ADDRESS
BY SHRI K. R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, TO PARLIAMENT
NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2000
Phalguna
4, 1921 Saka
Honourable
Members,
1)
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the first session of Parliament
in the year 2000. I felicitate the Members and extend to all of you my
best wishes for the successful completion of the budgetary and legislative
business that lies ahead.
2)
Last month India completed fifty years as a Republic. It was a proud moment
in the history of this ancient civilization, which re-emerged as a free
and democratic nation in the modern era. For all of us, the last fifty
years have been a period of triumph and tribulation, of achievement and
shortfalls. The Golden Jubilee of our Republic is, hence, an occasion
for both celebration and reflection.
3)
If the global march of democracy was the hallmark of the 20th Century,
India has won worthy laurels for not only being the largest democracy
in the world, but also zealously preserving it against all odds. The entire
world looks to India with hope and expectation. Our founding fathers did
their duty by giving us a great Republican Constitution. It is now our
responsibility to transform our democracy into an effective instrument
for the economic, social and cultural development of every Indian. As
the Father of the Nation always exhorted us during our struggle for freedom,
we must ensure that the first claim on the fruits of development belongs
to the poor and the weak.
4)
The Constitution, which India adopted fifty years ago, has served us well.
It has been a reliable guarantor of parliamentary democracy, secularism
and fundamental rights, which all of us cherish. It has also inspired
the spread of democratic consciousness in our society, empowering dalits,
adivasis, backward classes and women and making our system of governance
more participative and progressive. While keeping the basic structure
and salient features of the Constitution inviolate, it has, however, become
necessary to examine the experience of the past fifty years to better
achieve the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. The Government has,
therefore, set up a broad-based Constitution Review Commission. The recommendations
of this Commission will be presented before Parliament, which is the supreme
decision-making body in Indian democracy.
5)
India has undoubtedly had many spectacular achievements in the past five
decades. There is no other experiment in human history where a billion
people, belonging to so many different traditions, are living and striving
together for a better life without being denied their rights and freedoms.
We cannot, however, be satisfied with this alone. As the experience of
the many newly-independent and developing nations has shown, fifty years
is a long time to achieve all-round progress for all. If the first half-century
of our Republic makes any demand on us, it is simply this: we must lose
no more time to eradicate mass poverty, remove illiteracy and assure basic
minimum services to all our fellow citizens. While accomplishing this
historic task, we must simultaneously strengthen social justice, promote
gender justice, remove regional imbalances and bridge the rural-urban
divide.
6)
India cannot achieve the strength and prosperity that we all desire, and
that our country is capable of, if vast areas and large sections of our
population remain deprived and poor. Faster economic growth is a pre-condition
for removing social and regional imbalances in development. The economic
reforms started in the beginning of the last decade, with the express
intention of accelerating economic growth, were a historical necessity.
The shortcomings that have crept into our development process over the
decades needed to be removed. It is a matter of pride and satisfaction
that our country has implemented these reforms without social unrest and
with a high degree of political consensus. These reforms are now yielding
desired results in several areas. The sustainable rate of growth of our
economy has increased. Our industry and financial system have become stronger
and more competitive.
7)
The Government is committed to accelerating the pace of economic reforms
and to broadening their scope. At the same time, we shall make conscious
and concerted efforts to bring the fruits of economic reforms to those
regions and communities that have so far not benefited from them. The
approach to India's economic development may have changed in the past
ten years, but the goals of equity and social justice have not. We shall
re-double our efforts to ensure that the poor and the deprived have an
even greater stake in economic reforms than at present. We realize that
this is essential for mobilizing people's enthusiastic participation in
the development process.
8)
The "Agenda for a Proud, Prosperous India", which is the common policy
document of the Government of the National Democratic Alliance, provides
the framework for faster development with equity and employment. The Government's
record of speeding up the work of taking decisions on policy issues and
the passage of pending legislation shows its determination to fulfil the
promises made in this Agenda. The Government will continue to vigorously
pursue a coherent plan of economic reforms. These reforms will cover agriculture,
industry, public enterprises, fiscal consolidation and devolution, tax
reform, financial sector reform and foreign investment policies. Most
importantly, they will also cover policies for improving the performance
of key infrastructure sectors - namely, power, roads, railways, ports,
civil aviation, telecommunications and petroleum.
