By IANS,
New Delhi : Highlights of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Independence Day speech:
* Without understanding and restraint, our security and integrity can get adversely affected.
* Some people who want to create disturbances in the country so that our progress gets stalled.
* This is the time “to rise above our personal or political interests and build consensus on issues of national importance”.
* We have provided political stability and socio and economic progress.
* We have established an environment of communal harmony in the country.
* His seven years have seen rapid economic development.
* We have taken special care of the needs of our brothers and sisters from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, minorities, women and children.
* Promises food security legislation soon.
* The country is full of “confidence and self-respect”.
* Corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation.
* Corruption should be discussed in a manner that “should not create an atmosphere in which country’s progress comes into question”.
* The government is taking strictest possible action in cases of corruption.
* There is no single big step which we can take to eradicate corruption.
* Corruption cannot be eradicated unless “we improve our justice delivery system”.
* Want strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places.
* Hunger strikes and fast-unto-death will not help.
* Nothing should be done to dilute independence of the judiciary.
* Acknowledges “misuse of governmental discretion in allocation of scarce resources”.
* Government taking steps to reduce corruption in government projects.
* Government will lay down principles and practices with regard to government purchases.
* No government has a “magic wand” to eradicate corruption.
* We have to fight against corruption on many fronts.
* Compliments farmers on producing a record level food grains.
* We need a second Green Revolution.
* Acknowledges “a phase of sustained high inflation”.
* Our government fully understands its responsibility to control rise in prices.
* International markets fuel inflation in India.
* Finding a solution to inflation will be our top most priority in the coming months.
* Land acquisition must be transparent and fair.
* Government will establish a new Education Commission to suggest improvements in education at all levels.
* 12th Five Year Plan should focus on health.
* Investment in infrastructure has grown more than one-and-a-half times in the last seven years.
* “We want to make India slum-free…We want the slum dwellers to get ownership of clean houses.”
* “Malnutrition in women and children is a matter of concern for all of us.”
* Declining sex ratio “a matter of deep regret…essential to change the approach with which our society views girls and women”.
* Should not lower guard against terrorism; it is a long battle to be fought jointly by the central government, state governments and citizens.
* Will eradicate the very reasons which gave rise to Naxalism.
* Warns against climate change and promises “an environmental assessment and monitoring authority to streamline the process of environmental clearances”.
* Acknowledges the younger generation’s higher aspirations; institutions should tap our people’s potential.
* “Our entrepreneurs and businessmen should not feel constrained in their activities.”
* “We should all stay away from tactics that create suspicion or apprehension among those connected with industry, business and investment.”
* Development should not increase inequalities.
* We have the collective capacities and the confidence to deal with tensions and conflicts in society.