Murmu hails EVMS and CAA, talks of new criminal laws

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday recalled the initiatives and achievements of the last 10 years of Narendra Modi government and spelt out its plans as she addressed the first joint session of Parliament.

- Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

Welcoming the new MPs, she said a "heartening aspect" of the Lok Sabha poll was that "the Kashmir Valley broke all records of voter turnout". She said "to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process, it was decided to use EVMS" and the machines had "passed every test, from the Supreme Court to the people's court, in the last few decades."

Hoping that the new Lok Sabha would script a new chapter in taking decisions for public welfare, she said the first Budget of the new government would be presented in the coming session. Laying down the government plans, she said, "Many historic steps will be seen in this Budget."

Noting that "the pace of reforms will be accelerated", she said the government believes in healthy competition among states to attract investors. She said "the resolve to Reform, Perform and Transform has made India the fastest growing economy" and one which is contributing 15 per cent of the global growth.

She said the government is now striving to make India the third largest economy by giving equal importance to manufacturing, services and agriculture. Apart from traditional sectors, sunrise sectors are being promoted.