India TV Samvaad on Budget 2018 LIVE: Modi govt will make healthcare scheme a reality, says BJP’s Sambit Patra

India TV, country’s leading Hindi news channel, is hosting “Budget Conclave 2018”— a day-long event where leaders of the ruling BJP government and the Opposition are brainstorming over the Union Budget 2018-19.

India TV, country’s leading Hindi news channel, is hosting “Budget Conclave 2018”— a day-long event where leaders of the ruling BJP government and the Opposition are brainstorming over the Union Budget 2018-19, which was unveiled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday.

The top-line political leaders likely to attend the India TV’s “Budget Conclave 2018” include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar, BJP chief spokesperson Sambit Patra and yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

4:33 pm: Tewari claims that economy was in a good condition during UPA's tenure. 

4:29 pm: Sambit Patra slams Manish Tewari over corruption. "Your PM is not taking even 25 paise in his pocket, he is converting this 25 paise into 50 paise. They (Congress) have no right to speak on corruption."

4:26 pm: They (Congress) are hurt because the healthcare scheme is not named in Rajiv's name. It is Modicare.Our government has increased the investment in infra projects. 

4:25 pm: Sambit Patra hits back at Tewari, suggests him to asks Sonia Gandhi where is Rs 15 lakh. "No one can answer this question better than Sonia Gandhi". "You should be ashamed as you have looted the country for years. Today you are asking about Rs 15 lakhs that the govt had spoken of providing"

# Tewari reminds Patra of Modi's 2014 electoral speech in which he had promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in accounts of poor.

4:23 pm: Manish Tewari slams government over skyrocketing fuel prices. He even compares the rates of petrol, diesel and cooking gas with UPA's 10-yr rule and 43 months of Modi government.

4:21 pm: Sambit Patra speaks about PMUY. “More than 5 crore LPG connections have been distributed”

4:18 pm: It is not necessary that India will perform the way other countries are performing. Politics of NO will not prevail in the country. It is time to say yes, yes yes.. it (healthcare scheme) will become a reality: Sambit Patra

4:16 pm: There was no mention of the healthcare scheme in the Budget document. It will take at least 6 months time to implement it. I would like to ask them about the money that they will require to fulfill the promise of covering 10 crore families under this budget, says Manish Tewari

4:13 pm: Patra exudes confidence that the healthcare scheme will become a reality. "People were saying demonetization was not possible, but it was implemented; GST will not be rolled out but the government made it possible. This is the government of Modiji. This government makes the impossible possible. 

# This is for the first time, people are discussing about health when it comes to debating budget. Earlier, discussions were restricted to income tax etc etc.: Patra 

4:10 pm: Budget not aimed at garnering votes, it is a budget of vision. It is a sign of positive politics: Patra 

4:08 pm: Budget is not a magic stick, it has no implications on politics (votes): Manish Tewari 

Session 6: Panel round with Sudhanshu Trivedi (BJP) and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM)

04:04 pm: This will also open the doors for better medical facilities and system in the country: Trivedi

04:03 pm: We have promised to open new medical institutes in the country and this will open new opportunities for the middle class families:

04:02 pm: We have made sure that there is law and order in the country and will continue to take active steps. Everyone is benefiting from such steps including the middle class: Trivedi

04:00 pm: PM talked of 'jan dhan yojana' during his speech in 2014 and he came up with initiatives: Trivedi

03:59 pm: Middle class wants focus on health, education, transparency, law and order and the budget has taken care of these issues: Trivedi

03:58 pm: It is true that 'langar' is made available in temples and gurudwaras, but I assure you that we will take in good suggestions for the benefit of all: Trivedi

03:57 pm: Audiences raise requests to end GST on charity and death related issues. Trivedi takes note and promises to notify GST Council

03:53 pm: It is not that only the people of your party are working for the development of Muslims: Trivedi

03:52 pm: Is secularism putting Muslims first or giving everyone an equal opportunity? asks Trivedi

03:52 pm: Why would I scare the Muslims of India? I am talking for equality and justice within the country: Owaisi 

