Budget Session 2022: President Kovind lauds India's vaccination program
What's the story
Addressing the Budget Session of the Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday lauded the role of India's vaccination program in the fight against COVID-19. "India's capability to fight COVID-19 was evident in its vaccination program. In less than a year, we made a record of administering over 150 crore doses of vaccine," he said. Notably, President's address took place in Parliament's Central Hall.
Context
Why does it matter?
The 2022 Budget Session has begun on Monday, with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing both houses of Parliament. The session will be held in two parts. While the first part would conclude on February 11, the second part will commence from March 14 to April 8. Following President's address on Monday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled Economic Survey 2021-22 in Lok Sabha.
Details
Kovind praises Centre for welfare schemes
In his address, President Kovind also praised the Center for its welfare schemes. "To ensure that no one returns home hungry, my govt distributed free ration to the poor every month as part of the PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana," Kovind said. "Today, India is running the world's largest food distribution program." He also hailed Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Jan Aushadhi Kendra as great move.
Kovind
Center helped 28 lakh street vendors during COVID-19
Talking about the Center's various welfare moves, Kovind highlighted the PM SVANidhi Yojana, which aims to benefit street vendors. "So far, 28 lakh street vendors have received monetary support worth over Rs 2,900 crore," Kovind said. He also hailed Center's move to link Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile--dubbed JAM trinity--for citizen empowerment. "Thousands and thousands of people have received direct cash transfers during the pandemic," he said.
Women empowerment
President lists out Center's measures to empower women
Listing out various measures taken by the Center to empower women, President Kovind hailed Ujjwala Yojana, Mudra Yojana, and "Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao" initiatives for their success. Kovind said the bill to increase the minimum age of marriage of women aims to "provide an equal status to the sons and daughters." "Women empowerment is one of the top priorities of my government," he added.
NDA
First women cadets batch to enroll in NDA in June
President Kovind further informed the parliament that the first batch of women cadets will be admitted to the Pune-based National Defence Academy in June this year. "Because of the policy decisions and the encouragement given by my government, various police forces in the country now have more than twice the strength of women as compared to 2014," he added.
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Government prioritizes small-scale farmers: Kovind
Highlighting farmers' role in India's development, the President further said that the Center "has always prioritized 80% of our small-scale farmers." As part of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, over 11 crore families have benefitted to date, he added.
Address
What else did President Kovind say?
In his address, President Kovind talked about the measures taken by the Center to improve education in the country. He also praised India's performance in Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics for winning 7 and 19 medals, respectively. He further added that a Gender Inclusion Fund has been allocated in the National Education Policy "to increase the learning capabilities of our daughters."