This Article is From May 22, 2013

UPA-II releases report card; Sonia Gandhi backs PM, lashes out at opposition: Highlights

UPA-II releases report card; Sonia Gandhi backs PM, lashes out at opposition: Highlights
New Delhi: Battling corruption allegations and scandals, the government today released its report card for UPA-II.

Here are the highlights of the report released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:

  • A detailed review of government programmes is contained in the report, request media to read fully
  • We can legitimately claim with pride that UPA government has taken India forward; we have journeyed many miles and we have many miles to go
  • Deep sense of gratitude to Sonia Gandhi whose inspiring leadership has made these achievements possible
    Let me focus on 4 key achievements:
    1.Improved performance of economy
    2.Making growth process more inclusive
    3.Delivery of better governance, welfare, development programs
    4.Improved relations with changing and challenging world
  • UPA government has taken our country forward on all these four fronts
  • Faster growth necessary to provide opportunities to young generation
  • Growth slowed down to 5 per cent in 2012-13 but it was a doable phenomenon
  • GDP declined in euro zone, grew very slowly in japan, US.. Slowed down in China
  • Last year economy in India did slow down but its temporary
  • India was among the fastest growing economy with average growth rate of 8 per cent in nine years including years of slow growth
  • Economic situation is turning around, inflation is under control
  • Confident that growth in 2013-14 could exceed 6 per cent, this could set the stage for achieving 12th Plan target of 8 per cent growth 
  • Faster agricultural growth combined in government programs such as NREGA have improved real wages of agricultural labour
  • Agricultural wages grew at 6.8 per cent per year which is six times faster than the rate of growth between 1994-2004
  • Impact of our policies in rural areas can be seen: rural per capita consumption grew real term at 3.4 per cent per year
  • Percentage of people below poverty line has fallen much faster after 2004 than earlier
  • Many feel official poverty line was too low, experts have been employed to look into this
  • Growth has also spread to erstwhile backwards states
  • Literacy has improved
  • Polio has been wiped out
  • Public debate focuses less on what has been achieved and more on whatever is yet to be done
  • Quality is still an issue, we will push hard
  • Will say to critics that in many of these areas, since the glass was almost empty when we started, it'll take some time before it is full
  • Important point is it is being filled
  • Assurance of safety and security for every citizen especially women
  • Public services will be delivered to specified standards
  • Freedom from delays and harassment which breed graft and corruption and has to be rid of
  • Elimination of corruption in procurement and allocation decisions of government
  • Problems aren't unique to India
  • Demand to remedy them has risen all over the world
  • People access information that puts pressure on system to take corrective measures
  • We've introduced Lokpal Bill
  • We've introduced government procurement bill which will make process of government procurement and content much more transparent
  • Introduced land acquisition bill to replace an old and highly colonial legislation
  • Much is made of problems that arose the way scarce resources were allocated in the past
  • We've introduced auctions rather than relying on administrative allocations
  • Improving quality of governance in a vast nation like ours is a challenge
  • Both centre and state have to act to deal with this problem
  • UPA government has done more in this area than any other government
  • Rise of India as an economic powerhouse of the world is an idea whose time has come
  • India has engaged with International community as the fastest growing democracy in the world
  • Our improving economic performance and talent of people has enable us to build bridges with both developed and developing countries
  • Deepened relationships with US, Russia and Europe
  • Our government has taken lead in India's active participation in Asia's community building
  • India is warmly welcomed to every Asian and Asia-Pacific forums
  • We've increased economic cooperation all-round the Indian subcontinent
  • What message does this experience of nine years convey to young people about to enter their working life
  • UPA government is working to realize your dream of an economically, socially just India. An India where everyone can expect to live a life of security and dignity
  • To participate and benefit in one of the great historical transformations which will take in next 20 years, re-emergence of India in Asia
  • Under the leadership of our Chairperson, UPA government is about to bring this transformation in which all our people will benefit and participate

    UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi speaks:
  • This is an appropriate moment to celebrate, also to reflect on what we have done in past nine years
  • We've never deviated from our priorities, to address needs of our people mainly weaker sections, pay special attention to farmers, to strive for a growing dynamic economy which is inclusive
  • Can anyone question the magnitude of the changes we have been able to bring about
  • All state across party lines have received unprecedented assistance from government for development schemes
  • Government is subject to strict transparency and accountability as a result of the laws put in place
  • Weaker sections of society have been further empowered through many effective initiatives
  • Never before has procurement prices for farmers increased in last nine years, led to a record of food grain production
  • Never before have so many of our children been in schools and colleges aspiring for a better future
  • We see the making of an economic recovery
  • We expect high growth to return, look forward to a renewed momentum in our programs
  • Can't hide at deep sense of disappointment at the way Parliament has been prevented from functioning and fulfilling is role and obligations by principal opposition party
  • We offered to debate and discuss all issues but Parliament wasn't allowed to function due to obstructionist approach
  • We still have time to fulfill our duties to our people
  • Want to make fervent plea to NDA, Opposition parties, let us come together for food security, land acquisition and other important bills
  • These bills affect lives and livelihood of millions whom we are committed to represent and benefit
  • We have nothing to hide, nothing to feel defensive about
  • We need to be aware that there has been a deliberate attempt to create innuendo and spread false news to confuse and demoralize people
  • PM has been fulfilling responsibilities with great dignity irrespective of the opposition
  • We respect him and we all stand by him
  • We won't get distracted by ground of morals being created around us
  • We will continue to look ahead with confidence
  • People of India will recognise our efforts and what we have accomplished




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