Guwahati: President Droupadi Murmu stated on Tuesday that India is in a better position than other nations because of the decisions made by the central government in the interest of the country, underscoring the importance of political stability in the growth of the nation.
Addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in Parliament today President Murmu said, “The benefit of a stable and decisive government is being reaped by us against the biggest crisis in 100 years and in tackling the situation that arose after it. Wherever there is political instability anywhere in the world, those countries are surrounded by a massive crisis. But due to the decisions my government took in the national interest, India is in a better position as compared to other countries.”
The President stated that “Garibi hatao” is no longer just a catchphrase and that the government is trying to empower the poor and find a long-term solution to their concerns.
“About 11 crore families have been connected with piped water supply in three years under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Poor families are getting the maximum benefit from this,” she said.
President Murmu enumerated the government’s accomplishments while claiming that it had worked for all facets of society equally.
“As a result of the efforts of my government in the last few years, many basic facilities have either reached 100 per cent population or are very close to that target,” she said.
“With complete transparency, more than Rs 27 lakh crores have been provided to crores of people. A World Bank report states that with such schemes and systems, India was able to save crores of people from dropping below the poverty line during COVID,” the President said.
President Murmu stated that the administration has taken measures to combat corruption, calling it the largest threat to social justice and democracy.
“My government is of the clear opinion that corruption is the biggest enemy of democracy and social justice. To seize the property of fugitive economic offenders, my government passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act,” she said.
“My government has awakened the aspirations of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Now that basic facilities are reaching them, these people are able to see new dreams,” the President added.
President Murmu’s first address to the budget session since taking office last year. The President arrived at Parliament earlier today in a ceremonial escort to address the joint assembly at the beginning of the Budget session.
Before the start of the budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our Finance Minister will present one more Budget before the country tomorrow. In today’s global circumstances, not only India but the entire world is looking at India’s budget. Amid the unstable global economic situation, India’s Budget will attempt to meet the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens. I firmly believe that Nirmala Sitharaman will make all efforts to meet those aspirations.”
A month-long break will be taken to review the budget papers during the 27 sittings of the Parliament’s budget session which began today and runs through April 6. On February 13, the session’s first segment will come to an end. The second round of the budget session will begin in parliament on March 12 and end on April 6.