Honourable Members,
1. In this Basant season of renewal and
resurgence, I welcome you all to this Joint Session of both Houses of
Parliament. This is a historic session heralding the advancement of the Budget
cycle and merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget for the first
time in independent India. We gather once again to celebrate democracy, a
cherished value and culture that has prospered throughout the long history of
our nation. Indeed, a culture that guides my government towards Sabka Saath,
Sabka Vikas.
2. The ideal of saha na vavatu, saha nau
bhunaktu - May we be protected together and blessed together with bliss - has
inspired our civilisation from time immemorial. This year marks the 350th birth
anniversary of the great Sikh Guru - Guru Gobind Singhji. We are also observing
the one thousandth birth anniversary of the great saint-philosopher
Ramanujacharya. The luminous path of social transformation and reform shown by
them serves as a beacon for all, and is an inspiration to my government.
3. This year marks the Centenary year of
Champaran Satyagraha, which gave a new direction to our freedom struggle and
channelised janashakti in the fight against colonial power. Mahatma Gandhi's
ideals of Satyagraha instilled in every Indian an indomitable self-belief, and
spirit of sacrifice for the larger good. This janashakti is today our greatest
strength.
4. The resilience and forbearance demonstrated
by our countrymen, particularly the poor, recently in the fight against black
money and corruption, is remarkable. The same spirit has driven the LPG ''Give
It Up Campaign." Over 1.2 crore consumers have voluntarily given up their LPG
subsidy, which has helped the underprivileged in accessing LPG connections. This
janashakti has transformed Swachh Bharat Mission into a jan-andolan. 1.4 lakh
villages, over 450 cities, 77 districts and 3 states have declared themselves
Open Defecation Free. My government salutes the strength of janashakti and
pledges to constructively utilise it in Rashtra Nirman.
Honourable Members,
5. At the core of all my Government's policies
is the welfare of the garib, dalit, peedit, shoshit, vanchit, kisan, shramik and
yuva. My government is guided by the Antyodaya philosophy of Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyaya. His centenary year is being observed as Garib Kalyan Varsh.
6. Financial inclusion is key to poverty
alleviation. An unprecedented 26 crore plus Jan Dhan accounts have been opened
for the unbanked. Over 20 crore RUPAY debit cards have been issued to enable
cashless payments. Moving swiftly from “Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha” close to 13
crore poor have been covered under various social security schemes.
7. To take the banking system to the doorstep
of the poor and the unbanked, the Indian Postal Payment Bank has been started.
The postal network with wider reach and deep penetration of over 1.5 lakh post
offices will also function as postal banks. Besides the over 1 lakh bank-mitras
appointed by banks, over 2.5 lakh Gram-Dak-Sewaks will also function as banking
correspondents.
8. Over Rs 2 Lakh Crore has been provided
through 5.6 crore loans sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana to ensure
collateral-free bank financing for the unfunded, and to promote small
businesses. Seventy percent of this has been availed of by women
entrepreneurs.
9. Under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, which
aims to empower women, particularly from the deprived sections, over Rs. Sixteen
Thousand crore have been made available to Self Help Groups in the current
Financial Year. The scheme aims to reach out to nearly 5 crore women soon.
Honourable Members,
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