Shimla: Shaken by defeat in three successive Lok Sabha polls, Congress on July 9 came out with a "please all" Shimla resolution which called for economic advancement, social empowerment, political representation and legal equality of dalits, tribals, other Backward Communities (OBCs) and minorities and a purposeful dialogue with private industry for reservations.

The "Shimla Sankalp", which the party claimed was in line with its slogan "Congress ka haath, garib ke saath", placed the issues pertaining to weaker sections of society like assurance of reliable power, cheap credit, better seeds, irrigation facilities and remunerative prices to farmers, enactment of a national rural employment guarantee by Law, liberal loans and scholarships to boys and girls belonging to weaker sections, education and food and nutrition security for all at affordable prices, on top of its agenda.

It talked of devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies to fully empower these grassroot bodies besides calling for acceleration and implementation of land reforms to enable conversion from the present system of presumptive titles to conclusive titles guaranteed by the state.

The "Sankalp" called for increase in public investment in sectors like irrigation, power, education and health to make Indian agriculture, industry and services more productive and competitive keeping in view the deepening of fiscal and other economic reforms.

Referring to governance, the Sankalp said the functioning of the government should be in a completely transparent, responsive and accountable manner with special focus on major administrative, police and judicial reforms.

PTI