Handling inflation 'one shortcoming in our record', PM admits

JAIPUR: Admitting that handling inflation is a shortcoming of the UPA government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted on Sunday that there was need to take "solid steps" to ease the situation on price rise especially this year.
Addressing the AICC session here, he said inflation has been "one shortcoming in our record". During the UPA regime, the average rate of inflation has remained higher than we desired.
He said a major reason for this has been hike in the rates of petroleum products in the international market during the last eight years and the benefit extended to farmers by increasing the minimum support price for crops. "We need to take solid steps to eliminate inflation, especially in 2013-14," he said.
Comparing UPA's performance with the predecessor NDA, Singh said the growth rate during the six years of previous regime was 5.8 per cent, while the UPA's eight year rule saw it increase to 8.2 per cent per annum.
Similarly, he said, the UPA has fared better in eliminating poverty and improving agricultural growth.
Referring to the brutal gang-rape incident in Delhi, the Prime Minister said the country has to travel a long way to provide women with equal social and economic equity.
"We should not forget that women are half of our population and their contribution to development and prosperity is necessary," he said.

PM's tough message to Pak
Talking tough, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India has made it clear to Pakistan that the beheading of an Indian soldier by its army can have a "negative impact" on ties and asked it to reciprocate efforts for friendship.
"We take a consistent review of our ties with Pakistan. We have made clear that the incident can cast a negative impact on our bilateral ties. We will take steps with due care and consideration," he said addressing a meeting of AICC here.
"We want friendship with Pakistan but they should also make efforts in this regard. It is not possible only because we want it or because of our efforts," the Prime Minister said.
His remarks were greeted by applause from the gathering of delegates at AICC which was presided by party chief Sonia Gandhi with vice-president Rahul Gandhi on her side.

Sonia Gandhi woos youth, women and middle class

Earlier, Congress president Sonia Gandhi targeted youth, women and middle class in the party's quest for widening its base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Opening the AICC session here after the two-day chintan shivir, she also made some plain speaking to her partymen saying they should not indulge in nepotism and should show unity to face the challenge of elections which are 15 months away.
She said party leaders should work for the welfare of all and not restrict themselves to their "favourites".
"I am sure if we make the right efforts with unity, there is no doubt in my mind why we will not get the mandate again," she said.
Gandhi said she was happy with the participation of the younger colleagues in the brain storming conclave and hoped that it will help the party project new leadership.
With apparently the huge middle class in her mind, she spoke of women's empowerment in the context of the gang rape of the Delhi and of the need to fight corruption in public life.