President’s address to the joint session of Parliament

The budget session of Parliament started with President Pranab Mukherjee addressing the joint session of Parliament.

In his speech President Pranab Mukherjee said government’s development philosophy was ‘Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’ and overriding goal is to eradicate poverty. Mr. Mukherjee said the government was focused on the welfare of poor, farmers and jobs for the youth. He said the Centre is trying hard to make this possible through financial inclusion and social security.

The session is expected to be stormy with the Congress and the opposition parties raring to target the government on a range of issues including the JNU row, the Jat agitation and the unrest in Hyderabad University following the suicide of a Dalit student.

The government has prioritised 32 items for the session, which includes 11 bills pending in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha.

Text of President Mukherjee address to the Joint Session of Parliament

Here are the main points of the President’s speech:

• We need to be partners in the growth of the country
• The development philosophy of my government is ‘Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’; Overriding goal is to eradicate poverty which is the worst kind of violence
• The well being of farmers is crucial; crop insurance will benefit lakhs of them
• 39% FDI increase due to Make in India initiative
• Government committed to educated and clean India
• Financial inclusion, social security are top agenda

The President said government’s innovative initiatives have helped India jump 12 places in the latest rankings by World Bank on Ease of Doing Business. Talking about the Make in India initiative, the President said it has achieved 39 per cent increase in FDI inflow despite adverse global investment climate.

Saying that government working towards second green revolution, strengthening agricultural sector, the President said the government is committed to more-crop-per-drop .

He said the government has recently launched farmer crop insurance with lowest ever premium rates.

He said highest urea production was achieved in 2015. Maintaining that well being of farmers is vital to nation’s prosperity, the President said food security cover has doubled since 2015. Mr. Mukherjee said India continues to be the highest milk producing country and poultry development has led to highest ever egg production.

He also stressed that the government is committed to providing housing for all and rural development is one of its top priorities.