Highlights Of President Pranab Mukherjee's Address To Parliament

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee addressed both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget session today.

Below are the highlights of his speech:

• I am confident that your deliberations will live up to the task reposed in us by our fellow citizens
• Going forth, we will all be partners in progress and development of our great country
• Our development philosophy is captured in 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' - the fundamental tenet which guides my government
• My government in particular is focused on 'Garibon Ki Unnati', 'Kisano Ki Samridhi' and 'Yuvaon Ka Rozgar'
• My Government has launched 3 new social security and pension schemes
• Government is committed to provide housing for all
• Overriding goal of my government is poverty eradication. Gandhi Ji had said "Poverty is the worst kind of violence"
• Well-being of farmers is vital to the nation's prosperity
• Government is committed to the philosophy of 'per drop, more crop'
• Highest urea production was achieved in 2015
• Government realises the role of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries sectors
• Rural development is one of our top priorities
• Jan Dhan yojna has gone beyond mere opening of bank accounts to becoming a platform of poverty eradication by offering basic financial services and security to the poor
• Direct Benefit Transfer has so far been extended to 42 schemes funded by my government
• Pahal has become the largest cash transfer programme of its kind in the world with nearly 15 crore beneficiaries
• 26th November- the day on which the Constitution was adopted - is now celebrated as Constitution Day to deepen constitutional values amongst citizens of the country
• 20,000 madrasa children are undergoing skill training under 'Nayi-Manzil' scheme in the country
• The government has recently launched farmer friendly PM 'Fasal Bima Yojana'
• Indian continues to be highest milk producing country with a growth rate of 6.3%
• Youth are the future of the country and ensuring employment for them is our top goal
• We are driving job creation through an integrated step of initiatives - Make In India, Startup India, Mudra, Skill India etc
• States governments are being encouraged and supported to simplify processes and invest in infrastructure to improve investment climate
• Government's aim is to create a Shikshit, Swasth and Swachh Bharat (educated, healthy and clean India
• Government committed to mutually respectful ties with Pakistan, in creating environment of cooperation, combating cross-border terror
• Government firmly believes economic development and environmental protection can co-exist
• Happy to inform that we successfully eliminated Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus well before global targeted timeline of December 2015
• We have strong focus on holistic healthcare, strengthening Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy
• My Government has launched the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
• During the last year, 342 camps were conducted, aids and assistive devices distributed to over 1.7 lakh persons with disabilities
• My government firmly believes economic development and environmental protection can co-exist
• As part of the Namami Gange Programme, my government is implementing several projects in 118 cities
• The government has been unsparing in punishing those who are found guilty of corruption
• The government has envisaged increasing the renewable energy capacity manifold to 175 GW by 2022
• Today under my Government, solar power is affordable and accessible to thousands of people
• In the year 2015, India witnessed the highest ever generation of electricity
• The government introduced dynamic and comprehensive reforms in Coal sector and conducted transparent auction/allocation of over 70 coal blocks
• Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 was amended and auction of mines has commenced
• My Government has initiated several ambitious measures for improving sanitation standards at railway stations and trains
• Highest ever increase in rail capital expenditure was achieved in 2015
• The Government is also working on a new civil aviation policy with thrust on connectivity to small cities
• Domestic air passenger traffic has registered a substantial growth during the year
• Setting up world-class infrastructure for electronics manufacturing across the country remains a priority for my Government
• The country recorded the highest ever software exports during 2015
• Varanasi and Jaipur have been declared as the first two Indian cities to be part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network
• GDP growth has increased making India the world's fastest growing economy among large economies
• Inflation, fiscal deficit and current account deficit have decreased. India recorded highest ever foreign exchange reserves in 2015
• Government's concerted efforts to tackle menace of black money have started yielding results
• The government launched Gold Monetization Scheme and Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme in Nov 2015 to ensure productive utilization of idle assets
• Defence procurement procedure has been streamlined with a focus on indigenously designed, developed & manufactured weapon systems
• Working to ensure that our Armed Forces will be equipped with the most capable and sophisticated armaments in the world
• My Government has continued to pursue a bold and proactive foreign policy
  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one family. My Government is committed to this principle
• We reached out to the world, both on land and sea
• Government played a proactive role in addressing climate change by launching International Solar Alliance
• My Government is focused on Sabka Vikas, beyond just the economic advancements that dominate headlines
• We must ensure that the poor and deprived are truly empowered to take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives
• Sabka Vikas means that backward sections of society are equally valued and are genuine stakeholders in the country's progress
• Parliament reflects the supreme will of people. Democratic temper calls for debate and discussion and not disruption or obstruction
• Government will constantly strive for smooth and constructive conduct of Parliamentary business