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In his New Year message to Governors and Lt. Governors, President Pranab Mukherjee on January 5, 2017 clearly indicated his unhappiness over the slowdown it will have on Indian economy though he termed it temporary. The message is a clear signal that the President, also former finance minister himself, is unhappy at the prolonged impact on people, who are not soldiers but citizens of the country.
He gave an advice to the centre over its adventure towards demonetisation.
Poor people need to fill their stomachs first and then roped in our long march towards transition to entrepreneurial approach. In his refined words, it read: “We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term.”
The President said while he appreciates the thrust on transition from entitlement approach to an entrepreneurial one for poverty alleviation, he is not too sure that the poor can wait that long. “They need to get succour here and now, so that they can also participate actively in the national march towards a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation,” he said.
In addition, the President pondered over the state assembly elections in as many as seven states in 2017 as the dates for elections in five states have already been announced. “Elections reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment. They symbolize the sovereignty of the people and provide legitimacy to the authority of the government. They also serve the purpose of regulation of public policies and mobilization of public opinion,” he noted hinting at the outcome in these elections would be the vox populi on demonetisation.
The President advised Governors and Lt. Governors to play an important role in easing the tensions in the society. Goodwill must prevail between different communities. “In a pluralistic democracy like ours, tolerance, respect for contrary views and patience are a must. These values have to be preserved. The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special. Governors/Lt. Governors can, through their calm influence, inculcate amongst the citizens of their state this fundamental ethos of our civilization,” he said.
