Expressing concern on the condition of Indian agriculture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid stress on increasing farm productivity in order to ensure food security.
“Addressing key constraints in the modernisation of agriculture and in the expansion of infrastructure need long-term strategies backed by stepped up investment,” said the Prime Minister.
Listing the success of UPA’s flagship programmes like Bharat Nirman, MGNREGA, and JNNURM, Dr Singh said that the Right to Education Act, enacted in 2009, was a historic step forward in making every Indian literate and an empowered citizen.
Agreeing there were leakages in the MGNREGA, the Prime Minister said the government is trying to fix the problem.
“We are on learning curve and we can, and we will do more to strengthen these programmes and improve delivery,” he said.
Observing that the mandate of 2009 elections was a vote for the inclusive agenda of the UPA, Dr Singh said the agenda for the second term seeks to strengthen pro-people policies started in 2004. “The social and economic uplift of the SC, ST, OBCs, minorities and the women will continue to receive priority attention in our plans,” said Dr Singh.
In that line, the Prime Minister said the government was undertaking a comprehensive review of the higher education system, including medical education. A draft national council for higher education and research bill has already been put in public domain, he said.
Stating that the government introduced bills to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in all panchayats and urban local bodies, Dr said around one crore scholarships have been given to SC, ST and OBC students.