Rajya Sabha today resumed discussion on the motion of thanks to President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the discussion this afternoon. Participating in the discussion, Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan questioned the government over its earlier claim of doubling farmer’s income. She claimed that currently, the growth rate of farmer’s income is just 3.5 percent. Mrs Bachchan also talked about farmer suicide in the country. Independent member Kartikeya Sharma said India has made significant progress in various sectors over the past decade. The discussion is underway.

The government is set to roll out satellite-based GPS toll collection systems on national highways. Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, the satellite-based toll systems will be implemented before the Lok Sabha election this year. He said, that under the new system, the toll will be deducted from the bank accounts directly with the identification of the vehicle number plate. He said, the new toll collection system will help in removing the existing toll plazas and ease travel on the national highways. The Minister said, that more than eight crore thirteen lakh fast tags have been issued to date and the average daily collection is 170 to 180 crore rupees.