President Pranab Mukherjee speech to the joint session of parliament
February 23, 2015
Updated: February 23, 2015 16:36 IST
President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the joint session of both Houses of
Parliament at the beginning of the Budget session in New Delhi on
Monday.
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE TO THE JOINT SESSION OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
New Delhi : 23.02.2015
Honourable Members,
1. In this New Year full of aspirations and hope, I
welcome you to the Joint Sitting of the Two Houses of the Parliament
with the belief that your deliberations will be productive and useful.
2. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had said, "the greatest
strength of India is her rich spiritual and civilizational heritage”.The
core values of our civilization emphasize universal good - welfare of
all human beings. The fundamental tenet of my Government is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas
– All Together, Development of All. Within a span of nine months, my
Government has articulated and embarked on a comprehensive strategy for
unleashing the full potential of our country and its precious resource
of 125 crore people. Measures have been initiated to stir action in a
range of fields from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to
creation of wealth, skill development to conquering space, tapping
demographic dividend to diplomatic initiatives, enhancing ease of doing
business to putting in place a stable policy framework, empowering
individuals to ensuring quality infrastructure, ending financial
untouchability to making the country a manufacturing hub, containing
inflation to stimulating economy, igniting minds to ensuring inclusive
growth, promoting cooperative federalism to encouraging a competitive
spirit among the states. A strong beginning has been made. A promising
future awaits us.
Honourable Members,
3. Poverty is a bane to dignified human existence.
Development is actualized only when the last person gets a sense of
fulfillment, especially, regarding his minimum needs. Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyaya had laid emphasis on holistic development of each and every
human being - Ekatm Manavata darshan (Integral
Humanism).My Government is pledged to work for the welfare of the poor,
the marginalized and the vulnerable sections of the society.
4. Financial inclusion is critical to poverty
elimination. My Government launched an ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan
Yojanato provide universal access to banking facilities – a bank
account, having in-built accidental insurance with a Rupay debit card. I
am happy to state that the coverage under the scheme is close to 100%
with a record 13.2 crore new bank accounts being opened, 11.5 crore
Rupay debit cards being issued and over ` 11,000 crore being deposited.
This unprecedented target was achieved in less than six months, making
it the largest such programme globally.
5. To ensure that the benefits of developmental
programmes reach the last intended beneficiary without leakages and
impediments, Direct Benefit Transfer Programme is being implemented with
renewed vigour. The biggest Direct Cash Transfer programme in the
world, PAHAL, for transfer of LPG subsidy, has been extended across the
country from 1stJanuary, 2015, so far covering 75% of the
user-households. In all, 35 schemes have been brought under Direct
Benefit Transfer architecture. Special emphasis is attached to make
Aadhar enrolment coverage universal.
Honourable Members,
6. Swachhata is an article of faith for my Government. Swachhata will have an overarching impact on the overall quality of life and well-being of a person, particularly the poor. Swachh Bharat Mission
has been launched to achieve a Clean and Open Defecation Free India by
October, 2019. Government has rolled out ‘Swachh Vidyalaya’ programme
and is committed to construct a toilet in every school before 15th
August, 2015.Swachhata has a cascading impact on national development
and the potential to generate wealth from waste. Sanitation and the idea
of Swachhata require changing the mindset of the people. My Government
exhorts each and every individual to be an active participant in this
mission. I appeal to all honourable Members of Parliament to spend at
least fifty percent of their MPLADS funds on Swachh Bharat Mission.
7. India lives in her villages. My Government attaches
the highest priority to sustainable socio-economic growth of rural
areas. MGNREGS can be a powerful weapon to combat rural poverty. While
implementing MGNREGS with renewed vigour, emphasis is being placed on
improving quality and durability of assets under the programme, besides
mandating that at least sixty percent of expenditure be directed for
creation of agricultural infrastructure. In keeping with my Government’s
focus on “Skill India”, “Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana”
and “Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana” have been announced. Saansad
Adarsh Gram Yojana launched in October 2014, focuses on integrated and
holistic development of our villages with active involvement of Members
of Parliament.
