Zero tolerance for terror: Patil

Talking tough,she said,“Stern measures to handle insurgency and Left-wing extremism will be taken.” The Government has already prepared a detailed plan to address internal security challenges which will be implemented in a time-bound manner. The multi-agency centre will be strengthened to ensure intelligence sharing and processing,and subsidiary centres will be activated in all states. The National Investigation Agency,which has become operational,will be empowered to handle terror-related offences. At the same time,the Government will continue to constructively engage with all groups that abjure violence in the North-East,Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country,she said.

The President said during the next 100 days,the Government would initiate follow-up action for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament,amending the Constitution to provide for 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats and local bodies and setting up a National Council for Human Resources in Health and a National Council for Higher Education. A concerted effort would be made to increase the representation of women in Central government jobs.

She said the committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary,formed to look into the issue of one-rank-one-pension,had already commenced its work. The exercise would be completed by the end of June. Patil assured the members that the Government was “seized of the issue of illegal money of Indian citizens outside the country in secret bank accounts”. She promised to “vigorously pursue all necessary steps in co-ordination with the countries concerned”.

Members thumped their desk when she offered India’s support to “initiatives in Sri Lanka,which can lead to a permanent political solution to the conflict there and ensure that all Lankan communities,especially Tamils,feel secure and enjoy equal rights so that they can lead a life of dignity and self-respect”.

The President prefaced her address with a reference to the just-concluded polls and said,“It is a mandate for inclusive growth,equitable development and a secular and plural India.” “My Government is determined to work harder and better to realise these goals,” she added.