Kovind touches upon battle against corruption, terrorism
Fast-track courts in various states to bring rape cases to justice: President Ramnath KovindIndia had also cracked down on countries sheltering and harbouring terrorists on their soil
New Delhi: With the Budget session of Parliament being flagged off on Thursday, just a day ahead of the Union budget, President Ramnath Kovind in his address to the nation highlighted the progress in the country’s internal security and anti-corruption apparatus.
While the president lauded the fact that cases of rape of minors attracted the death penalty, he added that fast-track courts in various states would bring rape cases to justice.
With the government bringing in the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act to attach assets of defaulters abroad, Kovind added that the Centre had taken all steps to bust tax havens abroad.
“The government gave the option to people to declare undeclared income abroad. For this, note ban was an important step and because of this all undeclared income was merged with the country’s economy."
Kovind also added that 3.38 lakh shell companies’ registration was cancelled by the government and their directors had been prohibited from being absorbed elsewhere. With the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) paving the way to seize ₹50,000 crore, Kovind added that “corruption and black money only goes against the country and takes away the right of common people."
Adding that India had also cracked down on countries sheltering and harbouring terrorists on their soil, Kovind added, “Our country and government is committed to fighting terrorism and for that purpose we had conducted a surgical strike against terror havens. Last year, India was included in the list of nuclear power nations. Soon the Indian Air Force will include Rafale aircraft in its fleet and that will be a hallmark of the force’s power."
Kovind also hailed the role of security forces in the country’s internal security, adding that “their role has been prime in eliminating terrorism and Maoism."
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