Focus on checking prices, terrorism in President’s address

President Pratibha Patil’s address to the joint session of Parliament on Monday, as expected, focused on government’s efforts to rein in prices as well as terrorism and internal security.

Admitting that there has been an “unhappy pressure” on the prices of food grains and products, the Government promised to tackle the problem even as it expressed confidence that it will aim at a growth rate of 8 per cent in the coming fiscal The government said providing relief to 'aam admi' (common man) from higher food prices will remain its top priority.

"My government continues to accord the highest importance to ensuring relief to the aam admi on food prices..." President Pratibha Patil said in her address, marking the start of the Budget session of Parliament.

Attributing rising food prices to shortfall in domestic production and high prices of rice, cereals and edible oils in the international market, the President said, "My government is committed to bringing forth a legislation to ensure food security." The country's food inflation touched a decade's high of about 20% in December before moderating to around 18% in February.and 9 per cent in the next.

Taking note of the recent elections in Sri Lanka, the President said India will continue to work with Colombo to enhance partnership. New Delhi will also contribute to the humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts for the Tamil minority and long term reconstruction in conflict-affected areas, she said.

Referring to ties with countries in the neighbourhood, she said the visits to India by leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives had given a new content to traditional ties with them.

The President, who spoke at length on a variety of issues, made it clear that India was 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”.

Conveying her heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the recent terrorist act in Pune, she said these “cowardly acts” strengthen our resolve to meet with added vigour the challenge posed by such violence.

The contentious Telangana issue did not find mention in the President’s address, prompting Congress MPs from the region to protest by showing placards inside the Central Hall. As Ms. Patil completed her 50-minute address to joint sitting of Parliament, all Congress MPs from the region barring Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy stood up and displayed placards in support of a separate Telangana State. Congress MPs Madhu Goud Yashki, G Vivekanand, Ponnam Prabhakar and others stood up and displayed placards which read ‘Jai Telangana, Jai Congress’. The MPs also observed silence in memory of Yadagiri, the Osmania University student who set himself ablaze allegedly in support of a separate State.

On the issue of internal security, Ms. Patil said the government remains vigilant against all forms of challenges posed by terrorism. “Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our principled policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups,” she said.

Though infiltration of terrorists from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up, she said the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the North East. However, Left wing extremism continues to be a significant cause of concern, the President said.

“We will accord the highest priority to modernisation programmes to equip our armed forces with the required weaponry, equipment and platforms. The successful launch of the Agni-III missile is a shining example of the capabilities of our scientists and engineers who deserve full praise,” she said.

“Following the availability of imported fuel as a result of the opening of international civil nuclear cooperation, commercial production has commenced in two units of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, and one more unit is expected to begin commercial production soon,” she said.

New agreements for cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy were concluded with Russia, Mongolia, Namibia, Argentina and the United Kingdom, while others are under negotiation, she said.

- Asian Tribune -