The Hindu Business Line : Govt will take steps to contain inflation: Kalam

ON THE AGENDA: The President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, with (from right) the Vice-President, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr P.R. Dasmunsi, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, arriving to attend the first day of the Budget Session at Parliament House on Friday. — Kamal Narang

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New Delhi Feb. 23 The President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Friday said the Government would go all out to contain inflation and ensure food security through improved supplies of essential items.

"My Government will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that the poor are not adversely affected by inflation. This is our solemn commitment," Mr Kalam said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament.

Listing out initiatives by the Centre towards improving supplies of essential commodities, Mr Kalam said the Government would provide food security to the poor through strengthening of the public distribution system.

New land policy

Sharing the concerns of farmers on acquisition of land for industrial purposes, he said that the Government was committed to bring a "new rehabilitation policy" backed by changes in the Land Acquisition Act for fair pricing of the agriculture land.

Exuding confidence that the economy would grow by about nine per cent during this year, Mr Kalam said there was a great optimism about economic performance and prospects.

However, the growth had to be employment oriented and equitable and should "liberate the poorest of the poor from the scourge of poverty, ignorance and disease".

Farmers' package

In his hour-long speech in the Central Hall, Mr Kalam stressed on the need for sustaining the agricultural growth but expressed concern over farmers committing suicides in various parts of the country.

"A special package amounting to more than Rs 16,000 crore is being implemented in 31 districts worst affected by farmers' suicides... An expert group is looking into the problems of agricultural indebtedness and will suggest measures to provide relief to farmers in distress," he said.

The National Employment Guarantee Act, which has become a major programme for social safety net to the poor and building rural infrastructure, would be extended to the whole country in the next five years.

Power investments

Emphasising the need for a national consensus on energy pricing and distribution policy, he said the Government would encourage new investment in power generation. Competitive tariff bids have been approved for setting up of two ultra mega power projects. "Further efforts in this direction will continue," he added. The Government is committed to the development of indigenous three-stage nuclear programme, he said.

Observing that India's relations with Japan have entered a new era, Mr Kalam said a Special Economic Partnership Initiative would promote investment, especially in infrastructure and power generation and in setting up of an industrial corridor.

Doha Round

He also said that rich countries should bring down tariffs on goods that developing countries want to export to them for achieving the objectives of the Doha Round of trade talks at WTO. "Equally important is the increased market access for products and services of export interest to developing countries to ensure the Doha Round is indeed a development round," he said.