ADDRESS BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT
OF INDIA, TO PARLIAMENT
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY
22, 1999
Honourable
Members,
1. It
gives me great pleasure to address this first session of both Houses of
Parliament in 1999. An important session is ahead of you. I wish you the
very best for the successful completion of the budgetary and the legislative
tasks before Parliament.
2. As
we approach a new century and a new millennium, our hopes, aspirations,
and expectations for the coming era should be matched by sound and determined
efforts now. The people have bestowed on this Parliament a unique opportunity
to make the transition from this century to the next. With pride in India's
many achievements since Independence, we should together accomplish the
unfulfilled tasks and face the challenges of the future with self-confidence
and determination. Parliament, as the country's apex elected body and
beacon of the world's largest democracy, has the greatest responsibility
to channel the national energies toward these efforts. As the Golden Jubilee
of our Republic draws near, I am confident that the Honourable Members
would discharge this responsibility with a unity of vision and direction.
3. I
am happy to note that the National Agenda for Governance, which is the
common policy covenant of the coalition Government, is being implemented
faithfully. In the past eleven months, my Government has acted decisively
on many fronts to promote people's welfare, accelerate economic development,
strengthen internal and external security, and develop deeper bonds of
friendship and cooperation with India's neighbours and other countries.
Taken together, these initiatives have instilled a new sense of self-confidence
among Indians, increasing our ability to effectively face the challenges
of the present and the future.
4. A
historic initiative of the Government has been the successful nuclear
tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13 last year making India a nuclear weapons
state. The Government took this step after a careful appraisal of our
national security needs. India's nuclear doctrine is based on minimum
deterrence and it is firmly opposed to an arms race in the region. India
has declared that she will never use her nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear
nation and will never resort to a first strike against any nuclear weapons
nation. We shall redouble our efforts to champion a cause that has always
been sacred to us - namely, securing world peace through speedy, universal,
and comprehensive dismantling of all weapons of mass destruction. Continuing
the national consensus on foreign policy matters, the Government has been
working vigorously for global nuclear disarmament on a comprehensive and
non-discriminatory basis.
5. Some
countries have imposed technology restrictions on us. The nation is meeting
this unwarranted action with determination and I am confident that we
shall emerge stronger and more self-reliant. I would like to felicitate
the Armed Forces, our nuclear scientists, the Defence Research and Development
Organization and the Defence Production units for their concerted efforts
in developing indigenous capabilities to meet the requirements of advanced
technologies and equipment for our defence and developmental needs.
6. The
nation expresses its gratitude to the brave jawans and officers of the
Armed Forces and other paramilitary forces who have laid down their lives
in fighting the proxy war unleashed by terrorists. The country recognizes
the sacrifices of those posted in places like Siachen and other remote
border areas in the service of the nation. The role of the defence forces
in aiding the civilian authorities in handling exigencies like the cyclone
in Kutch and in relief and rescue operations for victims of natural calamities
has been exemplary.
7. The
Government has set up the National Security Council. This will go a long
way in providing a holistic and in-depth analysis of military, economic,
and political threats to India and help in evolving an integrated approach
to decisions impinging on national security.
8. The
Government is firmly committed to uphold secularism, which has deep roots
in our society and polity. The recent incidents in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
and Orissa have caused us anguish and concern. However, these have to
be seen as an aberration, which do not reflect the national ethos. The
Government is fully committed to the protection of minorities. State Governments
have been advised to quickly apprehend culprits in all such cases. The
Government's record in maintaining peace and communal harmony is shown
by the fact that 1998 had the fewest deaths due to communal violence in
the last ten years.
9. Ensuring
internal security is the primary duty of any Government. I note with considerable
satisfaction that terrorism and subversive activities in various parts
of the country are being effectively contained. Owing to the sustained
pressure, vigil, and concerted actions of the security forces and the
State Administration and active cooperation of the people, there has been
a conspicuous turnaround in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir
during 1998. This is reflected, among other things, in the recovery of
tourist traffic, which had virtually dried up in the preceding decade.
The Government will continue its efforts to strengthen peace in the State
and revive the normal economic, social, cultural and educational activity.
It is committed to ensure the early return of the many Kashmiris to their
homes and hearths, in the wake of the restoration of normalcy.
10. In
the North-East, public security is being constantly improved and upgraded.
