President Kovind addresses Parliament’s joint session

President Ram Nath Kovind adressed the joint session of the Parliament.

President Kovind in his address will put forward the vision of the newly elected Narendra Modi government in front of parliament. President will also present the PM Modi led government’s agenda of formation of a new India by 2022 with the slogan of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ and government mission to transform the country into a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2022.

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I wish you all the heartfelt good wishes to all of you during the next five years by calling upon them to dedicate themselves to the new-building of India and to carry out your duties with all sincerity. Jai Hind!

I am sure all of you members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, while performing their duties well as MPs, will make their invaluable contribution to achieve the ideals of the Constitution.

I call upon all MPs to seriously consider the development-oriented proposal of ‘one nation – one election together’.

Today is the need of the day to bring in a ‘one nation- one-to-one election’ system so that the country can grow faster and the country’s people benefit. With such a system, all political parties will be able to harness their energy more in the cause of development and welfare of the people in accordance with their ideology.

During the last few decades, the pace and continuity of development has been affected by frequent elections in one part of the country or the other. Our countrymen have demonstrated wisdom and wisdom by expressing their clear judgment on issues at the State and national level.

The ‘National War Memorial’ built by my Government near India Gate in Delhi is a humble tribute to the nation of martyrs. In memory of our police force personnel who were martyred in the security of the country, the Government has built the ‘National Police Memorial’.

All efforts are being made to take care of the soldiers and their families. Efforts are being made to improve the lives of ex-servicemen by increasing their pension through ‘One Rank One Pension’ and expanding their health facilities.

My Government, the Army and the Armed Forces are speeding up the modernisation work. India is going to get the first ‘Rafael’ fighter aircraft and an Apache helicopter in the near future.

Foreigners entering India illegally are a great threat to internal security. My Government has decided that the process of ‘National Register of Citizens’ will be implemented on a priority basis in areas facing infiltration problem.

India has demonstrated its intentions and capabilities by carrying out first surgical strikes and then air strikes on terrorist targets across the border, after Pulwama attack. In the future also, all possible steps will be taken to protect ourselves.

This year, events to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, being held around the world, will promote India’s ‘Thought Leadership’. Similarly, with the events of Guru Nanak Devji’s 550th birth anniversary, the light of India’s spiritual enlightenment will spread all over the world.

My Government is also conscious of protecting the interests of Indians settled abroad and working there. Today, if an Indian is in trouble abroad, he is confident of speedy help and relief. Many services from passports to visas are made easy and accessible.

Today, the whole world stands with India on the issue of terrorism. The UN-declared Masood Azhar responsible for major terror attacks in the country as an International terrorist is a great proof of this.

oday, India has a new identity all over the world and our relations with other countries have been further strengthened. It is heartening to note that India will host the G-20 Summit in 2022.

The successful test of ‘Mission Shakti’ has added a new dimension to India’s space technology capability and the country’s security preparedness.

Our scientists are preparing for the launch of Chandrayaan-2. It will be India’s first spacecraft to reach the moon. By 2022, India’s goal of sending the first Indian into space in its ‘Gagan-Yan’ is also progressing rapidly.

In 2014, the number of protected areas in the country was 692 which has now increased to 868. In view of the challenges associated with air pollution, the National Clean Air Programme has been launched in 102 cities of the country.

Solar energy plays an important role in reducing the impacts of climate change and global warming. India’s active efforts have created the International Solar Alliance. Through this organisation, India is making a significant contribution to the development of solar energy in developing countries of the world.

My government will further speed up the campaign to close down the dirty drains that fall into the river Ganga under the Namami Gange scheme. It will be the endeavour of the Government to make other rivers like Cauvery, Periyar, Narmada, Yamuna, Mahanadi and Godavari as the Ganga free from pollution.

This year, during the Ardh Kumbh in Prayagraj, the cleanliness of the Ganga and the facilities provided to the devotees are being discussed all over the world. My Government has enhanced the self-immolation of everyone who contributed to the successful holding of The Ardh Kumbh by honouring them.

The government is working extensively in the areas of highways as well as railways, airways and inland waterways. Under the ‘flight plan’, connecting small cities in the country with air traffic is progressing fast.

Under the Bharatmala Project, about 35 thousand km of National Highways are to be constructed or upgraded by 2022. Also, the ‘Sagarmala Project’ is laying a network of better roads in the coastal areas of the country and around ports.

My Government is constantly striving to provide world-class infrastructure and civic amenities, from villages in the country to cities for modern India.

So far, Rs 1 lakh 41 thousand crore has been saved from going into the wrong hands due to ‘Direct Benefit Transfer’. The names of about 8 crore wrong beneficiaries have been removed.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is one of the largest and most effective economic reforms in the country. After the implementation of this code, more than Rs 3.50 lakh crore has been settled directly and indirectly by banks and other financial institutions.

