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With the issue of corruption and black money stashed abroad attracting much attention recently, President Pratibha Patil said on Monday that the United Progressive Alliance government was committed to “addressing frontally” the concern at the lack of probity, transparency and integrity in public life.
She was addressing a joint sitting of Parliament here at the start of the budget session.
At the same time, she listed the priorities of the government: combating inflation, particularly the rising food prices; sustaining the momentum of economic growth; maintaining vigil on internal and external fronts; and pursuing a foreign policy which ensured that India's voice was heard at the global fora.
Ms. Patil said tackling the issue of black money, whether generated through tax evasion or illegal activities, required “diligent, sustained effort” by law enforcement agencies, including those of the State governments. “My government will spare no effort in bringing back to India what belongs to it and bringing the guilty to book.”
She said the government was working closely with the international community, especially through the G-20, to expedite identification and recovery of such money. India was now a member of the Financial Action Task Force because of its anti-money laundering and anti-tax evasion measures. The country also gained membership of the Eurasian Group and the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development. It had taken steps for exchange of information with such countries where Indians might have parked their money. The steps led to collection of Rs.34,601 crore in additional taxes and detection of Rs. 48,784 crore in additional income.
Emphasising that good governance was the entitlement of citizens and the obligation of the government, Ms. Patil said a Group of Ministers was considering all measures to tackle corruption and improve transparency, and this included a review of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers. It would also consider issues relating to state funding of elections.
The 48-minute address was silent on the winter session of Parliament, which was washed away, or the various scams that have rocked the country .
The renewed commitment to bring a food security law that will “entitle statutorily every family below the poverty line” to foodgrains at highly subsidised prices was a reassertion that the government was not ready for a universal public distribution system. “Important inputs have been received from the National Advisory Council. The States are being consulted as the success of the programme hinges critically on their commitment to reforms in the public distribution system.”
While highlighting inflation and sustaining growth momentum as the top priority, the President said the government would strive to push economic reforms to encourage foreign and private-sector investments , especially Foreign Direct Investment. “We have to maintain the momentum for reforms on a wide front.”
Noting that law and order was the primary responsibility of the States with the support of the Centre, she said terrorism, fundamentalism, ethnic violence and left-wing extremism continued to pose major challenges. It had been a “difficult year,” as some parts of the country, including areas affected by left-wing extremism and the Kashmir valley, had suffered from unacceptably high levels of violence. However, after a major revamp of the security apparatus following the terror attacks in Mumbai, the internal security scenario had “largely been under control.”
The President also mentioned the Integrated Action Plan for 60 tribal and backward districts in nine States and a number of pro-active measures taken to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. She also touched upon other development measures in infrastructure, roads, highways, electricity, water, education, health and environment, and under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Some members thumped their desks when Ms. Patil expressed the hope that the Women's Reservation Bill would be taken up by the Lok Sabha soon. There was another round of applause when she welcomed the “dawn of democracy” in Egypt.
As soon as the President finished her address in the Central Hall, some Congress members from Andhra Pradesh stood on their seats and raised banners and slogans, “We want Telangana.”
Reacting to the President's address, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha M.P. Brinda Karat said: “What happened to the 100 days promise in the previous address? What has been done to tackle food price when the causes remain? What is the point of expressing concern for the Women's Reservation Bill when nothing is being done on it? It just shows that this government lacks political will.”
She was addressing a joint sitting of Parliament here at the start of the budget session.
At the same time, she listed the priorities of the government: combating inflation, particularly the rising food prices; sustaining the momentum of economic growth; maintaining vigil on internal and external fronts; and pursuing a foreign policy which ensured that India's voice was heard at the global fora.
Ms. Patil said tackling the issue of black money, whether generated through tax evasion or illegal activities, required “diligent, sustained effort” by law enforcement agencies, including those of the State governments. “My government will spare no effort in bringing back to India what belongs to it and bringing the guilty to book.”
She said the government was working closely with the international community, especially through the G-20, to expedite identification and recovery of such money. India was now a member of the Financial Action Task Force because of its anti-money laundering and anti-tax evasion measures. The country also gained membership of the Eurasian Group and the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development. It had taken steps for exchange of information with such countries where Indians might have parked their money. The steps led to collection of Rs.34,601 crore in additional taxes and detection of Rs. 48,784 crore in additional income.
Emphasising that good governance was the entitlement of citizens and the obligation of the government, Ms. Patil said a Group of Ministers was considering all measures to tackle corruption and improve transparency, and this included a review of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers. It would also consider issues relating to state funding of elections.
The 48-minute address was silent on the winter session of Parliament, which was washed away, or the various scams that have rocked the country .
The renewed commitment to bring a food security law that will “entitle statutorily every family below the poverty line” to foodgrains at highly subsidised prices was a reassertion that the government was not ready for a universal public distribution system. “Important inputs have been received from the National Advisory Council. The States are being consulted as the success of the programme hinges critically on their commitment to reforms in the public distribution system.”
While highlighting inflation and sustaining growth momentum as the top priority, the President said the government would strive to push economic reforms to encourage foreign and private-sector investments , especially Foreign Direct Investment. “We have to maintain the momentum for reforms on a wide front.”
Noting that law and order was the primary responsibility of the States with the support of the Centre, she said terrorism, fundamentalism, ethnic violence and left-wing extremism continued to pose major challenges. It had been a “difficult year,” as some parts of the country, including areas affected by left-wing extremism and the Kashmir valley, had suffered from unacceptably high levels of violence. However, after a major revamp of the security apparatus following the terror attacks in Mumbai, the internal security scenario had “largely been under control.”
The President also mentioned the Integrated Action Plan for 60 tribal and backward districts in nine States and a number of pro-active measures taken to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. She also touched upon other development measures in infrastructure, roads, highways, electricity, water, education, health and environment, and under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Some members thumped their desks when Ms. Patil expressed the hope that the Women's Reservation Bill would be taken up by the Lok Sabha soon. There was another round of applause when she welcomed the “dawn of democracy” in Egypt.
As soon as the President finished her address in the Central Hall, some Congress members from Andhra Pradesh stood on their seats and raised banners and slogans, “We want Telangana.”
Reacting to the President's address, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha M.P. Brinda Karat said: “What happened to the 100 days promise in the previous address? What has been done to tackle food price when the causes remain? What is the point of expressing concern for the Women's Reservation Bill when nothing is being done on it? It just shows that this government lacks political will.”