AMN / New Delhi
President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said demonetization, while immobilizing black money and fighting corruption may lead to temporary slowdown in the economy. In his New Year Message to the Governors and Lt. Governors through Video Conferencing from Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said there is a need to remain extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term.
“Demonetisation, while immobilising black money and fighting corruption, may lead to temporary slowdown of the economy. We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the sufferings of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term,’’ the President said in his new year’s message to Governors and Lt Governors through video conferencing from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He stressed the need to provide succour to the poor immediately so that they can also participate actively in the national march towards a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation.
“While I appreciate the thrust on transition from entitlement approach to an entrepreneurial one for poverty alleviation, I am not too sure that the poor can wait that long. They need to get succour here and now, so that they can also participate actively in the national march towards a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation. The recent package announced by the Prime Minister will provide some relief,’’ the President said.
With Assembly polls to five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur scheduled to begin next month, the President, noting that elections are usually marked by competitive populism, electoral rhetoric and vote bank politics, said that Governors and Lt Governors through their interaction and wise counsel can play an important role in easing the tensions in the society.
Stressing that goodwill must prevail between different communities, Mr Mukherjee said communal tensions may rear their ugly head but rule of law must form the sole basis of dealing with any such challenging situation.
“This year, there will be elections in as many as seven states. The dates for elections in five states have already been announced. The conduct of free and fair elections has made our democracy one of the most vibrant in the world. Elections reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment. They symbolise the sovereignty of the people and provide legitimacy to the authority of the government. They also serve the purpose of regulation of public policies and mobilisation of public opinion.
As we have all experienced, elections are usually marked by competitive populism, electoral rhetoric and vote bank politics. Noisy debates can deepen the fault-lines in the society. You, as Governors and Lt Governors, command respect and attention of the people of your state. Through your interaction and wise counsel, you can play an important role in easing the tensions in the society. Goodwill must prevail between different communities. At times, harmony may be put to test by vested interests. Communal tensions may rear their ugly head. Rule of law must form the sole basis of dealing with any such challenging situation,’’ the President said