PM pledges assistance to drought hit farmers

Sending out a positive message on Independence Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a new era of cooperation and harmony and pledged all possible government assistance to farmers to deal with drought and stepped up efforts to control spiralling prices.
       
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the sixth consecutive year, Singh said the government would work for political stability and strengthening economy with an aim of marching towards "a golden future".

Asserting that the people had rejected sectarian politics and have "chosen a political arrangement which is secular", he called for "a new era of cooperation and harmony" and promised to take everyone along to create "an environment of consensus and cooperation".

"You have entrusted a big responsibility on us and we humbly accept that and will fulfil it", he said. Talking about problems like drought, economic crisis and swine flu facing the country, he sought to allay concerns.

There was no need to panic in the face of swine flu and daily life should not be disrupted because of it, said 76- year-old Singh. Referring to the impact of the global meltdown, Singh said the government would take all steps like tapping of more foreign investment and encouraging exports to meet the "greatest challenge" of restoring the growth rate to nine per cent.

He hoped the situation would improve in the next four months. "We expect that there will be an improvement in the situation by the end of this year", he said. The Prime Minister asked businessmen and industrialists to join in the effort to tackle the difficult situation and fulfil their social obligation.

On the drought situation created by the deficient monsoon, he said the government would provide all possible assistance to farmers to deal with the situation. In this context, he said the date for repayment of farmers bank loans has been postponed and additional support given to them for payment of interest on short term crop loans.

Warning hoarders and black-marketeers, Singh said the state governments have been asked to strictly implement the laws in this regard to crack down such elements.

Assuring the nation that there was adequate stocks of foodgrains, he said all efforts would be made to control rising prices of foodgrains, pulses and other goods of daily use. "We want that no one in the country goes hungry", Singh said.

Singh said the country needed another Green Revolution to achieve four per cent annual growth in agriculture. This, he said, is achievable in the next five years. Promising special attention to minorities, the Prime Minister said caring for them was not appeasement.

He said the government has chalked out a number of programmes for the benefit of minorities and allocation for their welfare has been increased. He pointed out that a Bill to prevent communal violence has been introduced in Parliament and said efforts would be made to convert into a law as soon as possible.

The government would ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of society and all regions and citizens of the country.

Referring to Mumbai attacks, he said terrorism has emerged a great challenge to the nation and government would re-double efforts to tackle it.

To root out terrorist activities, security forces and intelligence agencies were being constantly upgraded, he said expressing confidence that the government would succeed in its efforts with cooperation from all sections. He said Centre would extend all helps to state governments to make their police forces more effective.

"Those who think that they can seize power by recourse to the gun do not understand the power of our democracy", he said. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said the assembly and Lok Sabha polls held there in the last one year was a solid proof that there was no place for separatist ideology anywhere in the state.

At the same time, he said, the government endeavour is to ensure that human rights are respected in the state and all its citizens live in peace and dignity in an environment of safety and security.

He said that every government should be sensitive to people's complaints and dissatisfaction. "But nothing is achieved by destroying public property and indulging in violence. The government will deal firmly with such people," he said.

On naxalism, Singh said the government would endeavour to remove the causes of social and economic dissatisfaction which give rise to this scourge.

On foreign policy, he said India wants to live in peace and harmony with neighbours and would make every possible effort to create an environment conducive to the social and economic development of South Asia. He, however, made no direct mention of Pakistan in his nearly 45-minute speech.