The budget session of Parliament began on Monday with an address by president Pranab Mukherjee.  Economic Survey will be presented on February 27 and Railway Budget on February 26. The budget on February 28 will be important as it will be the first full-year budget for the reforms-oriented and business-friendly Modi Government.

The president’s nearly an hour-long speech to the members of both Houses of Parliament is prepared by the government and is virtual agenda of the government of the day.

In his address Mukherjee said the government will  endeavour to ensure smooth conduct of Parliament and enact progressive laws.

He assured the nation that the Land Acquisition Act was being suitably modified to remove procedural difficulties

Touching on the travels undertaken by prime minister Narendra Modi and himself, the president said that the government has  made unprecedented efforts to reach out to the Indian community abroad.

India was committed to deeper engagement with West Asia, Africa and South America, the president said.

 The government has envisioned an ambitious program-Digital India, to provide technology based tranformation and citizen-based transparent system, said the president.

“Maximum governance and minimum government is the guiding principle of my government,” the president’s speech said, echoing Modi government’s strategy.

President’s Full speech: Click Here