New Delhi, January 31: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday applauded the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for launching schemes like Swachh Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, Aarogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, among others in his address to the both the houses of Parliament ahead of last Budget Session before the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled in months of April and May. He said the Union government worked for the poor.

In his address, briefing about the works done by the Union government, President Kovind stated that in last four and half years, over nine crore toilets were constructed all across the country under the Swachh Bharat scheme. He also applauded the BJP-led government for distributing six crore gas connections to the women in low-income families and 13,000 to others in the last four and half years. Budget Session 2019: PM Narendra Modi Says 'Open to Discussion on All Topics', Hopes For Constructive Debate. 

Speaking about the health scheme, the President stated under the Pradhanmantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, around 4,900 Jan Aushadhi Kendra have been opened in over 600 districts. He also mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan in his address to Parliament, which had benefitted around 10 lakh poor in just four months.

In his address, he mentioned that the Union government is helping setting up of AIIMS from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, and also increased 31,000 medical seats to help improve the healthcare situation in the country.

Mentioning the achievements of the Union government, President Kovind stated that electricity has reached to 18,000 new villages and 2.47 crore houses have been benefitted. He also mentioned the Union government’s initiatives to improve the condition of differently-abled people of the country. All Party Meeting Held Ahead Of budget session, Congress Demands Re-discussion on Rafale.

Applauding the Union government on schemes and measures for ensuring women’s safety, President expressed happiness over the law passed to award rape convicts with death sentences. Naming Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana and MUDRA scheme, the President hailed the government for empowering women in the country.

Also, the President hailed the Union government for raising the MSP for farm produce for 22 crops, helping the ailing farmers in the country. Other issues on which he spoke include - Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, GST, Make in India, Namami Gange Mission, Direct Benefit Transfer and others.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 31, 2019 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).