New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government on Monday unveiled its priorities saying it would take steps to tackle communal violence, eliminate corruption, rein in inflation and encourage investment including through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The road map formed part of the address of President Pranab Mukherjee, which is cleared by the Cabinet, to the joint sitting of Parliament which also promised "predictable, transparent and fair" policy environment and non-adversarial tax regime conducive to investment to put the economy back on growth path.
"The government will maintain utmost vigil in the area of internal security. A policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, riots and crime will be pursued....
"A national plan will be chalked out in consultation with the state governments to effectively curb incidents of communal violence and the challenges posed by left wing extremism," he said in the 50-minute address delivered in the Central Hall of Parliament.
In a word of assurance to minorities, the address said the new government is committed to making all minorities equal partners in India's progress.
Noting that this is the first election in 30 years to give a clear verdict in favour of a single party, the President said he applauded the wisdom of of the people for having voted for stability, honesty and development in a resurgent India in which corruption will have no place.
On the economic front, he noted that the country was passing through an extremely difficult phase as for two consecutive years the GDP growth rate had been less than 5 percent.
Acknowledging that inflation has been at an unacceptable level, the President said putting the Indian economy back on track is paramount for the government.
"We will work together to usher our economy into a high growth path, rein inflation, reignite the investment cycle, accelerate job creation and restore the confidence of the domestic as well as international community in our economy," he said.
Mukherjee said the government will create a policy environment which is predictable, transparent and fair.
"It will embark on rationalisation and simplification of the tax regime to make it non-adversarial and conducive to investment, enterprise and growth. My government will make every effort to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) while addressing the concerns of states."
He said reforms will be undertaken to enhance the ease of doing business.
"My government will follow a policy of encouraging investments, including through FDI, which will be allowed in sectors that help create jobs and assets," he added.
The address promised strategic promotion of labour-intensive manufacturing for rapid creation of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Employment opportunities will also be expanded by promoting tourism and agro-based industries.
Asserting the new government's commitment to providing a clean and efficient administration focused on delivery, the President said the institution of Lok Pal is important to curb corruption for which the government will formulate rules in under the act.
On black money, the new government expressed its determination to deal with the menace saying it will engage with foreign countries to bring back the ill-gotten money stashed abroad.
"My government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and the menace of black money. As a first step in this direction, the government has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth black money stashed abroad," the address said.
The government also promised zero-tolerance towards communal violence for which a national policy will be framed in consultation with states to curb the menace.
"A policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, riots and crime will be pursued... A national plan will be chalked out in consultation with the state governments to effectively curb incidents of communal violence and the challenges posed by left wing extremism," he said.
BJP had earlier opposed the UPA government's move to enact a stringent Communal Violence Bill, terming it as "the most obnoxious piece of legislation in independent India".
The party had maintained that the proposed legislation would hurt the federal structure of the country as it provides for direct central intervention in case of riots.
The President said states will be assisted for modernisation of police infrastructure and equipment to tackle new forms of terrorism, including narco-terrorism and cyber threats.
He said the government will take steps to equip the security forces with the latest technology and to improve their working conditions.
