Assuring the common man of quick relief from rising food prices, President Pratibha Patil on Monday expressed the confidence that India?s economic growth rate would exceed 8% in the coming financial year and 9% in the next.
?Our country stands at a historic turning point,? the President said while addressing a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament marking the beginning of the Budget Session. ?Never before were we so close as we are today to realising our national aspirations as envisioned by our founding fathers? she said. The stimulus provided by the government in the wake of the global slowdown, according to her, had ?yielded handsome results?. And, ?The economic growth, which had slowed to 6.7% in 2008-09, is likely to improve to around 7.5% in 2009-10.?
During her 50-minute speech, the President made it clear that ?India is ready to explore a meaningful relationship with Pakistan? if it ?seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and takes effective steps to prevent terrorist activities against India.? She promised zero tolerance of terrorist activities and committed herself to an early passage of the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill and the Women?s Reservation Bill.
Women members thumped their desks as the President referred to the Women?s Reservation Bill. There was a flutter in the gathering as the President recounted the steps taken by the government to unearth black money parked by Indians abroad. BSP member Shafiq-ur-Rehman Barq, representing the Sambhal constituency, caused a stir when he interrupted Patil on issues concerning minorities. Congress MPs backing the demand for the separate state of Telangana displayed placards while Patil was leaving Central Hall.
?The aam aadmi was and is at the core? of the government promise to ensure rapid growth with justice and fairness to all, Patil declared. She said the government continues to accord the highest importance to providing relief to the common man on food prices.
The President offered her condolences to the families of the victims of the Pune blast and dwelt at length on the issue of internal security. She said the security environment in the Kashmir had improved significantly. The same was true of the Northeast, but ?Left wing extremism continues to be a significant cause of concern.? She reiterated the government call to the extremists to give up violence and come to the talks table. Alongside, she said, the government would strengthen civil administration and reach the fruits of development to all.
Stressing the government commitment to usher a paradigm shift in education through expansion, inclusion and excellence, Patil said a new body would be put in place to regulate higher education and research.