Parliament Budget Session 2026 Live Updates: 'Potential telecom fraud of Rs 1,400 crore prevented,' says Union minister Scindia

Potential frauds of over Rs 1,400 crore prevented in telecom, says Scindia

Union minister of communications and development of the Northeastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, informed the Parliament that risk-based interventions and the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) prevented potential financial frauds amounting to over Rs 1,400 crore.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on a question regarding the reduction in cyber and telecom frauds, the minister highlighted the measures undertaken by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to secure the telecom ecosystem. He stated that these outcomes followed the implementation of the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), a metric that categorises suspicious mobile numbers based on their probability of association with financial crimes.

The minister reported that the FRI empowered stakeholders, including banks and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service providers, to prioritise enforcement and adopt real-time response protocols. "Financial institutions have reported that based on transaction decline and alerts or notifications given to citizens, potential frauds amounting to over Rs 1,400 crore have been prevented utilising FRI," the minister stated.

Since its launch in May 2025, the indicator allowed for enhanced due diligence and transaction delays for flagged mobile numbers, effectively mitigating risks associated with medium, high, and very high-risk categories. (ANI)

India has 25,001 active pliots, govt tells Lok Sabha

India has a total of 25,001 active pilots, including 10,261 ATPL (Airlines Transport License) holders, the government told Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The number of pilots who are below the age of 65 years and holding various categories of licences issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was 25,001, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Of this, 10,051 were ATPL (aeroplane) and 210 ATPL (helicopter) holders while the number of CPL (Aeroplane only) and CPL (helicopters only) holders was 12,480 and 777, respectively, as per data.

Besides, there were 1,477 pilots with Private Pilots License (aeroplane) and six PPL holders for helicopter operations, data showed.

The minister also said that the DGCA does not maintain details of unemployment of pilots holding Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). (PTI)

'Budget, timeline for Yuge Yugeen museum project being determined': Govt

For the upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, objects will be drawn from six museums of the culture ministry, 52 AS site museums, repatriated artefacts, and those loaned for long-term from international institutions, state-level museums, and prominent private collections, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.

In a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha, Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also said, "As the design phase is still ongoing, the project's budget and timeline are currently being determined."

TMC MP Saket Gokhale asked him about the "original and revised deadlines" for completion of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, which will be established in North Block and South Block, and the reasons for the "delay."

Officials earlier had said that the upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum—billed to be the largest museum in the world—will have eight thematic segments telling the story of India spanning over 5,000 years.

The new museum, to be housed in the North Block and South Block in the heart of the country's capital, will cover an area of 1.17 lakh sqm with 950 rooms spread over a basement and three storeys, they had earlier said. (PTI)

'Growth without jobs a UPA-era story': Sitharaman

Growth without jobs was a UPA-era story, not now, says finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman while attacking Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Sitharaman says India has 'tamed' inflation crisis

Addressing Rajya Sabha, FM Nirmala Sitharaman says there is no inflation crisis in India today and that it has been 'tamed.'

'No evidence of middle-class suppression': Sitharaman

No evidence of middle-class suppression; middle-class expanding: Nirmala Sitharaman

'High income tax doesn’t crush middle class': FM Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha

'High personal income tax collection does not necessarily mean middle-class being crushed,' says finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

Lok Sabha adjourned to meet again at 11 am on Friday, the last day of the first half of Budget session.

Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha passes the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Rs 3,500 crore allocated by AAI for modernisation of air navigation infrastructure: MoS (civil aviation) Mohol

On Thursday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha that AAI continuously undertakes modernisation of air navigation infrastructure and upgradation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems to cater to the growing air traffic demand.

"AAI has earmarked a capital outlay of approximately Rs 3,490 crore during the period 2026-2028 for the modernisation of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at various airports across the country.

"Out of the said expenditure, around Rs 1,532 crore pertains to automation of ATM systems across airports," he said in a written reply.