8. Housing is a fundamental requirement for dignified
living. My Government is steadfast in fulfilling the aspirations of all
households, particularly the poorest of the poor, to have a dwelling
unit under the Mission “Housing for All” by 2022, marking 75 years of
our independence. A set of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives have been
devised to leverage the value of land holding with government and to
afford flexibility to State Governments in designing their own
customized housing programmes. To aid investment in housing sector, my
government has liberalized FDI policy; increased tax incentives for
housing loans and enhanced the corpus of National Housing Bank.
9. My Government attaches paramount importance to
safeguard the interest of farmers and families affected by land
acquisition. While taking utmost care to protect the interest of
farmers, including their compensation entitlements, the Right to Fair
Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act has been suitably refined to minimize certain
procedural difficulties in acquisition of land inevitably required for
critical public projects of infrastructure and for creation of basic
amenities like rural housing, schools and hospitals, particularly in
remote areas.
Honourable Members,
10. Kisanis the sentinel of our food security. Annadaata
Sukhibhava has been one of our fundamental civilizational values. My
Government attaches enormous importance to the wellbeing of farmers.
This will need value-added agriculture, market reform, use of technology
and improving productivity in areas with untapped potential. The year
2015 has been designated as International Year of Soils. In view of the
critical role of soil for productivity and farm output, a Soil Health
Card Scheme has been launched. Price stabilization fund with a corpus of
` 500 crore has been set up for perishable commodities. To address the
irrigation requirements of every village in an effective and sustainable
manner, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, is being launched.
Extension programmes have been devised targeting resource-poor, small
and marginal farmers, particularly focusing on organic farming and green
house technology. Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been launched with the
objective of conserving and developing indigenous cattle breeds.
11. Food Processing has immense potential for generating
employment in rural areas, particularly for the landless poor, besides
guaranteeing remunerative price for the farm-produce. Creating
infrastructure in rural areas to minimize supply chain losses is a
priority. A special fund of ` 2000 crore to provide affordable credit to
the units in 72 notified food parks has been made operational. Two Mega
Food Parks, at Tumkur and Fazilka, each to provide direct/indirect
employment to 30,000 people have been commissioned in the last 6 months.
12. Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had
said and I quote: "Poverty has multiple effects. Besides impacting our
economy, it corrodes our democracy”. Inclusive growth covering the
poorest of poor from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of
our society is my Government’s topmost priority. Thrust has been given
to streamlining scholarships schemes for students from SC, ST, OBC, and
minority communities to ensure timely disbursement to the beneficiaries.
Government has set up a new Venture Capital Fund for SC entrepreneurs.
To upgrade skill and training in traditional arts/crafts of minorities, a
new scheme “Upgrading the Skill and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts
for Development (USTTAD)” is being launched. Outcome based integrated
approach has been adopted for tribal development under theVan Bandhu
Kalyan Yojana. Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme is being launched for construction
of Hostels for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.
Honourable Members,
13. Education is the priority of priorities for my
Government. ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ has been launched to improve
foundational learning outcomes. An initiative to map the entire country
on a GIS platform to identify habitations without schools, has been
taken. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and
Teacher Training has been launched to empower and increase the capacity
of teachers. TheRashtriya Avishkar Abhiyanhas been announced to imbibe
scientific temper among students. To ensure access to education in the
remotest areas, Ishan VikasandIshan Uday schemes have been started with
focus on students of North-Eastern regions. My Government has
formulatedNational Sports Talent Search Schemefor encouraging sporting
talent amongst children in the age group of 8 to 12 through National
Sports Development Fund and Target Olympic Podium.
14. India has the largest population of youth in the
world. Majority of her population is already in the working age group.
To tap this demographic dividend and to bridge the demand-supply gap in
skilled workforce, my Government has created a new Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship with the theme “Hunar hai to Kalyan
hai”. A new “National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship”
is on the anvil to align skilling initiatives with global standards.
Focus will be on the youth from deprived households in rural areas.
Public-Private Partnership is being fostered to create skill development
models and channelize CSR funds into skilling activities.
