President Pranab Mukherjee outlines Modi government's agenda on poverty, inflation, economy & business

NEW DELHI: Outlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government's 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' agenda, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday addressed the Joint Session of Parliament, highlighting that the new government is 'committed to its mantra of minimum government maximum governance'.
Mukherjee's address spelt out the government's priorities on various issues ranging from reducing inflation and poverty to rebooting the economy to ensure inclusive growth. "Containing food inflation is the government's top priority. The greatest challenge before us is to end the curse of poverty in India," Mukherjee said. "Poverty has no religion, hunger has no creed. The government commits itself to the goal of poverty elimination," Mukherjee added.

Mukherjee went on to say that the government plans to roll out supply-side measures in agriculture in order to check inflation. "Supply side of agro and agro-based products needs to be reviewed. The government plans to reform PDS, prevent black marketing and hoarding," Mukherjee said. "The government wants to increase investment in agri-infra and technology," he added.

"Government will try to end rural-urban divide and is committed to reverse trend of hopelessness among farmers that leads to suicides. Each drop of water is precious. Government is committed to provide water security and will launch Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana," Mukherjee said.

The President also said that Modi-led government is aware of the looming uncertainty on the monsoon front and is working on measures to be prepared for the same. "Contingency plans are being prepared for monsoon," Mukherjee assured.

Mukherjee said that the government wants to launch a national education policy. "Virtual classrooms and many oline courses are planned. My government will set up IITs and IIMs in every state," he said. "It will work towards academic equivalence and national mult-scale mission."

Talking about the economy, the President said, "The country is passing through extremely difficult phase on economic front; putting economy back on track is paramount for government." "Government will create a policy environment which is predictable, transparent and fair; will make every effort to introduce GST."

Mukherjee also said that reforms will be undertaken to enhance the ease of doing business. "Government will encourage investments including FDI. Government will strive to move towards a single-window system of clearances both at Centre and states." "Government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and menace of black money," he assured.

On the infrastructure front, Mukherjee said that the government promises to enhance road, railway and air-connectivity. "Low cost airports will be developed to promote air connectivity to smaller towns; a port-led development model will be evolved." "Government will launch a diamond quadrilateral project of high-speed trains," he added.

The President began his address by congratulating the electorate for voting for a stable government. "Electorate cast aside boundaries of caste, creed, region and religion and voted for development, good governance and stability," Mukherjee said. "The country needed a strong government that provided growth. It needed to leave behind the fractious and contentious politics of previous years," he added.