New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a joint sitting of Parliament on Monday, laying the roadmap of the new government headed by Narendra Modi.
In his address beginning at 11 am in the Central Hall of Parliament, the President listed priorities of the NDA government that include ushering the economy on the path of fast and all-round growth besides tackling price rise and inflation.
“My government will take steps to curb hoarding and black marketing. The greatest challenge before us is to end the curse of poverty in India,” said Mukherjee
“I congratulate fellow citizens for voting for stability and development. My government will function with the mantra of “minimum government, maximum governance,” he added.
The new government is also confronted with some key issues like price rise, fiscal deficit and economic slowdown.
Measures to address other issues like putting the core sectors on the fast growth path and ushering in industrial development in the country, besides attracting foreign investment are also likely to figure in the President’s address.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will hold a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address on Tuesday and Wednesday according to the provisional list of business in the Houses.
Sources in the government said Prime Minister Narendra Modi may intervene during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may do so in the Upper House.
Here are the highlights of Pranab Mukherjee’s speech:
Express my solidarity to the families of all those who lost their lives during the election process
I congratulate the new Speaker of Lok Sabha
Its a matter of great satisfaction that general elections were smooth and largely peaceful
Electorate transcended the boundaries of caste, creed and religion to vore decisively for development and good governance
My government is committed to nurturing the right environment for actualising this mandate
My government will function on the mantra of “minimum government, maximum governance”
My government commits itself to the role of poverty elimination
My government will take steps to prevent hoarding and black marketing
Government is aware of a sub-normal monsoon this year and is prepared with contingency plans
My government is committed to improving quality of life in villages by empowering people through a strong panchayati raj system
Government will adopt national land use policy
Each drop of water is precious and my government is committed to giving high priority for water security
India is world’s oldest civilisation. Today, it is also a country with the large population of youth… we must nurture them with incentives and right skill set to reap dividends
New MPs represent hopes, aspirations and dreams of the people
This has been an election of hope
Swachch Bharat (clean India) Mission to be launched
My Govt will launch national sports search system.Sports will be made integral part of school curriculum
My govt is committed to improving quality of life in villages through empowered Panchayati Raj system
Our government is alerted to a sub-normal monsoon this year, contingency plans are being made
The new government is committed to have 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament
Government will have zero tolerance towards violence against women
‘Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao’ mass programmes to be launched
National Madarssa modernization programme will be initiated
The government will set up IITs and IIMs in every state
Issue of infiltration in the northeast will be tackled on priority
Efforts will be made to ensure that Kashmiri Pandits return to their homeland
National E-Governance plan to be launched, Wifi Zones to be provided in critical public areas in the next 5 years
Social media will be used for participatory governance
We are passing through a difficult phase, GDP growth has been less than 5 per cent
Government will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development program, revamping railways on top of agenda
Tax regime will be made non- adversarial and investment friendly
River Ganga is part of our rich culture, its rejuvenation is very important-President Pranab Mukherjee
National Mission on Himalayas to be launched
Today urban infrastructure is under severe stress but soon the youth will look at urbanization as an opportunity
Government will move towards a single-window system of clearances to promote manufacturing
Low cost airports will be developed to increase connectivity to smaller areas
Government will launch a diamond quadrilateral project of high-speed trains
Govt will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development program, revamping railways on top of agenda
India can emerge as a global platform for defence. Will address manpower shortage on priority in the defence services
Govt to build a national war memorial
Government will formulate clear rules for allocation of coal, minerals and telecom spectrum
Policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and religious extremism will be pursued
Government will work towards revitalizing SAARC
Government will revive brand India on the basic of tradition, talent, tourism, trade and technology
Government will bring renewed vigour in its engagement with the USA
When India will celebrate 75 years of Independence, every family will have pucca house, water facilities