The President Mrs. Pratiba Devi Singh Patil has said that the government is deeply concerned over the adverse impact of inflation on the common man stating that it poses a great threat to the growth momentum. Addressing a joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament yesterday, Mrs. Patil outlined the steps taken by the government to address the issue. She said that states are being consulted on the National Food Security Bill, as its success hinges critically on their commitment to reforms in the Public Distribution System. The President said, the long term solution of the problem lies in increasing productivity and production in agriculture. Devoting substantial part of her 50 minute address to agriculture, Mrs Patil renewed the Government's commitment to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce and noted that concrete measures will be in place to augment investment and provide incentives to the states. Highlighting the initiatives for sustaining the growth momentum, the President said infrastructure development is the focus of the government with 20 lakh crore rupees invested in this sector in the eleventh plan. This she said is proposed to be doubled in 12th five year plan with private sector participation. On the commitment to gender equity, Mrs. Patil expressed the hope that women reservation bill will be considered by the Lok Sabha soon. The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislatures. She said a Bill to protect women against sexual harassment at work place has been introduced and another bill to protect children is on the anvil. The President asserted that the government stood committed to tackling the menace of corruption and bringing back the black money allegedly stashed in foreign banks. She said, maintaining an uncompromising vigil on internal and external security fronts and pursuing a policy that ensures India's voice is heard and its interests are protected in the global fora will also remain in focus. Dealing at length on the steps taken to take corruption head-on, the President said, a Group of Ministers constituted to address the issue will submit its report soon. Expressing serious concern over black money stashed in foreign banks, Mrs. Patil said, steps have been taken to facilitate exchange of information for tax purposes with countries and entities where Indian national may have parked their money. Mrs Patil said that the menace will be tackled frontally and steps are being taken to strengthen the legal framework in this direction. Referring to violence in some parts of the country, Mrs Patil said security system has been revamped with better training and infrastructure to state police and Para military forces. Talking about the strides made in different sectors, Mrs. Patil referred to reforms in power sector, rapid expansion in telecom, energy security and setting up of special economic zones for promoting exports. Talking about relations with Pakistan, the President said New Delhi is seeking a peaceful resolution of issues through a meaningful dialogue provided Islamabad does not allow its soil to be used for terror activities against India. On developments in Egypt, Mrs. Patil said India welcomes the dawn of democracy in other countries. On the relations with major powers, Mrs. Patil said India will continue to work to realize the full potential of these relations in the pursuit of its interests. She said, as a member of the United Nations Security Council for a two year term, India will advance the cause of peace, development, security and uphold the values of multilateralism.