By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Brushing aside criticism by the opposition and Left parties, the government today justified the rise in petrol and diesel prices saying the Indian consumer is still insulated largely from global inflationary trends.
“It will continue to be the endeavour of my government to sustain growth while keeping prices under check. World crude oil prices have almost doubled in the past two years to reach 100 dollars a barrel, yet my government has managed to moderate the impact on the domestic consumer,” President Pratibha Patil said in an address to the joint sitting of Parliament, marking the start of Budget session.
For the first time in history, the Indian economy has grown at close to 9 per cent per annum for four years in a row, she said, adding that the UPA government has been paying special attention to the welfare of farmers.
The government has “reversed” the decline in public investment in agriculture, and the target of doubling the agricultural credit in three years has been substantially exceeded, the President said in her maiden address.
“My government remains fully committed to ensuring that the economic growth process is socially inclusive, regionally balanced and environmentally sustainable,” Patil said.