President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said that by the time the nation completes 75 years of its independence in 2022, every family in India will have a pucca (brick and cemented) house with water connection and toilet facilities.
He said the government would empower Panchayati Raj institutions to improve life in rural areas.
As part of the government's commitment to ensuring hygiene, waste management and sanitation, it will launch "Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission)", also paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary to be celebrated in the year 2019.
"By the time the nation completes 75 years of its independence, every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities and 24x7 electricity supply," Mukherjee said while addressing the joint sitting of both houses of parliament.
"We must not tolerate the indignity of homes without toilets and public spaces littered with garbage. For ensuring hygiene, waste management and sanitation across the nation a 'Swachh Bharat Mission' will be launched," added Mukherjee.
He also pointed out that though more than two-thirds of people in our country live in rural areas, the government has not been able to provide basic amenities and livelihood opportunities to them.
"My government is committed to improving the quality of life in our villages, through empowered Panchayati Raj institutions. A substantial part of investment will focus on creating community assets and improving basic infrastructure such as roads, shelter, power and drinking water," he said.
He stressed the government will strive to end the rural-urban divide, guided by the idea of "Rurban".
"Rurban is providing urban amenities to rural areas while preserving the ethos of the villages," said Mukherjee.
As 50 percent of country's population would be residing in urban areas soon, government will build 100 cities with world class amenities.
"My government is conscious of the fact that our urban infrastructure is under severe stress. Soon, 50 percent of our population would be residing in urban areas. Taking urbanization as an opportunity rather than a challenge, the government will build 100 cities focussed on specialized domains and equipped with world class amenities," he said as he outlined the Narendra Modi government's agenda.
He said the government will roll out integrated infrastructure in model towns with focus on "cleanliness" and "sanitation".