03:52 pm: Experts have said that population in India would be stabilised by 2040 and Muslims will never be more than Hindus in number: Owaisi 

03:50 pm: It is important to end hatred for Muslim minorities which has been in place since the past 3 years: Owaisi

03:48 pm: People who have ruled for over 70 years only wanted that the poor should remain in bad conditions, their party should rule: Trivedi

03:47 pm: I want to let you know that Jains are financially sound in the country and they are minorities: Trivedi

03:44 pm: I did not give any statement regarding budget after it was presented: Owaisi

03:44 pm: What the centre is doing will not benefit the poor, also it will not bring their party any significant profits: Owaisi

03:43 pm: Developmental scheme does not discriminate on the religion of benefactors: Trivedi

03:42 pm: Minority schemes like scholarships should be demand driven: Owaisi

03:40 pm: People are always raising questions about the work done by the Centre. First, they question why is something not being done, when we do it they ask how have you done it? Trivedi

03:40 pm: They should make it clear that the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission would be implemented: Owaisi

03:39 pm: I assure that you will be able to watch the progress as per the budget, in the time to come: Trivedi

03:38 pm: Ayushman scheme, termed as Modi care, is biggest ever health care scheme in the world:Trivedi

03:37 pm: We want to develop as a nation but most of the population of the country is living under bad conditions. This is what the budget has come up with: Sudhanshu Trivedi

03:36 pm: There has been no benefit to the poor with the policies adopted by the central govt in the past: BJP Sudhanshu Trivedi

03:35 pm: We do not do anything with the fear of losing elections, so I would request not to compare our plans with elections: BJP Sudhanshu Trivedi

03:34 pm: BJP is not afraid of vote bank as proven by demonetisation decision just before UP elections: Sudhanshu Trivedi

03:33 pm: Whatever the budget talked of will take years to get implemented: Owaisi

03:33 pm: They talk of helping 10 crore families, but will the budget allow them to do so? Owaisi

03:33 pm: They talked of constructing toilets and homes, how can this be achieved when the budget has not been increased?  Owaisi

03:32 pm: Govt has not been able to come forward as per the expectations, in terms of budget: Owaisi

03:30 pm: The govt has failed on all account in budget: Asaduddin Owaisi

Session 5: Panel round with Narendra Tomar and Deepender Hooda

02:21 pm: I accept that farmers revolted for not getting enough MSP for their produce: Tomar 

02:19 pm: When time will come, prices for farm produce will be increased, government's strategies should not be questioned: Tomar

02:17 pm: Rural wages in last four years has gone up only by 1%, while rich grew their wealth by up to 75% after note ban: Hooda

02:16 pm: I would want to remind them that the govt makes alternative plans if the farmers do not benefit with the existing plans: Tomar

02:16 pm: After the results in Rajasthan, people want to listen to what the Opposition has to say: Tomar

02:14 pm: They said that the excise duty on petrol and diesel has been cut, but they did not talk of increasing the road tax: Hooda

02:11 pm: The budget this year only 'talks' about the problems: Hooda

02:11 pm: Agricultural growth rate has always been 2-3% but this is the first time it has gone below 2%: Tomar

02:10 pm: Government didn't give farmers MSP as per Swaminathan's recommendations: Hooda

02:09 pm: The roadmap that had been prepared by the govt has unfortunately not been able to fulfill, but the initiatives brought by the Modi govt proves that the work is in progress: Tomar

02:07 pm: Budget shows government's style of working, "Hathin ke daat khane ke aur, dikhane ke aur": Congress' Bhupinder Hooda

02:06 pm: The work done by the govt has led to more profit to the farmers and it will take more steps in this direction in the years to come: Tomar

02:05 pm: Announcement of third phase of PM Gramin Sadak Yojana, whose 18 per cent work is left, shows government's dedication towards upliftment of rural areas: Narendra Tomar

02:01 pm: The Budget is for the welfare for the agriculture sector. The 14.5 lakh crore alllocated will be used in the development of farmers and agriculture: Narendra Tomar