Honourable Members,
15. My Government is committed to providing affordable
and accessible health care to all its citizens, particularly the
vulnerable sections, in an efficient and equitable manner. To reduce
preventable deaths, India New Born Action Plan has been initiated and
four new vaccines have been approved. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ has been
launched to achieve universal immunization with special focus on 184
high priority districts across the country. To create an inclusive,
enabling and empowering environment for Persons with Disabilities, my
Government has launched new scholarship schemes for students with
disabilities. A national help line with toll free number has been
launched for those who need help against drug de-addiction and for
rehabilitation.
16. My Government has recently elevated the erstwhile
department of AYUSH to a full-fledged Ministry with an objective to
increase the global and local footprint of the traditional systems of
healthcare, duly recognizing that our villages have been the
repositories of our rich Ayurvedic heritage. National AYUSH Mission has
been launched to promote cost effective AYUSH services, strengthen the
education system and facilitate availability of quality AYUSH drugs.
Honourable Members,
17. Women have had a place of reverence in our society
since time immemorial. My Government has taken several measures to
empower and protect the dignity of women. To provide complete support to
women affected by violence, One Stop Crisis Centres, one in every
State, are being set up for provision of integrated services including
medical aid, police assistance, temporary shelter, and legal and
psycho-social counseling. Another initiative has been the launch of
Himmat, a mobile based application, to ensure women’s safety in Delhi.
18. The unabated decline in Child Sex Ratio since 1961
is a matter of grave concern. This trend has to be reversed. To ensure
survival, protection and education of the girl child, my Government has
launched Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyaan, which seeks to change
mindsets to celebrate the girl child. A new small saving scheme‘Sukanya
Samriddhi Account’ has been notified for enabling the education of the
girl child. A Bill to amend Juvenile Justice Act has been introduced in
Parliament to reform the law relating to juvenile offences.
Honourable Members,
19. Shramik is the backbone of our economy. My
Government believes in Shrameve Jayate and has taken several labour
welfare measures. Apprentice Protsahan Yojana has been launched to
promote apprentices in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in
manufacturing sector. EPF subscriptions have been made portable
benefiting casual workers in the unorganized sector. Under the Employees
Provident Fund Act, the statutory wage ceiling and the minimum pension
have been enhanced to ` 15,000/- and ` 1,000/- respectively. While my
Government is fully committed to expand the job market and to promote
the welfare of workers, it is also committed to bringing in transparency
and accountability in enforcement of labour-related regulations. To
this end, the Shram Suvidha Portalhas been launched to ensure ease of
doing business by allowing industry to register online and file a single
online return instead of 16 separate returns. A transparent online
inspection scheme has been launched. Recent amendments to the
Apprentices Act, 1961 have made the legal framework friendly to both
industry and employable youth.
Honourable Members,
20. Legal reform is one of the priorities of my Government.
My Government believes that Governance and reforms are a
combined effort of Team India, consisting of the Parliament, Union
Government, State Legislatures, State Governments and the People of
India. An example of this collaborative effort is the reform in the
process of appointment of Judges to the High Courts and Supreme Court
and the legislation to set up National Judicial Appointments Commission.
The Government is also committed to repeal the obsolete and redundant
laws. A Committee constituted for this purpose has identified 1741
Central Acts for repeal under various categories.
21. Maximum Governance Minimum Government is the guiding
principle of my Government. With an aim to take Governance to the
doorstep of the poorest of the poor in remotest areas, focus is on
simplification of official procedures and reducing the decision-making
levels in Government by leveraging technology. The system of Group of
Ministers has been dispensed with and emphasis is on swift
decision-making. While introducing stricter and sterner measures to deal
with corruption; effort is being made to ensure that sufficient
safeguards are in place to protect bona fide decisions taken in public
interest and to inspire confidence in the civil service.
22. My Government is firmly committed to engage people
in the process of Governance and policy-making. My Gov Online Platform, a
path breaking initiative, has been launched. This platform has ensured
public participation in decision-making and ideation of various national
flagship programmes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Namami Gange, Pradhan
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and NITI Aayog.
