ensure the House's smooth functioning.

Congress MP K Suresh said the Opposition is ready to cooperate in running the House, but demanded equal opportunity to speak.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla directed members not to display placards or AI-generated images during proceedings, urging them to maintain decorum.

Congress MP K Suresh on Tuesday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to revoke the suspension of eight opposition MPs. Backing the demand, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also called for the restoration of suspended members, stressing the need for their participation in House proceedings. He added that the treasury benches in the Lok Sabha should also maintain the dignity of the House while conducting business.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s goods trade has remained stable and has not declined, while services trade has been witnessing steady monthly growth. He noted that while exports were weak in early March, the trend turned positive in the second week. Goyal expressed confidence that India will maintain its export momentum by the end of the month.

Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said reservation for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in government jobs has been increased from 3 per cent to 4 per cent. He added that reservations for PwDs in school admissions have also been raised from 3 per cent to 5 per cent. Highlighting initiatives for empowerment, the minister said that around 30 Divya Kala Melas have been organised across the country to showcase products made by persons with disabilities.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal responded to questions raised by members during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha regarding the Export Promotion Mission. He outlined the government’s efforts to boost exports, including policy support, market access initiatives, and measures to enhance the competitiveness of Indian goods in global markets.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a strong attack on the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the party had harmed the country’s progress and institutions. He said he would highlight, over the next year, what he described as Congress’ past actions and their impact on national policies and development.

Dubey asserted that India is currently the world’s fourth-largest economy and expressed confidence that it would become the third-largest by 2027 and potentially the largest by 2047. Accusing the opposition of creating divisions, he alleged that attempts were being made to provoke various sections of society.

He also claimed that Rahul Gandhi was weakening institutions, while reiterating that the BJP would continue to inform the public about what it called the Congress’ governance record.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said the government is promoting integrated farming models and encouraging alternative crops to support farmers, particularly those dependent on tobacco. Responding to a question in Parliament, he clarified that the government has not asked farmers to stop cultivating tobacco, as it remains a key cash crop for many. However, Chauhan said efforts are underway to explore viable alternatives.

Minister of State (MoS) Kamlesh Paswan responded to questions raised by members during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha regarding the release of the Central Government’s share under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. He provided details on fund allocation and disbursement, addressing concerns about delays and the utilisation of central assistance by states.

Zero Hour, or matters raised with the Chair's permission, was taken up in the Rajya Sabha, allowing members to highlight urgent public issues. During this period, MPs raised a range of concerns requiring immediate attention, as part of regular parliamentary proceedings in the ongoing Budget Session.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra welcomed the move to revoke the suspension of eight Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha, expressing happiness over the development. "I am very happy about it," she said, reacting briefly to reports that the government is set to bring a motion to restore the suspended members.

Proceedings for the day have begun in both Houses - the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Question Hour begins in the Lok Sabha.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised questions over the Election Commission (EC)’s decision to transfer two officers in West Bengal soon after the announcement of elections. She alleged that no similar changes had been made in other states and questioned whether the poll body was acting under pressure or aligning with the BJP’s agenda. Chaturvedi said such actions raise concerns about the conduct of free and fair elections. Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s letter on the issue, she claimed that concerns have already been formally flagged, and emphasised that the integrity of the electoral process must be maintained.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, questioning the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. He claimed that some Congress MLAs have rejected Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and said the Congress leader should first “take care of his own house” and apologise for not being able to manage the party.

Singh also took a dig at Tejashwi Yadav, saying that after losing even a single vote, he is no longer fit to continue as the Leader of the Opposition. He asserted that it is easy to level allegations against the government, but Opposition leaders must also be accountable for their own political setbacks. The Union Minister said Tejashwi Yadav should step down voluntarily from his position, reiterating that the Opposition’s criticism of the government lacks credibility given their internal challenges.