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Federal spirit of the country has been diluted over the years, government said today and promised to correct it by actively engaging with the states on national issues and function as an 'organic Team India'.
Addressing the first joint sitting of Parliament after the recent Lok Sabha elections, President Pranab Mukherjee said the Centre will be an enabler in the rapid progress of states through cooperative federalism.
"The states and the Centre should function as an organic Team India. In order to actively engage with the states on national issues, my government will reinvigorate fora like National Development Council and the Inter-State Council," he said.
Unveiling the Narendra Modi-led government's priorities, the President said state-specific development models will be developed taking into account the special needs and unique problems of coastal and desert areas.
The President said highest priority will be accorded to bring eastern region of the country on par with western region in terms of physical and social infrastructure.
"My government is committed to addressing the issues relating to development of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The government will lay special emphasis on improving the intra-region connectivity and border infrastructure in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The issue of infiltration and illegal immigrants in the Northeast region will be tackled on priority and all pending fencing work along the Northeast border will be completed," he said.
