No corruption, inflation will be controlled: President

Says the government is committed to ensure 33% reservation for women in Parliament

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said corruption will have no place in the government and strict action will be taken against blackmarketeers and hoarders to control prices, while assuring "minimum government with maximum governance".

Addressing the joint session of the two houses of Parliament of the 16th Lok Sabha, President Mukherjee also said that the elected representatives should not forget that their duty is to serve the people.

"We should never forget that we are here because of them (electorate) and serving them should be our first priority," he said.

Listing some of the priorities of the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the president stressed on "minimum government and maximum governance".

He also stressed that every step will be taken to curb price rise.

Mukherjee said the government would have "zero tolerance" for violence against women and is committed to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament.

The President said women are part of the growth of the nation.

He said the government is committed to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament, referring to the Women's Reservation Bill.

He said the government will launch a "beti bachao, beti badhao" (save girl child, grow girl child) and will launch a mass campaign to save the girl child.

Referring to the incidents of sexual violence against women, the president said: "We will have a policy of zero tolerance of violence against women."

He said the criminal justice system will be revisited to see its effectiveness in curbing crimes against women.

Mukherjee said the government will set up IITs and IIMs in every state of the country.

"My government will set up IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) in every state. A national e-library will also be set up," he said.

The President said the youth will be nurtured and that the Narendra Modi government will strive to bridge the gap between formal education and skill development.

"Our government is committed to establish virtual classrooms and formulate a national education policy," he said.

The government will work to clean the Ganga river, and ensure perennial flow in the river, the President said.

"My government will take all steps to ensure perennial, clean, pristine Ganga," he added.

The President said the Ganga is a symbol of faith of Indians.

Mukherjee also said that conservation of the Himalayas is also a priority area.