23. My Government has envisioned an ambitious umbrella
programme, Digital India, to prepare India for technology based
transformation and citizen centric transparent governance with service
orientation. Aadhar based attendance system and Jeevan Praman, Aadhar
based Digital Life Certificate Portal, have shown that innovative use of
technology can make enormous difference. Measures are being taken to
accomplish digital inclusion in rural areas, small towns, north-east and
other remote areas, opening up immense job opportunities in these
areas. Promoting manufacturing of electronic goods has been an area of
thrust.
24. My Government is pledged to decentralization of
power and as an important step in this direction, the Planning
Commission has been replaced with a new body-The National Institution
for Transforming India -NITI Aayog. The underlying spirit of NITI Aayog
is to foster the spirit of cooperative federalism so that Union and
State Governments come on a platform to forge a common national agenda
for development, with thrust on empowering the impoverished.
Honourable Members,
25. As a result of my Government’s sustained efforts and
series of policy initiatives, our economy is again on the high growth
trajectory. According to the latest estimates, our GDP is growing at
7.4%, which makes India the fastest growing large economy in the world.
Inflation and Food inflation, in particular, are at a record low due to a
number of decisive measures taken by the Government. Fixed capital
formation, which faced a near stagnation in the last few years, has
increased. Capital Markets are upbeat. Our external sector is now far
more resilient, particularly with a moderate current account deficit and
a broadly stable rupee. Our foreign exchange reserves have been
substantially augmented.
26. While my Government has intensified efforts to bring
greater efficiency and equity into the tax system, prudence in
expenditure management is also high on the agenda of my Government. A
Constitutional (Amendment) Bill has been introduced to bring in Goods
and Services Tax that will simplify the indirect tax regime, broaden the
tax base and result in better tax compliance.
Honourable Members,
27. My Government is committed to taking all possible
measures to stop generation of black money, both domestically and
internationally. These measures include putting in place robust
legislative and administrative frameworks, systems and process with due
focus on capacity building, integration of information through
technology, and fast tracking prosecution.
28. Financial Sector institutional restructuring is a
priority area. My Government will expedite implementation of the
recommendations of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission.
SEBI’s new Foreign Portfolio Investment Regulations have established a
unified, simple regulatory framework. The Insurance Laws (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2014 was promulgated enhancing the foreign equity cap from
26% to 49% while safeguarding Indian ownership and control. This will
enhance capital availability and ensure better access to insurance
services, especially in rural areas and for economically weaker
sections. Small Banks and Payments Banks are being permitted to expand
the reach of the banking system.
Honourable Members,
29. My Government has taken major initiatives for
improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ through simplification and
rationalization of existing rules and procedures. Leveraging IT and use
of modern technologies is a key strategy. Single window in a Hub - Spoke
model is being made a reality. Applying for Industrial License and
Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum can now be done online on 24x7 basis
on the eBiz website. A number of entry and exit regulations have been
eased out.
30. My Government has launched the "Make in India”
programme which aims to create a wholesome eco-system to transform India
into a manufacturing hub. FDI in Railways has been opened up
selectively to bring in much needed capital, state-of-the-art technology
and global best practices. FDI in Defence has been increased to 49%
subject to certain conditions. FDI norms in Construction &
Development sector have been relaxed. Continuous evaluation of Inverted
duties is being undertaken to make Indian industries competitive. Stress
is being laid on research and innovation. While focusing our attention
on manufacturing for creating more jobs, my Government will continue to
work on our formidable strength in the service sector.
Honourable Members,
31. My Government is committed to realizing the true
potential of entrepreneurs of India by nurturing the MSME sector. 21
MSME clusters are being supported by providing soft skills and common
facilities through 965 interventions. Khadi and village industries and
traditional industries clusters are initiated in border, hill and
poverty-stricken areas of the country. Focus is on technology
upgradation, better financial access and market linkages to MSME units.
32. Textiles sector is the second largest employer after
agriculture, providing direct employment to over 4.5 crore people. The
sector also contributes one seventh of industrial production and brings
more than one fourth of country’s foreign exchange inflows. The growth
and all round development of this sector has a direct bearing on the
improvement of our economy, particularly the poor artisans. Recent
initiatives like setting up of trade facilitation centres in different
parts of India, bringing textile marketing on-line, incentives for
technical textiles, promotion of Pashmina, special focus on increasing
the coverage in North-Eastern part of the country would lead to
advancement of this sector.