The remaining funds have been allocated for the upgradation of other CNS/ATM equipment. (PTI)

'Expedite border road projects in Mizoram': Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena

Mizoram's lone Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena on Thursday urged the Centre to expedite three key road projects, two of them along the Indo-Myanmar border, to strengthen national security and boost regional trade, an official statement said.

During a discussion during the ongoing Budget session in the Assembly, the MP highlighted two primary infrastructure gaps - the lack of high-capacity connectivity to the Myanmar border and increasing congestion between Aizawl and Sairang railway station.

Vanlalvena urged the Centre to designate two strategic routes connecting Hnahthial to Saisihchhuah in Lawngtlai district as national highways.

The two vital routes pass through several key villages, including Tarpho, Cherhlun, Thingsai, Sangau, South Vanlaiphai, and Pangkhua, terminating at the Myanmar border.

"Upgrading these routes to national highways is essential to fulfil the goals of the country's Act East Policy, strengthen national security, and boost the economic development of Mizoram's tribal population," Vanlalvena was quoted as saying in the statement. (PTI)

Over 1,000 athletes dropped from Khelo India Games: Govt

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday revealed that 1342 athletes in various disciplines have been weeded out of the Khelo India programme in the last three years for not measuring up in performance and doping violations.

In his reply to a question in Rajya Sabha seeking details of the performance of the athletes enrolled into the programme, the minister stated 2905 fresh names have been inducted into the flagship scheme during the same period.

"A total of 1,342 athletes have exited the programme during the last three years due to performance below the prescribed benchmarks and involvement in doping violations," stated the reply from the minister.

"...performance benchmarks are revised annually and are updated on the Khelo India website from time to time...Athlete performance is mapped and measured annually as per the prescribed protocols and in assessment camps," said the minister and he added that over 23000 athletes are being trained and supported across the nation under the Khelo India programme.

A Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) of the ministry handles the induction and exit of athletes from the programme through an established protocol that includes performance assessment camps. (PTI)

BJP MP Nishikant Dube seeks probe into Rahul Gandhi's 'unethical conduct'

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging the House to constitute a dedicated Parliamentary Inquiry Committee to investigate Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi's "unethical conduct," after his recent speech in the parliament.

In the letter addressed to the Lok Sabha speaker on Wednesday, Dubey cited constitutional responsiblity to highlight the misdemeanours of the Congress leader, saying that he has become a major part of the "Thuggery gang to de-stabilise the country from within."

Dubey further mentioned four "serious misdemeanours" conducted by the Lok Sabha LoP.

He said that Gandhi tried to defame the Indian Army by dragging the name of former Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM AVSM VSM SM, by quoting his unpublished book as a political tactic.

"He has cunningly dragged the name of former Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM AVSM VSM SM by quoting his unpublished book with the ulterior motive of defaming the Indian Army vis-a-vis the Ministry of Defence, along with shamefully involving our Prime Minister...," Dubey wrote in the letter.

The BJP MP further criticised Rahul Gandhi saying that he has painted a distorted image of Indian corporates and banking sector with an attempt to depict that our Banking system has collapsed due to their connivance with big business houses, further alleging that he is deeply influenced by foreign entities such as the Soros Foundation, which is infamous for de-stablising various countries for the benefit of their client States.

Dubey took a jibe at the Congress leader, saying that he calls himself a "machoman," while being on the verge of entering the senior citizens' category in the next five years.

He alleged that Gandhi is an active member of the "Ford Foundation," which is a very notorious organisation, further claiming that it funds all of Gandhi's lavish foreign travels.

In a final attack on Rahul Gandhi, Dubey alleged that all this is just the "tip of the iceberg" and urged an inquiry to examine Gandhi's actions in the House. (ANI)

Kerala BJP councillors visit the Parliament amid the ongoing Budget Session

A group of newly elected BJP councillors from the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, along with party representatives from other civic bodies in Kerala, arrived in Delhi on Wednesday to attend a three-day programme focused on administrative and governance training, as cited by PTI.

