Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today asserted that reform measures, including Foriegn Direct Investment, FDI in retail, will benefit the common man and create more jobs.
He said Congress and the government believes that FDI in retail is in the interest of farmers. Addressing the Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi today, Dr. Singh said the farmers will get the right price for their produce and new employment opportunities will emerge.
Dismissing opposition suggestions that FDI will take jobs away from people, the Prime Minister said there is a space for small and big traders in the provisions made by the government for FDI.
Dr Singh said Congress party and the government are committed to create a prosperous India but the people have to travel a long distance to achieve that goal.
Accusing the opposition of spreading misinformation regarding policy initiatives taken by UPA, Dr Singh said difficult decisions have been taken after considering the economic situation of the country.
He said, the government has spent money on infrastructure development and tried to help the backward classes. The Prime Minister said that eight crore people have benefited from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA .
Dr Singh said, Right to Education Act, RTE has enabled every child to get free and compulsory education up to class 8th.
He said around 12 crore children are benefited from Mid day meal scheme. Dr Singh said prosperity should reach the common man.
Addressing the rally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said Congress is the only party which is secular. No other party can boast of that. She said that her party will be successful to meet economic and political challenges.
She accused opposition of trying to weaken the democratic institutions. Mrs Gandhi blamed the opposition for destabilizing the elected government and stalling the legislation of welfare laws.
Mrs Gandhi added that the party will fight all the graft charges against it. She assured that stern action will be taken against the corrupt. Mrs Gandhi also said that she understands that price rise has affected the poor but added that India's growth momentum is steady and rising.
Earlier, speaking at the rally, Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi blamed the Opposition for stalling the passage of Lokpal Bill. He vowed to bring the Bill again in Parliament . Mr Rahul Gandhi said that the Opposition has been opposing government's programmes without thought and understanding. Mr Gandhi said Congress needs the youth to enter politics and bring changes.
Promising that his party would work more for the nation in the coming years, he enumerated various achievements of his party.
Congress general secretary said, his party is in power for eight years and several schemes and programmes have been launched for the benefit of common people.
These include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gaurantee Act, MGNREGA and Right to Information, RTI. Touching upon the anti-corruption movement in the country, the young Congress leader said it was the UPA government that brought in the Right to Information Act in 2005 through which people could get any information from the government.
Mr Rahul Gandhi said FDI policy of the government would bring in cold storage facilities and food processing centres to the farmers, thereby ensuring more profits to