Honourable Members,
33. Cities are the engines of economic growth. My
Government is committed to building modern amenities and infrastructure
in our urban areas. The National Urban Development Mission is being
finalized, particularly focusing on water and solid waste management
infrastructure. After extensive stakeholder consultations, the Smart
City programme is close to finalization. These two programmes are
interlinked and will prepare our nation for an increasingly urban
future.
Honourable Members,
34. Robust infrastructure is critical for accelerating
economic development and reviving economic growth. Indian Railways are
the arteries of our economy. My Government is committed to reform and
infuse new vitality into this sector through better services, improved
passenger-safety, and increased movement of freight. Two Dedicated
Freight Corridors (DFCs), namely, Eastern DFC and Western DFC are likely
to be commissioned by 2019. Action for conducting feasibility studies
for the Diamond Quadrilateral project of High Speed Trains connecting
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata has been taken up. Metro Rail
projects have been sanctioned for Ahmadabad and Nagpur.
35. Several policy initiatives to revive the Highway
sector have been taken. "National Highways Infrastructure Development
Corporation Limited” has been set up for creation of infrastructure in
the North Eastern States and border regions of the country. New
standards have been set to improve quality of roads, both on highways
and in rural areas and electronic tolling has been introduced for
hassle-free traffic on selected highways. e-Rickshaw and e-Cart have
been introduced as a separate category under the Motor Vehicles Act
1988, enhancing convenience of passengers and generating thousands of
jobs.
36. My Government has taken proactive steps to promote
shipping industry. These include giving life-time licenses to Indian
ships, allowing Indian ships to flag out of country’s waters freely,
reduction of excise duty on bunker fuel and reduction of customs duty on
the steel scrap of ship breaking. Government has also formulated “Sagar
Mala” Project to promote Port-led development of the coastal regions
and communities. As part of “Make in India” initiative, ship designing
capabilities, ship-building and ship-repair activities will be
strengthened. An environment is being created to increase the Indian
shipping tonnage and to reduce the transaction time on ports. An
institutional arrangement for comprehensive development of National
Waterways for transportation has been envisaged through the ‘Jal Marg
Vikas’ Project.
Honourable Members,
37. Power sector has made commendable progress achieving
76% capacity addition by January, 2015 against the 2014-15 target of
17,830 MW. In order to provide 24x7 quality power in rural and urban
areas, the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana with an outlay of more
than ` 43,000 crore and the Integrated Power Development Scheme with an
outlay of more than ` 32,600 crore, have been launched. Special
attention is being paid to the un-electrified villages in remote areas.
My Government has started major project for improving transmission and
distribution system in the North Eastern States. We will focus on
developing and strengthening the National Grid by developing high
capacity power corridors. To deepen the reforms in the Electricity
sector, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 has been introduced. The
ambitious National Smart Grid Mission and Energy Saving Schemes have
been started.
38. My Government lays enormous emphasis on clean
energy. The share of renewable energy in electricity generation is being
significantly enhanced from 6% to 15% of the energy mix in the next 7
years. The scheme for setting up 25 mega Solar Parks has been approved.
The implementation of the Green Energy Corridor Scheme has been
accelerated. Setting up of solar generating capacities along the
international borders will be a key area of attention. My Government has
made successful efforts in attracting the Global investors in this
sector. Similar attention is being paid to bio-mass and hydro-energy.
Government will further expand India’s nuclear power capacity with the
highest global standards of safety and technological standards.
Honourable Members,
39. The petroleum sector has seen major reforms. Diesel
prices have been deregulated and are now market driven. The price of
petrol has also been decreased by more than ` 17 per litre. The
Government has put to rest all speculation regarding the long pending
issue of revising gas prices and put in place a prudent policy in
national interest. The ethanol policy has been revised to promote use of
ethanol in petrol and help sugarcane farmers.
