Updates of the Lok Sabha proceedings: In response to the opposition’s No Confidence Motion against the NDA administration, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the economic report of the Modi government, said “I want to mainly focus on the economy and inflation. The global economy is struggling with the twin challenges of inflation & a slow rate.”

13:23 (IST) “NCCF is planning a mega-sale of tomatoes in Delhi-NCR at a subsidised rate of Rs 70/kg this weekend and covering all nooks and crannies of Delhi,” said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

13:19 (IST) According to FM, NCCF has distributed 8,84,612 kgs of tomatoes throughout Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, and Uttar Pradesh as of today. This distribution will continue over the next few days, and it will be expanded as well. We anticipate that the prices of tomatoes in the wholesale mandis in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have already begun to fall below Rs 100. We have ordered tomatoes through Kolar mandi, and they will cost Rs 85 per kg when they arrive in Delhi. By lifting the import limitations, we have also started importing products from Nepal, and the first shipment of tomatoes from that country is probably going to get to Varanasi and Kanpur by Friday.

13:18 (IST) FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, “Procuring of tomatoes from tomato growing regions of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and also Karnataka and distribution of these through cooperative societies like NCCF, NAFED are all happening. Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan – this has already started from 14th July and this will continue. Also in Delhi, mobile vans are distributing as outlets of NCCF and NAFED and also the Kendriya Bhandar.”

13:11 (IST) According to FM Nirmala Sitharaman, “Tomatoes are being purchased from tomato-growing regions in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, and distributed through cooperative organisations like NCCF and NAFED. As of July 14th, this has already begun in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan and will continue. Additionally in Delhi, Kendriya Bhandar, NCCF, and NAFED have mobile van distribution centres.

13:02 (IST) MPs from the Congress, NCP, and DMK leave the Lok Sabha as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman talking about the motion of no confidence.

12:56 (IST) Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, “Our DBT story sets an example for the rest of the world. I recognise the operationalisation of DBT by UPA but only Rs 7,367 crores were transferred in 2013-14. From that amount, DBT transfers have increased 5 times by 2014-15 itself. In the last Financial Year, Rs 7.16 lakh crores have been transferred through DBT”

12:53 (IST) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman takes on I.N.D.I.A. alliance; says, “Karnataka’s Health Minister came to Delhi to see the mohalla clinics here. He came and said that there is nothing special in them and we are disappointed. This is one of the examples of their fight.”

12:46 (IST) Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, “We have realised that the banking sector needs to be healthy and therefore we took a lot of measures. Banks are able to work without political interference, they are working with professional integrity. ‘Banks mein failaya hua aapka raita hum saaf kar rahe hai’.”

12:45 (IST) Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, “People moved no confidence against UPA in 2014 and 2019 and defeated them. The situation will be the same in 2024. HM said yesterday, what was the need to change the name of UPA?…They have an amazing unity. It is tough to understand if they are fighting against each other or together…”