PM promises to make all efforts to control rising prices

New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) Against the spectre of looming
drought, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday
promised to make all efforts to control rising prices and take
steps to improve the economic situation by year-end to restore
nine per cent growth.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort
on the 63rd Independence Day, he also said that Centre and
state governments will continue to make all necessary efforts
to control the spread of swine flu and that there was no need
to panic over it.

Singh, in his first speech after returning to power for
a second consecutive term, extended an olive branch to
political parties, saying it would be "our endeavour to carry
everyone with us to lead the country ahead on the path of
development by creating an environment of consensus and
cooperation".

Against the Mumbai attacks, he described terrorism and
naxalism as major challenges and said efforts would be
re-doubled to sternly deal with the scourge.

During his nearly 45-minute speech, the Prime Minister
made no direct reference to Pakistan even as he spoke about
India's intention to live in peace and harmony with all its
neighbours.

Singh talked about the drought situation created by
deficient monsoon and said all possible assistance would be
provided to farmers to deal with it.

"This year has been deficient in monsoons. This would
definitely have some adverse impact on our crops. But I am
sure we will be able to meet this situation quite well," Singh
said.

In view of this, he said the date for repayment of bank
loans of farmers have been postponed. The period has been
extended from June 30 to December 31 this year.

Farmers are also getting additional support for payment
of interest on short term crop loans, he said.

Seeking to allay apprehensions of foodgrains shortage, he
said there were "adequate stocks" and all efforts would be
made to control the rising prices of foodgrains, pulses and
other goods of daily use.

He asked states to exercise their statutory powers to
prevent hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities.

Stressing the need for another Green Revolution, he said,
"we will try our best to make it possible" as "our goal is
four per cent annual growth in agriculture." He expressed
confidence that the target would be achieved in five years.

Noting that the growth rate had come down to 6.7 per cent
in 2008-09 due to global economic crisis from nine per cent in
the UPA's first tenure, he said restoring was the greatest
challenge.

"We will make every necessary effort to meet this
challenge", Singh said, adding the government would go for
increasing capital flows into the country, encouraging exports
and stepping up public investment and expenditure.

"We expect that there will be an improvement in the
situation by the end of this year, but till that time we will
all have to bear with the fallout of the global economic
slowdown," Singh said.

He appealed to businessmen and industrialised to join in
the effort to tackle this "difficult situation" and to fulfill
their social obligations fully.

Declaring that it was government's ardent desire that not
even a single citizen should go hungry, he said this was the
reason that the government promised a food security law by
which every family living below the poverty line would get a
fixed amount of foodgrains every month at concessional rate.

Referring to the recent elections in northern state of
Jammu and Kashmir, he said it had demonstrated that separatist
ideology has no place in the state. He said Centre will ensure
that citizens of the state lead a life of peace and dignity
with their human rights being respected.

"People of all areas of the state have participated
vigorously in both the elections. This is a proof that there
is no place for separatist thought in Jammu and Kashmir," he
said.

"We respect the special assurances and concessions
provided to Jammu and Kashmir in our Constitution. We will
continue to honour these special provisions," he said.
Referring to the horrific Mumbai attacks, the Prime
Minister said terrorism has emerged as a threat to peace and
harmony in all parts of the world and expressed confidence
that the government would be successful in eliminating the
menace from the country.

He said the government would extend all help to states
to make their police forces more effective and that the
central forces would be provided wherever they were needed.

Slamming Maoist violence, Singh said: "those who think
that they can seize power by recourse to the gun do not
understand the strength of our democracy."

Referring to the government's constitutional
obligation to protect the life and liberty of citizens, he
said the Centre would endeavour to remove the causes of social
and economic dissatisfaction, which gave rise to Naxalism.

Emphasising that it was government's solemn duty to
take special care of the deprived sections of the society,
Singh rejected the contention that it amounted to appeasement.

"Our government would give its full attention to the
well being of our brothers and sisters belonging to the
minority communities," he said while noting that many schemes
had been started and these would be taken forward.

Funds for the special schemes taken up for the
development of minority concentration districts have been
enhanced quite substantially this year, he said.

Singh said a Bill to prevent communal violence has
been introduced in Parliament and efforts will be made to
convert it into a law as soon as possible.
On North East, the Prime Minister said the government
would constantly endeavour to make states of the region equal
partners in the country's progress as "we know that without
their well being the country cannot move forward".

Terming female foeticide as a "shame" on Indian
society, he said the country cannot progress unless women
become equal partners in growth.

"It is very sad that in our society, the girl child is
being killed even before being born. This is a shame on our
society," he said.

"As soon as possible we have to remove this blot. Our
progress will be incomplete till women become equal partners
in the growth," he said.

Asserting that the Government was committed towards
providing 33 per cent reservation in Parliament, Singh said
"We are trying to make a law through which women will be given
50 per cent reservation in rural and local bodies so that they
get equal representation".

The Prime Minister announced the launch of a National
Female Literacy Mission with an aim of reducing female
illiteracy by half.

Noting that UPA government wishes to make the country
slum-free as early as possible, he said his dispensation will
provide houses to slum dwellers in the next five years.

Christened 'Rajiv Awas Yojna', the scheme will provide
better housing facilities to slum dwellers within next five
years.

On climate change, Singh said climate change had become
an issue of global concern in recent years and India wished to
tackle it in partnership with other countries of the world.

Declaring that the government was committed to deal with
the challenge of climate change, Singh said a decision was
taken to set up eight missions in this regard.

"To increase the use of solar energy and to make it
affordable, we will launch the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar
Mission on November 14 this year," he said.

Underlining the need for expansion of secondary education
in the country, he said funds will not be a constraint and
disabled children will get special attention.

Singh said the recently passed Right to Education Act
provides for free and compulsory elementary education to every
child.

"I wish to make it clear that funds will not be a
constraint as far as education is concerned. We will give
special attention to the needs of disabled children," Singh
said.

He talked about a new scheme to help students from
economically weaker sections of society by way of reduced
interest rate on their education loans. PTI