Highlights: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's vote of thanks on presidential address

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today gave his vote of thanks to the presidential address. Here are the highlights:

• Our economy has faced a difficult situation
• Inflation has been a persistent problem
• The Finance Minister has dealt with all  these issues in the budget speech
• I emphatically endorse the view of the FM that the slowdown in the economy need not persist
• We are fully capable of putting the country back on a high-growth path of 7-8%
• Need to increase investment in infrastructure. Aim to achieve GDP of 8% in 12th Plan
• The best I can do is to compare nine years of UPA with six years NDA, people can compare and decide what has been done
• Our average growth rate in these nine years has been 7.9%, during the NDA tenure growth was no more than 6%
• Agricultural growth in the UPA period was 3.5 per cent compared with only 2.9 per cent per year in the NDA period (1998-99 to 2003-04)
• During UPA rule poverty declined by 2 per cent and during previous regime it was 0.8 per cent
• During UPA rule industrial growth rate is 8.5 per cent, during NDA rule it was 5.6 per cent
• The improved performance in agriculture is reflected in the growth of per capita consumption in rural areas
• What has been achieved by this government cannot be belittled as Mr Rajnath Singh sought to do
• Humko hain unse wafa ki umeed, jo jante nahee hain wafa kya hain
• Jo garajte hain, who baraste nahin - and we have seen this not for the first time. The Shining India campaign led to disastrous results
  
• In 2009, they fielded the iron-man, and we know what the result was 
• Our policies led to a growth of 6.8% per year in real agricultural wages in the 11th Plan compared with only 1.1% in the previous decade
• It is true that the growth of agricultural sector is projected at 1.8% , but revival of monsoon has given me hope that actual figure may be higher
• Violence against women is an issue that unites all sections of our House. Appeal  speak with one voice on law against it.
• Let me reiterate our commitment to ensure the safety and security of every woman in this country
• I agree to go forward in a manner which will do justice to 50% of India's population that is women
• We pledge to empower women and keep them safe and secure. We need collectively work towards this goal
• I am happy Sexual Harassment of Women (prevention) Bill was passed by Parliament
• Real change can come only if there is change in societal values, we should collectively work towards that
• Government will bring National Water Framework Law
• I am happy to inform the house that National Wakf Development council will be developed in the future
• I would like to reiterate our commitment towards transparency in governance
• There is growing international acceptance to India's rightful place
• We are committed to working with to ensure highest level of transparency and accountability in MNREGA scheme
• Members have raised the issue of Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka - government takes the sentiment very seriously
• We have consistently called upon the govt of Sri Lanka to fulfill public commitment for the implementation of the 13th Amendment
• We will continue to remain engaged with the government of Sri Lannka to take forward the issue of reconciliation
• Enough space in the world today for India and China to achieve their development aspirations
• The new leaders of China have conveyed to me the desire to strengthen our relations
• Boundary disputes should not come in the way of relations for mutual benefit with China
• On recent reports of new dams, China assured us these are run-of-the-river projects and will not result in water storage
• India has always stood for a stable, prosperous Maldives. India remains concerned about political instability there
• India will support all efforts to ensure free, fair and credible Presidential elections
  
• We will continue to monitor the situation and take measures to protect our interests 
• Our dialogue with Pakistan continues to resolve outstanding issues. Progress has been possible in some areas
• Incidents like barbaric incidents in which two soldiers were killed in Jan 2013 has cast a shadow on the dialogue process

Sushma Swaraj's response to Prime Minister's couplet:

• Kuch toh majboorian raheen hongee, yun hee koi bewafa nahee hota
• Tumhe wafa yaad nahee, Humein jafa yaad nahee
• Zindagi or maut ke toh do hee tarane hain, ek tumhein yaaqd nahee, ek humein yaad naheen