9)
We are primarily a rural nation and most of our people depend on agriculture
for their livelihood. Therefore, development of agriculture, particularly
in the rainfed and drought-prone areas where poverty is extreme, shall
be accorded high priority. This would call for substantial capital formation
in agriculture and investment in the areas where productivity has been
relatively low. As the agriculture sector still employs about two-thirds
of our total workforce, greater investment in agriculture, including agri-businesses
would be mobilized to enhance employment opportunities and create greater
prosperity in rural areas. The Government will shortly finalize the National
Agriculture Policy to address these issues.
10)
At present, the programmes relating to conservation, development and management
of land resources are scattered in different Ministries and Departments
in the Central Government. There is an imperative need to put in place
an integrated mechanism capable of responding effectively to the challenges
of managing our scarce land resources - especially those arising from
globalization, liberalization and privatization. The Government will therefore,
bring all the programmes and schemes as well as the institutional infrastructure
relating to land in rural areas, under the control of the newly created
Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of Rural Development.
11) Special programmes
for the generation of productive wage employment in the rural areas, especially
for creating permanent infrastructure assets and self-employment opportunities
for the unemployed youth will be given greater thrust. The Swarna Jayanti
Gram Swarozgar Yojana, the Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana and the restructured
Employment Assurance Scheme will be vigorously implemented and closely
monitored.
12)
The process of urbanization has led to a rapid rise in the proportion
of Indians living in cities and towns. Sadly, the rate of growth of urban
infrastructure and civic amenities has not matched the explosion of our
urban population. The Government realizes that urban renewal is critical
to the emergence of a new and resurgent India. This calls for a better
coordination among the Centre, States and municipal authorities to effectively
implement the policies and programmes on urban employment, housing construction,
transportation and other utilities. The Government will facilitate increased
public and private investment in the development of physical and social
infrastructure, with an emphasis on improving the living conditions of
the urban poor. It will also step up efforts to promote good municipal
governance.
13)
Our nation's future lies with our children and youth. The Government will
soon set up a National Commission on Children to promote and channel all
the efforts in the government and non-government sectors to achieve their
all-round development and to unleash their creative energies both now
and when they grow up. All existing programmes for sports and youth affairs
will be reviewed and re-activated to give effect to our resolve to encourage
physical, social and cultural development of our young men and women.
14)
A decision has been taken to launch Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to ensure that
every child in the age group of six to fourteen goes to a school, or an
Education Guarantee Centre, or a "Back to School Camp" by 2003. We shall
intensify efforts to involve the non-governmental sector in higher and
technical education. The Government proposes to come out with a policy
that would fully incorporate non-governmental efforts within the national
endeavour to provide Education For All.
15)
Women constitute half of the Indian population but their status in our
society is poor. They are largely excluded from decision-making in public
life. No nation can progress unless its women enjoy good health, are literate
and are equal partners with men in the socio-economic and political processes.
Our Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination between men
and women and we are committed to achieving this objective. The Constitution
(85th Amendment) Bill, 1999, seeking to provide reservation of not less
than one third of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha and in Legislative
Assemblies of States, was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the last
session. The Department of Women and Child Development will also soon
finalize a National Policy for Empowerment of Women, which aims to mainstream
gender into laws, policies, programmes and budgetary allocations of the
Government. The Indira Mahila Yojana will be made more effective and expanded
to 450 more blocks.
16)
India has one of the largest populations of older people in the world.
In recent times, there has been a withering away of the joint family system,
which has exposed elderly people to emotional neglect and a lack of physical
support. The Government has formulated a National Policy on Older Persons
and has established a National Council for Older Persons to focus on problems
faced by our senior citizens. An Expert Committee has recently submitted
a report on a proposed pension scheme for old age security, which is being
examined by the Government. A decision will be taken on this scheme shortly.
17)
When I last addressed both Houses of Parliament on October 25, 1999, I
had taken the opportunity to lay before you the medium-term economic agenda
of the Government. Since then, the economic data suggests a distinct upturn
in the economy. Economic growth in 1999-2000 is expected to be around
six percent. Inflation has also remained well under control during the
current fiscal 1999-2000. Our foreign currency reserves at over US $ 32
billion are also comfortable. There has been a general upward trend in
stock indices, primarily due to the revival in the industrial sector.
To build on these clear economic strengths, we must seize the opportunity
to deepen and accelerate the reform process.