The modernization of State police forces emphasizing the supply of vehicles,
equipment, arms, and ammunition, has been taken up to improve the law
and order situation. This is being accompanied by increased assistance
for economic development. The Government of India is considering repeal
of the Illegal Migrant (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983. The decision
to hold the National Games in Imphal is an indication of the many possibilities
that exist for accelerating the process of emotional integration and bringing
the people of the North-East into the national mainstream.
11. Non-Resident
Indians are a part of the great global Indian family. Their emotional,
cultural, social and economic links with India are a source of great strength
to us. The Government has approved the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
Card Scheme. This will permit visa-free entry and offer other facilities
to persons of Indian origin who are citizens of other countries.
12. The
National Agenda for Governance calls for an accelerated and well-balanced
economic development as a precondition for fulfilling the goal of Berozgari
Hatao (eradication of unemployment). The Government has set the target
of an annual GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent. The Indian economy, however,
has had to face a very adverse situation owing to the general slowdown
in the global economy, as illustrated by the sharp decline in global trade
and market crises in many countries around the world, including those
in South-East Asia. This led to a fall in capital flows to emerging markets.
Many inherited bottlenecks in the domestic economy compounded these external
challenges.
13. In
spite of these external and internal odds, the economy has fared reasonably
well and our GDP growth rate should be one of the highest among the developing
countries. Despite considerable volatility in the currency markets elsewhere,
the Indian rupee has remained stable within a manageable exchange range.
Our foreign currency reserves have grown to US $ 27.9 billion as on February
17, 1999. The excellent response to the Resurgent India Bonds, which mobilized
US $ 4.2 billion, is a clear manifestation of the Non-Resident Indians'
continuing commitment to India.
14. Presently,
the finances of both the Central and the State Governments are under severe
strain. The aggregate general Government deficit has increased in recent
years. Besides having inflationary potential, this is causing severe consequences
for interest rates, investment and growth. It is, therefore, critically
important for both Central and State Governments to restore health to
their finances by reducing the revenue and fiscal deficits. This calls
for tight control over wasteful and low-priority expenditure and determined
efforts to mobilize resources, including appropriate cost recovery policies.
15. The
Government has acceded to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This will improve industrial
climate by increasing information flow, provide better protection for
Indian inventors, and encourage technological development. The Insurance
Regulatory Authority Bill, 1998 is similarly intended to strengthen the
insurance sector and enable it to seize the opportunities that globalization
offers.
16. Our
Space programme continues to grow from strength to strength. The IRS-P4
Satellite for remote sensing is being launched this year along with the
INSAT-2E. The next launch of the PSLV will also carry the Korean KITSAT
and the German TUBSAT satellites. This will be another milestone in the
development of our Space programme. Success in this area holds great promise
for better telecommunications and broadcasting services, as well as for
distance learning, mapping of land and water resources, and crop forecasting.
17. Agriculture
is the mainstay of our economy and the lifeline of a majority of our population.
I extend my hearty felicitations to our hardworking kisans who, in spite
of many odds, have continued to increase farm production and feed the
nation. I am happy to inform the members that the expected milk production
of 720 lakh tonnes in 1998-99 will make India the world's largest milk
producer. Increased growth in production of foodgrains, pulses, and other
crops will play an important role in the revival of the economy. It is
a matter of pride that India now ranks among the top three countries in
wheat production.
18. The
Government is formulating a new National Policy on Agriculture to strengthen
our agriculture and agro-based industries. The policy seeks to boost irrigation,
especially through small and medium projects, increase the viability of
small and marginal farmers, and enhance farm productivity through better
management of natural resources and introduction of technological and
institutional changes. The focus will specifically be on raising food
production in the country's vast rain-fed areas and in the Eastern and
North-Eastern regions. Efforts will be made to expand and revitalize agricultural
cooperatives and other rural credit institutions, to enable them to seize
the opportunities of economic liberalization. The policy also aims at
maximizing production in horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants,
and afforestation, especially to increase our exports in these areas.
19. Management
of prices of agricultural commodities is a critical need, since it concerns
both farmers and consumers. One of the major impediments in this area
has been the lack of accurate and timely information. A National Crop
Forecasting Centre has been set up to provide advance warning of critical
commodities about their supplies and prices. A special cell has been created
in the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs to closely monitor prices
of essential commodities. The cell is servicing a high-powered Price Monitoring
Board, which is meeting every week to review the price situation. A Bill
to amend the Essential Commodities Act to check hoarding and black-marketing
more effectively is being introduced in this session of Parliament.