Session 4: Panel round with Meenakshi Lekhi and Sushmita Dev

01:51 pm: Agricultural department is one department that the Centre deals with and it is taking all possible steps for it: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:50 pm: Agricultural development is at the lowest, at 1.9%: Sushmita Dev

01:46 pm: The job of a parliamentarian is not permanent, they can be removed after 5 years: Sushmita Dev

01:45 pm: The parliamentarians comprise of the middle class as well as the lower middle class. People presume that all MPs are rich: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:45 pm: The country is developing but there are some sectors that still needed attention. Such sectors have been covered by the govt in this budget: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:44 pm: In this budget, the govt has come up with more benefit plans for the poor and for the farmers: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:43 pm: Before this, the budget aimed at distributing segments among the different sections of the society: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:43 pm: My question remains the same, why cannot the government put sanitary napkins out of the GST slab? Sushmita Dev

01:42 pm: I would consider Meenakshi Lekhi's answer as 'Mann Ki Baat' wherein you speak a lot but understand less: Sushmita Dev

01:41 pm: Did not sign on petition to GST on sanitary napkins as women who can afford them are helping build a safer version for poorer women: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:40 pm: Sanitary napkins currently in the market are environmental hazards, thus govt is working on the organic napkins. The issue is also connected with issue of importing plastic polymers from China: Lekhi

01:39 pm: India's 80 per cent women are not able to afford sanitary napikin, something that government has to start working on: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:38 pm: As an example, I would like to say that toilets have been constructed in rural areas which has helped the women: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:37 pm: Modi ji does not only talks, but he has fulfilled the promises and commitments that he had made: Meenakshi Lekhi 

01:37 pm: I agree with the questions put up Sushmita ji and I would request her to bring up more such questions so that they can be addressed: Meenakshi Lekhi 

01:36 pm: I am clear that the govt does not has a plan, they should bring it forward if they do: Sushmita Dev

01:36 pm: Covering 10 crore families on medical grounds will take up 60% of the budget. If Jaitley ji can bring a resolution to this, it is welcomed: Sushmita Dev

01:34 pm: I again say that we are not against the budget, but we ask how are you going to fulfil these promises? asks Sushmita Dev

01:33 pm: Modi ji brought those plans into actions, which is why people respect him as the Prime Minister of the country: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:33 pm: Steps taken by the govt to improve that situation has to be commended: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:33 pm: We have seen the people struggling for kerosene and gas during Congress rule: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:32 pm: Privatisation of public health will not bring much benefits to the poor: Sushmita Dev

01:31 pm: If you think that providing gas cylinders will do away with all the problems being faced by the women, you are wrong: Sushmita Dev

01:30 pm: Budget is the biggest bridge between the people of a country and the government: BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi

01: 26 pm: BJP does Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, now we demand also bring Beti ko Sadan Mein Lao: Sushmita Deo raises Women Reservation Bill

01:25 pm:These schemes move focus from ease of doing business to ease of life: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:25 pm: Ujjawala scheme and gas cylinders not only help in cutting climate change but also make the life of household women easier: Meenakshi Lekhi

01:23 pm: Do not connect a gas cylinder with the dignity of the women. In any case, Ujjawala scheme does not give cylinders free, no one talks about payments: Sushmita Deo, Congress

01:20 pm: I am glad that the Budget 2018 has brought light in poor women's kitchen with Ujjawala scheme: Meenakshi Lekhi

Session 3: Panel round with Prakash Javdekar, Pramod Tiwari and Jay Panda

01:06 pm: The approach that the govt has adopted for the country is correct, but there are many more steps that could have been taken: Jay Panda

01:05 pm: Now that international crude oil prices have gone up, we have reduced excise duty: Javadekar

01:04 pm: You are providing cylinders and are increasing the rate of the same which is leaving no other option with the people: Pramod Tiwari

01:04 pm: I am reading incidences on a daily basis, wherein people are being turned away for the basic rights because of Aadhaar: Pramod Tiwari

01:03 pm: BJP thinks that the corruption in society has ended but that is not the truth: Pramod Tiwari

