New Delhi, June 02: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that at the expected growth rate of 8.5 per cent, the Indian economy was posting “ one of the best performances in the world” because of its strong fundamentals built over several years.
Releasing his government’s ‘ Report to the People’, Singh, pointed out that there are still uncertainties and the year ahead should be looked at with “ cautious optimism”. “ One of the major problems that we face at present is the pressure on prices. This is to a large extent the aftermath of the drought, but it needs firm action… I am happy that prices have shown a moderating trend in recent weeks. I am hopeful that this trend will continue,” he said.
Playing up the proposed Food Security Bill, Singh said it was under preparation. The government, he said, would place the Bill in the public domain for scrutiny.
On the Maoist problem, the PM said the government would pursue a policy to genuinely address developmental concerns at the grassroots, but added that the “ writ of the state” would be firmly enforced.
The report is a compilation of what the government has been listing as its achievements over the months.
Its release was delayed because of the train accident in West Bengal.
The government’s emphasis on the social sector comes out as its major thrust area. The stress is in line since the PM has just approved the nomination of 14 members of the National Advisory Council headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
“ Under the inspiring guidance of Sonia Gandhi, the UPA, with all its constituents, rededicates itself to giving the country an effective, purposeful and responsive government,” Singh said.
“ In our second term, we will carry forward the pro- people policies and programmes initiated by our government since 2004. We will also seek new frontiers and new directions that would strengthen our social and economic foundations,” he added.
Describing the Right to Education Act as a “ historic step”, Singh also showcased the setting up of 16 central universities, six new IIMs, two IITs, and 10 NITs as major achievements during his second term in office.
The “ report card” said that amendments in the schedules of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act ( MGNREGA) would ensure transparency in issuing job cards and disbursement of wages through banks and post offices.
Climate change figured as a thrust area in the report with focus on building a rule- based, transparent and equitable regime on the issue to safeguard the interests of the developing countries.
The government described the setting up of a Delivery Monitoring Unit in the PMO for reviewing select flagship programmes, initiatives and iconic projects. “ Ministries have also been advised to place information in the public domain on their respective websites and have begun so,” the report said, underlining the Centre’s recent focus on performance monitoring.
To counter the attacks by some states, the report cited the 32 per cent hike in states’ share in the net proceeds of Union taxes as a major step forward.
The report also listed the PM’s pet project of providing unique ID numbers to all residents and said the first set would be issued later this year.
—Agencies