President advocates need of holding simultaneous elections of parliament and assemblies
Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
The Budget Session of parliement began today with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to joint sitting of both the Houses. Soon after the Economic Survey 2017-18 was tabled in the House.
In his speech president strongly advocated the need to explore the possibility of holding simultaneous elections of parliament and assemblies in the country. He urged the political leaders to discuss the issue and try to reach a conclusion.
He also underlined ambitious government target of connecting each village in India to motorable roads by 2019.
During his 45 minute speech, the president highlighted major achievements of the government and the benefits of many central schemes that have been able to change the lives of citizens.
The President highlighted the major decisions that the government took to improve the work conditions of labourers and farmers in the country.
President stressed that the government is committed to empower the minority community without following any sort of appeasement. He also underlined Haj reforms initiated by his government.
He said the Centre was committed for the protection of the rights of Muslim women and expressed hope that the Triple Talaq Bill will be passed by Parliament soon. He said after the passage of the legislation, Muslim Women can live a dignified life without fear. Mr Kovind said the government is committed to double the income of farmers by the year 2022.
He said, farmers are being provided affordable and simple crop insurance services under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and during 2017, under Rabi and Kharif crops, 5.71 crore farmers were provided protective coverage. He added that the highest priority of government is to remove various difficulties faced by farmers and to raise their standard of living.
The schemes of the government are not only removing their hardships but also reducing the expenditure incurred by them on farming. As compared to 2014 when only 56 per cent of the villages had road connectivity, now more than 82 per cent villages mostly in far-flung and inaccessible areas have been connected by roads.
Mr Kovind said the target is to provide road connectivity to every village by 2019. The President said, to ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of society, the Central Government is actively pursuing the work of connecting all villages under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The work has started to connect villages with Broadband connectivity and 2.5 lakh Panchayats have already been connected so far. The President asserted that the present regime is working for the welfare of the backward communities.
Talking about the health initiatives, the President said the new National Health Policy has been formulated for providing better and affordable healthcare facilities to the poor and middle class. In addition, under the ‘National AYUSH Mission’, traditional methods of treatment, such as Yoga and Ayurveda are being promoted.
Mr Kovind said one of the major worries of the poor and middle class relates to the treatment of diseases. The financial burden of treatment of disease further aggravates the sufferings. He said the education provides the foundation for building the future of the Nation and government is committed to strengthen and modernizing School and Higher Education system in the country.
On simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies, Mr Kovind said A sustained debate is required on the subject of simultaneous elections and all political parties need to arrive at a consensus on this issue.
He said, the government’s fight against corruption is continuing and in the last one year, registration of about 3.5 lakh suspicious companies have been cancelled. He said, ‘BHIM App’ is playing a major role in promoting digital transactions. ‘BHIM App’ is playing a major role in promoting digital transactions. He said, Aadhar’ has helped secure the rights of the poor by eliminating middlemen and currently Digital Payments are being carried out in more than 400 schemes of the Government.