18) I am happy to
say that the Government has begun to implement the medium-term economic
agenda outlined by me in my last address to Parliament. I will briefly
dwell on some of these issues:-
a) The Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000 was promulgated to strengthen
the TRAI. This will remove many hurdles in the path of speedy development
of telecom services, increase investor confidence and create a level playing
field between public and private operators. The corresponding Bill will
be brought before Parliament in its current session.
b)
A Group of Experts has been constituted to recommend a new legislation
reflecting the phenomenon of the Convergence of IT, Telecom and TV in
place of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
c)
The Government has already initiated a major programme of road construction
to be called the National Highway Development Project consisting of the
Golden Quadrilateral and the East-West, North-South Corridors costing
Rs. 54,000 crore. We will ensure the speedy implementation of this vitally
needed highway network.
d)
The Government is carrying forward the restructuring and reform process
in the power sector. Emphasis has been given on development of hydel power,
particularly in the North-Eastern parts of the country. The national power
grid will be strengthened to facilitate efficient inter-regional power
flows.
e)
In the petroleum sector, under the New Exploration Licensing Policy, 25
blocks have been awarded in a record time, thereby accelerating domestic
exploration efforts. The Group on India Hydrocarbon Vision-2025 has also
finalized its recommendations and the Government will initiate early action
to implement them.
f)
A Bill to amend the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973 will be introduced
in the current session of Parliament to allow Indian companies in the
private sector to undertake coal mining.
g)
It has been decided to enable private participation in the airport sector
through long-term leasing of airports. The existing airports of Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta will be given out on long-term lease basis
while a new international airport at Bangalore will be developed as a
greenfield venture with private sector participation. This will go a long
way in improving the airport infrastructure and the functioning of our
airports to world class levels.
h)
The Government has also decided to take innovative steps to bring about
a major improvement in the working of our ports and to develop other efficient
and modern port facilities with greater private sector participation.
i)
The Information Technology Bill, 1999 to promote E-Commerce was introduced
in the Lok Sabha in its last session.
j)
A National Venture Capital Fund of Rs. 100 crore for promoting new Information
Technology businesses by promising entrepreneurs has been launched. Guidelines
to allow acquisition of foreign companies abroad by Indian IT companies
have been liberalized. To accelerate the growth of high-speed Internet
services in the country, a liberal policy for setting up international
gateways and use of foreign satellites for greater bandwidth has been
put in place. Further measures will soon be taken to promote the spread
of the Internet and telecom services, especially in rural and backward
areas.
k)
The Ministry of Information Technology is taking further initiatives to
promote the development of the IT industry in the country. These include
the proposal to establish the "India IT and Software Brand Equity Fund",
facilitate greater usage of IT for increasing productivity in small and
medium enterprises, developing Indian initiatives in E-Commerce and setting
up IT-enabled services and distance education programmes.
l)
The Insurance Regulation and Development Authority Act was passed by Parliament
in its last session. This will enable participation by private Indian
companies in the insurance sector leading to better service to customers,
as well as mobilization of larger long-term investment for faster economic
development.
m)
The Government has reviewed and recast the Foreign Direct Investment regime,
ensuring an automatic route for FDI clearances except in a small list
of carefully chosen areas. This will bring in greater transparency, cut
delays and create an enabling framework to ensure FDI inflow of at least
$ 10 billion a year.
n)
The Debt Recovery Tribunal Act has been amended by an Ordinance. It is
one of the crucial measures underpinning financial sector reforms. The
corresponding Bill for replacement of the Ordinance by an Act will be
introduced in Parliament in the current session.
o)
The Second Labour Commission has been constituted to suggest changes in
various labour laws in order to achieve the goals of labour welfare, generation
of additional employment, higher investment and accelerated industrial
growth.
p)
A major milestone in tax reforms was achieved with the introduction of
a uniform rate of sales tax throughout the country from January 1, 2000.
This was made possible by close co-operation between the Centre and the
States. As a progressive step towards further tax rationalisation, the
States have also decided to move over to a Value-Added Tax (VAT) regime
with effect from April 1, 2001.
q)
A large number of outdated or inessential laws and regulations have been
removed from the statute book. This is a part of the Government's continuing
effort to speed up much-needed legal reforms.
19)
However, the growing fiscal deficit continues to be an area of considerable
concern. This is undoubtedly the most challenging macro-economic management
problem faced by us. The deficit reduces public investment, crowds out
private investment, raises interest rates and generates inflationary pressure.
The burden of interest payments continues to be large at above 4 per cent
of GDP, accounting for about two thirds of tax revenue of the Central
Government net of States' share. As the interest burden on Government
borrowing increases, it limits the ability of the Government to expand
health and education services and anti-poverty programmes. Subsidies on
non-merit goods which are currently very high, have to be brought down
and phased out.
