President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday sought the cooperation of all MPs for the smooth conduct of Parliament, which had witnessed series of disruptions last year.
Addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, Mukherjee said his government will constantly endeavour for smooth conduct of the legislative business and enactment of progressive laws in Parliament.
In his hour-long speech, he dwelt at length on the various initiatives the government has taken in its nine months in power, and apprised members on the progress in major schemes launched in this period.
Mukherjee said the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has achieved “close to 100 per cent” coverage with a record 13.2 crore bank accounts being opened since the scheme was launched six months back.
He apprised the members of the progress registered under various schemes such as the Direct Benefit Transfer, Clean India Mission, the constitution of NITI Aayog, plans to introduce the Goods and Services Tax and the Integrated Power Development Scheme.
Mukherjee said terrorism and left wing extremism posed a grave challenge to nation’s internal security. He 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.
Mukherjee said while the government has reinvigorated relations with neighbours, especially its policy towards South Asian neighbours, he made it clear that “we speak clearly about our interests and are fully prepared to defend our borders and secure our people”.
He said legal reform is a priority of the government, which believes governance and reforms are a combined effort of Team India.
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