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New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that India had self
faith, political stability and economic strength to march towards 'a
golden future' and called for a new era of cooperation and harmony
in national life.
In his Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that
in the last election people had rejected sectarian politics and have
''chosen a political arrangement which is secular. He promised to
take every one along and to create ''an environment of consensus and
cooperation in the country''.
Spelling out his philosophy and priorities, the Prime Minister
asserted that his government will pay special attention to
minorities.
He insisted that caring for minorities was not appeasement.
National Female Literacy Mission to be launched
Addressing the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the
occasion of the 63rd Independence day the Prime Minister announced,
National Literacy Mission will be launched to reduce female literacy
by half in three years. He made an appeal to society to eliminate
female foeticide.
''Female foeticide is a shame on all of us,'' he said.
Referring to the Bill seeking to reserve 33 per cent of seats for
women in Parliament and state assemblies, Dr Singh reiterated the
government’s commitment to the early passage of the legislation
which could not be passed due to opposition from several political
parties.
Dr Singh said the government was working on a legislation to provide
50 per cent reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies.
Economic
Growth
Vowing to restore economic growth to nine per cent, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh today hoped that there would be an improvement in the
situation caused by the global slowdown by the end of this year.
He also set the goal of four per cent growth in agriculture
achievable in the next five years, while emphasising that the
country needed another green revolution.
''Restoring our growth rate to nine per cent is the greatest
challenge we face,'' he said while addressing the Nation from the
ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 63rd Independence
Day.
He appealed to the businessmen and industrialists to join in effort
to tackle the difficult situation and fulfill their social
obligation.
Referrring to deficiency in the monsoons leading to a drought-like
situation, Dr Singh said the government would provide all possible
assistance to farmers to deal with drought. In this context, he said
the date for repayment of farmers bank loans had been postponed. The
farmers would be given additional support for payment of interest on
short term crop loans.
He assured the nation that there had been adequate stocks of food
grains and that ''no one will go hungry.'' ''All efforts will be
made to control rising prices of foodgrains, pulses and other goods
of daily use,'' Dr Singh said, while sending a strong warning to
hoarders and blackmarketeers.
Drought will impact rural economy
Sending out a positive message on Independence Day, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh called for a new era of cooperation and harmony and
pledged all possible government assistance to farmers to deal with
drought and stepped up efforts to control spiralling prices. He said
drought will impact rural economy this year.
The government would work for political stability and strengthening
economy with an aim of marching towards "a golden future".
Asserting that the people had rejected sectarian politics and have
"chosen a political arrangement which is secular", he called for "a
new era of cooperation and harmony" and promised to take everyone
along to create "an environment of consensus and cooperation".
No need to panic over swine flu
"You have entrusted a big responsibility on us and we humbly accept
that and will fulfil it", he said.
Talking about problems like drought, economic crisis and swine flu
facing the country, he sought to allay concerns.
There was no need to panic in the face of swine flu and daily life
should not be disrupted because of it, said 76- year-old Singh.
Government
committed to early passage of Women's Reservation Bill, said PM.
Law to prevent communal violence soon, says PM. Government to
re-double efforts to deal with militant activities.
No need to panic in the face of swine flu, says PM. PM also sent
sends out stern warning to hoarders and black-marketeers.
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