20)
For India to sustain accelerated growth with high employment coupled with
modest inflation, the growing fiscal deficit needs to be contained. We
have to adopt measures to curb the rising trend of Non-Plan Expenditure.
These require difficult decisions relating to the quality of Government
expenditure, downsizing the Government, recovery of economic cost for
goods and services and greater austerity in Government spending. The programme
of disinvesment and restructuring of Public Sector Undertakings also needs
to be accelerated. Our tax system must be modernized for improving the
Tax-to-GDP ratio. If we achieve fiscal consolidation, then given our stable
macro framework, India can truly hope to achieve growth rates of well
over seven percent in the coming years. If sacrifices have to be made
for achieving this challenging goal, they are well-worth making because
the long-term rewards of restructuring will benefit all Indians and will
far outweigh the temporary costs.
21)
The financial condition of the States is also very worrisome. State Government
finances have shown signs of rapid deterioration in the nineties. The
year 1998-99 witnessed a very high gross fiscal deficit of States amounting
to more than Rs.75,000 crores, touching a level of 4.3 per cent of GDP.
This is, indeed, an unsustainable situation. The deteriorating trend in
the fiscal position of State Governments needs to be urgently reversed.
The Central Government has, therefore, initiated necessary measures in
consultation with the States, to seek policy reforms aimed at fiscal correction
and consolidation to bring about long term sustainability of the fiscal
position of the States.
22)
The Government is committed to the speedy economic development of the
North-Eastern States. The North-Eastern Council is being expanded to include
Sikkim and we shall strive to make it an effective agency for accelerated
development of these States. In a meeting last month at Shillong, the
Prime Minister, accompanied by the Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance
Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, reviewed
development and security issues with the Governors and Chief Ministers
of the North-Eastern States and Sikkim. All assistance is being provided
to those North-Eastern States that are affected by terrorism and anti-social
activities.
23)
The Government has announced an ambitious programme of over Rs.10,200
crores for the socio-economic development of the North-Eastern States
and Sikkim. This programme includes new initiatives in industry, health,
education and security. It will also give a major impetus to infrastructure
development in the region, especially power, roads, railways, airports
and telecommunications. An important objective of this initiative is to
create large-scale local employment. Trade with neighbouring countries
is also going to be a thrust area for development of this region.
24)
The super-cyclone that struck Orissa in end October caused the death of
thousands of people and devastated the social and economic life of a large
section of the State's population. The entire country participated generously
in supplementing the Government's efforts to mobilize relief and rehabilitation
for the affected people. We express our appreciation for the excellent
work done by the armed and paramilitary forces, the meteorological department,
the Railways, port authorities, other government departments and agencies
like the Food Corporation of India, the relief teams sent by State Governments
as well as non-governmental and charitable organizations. To minimize
the effects of natural calamities, the Government has set up a high-powered
committee to prepare a Natural Disaster Management Plan. This will review
existing arrangements for preparedness for natural disasters and their
mitigation. It will recommend measures for strengthening of organizational
structures and formulate a comprehensive model plan for natural disaster
management at the national, state and district levels.
25)
In the global context we shall continue to work for the establishment
of a rule based, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, which
is fair and equitable to all nations. As a founder member of the GATT
and the WTO, India has been an active participant in all the previous
international trade negotiations and in all the three WTO ministerial
meetings. India has always pursued its mission for greater equity and
symmetry in trade relations and for avoidance of linkage of trade with
extraneous issues. Economic integration cannot advance if the interests
of the poor are ignored. As a developing country, India is sensitizing
other member nations to this reality. We would continue to persevere for
equitable implementation of the provisions of the Uruguay Round negotiations.
26)
In the months following the military coup in Pakistan, there has been
a marked increase in Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, targeted
especially at our security forces. There has also been an increase in
Pakistani firing across the border. These developments underline the need
for constant vigil by our defence forces. However, the threat of terrorist
attacks is one that affects all Indian citizens. We must, as a people,
become more security-conscious in the face of the unremitting terror campaign
against our country. For its part, the Government is fully alert to all
threats to India's external and internal security. We are prepared to
meet any challenge to our territorial integrity and to our open, democratic
way of life.
