ADDRESS BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN,
PRESIDENT OF INDIA, TO PARLIAMENT
NEW DELHI, MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1999
Honourable
Members,
1.
I am pleased to address this first session of both Houses of Parliament
after the elections to the 13th Lok Sabha. I extend a warm welcome to
all of you, including the newly elected members.
2.
The just-concluded parliamentary election was the last of this century.
It has given us the first Lok Sabha of the next century. As behoves a
great nation with a history of many millennia, it is natural for India,
at this historical juncture, to look at her past with pride and her future
with hope and confidence. We must also look at our many missed opportunities
that have prevented Free India from becoming a land of all-round progress
and prosperity. Let us pledge today to use our collective strength, determination,
and a sense of national purpose to meet the great future that beckons
our country.
3.
The coming year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Indian
Republic. The adoption of our great Constitution, authored by Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar and other distinguished members of the Constituent Assembly,
was a proud event in the history of this ancient nation reborn as a Free
and Modern Republic. The majestic words of the Preamble, beginning with
"We the People of India..." and carrying the epochal message of unity,
sovereignty, democracy, and equality, still reverberate in our ears. They
motivate us to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of our glorious Freedom
Struggle and the enlightened Constitution that it gave birth to.
4.
They inspire us to work for the realisation of the ideal that Mahatma
Gandhi set before the Constitution much before India became free. As far
back as 1931, Gandhiji wrote: "I shall strive for a Constitution, which
will release India from all thraldom and patronage. I shall work for an
India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose
making they have an effective voice; an India in which there shall be
no high class and low class of people; an India in which all communities
shall live in perfect harmony... This is the India of my dreams. I shall
be satisfied with nothing less." Can we be satisfied with anything less?
5.
The just-concluded elections have again demonstrated the strength of Indian
democracy and the maturity of the Indian voter. The electorate has put
an end to the phase of instability at the Centre by giving a clear and
decisive mandate to my Government. The participation of regional parties
in managing the affairs of the country at the national level in a stable
and coherent coalition augurs well for our democracy and federal polity.
6.
I am happy to note that the "Agenda for a Proud, Prosperous India", which
is the Government's common policy document, reaffirms its faith in the
principles of Secularism, Social Justice, Federal Harmony, Probity, and
Socio-economic Equity. Rooted in the eternal values of our ancient civilisation,
these are also the cornerstones of Modern India. Government will fully
implement the promises made in its common Agenda.
7.
The interregnum between the dissolution of the last Lok Sabha and elections
to the 13th Lok Sabha witnessed a grave challenge to our national security.
The armed aggression in Kargil by Pakistan to occupy strategic territory
on the Indian side of the Line of Control, was decisively foiled by our
brave jawans, airmen, and officers. Pakistan suffered a double defeat
- both on the battlefield and on the diplomatic front. Today we pay our
grateful tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil war. Their sacrifice and
heroism will forever remain a source of inspiration and strength to the
nation.
8.
There was unprecedented support across the nation for our jawans fighting
Pakistani intruders in Kargil. The entire nation stood as one. Common
people, who have little to spare, made generous contributions for the
welfare of our brave jawans and their families. We have been actively
looking after the rehabilitation needs of the families of our brave soldiers
who laid down their lives during "Operation Vijay", or who have been invalidated
due to injuries sustained during the war. A package of assistance for
the welfare of such families is being implemented.
9.
While there is every reason for us to rejoice at India's victory in the
Kargil war, there is little room for complacency. This is evident from
the sudden spurt in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of
the country and the recent attacks on security forces following the Kargil
conflict. Government is determined to thwart all disruptive activities
and maintain vigil on all fronts. The Kargil conflict has also underlined
the need for modernisation of our defence forces. Government will ensure
that our defence forces are fully equipped to meet any challenge to our
national security.
10.