12:59 pm: Aadhaar is identification, don't force it on people: Pramod Tiwari

12:59 pm: Agri sector is not happy with the budget: Pramod Tiwari

12:57 pm: This is a govt which listens to the people and works according to them: Javadekar

12:56 pm: Eliminating the black money and corruption was the biggest challenge and the govt has taken concrete steps for the same: Javadekar

12:54 pm: The Centre has already worked for the country and the economic reforms are a proof to that: Prakash Javadekar

12:53 pm: BJP had said that they will work for the benefits of the middle class, such promises have not been fulfilled: Jay Panda

12:52 pm: We stood in long lines outside the ATMs, job opportunities have reduced, there are many other problems as well that need attention: Pramod Tiwari

12:49 pm: We recall the long speeches given by the BJP during 2014 and we still await the fulfillment of those promises: Pramod Tiwari

12:47 pm: Govt backtracked on GST as they brought 5 amedments in last six months after its rollout: Pramod Tiwari

12:47 pm: Announcements made by the Modi govt are targeted towards the weaker sections and this was important: Javadekar

12:44 pm: Rajiv Gandhi said poor gets Rs 15 from the Rs 100 that I send. Now poor gets full Rs 100 that Modi ji sends: Prakash Javadekar

12:43 pm: According to me, the health scheme that has been announced by the govt will work: Jay Panda

12:42 pm: LPG to 5 crore people has led to savings of Rs 9 million: Jay Panda

12:41 pm: BJP had said in February 2015 that they will not implement Swaminathan Commission, but now they are in favour of that: Pramod Tiwari

12:39 pm: At one point of time I felt that Jaitley ji read the manifesto instead of the budget yesterday: Pramod Tiwari

12:38 pm: Prakash Javadekar ji would have totally gone against the budget if he was in the Budget: Pramod Tiwari

12:37 pm: This is surely Modi government's last budget, says Pramod Tiwari

​12:36 pm: Education sector is developing under the Modi govt today and the students of our country will benefit from this: Javadekar

12:36 pm: Benefits announced by Jaitley ji for health and medical sector is going to change the face of India: Javadekar

12:34 pm: People were troubled because of the huge medical bills and this will be sorted out now: Javadekar

12:30 pm: UPA government didn't do justice to farmers, which BJP did in the Budget yesterday: Prakash Javdekar

Session 2: Nitin Gadkari on India TV Budget Conclave

12:20 pm: Mumbai is going to witness Metro for the first time. I am sure that Mumbai will change under Railway Minister Piyush Goyal: Gadkari

12:18 pm: Conversion of waste into wealth has given us good results in the past and this should also be carried forward in future: Gadkari

12:17 pm: We need to move with the technology, so that we can bring the best to India: Gadkari

12:15 pm: People will not have to pay for petrol if cars and motorbikes run on solar energy and electricity, but this is a long way dream for now: Gadkari

12:19 pm: Prices of crude cannot be controlled by the govt of India. Inflation will be there with the rise in crude price: Gadkari

12:13 pm: Apart from this, we are also coming up with cruises from Mumbai to Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Gadkari

12:12 pm: People like politicians who give them dreams, but they love those who fulfil those dreams: Gadkari

12:12 pm: Soon the dream of landing on water will become a reality. Common people will be soon able to land on seas and rivers and cut travel time: Gadkari

12:11 pm: Public-private investment is contributing towards fulfilling a lot of work in the country, no matter what the Budget be: Gadkari

12:10 pm: Innovation, technology, entrepreneurship are the future of the country and we should make more efforts to improve these areas: Gadkari

12:07 pm: I assure that we will make 80% of the River Ganga pollution free by 2019, we are working on the same: Gadkari

12:06 pm: Ganga is being populated because a number of cities and holds 70% population: Gadkari

12:05 pm: There were 189 projects on River Ganga and we have completed 47 projects as of now: Gadkari

12:03 pm: Unemployment is increasing with the growing population in the country, we hope we will be able to take more fruitful steps in this direction, in the years to come: Gadkari

