AGENCY
New Delhi: Extra care must be taken to alleviate sufferings of the poor triggered by economic slow down which has become unavoidable post demonetisation, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday.
Demonetisation, while immobilising black money and fighting corruption, may lead to “temporary slowdown” of the economy, the President said addressing the Governors and Lt Governors through video-conferencing from Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
“We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term,” Mukherjee said.
He said that while he appreciates the thrust on transition from entitlement approach to an entrepreneurial one for poverty alleviation, he is not too sure that the “poor can wait that long”.
“They need to get succour here and now so that they can also participate actively in the national march toward a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation,” the President said.
Mukherjee said the recent package announced by the Prime Minister will provide some relief.
There will be elections in as many as seven states this year and the dates for elections in five of them have already been announced, the President said.
“The conduct of free and fair elections has made our democracy one of the most vibrant in the world. Elections reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment,” he said.
Cautioning about competitive populism, electoral rhetoric and vote bank politics during elections, Mukherjee said noisy debates can “deepen the fault-lines in the society”.
“Goodwill must prevail between different communities. At times, harmony may be put to test by vested interests. Communal tensions may rear their ugly head. Rule of law must form the sole basis of dealing with any such challenging situation,” the President said.
He said the Governors and Lt Governors command respect and attention of the people of their state and they can play a role in easing tensions in the society.
“Through your interaction and wise counsel, you can play an important role in easing the tensions in the society,” he said in his address.
He said, “In a pluralistic democracy like ours, tolerance, respect for contrary views and patience are a must which have to be preserved.
“India’s strength lies in her diversity. The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special.
There will always be divergent strands in public discourse. We may argue. We may disagree. But we cannot deny the prevalence of multiplicity of opinion,” Mukherjee said.
The President asked Governors and Lt Governors to inculcate among the citizens of their states this fundamental ethos of the civilisation.
