Jaipur:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Jaipur today. Highlights from his speech:
- I have full confidence that this AICC session and the Chintan Shivir will give the Congress a new direction.
- We need to project the government's work properly among the people.
- We need to reassure our youth that we understand their aspirations and shall meet them.
- We have largely fulfilled the promises made in the Congress's 2004 and 2009 manifestos.
- We have been trying to bring in inclusive growth. We have been particulalrly focused on the poor and underprivileged.
- We have given more emphasis on agriculture and health and education in the rural areas. Our efforts will show big results in the coming years.
- Eradicating polio has been a major achievement.
- The country's development under NDA was 5.5 per cent. Under UPA, the GDP grew over 8 per cent. We achieved this during global economic recession.
- If we compare the UPA and NDA regimes, our poverty alleviation rate is 2.5 times theirs.
During NDA regime, agricultural growth was 3 per cent. We have increased it to 3.7 per cent over the past eight years. - The benefits of growth can be seen in the growth of per capita rural consumption as well - between 94-95 & 2004-05 this was 0.8 per cent. In the past eight years, that has increased six times - a testimony to our inclusive growth.
- Our growth has slowed down of late but it's still far better than in other countries.
- We need to have an effective communication strategy so inform the people of our achievements.
- Often people are unaware that the schemes they benefit from have been introduced by the Centre. Non-Congress state governments take credit for policies of the UPA government.
- Our youth, especially in urban areas, is highly aspirational. It is our responsibility to understand their aspirations and meet them on priority.
- Price rise has been our challenge. Some of the reasons for this are the high price of crude oil in the international market. We need to fight inflation.
- We have introduced several schemes for the development of backward sections and women. But we must also understand that making laws is one thing and implementing them is another.
- The country debated the security of women after the recent gangrape of a woman in Delhi. We must not forget that women's participation in our economy is critical.
- I have already said that it is important to ensure women's security in public places; we are ready to bring any law that ensures women's security. But we also need to change social mindsets.
- It is true we have a long way to go to achieve gender equality.
- Why is it that the people don't know about our govt's achievements? One reason is that we have not spoken about these much.
- Our efforts have ensured an end of India's isolation by the nuclear powers. The results of this will be for everyone to see in the coming years.
- Peace and stability are key to foreign policy. Pakistan committed an inhuman act on the LoC on January 8. We have told Pakistan that this could affect bilateral relations.
- We want good ties, but Pakistan too needs to take steps in that direction.
- We have to improve the abilities of our youth through education and skilled training.
- By 2016-17, we should be able to achieve an economic growth of 9 per cent.
- In the 12th Plan, we are focusing on planned urban development. We are making improvements in the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Development Mission for that.
- In our growth, we will clearly emphasise on environmental concerns.
- Our policies will benefit only when they are implemented properly.
- To reduce corruption in government work and increase accountability, we have taken many steps.
- We understand the anger of the people. Whenever we have been found at fault, we have taken strict action against the culprits.
- Our government is committed to a strong Lokpal bill, and we will be successful.
- The Congress has a history we can be proud of. Despite poverty, India is making great strides globally, and the Congress has made this possible.
- Unlike many political parties, we believe in secularism and development for all sections of the society.
- Only the Congress understands the needs of the country and knows how to solve its problems.
- As I see it, the Jaipur meeting has reaffirmed the commitment of the Congress to its core values: inclusive development, empowerment of women and their safety, meeting the challenges of urbanisation, improving quality of governance, curbing corruption, pursuit of foreign policy based on protecting our national interests.
- If the Congress moves ahead with this agenda, I do not see why the Congress will not capture the hearts of minds and people again.
- With the leadership of Soniaji and Rahulji, we shall deliver.