Highlights of PM Manmohan Singh's I- Day address Monday, August 15 2005 10:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
New Delhi:
Following are the highlights of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day address:
Employment generation a key component of the Government
National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill to be tabled in Parliament.
Govt commits to eradicating poverty by creating jobs - Rozgar Badhao
Swaraj cannot be complete till the poorest have a guarantee of being provided with the
basic necessities of life.
Country witnessing unprecedented economic growth.
Last year economic growth rate was seven per cent, coming on the top of over eight per cent growth, and is likely to be similar this year as well.
Country has not witnessed such consistently high growth rates since 1996.
It will be possible to eradicate poverty, ignorance, hunger and disease if current momentum of growth is maintained for next five to ten years.
This is no longer just a dream but is now a possibility.
Time has now come to make history and build a new India - an India where there are no barriers between the Government and the people.
Initiatives for Rural India:
Krishi Vigyan Kendra to be created in every village by 2007.
National Rainfed Area Authority to be set up.
Funding for Bharat Nirman budgetary focus on outcome, not outlays alone.
Appeal to all political parties to address water issues from a national and holistic perspective.
Reiterates commitment to preserve environment and wildlife.
Revamping of Khadi & Village Industries Commission, to create jobs.
Social Welfare Initiatives
Pension for Freedom Fighters.
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for children of ex-servicemen and security personnel - 5000 children would be provided scholarships for college education every year.
Focus on elementary, secondary and higher education. New wave of development for old Universities in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Development of sports - India to bid for Asian Games.
Focussed commitment to combat HIV/AIDS.
New 15-point programme for welfare and empowerment of Minorities.
Empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes through investment in education, assurance of employment and tribal rights.
Empowerment of women - Legislation against domestic violence against women, legal protection of property rights.
Development programme for skill enhancement of artisans and weavers.
Infrastructure Development
Six-laning of Golden Quadrilateral.
High-speed rail freight corridor Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata with Japanese aid.
Urban Renewal Fund special focus on revitalization of Mumbai. Development of non-metro urban centers.
World class airports to be built.
New thrust to civil nuclear energy development.
Governance Issues
National Campaign for Cleanliness of villages, towns and cities to be launched.
National movement against wastage of water.
Review of Armed Forces Special Powers Act complete. AFSPA to be made more humane to ensure protection to human rights.
Government to ensure that outlays of expenditure are visible to citizens as outcomes of progress.
Handling of tsunami and recent floods, including Mumbai - National Disaster Management Authority created.
National Security and External Relations
Reiteration of commitment to discussion and dialogue with all disaffected groups, provided they abjure the path of violence. Doors are always open to anyone interested in
dialogue.
Reaffirmation of commitment to fight terrorism. Pakistan must dismantle entire infrastructure of terrorism. Success of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link shows way forward
in Jammu & Kashmir.
Need for holistic response to extremism. Development and security are inter-linked. Assurance of life of dignity and self-respect for all people. POTA repealed.
India's firm commitment to make South Asia a region of peace and prosperity. Well-being and welfare of neighbours in India's interests. Warm greetings to people of
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius and Nepal.
Discussions proceeding on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.
Movement forward in relations with all countries. Successful meetings last year with leaders of United States, Russia, European Union, Japan, China and several important and friendly countries. Summit meetings with leaders of United States, Russia, China and Japan have significantly improved bilateral relations, and strengthened India's global profile.
Success of Look East Policy in improving relations with countries of East and South-east Asia.
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