President Pranab Mukherjee sets the tone for upcoming budget session

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said Parliament is a place for “debate and discussions” and not for “disruption or obstruction”. Addressing the joint session of both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, Mukherjee set the tone for the upcoming Budget session by listing out the broad initiatives taken by the Union government and objectives for the coming year.

The Budget session, which began on Tuesday, has started on a note where the opposition parties have set conditions of discussing issues like the ongoing Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) row and the Hyderabad Central University row before the legislative business is taken up. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been on an overdrive to salvage the session and has already called two all-party meetings ahead of the session.

On Tuesday, Mukherjee reiterated the government’s resolve to take ahead its engagement with the opposition parties and said it would work towards “smooth and constructive” conduct of Parliamentary business.

“Our Parliament reflects the supreme will of the people. Democratic temper calls for debate and discussion, and not disruption or obstruction. Aa No Bhadra Kratvo Yantu Viswataha—let noble thoughts come from all directions, should be the spirit behind debate in this temple of democracy. Being a member of this great institution bestows great honour as well as important responsibilities,” Mukherjee said in his customary address. “My government will constantly strive for smooth and constructive conduct of Parliamentary business. I urge all members of the Parliament to discharge their solemn responsibilities in a spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation.”

The President’s comments come in the backdrop of a heated exchange of words between the ruling and opposition sides, setting a stormy note at the start of the session. While opposition parties, specially Congress, said that they want Parliament to run, they added that the responsibility of running it lies with the government.

In his address, Mukherjee also said that the NDA government was guided by the principle of “sabka saath, sabka vikaas” and that the overriding goal of the government is eradication of poverty. He stated the government’s promise of housing for all by 2022, distribution of Soil Health Cards to all the 14 crore farm-holdings by March 2017, electricity to all the census villages by May 2018, connecting 1,78,000 rural habitations with all-weather roads, increasing the renewable energy capacity manifold to 175 GW by 2022 and completing the IT modernization project of all post offices by 2017.

The President also said that rural development was a key priority of the government. “The grant of over Rs.2 lakh crores by the 14th Finance Commission over a five year period from 2015-16, exclusively for gram panchayats has been received with great enthusiasm by the states. This will move development activity closer to the people and enable them to decide how they want to improve their villages and wards,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed reporters before the session began and said that he was hopeful of a productive session. “The eyes of 125 crore countrymen are focused on Parliament, the rail budget and the general budget. World is also paying attention to the Budget session due to India’s position in the global economy today,” he said.

Expressing optimism over the discussions held with opposition parties, Modi said: “In the last many days, there has been discussion with parties. Discussion is happening rising above formalities. One-on-one talks have also taken place. I am confident that Parliament will be utilised for constructive debate and there will be intensive discussion on the country’s hope and aspirations. In our meetings, friends from opposition have shown positive attitude. In the session beginning today and in the coming days, people will realise it.”