The Modi government is committed to the sustainable development of the Northeast and the current phase of improvement in connectivity and infrastructure in the region will prove to be a golden chapter in India’s growth story, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Monday while addressing the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session.
Kovind also said that it is a matter of pride for the country that all the capitals of the North Eastern states are now being brought on the railway map.
“My government is committed to sustainable development of all the states of the Northeast– Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura,” he said. In these states, the president said, basic amenities and economic opportunities are being developed at every level.
“Rail and air connectivity are no longer a dream for the people of the Northeast, they are now able to experience them in reality. It is a matter of pride for the country that all the capitals of the North Eastern states are now being brought on the railway map with the efforts of my government,” he said.
President said his government’s policies have given top priority to the poor and marginalised sections of the society and highlighted the COVID response, record procurement of farm produce and improvement in internal security as “collective achievements” of the billion-plus citizens of the country.
In his 50-minute address, the president spoke of various government initiatives, especially those related to election-going states such as the inauguration of a memorial to warriors of Goa’s liberation, steps taken to empower farmers and the return of two swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib from strife-torn Afghanistan to India. Kovind said his government considered the ideals of society based on liberty, equality and fraternity, as enunciated by Babasaheb Ambedkar, as its motto.
Kovind said his government believed that remembering the past and learning from it was equally important to secure the future of the country.
He also listed out steps to usher in self-reliance in the defence sector, noting that 87 percent of approvals for modernisation of defence sector in 2020-21 were for the ‘Make in India’ category.
President’s Address to Parliament lists out government’s achievements and is seen as a roadmap for the future.
Congress slammed the government for making no mention of China and restoring statehood of Jammu and Kashmir in the President’s address.
Just before the start of the President’s address, members of DMK and Congress raised slogans over the “delay” by the Tamil Nadu Governor in giving the nod to exempt the state from the ambit of NEET.
The president lauded health workers, scientists and entrepreneurs for working in tandem and noted that more than 150 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in less than one year.
Kovind also gave “maximum credit” to the small farmers of the country for consistent success in ensuring record farm production despite the pandemic and strengthening the agriculture sector.
He noted that the government ensured none of its citizens remained hungry during the pandemic and distributed free-rations to each poor household under PMGKAY.
The president also appreciated the MPs for discharging their responsibilities during the pandemic and their presence in the two Houses after taking all precautions.
No word on Nagaland massacre: Cong on President’s address
NEW DELHI, JAN 31 (AGENCIES): Congress MP and former union minister, Manish Tewari Monday took a dig at President Ram Nath Kovind, saying that his address ahead of the Budget session in Parliament had not mention about the massacre of civilians in Nagaland.
Tewari said: “The President did not say anything about the massacre of civilians in Nagaland or the deaths during the second wave of Covid-19.” “The President’s address had nothing about restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and its terror implications on India was not mentioned in his address either,” he said.
Taking to twitter after reading the Economic Survey 2021-22, Tweari said: “It seems to be either an excersize to talk up the economy or make the government feel good. Unfortunately does not read like a solid objective analysis.” The budget session of Parliament opened on Monday in the Central Hall with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to a joint sitting of both houses.
Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will submit the budget to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, February 1.