Prime minister Manmohan Singh today said, India's growth momentum will revive soon and the country is set for better times. He said, the cycle of global economic growth is turning for the better and steps taken by the government to address domestic constrains are yielding results. Dr. Singh said, this in his opening statement at a media conference in New Delhi. He said, even if the years of slow down is included, the rate of growth achieved in the past nine years is the highest for any nine year period.
The Prime minister said, it is not just the acceleration of growth that gave him satisfaction, also equally important is that growth process was made socially inclusive. He said, the number of people below poverty line in the country has comedown by 13.8 crores.
He also said, the country will continue to provide a hospitable environment for foreign direct investment. Admitting that the worry of rising inflation is legitimate, the Prime minister assured steps would be taken to rein in price rise. He also pointed out that the income of most people has also increased faster than inflation.
Prime minister said, his government has delivered the promise committed in 2004 on a new deal for rural India. This he said was substantially fulfilled through farmer friendly policies including raising support prices for farmers, expanding credit to farmers and through increased investment in horticulture, in rural development and rural infrastructure especially roads and electricity. MGNAREGA has assured agricultural labour of a floor and increased bargaining power. He said, the improved achievements during his tenure in delivery of health services and education services has given hope to the rural people.
In reply to a political question question Dr. Singh said, it would be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as the Prime minister. He said, Narendra Modi's dream will not materialize. Dr. Singh said, he does not believe that he himself had been a weak Prime minister. He said a strong leader also does not mean one could preside over the killing of innocents citizens in the streets of Ahmedabad. Dr. Singh said, he has full confidence that the next Prime minister will be from a UPA coalition.
Dr Singh said he is not going to be Prime minister if the UPA comes to power for a third term at the Center. The Congress will announce its Prime Ministerial candidate at an appropriate time. Dr. Singh also said, Congress Vice Preisdent Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be the Prime Minister.
He said, the Congress welcomes the people's mandate in the just concluded Assembly elections and will learn lessons from it. Dr. Singh said, India's democratic constitution and institutions are the cornerstone of modern India. No one person or institution can substitute the countries democratic framework. He said, only time will tell on the success of Aam Aadmi party.
Terming, dealing with corruption as a complex issue he called for cooperation cutting across party line to combat the menace. Dr. Singh said, he has never used office for personal gains and history will be kind to him than the contemporary media and the opposition. He said, it is for the people to judge him and he is the same man with the clean image since the begining of UPA tenure.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said any wrong doing in government decisions will be punished through a due process of law. He said, there is much public concern on high profile allegations of corruption notably in regard to 2G spectrum and coal blocks allocation and cases related to land. Dr Singh said the government has taken major steps to change the existing procedure for allocation of spectrum and coal by shifting auction so that these problems do not arise in the future.
