President Pratibha Patil on Monday said that streamlining the delivery mechanism of welfare programmes would result in their benefits reaching those who need it most.
She said that methods should be devised to root out corruption in the delivery of welfare schemes and making them more effective.
The President was speaking after inaugurating the 500th year of the coronation of Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishnadevaraya, where she unveiled a statue of the monarch.
Drawing the attention of the gathering to the heights of development achieved during Sri Krishnadevaraya's rule, Patil said policymakers could gain from learning from that golden period.
The President said that the endeavour of the government is to ensure that the marginalised and disadvantaged benefit from the path of progress, as well as all other sections of society.
She said that India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. She said that though the government is spending huge amounts of money on social welfare and other schemes for inclusive growth, the delivery mechanism for these funds to reach the targeted beneficiaries needs to be streamlined.
Patil said, "Our delivery system must be geared up and made more effective and non-corrupt so that the benefits of welfare programmes reach them."
She further said that care should be taken to impart skills to marginalised and disadvantaged segments of the society so that they may take their rightful place among the empowered citizens, and contribute to nation-building.
Reminding that 70% of the country's population lives in rural areas, Patil said that the villages should be developed into progressive economic units, and increase agricultural productivity.