The Presidential address to the joint meeting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is focused to eliminate hunger and illiteracy. Modern tools of learning like e-library and extensive use of broadband are pre-requisites to education for the unreached and inaccessible. Less government and more governance ” is a good slogan but difficult to be implemented in a “babu” culture of palm greasing and late attendance. Right to government service, generating revenue and corporation offices with zero corruption, if done, then the nation will be more grateful to this government. Best of Luck. However, what worries me is internal security and external co-existence. The government must bring in an effective mechanism which can make economic as well as social turnaround, at least within competition of its term. We understand government doesn’t hold any magic wand to bring in turnaround within days, the economy which was on the verge of falling to junk status.
We need to congratulate the new government in the center for taking positive steps in the right direction. If there is a fiber optic connectivity to all the homes in this country, I am sure we can find the true roll out of e Governance. All the departments can run effectively with the roll out of the action plan and projects in time. Good governance can provide citizens specific timeline for the license or approval from the babus. We also need good infrastructure. We need good roadways, railways connectivity with power. The electorate transcended the boundaries of caste, creed, region and religion to come together and vote decisively. It is time to get rid of caste, creed, region, religion from our discourse. It should start from the top.
There are positive signals from the present government that it shares the concerns of the most deprived sections of the society. Every MP owes to the constituency that has sent him/her as its representative and must deliver for the constituency expectations. This discharge of constitutional obligation during the entire tenure must be done in a decent and dignified manner by effectively participating in the parliamentary proceedings. We should not see any shouting slogans, display of banners, tearing of papers inside the house or any other disorderly behaviour.
Adjournments due to unruly behaviour of members should be a thing of the past in both the houses. We wish this new government which has been sending the positive messages from day one. The main aim of the NDA government will be the eradication of poverty. Modi’s governance will be aimed at improving the quality of life in villages through empowered Panchayati Raj. The President assured the government will not settle only for poverty alleviation, but will work towards poverty elimination. Education will also be an integral part of the agenda of the new government. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will be set up in every state, and sports will be made an important part of the school curriculum. A national Madarssa modernisation programme will be launched. A central university of Himalayan studies will be established. A national e-library will also be launched. The Modi-led NDA government has promised zero tolerance for crimes against women, along with 33 per cent reservation for women in the Parliament. ‘Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao’ mass programmes will also be launched for them. One of the top priorities of the government would be to contain food inflation. It will also take definite steps to curb black marketing and hoarding. The government is aware of the possibility of a sub-normal monsoon in India this year, and contingency plans are being prepared. Putting the economy back on track is paramount for the new government, considering that it is currently going through an extremely difficult phase. With the retrospective taxation issue spooking investors, the Narendra Modi government committed to making the tax regime non-adversarial and investor friendly and promised to introduce the GST. New government will create a policy environment which is “predictable, transparent and fair”. It will embark on rationalisation and simplification of the tax regime to make it non-adversarial and conducive to investment, enterprise and growth.
The government will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development program, with new projects aimed at developing smaller areas. In the transport sector, revamping the railways is on top of the agenda, including the launch of a diamond quadrilateral project for high-speed trains. In the aviation industry, low cost airports will be developed to promote air connectivity to smaller towns. Though urban infrastructure is under stress, urbanisation of smaller areas will be an opportunity for the youth. A port-led development model will also be evolved. A broadband highway to every village is also on the cards. The government will encourage private investments in defence production, and also liberalise FDI in defence production. The armed forces will be modernised, including addressing the issue of manpower shortages and the importance of coastal security. A national maritime authority is slated to be set up, and the government will construct a national war memorial. It will also appoint a veteran’s commission to address their grievances. The government will pursue a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and religious extremism. Environmental issues are also a priority on the government’s agenda. Water conservation will be on top of the list. Each drop of water is precious. The government is committed to provide water security and will launch Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. The government’s Swachch Bharat Mission is also aimed at being part of the same agenda. Considering our national heritage, a National Mission on Himalayas is to be launched. Also, the cleaning and rejuvenation of the River Ganga is a top priority, to ensure perennial flow in the river.
Though, there is nothing new in President Modi Government’s priorities, it is Congress wine in BJP’s bottle, Pranab Mukharjee is a seasoned politician and very experienced leader too, he worked for wellbeing of India. He has given orders to execute many terrorists on fast track after he became President. Even Modi, many times praised Mr. Mukherjee and criticised Mr. Manmohan Singh. Our President called this government his government which imposes equal responsibility of governance with both the ruling and opposition parties. Any cogs in the wheel of good corruption free and people oriented governance must be seen as unpatriotic elements. President used an excellent write-up for the address. A uniting approach is advocated after a long spell of a dividing one. Let’s hope that the words and deeds match. When implemented, after 60 months, we will definitely have a livable India with no discriminatory practices and no empty promises.
