Reactions to President's Address on expected lines

Political parties came out with reactions to the President's Address to the Joint Session of Parliament today on expected lines with the ruling party hailing it as an' indicator of nation's progress' and the Opposition rubbishing it as 'directionless and devoid any vision.' Senior Congress leader and Minorities Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the facts and figures contained in the Address signalled towards great progress the country had achieved." It reflects the government's resolve and vision to take the nation to greater heights by way of economic prosperity, social justice and equal opportunities for all," Mr Khurshid said adding that the government was also committed towards the welfare of the minorities.On price rise, he said," mehngai to NDA ke zamane bhi thee( Price rise was there during the NDA regime too)." BJP senior leader M M Joshi said the President's Address was a " mere list of government programmes and had brought down its prestige. It has no vision, no direction and goals." On the government's failure to contain price rise, Dr Joshi said the Manmohan Singh government had evolved " no price and wage policy" with the result that now the aam aadmi had borne the brunt of the unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities." When you leave the issue to the commmodity exchanges, adopt the consumerist model of development and not review the disastrous economic policies, price rise is bound to raise its ugly head again and again," the BJP leader said.He also came down heavily on the government for adopting what he called as "faulty" Wholesale Price Index and the Consumer Price Index.''The government has been saying for ten years that it want to change them but of no use." Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said the Address emphasised that the promises made by the government last year had been implemented." It indicates towards great mass response to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme, high GDP, agricultural production and rural connectivity and welfare measures for the unorganised sector... all this shows as to how the country is making strides in the right direction." Senior Congress leader and Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy endorsed the views of his Cabinet collegues.However, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee chose not to speak to the press when they were asked to give their reactions.
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Andhra pradesh Disabled free from now' campaign from Feb 26

A.P-Chief Minister, will launch a state-wide campaign to make 'AP Disabled Free from Now' here on February 26, according to State Disabled Welfare Principal Secretary Chaya Ratan.Addressing a press conference here today, Ms Ratan said a study conducted by the state had found that 14 lakh people (about two per cent of the state population) were suffering from disabilities and a majority of them could be prevented if intervened at right time with some behavioural changes.The Chief Minister would flag off the rally from the Secretariat to People's Plaza to sensitise people on preventive steps, she said, adding the campaign would be taken across the state to highlight the need for stopping marriages among close blood relations, child marriages and pregnancy before 18 years.''We need to propagate pregnancy as a special lifetime event and treat expectant mother with care and protection -- ensuring good nutrition, proper healthcare, stress-free environment, 100 iron and folic acid tablets and a safe institutional delivery,'' she said.She stressed the need for timely immunisation of both mother and child, adequate nutrition with stimulating environment for children, especially colostrum at birth and exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, Vitamin A supplements for children, safe drinking water and iodised salt consumption daily by family. ======================================================

Zero tolerance of terrorist activities: Patil

The government had a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and remained vigilant against all forms of challenges posed by the threat, President Pratibha Patil Monday said.“Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our principled policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups,” Patil said, addressing a joint sitting of both houses of parliament on the opening day of the budget session.Detailing some measures taken by the government to strengthen the security apparatus, Patil said the establishment of the four National Security Guard (NSG) hubs, the operationalisation of the National Investigation Agency and strengthening the Multi-Agency Centre that analyses intelligence alerts on a real time basis had helped hinterland security.“The overall internal security, law and order and the communal situation remained largely under control during 2009. Infiltration of terrorists from across the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up,” she said.“Even then, the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the north east, but left wing extremism continues to be a significant cause of concern.”                                            (thanks to way2online)

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Dr. Manmohan Singh arrives at the Parliament House to attend the Budget Session

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh arrives at the Parliament House to attend the Budget Session, in New Delhi on February 22, 2010. The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal and the Minister of State of Planning and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri V. Narayanasamy are also seen.  (Photo by No:CNR-30516)
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Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House,

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House to address the Members of both the Houses of Parliament on Budget Session, in New Delhi on February 22, 2010. The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, the Vice President and Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal and other dignitaries are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30519)
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