We remain firmly committed to global nuclear disarmament on a universal
and non-discriminatory basis. At the same time, Government will ensure
that India's strategic autonomy is preserved. This will be done in a way
that India's legitimate security concerns are suitably addressed, in keeping
with our own assessment of the evolving international security environment.
The National Security Council will advise the Government in this regard
and, also, in the establishment of a credible nuclear deterrent. A Draft
Nuclear Doctrine has already been prepared and presented for public debate.
11.
During the current year, the Indian economy is expected to grow over six
percent. Inflation as measured by the Wholesale Price Index is around
two percent, which is the lowest in the last two decades. Notwithstanding
an adverse global economic environment last year, our balance of payments
position has remained comfortable and our foreign exchange reserves are
at a record level of nearly $ 33 billion.
12.
However, despite these achievements, the challenge to overcome the scourge
of poverty remains a daunting one. Crores of our people, particularly
in villages, are still to be provided with basic services such as clean
drinking water, reasonable shelter, primary education, health services,
and roads. Illiteracy is still a curse for large masses of our people
- especially among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities,
and rural women. Millions of young men and women continue to be victims
of unemployment. We have failed to stabilise our population, despite being
one of the first countries to initiate an official programme for this
purpose. We must redress these serious inadequacies as we chart a new
course for the future.
13.
The broad theme guiding the policies and programmes of my Government is:
"Faster Growth with Employment and Equity." Government is committed to
create one crore additional employment opportunities each year. These
will be mainly in the areas of agriculture, agri-based businesses, small-scale
and cottage industries, housing and construction, services, and self-employment.
However, unless India grows in the coming years at a rate of at least
seven to eight percent, there is no way we can eradicate poverty and unemployment.
Experience, both domestic and international, suggests that rapid and multi-sectoral
growth is possible only by pursuing a bold strategy of economic reforms.
The nation's re-oriented strategy of development will have to rest on
a triad in which the Government provides a strong policy and regulatory
leadership; the private sector brings the dynamism and efficiency of the
competitive environment; and, local democratic institutions and the civil
society brings enthusiastic participation by the people. This strategy
demands a new pro-development mindset in every section of society, polity,
and administration, creating a strong national consensus for a bold departure
from the past.
14.
Guided by this overarching vision, Government has decided to give topmost
priority to Social Sector development. In the field of education, a separate
Department of Primary Education and Literacy has been created. An action
plan to give greater thrust to female literacy and primary education will
be shortly announced. Further, a programme for provision of primary school
buildings for all unserved habitations will be formulated. Private sector
participation in higher and technical education will be actively promoted.
15.
A National Health Policy will soon be presented, whose twin aims will
be the provision of adequate primary health services to all citizens and
a stabilisation of population. Reproductive and Child Health services
will be further strengthened through greater community participation.
The use of Indian systems of medicine will be greatly encouraged. Greater
attention will be paid to the welfare of the disabled and the aged through
joint Government and Non-Government initiatives. Private sector participation
will be encouraged in tertiary health services, including speciality hospitals,
diagnostic centres, and related activities.
16.
Government will give renewed thrust to improving Rural Infrastructure.
The newly created Department of Drinking Water Supply in the Ministry
of Rural Development will implement a programme to provide clean drinking
water to all villages in the next five years. A Programme for Rural Connectivity
through construction of all-weather roads to connect all villages will
soon be started. Fifty percent of the diesel cess will be earmarked for
this programme. A massive "Shelter for All" programme will be taken up
to facilitate construction of twenty lakh additional housing units each
year. Of these, thirteen lakh will be built in rural areas.
17.
Prosperity and employment generation in rural areas depend crucially on
a fast-growing agricultural sector, complemented by a nationwide network
of agro-based industries. In agriculture, Government will address issues
such as development of rain-fed farming, soil conservation, wasteland
development, watershed management, agriculture credit system, promotion
of horticulture and floriculture, expansion of the cold-storage network,
fertiliser pricing, balanced use of chemical fertilisers, and promotion
of organic manure. Cooperative sector reforms, issues relating to crop
insurance, post-harvest management, pricing and procurement policy for
agricultural produce, forecasting and early warning systems etc. will
also be thrust areas in the new policy. An action plan for the early completion
of pending irrigation projects in a time-bound manner will be taken up.
