President Pranab Mukherjee lists how Modi's 'acche din' are here to come

New DelhiIf acche din aane wale hain or good days are to come was Prime Minister Narendra Modis votepulling election slogan President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday outlined how in his 55minute address to a joint session of parliament listing the new governments priorities in areas ranging from domestic issues to foreign policyPresident Pranab Mukherjee was addressing a joint session of the MPs of both houses File picThe president also reminded assembled lawmakers in the Central Hall of parliament that people must come first and serving them should be their top priority without any room for corruption in a transparent manner with minimum government maximum governanceListing poverty elimination and control of inflation as the two top immediate priorities of the new government the president also said the clear mandate given by the people was to see a vibrant and prosperous India that regains the admiration of the global communityBrimming with hope and expectation they want quick results he said adding We must rise to the occasion to fulfil these great expectations In 60 months from now we must be able to say with confidence and pride that we have done itThe presidents address a constitutional requirement was approved by the cabinet June 4 after incorporating the suggestions given by each ministry and department It will be followed by a debate a reply by the prime minister and then a vote on a motion thanking the president for his addressIn the speech on Monday the president not only made simple yet welcome promises on behalf of the new government like allweather houses for every family and basic amenities like water and electricity for all but also sought to list and address specific needs of virtually every constituency and issue from minorities youth and women to education industry and foreign policyTo the youth he said barriers between formal education and skill development will be done away with and announced a national multiskill mission To women he promised effective measures to curb violence against them and 33 percent reservation in all elected bodiesThe president also said Indians must not tolerate indignity of homes without toilets and public spaces littered with garbage In a bid to ensure better hygiene waste management and sanitation he announced a Swachh Bharat or a clean India mission as a tribute to Mahatma GandhiAt the same time he announced equal opportunities in areas like education livelihood and health to not just the socially deprived and weaker sections but minorities as wellGovernment will especially strengthen measures to spread modern and technical education among minority communities and a National Madrassa Modernization Programme will be initiated the president said adding care will also be provided to the speciallyabled people as part of governmentrsquos vision of a caring societyReacting somewhat to the developments in recent months that had led to perceived policy paralysis due to fear among bureaucrats to take decisions the president said while it will indeed set up a Lok Pal or ombudsman to curb corruption it will also make the environment conducive to workMy government is committed to providing a clean and efficient administration focussed on delivery he said adding My government will take steps to build the confidence and morale of our bureaucracy enabling it with the freedom to work and welcoming innovative ideasTo the investing community domestic and overseas the president assured that the ease of doing business in India will improve and tax laws made more predictable even as encouragement will be given to labourintensive manufacturing and overseas capital that creates jobsThe speech also had some specific measures to announce such as a sea network that then gets connected with the hinterland highspeed trains a new energy policy transparent allotment of natural resources 100 new modern cities interlinking rivers waterways converting employment exchanges into career centres and agrirail networksWith an audience that included the diplomatic corps in the visitors gallery of the Central Hall the president also said the new government will continue to maintain good relations with all countries adding that the invitation to the leaders of Indias neighbours for the inauguration event of Modi was a signal in that regardApart from improving ties with countries in the immediate neighbourhood the president specifically listed China Japan Russia US and those in Europe as nations with which India would like to partner strategically and in areas including trade and investment science and technology and energy and educationOn security he said a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism extremism riots and crime will be pursued the defence forces will be strengthened foreign equity norms on production of defencerelated equipment will be eased and a national maritime authority will be set upNewlyelected Lok Sabha members and those belonging to the Rajya Sabha Prime Minister Modi his cabinet colleagues former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders heard the 50minute speech with rapt attention interspersed by occasional thumping of desks