20. Optimal
usage of water is critical to our economic progress. Improper use of water,
besides causing economic loss, can lead to degradation of lands and the
environment, and cause increased social tension. A National Commission
is currently preparing an integrated plan for the development of water
resources for multiple use. Its report, which is expected this year, will
recommend short-term and long-term measures to achieve integrated and
efficient management of the nation's diverse water resources. The progress
in developing a consensus in respect of the long-running Cauvery water
dispute last year was a triumph of the co-operative and national spirit.
The importance of this breakthrough lies in the possibility of following
a similar approach to help resolve other long-standing inter-State river
disputes that are holding up many big development projects.
21. The
Government accords high priority to the rapid development of infrastructure,
which is the key to accelerated growth in all sectors of the economy.
The Task Force on Infrastructure, set up under the aegis of the Planning
Commission, has finalized the blueprint for the construction of a six-lane
National Integrated Highway Project with an East-West corridor linking
Silchar to Saurashtra and a North-South corridor linking Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
It incorporates and further extends the earlier Golden Quadrangle project
linking the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Calcutta. Expressways
of international standards will be built at suitable stretches. Work has
already begun on this most ambitious infrastructure project since Independence.
Sufficient resources will be mobilized for implementing it from multiple
points in the country. Private sector participation is being enabled through
build-own-transfer schemes.
22. The
Task Force on Infrastructure has prepared a draft of the National Integrated
Transport Policy that seeks to maximize the synergy between railways,
roads, ports, airports, and inland waterways. Based on the recommendations
of the Task Force, the Government has decided to undertake a major exercise
to modernize and expand the airports in the country. As a first step,
five airports - Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, and Bangalore - will
be corporatized.
23. Information
Technology presents the greatest single developmental opportunity for
India in the 21st century. The entire edifice of tomorrow's knowledge-based
economy and society will rest on its foundation. India's natural advantage
in establishing global dominance in IT is today widely recognized. This
recognition is based on the shining success already achieved by our IT
professionals and entrepreneurs both in India and Indians working abroad.
24. Consequent
to the recommendations of the Task Force on Information Technology, the
Government has taken a number of decisions to give a big boost to software
development with the goal of achieving exports of US $ 50 billion by 2008.
An Action Plan to make India a major centre for hardware design, manufacture,
and exports is also on the anvil. For the first time, an Internet Service
Provider policy has been announced to accelerate the spread of Internet
services in the country. In addition, the Government plans to unveil major
initiatives to promote computer training and IT-based education; creation
of Indian content on the Internet, especially in Indian languages; universal
use of IT in administration, banking, the commercial sector, and in utilities;
and IT for rural development through "Wired Villages" projects in many
states.
25. The
Government recognizes the crucial role that telecommunications will play
in making India's dreams in information technology come true. Accordingly,
it has set up a Group on Telecommunications that is finalizing a New Telecom
Policy. The policy will, inter alia, take into account the revolutionary
phenomenon of the convergence of computers, telecom, television, multimedia,
and consumer electronics. It will aim at vastly increasing teledensity
in India, especially in rural areas; bringing high-speed connectivity
to critical sectors of the economy; and ensuring affordable telecom services.
These objectives will be achieved in a better competitive environment
by creating a stronger regulatory framework.
26. Major
advances are being made in the power sector due to a proactive approach
of the Government to remove the bottlenecks in clearing a large number
of pending power projects. Very soon, many independent power projects
will attain financial closure, leading to their expeditious construction.
The Government recently held a conference of Chief Ministers and Power
Ministers of States specifically to discuss faster progress in this critical
infrastructure sector. I am happy to note that, more and more State Governments
are setting up Regulatory Commissions, restructuring their electricity
boards to cut down transmission and distribution losses; and facilitating
the inflow of expected investments. There has to be a national consensus
that electricity generation, transmission, and distribution being commercial
activities, user charges should be recovered fully. If there is any conscious
decision to charge less, subsidies have to be provided for by the concerned
State Government in a transparent manner.
27. India
is committed to the peaceful use of nuclear power. The work on the Kaiga
Atomic Power Unit 2 and the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Unit 3 continued;
these units are expected to become critical this year. The Kalpakkam Reprocessing
Plant - the third, and the largest reprocessing plant built by us - was
dedicated to the nation in September 1998.
