UPA's policies have given good results, record growth: PM

Aizawl: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that the UPA government's policies and programmes for rapid and inclusive growth are showing good results and the country has seen a record average economic growth in the last nine years.

"The UPA government's policies and programmes for rapid and inclusive growth are showing good results. We have seen a record average rate of economic growth in the last nine years, which is higher than what the country achieved in any other decade so far," Singh said at an election rally here.

Singh said during UPA's regime since 2004, poverty has come down at thrice the rate achieved during the preceding decade. "Consumption in rural areas has increased much more rapidly than before. People are living healthier lives and their average lifespan has increased by five years in the last decade," Singh said.

He also said that the government has taken various steps to ensure transparency and curb corruption. "A number of steps have been taken for improving governance and curbing corruption and enhancing transparency and accountability in the work of public authorities. Singh highlighted the Right to Education, Food Security Bill and MNREGA as UPA regime's landmark achievements.

"The Right to Information Act today entitles common citizen to get information about how a particular decision in the government has been taken," said Singh.

"The Right to Education has ensured that almost all the children get the benefit of primary education. The recent Food Security Act guarantees food security to 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population. The MNREGA now reaches every fifth household in rural areas," he said.

On steps for development of tribals in the country, Singh said, "We have enacted a legislation to give ownership rights to our tribal brothers and sisters over land on which they have been living for centuries.

"Recently, a high-level committee has been constituted to determine the exact socio-economic status of tribal communities. The findings of this committee will help us design better policies and programmes for these communities," he added.

Next: New rural housing programme to be launched: PM

New rural housing programme to be launched: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that a new housing scheme would be launched to address the problem of housing in rural areas.

Addressing an election rally here, Singh said he understood that there was an acute housing problem in the rural areas of the state and that a rural housing scheme would be started.

Asking Mizo youths to vote for the Congress, he said that efforts to promote sports would be taken further forward so that sportsmen and sportswomen had a bright future and would do India proud in international tournaments.

"Efforts will be made to achieve 100 per cent enrolment rate at the elementary level of education to reduce the drop-out rate and to strengthen computer education in schools," the Prime Minister promised.

He said that if the people of Mizoram chose the Congress to form the next government, the Centre would continue emphasis on infrastructure development which was critical to the progress of the state.

The Congress, if returned to power, would implement the 210 MW Tuivai Hydro-electric power project during the 12th plan period, he said. He also spoke about endeavour to provide rail link to Aizawl and completion of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project linking the state with Sittwe port in Myanmar, besides the 60-MW Tuirial Hydro Power Project by next year and 2015 respectively.

The Prime Minister's election campaign function was chaired by Rev Lalramliana Pachuau, President of the Mizoram People's Forum, the Church-sponsored election watchdog, and attended by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, AICC General Secretary Luizinho Faleiro, Lok Sabha MP C.L. Ruala, Congress candidates from Aizawl city limits and ruling party workers.

Earlier, Singh arrived at the venue by helicopter from the Lengpui Airport near Aizawl and returned to Delhi after the programme.