New Delhi, Jan 29: President Ram Nath Kovind is addressing members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday, a customary speech delivered ahead of the commencement of the Budget session.
As many as 18 Opposition parties are boycotting the President’s address in solidarity with farmers protesting against the three farm laws.
While defending the new agriculture laws as beneficial to farmers, Mr Kovind expressed displeasure over the violence witnessed in Delhi on the eve of farmer tractor March on January 26.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey 2020-21 in Parliament today, which provides a summary of the annual economic development across the country during the financial year.
President Kovind said on the contentious farm laws:
“My government wants to make it clear that before the formation of the three new agricultural laws, there was no reduction in the rights and facilities which were under the old system. Rather, through these agricultural reforms, the government has given new rights to farmers.”
The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law & rules have to be followed seriously: President Ram Nath Kovind, in Parliament