Advocating “smooth and constructive conduct” of the Parliamentary business, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday asserted that “democratic temper calls for debate and discussion” and “not disruption and obstruction” and urged MPs to function in spirit of cooperation.
In his customary address to the joint sitting of the two Houses in the Central Hall on the first day of the Budget Session, the President outlined the policies and developmental plans implemented by the Modi Government in last 20 months and described India as “a haven of stability” in a turbulent global economy.
In his 75-minute speech, Mukherjee did not touch on the contentious issues including arrests in Jawaharlal Nehru University, the controversial death of a Dalit student in Hyderabad University campus and violent Jat reservation agitation in Haryana. All these issues are expected to be debated in coming days in the ongoing first phase of the Budget Session, which would run until March 16. The left parties criticised the address saying it has not covered key issues.
Cold vibes between the Government and the Opposition, particularly the Congress, were palpable in the Central Hall as leaders communicated very little with each other, unlike in the past on such occasions.
Barring External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who walked up to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and exchanged pleasantries, no interaction between Sonia and any senior Minister from the Government was seen. Congress vice-president Rahul was seated on the extreme left in the middle row along with Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Members from the Treasury benches thumped the desk many a times, particularly when Mukherjee talked about disruption of Parliament while there was no response to it from the Opposition members.
Sonia, who seated with BJP patriarch lK Advani and former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, looked aloof with an apparent smirk on her face. She had on Monday accused the Government of “muzzling” voice of Opposition, civil society and students.
CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, CPI’s D Raja and other Opposition leaders came to the Congress president and interacted with her briefly after the President left the venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. Former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar was also present during the address.
Mukherjee, listed out all the policy initiatives and schemes of the Central Government, including those for minorities like ‘Nayee Manzil’ where 20,000 Madrasa children “are receiving skill training”.
The President quoted Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee BR Ambedkar saying that “political democracy cannot last unless there is a social democracy” and illustrated Government’s focus on “poor and backwards”.
The President referred to buoyant economy saying inflation, fiscal deficit and current account deficit have decreased with country’s foreign exchange reserve highest in the country in 2015.
The President declared that the Government will constantly strive for smooth and construction conduct of Parliamentary business
“Our Parliament reflects the supreme will of the people. Democratic temper calls for debate and discussion, and not disruption of obstruction. My Government will constantly strive for smooth and constructive conduct of Parliamentary business. I urge all Members of Parliament to discharge their solemn responsibilities in a spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation. let us all collectively endeavour to build a flourishing and prosperous India,” he said.
“let noble thoughts come from all directions, should be the spirit behind the debate in this temple of democracy. Being a member of this great institution bestows great honour as well as important responsibilities,” Mukherjee said.
Turning to Pakistan, he said the Government is committed to forging a “mutually respectful relationship” with that country while asserting that “firm and effective” steps will be taken to deal with any situation arising out of cross-border terrorism.
“Terrorism is a global threat and strong counter measures are necessary worldwide to eradicate it completely,” Mukherjee said, congratulating the security forces for successfully foiling the recent terror attack on the Pathankot airbase.
Describing the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) as “the world’s most successful” financial inclusion programme, Mukherjee said Rs 32,000 crore worth of deposits have been mobilised from over 21 crore account holders under the scheme
He highlighted various social security schemes of the Government and the steps taken by it to improve functioning of state-owned banks.
The Government, the President said, has placed great emphasis on food security, housing for all and subsidies so that they reach those who need them the most.
The President said PMJDY has gone beyond mere opening of bank accounts to becoming a platform for poverty eradication by offering basic financial services and security to the poor.
“Today, I am proud to say it is the world’s most successful financial inclusion programme. Under the programme, out of over 21 crore accounts opened, 15 crore accounts are operational with an aggregate deposit of over Rs 32,000 crore,” he said.
On the black money front, the President said the Government has enacted a law to deal with non-disclosure of foreign income and assets and thus has put in place a “stringent legislative framework” to combat the problem.
Mukherjee said over Rs 1 lakh crore have been disbursed to more than 2.6 crore borrowers under the PM Mudra Yojana, of which 2.07 crore are women entrepreneurs.
He also highlighted the improved sanitation standards at rail premises and the Railways’ first bullet train project in his address to Parliament.
Describing the tie-up with Japan on bullet train project as a “landmark”, the President said “Agreement with the Government of Japan will make the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor a reality.”
The address also pointed to use of bio-toilets in railways.
He also highlighted the awarding of contract for two major rail projects in Bihar. “My Government also awarded two mega projects for setting up diesel and electric locomotive factories at Marhaura and Madhepura, respectively.”