Land acquisition act has been refined: President

President Pranab Mukherjee said Monday the land acquisition act had been "refined" to minimise procedural difficulties in getting land for critical projects as he stressed that inclusive growth was topmost priority of the NDA government.

Addressing a joint session of both houses of parliament at the start of budget session, the president said the National Democratic Alliance government has embarked on a comprehensive strategy in nine months to unleash the country's full potential.

Describing terrorism and left wing extremism, as "a grave challenge" to the country's internal security, he said the government was "firmly committed to deal with them".

Referring to the land ordinance, being firmly opposed by many opposition parties, the president said the government attached paramount importance to safeguarding interests of farmers and families affected by land acquisition.

Utmost care has been taken to protect the interest of farmers, including their compensation entitlements, and the original act has been "suitably refined to minimise certain procedural difficulties in acquisition of land required for infrastructure projects and for creation of basic amenities like rural housing, schools and hospitals particularly in remote areas", he said.

"Inclusive growth covering the poorest of poor from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of our society is my government's topmost priority," he said.

He said the government has initiated measures to stir action in a range of areas from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to creation of wealth, skill development to conquering space, tapping demographic dividend to diplomatic initiatives.

The government had also taken steps to enhance ease of doing business, put in place a stable policy framework, empower individuals, ensure quality infrastructure, end financial untouchability, make the country a manufacturing hub, contain inflation, stimulate economy, ignite minds, ensure inclusive growth, promote cooperative federalism and encourage a competitive spirit among the states, he said.

In the speech, the president also said that legal reforms were a priority for the government and it was committed to repeal obsolete laws, simplify procedures, swift decision-making and taking governance to the doorstep of the poor.

He also noted the government had accelerated the modernisation of armed forces with strong emphasis on 'Make in India'.

The president also referred to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's ideologues - Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee - at the beginning of his speech, while the speech also made a laudatory reference to Mahatma Gandhi National Rual Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), launched by former Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.

"MGNREGS can be a powerful weapon to combat rural poverty. While implementing MGNREGS with renewed vigour, emphasis is being placed on improving durability of assets," he said.

He also referred to various schemes launched by the NDA government including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat Misssion, Skill India programme and Housing for all by 2022.

On relations with the neighbours, the president said the government has reinvigorated India's relations with its neighbours and, at the same time, was fully prepared to defend its borders.

Reacting to the address, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said it had nothing new. "These are only revamping some of the old UPA policies," she said.

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati said the speech was a reiteration of government's announcements.