Food Inflation Biggest Priority of Government: Pranab Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee today addressed the joint sitting of Parliament, listing out the priorities of Narendra Modi-led government. The new government is confronted with some key issues like price rise, fiscal deficit and economic slowdown.

India's economy grew 4.7 per cent in 2013/14, marking the second straight year of sub-5 per cent growth - the worst slowdown in more than a quarter of a century.

Highlights of President's address

• Country needed a strong and stable government that could provide effective leadership
• Election Mandate a Vote of Hope
• Containing food inflation biggest priority of government
• Government to increase investment in agri-infrastructure, both public and private
• Government alert to risks of sub-normal monsoon and contingency plans are being drawn up
• Government to set up IITs and IIMs in all states
• The government will be guided by the mantra of 'minimum government and maximum governance'
• Government to come out with state-specific plans for development, with focus on eastern region
• Government will come out with comprehensive energy plan and focus on improving power generation
• Modernization of Railways with focus on high-speed trains top priority of government
• Low-cost airports to be developed to improve connectivity
• Government will focus on introduction of GST in consultation of states
• Restoration of confidence of domestic and international investors