President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday sought the cooperation of all MPs in the smooth conduct of legislative business but gave no indication of plans to bring changes in the controversial land acquisition ordinance.
He, however, declared that government attaches paramount importance to safeguarding the interests of farmers and families affected by land acquisition.
Delivering his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, whose Budget session commenced on Monday, he said the government would constantly endeavour for smooth conduct of legislative business and enactment of progressive laws in the Parliament.
In the address, which is mandated before the start of the first session of the year in which the President reads out government’s plans for the coming year, Mr. Mukherjee said Parliament is the sanctum sanctorum of democracy and the people have reposed unflinching faith in this institution for fulfilment of their hopes and expectations.
“My Government will constantly endeavour for smooth conduct of legislative business and enactment of progressive laws in the Parliament which reflects the will and aspirations of the people. I urge all Members of the Parliament to discharge their solemn responsibility in the spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation.”
“By channelising the patriotic energies of every citizen, we all collectively must work towards building a strong and modern India. Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat [One India, Best India]. Jai Hind,” he said winding up his speech that was heard with rapt attention with occasional thumping of desks.
Declaring that terrorism posed a grave challenge to nation’s internal security, the President said the government was firmly committed to dealing with these challenges in cohesive collaboration with the people and governments of the affected states in a holistic manner.
The President also said that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India has significantly expanded relations with its largest neighbour China based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests.
The President listed the measures initiated to stir action in a range of fields from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to creation of wealth, tapping demographic dividend to diplomatic initiatives, enhancing ease of business to putting in place a stable policy framework, ending financial untouchability to making the country a manufacturing hub and containing inflation to stimulating economy to ensure inclusive growth.