12:01 pm: We are focusing on irrigation, we have opened private sector avenues in defence, in infrastructure I have finished work worth Rs 8 lakh crore and have a target have of Rs 25 lakh crore, which will give direct or indirect jobs to 1 lakh people: Gadkari on job creation

11:58 am: There are always some actions and reactions against the Central govt of a country, but the govt will continue to work for areas that need to be addressed: Gadkari

11:57 am: People who react on Budget are obviously related to political parties, so it is natural to have their own perspective: Gadkari

11:56 am: People will happily work under Ramdev looking at his huge turnover, jokes Gadkari over no benefits to the medical class

11:55 am: Middle class is also getting the same benefits on purchasing homes, as the other sections:Gadkari

11:55 am: People can lie on everything but on their money. Everyone knows about their profits and losses:: Gadkari

11:54 am: In a welfare state, rich have to give away funds to help the poor: Gadkari

11:52 am: I have not come from Pakistan, I may have friends from the other party. We all work for the country so parties are not enemies: Gadkari

11:52 am: Human relationship is the biggest strength of politics: Gadkari

11:51 am: We are working on more public transports and strive to let everyone travel in AC buses: Gadkari

11:50 am: We are constructing 14-lane roads and a number of connecting highways: Gadkari

11:48 am: Within 2 months, 50% of air pollution in Delhi will be curbed: Gadkari

11:46 am: I and Yogi Ramdev are not businessmen, we are only working on many social causes: Gadkari

11:45 am: Whoever sits in the Opposition will always speak against the Budget, but I believe that such discussions should not be given time in media: Gadkari

11:43 am: For the first time in history, the Finance Minister has kept aside Rs 500 crore for potatoes and onions: Gadkari

11:42 am: Finance Minister is considering about almost all problems being faced by the country and yesterday's Budget presentation is a proof of this: Gadkari

11:41 am: Conversion of knowledge to wealth is way forward for the country: Gadkari

11:40 am: Our country will develop if such measures are adopted: Gadkari

11:39 am: Finance Minister had laid stress on the rising pollution in Delhi-NCR. I and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had also discussed about it are considering vehicles that run on bio-ethanol: Gadkari

11:35 am: The focus on bamboo is crucial as it yields bio-ethanol: Gadkari

11:32 am: Giving away fixed price wages to the farmers in such a condition is not fruitful: Gadkari

11:31 am: The price of crops is not decided within the country: Gadkari

11:29 am: There are people who started talking about Budget even before its presentation, which is not right: Gadkari

11:29 am: There was injustice with a lot of sections of the society and I am happy that Jaitley ji and the Modi govt is doing everything possible for such people: Gadkari

11:29 am: I have been working for the development of the country for the past many years and I have always felt that the voice of the poor is not reaching the govt: Gadkari

11:29 am:  After Independence, Modi govt has given the first budget which can be christened 'Agriculture Budget': Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari

Session 1: Baba Ramdev on India TV Budget Conclave

11:24 am: Government should put in more efforts to bring black money stashed abroad: Baba Ramdev

11:23 am: The 2000 rs notes should also be banned according to me: Ramdev

11:22 am: Population control is very important at this point: Ramdev

11:21 am: There are a lot of lapses in health and education in our country: Ramdev

11:18 am: Not only govt schools, but the govt hospitals should also be looked upon. The number of doctors in the govt hospitals in not sufficient: Ramdev

11:17 am: Medical colleges ask for Rs 2 crore donation for admissions: Ramdev

11:14 am: People are not considering the govt schools good for their children. Govt should work towards the improvement of govt schools: Ramdev

11:12 am: These are some of the contributions that we are giving for the development of the country and there will be many more in the coming years

11:11 am: Patanjali Yogpeeth will build a university for 1 lakh students: Ramdev

11:10 am: Patanjali's 80 pc profit will be utilised on education sector: Ramdev

​11:09 am: But I appreciate the steps that the Modi govt has taken for the farmers and their development. We all are hopeful that the situation will improve in the years to come

11:09 am: I have myself done irrigation and it is true that the farmers of the country are not in a good state: Ramdev

