CPP 2

Gandhi also sought to hold the states responsible for
increasing food prices, saying they "must ensure that PDS
functions properly and that wherever necessary de-hoarding
operations are carried out effectively".
Listing the initiatives taken by the Centre to tackle
the problem, Gandhi said, "Addressing the issue of food
prices continues to be our foremost priority. We have
responded to this pressing concern with all the resources at
our command."
She also underlined the need for sustaining high
economic growth for generating resources for social welfare
programmes and inclusive long-term prosperity.
She prefaced the remarks by saying that the nine
months in power for the second time were "by no means easy".
"We have faced many political and economic challenges.
While some of them like the drought and the global economic
crisis have tested us, we have come through and remained firm
to our dedication and resolve," she said.
On the issue of Women Reservation Bill, which seeks to
reserve 33 per cent seats for women in Lok Sabha and state
Assemblies, Gandhi said she personally attaches the "highest
importance" to the Bill.
Noting that late Rajiv Gandhi had first unveiled the
vision of empowering women, she said it was a matter of pride
that even though the bill has taken so long, "it is our
government that has cleared the legislation in Cabinet".
She said March 8 was the centenary of International
Women's Day and "what a gift to the women of India if on this
important day, this historic legislation is introduced and
passed". PTI