Prez: Centre Has Vision For Social Justice, Developed India

The Opposition members registered their protest against the “VB — G RAM G” law that aims to replace the MGNREGA scheme when the President, in her customary speech, mentioned the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, dubbed as the “VB — G RAM G” law.

Later, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition over its conduct during the President’s address. Talking to the media, Rijiju said the manner in which the Opposition acted “is a matter of shame for the country”, adding that the Congress and its allies “will never be forgiven”.

“What the Opposition did when the President was addressing both Houses of Parliament makes the country ashamed. The country will never forgive the Congress and its allies,” Rijiju said.

In her address, Murmu highlighted the Union government’s vision for social justice, inclusive growth and a developed India. Mentioning “VB — G RAM G”, she said that this law has been enacted for employment and development in rural areas, which will ensure 125 days of guaranteed employment in villages, and at the same time it will ensure stopping corruption and leakages, for which this government has been making efforts for long. This prompted sloganeering from the Opposition camp, briefly distracting the President before she went on to read rest of her speech. “This scheme will provide new momentum to rural development and create new facilities for the farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen,” she added.

Talking about India’s growth story, Murmu said with the onset of 2026, the country has moved into the second phase of this century and for India, the completion of the first 25 years of this century has been marked by numerous successes, glorious achievements and extraordinary experiences. “Over the past 10-11 years, India has strengthened its foundation in every sphere. This period has become a strong cornerstone for India’s rapid journey towards becoming ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047,” she said. She added the government is fully committed to social justice in its true sense and that 25 crore citizens had overcome poverty during the last decade.

“My government is working with full sensitivity for all — for Dalits, backward classes, marginalised and tribal communities. The vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is bringing positive change in the lives of all citizens of the country. At the beginning of 2014, social security schemes could reach only 25 crore citizens. With continuous efforts of my government, about 95 crore Indians have social security cover today,” Murmu said.

She added that the government is becoming successful in building a system free from corruption and scams, as a result of which every single rupee of the taxpayers is being spent on the development and welfare of the country.

The President lauded the feat India’s young astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, saying his travel to the International Space Station marks the beginning of a historic journey. Ms Murmu also mentioned cutting down of GST slabs, saying the “historic next-generation reform” in GST filled the citizens with enthusiasm. This reform ensured savings of one lakh crore rupees for citizens. Following the reduction in GST, in 2025, registrations of two-wheelers have crossed the mark of two crores, which is a new record in itself, she underlined.

The President also highlighted the achievement of the Indian armed and paramilitary forces during the Operation Sindoor. “India has proved that power can be used with responsibility and prudence. The world has witnessed the valour and prowess of the Indian defence forces during Operation Sindoor. Using its own resources, our country destroyed the base camps of terrorists. My government sent a strong message that any terrorist attack on India will receive a firm and decisive response. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty is also a part of India’s fight against terrorism. Mission Sudarshan Chakra is in progress to further strengthen the nation’s defence systems,” the President said.

On internal security, she mentioned that security forces have acted decisively against Maoist terror and the challenge is now confined to just eight districts out of 126 districts that were affected earlier. “Out of these, only three districts remain the most affected. During the last one year, nearly two thousand individuals associated with Maoism have surrendered. This has brought back peace to the lives of lakhs of citizens. The whole country is witnessing transformation of the areas affected with Maoism. When a bus reached a village of Bijapur after 25 years, villagers celebrated it as a festival. Youth are participating enthusiastically in the Bastar Olympics. People who have laid down arms, are now serving in the Pandum Cafe at Jagdalpur,” she said.

Later, the Congress attacked the government for circulating a “recycled speech” every year with no new content without truth or accountability. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Viksit Bharat slogan is repeated loudly, “yet it has no clear goals, timelines and measurable outcomes”.

“While making lofty speeches on 'development', the anti-poor, pro-crony Modi government has mercilessly dismantled MGNREGA — an act that guaranteed the Right to Work — snatching away the only source of livelihood for crores of workers. What kind of Viksit Bharat is this, where the poor are denied the means to survive, and dignity is sacrificed for slogans,” Kharge wrote on X.