New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said the government was committed to promote cooperative federalism and end financial "untouchability" to enhance the ease of doing business in India.

Addressing the joint session of the parliament ahead of the budget session, Mukherjee said the government was working to ensure "promoting cooperating federalism" and encourage "competitive spirit among the states".

Underscoring the importance of "tapping the demographic dividend", Mukherjee said the government has initiated measures "to stimulate action in a range of fields from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to creation of wealth".

Highlighting the government's achievements so far, the president said the government was working to enhance the ease of doing business in India and put in place a stable policy framework.

He also said the government was working to make India a manufacturing hub by ending financial untouchability as well as containing inflation and stimulate economy.