New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday noted major achievements of the government in the health sector while lauding the pharma sector's contribution to the pandemic globally in his joint address of the Parliament ahead of the Budget session which will commence later in the day.
India's capability in fighting against the pandemic was evident in the vaccination program, he said. "In less than a year, we made a record of administering over 150 cr doses of vaccine. Today, we're one of the leading nations of the world in terms of administering the maximum number of doses," the President said in his key address.
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India has emerged as one of the highest vaccines administered by any country so far. Around 160 crore doses have been administered in the country till now. So far three vaccines from India have got WHO approval among the eight vaccines produced by the country, said Kovind.
On 75th Years Of Independence
Addressing members of both Houses, President Kovind started his speech by saying "I bow down to the lakhs of freedom fighters who prioritised their duties and helped India get its rights. I also respectfully remember the personalities who contributed to the development journey of India in the 75 years of independence."
"Starting this year, the government has begun the Republic Day celebrations from 23rd Jan - Netaji's birth anniversary. My Govt believes that remembering the past and learning from it is very important for the safe future of the country," the President added.
Ayushman Bharat - Health Infrastructure Mission
Kovind also mentioned the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat mission to reach the poor. "Rs 64,000 crore PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission will prepare the country for health crisis in future," he noted.
While lauding the effort of the government on the distribution of ration, he said, "To ensure that no one returns home hungry, my govt distributes free ration to the poor every month as part of PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana. Today India is running the world's largest food distribution program; it has been extended till March 2022."
He emphasised the role of the state, Centre, and all stakeholders in the fight against Covid-19. "Availability of medicines at low prices at Jan Aushadi Kendra was also a great move. Many lives were lost due to COVID. Even in such circumstances our Centre, States, doctors, nurses, scientists, our healthcare workers worked as a team...I am thankful for our health care and frontline workers," said Kovind.
The pharma sector is offering products to over 180 countries globally. PLI schemes announced for the pharma sector will definitely help in boosting the sector along with research, stressed the President.
Farming Sector Continue To Witness Growth
More than 11 crore farmer families received Rs 1.80 lakh crore through PM-KISAN; big changes were seen in the farm sector. My govt is also running PM Svanidhi Yojana to benefit the street vendors. So far 28 lakh street vendors have received monetary support worth over Rs 2900 crores. Govt is now connecting these vendors with online companies.
He also praised the vision of the government in boosting the digital economy. He also mentioned the celebration of the international year of millets.
Economic Growth
With the continuous efforts of my Government, India has once again become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Since 2016, more than 60,000 start-ups set up in the country in 56 different sectors leading to 6 lakh new jobs, Kovind added.
On Education
Soon after the Presidential address, finance minister Nirmal Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey for 2021-22 in the Lok Sabha. She will present the Union Budget for the next financial year beginning April 1, 2022, on Tuesday amid expectations of key announcements on spending plans, medium-term fiscal framework, tax structure, and measures for industries impacted by pandemic. The speech is also expected to throw light on other issues plaguing the Indian economy.
On ensuring equal status
Providing equal status to the sons and daughters, my Govt has presented the Bill to increase the minimum age of 18 years for women to get married and bring it to 21 years, just like that for men, Kovind added.
It is a matter of joy that all 33 Sainik Schools have now started giving admission to girls too. Govt has also approved the entry to women cadets at the National Defence Academy (NDA). The first batch of women cadets will come to NDA in June 2022, he noted in his speech.
The government will release the first revised estimates for FY21. These will take into account detailed estimates of various sectors and public finance, giving a clearer picture of the economy. In the last two years, the first revised estimates have downgraded GDP growth numbers from provisional estimates and this cannot be ruled out for 2020-21.
The Economic Survey 2020-21, released in January 2021, had projected a GDP growth of 11 percent during the financial year ending March 2022.
Going by the provisional estimates of the government released in May 2021, GDP had contracted by a historic 7.3 percent in FY21 which was hit by one of the strictest covid-19 lockdowns in the world. But the provisional estimates are based on fewer data sets. The survey may project growth of about 9 percent for the next financial year, the PTI report quoted experts as saying citing the base effect.
The economy is expected to record a growth of 9.2 percent during the current financial year, which is a few notches lower than the 9.5 percent projected by the Reserve Bank, according to the advance estimates of the National Statistical Office (NSO), news agency PTI reported.