NEW DELHI // India’s new government pledged on Monday to fix the flagging economy and provide water, power and toilets to every home as it laid out its agenda following prime minister Narendra Modi’s landslide election victory.
In an address to both houses of parliament, president Pranab Mukherjee said India’s economy faced “extremely difficult” times and that inflation was “unacceptably” high, as he outlined the government’s legislative priorities.
The speech, which was drawn up by Mr Modi’s new cabinet, included ambitious plans to overhaul India’s dilapidated roads, and to build a high-speed train network and more airports.
The speech included goals that had been laid out in the election manifesto of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including creating 100 new cities to assist the millions flocking from rural areas every year searching for work.
“The country is passing through an extremely difficult phase on the economic front,” Mr Mukherjee told lawmakers. “Putting the economy back on track is paramount for my government.
“We will work together to usher our economy into a high growth path, rein in inflation, reignite the investment cycle, accelerate job creation and restore the confidence of the domestic as well as international community.”
India’s economy has been growing at below five per cent for the past two years, way below the level needed to lift millions of people out of poverty, while inflation is currently running close to nine per cent.
Mr Modi’s right-wing BJP, which thrashed the centre-left Congress party in marathon polls in April and May, made reviving the economy the main platform of its campaign as well as promising to clean up government.
The government promised every family home would have basic amenities by the year 2022, an ambitious goal in a country where nearly half the population is forced to defecate in the open and millions live without electricity.
“Every family will have a pukka (solid) house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24X7 electricity supply and access,” Mr Mukherjee said.
Amid outrage over a wave of sexual attacks of women, the government pledged a “zero-tolerance” approach and to strengthen the criminal justice system regarded as inefficient and inept.
“In the recent past, the country has witnessed some gruesome incidents of violence against women. The government will have a policy of zero tolerance for violence against women,” the president said.
Focused on reviving the economy, the government would encourage foreign investment, speed up approvals for business projects and create jobs in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, he added.
And it would make “every effort” to fulfil its pre-election promise of a new general sales tax, Mr Mukherjee said, and streamline India’s tax regime to make it less “adversarial.”
The president acknowledged public anger over corruption that plagued the previous Congress government, pledging a “predictable, transparent and fair” administration as well as a crackdown on illegal money leaving the country.
“My government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and the menace of black money,” he said.
On defence, the Modi government committed to overhauling procurement procedures and policies and better equipping the military.
It also pledged to “engage energetically” with rival giant China, with Japan, and in areas including trade, investment, science and technology with the United States, the president said.
The pledge comes as the two countries look to rebuild strained ties with Mr Modi, who is expected to travel to the US later this year to meet president Barack Obama.
The election of the Hindu nationalist Mr Modi posed a headache for the US which refused him a visa in 2005 when he was chief minister of Gujarat.
The refusal stemmed from claims he turned a blind eye to anti-Muslim riots in the western state three years earlier that killed some 1,000 people. Modi denies the allegations.
* Agence France-Presse
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
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Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
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WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand
(Saturday, 12pm UAE)
Wales v South Africa
(Sunday, 12pm, UAE)
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
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5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm