President's speech to joint session of Parliament to reflect PM Modi's plank

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Monday, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet today, will reflect the essence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inclusive development (' Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas') plank and NDA government's socio-economic agenda.

The meeting of the Cabinet, that took several decisions apart from clearing the speech, lasted for two hours.

The President's speech, will unveil the economic and social agenda of the government and its educational and infrastructure policies.

The President's speech in the joint session is considered to lay a roadmap of the government's policy.

The Cabinet meeting discussed the speech para by para before finalising it.

The speech will enunciate the broad parameters of government's policies on foreign affairs, security and economy.

The speech is expected to take stock of the work already accomplished and certain new measures proposed by the government.

The speech is also likely to give an expression to the keenness of the government to turn the six ordinances it had brought into legislations.

It is also likely to include bills to be brought before Parliament in the next financial year.

The President's speech, being a statement of the government's intent, has to be debated and passed by the two Houses of Parliament.

The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address is likely to be taken up on February 24 and 25.

This will be the second address of the President to the joint sitting of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.