Thursday, May 19 2005 07:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Presenting the report card of his one-year-old Government before the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Coordination Committee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (May 18, 2005) identified employment generation, economic prosperity and elimination of terrorism, insurgency and naxal violence as priority areas.

Speaking at the marathon eight-hour meeting chaired by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Singh noted that the Government had launched nine major missions dubbed as 'Navratna' to accelerate overall development across the country, senior Congress leader and UPA spokesperson Ambika Soni told reporters in New Delhi.

At the meeting attended by Left parties, which provide crucial outside support to the Government, the Prime Minister referred to the recently announced ambitious 'Bharat Nirman' project to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1,74,000 crore in four years.

He spoke about Rural Health Mission, Urban reconstruction, National Project for revival of water bodies and extension of Antodaya scheme, she said.

The Government's initiatives were aimed at generating employment to fulfil promises made in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which spoke about ensuring jobs to at least one person in each rural family, Soni quoted Singh as saying.

The Prime Minister said the projects would also help in ensuring rural connectivity, she said.

Singh also noted the progress made in civil aviation sector, trade, economic growth and internal security.

On economic issues, he said the GDP had grown from 5.5 per cent in 2003-04 to 6.9 per cent, foreign exchange reserves had increased from $ 113 billion in 2003-04 to $ 141.1 billion.

Singh also spoke about several tax reforms undertaken by the Government and said the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy was "liberal, transparent and user-friendly".

The Prime Minister laid thrust on providing a "humane administration" as he pointed out that the Government had repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), undertaken peace process in Jammu and Kashmir, lifted the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur and wanted a dialogue with Naxals in right earnest, Soni said.

On foreign affairs, Singh said the policies pursued during the last one year had created a "favourable atmosphere", which would help in enhancing development and peace in the region.