Budget session: 10 takeaways from Ram Nath Kovind's opening speech
Frequent elections impede development, hence need debate on simultaneous elections, the President said.
Addressing both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha on the opening day of the Budget session, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the dream of a new India, which the government is committed to achieve by 2022, does not belong to any particular political party or organisation. Nation building is an ongoing process in which every citizen of the country has a role to play, he said enumerating the welfare projects initiated by the government.
Here are the major takeaways from his speech:
Triple Talaq Bill should be passed soon
Expressing hope that the parties would come together to ensure passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, the president said, “I hope the Triple Talaq Bill will be passed soon so that Muslim women can live a life of dignity and without fear.” The bill, which criminalises instant triple talaq, was passed in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session but faced resistance in the Rajya Sabha.
Empowerment, not appeasement
This government does not endorse any appeasement policy, the president said listing out projects undertaken for the empowerment of different sections. “Employment opportunities have been provided to the youth belonging to Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jain communities through programmes such as ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Usttad’, ‘Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana’, ‘Nai Roshni’", he said. The government has abolished subsidy on haj pilgrimage and relaxed norms allowing women travelling without a male companion for haj.
Discussion on simultaneous elections
Putting forth the idea of simultaneous elections, an idea which the government has been mulling over for quite some time, the president said that it needs a sustained debate and all political parties need to arrive at a consensus. “Frequent elections not only impose burden on human resources but also impede development process due to promulgation of the model code of conduct,” he said.
Fight against corruption
Highlighting the government’s commitment to end corruption, Kovind said the fight against corruption continues and registrations of about 3,50,000 dubious companies were cancelled in 2017. “Aadhaar has helped in securing the rights of the poor by eliminating middlemen. At present, digital payments are being carried out in more than 400 schemes of the government. Till now, more than Rs 57,000 crore have been prevented from going into wrong hands,” he said.
Improvement in internal security
Congratulating the Indian Army and the police forces for strengthening the internal security apparatus of the country, he said, “Terrorist violence in the interiors of Jammu and Kashmir is directly related to cross-border infiltration. With better co-ordination, our Army, paramilitary forces and J&K Police are giving a befitting response to the perpetrators.” He also said that the Naxal-Maoist violence has gone down in the country and peace has been restored in the northeast.
GST, the biggest tax reforms since Independence
Terming GST as the biggest tax reform since independence, the president said the move has achieved economic integration. He lauded the government for constituting the National Anti-profiteering Authority to ensure that the benefits of lower prices of goods and services are passed on to consumers.
Ease of doing business
Commenting on how this government has improved the credibility of the country in the global market, the president said, “As a result of the efforts of my government, India has moved up from 142nd to 100th rank in the Ease of Doing Business ranking of the World Bank.” FDI from the US increased from $36 billion to $60 during the last three years, for which the president credited “appropriate policies” made by the government.
International relations
Kovind said there is new respect for India as it has won representation in the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea, International Maritime Organisation; and UN Economic and Social Council. The president also listed the ICJ election victory as an achievement of the country.
Service to humanity is an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. Because of these values, India has always remained the First Responder in times of crises, such as the earthquake in Nepal, flood calamity in Sri Lanka and drinking water crisis in Maldives #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/eXdfR6JFFF
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 29, 2018
Private sector in defence
In an attempt which will provide boost to the defence sector as well as employment, the policy related to strategic partnership in defence manufacturing sector has been given the final shape, the president said. The policy which was cleared in May, 2017, allows private Indian companies to partner with foreign firms in manufacturing of arms.
Employment
At a time when unemployment has become a hot-button issue, the president said programmes like Startup India, Stand Up India, Skill India Mission, Mudra Yojana help provide self-employment to the youth. He also said enterprises which are creating new employment opportunities are also being provided financial aid under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana.