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Highlights of the President's address to Parliament
Following are the highlights of President K R Narayanan's address to the joint sitting of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session.
- Ambitious target of 9 per cent annual growth to be set for the next 10 years to double per capita income and halve poverty.
- Consensus on economic reforms needs to be broadened and strengthened.
- Software exports to touch $50 billion by 2008.
- To reverse the stagnation in farm sector productivity and efficiency should be increased.
- A national mission on technology education to be set up.
- Private sector must assume greater public responsibility.
- Public sector needs to focus more on achieving results in a highly competitive market.
- Reforms in power sector crucial for achieving ambitious growth target.
- 10,000 MW renewable energy proposed over the next 12 years.
- Government to chart out a long-term policy for petroleum and natural gas sector.
- Specific steps being taken to further raise indigenous crude oil production.
- Government to allow private sector participation in coal mining.
- Coal India to be strengthened by facilitating joint ventures.
- New Drug Policy being finalised.
- Nine new Export Zones to be set up.
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission to be restructured and modernised.
- Government to increase large scale investment in labour-intensive industries.
- National Disaster Management Authority proposed.
- 'Communication Convergence Bill' to respond to emerging IT scenario.
- Programmes drawn to double the intake of students in IITs by 2002 and treble by 2003.
- Political parties should arrive at consensus for the passage of Women's Reservation Bill.
- Incentives and disincentives to be evolved to control population.
- Action against terrorism to continue relentlessly.
- Northeastern states asked to carry out effective decentralisation, strengthen democratic institutions and avoid leakage of public funds.
- New Health Policy to be unveiled to achieve 'Health for All'.
- Government to engage with Bush administration in US to foster stronger ties.
SEE ALSO:
Removal of QRs not to hit farming: President
The full text of the President's address to Parliament
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