New Delhi, January 31:
Amid the plans by the Opposition to corner the government over farmer issues during the Budget session 2022, which began on Monday, President Ram Nath Kovind in his address to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, highlighted the Centre’s efforts to help the farmers.
In his speech, President Kovind covered a range of issues concerning India’s development journey in its 75 years of Independence, farmers’ issues, the country’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, free ration and housing for the poor, women-focused schemes, defence exports, PLI schemes, Afghanistan crisis among others.
President Kovind lauded the government’s effort to empower farmers in the country and said that the government stands by farmers and small farmers are the core of policies, adding that the Centre has taken several measures to increase their income.
“Our small-scale farmers have a significant role in the country’s development; my government has always prioritised 80 per cent small-scale farmers. As part of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, over 11 crore families of farmers have benefitted. The government has procured more than 433 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, which benefited more than 50 lakh farmers,” President Kovind said.
India is holding its Budget session in Parliament starting today and Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey 2021-22. She will table her fourth straight Union Budget on Tuesday with financial statements and tax proposals for fiscal year 2022-23.
President Kovind also remembered the personalities who contributed to the development journey of India in the 75 years of independence.
1. President lauds government’s pandemic response: In his address, President Kovind lauded the Modi government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that India’s capability in fighting against Covid-19 was evident in the vaccination program. “In less than a year, we made a record of administering over 150 crore doses of vaccine. Today, we are one of the leading nations of the world in terms of administering the maximum number of doses,” President Kovind said.
Adding that vaccines saved crores of lives from the virus, the president said,”Many lives were lost due to Covid. Even in such circumstances our Centre, states, doctors, nurses, scientists, our healthcare workers worked as a team…I am thankful to our health care and frontline workers.”
2. On Ayushman Bharat: President Kovind said that Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has helped the poor get quick access to healthcare. “Rs 64,000 crore PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission will prepare the country for a health crisis in future. Availability of medicines at low prices at Jan Aushadi Kendra was also a great move,” he said.
He further said that government is also looking at long-term solutions for health emergencies.
3. Government supporting pharma sector: President Kovind said that the government is fully supporting the pharma sector. Stating that the Centre has brought the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the pharma sector, he added that Ayurved and indigenous treatments are also benefiting from government schemes.
In his address, President Kovind also informed the Parliament that the World Health Organisation’s first traditional medicinal centre will come up in India. The WHO has announced that it will set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
4. India running world’s largest food distribution program: The government is ensuring housing rights for poor and is also working on schemes to ensure no one sleeps hungry. “To ensure that no one returns home hungry, my government distributes free rations to the poor every month as part of PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana. Today, India is running the world’s largest food distribution program; it has been extended till March 2022,” President Kovind said.
5. 28 lakh street vendors received over Rs 2,900 crores: “My government is also running PM Svanidhi Yojana to benefit the street vendors. So far, 28 lakh street vendors have received monetary support worth over Rs 2,900 crores. The government is now connecting these vendors with online companies,” President Kovind said.
6. Women empowerment one of the top priorities of Centre: Women are playing an essential role in empowering the nation, said the president in his address. “Women empowerment is one of the top priorities of my government. We are witnesses to the success of Ujjwala Yojana. Through Mudra Yojana, the entrepreneurship and skills of women have received a boost. With ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ many positive results have come to the fore,” President Kovind said.
President Kovind also lauded increasing the marriage age of women to 21, and removing triple talaq while talking about women empowerment. “Providing equal status to sons and daughters, my government has presented the Bill to increase the minimum age of 18 years for women to get married and, bring it to 21 years, just like that for men,” he said.
He added, “It is a matter of joy that all 33 Sainik Schools have now started giving admission to girls too. The government has also approved the entry of women cadets to the National Defence Academy (NDA). The first batch of women cadets will come to NDA in June 2022.”
7. President praises India’s performance in Tokyo Olympics, Paralympics: In his address, President Kovind commended India’s performance in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. “We saw the capability of India’s youth power in the Tokyo Olympics. Giving its best-ever performance, India won 7 medals. In the Tokyo Paralympics too, India won 19 medals and set a record,” he said.
“To strengthen India’s presence in the Olympics and sports activities, the central government – along with state governments – is establishing hundreds of Khelo India centers,” he added.
8. Local languages promoted as part of National Education Policy: Local languages are being promoted as part of National Education Policy while emphasis being laid on conducting important entrance examinations in Indian languages. “19 engineering colleges across 10 states teach in 6 Indian languages this year,” President Kovind said in his address.
9. Priority given to Make in India in defence contracts: President Kovind said that the government has given priority to Make in India in defence contracts. “Our aim is to ensure that goods required by our armed forces are manufactured in India. The government has taken important steps to convert ordnance factories into 7 Defence PSUs,” he said.
10. India one of fastest-growing economies in world: President Kovind also said that relentless efforts by the government have led to India emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. “Due to my government’s policies, today India is one of those countries where internet charges are very low. Even smartphone prices are less. The rise of the mobile manufacturing industry shows success of Make In India,” he added.
11. President commends operation Devi Shakti: President Kovind also commended operation Devi Shakti during the Afghanistan crisis. It was an operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Afghanistan after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.
12. Over 40 unicorns emerged during Covid crisis: While lauding India’s startup culture, President Kovind said that over 40 unicorns emerged in India during Covid crisis. “Since 2016, more than 60,000 start-ups set up in country in 56 different sectors leading to 6 lakh new jobs,” he added.
