New Delhi: Addressing the joint sitting of both houses at the beginning of the Budget session, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the Constitution "paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh." "The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution through two-thirds majority by both the Houses of Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," Kovind said.

"Fast-paced development of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh, protecting its culture and traditions, transparent and honest administration and boosting the democracy, is among the priorities of my government," he added. He earlier expressed happiness over the pace and amount of work done by the Parliament in the first session.