<span style="color: #222222;">President Ram Nath Kovind has said, the government has commenced its journey towards building a New India. Addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament today he said, it is an India where every person has access to basic amenities, gets justice with dignity and is healthy, secure and educated. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The President said it is an India where there are equal opportunities of advancement for everyone and where every daughter feels safe. He said, it is an India, which commands the respect of the entire world. The President said the government has taken numerous steps to ensure social and economic development in the last four-and-a-half years.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said sanitation coverage under Swachh Bharat Mission has reached 98 per cent from less than 40 per cent till 2014. Mr Kovind said improved sanitation coverage has led to better health of citizens, especially the poor who are vulnerable to diseases, such as malaria and diarrhoea. Mr Kovind informed that 13 crore households have been provided with free LPG connections. He said in the last four months, more than 10 lakh people have availed themselves of free medical treatment under the Ayushman Bharat programme.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Kovind reiterated the government's commitment to double farmers' income by 2022. He said they are being provided high-quality seeds and better market access for the produce. He said Crop insurance is being provided to farmers at a low premium under the 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' to safeguard them from potential crisis due to crop damage. The President said that under the 'Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana', the maximum benefit has been availed by women. Out of the 15 crore Mudra loans provided so far throughout the country, 73 per cent have been disbursed to women entrepreneurs. Under the 'Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana', about 6 crore women have become members of Self Help Groups. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On the country's economy, the President said it has been growing at a rate of 7.3 per cent on an average during the last four and a half years. Mr Kovind said with the implementation of comprehensive tax reform like the GST, the concept of 'One Nation-One Tax-One Market' has been realised.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said a major campaign was launched against the menace of black money and new laws were enacted for sectors thriving on black money. Mr Kovind demonetisation struck at the very root of the parallel economy thriving on black money and the money. He said assets worth over 50 thousand crore rupees are being confiscated under the Benami Property Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the law against fugitive economic offenders. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The President said mindful of the prevalence of injustice and deprivation in the society, the government has also been working towards reforming the legal system to ensure social and economic justice. He said the Citizenship Amendment Bill will help in securing of Indian citizenship by those victims who were persecuted and compelled to seek refuge in India. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Kovind said the Government has made a provision for capital punishment in case of heinous crimes like rape of minors. He said the Government is striving hard to get the Triple Talaq Bill passed by the Parliament to liberate Muslim daughters from a life of fear and anxiety and to provide them with equal right to lead their lives at par with other daughters. He said similarly, grant of Constitutional status to the 'Other Backward Classes Commission' demonstrates the centre 's commitment towards social justice. <br />''<br />''The President described the Constitution Amendment to extend the benefit of reservation to the poor belonging to the general category as a historic decision. He made it clear that this new dispensation will not impact the existing reservation and the number of seats in educational institutions is being increased proportionately.</span><br />