Govt promises to tackle problem of rising food prices

New Delhi, Feb 22 (PTI) Admitting that there has been
an "unhappy pressure" on the prices of food grains and
products, the Indian Government Monday promised to tackle the
problem even as it expressed confidence that it will aim at a
growth rate of 8 per cent in the coming fiscal and 9 per cent
in the next.
Declaring that the common man is at the core of
government's promise of faster growth, Indian President
Pratibha Patil Monday said that highest importance was being
given to ensuring relief to the common man on food prices.
In her customary address to joint sitting of
Parliament marking the beginning of the Budget Session, she
said the 'aam aadmi' had to be protected against the ravages
of the worst ever global economic crisis since the Great
Depression and against the failure of the monsoon in large
parts of the country.
The Indian President, who spoke at length on a variety
of issues, made it clear that India was ready to explore a
meaningful relationship with Pakistan if it "seriously
addresses the threat of terrorism and takes effective steps to
prevent terrorist activities against India".
Recalling Jawaharlal Nehru's words that 'the service
of India means...ending poverty and ignorance...and inequality
of opportunity', she said, "Our country stands at a historic
turning point. Never before were we so close as we are today
to realizing our national aspirations..."

On the issue of internal security, Patil said the
Indian government remains vigilant against all forms of
challenges posed by terrorism.
"Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our
principled policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate
against global terrorist groups," she said.
The overall internal security, law and order, and the
communal situation remained largely under control last year,
she said.
Though infiltration of terrorists from across the Line
of Control in the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir has gone up, she said the security situation has
improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the
North East of part India.
However, Left wing extremism continues to be a
significant cause of concern, the Indian President said.
Turning to the issue of rising prices, she noted that
while the country's government was able to avert any threat to
food security, there has been an "unhappy pressure" on the
prices of food grains and products.
At the same time, Patil said they were also a sort of
reflection of the growing purchasing power in the countryside.
"They are also to some extent a reflection of the
implementation of our schemes of inclusive growth involving
payment of higher procurement prices to our farmers and the
impact of higher public spending on programmes of rural
development, which have successfully raised incomes in rural
areas," the President said.

"Higher prices were inevitable given the shortfall in
domestic production and prevailing high prices of rice,
cereals and edible oils globally," the Indian President said.
Conveying her heartfelt condolences to the families of
those who have lost their lives in the recent terrorist act in
the western Indian city of Pune, she said these "cowardly
acts" strengthen our resolve to meet with added vigour the
challenge posed by such violence.
She also mentioned in this regard the "senseless
violence" indulged in by Left wing extremists who in their
recent attacks in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal
killed a large number of innocent people.
Patil said the Indian government has also given a call
to Left wing extremists to abjure violence and come for talks.
"Our plan to strengthen civil administration and bring the
fruits of inclusive development to all would continue with
determination," she said.
To strengthen the security apparatus and equip the
country to meet the grave challenge posed by terrorism, the
President said her government has taken several new measures,
including strengthening of the state and district police
machinery and Central paramilitary forces and
operationalisation of National Investigation Agency.
Other measures which have been taken include
establishment of four national Security Guards (NSG) hubs to
ensure quick and effective response to any possible terror
attack, augmentation of Intelligence Bureau and strengthening
of the Multi-Agency Centre in the IB to enable it to function
on a round-the-clock basis.

Referring to the armed forces, Patil said the nation
was proud of them and her government is "fully committed" to
their modernization.
"We will accord the highest priority to modernisation
programmes to equip our armed forces with the required
weaponry, equipment and platforms. The successful launch of
the Agni-III missile is a shining example of the capabilities
of our scientists and engineers who deserve full praise," she
said.
Efforts to enhance our technological self-reliance
received a new impetus with the commencement of the handing
over of the main battle tank, Arjun, to the Indian Army, she
said.
The Indian President said the country's government is
committed to ensuring early passage of the Women's Reservation
Bill which was introduced in Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of
Parliament, in May 2008. "I would urge you to accord special
attention to this critical proposal," she told the members of
Parliament.
Besides, she said, two bills for Constitutional
amendment to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in
panchayats (rural local administration) and urban local bodies
have already been introduced and it is hoped that these can be
passed during this session.
Asserting that unity and social harmony of the country
is the best answer to the terrorists and their divisive
designs, she said her government is "committed deeply" to
protecting the social fabric.
"To that end, government proposes to move for the
early passage of the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control
and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005, in this session of
Parliament," she said.

As regards education, the Indian President said the
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, which
makes education a fundamental right of every child in the age
group of six to 14 years, was notified and will be effective
from April one.
Patil said the Indian Government is committed to bring
a paradigm shift in the education sector based on expansion,
inclusion and excellence and will soon set up an overarching
body to regulate higher education and research in India.
"Government is also endeavouring to bring forward an
appropriate legislation to facilitate participation of
globally renowned and quality academic institutions in our
higher education sector, and bringing in foreign education
providers for vocational training and skill development," the
President said.
Underlining that investment in education is critical
for accelerated inclusive growth, Patil said, Government has
made substantial investments in primary education through the
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Midday Meal Programme.
It is also moving towards internalisation of education
at the secondary level with the new Rashtriya Madhyamik
Shiksha Abhiyan or National Secondary Education Programme. PTI
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