11:07 am: 'Red Baba' is sitting here: Ramdev on PM Modi giving red carpet welcome to international companies from abroad

11:06 am: The multinational companies within the country have taken away approximately Rs 5 lakh crore, it is doing no benefit to anyone: Ramdev

11:06 am: I want to contribute towards 'nation building' and so everyone should think in the same way: Ramdev

11:05 am: We need to think of the broader sections of agriculture to bring more profits to the farmers

11:03 am: There is no profit in agriculture at this time. The farmers are only earning their daily wages

11:02 am: Govt must bring a long-term plan for the agriculture sector. UPA govt had no profitable, working food park: Ramdev 

10:59 am: People are troubled due to GST and that is a fact. People are still unaware of the technicalities related to GST, so I think the govt should take steps for awareness

10:57 am: Procedures for GST filing are very complicated, government needs to work on that area: Ramdev

10:56 am: Not happy with the work of Ayush ministry. There are soem people lobbying there: Ramdev

10:53 am: Government should bring down prices of gas, diesel and petrol: Ramdev

10:52 am: 2019 has Lok Sabha elections, I am sure the next budget will bring some good news for the middle class: Ramdev

10:49 am: There should be not tax on income up to Rs 5 lakh income: Baba Ramdev on issues faced by the middle class

10:47 am: Modi ji and Jaitley ji cannot do everything. People will have to come forward for the welfare of the society: Baba Ramdev

10:47 am: We can do a lot of work within a small budget if Modi govt gives a chance in Ayurveda: Ramdev 

10:46 am: No other leader is as good as Modi ji in terms of abiding by "Rashtra Dharm": Ramdev

10:44 am: The country was suffering from political crisis when Modi ji became the PM, but the whole country is thankful to our Prime Minister for whatever he has done for the country: Ramdev

10:43 am: Personally I have always backed Manmohan Singh and I praise his honesty till date: Ramdev

10:42 am: Modi ji or Jaitley ji did not help me set up Patanjali, I have done that by my own: Ramdev

10:42 am: Rural areas and the farmers are the ones that required immediate attention from the govt and Budget has brought benefits for them

10:41 am: There will be differences in the society as India is a big country; but people should look at the broader prospects

10:39 am: Middle class is not happy with the Budget and this is true: Ramdev

10:37 am: Ujjawala Yojana is aimed for the welfare of the women, which has already been initiated by the Modi govt: Ramdev on considering women in Budget

10:33 am: Modi ji has provided gas cylinders to at least 4 crore women under the Ujwala Yojana: Ramdev

10:32 am: Patanjali has not duped the country of anything. We have already said that ours is a non-profit company and everything goes for charity. We only aim to shut down the international companies

10:32 am: Medicines and literacy should be same for everyone regardless of the class, according to me. There should be uniformity

10:30 am: How Modi govt is working for the welfare of the farmers can be seen by everyone. We all are hopeful that his efforts in this direction will bring good results: Ramdev

10:30 am: Education and healthcare should be free of cost for the poor of the country: Ramdev

10:29 am: People who are aware and think for the progress of the country are the ones who believe in the development of rural areas and farmers: Baba Ramdev

10:29 am: Patanjali's 100% profit is for charity, it is a non-profit company: Baba Ramdev

10:28 am: This is the first time that the govt has given out a huge sum for the development of the poor and weaker sections of the society. This will definitely take us to progress

10:26 am: This budget does not talks of casteism, rather it throws light on the areas that need development in the country

10:24 am: The budget has been unbiased, in favour of the common man, especially the rural population: Baba Ramdev

09:55 am: The day-long conclave on Budget 2018-19 will begin shortly, which will be hosted by India TV editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma. 

Others likely to be present in the event include Congress leaders Ajay Makan and Pramod Tiwari, BJP MP and spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, JDU chief spokesperson KC Tyagi and many others. 

The government will elucidate on the benefits the Budget will extend to the common man and the nation’s economy. Meanwhile, the Opposition will come up with its concerns on the budget and question the implication of the several announcements made by Jaitley in his budget speech.