18.
Scarcity of water is fast becoming a serious national problem. Unless
water is conserved and managed properly, there will not be enough to meet
the country's burgeoning demand from households, farms, and industries.
Government will present a Water Policy that will facilitate the creation
of appropriate administrative, commercial, and technological solutions
to ensure that the present and future generations are not deprived of
this life-sustaining resource. Inter-State water disputes will be equitably
resolved. The needs of environmental protection and afforestation will
be fully addressed in achieving the goal of sustainable development.
19.
The most obvious constraint to rapid economic growth today is the inadequacy
of our infrastructure. Government shall take urgent steps to improve the
situation, guided by the principle of greater private investment within
a strong regulatory mechanism. In the power and energy sector, the Centre
will work closely with State Governments for time-bound corporatisation
of the State Electricity Boards. Generation, transmission, and distribution
of electricity will be unbundled as separate activities. Tariff reform,
privatisation of transmission and distribution of power, and setting up
of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will be accelerated. A Task
Force under the Finance Minister was set up some time back to prepare
a "Hydrocarbon - Vision 2020" report. The recommendations of this Group
will be implemented. An accelerated timeframe for dismantling the administrative
price regime will also be finalised quickly. The Coal Mines Nationalisation
Act will be suitably amended to remove hurdles in the growth of this vital
industry.
20.
The Ministry of Surface Transport has been reorganised into the Department
of Road Transport and Highways and the Department of Shipping. The Integrated
Transport Policy shall be soon finalised. NHAI will be strengthened to
enable it to quickly implement the National Highways Development Project
including the East-West and North-South corridors. A Dedicated Road Fund
will be created. A Railway Reforms Commission will soon be set up to evolve
a new resource mobilisation strategy, rationalise tariff, prioritise the
project portfolio, and urgently fulfill the unmet needs of railway safety.
High priority will be accorded to improving the efficiency of existing
ports, corporatisation of some of our major ports, and private sector
participation in setting up new ports. A new Civil Aviation Policy will
be formulated, designed to secure India's needs in the 21st century. The
programme for modernisation of our airports through private sector participation
would also be implemented in a time-bound manner.
21.
The New Telecom Policy-1999 shall be expeditiously implemented to achieve
the objective of providing universal access to world-class telecom services
at the lowest possible price to the public. Rapid spread of rural telephony
will be promoted through a special plan to cover all the uncovered villages
in a time-bound manner. Corporatisation of the Department of Telecommunications
as India Telecom will be speedily implemented. As a first step, a new
Department of Telecom Services has been created to separate the policy-making
function from the service provision function. The TRAI will be strengthened
to increase investor confidence and create a level playing field between
public and private operators by suitably amending the TRAI Act. A Group
of Experts will be constituted to recommend a new legislation in place
of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to enable India to seize the new opportunities
created by the technological convergence between telecom, computers, television,
and electronics.
22.
A new Ministry of Information Technology has been created to be the nodal
institutional mechanism for facilitating all the initiatives in the Central
Government, State Governments, academia, the Indian private sector, and
successful Indian IT professionals abroad. The Ministry will implement
a comprehensive action plan to make India an IT Superpower in the early
part of the next century and achieve a target of $ 50 billion in software
exports by 2008. It will accelerate the Internet revolution in India,
emphasising the creation of useful content in Indian languages. IT-enabled
services, IT education, hardware manufacturing and exports, e-commerce,
and Internet-based enterprises will be actively promoted. These have the
potential to create employment and business opportunities for hundreds
of thousands of young Indians. A legislation to promote E-Commerce will
be introduced soon. A Task Force for the pharmaceutical and other knowledge-based
enterprises will be constituted for making India a world leader in this
sector. I am happy to note that India is well on the way to ensure Y2K
compliance in all our critical computer systems before the end of this
year.
