New Delhi:(Page3 News Network)-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the government's first priority is to reverse the economic slowdown. Addressing the 57th meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi today, Dr. Singh said the current economic situation is difficult in view of global economic crisis. The Prime Minister called for stepping up investment in infrastructure saying better infrastructure is the best guarantee for rapid economic growth. Referring to successful promotion of infrastructure projects by Centre and State governments through Private Public Partnership, PPP, Dr. Singh emphasised the need to continue this thrust in the 12th Plan.He said, the Planning Commission has set eight percent growth target for the 12th Plan which is reasonable but an ambitious in view of less than six per cent growth in the first year. Dr. Singh sought the cooperation of all States for ensuring inclusive growth.
The Prime Minister also asked the States to ensure safety of women and address the growing threats to them. He said, no development can take place without women's participation. He also laid emphasis on special attention for the removal of disparities between socio-economic groups like SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities.
Prime Minister said that poverty has declined by about two percent per year after 2004-05 which is two and a half time faster than the rate of decline between 1993-94 and 2004-05. Stating that agriculture growth has accelerated from 2.4 percent in the 10th Plan to 3.3 percent in the 11th Plan, Dr. Singh stressed on better performance of agriculture sector for faster decline in poverty level.
Prime Minister said subsidies should be well designed and effectively targeted and the total subsidy must be kept within limits of fiscal sustainability. He pointed out that the Centre is shifting several beneficiaries oriented schemes to a direct transfer mode using the Aadhar platform to prevent leakages, corruption, delay and poor targetting.
Pointing out that energy is under-priced, Dr. Manmohan Singh said domestic prices of coal, petroleum products and natural gas are below the international prices. He said the Centre and States must work together to create public awareness to limit the extent of energy subsidies.
About State governments' complaints on rigid guidelines for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, the Prime Minister said that steps are being taken to rationalise the schemes with introduction of greater flexibility.
