Parliament Session Highligths: We want to strengthen middle class, says PM on making income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "Today, the country is taking a sigh of relief after being freed from the clutches of Congress."

In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "The Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Khelo India initiative introduced by us have transformed the Indian sports ecosystem. Our athletes have shown this at several global events. Women athletes have also proven their mettle on the global stage."

In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, " The nation's youth has an important role in the making of Viksit Bharat...After nearly 30 years, we brought in a New Education Policy. We've also brought in education and examinations in one's mother tongue."

In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "This country has also seen the period of Emergency and how the spirit of the Constitution was crushed. It was done for the sake of power. The country knows this."

During his address in Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the changes brought in the Income Tax slab in the Union Budget 2025-26. He said, "We want to strengthen the middle class and the neo-middle class. In this Budget, we have made no tax on income up to Rs 12 lakh..."

"Nehru's 'stop-gap' government amended the Constitution to curb freedom of speech, did not even wait for elections," PM Modi in Rajya Sabha.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "Today, we are moving forward by respecting and taking inspiration from the makers of our Constitution. Some people must be thinking of what this Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is. Those who will read about the Constitution debate will get to know the truth."

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "Our government, inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas', gave 10% reservation to the poor of the general category."

"When there is such vibrant media and democracy... despite that when the country gives us the opportunity to serve them for third time... the reason is the country has reviewed, understood and accepted our model of development," says PM Modi.

"Congress had hatred, anger towards BR Ambedkar; made all efforts to defeat him twice in Lok Sabha polls. Congress government did not give Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar, but today they are forced to say 'Jai Bhim'," says PM Modi.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "Today, attempts are being made to spread caste poison in the society...For many years, OBC MPs from all parties had been demanding constitutional status for the OBC panel. But their demand was rejected, as it might not have suited their (Congress) politics. But we gave constitutional status to this panel."

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi tore into the Congress and said, "During Congress tenure, there was appeasement in everything. It was their way of doing politics...."

In the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "After 2014, India got an alternate model of governance. This model is not focused on appeasement, but on satisfaction."

"It has been our endeavour to make optimum utilisation of India's resources. Therefore, we adopted the approach of saturation," says PM Modi. "We adopted a saturation approach—stretching only as far as the blanket allows. However, the schemes must deliver 100% benefit to those they are intended for."

"Expecting 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' from Congress will be a huge mistake. It is beyond their thinking and it also doesn't suit their roadmap because the whole party is dedicated only to one family," says PM Modi.

"MPs from both the ruling side and the Opposition sides expressed their views here on the President's speech the way they interpreted it..", says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha.

Opposition MPs raised slogans saying that EAM's statement on the issue should have been given in Lok Sabha first. The House was adjourned till February 7 following ruckus by Opposition members.

On deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the US, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, "Normally, we don't speak on foreign affairs but the way they have been deported with handcuffs, that is not acceptable... It is a gross violation of Human rights... I sincerely believe that the Indian government should express a high dissent..."

"While I understand the US's legal position of deporting people who entered their country without valid documentation, they may do it with dignity, particularly when it involves citizen of a country with which it has friendly relations. It is incumbent upon our government to communicate through diplomatic channels that while they are at liberty to implement their law they may do it with dignity," said Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.

It is in our collective interest to encourage legal mobility, discourage illegal movement: S Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on Indian citizens being deported External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the process of deportation from the USA is not new.

"...It is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad... We are engaging the US govt to ensure that the deportees are not mistreated in any manner. At the same time, the House will appreciate that our focus should be on the strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry. On the basis of information provided by the deportees, law enforcement agencies will take necessary, preventive and exemplary action against the agents and such agencies,” said Jaishankar.

CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar, commenting on the US deportations of Indians over “illegal stay,” said, "Thirteen of us in the Rajya Sabha, including me, had served a notice under Rule 267 to suspend the business of the day and discuss this humanitarian issue.  This highlights the inhuman attitude of the Trump administration. But what concerns us even more is the way these individuals were brought back to India. They were all handcuffed, and their basic humanitarian rights were denied. India and the US have diplomatic ties. Why should our people be treated this way when being sent back? There are norms and practices, aren’t there?"

On deportation of alleged illegal Indian immigrants from the US, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala says, “… More than 7.25 lakh Indian citizens went to the US in search of a better life… They had to go there to earn for their families because PM Modi government ran away from the promise of creating 2 crore jobs annually and there is 40% unemployment in the country… They were chained for 40 hours, loaded on container ships and not allowed to use toilets… Are Indian citizens terrorists? Why is the government silent?… Thousands of our Indian brothers and sisters are imprisoned in US detention centers… How will they be brought back? Why can't PM Modi say that Indians have contributed to the growth of America and they should be allowed to work? If this cannot be done, we demand that they be brought back with respect and given employment…”

On Indian immigrants deported from the US, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said,“I would say that a lot was talked about PM Modi and Trump’s friendship. Couldn’t we send our plane to get them all back? PM should answer.”

"It's not the first time we have had people deported. It's just that the media has suddenly woken up to this story because Mr Trump has done it a bit quicker than people expected. But already last year, under the Biden Administration, were over 1100 Indians being deported back. If you are illegally in the US, the US has the right to deport you and if your identity as an Indian is confirmed then India has an obligation to accept you,"said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Amid Congress' demand over the deportation of 104 illegal Indian migrants from the US, the LS Speaker says, "This is a problem between the Indian government and a foreign government. The Indian government will take care of this. Do not disrupt Question Hour for this," amid Opposition ruckus.

JP MP Arun Govil says, "...Arvind Kejriwal lies and Delhi is in such a bad state that people don't have faith in AAP and so I think the BJP will form the govt in Delhi..."

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, "...I have asked him (Rahul Gandhi) to authenticate what he said in Lok Sabha, if he does, it's good otherwise a privilege motion will be brought against him. I never misuse parliament; I say things with full evidence. He (Rahul Gandhi) misuses the parliament, the forum and democracy. For the first time, we have the LoP who isn't worried about the country - but for the vote bank, he is ready to divide the country the way Jawarhar Lal Nehru divided and made Pakistan."

Congress MP Manish Tewari told ANI that he is “absolutely anguished by the inhumane treatment” after the US deported 104 illegal Indian migrants, amid the Opposition's demand for a discussion in Parliament during the Budget Session on Thursday.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury has given a Suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha under Rule 267.

The notice seeks discussion on the deportation of Indian nationals who were allegedly living illegally in the US.

Here is the agenda in the Lower House:

1. Question Hour

2. General Discussion on the Union Budget

Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, has moved an adjournment motion in the Lower House to discuss the "inhumane deportation of Indian Nationals by the US...and take all necessary steps to prevent the humiliation and mistreatment of Indian nationals abroad".

A new Income Tax Bill may be introduced in Parliament, which will replace the existing Income Tax Act of 1961. The new tax law is being brought to make the tax process simple and clear. The Centre said that the new law will replace the 63-year-old Income Tax Act, 1961, and changes in it will be made based on the feedback of taxpayers.