President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said the Government is committed to “empowerment and not appeasement”, and is making “intensive” efforts for the education and socio-economic development of the minorities. In his maiden address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, Kovind also exuded confidence that the law to ban instant triple talaq will soon become a law and the Muslim women can live a life free of fear and dignity.
“Committed to 'empowerment and not appeasement', my Government is making intensive efforts for the economic, social and educational empowerment of the minorities,” the President said. He also talked about the Government's reform to allow women above 45 years of age to perform Haj without 'Mehram' (male guardian). This year, more than 1,300 women will undertake the pilgrimage without Mehram.
Addressing Parliamentarians, the President said employment opportunities have been provided to the youth belonging to six notified minority communities -- Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jains -- through programmes such as 'Seekho Aur Kamao', 'Usttad', 'Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana', 'Nai Roshni' etc. The schemes were being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
“More than 45 lakh students have also benefited from scholarships, fellowships, skill development and coaching schemes during the last one year,” he said. The President also referred to the Government enacting the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016'. He said provision has been made to offer four per cent reservation in government jobs and five per cent quota in higher education for persons with disabilities.
Referring to various welfare schemes initiated by the Modi Government, Kovind said with a sensitive approach towards providing housing with availability of water, electricity and toilet facilities to all, the Government is targeting to provide a house to every poor and homeless household by the year 2022. He said as over 93 lakh houses have been constructed by the Government in the last three-and-a-half years.
He also spoke about the introduction of Goods and Services Tax to bring in transparency and make tax system easier.
The President said that the Government was ready for a dialogue with anyone who shunned violence and reposed faith in the Constitution. Kovind also said terrorist violence in the interiors of Jammu and Kashmir is directly related to cross- border infiltration. “With better coordination, our Army, Paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police are giving a befitting response to the perpetrators,” he said.
The President said security situation in Naxal-affected areas and insurgency-hit Northeastern States has improved significantly. “My Government has kept open the path of dialogue with those who wish to shun violence and join the mainstream, while reposing faith in the Constitution of India,” he said.
“The Northeast has also witnessed an improvement in the security situation. There has been a reduction in incidents of Naxal-Maoist violence. For this, the enlightened citizens of the region, our military, paramilitary and police forces deserve to be congratulated,” he said.
The President called for a “sustained debate” on holding simultaneous polls for the lok Sabha and the state assemblies, saying all parties need to arrive at a consensus over the issue. He said citizens alive to the state of governance in the country were concerned about frequent elections in one part of the country or another, which adversely impacted the economy and development.