ADDRESS
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, TO PARLIAMENT
NEW DELHI, MARCH 25, 1998
Hon'ble
Members,
1. I
have great pleasure in addressing this first session of both Houses of
Parliament after the 12th General Election to the Lok Sabha. I extend
my warm felicitations to the members of the new Lok Sabha.
2. I
thank the Election Commission of India for conducting the General Election
with despatch and efficiency.
3. The
just concluded mid-term election reflected the firm conviction of our
people in democratic processes of change. Contrary to forecasts that the
turnout would be low, in fact, nearly 62 per cent of the electorate exercised
their franchise. The results are indicative of regional aspirations seeking
a place in the national perspective. My Government will ensure the fulfilment
of these aspirations even while looking after national interests.
4. Parliamentary
arithmetic alone cannot provide the key to good governance. That key lies
in the willingness of all to rise above notions of parliamentary majority
and minority and work in a spirit of cooperation, conciliation and consensus.
My Government, imbued with this spirit, will chart a new course in governance
that seeks to unify and not divide: dialogue, debate and discussion will
replace the narrow antagonisms of the past.
5. After
the mid-term election, the nation now looks forward to a Government that
will get down to business. This is precisely what the Government proposes
to do: The most immediate tasks include the passage of the Supplementary
Demands for 1997-98 and the Vote on Account for 1998-99. Thereafter, pending
matters, including legislative business, will be taken up in right earnest.
6. Starting
now, all our efforts will be directed at building a New India - an India
free from the triple-curse of insecurity, hunger and corruption; an India
free from illiteracy and disease; an India where more and more people
are gainfully employed; an India where every citizen, irrespective of
his caste, creed or faith, feels proud to be an Indian.
7. Secularism
is integral to India's traditions. My Government is unequivocally committed
to upholding our secular values.
8. My
Government's top priority will be to reach out to the underprivileged
and the unempowered. More than a third of our people live below the poverty
line. An even larger number does not have access to basic education and
health care facilities. This vast multitude must be facilitated to obtain
its meaningful share in national prosperity.
9. Government
proposes to accomplish this through the three-fold strategy of ensuring
food security to every household by better targeting of the Public Distribution
System, accelerating generation of employment opportunities in every sector
of the economy and providing shelter to the largest possible number.
10. One
of the weaknesses of socio-economic policies so far has been the less
than adequate attention to the social sector. The Government is pledged
to investing larger resources in social infrastructure. The commitment
to progressively step up spending on education to 6 per cent of GDP will
be fulfilled. Every effort shall be made to provide basic health facilities
to all. Simultaneously, potable drinking water shall be made available
in every village and habitat, within a specified time frame.
11. Our
population growth rate is a matter of grave concern. The Government will
soon formulate a National Population Policy which will aim at stabilising
the population growth through, among other things, incentives and disincentives.
12. In
a civil society, children are born to be happy. Unfortunately, large numbers
of children in our society are born only to toil in factories, workshops
and fields. My Government believes that children should be in schools.
Thank you
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