Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 66th Independence Day, he hoped that all political parties will help the government in passing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill in Parliament.
"We will continue our efforts to bring more transparency and accountability in the work of public servants and to reduce corruption," Singh said.
While doing so, steps will be taken to see that the morale of public functionaries taking decisions in public interest is not affected because of baseless allegations and unnecessary litigation, he said.
On economic growth, the Prime Minister said that lack of political consensus was coming in its way.
"As far as creating an environment within the country for rapid economic growth is concerned, I believe that we are not being able to achieve this because of a lack of political consensus on many issues," Singh said.
He said time has now come to view the issues which affect the development processes as matters of national security.
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Observing that India has been affected by "adverse" external conditions, he said, "Also there have been domestic developments which are hindering our economic growth. Last year, our GDP grew by 6.5 per cent. This year, we hope to do a little better."
Singh said his government would make every possible effort to secure the livelihood of "our poor brothers and sisters, our workers and our farmers."
He said the government will leave no stone unturned to encourage investment in the country so that entrepreneurs can make a substantial contribution to the economy.
"I believe that this period of difficulties will not last long. Even as we face these problems, we should be encouraged by the fact that we have achieved extraordinary successes in many areas in the last 8 years. We now need to replicate these successes in newer areas," Singh said. (More)