Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar
New Delhi: Outlining the priorities of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, President Pranab Mukherjee said `Brand India` would be revived and that the government will work to fulfill the expectations of the citizens of the country.
Addressing a joint session of the Parliament, Monday, the President all said that the government will work for the poor of the country.
Pranab`s speech - Highlights :
Brand India
Will revive `Brand India`, riding on its strengths of five `T`s -- tradition, talent, tourism, trade and technology -- and will pursue foreign policy on the basis of "enlightened nationalism" and mutually beneficial relationships.
The people of India have given a clear mandate. They want to see a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous India. They want to see a resurgent India regaining the admiration and respect of the international community.
Brimming with hope and expectation, they want quick results. With three `D`s of democracy, demography and demand on our side, ... We must rise to the occasion to fulfill these great expectations. In 60 months from now, we should be able to say with confidence and pride that we have done it.
Election of hope
This was an election of hope, the electorate transcended the boundaries of caste, creed religion to come together and vote precisely for development through good governance. The country needed a strong and stable government that could provide effective leadership. Serving the citizens the first priority.
The surge in aspirations and the belief that these could be realised through democratic processes, has been amply reflected in the record 66.4 per cent participation by voters and a clear verdict in favour4 of a single political party after a gap of nearly 30 years.
My government pledges to the principle `sabka saath, sabka vikas. We will work to establish the credibility of the institutions of democracy and is committed to minimum government, maximum governance.
Government is dedicated to the poor, poverty has no religion, hunger has no creed and will not be satisfied with mere poverty alleviation but commits itself to the goal of poverty elimination and will focus on those who need the basic necessities of life most urgently.
Economy
Country passing through extremely difficult phase on economic front; putting economy back on track is paramount for my government. We will work together to usher our economy into high growth path, rein in inflation, reignite the investment cycle, accelerate job creation and restore the confidence of the domestic as well as international community in our economy.
The government will create a policy environment which is "predictable, transparent and fair".
Government will formulate clear rules for allocation of coal, minerals and telecom spectrum.
It will embark on rationalisation and simplification of the tax regime to make it non-adversarial and conductive to investment, enterprise and growth.
My government will make every effort to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) while addressing the concerns of states. Reforms will be undertaken to enhance the ease of doing business. My government will follow a policy of encouraging investments, including through FDI, which will be allowed in sectors that help create jobs and assets.
Inflation
Containing food inflation would be the top most prioritise of the government. My government will take effective steps to prevent hoarding and black marketing. My government is aware of the possibility of a sub normal monsoon this year and contingency plan is being prepared.
Corruption
Government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and menace of black money.
Also Read: Lokpal important to curb corruption: Prez
Zero tolerance for violence against women
My government is committed to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament. Government will launch a "beti bachao, beti badhao" (save girl child, grow girl child) and will launch a mass campaign to save the girl child.
We will have a policy of zero tolerance of violence against women; criminal justice system will be revisited to see its effectiveness in curbing crimes against women.
Education and R&D
IIT and IIM in every state. National e-library to be launched.
Indian languages are repository of our rich history, culture and art. To preserve this, the government will launch e-Bhasha platform that will develop vernacular content and disseminate regional content.
A central university of Himalayan studies will be established.
Will build world class research centres for research in nanotechnology, stem cell and brain. An institute of technology for rural development will be established.
100 new cities and pucca houses for all by 2022
By the time the nation completes 75 years of Independence (2022), every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24x7 electricity supply.
100 new cities to be developed focused on specialised domains with world class infrastructure.
Soon 50% of India`s population will reside in urban areas. Today urban infrastructure is under severe stress but soon the youth will look at urbanization as an opportunity
Infrastructure
Govt will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development program, revamping railways on top of agenda. Expansion of railways in hilly states and the northeastwill be prime focus, will encourage R&D. Freight corridors with specialised agri-rail networks for perishable farm products
Diamond quadrilateral network of high speed trains to be developed.
Time-bound programme for national highways network.
Sagar Mala Project to connect sea ports with hinterland through road and rail. Existing ports to be modernised, new ports to be developed.
Low cost airports will be developed to promote air connectivity to smaller towns. A port-led development model will be evolved.
Mission Ganga
My government will work to clean the Ganga river, and ensure perennial flow in the river. Ganga is a symbol of faith of Indians.
Conservation of the Himalayas is also a priority area. A central university of Himalayan studies will be established
Defence
Government to encourage private investments in defence production. Will liberalise FDI in defence production. With available human resources, India can emerge as global platform for defence.
The armed forces will be modernised and manpower shortages addressed on priority. Recognizing the importance of coastal authority, my government will set up national maritime security authority.
National war memorial to be built. Government to appoint a Veterans Commission to address grievances.
Health
National Health Assurance mission will be put in place. AIIMS-like institutes to be set up in every state:
Tourism
India has a vast untapped potential for tourism which can play a special role in our socio-economic progress. The government will initiate a mission mode project to create 50 tourist circuits that are built around specific themes.
With a view to encouraging pilgrimage tourism, a national mission for beautifying and improving the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths will be launched.
Minority Welfare
Government is committed to make all minorities equal partners in the developmental of the country.
Unfortunate that despite several decades after independence several minority communities continued to suffer from neglect.
Youth of minority communities would be provided technical education and the government would initiate steps for modernisation of madrassas.
Foreign Policy
My government was committed to work towards building a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood and we will never shy away from raising issues of concern to us at a bilateral level.
We emphasise that the future of shared prosperity can only be built on the foundation of stability in the region, which requires sensitivity to security concerns and an end to export of terrorism to neighbours.
Will work with South Asian leaders to revitalize Saarc. Won`t shy away from raising issues of terrorism.
Energy
My government will come out with a comprehensive National Energy Policy and focus on development of energy related infrastructure, human resource and technology. Will substantially augment electricity generation capacity through a judicious mix of conventional and non-conventional sources.
The government will also work towards expanding the National Solar Mission.
The international civil nuclear agreements will be operationalised and nuclear power projects for civilian purposes will be developed.
Cleaner fuels will be promoted to bring down pollution levels in our cities. The government will take up mitigation works to meet the challenges posed by climate change and will work with the global community in this regard.
Others
Government will try to end rural-urban divide and is committed to reverse trend of hopelessness among farmers that leads to suicides.
My government is committed to see that the SC/ST can avail all opportunities.
My government will launch a national sports talent search mission.
Will take steps to provide dignity of life to facilitate their participation in all walks of life. The government will take steps to identify the special needs of disabled people and provide institutional help.
Special efforts to be made to ensure that Kashmiri pandits return to the land of their ancestors.
Social media will be used as a tool for participative governance.
Government will work for the digitisation of government records and is committed to e-governance to bring equity and efficiency.
Critical public areas will be made wi-fi zones; will also establish broadband highway in rural areas.
