President Kovind’s Address To Joint Session Of Parliament - Key Takeaways

President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the joint session of the Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session 2020. In his address, the President described the central government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution from Jammu and Kashmir as a historic one. He said that the decision has paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. "The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh."

Here Are The Key Highlights:

• “Government is clearly of the view that mutual discussions and debates further strengthen democracy. At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country.”
• “This decade is key to India's growth. It will fulfill the dreams of Gandhi and Nehru. We are committed to working in accordance with the Constitution."
• “The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution through two-thirds majority by both the Houses of Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.”
• "Government built the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in record time, dedicated it to the nation on the occasion of 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji."
• “On the special request of my government, Saudi Arabia increased Haj quota unprecedentedly, due to which a record 2 lakh Indian Muslims performed Haj this time. India is the first country where the entire process of Haj was done digitally and online.”
• “I am happy that the wish of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi has been fulfilled through the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act by both the Houses of Parliament.”
• “Our country is indebted to our Annadata farmers, due to whose hard work we are self-sufficient in food grains. Under Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi, more than Rs 43 thousand crore has been deposited in the bank account of more than 8 crore farmer-families.”
• “In the same year, 75 new medical colleges have been approved in the country, which will increase by about 16 thousand MBBS of medical and more than 4 thousand PG seats in the country.”
• “Today, the world's third-largest startup ecosystem is in India. Under the StartUp India campaign, 27 thousand new startups have been recognized in the country.”
• “Today more than 121 crore people in the country have an Aadhaar card and about 60 crore people have Rupay cards. A record 2 lakh crore rupees have been transacted through UPI in December 2019.”
• “Ayushman Bharat has had a telling effect on the health sector. About 75 lakh poor people have availed to its benefits so far...More than 27,000 Health and Wellness Centres have also been built.”