New Delhi: Reaffirming the Centre’s focus on inclusive growth, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the Union government is firmly committed to ensuring social justice, highlighting that nearly 25 crore (250 million) Indians have been lifted out of poverty in the last decade. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, she noted that around 95 crore citizens now benefit from social security schemes.
Delivering her policy address to mark the start of Parliament’s Budget Session, the President said India has grown stronger across sectors over the past ten years, laying a solid foundation for the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). She added that in the government’s third term, special emphasis is being placed on empowering the poor, ensuring transparent use of public funds, and curbing corruption and scams.
“The first 25 years of this century have been a period of pride and remarkable achievements for India,” the President said, stressing that the government works for all sections of society—Dalits, backward classes and tribal communities alike—guided by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
Highlighting the expansion of welfare coverage, she pointed out that while social security schemes reached only about 25 crore people in 2014, they now cover 95 crore Indians. To strengthen rural livelihoods, she referred to new reforms under the Viksit Bharat initiative, which aim to ensure up to 125 days of employment in villages.
Recalling Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s emphasis on equality and social justice, President Murmu said the Constitution inspires the nation to guarantee full rights to every citizen without discrimination. The president asserted that the Centre remains committed to delivering genuine and lasting social justice.
Opposition members raised protests during her reference to the new employment guarantee bill. The President’s address formally inaugurated Parliament’s Budget Session, scheduled to run until April 2. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1. The first phase of the session will end on February 13, with the second phase beginning on March 9.
