New Delhi, Jan 31 (FN Bureau) Highlighting the success of start-ups and rapid pace of infrastructure development in the country, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that India has once again become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The President said that construction of roads, resources and infrastructure in rural areas has addressed areas which were neglected for decades. The achievements of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are a matter of pride for us, he said. Kovind said that in March 2014, the total length of National Highways in our country was 90, 000 kilometers, whereas today it is more than 1,40,000 kilometers. In his address to both the Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget session on Monday, Kovind said that self-reliance in defence production has increased in the country.
Further, he said that Make in India has been given priority in 87% of defence products and steps have been taken to promote start-ups in the defence sector. The President underlined the key role of MSMEs saying they are the are the backbone of the economy. He appreciated the efforts of the government to ensure rapid vaccination programme being carried out across the country. “The proof of India’s capability in the fight against Covid-19 has been seen in the Covid Vaccination Program. We have crossed the record of administering more than 150 crore vaccine doses in less than a year,” the President said. He said that more than 90 percent adult citizens of the country have received the first dose of the vaccine, whereas more than 70 percent have been administered both the doses. Kovind also lauded the free ration scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana being run for the poor and vulnerable section of the society. “India is running the world’s biggest food distribution campaign with over Rs 2 lakh crore being sanctioned covering more than 80 crore beneficiaries,” he said.