The delegation, which includes municipal chairpersons, gram panchayat presidents, and parliamentary party leaders, will participate in four specialised training sessions at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

No privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi, but remarks likely to be expunged

The government will not bring a privilege motion against LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. However, words and lines from the speech delivered by Rahul Gandhi yesterday will likely be expunged, as the allegations he made were not authenticated: Sources

Rahul Gandhi responds to privilege motion brought against him

When asked about a privilege motion being brought against him, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, “Do they give you some keywords?”

KC Venugopal accuses govt of being ‘anti-farmer, anti-labour’, questions Rijiju over parliament video

Congress MP K C Venugopal on Thursday criticised the government over the nationwide trade union strike and the India-US trade deal, accusing it of being “anti-labourers, anti-farmers and anti-youth.”

“Trade Unions all over India are holding a strike today because this govt is anti-labourers, anti-farmers and anti-youth. Under the India-US trade deal, farmers' interests will be sacrificed. I think this is one of the biggest weapons used against the farmers by the government,” he said.

On the BJP’s plan to move a privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal said, “I am challenging them (BJP) to reply to Rahul Gandhi's speech. LoP Rahul Gandhi raised the most pertinent issues during the speech yesterday. Nirmala Sitharaman did not answer his questions. Kiren Rijiju tweeted a video after the House was adjourned. How did he access the video of Parliament? The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has now become unparliamentary. His duty is to coordinate with the Opposition for the smooth functioning of Parliament, but here, the parliamentary affairs minister himself is doing all this.”

Priyanka Gandhi criticises India-US trade deal, backs labour strike

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday criticised the India-US trade deal, saying it would cause heavy losses to farmers, and expressed support for the nationwide strike by labour unions.

“The trade deal (India-US) that they have signed is going to incur heavy losses to the farmers. The entire labour union is on strike today, and we are supporting them,” she said.

Commenting on alleged actions against Rahul Gandhi, she added, “they will do FIR, cases and whatnot against Rahul Gandhi, but nothing is going to affect him.”

BJP moves motion against Rahul Gandhi; seeks his suspension

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday said there was no privilege motion against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, but that he had submitted a substantive motion seeking action against him.

“There is no privilege motion. I have submitted a substantive motion wherein I have mentioned how he allegedly engages with the Soros Foundation, Ford Foundation, USAID and travels to places like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the US, and how he is linked with anti-India forces. I have demanded that his membership be cancelled and that he be barred from contesting elections for life,” Dubey said, as cited by PTI.

Opposition MPs protest India-US trade deal at Parliament, call it ‘trap deal’

Opposition MPs on Thursday staged a protest against the India-US interim trade deal at the Makar Dwar of Parliament in the national capital, holding placards and calling it a “trap deal.”

The lawmakers also expressed solidarity with the Bharat Bandh called by trade unions, protesting against various central government policies.

Rijiju alleges Congress MP filmed ‘illegal’ video, claims speaker abused

Opposition MPs to protest US trade deal in Parliament, Congress' Manish Tewari moves adjournment motion

Opposition MPs are set to protest outside the Makar Dwar on Thursday against what they described as “anti-people” clauses in the India-US trade deal, while also expressing solidarity with farmers who have called for an All India Bandh.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss “important topics,” including the India-US interim trade deal and the joint statement, as cited by ANI.

In the motion, Tewari sought an immediate statement from the government, alleging that the joint statement includes commitments on Russian oil purchases and agriculture-related concessions. He said such steps could raise questions about India’s energy security, farmers’ interests and strategic autonomy.

Lok Sabha to present reports, discuss Labour Law Amendment Bill

Several papers are scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Thursday during the ongoing Budget Session by various ministries and MPs.

