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President unveils agenda for the next millennium

President K R Narayanan today unfolded a broad-based political and economic agenda for the country promising to examine and replace the present system of no-confidence motion with a system of ''constructive vote of non-confidence and a fixed term for the Lok Sabha and vidhan sabhas to prevent political instability both at the Centre and in the states.''

Addressing the first session of both houses of Parliament, the President said the government was committed to safeguarding the interests of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and minorities through appropriate legal and societal efforts. ''Reservations for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes will be extended for ten years,'' he said.

He said a commission comprising noted constitutional experts and public figures would be appointed to study the Constitution and make suitable recommendations to meet the challenges of the next century.

He said the Lok Pal bill would cover the office of the prime minister, indicating the government's determination to ensure probity in public life.

Top priority would be accorded to the second generation reforms in financial and infrastructure sectors to make the economy more vibrant and strong.

A comprehensive electoral reforms bill would be introduced to strengthen the democracy and the defence and security forces would be given the right to franchise by introducing the system of proxy voting.

The President said the government proposed to reserve, through a legislation, 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures.

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