“My government stands committed to tackling the menace frontally. It requires diligent, sustained effort by all law enforcement agencies including those of state governments,” she said while addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, marking the beginning of the budget session.
She expressed concern over ill effects of black money, especially that was allegedly stashed away in foreign banks either through evasion of taxes on income earned legitimately or through illegal activities.
Noting that the government has taken many steps to strengthen the legal framework, the President said a multi-disciplinary study has been commissioned to go into its ramifications for national security and recommend a suitable framework to tackle it.
Declaring that the government would spare no effort in bringing back to India “what belongs to it and to bring the guilty to book, the President said the steps taken so far have led to additional collection of taxes of Rs 34,601 crore and detection of additional income of Rs 48,784 crore.”
She said that combating inflation and maintaining the economic growth momentum were among the other top priorities of the Government. She said, maintaining an uncompromising vigil on internal and external security fronts and pursuing a policy that ensures India’s voice is heard and its interests are protected in the global fora will also remain in focus.
Dealing at length on the steps taken to take corruption head- on, the President said, a Group of Ministers constituted to address the issue will submit its report soon.
Stating that inflation has been a problem in the past year , the President said that the government is deeply concerned over the adverse impact of inflation on the common man and the threat it poses to the growth momentum.
The President said that states were being consulted on the National Food Security Bill as its success hinges critically on their commitment to reforms in the public distribution system. She said, the long term solution of the problem lies in increasing productivity and production in agriculture. Patil renewed the Government’s commitment to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce and noted that concrete measures will be in place to augment investment and provide incentives to the states .
Highlighting the initiatives for sustaining the growth momentum the President said infrastructure development is the focus of the government with 20 lakh crore rupees invested in this sector in the eleventh plan. This she said was proposed to be doubled in 12th five year plan with private sector participation.
Talking about the strides made in different sectors, Pratibha Patil referred to reforms in power sector, rapid expansion in telecom, energy security and setting up of special economic zones for promoting exports.
Patil expressed the hope that women reservation bill will be passed by the Lok Sabha as it has got the nod of the Rajya Sabha. The bill provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures. She said a Bill to protect women against sexual harassment at work place and another bill to protect children from such offences is being introduced in parliament. Referring to violence in some parts of the country, Mrs Patil said security system have been revamped with better training and infrastructure to state police and para military forces.
Talking about relations with Pakistan, the President said New Delhi is seeking a peaceful resolution of issues through a meaningful dialogue provided Islamabad does not allow its soil to be used for terror activities against India. On developments in Egypt, Mrs. Patil said India welcomes the dawn of democracy in other countries.
On the relations with major powers, Mrs. Patil said India will continue to work to realize the full potential of these relations in the pursuit of its interests. She said, as a member of the United National Security Council for a two year term, India will advance the cause of peace, development, security and uphold the values of multilateralism.
President Pratibha Patil also said that the government proposes to extend the coverage of private FM radio services to all cities with a population of one lakh and above. A total of 806 new FM radio channels in 283 cities are proposed to be set up. Patil said, it is also proposed to give incentives to future FM radio operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the North Eastern States and island territories.
Meanwhile the Congress has hailed the Presidential address to the Joint sitting of Parliament today. Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said that the President outlined the five priority areas of the government including controlling inflation, probity in life and polity and inclusive growth.
The BJP on the other hand said that the President’s speech was direction-less. The party spokesman S.S. Ahluwalia said, the address has failed to provide answers to major issues confronting the country.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat alleged that the President’s address shows that the government is oblivious of its promises made by it earlier.