30 May :The first meeting of the Cabinet on Saturday approved the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament on 4th June and took up issues of policies and programmes of the government.
The meeting, which took place at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 7, Race Course residence and lasted for nearly two hours.
President Pratibha Patil’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament on June four is expected to unveil the government’s agenda for the year ahead in tune with the policies and programmes of the ruling party and its allies.The President’s address is likely to incorporate its commitment to strengthening schemes like NREGA and economic policies to be followed in the wake of global recession and promises to weaker sections of society.
The Cabinet also took up the business schedule of the coming session of Parliament.The first session of 15th Lok Sabha is beginning from Monday and continue upto 9th June.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired the meeting which was also attended by Ministers of State with Independent charge.
Singh is believed to have held deliberations with his team on implementing the 100-day programme of the government during the two-hour long meeting.
The Prime Minister has given each minister tasks to be achieved by concerned departments under the ministry within 100 days of the government taking office.
A suggestion to bring the long pending women’s reservation bill at the earliest was made at the first meeting of the ruling UPA alliance recently presided by Chairperson Sonia Gandhi recently.Singh expanded his Council of Ministers on 28th May.