The government is committed to social and economic equality for the "deprived and disempowered" sections as enshrined in the Constitution, President Pranab Mukherjee said while asserting that all its schemes are for the poor, deprived and underprivileged.
In his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Mukherjee spoke about a host of government schemes and initiatives covering aspects like housing, LPG connections, electrification, healthcare, education, farmers' welfare, welfare of the specially-abled, rural development and urban development.
"All the schemes of my government are for the poor, deprived and underprivileged," he said.
"Social and economic equality for the deprived and disempowered sections is the first promise of our constitution. My government is committed to fulfil this promise," the President said.
He said through the 'Stand-up India' initiative, the government plans to empower over two-and-a-half lakh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women entrepreneurs.
For promoting entrepreneurship, the National Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Hub has been launched, with an initial allocation of Rs. 490 crore, he said.
"My government has opened new avenues and made higher technical education more accessible to students from economically weaker sections," Mukherjee said.
For the first time, he said, ITI trainees have been provided with academic equivalence at matriculation and higher secondary level through bridge courses to enable them to pursue higher education.
With the objective of providing training of international standards to youth, a nation-wide network of 50 India International Skill Centres is being established, he said.
The Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana has been launched for promoting entrepreneurship education and training amongst 7 lakh students.
"My government has announced a package of Rs 6000 crore to boost employment generation and exports in the apparel and made-ups sector. This package is expected to generate over 1.1 crore jobs, mostly for women," the President said.
Noting that the location of the country's mineral wealth
largely coincides with tribal habitations, Mukherjee said the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana will serve the dual purpose of ensuring sustainable mining activity as well as local area development for the betterment of the tribals and the poor inhabitants in the mining areas.
"District Mineral Foundation is a novel initiative in this regard," the President added.
"Under the Forest Rights Act, about 16.5 lakh Individual Forest Rights titles have been granted over an area of 55.4 lakh acres of forest land. Further, Community Forest Rights titles have been distributed over an area of about 47 lakh acres of forest land.
He said the government has increased the allocation under the Tribal sub-plan and 14 different sectors have been identified under the 'Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana' for the empowerment of tribals.
100 out of the 300 clusters envisaged under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission, will be developed in tribal areas, he said.
Talking about the intiatives for the specially-abled, the President said the government has accelerated filling up of backlog vacancies for Divyang people besides increasing the percentage of reservation for them from 3 to 4 percent in government jobs.
Over 6 lakh Divyang jan have so far benefitted from 4700 special assistance camps organised across the country since May 2014, he said.
The 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan' is improving accessibility for the Divyang jan at public places.
"For the first time, Speech and Language Disability, and Specific Learning Disability have been included in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016," he said, adding "A common sign language is being developed for the entire country."
"The Niramaya Swasthya Bima Yojana provides Divyang jan affected by autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and those with multiple disabilities, a health insurance cover of up to Rs one lakh," he said.