40. My Government is committed to optimum utilization
and transparency in allocation of natural resources. The process for
auction of coal blocks has been started in a manner which will reduce
the power costs in the country, provide adequate fuel to increase power
generation, enhance production of steel, cement, aluminium and other
essential materials. This will also provide huge resources from
allotment of mines to the mineral and coal bearing states particularly
in eastern areas for accelerated development of the region. The swift
and timely action taken by my government in this regard prevented the
closure of mines which otherwise would have rendered thousands jobless.
In coming years, my Government would make focussed efforts to expand
exploration capacity and to increase domestic coal production to 1000
MTPA.
Honourable Members,
41. Water is the lifeline of human civilization. River
Ganga has a very special place in the collective consciousness of our
country. “Namami Gange”, an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission has
been set-up with budgetary allocation of more than ` 2000 crore. The
Government is fully committed to the implementation of Interlinking of
Rivers Project with due consultation process.
42. My Government took several proactive steps for
protecting wildlife and for promoting cleaner environment. Stringent
emission norms for cement industry were prescribed. Real-time online
monitoring of industrial units in 17 critically polluting sectors was
started and National Air Quality Index launched. Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) would be
strengthened and adequate funds released to States/UTs for aggressive
afforestation and wildlife protection. Government has taken significant
steps to streamline clearance processes in environmental sector by
bringing in transparency and by empowering State Governments. Online
application processes for Environment, Forest and CRZ Clearances were
introduced from July, 2014.
Honourable Members,
43. To harness the enormous potential in the tourism
sector, a new Tourism policy for growth and sustainability of tourism is
on the anvil. “Tourist Visa on Arrival” enabled with Electronic Travel
Authorization, has been expanded to 44 countries. Infrastructure and
amenities are being upgraded in major tourist and pilgrimage
destinations. River Ghats in several pilgrim destinations are being
renovated. A special initiative for protecting and preserving the
sanctity of our tourist destinations and monuments of national heritage
has been launched. Dedicated tourist trains covering Jyotirling
Circuits, Sukhmangal Circuit and Dakshin Dham Circuit have been started.
A new scheme has been launched for development of tourist circuits
called “Swadesh Darshan”, which includes Krishna Circuit, Himalayan
Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Buddha Circuit, and North East Circuits. A
Statue of Unity is being constructed to commemorate the memory of Sardar
Patel.
Honourable Members,
44. My Government is committed to restore and rejuvenate
the soul of cities that are home to rich cultural heritage of our
country. A scheme ‘Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana’
(HRIDAY) covering 12 cities in the first phase has been launched with
the predominant objective of preserving the tangible and intangible
cultural assets of these cities. A special scheme called “PRASAD” -
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive”- has been
announced for rejuvenation of 12 pilgrim centres in convergence with
"HRIDAY”.
Honourable Members,
45. Terrorism and Left Wing Extremism pose a grave
challenge to the internal security of our nation. My Government is
firmly committed to deal with these challenges in cohesive collaboration
with the affected people and Governments of the affected States in a
holistic manner.
46. Jammu & Kashmir occupies a place of enormous
importance in the agenda of my Government. Government has endeavoured to
create a conducive and enabling environment in the state of Jammu and
Kashmir, especially for the various displaced segments of its
population. This includes facilitating the rehabilitation of over 60,000
Kashmiri Pandits families. The Government has taken effective steps in
this regard. These include, inter alia, providing Government jobs,
economic opportunities and security. During the recent unprecedented
flood situation in the State, my Government made special efforts in
collaboration with the State Government to minimize the impact of
disaster and augment rehabilitation measures. The nation is deeply
indebted to our armed forces and paramilitary forces for the outstanding
service rendered during the relief operations to flood affected people
in Jammu & Kashmir.
47. A high state of Disaster preparedness is the key to
contain loss of life and damage to the property due to any natural
disaster. This has been amply demonstrated during the response to the
very severe cyclone ‘HUDHUD’, by the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh
and Odisha together with the Central Government.
48. My Government is committed to implement the idea of
SMART Police (Smart but Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and
Accountable, Reliable and Responsive, Tech-savvy and well Trained) to
provide efficient, courteous and effective citizen services and meet the
operational needs of the police personnel including women police
personnel.