23.
All these infrastructure initiatives will lay a firm foundation for the
revival and expansion of India's industrial base - especially the vast
and hitherto neglected sector of small-scale and cottage industries, rural
craftsmen and artisans, and the KVIC. Special emphasis will be laid to
meet the multiple needs of this sector such as timely and adequate credit
including the implementation of a credit guarantee scheme, marketing,
technological upgradation, skill improvement - and, above all, removal
of bureaucratic harassment. Rules will be suitably modified in some carefully
identified industries in the SSI sector, which have a huge potential for
exports and employment generation. Government will make comprehensive
and sustained efforts to solve the long-pending problems of India's textile
industry, especially in view of the challenges in the post-MFA regime.
Necessary steps for modernisation and restructuring will be taken to restore
Indian textiles to their traditional preeminence in global markets.
24.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in rapid economic
development by bringing in modern technology and management practices.
Government will review existing FDI regime in order to bring in greater
transparency, cut delays in project implementation, and create an enabling
policy to ensure FDI inflow of at least $ 10 billion per year. There shall
be an automatic route for FDI clearances except in a small list of carefully
chosen areas.
25.
We will evolve a programme for achieving fiscal rectitude through improved
expenditure management, undertake far-reaching tax reforms, and secure
speedier restructuring and disinvestment of public sector undertakings,
including strategic sales. The Expenditure Commission, which would be
set up shortly will review all direct and indirect subsidies, examine
all ongoing expenditure streams and schemes, as well as lay down the roadmap
for downsizing of Government. A Task Force on Tax Reforms shall be constituted
to recommend a time-bound programme of reforms of tax structures, both
direct and indirect. Reform of banks and financial institutions, would
be accelerated by reducing non-performing assets and strict application
of prudential norms. Necessary legislation on bankruptcy, foreclosure,
debt recovery, and mergers would be enacted to underpin financial sector
reforms.
26.
We are fully committed to promote the interests of labour, especially
those in the unorganised sector, in the new environment of economic reforms.
The Second Labour Commission will study the changes needed in various
labour laws in order to better achieve the welfare of labour, faster generation
of additional employment, accelerated industrial growth and exports.
27.
Government will institute effective measures to eliminate chronic delays
in the dispensation of justice, through suitable reforms in the judicial
system. Independence of Judges shall be fully respected and efforts made
to attract the best talent to the Bench. Government had undertaken a study
some time back on which of the existing laws, rules, and regulations have
become obsolete and are proving an obstacle to rapid socio-economic development.
Based on the recommendations of this study, all such outmoded and inessential
laws will be repealed.
28.
As a member of the World Trade Organisation, India will continue to interact
with other nations to further protect and promote our national interests.
Towards this objective, Government is preparing a well-thought out strategy
for the forthcoming Seattle conference. My Government will ensure that
in any new round of WTO negotiations, India's national interests are fully
protected, and that our gains from global trade are maximised.
29.
Government will intensify the promotion of science and technology - in
education, basic research, and application for meeting the critical challenges
of socio-economic development. Interaction between Indian industry, CSIR
laboratories, universities, IITs, DRDO, ICAR, ICMR, and the departments
of Space, Atomic Energy, Biotechnology, and Ocean Development will be
strengthened. In keeping with the message of "Jai Vigyan", special efforts
will be made to nurture scientific temper and problem-solving attitude
among our children, and also to encourage promising young scientific talent.
30.
Government will endeavour to give a new direction to Urban India and bring
about an orderly, healthy, and dynamic development of our cities, which
is necessary to tackle the problem of urban poverty. Special efforts will
be made to raise the quality of civic services and to carry out a fundamental
restructuring of the administration of municipal bodies and public utilities.
31.