27)
I salute the brave jawans and officers of the Indian Army who are standing
guard along the LoC in the Kargil and other sectors, far from their families
and loved ones. It is a tribute to the courage, determination and dedication
of our forces that they have withstood freezing temperatures of minus
40 degrees celsius and below and the hardship of patrolling snow-bound
heights. It is due to the valour and skill of our soldiers that our frontiers
are secure from enemy forces.
28)
The Subrahmanyam Committee, appointed by the Government to inquire into
the events and circumstances that formed the backdrop to Pakistan's armed
incursion into Kargil and other parts of the LoC, has submitted its report.
This will be tabled in Parliament during this session. The Government
is committed to take all necessary follow-up measures after a thorough
scrutiny of the committee's recommendations.
29)
Backing up our soldiers are our defence scientists and defence production
units. I am happy to inform the Honourable Members that, since I last
addressed both Houses of Parliament, our defence scientists have added
two major successes to their list of achievements. The short-range, quick-reaction-time
surface-to-air missile, Trishul, has been successfully tested. The remote-controlled
Nishant has been successfully flight tested. Our defence production units
have proved their capability to produce sophisticated defence equipment.
Production in ordnance factories in the first nine months has been higher
by 33 percent, compared to the corresponding period last year.
30)
The overall law and order situation in the country has remained satisfactory
except in certain areas affected by Pakistan-sponsored terrorist and separatist
activities. Terrorist violence has been most pronounced in Jammu and Kashmir,
especially after Pakistan's defeat in Kargil and the military coup in
Islamabad. Government, both at the Centre and in the State, has met the
challenge posed by Pakistan-backed terrorists and foreign mercenaries
with determination. We are continuing with our four-pronged strategy to
counter terrorist and separatist violence in Jammu and Kashmir by deepening
of the democratic process, accelerating economic development, isolating
foreign mercenaries and terrorists and playing a pro-active role to neutralize
them. Apart from strengthening and modernizing the Jammu and Kashmir police,
Government has been reimbursing the State's security related expenditure
and providing financial support over and above the normal Plan assistance.
I acknowledge the invaluable contribution of our armed forces, paramilitary
forces and police personnel in combating terrorism and extremism in Jammu
and Kashmir and some other parts of the country.
31)
The Government is fully committed to preserving and further strengthening
the secular ethos of our country. Communal harmony in the country has
improved remarkably in the past few years. The last two years have been
largely free of communal violence. In 1999, this trend gathered speed
with the number of communal incidents declining by 10 percent, the number
of people killed by 32 percent and the number of injured by 11 percent.
32)
The Government stands by its promise to create the States of Uttaranchal,
Vananchal and Chhattisgarh. Bills for this purpose are being referred
to the concerned State legislatures for their views.
33)
The Inter-State Council has been reconstituted. Based on the experience
of its working in the past, the Government will make it an effective platform
for further harmonizing the relations between the Centre and the States
and among the States themselves.
34)
Our space programme continues to forge ahead in establishing systems that
are crucial for telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, disaster
warning and management of natural resources. India has established indigenous
capability to launch Indian remote sensing satellites into the required
polar sun-synchronous orbit. We are now well on our way to develop the
geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle. The INSAT system is one of the
largest domestic satellite systems in the world and the next satellite
in this system, INSAT-3B, is awaiting launch. It is scheduled to be commissioned
in March-April 2000.
35)
The Government continues to pursue its policy of harnessing nuclear energy
for peaceful purposes for the welfare of the people. All nuclear plants
have been operating smoothly and their average capacity factor has increased
from 75 percent to 78 percent. India's eleventh nuclear power reactor
at Kaiga in Karnataka achieved first criticality on September 21, 1999
and has been connected to the grid. The twelfth nuclear power reactor
at Rawatbhatta in Rajasthan achieved first criticality on December 24,
1999.
36)
The Government is fully committed to support science and technology in
the interests of national development and national security. However,
a serious concern that needs addressing is that not enough young men and
women are taking up careers in research and development. The Government
is committed to reversing this trend by guaranteeing our highly talented
young persons an attractive career profile, so that they can produce world-class
scientific research and technological development while living and working
in India.
37)
The Government is committed to rapidly moving towards electronic governance,
which will ensure better citizen-Government interface and greater transparency.
In order to increase accessibility to and application of, computers, the
Government has intensified efforts in developing and promoting software
for popular applications in Indian languages. I am happy that many State
Governments have also taken major steps to complement the Centre's thrust
to make India a front-runner in the IT revolution.