According to the Lok Sabha list of business, BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Chandra Prakash Joshi will present the Fourth Report of the Committee on Petitions on a representation by Parameswaran Krishna Iyer regarding penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance in bank accounts.

BJP MPs Harendra Singh Malik and Rajkumar Chahar will also table reports of the Committee on Government Assurances, as cited by ANI.

Congress govt surrendered before WTO, sold poor, farmers, says Sitharaman

Finance minister Sitharaman hits back at Rahul Gandhi

"LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke on several issues. He spoke the language of Jujutsu and Martial Art - grip and control. He also told Jagdambika Pal, who was on the Chair, that he respects him because he was once in his party. But he called Bittu a traitor, who was also once in his party. I would like to answer all his points. He expressed concerns over AI and data, that India's data is going out to foreign countries. This is not correct," Sitharaman said.

'Dont't hog credit': Sitharaman lashes out at Mamata over Dankuni corridor

"We mentioned Dankuni in this Budget, because we want to have an east-west corridor which will go from Dankuni to Surat. Leaders of Bengal are so pained with this that they say that when Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister, she had announced this and that we are not doing anything new...This is absolutely false. I have announced new dedicated freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat. Mamata Banerjee had announced something from Ludhiana to Kolkata via Dankuni. Nothing came out of it. What I announced is new. So, do not attempt to hog credit in everything, " Sitharaman said.

Effective capital expenditure in Union Budget 2026 is Rs 17.1 lakh crore, 4.4% of GDP: Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

The effective capital expenditure for the Financial Year 2026-27, including that for states and union territories is Rs 17.1 lakh crore, which is 4.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and this will give a push to the goal of Viksit Bharat, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

Replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Union Budget 2026-27, Sitharaman outlined various government initiatives, including skilling and infrastructure investment.

The Budget 2026 has increased public capex from Rs 11.2 lakh crore in BE 2025-26 to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in FY2026-27. Sitharaman said that taken together with the provisions for states and union territories, the effective capital expenditure is Rs 17.1 lakh crore.

She said the government has laid thrust on AI education, realising its potential. "AI education is not just kept at elite level, but it is now for the masses," she said.

41% of taxes were transferred to the states on Finance Commission's recommendations, says Sitharaman

"The resources transferred to the states, often we are accused of not really transferring the 41% which the Finance Commission has recommended, that the Government of India should give 41% of devolvable tax to the states. I will assure this House, through you Madam, 41% it is that we have transferred to the states. We have not reduced any state's transfer of devolvable tax which has to go. Total resources to be transferred to the states, including the devolution of states' share in taxes and releases that are made under the centrally sponsored scheme in 26–27, the coming year, is estimated to be at Rs 25.44 lakh crores. This much money will go to the states this year, next year. This entails an increase of 2.70 lakh crores," said finance minister Sitharaman.

Govt to prioritise animal husbandry in all rural areas, says Sitharaman

“We are also placing emphasis on animal husbandry and fisheries to ensure that every district has facilities such as a veterinary surgeon, hospital, and testing laboratories. This will ensure that animal husbandry is given priority in all rural areas...This goes along with the funds being allocated for the restoration of sarovars and waterways along the course of rivers, so that shipbuilding and boat-building can be developed, covering all the mineral-rich parts of the country and linking them with Paradip and Dhamra ports,” the finance minister said.

Sitharaman emphasizes India’s leadership in bio-pharma, semiconductors, and carbon capture

We are willing to work with states so that this mammoth higher education centre can be propped up, says Sitharaman

"We have said that instead of waiting to qualify and finishing your education and coming out and seeking where should they go for acquiring skills, the skilling element can be brought into education itself and at the end of the day when they come out, students can say I can become entrepreneur and this kind of a mega centre can be kept next to any industrial cluster that any state has. So, these mega entrepreneurship building centres as education hubs can also be coming up from any state. We are willing to work with states so that this mammoth higher education centre can be propped up and therefore students can go there and come out as entrepreneurs," said Niramala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha.

