GOVERNMENT

President Dr. S.D. Sharma's Address to Parliament, 20 February, 1997

On Kashmir Situation

The sustained operation against terrorists coupled with vigorous welfare and development efforts have brought about a qualitative improvement in the situation in J&K. The successful conduct of assembly elections and the installation of a popular Government in J&K have been major steps forward in the process of restoration of normalcy. The Prime Minister had announced a special economic package for the revival of the State's economy during the last Monsoon Session of Parliament. Action has already been taken to implement it.

On Universal Welfare Services

 A major priority of the Government is to initiate and implement a set of concrete measures for providing basic minimum services to improve the quality of life of the poor. At the Conference of Chief Ministers held in July 1996 it was decided to implement a time-bound programme for achieving seven basic minimum services.

These are:

1. Provision of Safe Drinking Water in every habitation;

2. Provision of efficient Primary Health-Care for every group of 5000 persons;

3. Universal and Compulsory primary education and measures to spread literacy;

4 Provision of Public Housing Assistance to shelter less poor persons;

5. Connecting villages/habitat ns with link roads to the nearest market or the main road;

6. Nutrition support to children belonging to poor families during pre-school and elementary education stages; and

7. Streamlining the Public Distribution System with focus on the poor.

Special Central assistance of Rs.2216 crore was placed at the disposal of the States for implementing these programmes blending national commitment with local initiatives.

On Weaker Sections

The Government is committed to bridging the gap in the levels of development of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and minorities and to bring them on par with the rest of the society. The idea is to eliminate all forms of exploitation and enhance the flow of funds for their social and economic progress through sub-plans, special central assistance and the National Finance and Development Corporations.

The positive results of our constructive and pragmatic foreign policy are becoming increasingly evident as far as relations with our immediate neighbours are concerned. We have consistently sought mutually beneficial relations with them, both on a bilateral basis as well as through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The active role played by India as the current Chairman of SAARC in strengthening the Association, and enlarging its activities has been widely acknowledged.

During the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in December 1996, the two countries signed a historic treaty on the long-term sharing of Ganga waters heralding a new era of friendship in India-Bangladesh relations.

With Pakistan, we are committed to ending confrontation and establishing a harmonious relationship and durable peace, as provided for in the Shimla Agreement. We believe that fostering people-to-people contacts and promoting trade and economic links will contribute to this process. We are ready for a dialogue with the new Government of Pakistan and hope for an early resumption of talks.

India is concerned at the continuing foreign interference and consequent instability in Afghanistan. There can be no resolution of the Afghan problem without cessation of foreign interference. Our traditional role as a friend and a well-wisher of Afghanistan is recognised and our humanitarian assistance for the suffering people of Afghanistan will continue.

Our mutually beneficial interaction with Association of South East Asian Nations has been growing and reached a new level last year. We are confident that this process will continue and that we will play our due role in the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region.

Our relations with the Arab countries continue to be marked by traditional friendship, mutual understanding, and growing cooperation. India has supported the Middle East peace process and welcomed the progress made so far; we look forward to its expeditious conclusion. The recent visit of Israel's President to India has given an impetus to our steadily growing economic and technological cooperation with that country.

Today, India is a beacon for sustaining democratic values, Rule of Law, human rights and secularism.

Id-ul-Fitr Greetings

President

I have great pleasure in extending my greetings and good wishes on the auspicious occasion of Id. May the Id celebrations reinforce the nation's commitment to synthesis, harmony and goodwill towards all, and radiate this message of India's composite culture to the whole world.

Vice President

Id-ul-Fitr brings with it a new hope for universal peace, love and brotherhood. It rekindles in us the spirit of fraternity, peace and harmony which is embodied in our culture.