President Pranab Mukherjee lists achievements of Narendra Modi led NDA government

Image: President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi: The President of India Pranab Mukherjee during his one-hour long speech, on Tuesday, listed achievements of his government before the tabling of Economic Survey of the country in the Parliament. Talking about North East region he said the government is taking special initiatives to develop the region, including opening up new road and rail routes to neighbouring countries for boosting the economic development of the region. On the other initiatives for the region, Mukherjee told a joint sitting of parliament on the opening day of the budget session: "Arunachal Pradesh has been brought on the railway map...By the end of the year, all meter-gauge tracks in the northeastern states will be converted to broad-gauge." "We are opening up road and rail routes to our neighbouring countries to boost the economic development of the region," said Mukherjee during what he termed a historic session of parliament as for the first time in India, the Union Budget will be presented on February 1. Mukherjee said that as part of development in the region, railway projects worth Rs 10,000 has been started. He said that government was following a special financial assistance pattern of 90:10 for the Centrally Sponsored Schemed and 80:20 for the non Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the North East region. "My government is taking special initiatives to develop the northeast region. Special attention is being given to provide financial assistance with the ratio of 90:10 for the central Centrally Sponsored Schemes and 80:20 for the non-core Centrally Sponsored Schemes," said Mukherjee Under the Act East policy,the President said that the government was also focussing on reducing the isolation of the eastern region and the northeast. While talking about healthcare President Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday, the government has taken several initiatives to provide healthcare to all, including an immunisation programme that helped 55 lakh children. Mukherjee told a joint session of Parliament that the government aimed to make healthcare affordable for the poor. "Mission Indradhanush ... has so far helped 55 lakh children get immunised against several diseases. It commits to vaccinate every child everywhere against preventable diseases," he said. The President spoke about the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Scheme that helped healthcare and medicines reach the poorest sections of the society. Talking about the government's Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), Mukherjee said: "Such initiatives will assure that pregnant women are well taken care of. "Under this scheme all pregnant women on the ninth of every month will get fixed-day assured, comprehensive and quality ante-natal care." The revision of Maternity Benefit Act will support pregnant women at workplaces. On the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the President said the Government is thankful to the GST Council for working to resolve outstanding issues. He also said India has been widely acclaimed as the bright spot in the global economy at a time when the global growth has been slow. The rate of inflation, the balance of payments, the current account deficit and the fiscal deficit have been consistently reduced since 2014. Mukherjee said foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign exchange reserves have reached record levels. The country's macro economic fundamentals are very strong, creating a platform for sustained high growth. FDI inflows in 2015-16 were USD 55.6 billion, the highest-ever for any financial year and the government further liberalised FDI policy provisions in various sectors in June 2016. On terrorism, the President said India has been facing the grave challenge for the last four decades. "Terrorism poses a serious danger to the global community. India will actively collaborate with other nations in decisively defeating these forces. My Government is committed to combating terrorism and to ensure that the perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice," he said. Mukherjee said Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by terrorism sponsored and supported from across the border. The attempts of infiltration, incidents of terrorist violence and loss of precious lives of civilians and security personnel remain a cause of grave concern. He also noted that there has been a considerable success in containing left-wing extremism over the last three years with the surrender of 2600 extremist. The security situation in North Eastern states has also shown significant improvement. The President said the government is committed to the philosophy of partnerships for peace and progress and continues its active diplomacy aimed at facilitating national development, enhancing security and ensuring greater Indian influence in global fora. Referring to 30 million overseas Indians settled in almost every corner of the world, he said the Government will maximise the strength of Indian diaspora in nation building and for deepening global outreach. The President said Indians today have a deep sense of pride in the awakening of India caused by the momentous steps government has undertaken. "Our fellow citizens have exhibited great solidarity with our endeavours in transforming India. My Government reiterates its commitment to fulfil the aspirations of our citizens," he added. President Pranab Mukherjee also favoured a constructive debate on simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assemblies and funding of polls to eradicate money power. The Government, he said, is also committed to combating terrorism and to ensure that perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice. Mukherjee referred to the government's demonetisation decision to fight blackmoney and corruption as also the surgical strikes across the LoC as bold decisions, both of which were received with thumping of desks by members. "Frequent elections put on hold development programmes, disrupt normal public life and impact essential services and burden human resource with prolonged period of election duty. "My government welcomes a constructive debate on simultaneous conduct of elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Funding of elections to eradicate misuse of money power also needs to be debated," he said. In the speech, which is the Government's narrative on what it had done during the year and what it plans to do in the new financial year, the President said Government would welcome any decision taken by Election Commission in this regard after consultations. (With inputs from agencies)