India’s national security will be affected if steps are not taken to increase economic growth and encourage new investments in the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.
In his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister said that his government will work hard to shield Indian economy from the impact of global economic slowdown.
However, this would require creating an environment which “we are not being able to achieve ... because of a lack of political consensus on many issues. Time has now come to view the issues which affect our development process as matters of national security,” Dr Singh said.
He cautioned if the economic growth is not increased, new investments are not encouraged, the government finances are not improved and livelihood security of the common man and energy security of the country are not ensured, “then it most certainly affects our national security”.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Dr Singh said the global economy, which is passing through a difficult phase, has adversely affected India as well.
“Also, there have been domestic developments which are hindering our economic growth. Last year our GDP grew by 6.5 per cent. This year we hope to do a little better,” he said.
While not much can be done about the conditions prevailing outside the country, “we must make every effort to resolve the problems inside our country so that our economic growth and creation of employment opportunities are again speeded up,” he said.
On inflation, Dr. Singh said while it must be controlled, bad monsoon this year would pose some difficulties. While wholesale inflation has come down to 6.87 per cent in July, prices of food items are still rising by over 10 per cent annually.
Dr Singh said the government has taken steps to deal with deficit rains. These include giving diesel and seed subsidy to farmers in drought-affected areas.
Assam riotsTerming the violence in Assam as “very unfortunate”, Dr Singh promised to make every effort to find out reasons behind the clashes in which at least 77 people have lost their lives.
He said the government was doing “everything possible” to provide relief to the people affected by the violence.
“The incidents of violence which occurred in Assam recently are very unfortunate. I know that these incidents have resulted in the disruption of the lives of a large number of people. We fully sympathise with those families which have been affected by the violence,” Dr Singh said.
The Prime Minister said the Centre would work with the State governments to ensure that such incidents do not occur in any parts of the country.
“We are doing everything possible to provide relief to them. I also promise to you that our government will make every effort to understand the reasons behind the violence and work hard with the State governments to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in any part of the country,” he said.
On overall situation in the North East, Dr Singh said there has been reduction in violence in the region as the Centre has engaged a number of groups in talks.
“There has been a reduction in violence in the North Eastern States and we are engaged in dialogue with many groups there so that they can join the mainstream of development,” he said.
Lokpal BillAgainst the backdrop of a lack of political consensus on the final shape of the proposed Lokpal, Dr Singh expressed hope that political parties will help its passage in the Rajya Sabha.
“Our commitment to make the work of the government and administration transparent and accountable stands,” he said.
“The Lok Sabha has cleared the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill. We hope that all political parties will help us in passing this Bill in the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
With several anti-corruption legislations in the offing, the Prime Minister assured public servants that they will be insulated against frivolous allegations.
“We will continue our efforts to bring more transparency and accountability in the work of public servants and to reduce corruption”.
“But we will also take care that these measures do not result in a situation in which the morale of public functionaries taking decisions in public interest gets affected because of baseless allegations and un
necessary litigation,” he said.
He also referred to the Public Procurement Bill and said such measures will increase transparency in decision making.
Bad monsoon and inflation“....We must control inflation. This would pose some difficulty because of a bad monsoon this year,” Dr Singh said.
However, he said that the government has huge wheat and rice stocks and foodgrain supply is not a problem.
Although inflation declined to 6.87 per cent in July from 7.25 per cent in June, food inflation was still ruling above 10 per cent.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken measures to deal with the deficient rainfall.
“Our effort is to ensure that people do not face difficulty due to shortage of seeds, fodder or water in any part of the country. It is good that we have a big stock of foodgrains ... and availability of foodgrains is not a problem for us,” he said.
India’s Armed ForcesMonths after the former Army Chief Gen V K Singh raised questions over the preparedness of the defence forces, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the forces are ready to meet any challenge and their modernisation will continue.
“We have seen a lot of discussion in the recent months about role of our armed forces and their preparedness. Today I would like to reassure countrymen that our armed forces and paramilitary forces are prepared to face any challenge.
“Government will continue to work for modernising these forces and providing them with
necessary technology and equipment,” he said in his Independence Day address.
“I would like to emphasise here that our armed forces and paramilitary forces have defended the security of our country during both war and peace with valour and honour. Our soldiers have made the biggest of sacrifices, whenever needed,” the Prime Minister said.
Thanking the security forces for guarding the frontiers bravely, Dr Singh said the government will continue to make efforts for their welfare.
The Prime Minister lauded DRDO for the successful launch of over 5,000 km-range Agni-V missile which made India join an elite club of nations possessing such long range weapon systems.
“I would like to congratulate our scientists and technologists who have enhanced our prestige by successfully testing the Agni V Missile,” Dr Singh said.