The ‘Fugitive and Economic Offenders Act’ is proving useful in controlling those who run away from economic crime.

The campaign against black money will be carried forward at a faster pace. In the last 2 years, 4 lakh 25 thousand directors have been disqualified and 3 lakh 50 thousand dubious companies have been registered.

With the introduction of GST, the idea of ‘one country, one tax, one market’ has come true. Efforts to further simplify GST will continue.

Emphasis is being laid on continuous reform of the tax regime as well as simplification. The decision to tax-free income of up to Rs 5 lakh is an important step in this direction.

India was ranked 142nd in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking in 2014. In the last five years, we have come up to 65 ranks and we have reached 77th position. Now our goal is to be in the list of the top 50 countries in the world.

Today, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Today, India has joined the list of countries with most start-ups.

Under the Prime Minister’s Mudra Yojana, about 19 crore loans have been given for self-employment. The scheme will now be expanded to 30 crore people. A loan plan of up to Rs 50 lakh will also be introduced without guarantee for entrepreneurs.

The Government has provided 10 percent reservation for the poorer sections of the youth. This will give them more opportunities in the field of appointment and education.

To ensure equal rights for every sister and daughter in the country, eradication of malpractices like ‘three divorces’ and ‘nikah-halala’ is necessary. I would request all members to extend their support to these efforts to make the lives of our sisters and daughters more dignified and improved.

Under the National Livelihood Mission, over Rs 2 lakh crore has been given to 3 crore women in rural areas so far.

Punishments for crimes against women are made more stringent and new penal provisions are being strictly enforced.

Empowerment of women is one of the highest priorities of my Government. The empowerment of women and their effective participation in society and economy is the test of a developed society.

The world’s largest health care scheme providing ‘health-safety – cover’ to 50 crore poor has been implemented.

My Government is also working to bring bank services to the doorsteps of the countrymen.

The development of 112 ‘aspiring districts’ of the country is being worked out on a large scale.

Today, India ranks second in the world in fish production. We have the capacity to get first place in our country. That is why the Government is committed to ‘Blue Revolution’. A separate department has been set up for the overall development of fisheries.

Several steps have been taken in the last five years to double the income of the country’s farmer by 2022.

Large-scale investment has been made to strengthen rural India. To increase the productivity of the agriculture sector, another Rs 25 lakh crore will be invested in the coming years.

We have to save water for our children and for generations to come. The formation of the new ‘Hydropower Ministry’ is a decisive step in this direction which will have far-reaching benefits. Through this new Ministry, water conservation and management arrangements will be made more effective.

The National Defence Fund has increased the amount of scholarships to children of brave jawans. This is the first time that the sons and daughters of state police personnel have been included in the event

For the first time, a government has focused on the economic security of younger shopkeepers. A separate ‘pension scheme’ for small shopkeepers and retail traders has been approved in the first cabinet meeting. The scheme will benefit about 3 crore small shopkeepers in the country.

Now, it has been decided to provide the ‘Prime Minister Farmer Samman Nidhi’, to every farmer in the country , extending the amount of honour to the farmer who is our donor .

The new India, gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s ideals, will move towards the form of India where people’s minds are fear-free, and their head is high with self-respect.

This vision of the new India is inspired by the good ideas of Shri Narayan Guru, the great poet of Kerala: “Caste-Discrimination Mat-Dim Edum Illadhes Sarverum Sodartven Vadunan Matheukasthan” That is, an ideal place where all people, free from caste and religion discrimination, live as brothers.

While meeting the basic needs of the countrymen, the Government is now moving towards building a strong, secure, prosperous and inclusive India in line with their aspirations. The Yatra is inspired by the spirit of ‘All Together, Everyone’s Development and Everyone’s Faith

From day one, my Government is committed to the goal of improving the lives of all the countrymen, removing their sufferings from misgovernance and providing all the necessary facilities to the last man of the society

The people of the country have given a very clear mandate in the elections. After evaluating the government’s first term, the countrymen have given even stronger support for the second time. By doing so, the countrymen have mandated the development journey since 2014 to be unimpeded and fast-moving.

Nearly half of the MPs have been elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time. The largest number of women MPs elected in the history of the Lok Sabha presents a picture of the new India.
I congratulate the entire team of the Election Commission for conducting the biggest election in the world. In the success of the election process, the contribution of employees of various departments of the administration and various institutions, and the security forces is highly commendable.
More than 61 crore voters of the country have cast their votes, set a new record and enhanced the credibility of India’s democracy in the world. All voters deserve congratulations for the success of this election.
In the year of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, after the election of the 17th Lok Sabha, I am happy to address the first Joint Session of Parliament. I convey my heartfelt congratulations to all the MPs elected to this Lok Sabha.
President Ram Nath Kovind begins his address of the joint session of both the Houses at the Parliament.