President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday said the central government is making all efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address to the joint sitting of both houses ofParliament, Kovind said the government is also committed to take all necessarysteps for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“My government is making efforts with completededication to provide a safe and peaceful environment for residents of Jammuand Kashmir.
“The recently concluded peaceful elections to localbodies and to Lok Sabha have bolstered our efforts,” he said in hiscustomary address after the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha.
Jammu and Kashmir is currently under President’s rule andschedule for the assembly elections is expected to be announced after theAmarnath Yatra, which will come to an end in mid-August.
‘AIR STRIKES DISPLAYED INTENT, CAPABILITY:’
“India has amply demonstrated both her intent andcapabilities, first through surgical strikes and then through air strikes afterthe Pulwama attack at terrorist hideouts across the border. In future too, allpossible steps will be taken to ensure our security,” he said.
Kovind said the government is rapidly taking forward thework of modernisation of the Army and the armed forces. In this regard, thecountry is going to receive its first Rafale fighter aircraft and the Apachehelicopters in the near future, he said.
“New India will be sensitive and also economicallyprosperous. But for this to happen, the nation’s security is of utmostimportance. My government accords topmost priority to national security.Therefore, effective steps are being taken to tackle terrorism and naxalism,”the President said in his address.
Constitutionally, the President is the head of the state aswell as the government.
To secure the future of the children of those who guard theborders and ensure peace and security for the nation, the amount of scholarshipunder the ‘National Defence Fund’ has been increased, Kovind said.
For the first time, the children of state police personnelhave also been included in this scholarship, he added.
Special emphasis is being accorded by the government to themanufacture of modern armaments under ‘Make in India’, Kovind said, noting thatthe policy of indigenously manufacturing weapons such as modern rifles andcannons, tanks and combat aircrafts is being carried forward successfully.
“Defence corridors coming up in Uttar Pradesh and TamilNadu will further strengthen this mission. While fulfilling our securityrequirements, export of defence equipment is also being encouraged,” hesaid.
Through ‘One Rank, One Pension’, an increased pensionarybenefits to ex-servicemen, and expansion of health facilities, efforts arebeing made to improve their living standards, the President added.
The National War Memorial near the India Gate, in Delhi,built by the government seven decades after India’s independence, is a tribute tothe martyrs by a grateful nation, he said. “Similarly, my government has set up theNational Police Memorial in memory of police personnel who were martyred whilesafeguarding the security of the country,” the President said.