President A P J Abdul Kalam's address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the three-month long Budget session beginning February 23 was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
Kalam's address, the last one before his term ends in July, was cleared at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Among other things, the President's address may highlight over 9 per cent GDP growth for two consecutive years.
Concerns over inflation and ways to tackle it may also find a place in the speech, sources said. The address may touch upon the controversial special economic zones and the rehabilitation policy for farmers displaced by industrialisation, they said.
Besides stressing on increased investment in crisis-ridden agriculture, the address may mention India's resurgence as a manufacturing hub and a series of mega acquisitions by the Indian industry.
While Finance Minister P Chidambaram will present the general budget on February 28, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will present the Rail Budget on February 26.
The economic survey will be tabled on February 27. The House will adjourn on March 21 to enable the Standing Committees to consider the demands for grants of various ministries and departments and prepare their report and will meet again on April 18.
The sessions likely to conclude on May 22 subject to exigencies of government business.