49. Government is accelerating the modernization of our
Armed Forces, with a strong emphasis on "Make in India” in defence
acquisition plans. Several initiatives have been taken to expand
domestic defence industry, including liberalization of FDI for the
defence sector; a new Defence Exports Strategy; a liberalized process
for issuing clearances for defence exports; and a Technology Development
Fund. To encourage domestic manufacturing of defence equipments and
decrease import dependency, the list of Defence items which require
industrial licensing has been pruned.
Honourable Members,
50. Our Space journey continues to make impressive
progress. On 24 September 2014, Mangalyaanwas successfully placed in the
Mars Orbit, making India the first country to do so in the first
attempt. We successfully launched the first experimental flight of GSLV
Mark-Ill on 19 December 2014, which will enable us to launch heavier
satellites in the near future. My Government is committed to use space
technology and its applications in governance, social and economic
development and resource management. My Government has also decided to
launch a satellite for the use of SAARC countries to foster greater
partnership and development of South Asian Region.
51. My Government is committed to deeper penetration of
electronic media in remote and distant areas. Auctions will be conducted
for 135 vacant channels in 69 existing cities of FM Phase-II as part of
first batch of FM Phase-Ill. It will also facilitate migration of FM
Phase-II to FM Phase-Ill. This will take private FM radio to cities
having population of more than one lakh and border towns of Jammu &
Kashmir, North-eastern region and island territories in a phased manner.
52. Our developmental challenges will continue to shape
the strategic priorities in science, technology and innovation. Steps
are being taken to channelize more resources for research and
development in India; build world class research centres; nurture young
talent and, promote international collaboration, including in the
world’s largest optical ‘Thirty Meter Telescope’.
Honourable Members,
53. Recognizing that our destiny is linked with our
neighbourhood, my Government has reinvigorated our relations with our
neighbours and is promoting greater cooperation and integration in South
Asia. At the same time, we speak clearly about our interests and are
fully prepared to defend our borders and secure our people.
54. With the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, we
have significantly expanded our relations with our largest neighbour,
China, based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s concerns
and interests. We have restored confidence and momentum in our
time-tested strategic partnership with Russia with President Vladimir
Putin’s visit. The historic visit of U.S. President Barack Obama as the
Chief Guest of the Republic Day has elevated our relations with the
United States to a new level. In the coming months, we intend to further
deepen our cooperation with Europe. With Japan, a deeper political,
economic and security relationship is at the forefront of a more active
and purposeful Act-East-Policy, which is anchored in our relations with
Southeast Asia and now extends to Australia and the Pacific Islands. We
are also committed to deeper engagement with West Asia, Central Asia,
Africa and South Americas.
55. My Government will continue to work with others to
reform multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, and seek
India’s rightful place in these institutions. We will also participate
actively in regional and international groupings.
Honourable Members,
56. My Government’s efforts have enhanced global
recognition for India’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. On 11th
December 2014, the United Nations, with a record co-sponsorship of 177
out of 193 member countries, took the historic decision to declare 21
June as ‘International Yoga Day’, exactly within 75 days of Prime
Minister’s call at the United Nations General Assembly.
57. My Government has made an unprecedented effort to
reach out to the Indian community abroad, which today not only feels
more connected to India, but has responded enthusiastically to the call
to participate in India’s transformation, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi,
whose 100thanniversary of return to India was commemorated at this
year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. Our decisions on PIO and OCI
card-holders have been widely welcomed by the Indian community abroad.
Honourable Members,
58. Our Parliament is the sanctum sanctorum of
Democracy. The people of India, particularly the poorest of the poor in
remotest areas, have reposed unflinching faith in this institution for
fulfillment of their hopes and expectations. My Government will
constantly endeavour for smooth conduct of legislative business and
enactment of progressive laws in the Parliament which reflects the will
and aspirations of the people. I urge all Members of the Parliament to
discharge their solemn responsibility in a spirit of cooperation and
mutual accommodation. By channelizing the patriotic energies of every
citizen, we all collectively must work towards building a strong and
modern India. Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat.
Jai Hind
