Dr Manmohan Singh said efforts should be made to remove deficiencies to enhance the productivity. He said this after presenting the Prime Minister's Shram Awards for 2005, 2006 and 2007. Dr Singh said the country's economic performance in the last few years has been impressive. He said economy is poised to move to a trajectory of sustained high economic growth which is essential for fighting persistent poverty, hunger and diseasethat still afflicts millions of people. The PM said efforts should be made to enhance productivity across all sectors of the economy. He said, the Government was committed to creating conditions that would encourage an individual's initiative and acquisitions of new skills.Dr Singh said the government also intends to accelerate efforts on the skill development initiative to achieve the objective of having a skilled workforce that can meet the requirements of the growing economy in the 21st century.Speaking on the occasion, Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, asked all agencies to ensure effective implementation of the National Policy on Safety,Health and Environment at workplaces through close coordination, supervision and participation of all stakeholders.