TANMAY OBSERVES!

Highlights of President's address

Highlights of President Pratibha Patil's address to joint sitting of Parliament:

- Left-wing extremists continue to indulge in senseless violence. - The aam aadmi was and is at the core of government's promise of faster and more inclusive growth. - Economic growth which had slowed to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09 is likely to improve to around 7.5 per cent in 2009-10. - Higher prices of food items were inevitable. - Government is committed to bringing forth a legislation to ensure food security. - Government will aim at a growth rate above 8 per cent in 2010-11 and seek to achieve 9 per cent growth in 2011-12. - Infiltration of terrorists from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up. - It is imperative that as the economy grows apace, the disadvantaged sections of society be made part of the Indian success story. - Government to bring in a proposal to amend the Waqf Act during current session of Parliament. - Government for early passage of the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005, in current session. - The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 has been notified to be effective from April 1, 2010. - National Council for Higher Education and Research will soon be established as an overarching body to regulate higher education and research in India. - Government has decided to list profitable companies on the stock exchanges through a public offer of at least 10 per cent of the equity. - New scheme of rural LPG distribution namely, 'Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitarak Yojana' has been launched. - National Mission for the Delivery of Justice and Legal Reforms to be set up. - An indigenous Influenza A H1N1 vaccine is being developed which will be available this year. - Renegotiation of the Tax Treaty with Switzerland is in process. - Digitalisation of both All India Radio and Doordarshan is on the anvil. - Every effort will be made to ensure a befitting and successful conduct of the Commonwealth Games. - India is ready to explore a meaningful relationship with Pakistan if it seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and takes effective steps to prevent terrorist activities against India. - Government will work towards giving Indian citizens living abroad the opportunity to vote by the time of the next regular general elections. - New agreements for cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy under consideration. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/54159/highlights-presidents-address.html President of India Website http://presidentofindia.nic.in/sp220210.html All profitable PSUs to be listed on bourses: Prez http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/all-profitable-psus-to-be-listedbourses-prez/86399/on