38)
India's foreign policy of Non-Alignment and peaceful co-existence is relevant
to the multi-polar world of today. This is based on the principle of protecting
our vital interests and promoting our national ideals. The Government
continues to pursue the policy of continuously expanding and deepening
its friendly, close, wide-ranging and constructive relations with our
neighbouring countries - Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives
and Bhutan. Regular interaction with these countries has contributed to
further strengthening of ties and mutual appreciation of each other's
interests, sensitivities and concerns.
39)
However, Pakistan has shown no inclination to end its policy of aiding
and abetting cross-border terrorism and its hostile anti-India propaganda.
Pakistan's role in acts of terror has been recently underscored by the
hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu. Irrefutable evidence
has been provided by the Government about the Pakistani origins of the
hijackers as well as the role of Pakistani officials posted in Kathmandu.
We sincerely hope that Pakistan will reverse this policy of hostility
towards India so that normal relations could be restored.
40)
The return of peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan is important for the
stability of our region. It is also necessary for curbing narco-terrorism.
Above all, it is needed for the people of Afghanistan with whom we have
age-old ties. It is only through the setting up of a broad-based Government
in Kabul, truly representative of all ethnic groups and the cessation
of Pakistan's interference, that peace can be restored in Afghanistan.
41)
We shall continue to deepen and broaden our relations with our extended
neighbourhood of Central Asia, West Asia, the Gulf and the Asia-Pacific
Region. We value our relations with our Asian neighbour China and we will
commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations with China. In this context, I am looking forward to my State
visit to China in May this year. We hope that the Middle East peace process
would reach a satisfactory conclusion. Our relations with Israel will
continue to grow. India values her close and friendly relations with the
European Union, as well as with the countries of East Europe, with whom
our ties of traditional friendship have seen a new dynamism in recent
years. We will further strengthen our friendship with African, Latin American
and Caribbean countries.
42)
India looks forward to the consolidation of her time-tested, comprehensive
relations with the Russian Federation into a strategic partnership. We
await a visit to India by the President of the Russian Federation and
the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between our two
countries.
43)
Relations with the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and France have shown
a gratifying consolidation in recent times. As a result of high-level
decisions, we have launched a strategic dialogue with France that has
produced encouraging results. The Indo-French Forum has also imparted
a new dynamism to our engagement with France in the fields of culture,
science and technology and business. I am looking forward to my State
visit to France scheduled for April this year.
44)
The Government has continued to engage the United States in a serious
dialogue on security, non-proliferation and disarmament issues predicated
on India maintaining a credible minimum nuclear deterrent. A significant
outcome of this dialogue is the decision to set up a Joint Working Group
to deal with cross-border terrorism, which is a menace to the whole world.
We expect that President Clinton's visit to India next month will pave
the way for a broad-based and multi-dimensional expansion of our bilateral
relations.
45)
India reaffirms her commitment to global nuclear disarmament in a time-bound
manner on a comprehensive and non-discriminatory basis. While addressing
multilateral disarmament initiatives and treaties, the Government will
continue to abide by the imperative of preserving India's strategic autonomy.
46)
The growing challenge posed by non-conventional threats, in particular
by terrorism to global security, calls for urgent international co-operation
and action so that these can be dealt with effectively. We call for the
early adoption and implementation of a Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism. India shall participate in any global effort to battle this
crime against humanity.
47)
Our vision of achieving a higher growth rate is not aimed at benefiting
only the rich or the middle-class. On the contrary, the poor are at the
centre of all our developmental efforts. We must recognize that we cannot
improve the lot of the common man without achieving high rates of growth
in the economy. Only an expanding economy can ensure growing employment
and rising incomes for all. Unless India's GDP grows at a brisk rate of
seven to eight percent a year, there is no way we can banish poverty and
underdevelopment. Higher growth alone will ensure that we can mobilize
larger and larger resources for the social sector - for education, health,
drinking water, sanitation and roads - particularly for those living in
the villages and in urban slums. Towards this end, the Government stands
committed to implement the social and economic agenda outlined in my last
address to both Houses of Parliament.
48)
Honourable Members, we begin the Budget session today, after transacting
record legislative business in the last Winter Session of Parliament.
Apart from financial business arising out of the General and Railway Budgets
and the statutory requirement of replacing two Ordinances by Bills, we
have a large agenda of legislative business relating to the all-round
development of our economy and society. The Government is keen to complete
this agenda in this very session.
49)
I convey my best wishes to all of you.
Thank you
|
