The Prime Minister has called for tight fiscal control and said, he expects the inflation to come down to six per cent by December with a good monsoon. He was addressing the concluding session of the National Development Council in New Delhi on Saturday. Dr. Manmohan Singh stressed the need for quick operationalisation of the proposed Food Security Act which will entitle families below poverty line to a fixed quantity of rice or wheat at 3 rupees per kg. He urged the state governments to pay due attention to the farm sector which he said is crucial for curbing inflation and achieving broad based improvement in living standards in rural areas. The National Development Council approved the mid term appraisal of the Eleventh Plan. It scales down the average economic growth target to 8.1 per cent from 9 per cent for the five year period ending 2012. The Prime Minister said, the Centre will soon come up with an integrated plan to develop backward districts affected by Left wing extremism. He said it will help strengthen development process in these areas in the fight against terrorism. On the Chief Ministers' suggestion, the Prime Minister agreed to form a committee of the National Development Council under Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy to look into the challenges of urbanization. The Committee is to submit its report within a year and would provide inputs for the formulation of 12th Plan. Later, addressing the media, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia said, the Commission is working on an integrated plan for Naxal-hit areas to be implemented in 35 districts. He said a commission has already been set up in this regard.
News On AIR | July 25, 2010 5:42 PM
PM calls for fiscal control, expects inflation to come down to 6 percent