28. The
Government has continued its commitment to the promotion of non-conventional
energy. India now ranks fourth in the world in its use. Besides, as India
is the largest producer of cane sugar, we are implementing the world's
largest bagasse-based co-generation programme in our sugar mills.
29. A
home of their own is the dream of every Indian family. In pursuance of
this, the Government has formulated a new Housing and Habitat Policy 1998
that will facilitate the building of an additional twenty lakh houses
a year. This will also create employment opportunities for skilled and
unskilled on a large scale, besides giving a boost to our steel, cement,
and construction material industries. After wide consultations with the
interests involved, major roadblocks in the path of the housing industry
have been removed and others are on their way to removal.
30. The
Government has decided to create a Technological Upgradation Fund for
strengthening the competitive advantage of the Indian textile industry.
The scheme will commence from April 1, 1999. Separately, the Ministry
of Agriculture would soon launch a Cotton Technology Mission.
31. Small-scale,
cottage, and village industries, as well as the handloom and handicrafts
sectors, generate a lot of employment. To help the small-scale sector,
the Interest on Delayed Payment to Small Scale and Ancillary Industrial
Undertakings Act, 1993, has been amended. The Prime Minister's Rozgar
Yojana has also been revised to give the programme an added impetus.
32. The
National Agenda for Governance committed to free industry from bureaucratic
control. The Government has delicensed industries like coal, lignite,
petroleum products, sugar, and certain bulk drugs. It has also decided
to liberalize technology imports by allowing automatic clearance for projects
appraised by financial institutions, public-sector projects, and projects
of private companies that have a good track record.
33. The
Government is also reforming public-sector undertakings through restructuring,
rehabilitation, disinvestment, and strategic sale. A separate Cabinet
Committee will oversee and expedite decisions on disinvestment and restructuring
plans.
34. The
Second National Commission on Labour has been set up after three decades
to suggest rationalization of existing labour laws in the organized sector
and an umbrella legislation for ensuring minimum protection to the workers
in the unorganized sector. The Commission will consider the emerging economic
environment involving rapid technological changes that necessitate quick
changes in methods, timing, and conditions of work. It will recommend
changes in existing laws to bring them in tune with the future labour
market requirements. It will also recommend improvements in the effectiveness
of the measures relating to social security, occupational health and safety,
minimum wages, and linkage between wages and productivity. It will suggest
safeguards and facilities required for women and handicapped workers.
35. Ensuring
the well-being of all our citizens is the first duty of any Government.
Investment in literacy, education, particularly primary education, health,
sanitation, and drinking water is a major priority for the Government,
as these determine the quality of life of our citizens and improve India's
standing in the Human Development Index. In the last Budget, the Government
considerably increased the allocation for the Social Sector. This commitment
will continue. In addition, the Government will take further measures
to strengthen the social safety nets for the poorest sections of our society.
36. Pulse
polio immunization is one of the greatest health-care success stories
in recent years. Encouraged by the tremendous experience gained in this
campaign, the country should now aim to achieve zero incidence of polio
by the end of 2000, as per the goal set by the World Health Organization.
NGOs are being involved in creating awareness about public health. To
promote Indian systems of medicine, the Department of Family Welfare has
incorporated Ayurveda in the Reproductive Child Health Programme.
37. The
nation faces a particularly grave health challenge - namely, the rapid
spread of AIDS. The Government has drawn up a draft National AIDS Policy
and National Blood Policy. This will check the proliferation of this dreaded
disease; improve services for the care of the people living with AIDS
both in hospitals and at homes; and provide an enabling socio-economic
environment so that all sections of population can protect themselves
from HIV infection. Drug addiction has been an important factor in the
spread of HIV. The Government is also committed to pursue the programmes
for drug de-addiction and rehabilitation of persons who have been drug
addicts.
38. The
Ministry of Welfare was renamed as the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's birthday last year. To promote
self-employment among scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and backward
classes, the Government has more than tripled the authorized capital of
the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development
Corporation and the National Backward Classes Finance and Development
Corporation. More steps will be taken for their speedy economic development.
39. The
Government has launched the Rural Women's Development and Empowerment
Project in six states. A National Policy for Empowerment of Women is being
finalized. A new initiative in child development would be the setting
up of a National Commission for Children.
