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

Rijiju called out Rahul saying, "bring up something substansive", adding that the LoP is speaking without 'backing facts'.

He said, "What we put on the table is our people. Their wisdom, what they do, their likes, dislikes, their imagination, and their fear. This has suddenly, in the 21st century, got value. In the 20th century, it had no value. I remember so many people saying that population is a weight, population is a disaster. No, population is the biggest asset you can have. It's a strength. But it's only a strength if you recognise that data."

Rahul Gandhi hits out at government after India-US trade deal, criticises US setting the terms, 'telling India not to buy Russian oil' and keeping 18 per cent tariffs while India brings tariffs down to zero.

"We need to protect our people, data, food supply and energy system," said the LoP.

"Our textile sector is finished," he said, referring to still remaining 18 per cent tariffs and the import commitments from India to US.

"In politics the grip, choke, and tap remain hidden," he added.

"If INDIA bloc was negotiating with President Trump. We would say, President Trump the most important thing in this equation is Indian data," he said.

"In a contest between US and China the single most valuable asset is Indian data. If US wants to remain a superpower and want to protect their dollar the key to that is Indian data," he said.

"I was looking at the economic survey and two points I found there, solid points, profound points that I liked. First point, that we are living in a world of intensifying geopolitical conflict... The dominance of the United States is being challenged by the Chinese, by the Russians, by other forces. The second thing is that we are living in a world of energy and financial weaponisation. The main thing they are saying here is that we are moving from a world of stability to a world of instability. Prime Minister stated, and NSA stated, shockingly, some time back, that the era of war is over. In fact, we are moving into the era of war. You can see war is there in Ukraine, war was there in Gaza, war is there in the Middle East, threat of war is there in Iran. We had operations in Sindoor. So we are moving into a world of instability. The dollar is being challenged. The central game, as my friends on the other side understand, is that dollar is being challenged, US supremacy is being challenged. We are moving from a world of one superpower to some new world that really we can't predict," he said.

The LoP said, "Talking about AI is like talking about the internal combustion engine without talking petrol, petrol for AI is data."

"When you move into a dangerous world what is the first thing you have to understand? I'd like to tell the house our strengths. The central strength is our 1.4 billion people; brilliant, energetic, dynamic who can challenge anybody in the world," he said

"Lots of jobs will be challenged by AI," said Rahul while mentioning engineers and IT sector.

"We're moving from a world of stability to a world of instability," he said.

The Lok Sabha conducted Question Hour amid loud protests and slogan-shouting by Opposition members over various issues.

Despite the disruptions, the House took up 13 listed questions along with their supplementaries. Opposition MPs attempted to raise certain matters, but PC Mohan, who was presiding, did not permit them.

Some members were heard raising slogans of “we want justice” during the proceedings.

Following the protests, Opposition members staged a walkout from the House at around 11.30 am.

A 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by BJP MP D Purandeswari, has been constituted to examine the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, which proposes the creation of a single higher education regulator.

According to a Lok Sabha Secretariat notification, the panel includes members from both Houses and will scrutinise the Bill’s provisions before submitting its report. Introduced in the Winter Session, the legislation seeks to overhaul the regulatory framework in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by replacing multiple regulators with one overarching body and separating accreditation, funding and standard-setting functions.

The government had earlier indicated that the Bill would be referred to a joint panel following concerns raised by opposition parties over federalism, institutional autonomy and centralisation of powers. The committee is expected to seek inputs from stakeholders, including state governments and academic institutions, before finalising its recommendations.

The Congress on Wednesday shared a video from the Parliament House Complex showing Opposition MPs protesting against what it termed the “unfair and unconstitutional suspension” of members.

In a post on X, the party alleged that the Modi government was “uncomfortable” with questions being raised on issues such as the US–India trade deal, the Epstein files and the Naravane book.

“Opposition MPs protest in the Parliament House Complex against the unfair and unconstitutional suspension of MPs.

The Modi government is uncomfortable with questions on the US-India Trade Deal, Epstein files, and the Naravane book.

Democracy cannot be gagged.

We will fight for justice and truth,” the party said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh submitted a Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha to raise the issue of alleged “injustice” faced by sanitation workers due to privatisation in municipal corporations.

In his notice, Singh said he intends to highlight the condition of sanitation workers across the country, with specific reference to urban local bodies such as the Kanpur Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh. He described sanitation workers as central to maintaining the country’s cleanliness infrastructure and acknowledged their contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I would like to draw the attention of this House to the injustice being faced by sanitation workers across the country, especially in urban bodies such as the Kanpur Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh. These sanitation workers are the backbone of our country's cleanliness system. During the COVID period, when the entire nation was confined to their homes, these workers risked their lives to clean streets, drains, and hospitals. However, today the same workers are being pushed into insecurity in the name of privatisation,” the notice read.

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala raised concerns over the sharp rise in the Union Government’s debt since 2014, claiming that more than Rs 127 lakh crore has been added over the past decade.

Responding to his question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said that the Centre’s total debt in 2024–25 stood at Rs 185.95 lakh crore.

