PM blames lack of political consensus for slow growth

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has blamed lack of political consensus for the slow progress of the economy.

“As far as creating an environment within the country for rapid economic growth is concerned, I believe that we are not able to achieve this because of a lack of political consensus on many issues,” he said, unfurling the tricolour at historic Red Fort on the Independence Day.

The pace of the country’s economic growth has to be increased, while providing work for the livelihood security of the common man. Otherwise, it would affect the national security, he said.

Promising that his Government would work for rapid economic growth and towards shielding the nation from the effects of the global economic slowdown, he said new employment opportunities would be created. “The period of difficulty will not last long,” he said.

Deficit monsoon

The deficient monsoon is posing difficulties in controlling inflation , adding that the Government has taken measures to deal with the situation.

“In districts where there has been a deficit of 50 per cent or more in rainfall, diesel subsidy is being provided to farmers by the Government,” he said in his ninth Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Terming as unfortunate, the recent incidents of violence, he said the Centre will work together with State Governments to ensure that such incidents do not recur in any part of the country.

The Prime Minister said that every effort must be taken to resolve the problems in the country so that economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities will be expedited.

He said, apart from the global slowdown, domestic developments are hindering economic growth. He hoped that GDP growth would be “a little better” than last year’s 6.5 per cent

The Government, he said, is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in public service.

The Lok Sabha has cleared the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill and “we hope that all political parties will help us in passing this Bill in the Rajya Sabha. A number of other Bills have also been presented before Parliament,” he said.

Manmohan Singh said that the country will achieve independence, in its true sense, only when poverty, illiteracy, hunger and backwardness are wiped out. country, he said, succeed only “when we learn from failures and build on successes.”

‘Uninspiring’ Speech

The Opposition parties termed the Prime Minister’s speech ‘uninspiring’.

The BJP said his address was “lacklustre” and “uninspiring”. BJP spokesperson Prakash Javedkar said the Prime Minister’s speech was completely listless and it would not instill any confidence in the nation.

“The speech just mentioned, but did not give any direction on, the issues the nation and the people of the country are facing — price rise, inflation, corruption, black money, slowing economy, monsoon deficit, and drought. It did not address any of these issues,” Javadekar said.

>jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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