New Delhi, Jan 29: The Modi government Monday called for a sustained debate for a political consensus on simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which it said was needed to avoid frequent polls that put a burden on economy and governance, and hamper development.
The call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet theme came in the speech of President Ram Nath Kovind to members of both the Houses of Parliament in his customary address at the start of the Budget Session, his first after assuming office in July last year.
Outlining the government’s plans for the coming financial year, Kovind also expressed the hope that Parliament will soon pass a Bill criminalizing triple talaq, stalled in the Rajya Sabha, which once enacted will “enable Muslim sisters and daughters to live a life of self-respect with courage”.
In a 45 minute-long speech, the President also touched on the subject of internal security, claiming significant improvement in the situation with security forces doing a good job in the northeast, Jammu and Kashmir and in handling Maoist insurgency.
“Citizens alive to the state of governance in the country are concerned about the frequent elections in one part of the country or another, which adversely impact the economy and development. “Frequent elections not only impose a huge burden on human resources but also impede the development process due to the promulgation of the model code of conduct. Therefore, a sustained debate is required on the subject of simultaneous elections and all political parties need to arrive at a consensus on this issue.”
Referring to the triple talaq bill, the President said for decades, the dignity of Muslim women had remained captive to political cost-benefit. “Now the nation has an opportunity to emancipate them. My government has tabled a Bill on triple talaq in Parliament. I hope that Parliament will soon pass it into a law.” On internal security in the country, the President said terrorist violence in the interiors of Jammu and Kashmir was directly related to cross-border infiltration.
The President also touched on Modi’s New India initiative and said each citizen of the country had a role to play in “nation building”. “It is our responsibility to exhibit exemplary conduct before the nation. The completion of time bound goals towards nation building is our collective responsibility. Attaining these goals by 2022, when the nation celebrates the 75th year of Independence, would not only fulfill the dream of our freedom fighters and founding fathers but also strengthen the foundation of New India.
The President called on all citizens to work towards achieving the ideals of “equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution. “Let us move ahead together in one direction with full commitment and energy towards creating a glorious India.” Committing the government to the welfare of weaker sections, he said the government was working towards strengthening social justice and economic democracy and to usher ease of living for the common man.
IANS