Data shared by the Finance Ministry showed that internal debt increased from Rs 115.71 lakh crore in 2020–21 to Rs 177.21 lakh crore in 2024–25, while external debt rose from Rs 6.15 lakh crore to Rs 8.74 lakh crore during the same period.

Targeting the government, Surjewala described the rise in borrowings as an “explosion” of debt and coined the phrase “Karznirbhar Bharat.”

In a post on X, he wrote: “From Rs 58.6 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 185.95 lakh crore in 2024-25, a decade of slogans, a mountain of debt. My question in the Parliament exposes the reality of the double engine due with service bills. March 31, 2014 Central Government debt: Rs 58.6 lakh crore 2024-25 (latest) Central Government debt: Rs 185.95 lakh crore, Rs 127 lakh crore + added in one decade. Debt hasn't grown, it has 'exploded'. Break-up tells an even uglier story. Atmanirbhar Bharat or Karznirbhar Bharat? And when the numbers corner them, out comes the excuse.”

According to Lok Sabha Secretariat Sources, Shortcomings have been found in the notice submitted by opposition MPs seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The notice reportedly mentions the events of February 2025 four times, on the basis of which it could have been rejected as per the rules. However, the Speaker has directed the Secretariat to have the deficiencies in the notice rectified and proceed with further action. Om Birla has ordered expeditious action in accordance with the rules. The notice will be listed after the commencement of the second phase of the Budget Session. After receiving the revised notice, it will be examined promptly as per the prescribed rules

"I cannot teach lessons to Rahul Gandhi ji. I can't understand what world he lives in. What ideology drives his actions? Senior members of Congress should explain to him that Parliament cannot function like this. Don't behave like children here. Our country is huge, and security is a significant issue. It's not right to use our security as a political weapon and undermine anyone's dignity."

"As I said, the Speaker is very hurt. I have even spoken to the Speaker. They (Congress MPs) went to the Speaker's chamber and abused him, said bad things. Then the Speaker gave a ruling, which was not followed and then Rahul Gandhi said that he does not need anyone's permission to speak. He will speak as per his wish, without any rules... Unless permission is given by the Chair, members cannot speak in the House. Even the Prime Minister will speak only with the permission of the Chair. Everyone speaks only with permission," he said.

"At least 20-25 Congress MPs entered the Lok Sabha Speaker's chamber and abused him. I was also there. The Speaker is a very soft person, otherwise strict actions would have been taken. Senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopa,l were also present inside, and they were encouraging them to fight," he claimed

The Budget session debate for the day began at 11am in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha sessions are set to begin for the day at 11am.

"No confidence motion moved as Speaker turns out to be biased, LoP not allowed to speak," she said.

In the debate in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that the agreement resembles a “pre-committed purchase” rather than a balanced free trade arrangement. He questioned how India could commit to purchasing $500 billion worth of American goods over five years when bilateral trade currently stands at about $130 billion.

Tuesday’s debate saw Opposition MPs sharply criticise the Centre over the structure of the India–US interim trade agreement, arguing that it undermines reciprocity and trade leverage.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi, he said, "He is our leader, everyone wants to listen to him. When he speaks, he will raise issues of the country."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday questioned the Centre’s handling of former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s book Four Stars of Destiny, asserting that the publication has been publicly available for years.

Tagore criticised the proceedings in the Lok Sabha that prevented Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi from speaking, describing the government’s reaction as excessive. He said the Opposition had approached the Speaker seeking justice over the matter.

Speaking to ANI, Manickam Tagore said, "On December 15, 2023, General Naravane posted on his Twitter account that the books are available for sale. This is three years ago. The leader of the opposition had the published book. And I know that a senior advocate, who is a senior Rajya Sabha member, also said to me that he has a book. The book was available. The book has been written by General Narvane. The book is published. The book is available. The caravan has carried a story. It's a settled issue, and we feel that the government has reacted, overreacted on that day on the floor. Therefore, the leader of the opposition was not allowed to speak. We felt very bad, and then we went to the speaker to ask for justice."

SP Singh Baghel will make a statement regarding the implementation of observations contained in the Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing on Demands for Grants (2024–25), pertaining to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

"It is very unfortunate that the person sitting in the LoP's chair is showing such behaviour, both in thought and conduct. This goes against the Indian Constitution, which was written under the leadership of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. It is being repeatedly disrespected," he said.

Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will intervene in the Budget debate in the House today, as per ANI.

In the Upper House, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha and Kesridevsinh Jhala are scheduled to table reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture.

TDP MP Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani will inform the Lok Sabha about the withdrawal of advance from the Contingency Fund of India to service interest obligations on sovereign guarantee bonds raised by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi will make a statement on the status of implementation of recommendations from the 10th Report of the Standing Committee on Energy, which reviewed the performance of solar power projects across the country.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Anurag Sharma and JKNC MP Miah Altaf Ahmad will present reports of the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. The reports are expected to address sectoral performance and policy implementation across key infrastructure and tourism initiatives.

Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will resume debate on the Union Budget 2026–27 on Wednesday. The discussion comes amid sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches over economic priorities and India’s interim trade framework with the United States.