PM stresses on agricultural development

Congratulating the nation on the 60th anniversary of the countrys independence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that in the coming years, the governments main emphasis would be on agricultural development.

New Delhi, Aug 15 : Congratulating the nation on the 60th anniversary of the country's independence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that in the coming years, the government's main emphasis would be on agricultural development.

After unfurling the tricolour and taking the salute from the ramparts of Red Fort, Singh described farmers' welfare as the core of all concerns, and announced plans to invest Rs 25,000 crore in the agriculture sector to enhance farmers livelihood and increase in food production.

"We will also focus on the needs of our farmers in dry and drought prone regions. I am touring a few states to personally review the agricultural situation across the country," he added.

Referring to the Bharat Nirman project, Singh said his government is investing in rural, road, electricity and telephone connectivity, and added that this project is an effort to bridge the "urban-rural divide."

Describing industrialization as 'critical for progress, he said: "Industrialization is the most effective means to create new job opportunities. It also offers new opportunities and hope, especially for people in rural areas displaced by agrarian change."

"We are giving final shape to a National Policy for Rehabilitation and Resettlement for all those displaced by major projects. Adequate compensation must be paid to those displaced and urban space must be used in an economical manner," he added.

To fulfil the demand for a first rate infrastructure, Singh said the expansion and modernisation of our highways, roads, railways and airports is visible proof of "our efforts to meet this demand."

In the rush for modernization and the race to develop, he said: "We must not forget the value of conserving our resources."

Urging states to look upon water as a national asset, he said: "We work to resolve inter-state disputes over water sharing with an attitude of give and take. It is only through a cooperative approach that lasting solutions can be found to recurring problems, like floods and drought."

Speaking about global warming, which has become a matter of international concern, he said keeping India green and clean should be a national and an individual obsession.

"The Himalayas are part of our inheritance. Many of our rivers flow from them. We must protect our glaciers. People across the world are increasingly concerned about global warming. And, so must we be. We must be economical in our consumption of fuels and energy," he said.

"We must set an example for the rest of the world in finding collective solutions to global problems," the Prime Minister added.

ANI