NEW DELHI: The Indian president’s address to the joint session of Parliament next week was finalized here yesterday at the first meeting of the Cabinet after it was expanded Thursday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired the meeting.

The first session of the 15th Lok Sabha will begin tomorrow with the swearing in of the newly elected MPs. The speaker will be elected June 3, and the president will address a joint session of both houses the next day.

President Pratibha Patil’s address, extensively worked on by Singh, will unveil the government’s agenda for the year in tune with the policies and programs of the ruling party and its allies.

The prime minister has already promised a 100-day action plan for his government and is expected to give emphasis to the United Progressive Alliance’s unfinished agenda, especially in the infrastructure and development sectors, and announce a fresh stimulus package to pull the economy out of its present slowdown.

A National Food Security Act to guarantee 25 kg of rice or wheat a month to impoverished families, strengthening of key social sector programs like the rural employment and Bharat Nirman programs, a focus on terrorism and initiatives for urban employment will figure prominently in the president’s speech, sources said.

There will be a debate June 5, 8 and 9 on the president’s address after which the Lok Sabha, as also the Rajya Sabha that will convene June 4, will pass a motion of thanks before adjourning.

Ahead of the short session, a security drill was conducted at Parliament House yesterday to check the preparedness of security personnel for emergency evacuation. The budget session of Parliament is likely to begin in the first week of July.

Besides, Patil will give emphasis to UPA’s “unfinished agenda,” particularly in the infrastructure and development sectors. The president is expected to announce a fresh stimulus package to pull the economy out of its present slowdown, sources said.

Other issues which will figure prominently in Patil’s address are terrorism, urban and rural unemployment, and development programs.

Meanwhile, Congress legislator Srikant Jena from Orissa has refused to take up the post of a minister of state as he has served as Cabinet minister earlier, sources said. Though he took the oath of office and secrecy, he has not assumed charge of chemical and fertilizers ministry.

Jena is the only legislator of Congress party from Orissa to be included in the Cabinet. The Orissa-unit of the party is understood to be unhappy at being treated unfairly in distribution of ministerial berths. Congress has six legislators from Orissa, two more than in the previous Lok Sabha.

Senior most Lok Sabha member Manikrao Gavit has been appointed to act as pro tem speaker, till the new speaker is elected on June 3. Gavit, 75, of Congress party, being a nine-term Lok Sabha member, has an experience of 27 years and eight months in the House. He was elected from Nandurbar in Maharashtra.

— With input from agencies