Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind addressed a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament on Monday a day ahead of the Budget 2022-23 session.
He bowed to all the freedom fighters of the country and also remembered the great personalities who have contributed in the development of the country, in these 75 years of Independence.
Appreciating the efforts of every frontline health worker and citizens who is helping in the fight against COVID-19, the President said that today more than 90 percent of adult citizens in the country have received one dose of the vaccine, while more than 70 percent have received both.
“The proof of India’s capability in the fight against COVID-19 has been seen in the world’s Largest Vaccine Drive. We have crossed the record of administering more than 150 crore vaccine doses in less than a year,” said Kovind.
“Made in India vaccines are playing an important role in making the whole world free from COVID-19 and saving the lives of crores of citizens. The pharma sector has supplied medicine to 180 countries, showing the immense potential in this sector,” he added.
The President said that the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, launched by the government at a cost of ₹64,000 crores will not only help in meeting the present health needs but also prepare the country for the coming crises.
The government has reduced the cost of treatment by making medicines available at affordable prices through more than 8000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Government is also connecting street vendors with online food delivery companies. The government believes in the basic mantra of ‘Antyodaya’, in which there is social justice, equality, respect, and equal opportunities.
Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM SVANidhi, Har Ghar Jal and SVAMITVA Yojana are greatly benefiting the citizens across the country. Under SVAMITVA yojana, more than 40 lakh property cards have been distributed in around 27000 villages.
The government is working relentlessly to empower the rural economy and the farmers of the country. Keeping in mind the record production, the government has also made record procurement.
The government is working on empowering small farmers. With schemes like Samman Nidhi Yojana, Fasal Bima Yojana, Krishi Infrastructure Fund, the government is building Aatma Nirbhar Krishi ecosystem.
To improve agriculture infrastructure, approximately Rs 1 lakh crore has been sanctioned for 1,000 Yojnas to boost the Agri sector in India, said Kovind.
He further said that women are playing an essential role in empowering the nation. The government has invested in many SHGs, encouraging Banking Sakhis to take banking services to remotest regions, and schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao are helping empower Nari Shakti.
The government has given training to thousands of women self-help group members to include them as ‘Banking Sakhi’. These women are working towards connecting banking services to the rural areas.
The President added that in order to build Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, the government is working on empowering the youth. With NEP 2020, the scheme will promote regional languages. Skill India Mission has also helped in skilling, reskilling and upskilling the Yuva Shakti.
Education is being imparted in 6 different languages across 19 engineering colleges in 10 states this year.
He mentioned that Indian athletes established a promising streak by winning 7 medals in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 19 medals in the Paralympics 2020.
To continue to strengthen the sports sector, the government has introduced & inaugurated various schemes & facilities to benefit the sports fraternity in India, especially India’s youth.
“India is one of the nations that has the cheapest internet & mobile phones. We are also working on developing 5G. Our PLI Scheme on semiconductor will further boost our startups ecosystem,” said the President.
“The government has relaxed various norms in the Patents and Trademarks sector and therefore we have already witnessed 6,000 applications for patents & 20,000 applications for Trademarks in the FY 2021-22,” he added.
The mega textile parks created by government will attract not only Indians but also foreign visitors and provide a lot of opportunities in the field of employment.
Rapid infrastructure development is not only creating employment, it increases the ease of doing business; increases the pace of transportation and ultimately leads to growth in every sector, said the President.
