Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today asserted that the government was determined to improve legal and regulatory frameworks. He acknowledged a surge of expectation from an increasingly articulate public, for more responsive, transparent, participative, clean and efficient governance.
Dr. Manmohan Singh was addressing the Indian diaspora after inaugurating the 11th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Kochi. The Mauritius President Rajkeshwur Purryag was the chief guest at the annual meet.
The Prime Minister said, the government was determined to turn any setback into an opportunity to improve legal and regulatory frameworks. Dr. Singh's remarks come in the backdrop of national mood of anger on issues such as corruption and crime against women in the light of the Delhi gangrape incident.
On the economic front, Dr. Singh said, the annual growth rate might fall below six per cent in the current year from 6.5 in the previous fiscal, but added the strong economic fundamentals backed by sound policies would enable the country to return to a higher growth path. About the recently approved 12th Five Year Plan which targets eight per cent annual growth, Dr. Singh said this required enormous resources, reforms in policies and institutions and new models of public-private partnerships, among others.
The Prime Minister noted that safety and security of overseas Indian communities was uppermost in the backdrop of turbulence in many parts of the world. He said, the government will do all that is possible to deepen the connection of overseas Indians with India and advance their interests. He invited them to be a vital partner in India's social and economic development.
The Mauritius President Rajkeshwur Purryag assured his country's support to New Delhi in its attempt for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Mr. Purryag who has ancestral roots in India, said people of Indian origin take pride in India.
Union Overseas Indians' Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said, the hard work and honesty of NRIs has made India the most reliable suppliers of manpower in the world.
