Govt could have done more says Singh
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the Congress-led UPA Governmnet could have done ‘more’ for the people in the first year of its second tenure.
Speaking at his first press conference in four years, Singh said: “I would be the first person to admit that we could have done more. We should not be satisfied with what we have achieved. There is always room for improvement and for better outcomes. But I do believe that the record of our first year is a record of reasonable achievement.”
The PM said the agenda for the UPA’s second term seeks to strengthen the pro-people policies and programmes initiated by our government since 2004.
“The social and economic uplift of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women will continue to receive priority attention in our plans. We need a rapidly growing economy to generate productive employment and also resources to finance our ambitious social and economic agenda,” he said.
Singh further said: “Our medium term target is to achieve a growth rate of 10 percent per annum. I am convinced that given our savings and investment rates, this is an achievable target. However, its achievement will require determined efforts to increase investment in social and economic infrastructure, enhance productivity in agriculture and give a fresh impetus to the manufacturing sector.”
The past couple of years have been exceptionally difficult years for the Indian economy. The year 2008 saw a global financial crisis, which threatened to push the world into a recession. “We also faced a severe drought in 2009,” said Singh.
“Our annual growth rate had averaged 9% for four years before the crisis. It reduced to 6.5% in 2008-09 but recovered to 7.2% in 2009-10. We expect 8.5% growth in this financial year. This is widely regarded as one of the best performances among the larger economies of the world,” he said.
To strengthen political inclusion, Singh said, the government has introduced bills to provide 50% reservation for women in all panchayats and urban local bodies.
According to the PM prices continue to be a matter of deep concern.
“The government attaches the highest priority to containing inflation so that there is no distress to the common man. As a result of the steps we have taken, there are signs of prices showing a moderating trend. We will closely monitor the situation and, together with state governments, take all corrective steps to bring down prices and protect the vulnerable sections of our society from the impact of high prices.”
Talking of terrorism and extremism, Singh said: “We are determined to squarely tackle the threat of terrorism and ideological extremism of various kinds. I have on earlier occasions outlined our approach to tackling Naxalism.”
“We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism. In the past three years, I have been saying that it remains our biggest internal security threat.”
As for foreign policy, the PM said India has been able to improve relations with all major powers.
“In foreign policy, it is a matter of satisfaction that we have been able to improve relations with all major powers. As a member of the Group of Twenty (G-20), our views are increasingly sought and heard. The world looks at India with confidence.
“The recent SAARC Summit once again underlined the fact that it is not just our shared past but also our shared future that binds this sub-continent together. Improving relations with neighbours continues to be of great importance to us. I have often said that our real challenges are at home and in our neighbourhood,” Singh said.
As for Pakistan, the PM said the government is discussing ‘many issues’ with its neighbour.
“There has been a lack of trust between the two countries. We are ready to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan provided it ensures to stop promoting terrorism against India from its soil,” Singh said.
Asked about his plans of retiring, Singh said: “My task as the Prime Minister is still unfinished. I can’t retire before I fully execute all my duties.”
However, Singh said he is ready to make way for ‘anybody whom the Congress finds suitable for the post (Prime Ministership)’.
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the Congress-led UPA Governmnet could have done ‘more’ for the people in the first year of its second tenure. Speaking at his first press conference in four years, Singh said: “I would be the first person to admit that we could have...
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the Congress-led UPA Governmnet could have done ‘more’ for the people in the first year of its second tenure.
Speaking at his first press conference in four years, Singh said: “I would be the first person to admit that we could have done more. We should not be satisfied with what we have achieved. There is always room for improvement and for better outcomes. But I do believe that the record of our first year is a record of reasonable achievement.”
The PM said the agenda for the UPA’s second term seeks to strengthen the pro-people policies and programmes initiated by our government since 2004.
“The social and economic uplift of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women will continue to receive priority attention in our plans. We need a rapidly growing economy to generate productive employment and also resources to finance our ambitious social and economic agenda,” he said.
Singh further said: “Our medium term target is to achieve a growth rate of 10 percent per annum. I am convinced that given our savings and investment rates, this is an achievable target. However, its achievement will require determined efforts to increase investment in social and economic infrastructure, enhance productivity in agriculture and give a fresh impetus to the manufacturing sector.”
The past couple of years have been exceptionally difficult years for the Indian economy. The year 2008 saw a global financial crisis, which threatened to push the world into a recession. “We also faced a severe drought in 2009,” said Singh.
“Our annual growth rate had averaged 9% for four years before the crisis. It reduced to 6.5% in 2008-09 but recovered to 7.2% in 2009-10. We expect 8.5% growth in this financial year. This is widely regarded as one of the best performances among the larger economies of the world,” he said.
To strengthen political inclusion, Singh said, the government has introduced bills to provide 50% reservation for women in all panchayats and urban local bodies.
According to the PM prices continue to be a matter of deep concern.
“The government attaches the highest priority to containing inflation so that there is no distress to the common man. As a result of the steps we have taken, there are signs of prices showing a moderating trend. We will closely monitor the situation and, together with state governments, take all corrective steps to bring down prices and protect the vulnerable sections of our society from the impact of high prices.”
Talking of terrorism and extremism, Singh said: “We are determined to squarely tackle the threat of terrorism and ideological extremism of various kinds. I have on earlier occasions outlined our approach to tackling Naxalism.”
“We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism. In the past three years, I have been saying that it remains our biggest internal security threat.”
As for foreign policy, the PM said India has been able to improve relations with all major powers.
“In foreign policy, it is a matter of satisfaction that we have been able to improve relations with all major powers. As a member of the Group of Twenty (G-20), our views are increasingly sought and heard. The world looks at India with confidence.
“The recent SAARC Summit once again underlined the fact that it is not just our shared past but also our shared future that binds this sub-continent together. Improving relations with neighbours continues to be of great importance to us. I have often said that our real challenges are at home and in our neighbourhood,” Singh said.
As for Pakistan, the PM said the government is discussing ‘many issues’ with its neighbour.
“There has been a lack of trust between the two countries. We are ready to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan provided it ensures to stop promoting terrorism against India from its soil,” Singh said.
Asked about his plans of retiring, Singh said: “My task as the Prime Minister is still unfinished. I can’t retire before I fully execute all my duties.”
However, Singh said he is ready to make way for ‘anybody whom the Congress finds suitable for the post (Prime Ministership)’.
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