President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed hope that the Budget session will be productive and fruitful. Addressing both houses of Parliament this morning, Mr Mukherjee said, that the government is looking into steps to deal with slowdown in growth and rising inflation. He however said inflation is easing gradually but still a problem. He said that government has announced roadmap for fiscal consolidation. The President said that the Centre is working with state governments to achieve consensus on goods and services tax. Mr Mukherjee said the Centre is committed to enact the Food Security Bill. Expressing concern over rising crimes against women, Mr Mukherjee said, the government has brought an ordinance to curb these crimes. He said that the government is commited to creating 100 million jobs within a decade. Over 1.1 crore women have benefited from the Janani Suraksha Yojana. Mr Mukherjee said that Rajiv Awas Yojana has been extended to all small and medium towns with the target to make one million houses.The President said that India has been Polio free for last two years. Steps have been taken under National Rural Health Mission to improve rural scenario in the country.He expressed hope that Land acquisition Bill will be enacted soon.

The President has said that the government is targeting significant reduction of the country's dependence on imported oil and gas. The government has liberalised Foreign Direct Investment, FDI in multi and single brand retail. Pranab Mukherjee said that MGNREGA has provided employment to 5 crore families. The government is considering a scheme for concessional credit to handloom sector which will benefit about 10 lakh weavers. The government is committed to stop any incident that threatens communal peace in the country. It is also committed to deal with left wing extremism in a constructive manner.