Manmohan promises inclusive growth

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the UPA government was focusing on inclusive economic growth to make India shine for all.

"The process to remove poverty has just begun. We have a herculean task before us," he said, winding up a long discussion on motion of thanks to the president's address

"The government has taken many initiatives to revive manufacturing and agriculture sectors and is making honest efforts to remove poverty," he said, adding he had asked the agriculture minister to draft a plan to tackle problems in areas like Vidarbha and parts of Andhra Pradesh which had witnessed suicides by farmers.

"We have to take major measures to upgrade quality and quantity of rural credit to the farming community as farmers in some regions, especially the cotton-growing areas, were in difficulty," he said. Singh added his government would set up a backward region fund soon.

Dismissing the charge that his government was deviating from the national common minimum programme, he said, "I wish to assure that this government is solidly committed to policies and programmes in the NCMP. We stand by it."

Asserting that the government had done well to keep inflation under check, despite high oil prices, he said it had decided to import wheat as a "precautionary measure" and would do nothing to "hurt" the farmers.

Virtually ruling out recall of US Ambassador David Mulford, he described as "unwarranted" his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya for his criticism of President George W Bush, saying it was a departure from normal diplomatic practice.

"I share the sentiments (of the Left members). But my own feeling is that the action we have taken will suffice for the time being," he said. He was responding to CPI(M) member Nilotpal Basu who wanted that the government convey a strong message to the envoy.

Singh said the UPA government was committed to 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies and was duty bound to provide employment to the youth. "Given the young profile of our labour force, if we cannot provide them work, we'll be wasting an enormous opportunity of social and economic growth."

In a clear rejection of politics over publication of Prophet's cartoons, he asked political parties to exercise "utmost restraint" in dealing with the issue. "We have greatest respect for all religions. India's commitment to tolerance is unshakeable but statements by some sections of our people is not acceptable," he said.

"I am sure all political and religious leaders would do nothing to inflame public opinion and exercise utmost restraint in a democratic way to make our point of view reasonably restrained," he said.

He was apparently referring to a statement by a Uttar Pradesh Minister who offered a reward of Rs 51 crore for anyone killing the Danish cartoonist.