Hardeep Puri counters Rahul's 'chokehold' claims linked to India-US trade deal

"Today, when Rahul Gandhi came to speak on the Budget...He said that there is some kind of choke due to which our international interaction is being held hostage to some kind of pressure. Read up a little. 50% of India's GDP is in the external sector which is the value of goods and services exported and imported, the remittances. For India it is very essential that we have international agreements and trade agreements, FTAs. Which other country, in such a short period of time, has pulled off 9 trade agreements?" said Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

He further said, "There is an industrialist, whose name appears (in Epstein Files). He is asking why he has not been arrested so far...Whether he is arrested or not is not the issue. How are you linking these things?"

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said, "The point is that I do not believe that any Indian Prime Minister, including PM Modi, would sign such a deal (India-US trade deal) unless there was a chokehold on him. We have been buckled on tariffs, we have handed out our data, given up control over digital trade rules, no data localisation, free data flow to the USA, a limit on digital tax, no source code disclosure, and a 20-year tax holiday."

Hardeep Puri quashes rumours linked to him over Epstein files

“I want to remind you that today, during the Parliament session, my name was mentioned in the context of some developments elsewhere—the Epstein files. I just want to share some information... I want to clarify that these facts are all public. Three million emails have been released, covering the period from May 2009, when I joined as India’s Ambassador to the UN in New York, until I became a minister in 2017. During this period, there are references to only three or four meetings, and my interactions were entirely professional, related to the Independent Commission on Multilateralism and other international work,” Hardeep Puri said.

Hardeep Puri flays Rahul Gandhi over Epstein Files claims

"Epstein Files, the Yuva Neta should know, are about wrongdoing, criminal offences. The Epstein Files are about charges that he had an island where he used to take people to indulge their sexual fantasies, charges of paedophilia, there are victims of this. Those victims have brought cases against people in authority. My interaction had nothing to do with that," Hardeep Puri said.

Hardeep Puri calls out Rahul Gandhi's 'elements of buffoonery' over Epstein claims

“I think this was not the last Constitution Day in November, but the one before that, or around that time, perhaps when we were celebrating 50 years of the Emergency. They were waving a copy of the Constitution, which was wrapped in cellophane paper. Even their entire cadre was waving that copy in the air. Later, someone removed the cellophane covering and said, ‘Look, which Constitution are you talking about?’… But on the one hand, you have leaders who dedicate their lives to transforming the country and work around the clock, and then you have elements of buffoonery. I am choosing my words carefully, elements of buffoonery. I did not call him (Rahul Gandhi) a buffoon; I said elements of buffoonery,” said Union minister Hardeep Puri.

He (Rahul Gandhi) has a habit of making baseless allegations, Hardeep Puri tears into Rahul Gandhi

"There are two kinds of leaders. There are those who assume responsibility within the political system and dedicate their lives to public service, transforming the country. These are the leaders who, during their lifetime, have ensured that the country has moved from being the 10th largest economy to the fourth largest. We are currently fourth, and soon we will be the third largest. Then there are other leaders who occasionally come to the country, sometimes travel abroad, and when they come to Parliament, as one of my colleagues said, they used to walk out when someone was presenting something substantial. And today, after giving his speech, he left. You know the leader I am referring to,” said Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri reacting to LoP Rahul Gandhi’s statement.

'No PM could have signed India-US trade deal unless there was a chokehold,' says Rahul Gandhi in attack on PM Modi

"The point is that I do not believe that any Indian Prime Minister, including PM Modi, would sign such a deal (India-US trade deal) unless there was a chokehold on him. We have been buckled on tariffs, we have handed out our data, given up control over digital trade rules, no data localisation, free data flow to the USA, a limit on digital tax, no source code disclosure, and a 20-year tax holiday," said Rahul Gandhi.