40. The
Government has evolved a National Policy for Older Persons to address
the emerging aspirations of the many older people in healthcare, shelter,
welfare, life, property, and financial security.
41. The
Rehabilitation Council of India has been reorganized to standardize and
expand the training of rehabilitation professionals working with disability.
A specially designed Prime Minister's Programme for the Mentally Challenged
has been launched, covering fifteen thousand children. More will be covered
later. A National Trust for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral
palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disability will be established
soon after the Bill, being introduced in the Parliament in the current
session, is passed.
42. Development
of the social sector, however, is not dependent on increased financial
resources alone. Investment of better and more committed administrative
and managerial resources is equally critical. There is a great need to
sensitize the Government machinery at both the Central and State levels.
I must emphasize here that no tangible progress will be made unless the
officers and employees concerned adopt a participative approach to involve
the people in the implementation of these schemes.
43. The
sustained investment in higher education and other facilities is beginning
to pay off. Many young Indians are doing exceedingly well in India and
abroad. As India's economy grows, more opportunities will be available
for our youth to show their mettle. In sports too, the momentum is picking
up. The medal tally at the Asian Games last year, including the gold medal
in hockey, is the highest since 1982. There is immense sports talent in
our society of nearly 100 crore people. We must intensify our efforts
to discover and promote this talent to improve India's standing in international
sports.
44. The
Government has set up a Commission to review Administrative Laws. The
Commission has presented its report, which is under consideration. The
Government is also planning to bring forward a Freedom of Information
Bill.
45. Both
Houses of Parliament have frequently discussed electoral reforms. To impart
much-needed momentum to them, the Government constituted a committee headed
by Shri Indrajit Gupta, a senior and respected Member of Parliament, to
suggest measures on State Funding of Elections and other connected matters.
This committee submitted its report on January 14, 1999. It suggested
partial funding of elections in kind by the Government to the candidates
of recognized political parties. The Government will finalize its recommendations
in consultation with all the parties.
46. Strengthening
the Panchayat Raj system is at the heart of the challenge to revitalize
the Indian democracy. India lives in her villages. The quality of governance
has, therefore, to be judged by the quality of the Government-Citizen
interface at the grassroots. Many schemes have been formulated to improve
the functioning of these Panchayats, especially by educating its member
to work better. I must note here that both the need and the scope for
improvement in this area are immense.
47. The
Ministry of Rural Affairs and Employment, in consultation with the State
Governments is restructuring many of the schemes for the betterment of
the lives of the rural poor. This restructuring must give Panchayats and
Municipalities a greater role in the sanction and disbursement of benefits
to avoid procedural delays.
48. Honourable
Members, continuity and consensus are the hallmark of India's foreign
policy. Our relationship with our neighbours was considerably strengthened
this year. The visits by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Delhi in
June 1998 and Calcutta in January 1999 contributed in better understanding
with our eastern neighbor. My visit to Nepal in May 1998 and the visit
of the King of Nepal to India, as our special guest for this year's Republic
Day celebrations, consolidated the deep-rooted friendship and underlined
the goodwill and warmth that characterize our ties with Nepal. The Transit
Treaty with Nepal was also renewed. The King of Bhutan's visit to India
in October 1998 provided new impetus to the close friendship and cooperation
that India and Bhutan have traditionally enjoyed. Likewise, we were glad
to receive a visit by the President of Maldives, with which country we
have very close ties.
48a.
The Prime Minister visited Pakistan on February 20-21, 1999 on the inaugural
run of the Delhi-Lahore Bus Service. During his visit the Prime Minister
conveyed to the Government and people of Pakistan India's deep desire
for peace and friendship with them and to develop a comprehensive structure
of cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. The Prime Minister
and the Pakistan Prime Minister signed the Lahore Declaration which is
a landmark for the peace and security of the two countries.
India
and Pakistan will now work to enter into agreements to put in place far-reaching
Confidence Building Measures. The two countries also identified new and
significant areas of cooperation such as Information Technology and decided
to address humanitarian issues at a ministerial level on an urgent basis.
It is our hope that the Prime Minister's historic initiative for the welfare
of the peoples of the two countries and his re-iteration that a secure,
stable and prosperous Pakistan is in India's interest will mark a new
chapter in our bilateral ties.
