Budget Session 2017: President Pranab Mukherjee's Speech At Parliament

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Parliament in a joint session of both houses as is customary at the budget session which begins today. Despite opposition of parties, the government advanced the budget presentation to February 1, which it said would ensure important policy changes are implemented by April 1 when the new fiscal year begins. The economic survey will be tabled today by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who will present the Union Budget tomorrow. In a first, the Rail Budget has also been merged with the union budget.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all political parties and leaders to help in a smooth and meaningful functioning of the session. The Trinamool Congress of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has, however, said it will skip the first two days of the Budget session, including the traditional President's address in Parliament's Central Hall.

Here are the highlights of President Pranab Mukherjee's speech:
 

• This is a historic session due to the advancement of budget and merging of the rail budget
• We gather once again to celebrate democracy to celebrate the culture which says sabka saath sabka vikas
• This year marks 300 birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ji and the path shown by them serves as a beacon of inspiration
• We are observing the one thousandth birth anniversary of the great saint-philosopher Ramanujacharya
• This year marks the Centenary year of Champaran Satyagraha
• Janashakti has transformed Swachh Bharat Mission into a jan-andolan
• My government salutes the strength of janashakti and pledges to constructively utilise it in Rashtra Nirman
• At the core of all my government's policies is the welfare of the poor, dalit, downtrodden, deprived, farmers, labourers and the young people
• My government is guided by the Antyodaya philosophy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
  Financial inclusion is key to poverty alleviation
• An unprecedented 26 crore plus Jan Dhan accounts have been opened for the unfunded
• Close to 13 crore poor have been covered under various social security schemes
• To take the banking system to the doorstep of the poor and the unbanked, the Indian Postal Payment Bank has been started
• Over Rs 2 lakh crore has been provided through 5.6 crore loans sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
• Over 1 lakh bank mitras appointed by bank and over 2 lakh dak reps will also serve as banking reps
• Under the Antodaya Yojna, we aim to empower women particularly from deprived sections
• Over 16,000 crores have been made available to self help groups
• My government has helped poor through housing schemes, clean water and green energy initiatives
• Poor sanitation weakens the economy of the poor households
• Under this mission 3 crore toilets have been constructed
• Pradhan Mantri Jal Avaas and Ujjwala Yojnas provides clean water, free gas connections and smoke free kitchens. 37 percent of the Ujjwala beneficiaries belong to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
• Under Under Deen Dayal Upadhayay Gram Jyoti Yojana over 11,000 villages, in darkness since independence, have been electrified in record time
• Mission Indradhanush commits to vaccinate "every child everywhere" against preventable diseases. It has helped 55 lakh children
• In farmer’s welfare lies the country’s economic prosperity
• My government has taken many stops to improve the lives of farmers
• Affordable credit, improved irrigation facilities, improved productivity through soil health care cards
• 3 crore Kisan or farmer cards will be converted to rupee debit cards.
• Women must be are fully empowered and their skills and talents are fully utilized
• Over 1 crore accounts have been opened for the safety of girl child
• The PM Surakshit Matriti Abhiyaan will provide important healthcare and ensure maternity leaves at workplaces
• 65 per cent population is below the age of 35. Young people are our greatest strength. Their energies must be channelized.
• My government has taken steps for their skill development and improve their employability
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana has been launched with a budget of 12,000 crores to train 1 crore youth over the next 10 years
• Promotional scheme with budget of 10,000 crores for employment opportunities
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana expanded ambit of risk-coverage, doubled sum insured & facilitated lowest-ever premium
• My government has opened avenues for higher education for weaker sections
• There have been more admissions in IITs
• New skill centres are being established for promoting entrepreneurship
• Government has announced a package of 6,000 crores, and is expected to generate over 1 crore jobs, mostly for women
• Minimum wages increased by 42 per cent in agricultural and non sectors
• Workers in informal sector will benefit from decision to make employers pay through bank accounts. They will also enjoy health benefits and social security through PFs
• To protect senior citizens interest rates have been fixed at 8 per cent per month for 10 years.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan will provide comprehensive ante-natal care to all pregnant women
• The revision of Maternity Benefit Act will support pregnant women at the workplace
• With motto of "Har Haath ko Hunar", my govt has taken several steps for skilling youth and improving their employability
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme has been launched with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore
• Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana launched for promoting entrepreneurship education and training amongst 7 lakh students
• 100 of 300 districts will be developed in tribal areas
• Success of India blind cricket team and success at Paralympics shows what divyangs can achieve given the opportunity. My government is committed to their development
• Our policy is is improving lives of divyangs. A common sign language being developed inter-country
• A health insurance cover for divyangs
• Like the strings of sitar which play different notes but together play a beautiful melody - different religions
• My government is committed to inclusive developments of minority communities. Fellowships have ensured better education
• Just as the drops of rain water and streams converging in the sea, my government's policies converge for the development of the poor
• 2,500 km of national gas pipeline project - investment of 12,500 crores
• This will cover 40 districts, help in industrialisation of more than 20 cities
• My government sees the northeast as Lakshmi as centre of India's prosperity. Development of Northeast leads to south east Asia. We are opening roads.
• My Government has started the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga
• Railways are expanding in northeast
• Government has approved North East BPO promotion scheme for creation of employment opportunities
• ISRO added another feather to their cap by launching 20 satellites in one go. India launched 8 operational missions covering meteorological, navigation, earth observation and communication satellites
• My government is committed to marine health.
• My government has taken giant steps in clean energy be achieving 40 gigs against the target of 100 gigs.
• We gave a major boost to urban infrastructure by approving 50,000 crores plan for 500 cities.
• My government's very first decision was to set up an SIT on black money
• Amendments in benami act and in treaties with countries like Singapore and change in IT act have ensured policy backed initiatives
• The launch of mobile app BHIM is a tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar. In a few days it has become one of the most famous app based transactions mechanism in India.
• Coal blocks and spectrum auction is the most transparent way of allocating natural resources
• Over 1,100 obsolete laws have been repealed, over 400 are being repealed.
• Taking forward the concept of cooperative federalism throughout one country one tax, both houses passed the GST in parliament in a record 23 days.
• My government thanks the GST council for working to resolve standing issues
• Current account deficit and fiscal deficits have continuously reduced since 2004. FDI has increased constantly
• FDI this year has been the highest for any government.
• My government is closely working with states to identify problems for businesses
• India is ranked 3rd in list of top host economies in the world investment report
• India has been facing the grave challenge of terrorism in the last 4 decades. It poses greatest threat. India will work with other countries to combat terrorism. My government will work to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
• Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by infiltration and terrorism. Loss of likes of security personnel has been a cause of grave concern
• Steps have been taken to curb left wing terrorism
• My government is committed to the path of peace and progress
• There has been a consultation of relationships with world powers
• India hosted the 8th BRICS summit, BIMSTEC and Heart of Asia conference as part of our regional outreach
• There are over 30 million Indians settled in almost every corner of the world.
• My government has approved a new e-visa policy, including short term medical visits
• 160 countries are covered under e-visas. Tourism sector has shown a growth of over 10 per cent
• UN has recognised India as one of the countries on track to meet its voluntary goals
• 25 countries have signed the framework of solar power initiative
• We gather here today to redeem the tasks given by our countrymen in sacred institute of Parliament
• Let us work towards a common future seeded in the promise of sab ka saath and sab ka vikaas, that will bring dignity to all.