Youth power provides the dynamo in the mission of nation-building. Government
will focus and facilitate the efforts of thousands of youth and students
organisations across the country to give a renewed thrust to their enthusiastic
participation in constructive activities, sports, arts and culture. The
main energising aim of these efforts will be to strengthen national integration,
rekindle the spirit of voluntary work, and to enable our talented young
men and women to achieve global excellence.
32.
Internal security is an integral part of national security. Government
is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of India,
irrespective of their caste, religion, gender, or language. The incidence
of communal violence last year was at its lowest in the last decade. Government
is already engaged in taking effective steps to create a riot-free and
terrorism-free India.
33.
The past two years have seen a marked improvement in the situation in
Jammu and Kashmir. Education, tourism, and other economic activities are
fast returning to normal in this State. More than 110,000 pilgrims participated
in the Amarnath Yatra this year. Nevertheless, terrorism continues to
pose a challenge in Jammu and Kashmir. We will meet this challenge firmly
and provide all assistance to the State Government to neutralise terrorists.
After its crushing defeat in Kargil, Pakistan has stepped up its proxy
war against India. The immediate objective of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists
was to disrupt the election process in Jammu and Kashmir, and also in
the North-Eastern States. The people in these States, however, have once
again opted for the ballot in the face of the terrorist's bullet. This
is a ringing endorsement of their faith in India's unity, secular democracy,
and a rejection of theocratic separatism.
34.
The Prime Minister has announced that Government will follow the principle
of "Zero Tolerance" while dealing with terrorism. Simultaneously, Government
will continue to focus international attention on the deadly impact of
trans-border terrorism that has claimed countless lives all over the world.
There is no dearth of evidence to show how state-sponsored terrorism has
affected peace and stability in South Asia and beyond. India is actively
working to initiate concerted international opinion and action against
state-sponsored terrorism in any part of the world. The menace of illicit
drug trafficking, money laundering, and narco-terrorism has also to be
effectively countered through both national and international efforts.
35.
Government will soon restructure the North-Eastern Council for faster
socio-economic development of the North-Eastern States. The NEC (Amendment)
Bill, 1998 will be moved shortly. A special scheme to modernise police
forces has been introduced in the North-East; it is expected that the
States' police forces will soon be better equipped to tackle insurgency
and law and order problems. The remaining portion of the India-Bangladesh
border will be fenced shortly.
36.
Harmonious Centre-State relations are fundamental to a healthy federal
polity and to achieve balanced socio-economic development. The pending
recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission's report in this regard will
be considered for expeditious implementation. My Government believes that
the States should have greater financial and administrative powers and
that there should be decentralisation right up to the grassroots through
the Panchayati Raj system. Necessary action will soon be initiated to
give full Statehood to Delhi and for the creation of Uttaranchal, Vananchal,
and Chhattisgarh as new States.
37.
A Commission comprising noted constitutional experts and public figures
shall be appointed to study a half-century's experience of the Constitution
and make suitable recommendations to meet the challenges of the next century.
Government will also examine replacing the present system of no-confidence
motion by a system of "Constructive Vote of Non-Confidence", and a fixed
term to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas, in order to prevent political
instability both at the Centre and in the States.
38.
No nation can prosper unless there is a concerted effort to empower women
and invest in the girl child. Some of the miracle stories of rapid development
are hinged to economic, social, and political empowerment of women. Government
proposes to reserve, through legislation, 33 percent seats for women in
Parliament and State Legislatures. Further, we shall provide free education
to the girl child up to college level, including professional courses,
and set up a Development Bank for women entrepreneurs in the small-scale
and tiny sectors. Nari Shakti shall fuel the engine of a modern, dynamic
Indian society.
39.