He futher added: "The most valuable asset that India has and will ever have has been handed over. Our farmers have been left to the mercy of mechanised massive American farms.Our textiles have been wiped out. Bangladesh is now going to wipe out our textile industry, our energy security has been handed over, we can't buy oil from whom we want to buy oil from. Now I don't believe any Indian Prime Minister would do this".

PM Modi has surrendered to US to protect the BJP's financial architecture, alleges Rahul Gandhi

"This is complete surrender... It is a tragedy because it is a surrender not just of the Prime Minister. He has surrendered the future of 1.5 billion Indians. He has surrendered the future because he wants to protect the BJP's financial architecture on which there is a case in the United States," said Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Govt has opened the door to crush our poor farmers, Rahul Gandhi on India-US trade deal

“You have opened the door to mechanised American farms, you have opened the door to crush our poor farmers, it is disgraceful”, said Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on the US-India trade deal.

Following his speech in Lok Sabha on the Union Budget, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi talks to reporters outside Parliament

" I have said that I will authenticate the data. There are Department of Justice files on Epstein files naming Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani. In an ongoing case against Adani, summons have been issued. The government of India has not responded for the last 18 months. There is direct pressure on the Prime Minister. The main thing is that no PM would do this in a normal situation. In a normal situation, no PM would do what has happened in terms of data, farmers, energy security and defence. Someone would do this only when there is a certain grip on them," he said.

'Are you not ashamed of selling India?' Top quotes from Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday mounted a sharp critique of the government during the discussion on the Union Budget 2026–27, alleging that India’s strategic autonomy is under strain and that crucial decisions on energy and economic policy are being shaped by global power dynamics.

In a pointed attack on the Centre’s foreign and trade policy, Gandhi said, “Now US will decide who we buy oil from not our Prime Minister,” accusing the government of eroding India’s negotiating leverage in an increasingly volatile and shifting global landscape.

'We are heading into turbulent times and nation has been sold': Rahul in Lok Sabha

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's jab at government and businessmen

"There is a businessman Anil Ambani, I want to ask why is he not in jail? The reason is that his name is in the Epstein Files. I would also like to ask Hardeep Puri, who introduced him to Epstein. I know who introduced him, and Hardeep Puri knows who introduced him," said Rahul.

'You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata': Rahul Gandhi

"I am saying that you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? Do you have no shame in selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata. The interesting thing is that I know that the Prime Minister would not sell India under normal circumstances. You know why he sold India? Because they are choking him. They have got a grip on his neck... We can see fear in the eyes of the Prime Minister. There are two things- first, Epstein. 3 million files are still locked up," said Rahul.

'You have sold India': Rahul Gandhi tells govt, referring to India-US trade deal

"I am saying that you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? Do you have no shame in selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata. The interesting thing is that I know that the Prime Minister would not sell India under normal circumstances. You know why he sold India? Because they are choking him. They have got a grip on his neck... We can see fear in the eyes of the Prime Minister. There are two things- first, Epstein. 3 million files are still locked up," he said.

'Treat us as equals': Rahul Gandhi's message to Trump in Lok Sabha

Rahul's message to Trump on energy security

"We would have told Trump 'our energy security is our energy security and we are going to protect it'." he said.

'The Budget recognises that we are going into a danger time,' claims Rahul

He said, "The Budget recognises that we are going into a danger time... intensifying geopolitical conflict. The Budget recognises energy and finance are being weaponised all across the world. Dollar is being weaponised, dollar is weakening in value, gold and silver price is going up. There is absolutely nothing in the Budget that looks into these issues."

Rahul Gandhi speaks for 'protection of farmers'

He said, "For first time in history our farmers are facing a storm; you've opened door to crush poor farmers, no PM has ever done this."

Rahul Gandhi focusses on 'protecting Indian data'

He said, "If INDIA bloc was negotiating with President Trump, we would say 'most important thing in this equation is Indian data'."