Our Correspondent
Budget Session of Indian Parliament began today with the presidential address. President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha praisning government achievements.
In his speech President Pranab Mukherjee said government’s development philosophy was ‘Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’ and overriding goal is to eradicate poverty. Mr. Mukherjee said the government was focused on the welfare of poor, farmers and jobs for the youth. He said the Centre is trying hard to make this possible through financial inclusion and social security.
Text of President Mukherjee address to the Joint Session of Parliament
The President said government’s innovative initiatives have helped India jump 12 places in the latest rankings by World Bank on Ease of Doing Business. Talking about the Make in India initiative, the President said it has achieved 39 per cent increase in FDI inflow despite adverse global investment climate.
Saying that government working towards second green revolution, strengthening agricultural sector, the President said the government is committed to more-crop-per-drop .
He said the government has recently launched farmer crop insurance with lowest ever premium rates.
He said highest urea production was achieved in 2015. Maintaining that well being of farmers is vital to nation’s prosperity, the President said food security cover has doubled since 2015. Mr. Mukherjee said India continues to be the highest milk producing country and poultry development has led to highest ever egg production.
He also stressed that the government is committed to providing housing for all and rural development is one of its top priorities.
During the session, the Rail Budget will be presented on 25th and General Budget on 29th of this month. The first phase of the Session will come to an end on 16th of next month. The second phase will start from 25th April and conclude on 13th May.
The government has prioritised 32 items for the session including 11 Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha besides transacting financial business related to budget.
The Bills which will come up for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha include GST, Real Estate, Anti-Hijacking, National Waterways and Whistle Blowers Protection. In the Lok Sabha, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Amendment Bill is among others which will be taken up for discussion and passage.
President Speech on the first day of Budget session lays the roadmap of the government. The government has prioritised 32 items for the session including 11 Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha besides transacting financial business related to budget.
The Bills which will come up for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha include GST, Real Estate, Anti-Hijacking, National Waterways and Whistle Blowers Protection. In the Lok Sabha, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Amendment Bill is among others which will be taken up for discussion and passage. During the session, the Rail Budget will be presented on 25th and General Budget on 29th of this month. The first phase of the Session will come to an end on 16th of next month. The second phase will start from 25th April and conclude on 13th May.
Update at 12:20 PM