Monday, May 23 2005 10:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (May 22, 2005) released a 42-page booklet spelling out the initiatives undertaken by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in its first year of office.

The document, 'A Caring Government - One Year of the UPA Government', was released by the Prime Minister and presented to UPA coalition chairperson Sonia Gandhi and highlighted the steps taken by the Government on the domestic and international fronts.

"We want India to shine, but India must shine for all," read a message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in an oblique attack on the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government's 'India Shining' campaign.

The document saw the Government indulge in self-praise. "Few Governments have in the past ever maintained such a close watch on the pace and effectiveness of implementation of the promises made in the manifesto as has the UPA Government," it said.

On the challenges for the second year, it said, "The UPA will move beyond these commitments to lay the foundation for sustained long-term economic growth and development, based on commitment to equity and efficiency and to the welfare of all sections of society."

The document dealt at length on the initiatives for rural India and listed out as many as 21 steps the Government had undertaken for the rural sector. These included increase in agricultural credit and launch of schemes to provide drinking water and electricity in rural areas, apart from a host of schemes aimed at welfare of farmers.

Also, it mentioned the recently launched 'Bharat Nirman' initiative as "a business plan for developing rural infrastructure in the areas of irrigation, rural roads, rural water supply, rural housing, rural electrification and rural telephone connectivity".

Apart from mentioning steps taken for improving the lot of women, children, minorities, tribals, Dalits and senior citizens, the report also highlighted the initiatives undertaken to tackle unemployment.

It spoke of building a 'knowledge society' and also dwelt on good governance, listing out the Right to Information Bill, repealing of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and steps to prepare a Bill on Communal Harmony among the initiatives.

The report also mentioned the steps taken by the Government to improve the situation in troubled regions like Jammu and Kashmir and North-East, apart from those on the front of national security and international relations.

"India's external security remains a top priority for the Government... modernisation of the armed forces has received the Government's special attention in recent months," it said.

On the foreign policy front, the report said the UPA Government "attaches great value to peace and prosperity in South Asia and to increased cooperation both in economic and security spheres with all neighbours."

"For us, the main challenge of our foreign policy lies in creating and in maintaining a regional and international environment, which would enable us to sustain a high rate of economic growth, create more opportunities for Indian entrepreneurship and enable India to realise its full potential as a major economic power," it said.

It mentioned the recent peace initiatives with Pakistan, including the launch of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, apart from mentioning the steps taken to further boost the relations with the US and European Union.

On the economic front, the Prime Minister said there was a need to "create an environment that rewards creativity, risk-taking and the spirit of enterprise and adventure".

"To generate employment, to reduce poverty and to find resources for new investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education and health, we must increase the rate of growth of capital formation in the economy," Singh said.

The report said the Government was committed to stepping up rate of growth further from the seven per cent expected now.

On rise in global crude oil prices, it said, "High energy costs continue to exert pressure on the price front but the Government is committed to holding the price line."

It listed as many as 23 steps undertaken by the Government to spur economic activity and growth in the country. These included the enactment of the Patents Act, implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT), green signal to FDI in construction sector and steps on the civil aviation front.