Jan Dhan Yojana to Land Ordinance: Key takeaways from President Pranab's speech

Pranab Mukherjee in his customary address on the first day of the Budget session, highlighted various issues such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swacch Bharat campaign, health and the elimination of poverty that the country’s lawmaker need to focus on. Quoting Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the president said, “the greatest strength of India is her rich spiritual and civilizational heritage”. The core values of our civilization emphasize universal good - welfare of all human beings. The fundamental tenet of my government is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.” [caption id=“attachment_2116991” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pranab Mukherjee. PTI[/caption] While his speech may have echoed the Modi government’s agenda, many Opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Yadav dismissed the Cabinet approved speech saying it had nothing new. “There was nothing new. Whatever was said earlier by the Prime Minister, it was repeated in the Presidential speech. The speech was very long and people were feeling sleepy,” Yadav said after President Pranab Mukherjee’s customary address to the joint session of Parliament. Meanwhile Sonia Gandhi said the current government was only trying to revamp old UPA policies. She said, “There is nothing new. These are only revamping some of old UPA policies and presenting it.” Here are the key takeaways from President Pranab Mukherjee’s speech: 1. The Swachh Bharat Mission: It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project and the Centre has gone all out to make it a success. Even during his speech Mukherjee emphasised on the need for cleanliness in India. He said, “Swachh Bharat Mission has been launched to achieve a Clean and Open Defecation Free India by October, 2019. Government has rolled out ‘Swachh Vidyalaya’ programme and is committed to construct a toilet in every school before 15th August, 2015.” “My Government exhorts each and every individual to be an active participant in this mission. I appeal to all honourable Members of Parliament to spend at least fifty percent of their MPLADS funds on Swachh Bharat Mission,” Mukherjee added. 2. Interest of farmers: With the Land Acquisition Act being the key bone of contention between the Centre and the Opposition, and activist Anna Hazare returning to the limelight with a dharna in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the amendment, President Mukherjee assured the House that the government would ensure the best interest of farmers. He said, “My Government attaches paramount importance to safeguard the interest of farmers and families affected by land acquisition. While taking utmost care to protect the interest of farmers, including their compensation entitlements, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act has been suitably refined to minimize certain procedural difficulties in acquisition of land inevitably required for critical public projects of infrastructure and for creation of basic amenities like rural housing, schools and hospitals, particularly in remote areas.” 3. Violence against women: The government has been under tremendous pressure from the media and civil society to ensure women’s safety. Speaking on the critical issue, the President said, “Women have had a place of reverence in our society since time immemorial. My Government has taken several measures to empower and protect the dignity of women. To provide complete support to women affected by violence, One Stop Crisis Centres, one in every State, are being set up for provision of integrated services including medical aid, police assistance, temporary shelter, and legal and psycho-social counseling. Another initiative has been the launch of Himmat, a mobile based application, to ensure women’s safety in Delhi.” 4. Bringing back black money: Another issue the government is under pressure to act on is the recovery of black money from tax havens abroad. Mukherjee said, “My Government is committed to taking all possible measures to stop generation of black money, both domestically and internationally. These measures include putting in place robust legislative and administrative frameworks, systems and process with due focus on capacity building, integration of information through technology, and fast tracking prosecution.” 5. Conservation of Ganga: Cleaning and conservation of the River Ganga is another issue that seems to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart more so as he represents Varanasi. Speaking about the steps being taken by the government Mukherjee said, “My Government is committed to taking all possible measures to stop generation of black money, both domestically and internationally. These measures include putting in place robust legislative and administrative frameworks, systems and process with due focus on capacity building, integration of information through technology, and fast tracking prosecution.” 6. Jan Dhan Yojana: Speaking of financial inclusion through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana the President said, “I am happy to state that the coverage under the scheme is close to 100% with a record 13.2 crore new bank accounts being opened, 11.5 crore Rupay debit cards being issued and over ` 11,000 crore being deposited. This unprecedented target was achieved in less than six months, making it the largest such programme globally.” 7. Open Defecation Free India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already, in several of his speeches, highlighted the need for toilets across the country. Reiterating the need for toilets, especially in schools, Mukherjee said, “Swachh Bharat Mission has been launched to achieve a Clean and Open Defecation Free India by October, 2019. Government has rolled out ‘Swachh Vidyalaya’ programme and is committed to construct a toilet in every school before 15th August, 2015. Swachhata has a cascading impact on national development and the potential to generate wealth from waste. Sanitation and the idea of Swachhata require changing the mindset of the people. My Government exhorts each and every individual to be an active participant in this mission. I appeal to all honourable Members of Parliament to spend at least fifty percent of their MPLADS funds on Swachh Bharat Mission.” 8. Terrorism: “Terrorism and Left Wing Extremism pose a grave challenge to the internal security of our nation. My Government is firmly committed to deal with these challenges in cohesive collaboration with the affected people and Governments of the affected States in a holistic manner,” said the President on the steps being taken by the government to combat terrorism. 9. Space Technology: The President outlined India’s plan to make use of space technology saying, “On 24 September 2014, Mangalyaan was successfully placed in the Mars Orbit, making India the first country to do so in the first attempt. We successfully launched the first experimental flight of GSLV Mark-Ill on 19 December 2014, which will enable us to launch heavier satellites in the near future. My Government is committed to use space technology and its applications in governance, social and economic development and resource management. My Government has also decided to launch a satellite for the use of SAARC countries to foster greater partnership and development of South Asian Region.” 10. Urging MPs to behave in Parliament: Anyone who has watched the proceedings during Parliament session is aware of the disruption our MPs are capable of causing. Urging for a peaceful Budget session Mukherjee said, “I urge all Members of the Parliament to discharge their solemn responsibility in a spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation. By channelizing the patriotic energies of every citizen, we all collectively must work towards building a strong and modern India. Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat. Jai Hind.”