We are committed to safeguard the interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities through appropriate legal, executive,
and societal efforts. Our focus will be on large-scale education and socio-economic
empowerment. We are determined to wipe out the last vestiges of untouchability
from our society. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
will be extended for another ten years and reservation percentages above
fifty percent followed by some States will be sanctified through legislative
measures. Government has already created a new Ministry of Tribal Affairs
for better formulation, implementation, and monitoring of policies and
programmes aimed at all-round welfare of our tribal brethren.
40.
Comprehensive electoral reform is necessary if elections are to be made
a truly democratic exercise, free from the clutches of muscle and money
power. A broad consensus already exists on the need for extensive reforms
in our electoral laws. Government will soon bring forward a comprehensive
electoral reform Bill to further strengthen our democracy. Government
will also ensure the right to franchise of Defence and Security Forces
by introducing the system of proxy voting.
41.
The canker of corruption is eating into every institution of our nation.
Government is determined to ensure probity in public life. Towards this
end, the Lokpal Bill has already been introduced. It will, inter alia,
also cover the office of the Prime Minister. Government will also soon
enact the Central Vigilance Commission Bill for conferring statutory status
on the Central Vigilance Commission.
42.
Continuity and consensus have always been the underpinnings of India's
foreign policy. Successive governments have demonstrated their commitment
to secure for India a place, role, and position in the global arena, commensurate
with its size and importance.
43.
The recent military takeover in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern.
Democracy alone can best guarantee peace, understanding, and cooperation
among countries and peoples. We are watching the situation in Pakistan
with careful attention. We had initiated the composite dialogue process
and had sought to reinforce it through the Lahore Declaration. Pakistan
must stop cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other regions
of India, and also put an end to hostile propaganda against India.
44.
The situation in Afghanistan demands a careful reassessment and a fresh
approach. The world has unfortunately watched passively while Afghanistan
disintegrated into a source of terrorism, narcotics, and dangerous instability.
As a result, India's security interests have been affected. We shall work
together with like-minded countries for an early return to stability in
Afghanistan. An essential requirement for this is the cessation of outside
interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
45.
Recent years have seen significant strengthening of India's traditionally
close friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan,
and Maldives, as well as our interaction with SAARC. We shall continue
to work actively with these neighbouring countries and within SAARC to
reinforce the trend of cooperation in this region. India will also forge
closer cultural and economic relations with South Africa, Mauritius, Guyana,
and Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, and such other countries where large numbers
of people of Indian origin live.
46.
India seeks to further deepen and broaden her relations with the United
States of America, on the basis of the values and ideals we both share.
We are also committed to further strengthen our traditionally close and
friendly ties with Russia. We shall develop our links with France, Britain,
Germany, along with other members of the European Union and Japan, in
a spirit of goodwill and mutual benefit. We would continue our dialogue
with China with a view to improving and broadening our relations. India
highly values her cordial and steadily growing relations with the countries
of Central Asia, West Asia, East and South-East Asia and the Pacific,
as well as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The forthcoming Commonwealth
Heads of Governments Meet (CHOGM) in Durban provides a useful forum for
presenting India's views on a wide range of subjects of regional and global
significance.
47.
My Government will maintain and foster close understanding with our strategic
partners and key interlocutors in order to strengthen our political and
economic relations with the outside world. We also continue our efforts
for a more equitable world order and for greater democratisation of the
United Nations and its organs. A greater role for the developing countries
in the councils of the world will bring in much-needed stability and justice
in global affairs.
48.
Honourable Members, you have a highly challenging, but equally rewarding,
task before you in the 13th Lok Sabha. The people who have elected you
have high expectations from all of you. They hope that the proceedings
in Parliament will be of high standards, marked by consensus and cooperation
among all members, cutting across party lines. In this context, I would
like to compliment the 13th Lok Sabha on the unanimous election of the
Honourable Speaker. This, indeed, is a welcome development. I am confident
that the coming Session, as also all the subsequent sittings of Parliament
will witness constructive debate in both Houses, leading to successful
conclusion of all the legislative and other scheduled business. I wish
you the very best in your endeavour.
Thank you
|
