Kalam address to Parliament to touch on inflation, SEZ

POLITICAL BUREAU
Posted online: Friday, February 16, 2007 at 0118 hours IST

NEW DELHI, FEB 15: Unflagging inflationary trend and the controversy
over special economic zones (SEZs), which has been an eyesore for the
UPA government inspite of a dreamy 9% growth rate, are expected to be
highlighted by President APJ Abdul Kalam when he addresses a joint
sitting of Parliament before the beginning of the Budget session next week.
Interestingly, this will be the last address to the joint session of
Parliament as his term ends in July.

According to sources, the draft address of the President, which was
approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, is understood to contain references
to these contentious issues with which the UPA has been trying to tackle
unsuccessfully.

They asserted that apart from the government’s achievements like 9% GDP
growth for two consecutive years, the address will mention the concerns
of the government over ever-increasing inflation and the ways to tackle it.

While talking on the issue of SEZs, President Kalam is expected to
highlight the provisions of proposed rehabilitation policy for farmers,
who get displaced in the process of industrialisation. The address,
besides emphasizing on increasing investment in the troubled agriculture
sector, will also mention country’s resurgence as a manufacturing hub
and a series of mega acquisitions by the Corporate India.

While finance minister P Chidambaram will present the Budget on February
28, railway minister Lalu Prasad will present the rail budget on
February 26. The Economic Survey will be tabled on February 27. The
Parliament will adjourn on March 21 to enable the standing committees to
consider the demands for grants of various ministries and departments
and prepare their report and will meet again on April 18. The sessions
likely to conclude on May 22, subject to exigencies of government business.
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