Complete coverage of Prez Kovind's speech in the joint Sitting of Parliament
Thursday, 20 June 2019 (12:50 IST)
New Delhi:The whole world is supporting India in fight against terrorism, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday.
''Masood Azhar, responsible for major terror attacks in India, has been named as international terrorist by the United Nations,'' he said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament.
Mr Kovind said this was the proof that the whole world is supporting India.''Whether it is an issue of climate change, economic or cyber crimes, or action against corruption and black money, or energy conservation, the world supports India in every way,'' the President said.
Fight against corruption will be expedited further: President
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that the efforts being taken to fight corruption and book the economic wrong doers will be expedited further.
In his address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament, Mr Kovind said in last two years over 4.25 lakh investors have been disqualified and over 3.5 lakh companies registration have been cancelled.
President said in this context the Fugitive and Economic Offenders Act has proved to be much helpful.He said on this government of India is also now getting cooperation from 146 countries including from Switzerland.
"We have already signed automatic exchange pacts with 80 countries," President said.He further said 'Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code' is now considered one of the major economic reforms strategies.
The Joint Sitting of Parliament was attended among others by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi.
The President's speech was regularly greeted by thumping of desks including by opposition leaders such as Ms Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad.
President says govt working to realize vision of "New India"
Noting that people of the country have given a very clear mandate in the elections, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said the Government was working to realise the vision of "New India.
In his address to the Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament, to mark commencement of the Budget sessison, the President said, "People of the country have given a very clear mandate in the election. After evaluating the first tenure of the government, the countrymen gave given strong support for the second time. By doing so, the countrymen have given a mandate to keep the process of development uninterrupted, and at a fast pace,".
He said the people had given their mandate and the government was now working for 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'.
"In this Lok Sabha elections, more than 61 crore citizens cast their vote and set a new record. The people of India gave a clear mandate. The government is working for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas','' he said adding that the Government was working to realise the vision of 'New India'.
Talking about the steps taken by the Government to realise its vision of 'New India' by striving to improve condition of living for farmers, small traders and other sections of society, the President said, "This idea of the 'New India' is inspired by the thoughts of Shri Narayana Guru, the great poet of Kerala -- an ideal place is where all people are like brothers and sisters, free from the discrimination of caste and religion.''
Highlighting efforts made by the Centre to improve agriculture in the country, he said, "By 2022, the farmers' income would be doubled. For this, a number of steps have been taken in the past five years.''
Stressing on the need to ensure equal rights for women, the President urged members to extend support to government to make lives of India's "sisters and daughters" more dignified by helping pass legislation like Triple Talaq.
"To ensure equal rights to all sisters and daughters of our country, eradication of malpractices such as Triple Talaq and 'Nikah-Halala' is necessary. I would request all members to extend their support to these efforts, to make lives of our sisters and daughters more dignified,''he said.
Triple talaq, Nikah-Halala should be done away with: Prez
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said to make women in India 'sashakt', ensuring equal rights to them is important to do away with practices like 'Triple Talaq' and Nikah-Halala.'
Addressing the Joint Sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, Mr Kovind said, ''Election of 78 women MPs, for the first time in Lok Sabha's history depicts image of a 'New India'.''
The President said laws to punish culprits of rape and other brutal crimes have been made more stringent and stronger now. States have played an important role in making women more stronger by providing them adequate safety.''Beti Bachao, Bati Padhao'' and ''Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana'' schemes have come a long way in giving a bright future to girl child and women.He also said in next three years, two crore new homes will be built for rural women.
Prez lauds EC, security forces for successful election
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday congratulated the Election Commission as well the security forces for successful completion of the election process in the world's largest democracy.
''I congratulate the entire team of Election Commission for successful completion of the world's largest election. The contribution of employees of various institutions, as well as the security forces in successful conduct of the electoral process is praiseworthy,'' Mr Kovind said in his address to the joint sitting of the both the Houses of Parliament.
The President's remarks are significant as the poll panel has come under criticism by the opposition parties on various pros and cons of conducting elections, specially on the possibility of misuse of EVMs.
Mr Kovind said more than 61 crore voters of the country set a new record by casting their votes and enhanced the credibility of India's democracy in the world. All voters deserve to be congratulated for the success of this election, he added.
Mr Kovind also extended his best wishes to all newly-elected Members of the 17th Lok Sabha.
Around 3 cr shopkeepers to be benefited from separate pension scheme: President
Taking note of economic security for small shopkeepers, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said the Government has introduced a separate pension scheme for them.
The scheme would benefit around 3 crore small shopkeepers and traders across the country, the President said in his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament here.
He said: ''For the first time, a Government has taken note of the economic security of small shopkeepers. In the very first meeting of the Cabinet, a separate 'Pension Scheme' has been approved for small shopkeepers and retail traders."
1.5 lakh 'Health & Wellness centres' to be set up by 2022: President
New Delhi, Jun 20 (UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said the objective of the Government is to set up about 1.5 lakh 'Health and Wellness Centres' in all rural areas by 2022.
Addressing the Joint Sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, the President said, ''Cost of medical treatment pushes the poor families into financial crisis. In order to protect them from this crisis, world's biggest healthcare scheme 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' has been implemented, providing 'Health-Protection-Cover' to 50 crore poor people.''
Under Ayushman Bharat scheme, till date, 26 lakh poor patients have availed treatment in hospitals.
In order to provide medicines at affordable rates, 5,300 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras' have also been opened, Mr Kovind said.
''It is our endeavour to provide medicines at affordable rates to people residing in far-flung areas through these Jan Aushadhi Kendras,'' he added.So far, about 18,000 Health and Wellness Centres have already been operationalised. (UNI)