49. India
seeks to strengthen and deepen our historic and friendly relations with
China in all spheres of mutual benefit and is looking forward to continuing
the dialogue with that country.
50. In
keeping with our policy of strengthening regional cooperation, the Prime
Minister announced some bold initiatives at the SAARC Summit in Colombo
in July 1998 to speed up trade liberalization in the region by lifting
the Quantitative Restrictions for SAARC countries on August 1, 1998. This
demonstrates our commitment to the creation of a South Asian Free Trade
Area. During the visit of Sri Lanka's President in December 1998, a historic
free-trade agreement was signed between the two countries. This will allow
closer economic cooperation and can be a model for other SAARC countries.
51. The
Prime Minister participated in the 12th NAM Summit in Durban highlighting
the relevance and importance of non-alignment in international relations.
The outcome of the Summit, vindicated India's stand on disarmament. It
endorsed our proposal for an International Conference, preferably in 1999,
to agree, before the end of the millenium, on a phased programme for the
complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified time.
52. The
Government considers the countries of West and Central Asia important
partners. In keeping with the priority we attach to this region, the first
bilateral visit abroad of Prime Minister was to Oman, with whom we are
building close economic linkages. My visit to Turkey in September 1998
helped renew the long-standing ties between our two nations. The visit
of the President of Tajikistan in January 1999 to India was a useful opportunity
to renew our links and share perceptions on regional development in Central
Asia.
53. Our
ties with East and South-East Asian countries and with ASEAN as an entity
are developing satisfactorily. The Prime Minister of Republic of Korea
visited India for the inauguration of the IETF '99. This is another concrete
step in strengthening our economic relations with East and South-East
Asia. And we were happy to receive a visit from the Crown Prince of Thailand.
54. During
the visit to India of the Prime Minister of Russia in December 1998, both
sides reaffirmed their close partnership as well as their determination
to improve our ties by covering many more areas. Our ties with Bulgaria
receiving a further impetus through the visit to India by its President
in October 1998. It gave us great pleasure to receive a visit by the Governor
General of Canada in March 1998. The first ever Presidential visit from
Estonia in February 1999 laid the foundation for a relationship full of
promise.
55. I
visited Germany, Luxembourg, and Portugal in September 1998 and had very
useful discussions with the leadership of these countries. In September
1998, Prime Minister Vajpayee visited France, with whom our relations
now are one of shared perceptions, deep understanding, and full of promise.
The visits by the President of Switzerland, the Crown Prince of Belgium,
and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg in January 1999 helped bring these
important European nations closer to India.
56. The
enduring foundation of India's relationship with Africa was strengthened
by Prime Minister's visits to Namibia, South Africa, and Mauritius in
August-September 1998 and to Morocco in February 1999. The Prime Minister
of Mauritius visited India in October 1998.
57. We
are now strengthening our relationship with Latin American and Caribbean
countries. My own visit to Brazil and Peru in April-May 1998 and Prime
Minister's visit to Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica in February 1999,
reflect the growing importance that my Government attaches to reaching
out to the Latin American countries.
58. The
need for strengthened international cooperation through a revitalized
United Nations cannot be over-emphasized. India has been working with
other Member States for the reform of the United Nations to make the organization
more effective and responsive to the requirements of the Member States.
59. President's
Rule was imposed recently in Goa and Bihar under Article 356 of the Constitution.
Goa was suffering from prolonged political instability, leading to paralysis
of administration in the State. There was a near-unanimous recommendation
from the MLAs for dissolution of the State Assembly to enable early elections.
Bihar has witnessed a series of massacres of innocent people in recent
times, many of them targeted at Dalits. These mass killings have brought
immense pain and anguish to all of us. The first duty of any government
is to protect the life and property of citizens, especially those who
are poor and socially oppressed. In both cases, situations had arisen
in which the government of these States could not be carried on in accordance
with the provisions of the Constitution. The Goa State Assembly has been
dissolved, and the Bihar State Assembly has been kept under suspended
animation.
60. Honourable
Members, you have the rare privilege of contributing to the success of
all these diverse initiatives and efforts aimed at strengthening India
in all areas of our national life. I am confident that you will use the
ensuing session of Parliament, as also the other sessions in the year,
for constructive debate, leading to successful conclusion of all the scheduled
business. I wish you well in your endeavour.
Thank you
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