New Delhi, February 25
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today unveiled what he described as a “New Deal for Rural India” or ‘Bharat Nirman’ involving reversing the declining trend in investment in agriculture, stepping up credit flow to farmers, enhancing public investment in irrigation and creating a single market for agricultural produce.

Scheme to promote micro-irrigation More credit flow to farmers Investment in rural electrification Insurance in rural business

In his typical style, Mr Kalam outlined “my government’s commitment” to investing in rural healthcare and education, promoting rural electrification and rural roads coupled with setting up commodities futures markets and insuring against risk in farming and rural business.

Drawing upon the Congress led-UPA government’s pledges contained in the National Common Minimum Programme, the President focussed on a wide array of issues for the uplift of the poor and underprivileged sections with special focus and emphasis on the pre-dominant agrarian sector.

Mr Kalam touched upon the farm insurance scheme, mass action for water conservation, the proposed national horticulture mission and a new scheme to promote micro irrigation and pursuing public-private partnership for the development of the agriculture sector, especially in rural infrastructure.

He disclosed that modernisation of the armed forces was one of several priority areas for the government encompassing generating employment along with the Prime Minister heading the National Committee on Rural Infrastructure, striving for a new knowledge revolution through a National Knowledge Commission and spending on public health being doubled to 2 per cent of the GDP.

The President also spoke of a proposed mission on urban renewal, increasing the country’s tele-density to 20 per cent by 2008, ensuring vitally needed energy security and according greater priority to the economic and rail and road development of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his 75-minute address to the MPs of both Houses of Parliament in the forenoon today setting the tone for the Budget session, Mr Kalam underlined the need for “excellent and affordable opportunities for education and skill development for all citizens, health care for all and sanitation coverage and generation of higher income levels for all Indians”.

In 24 page 73 para speech, Dr Kalam spoke of a time-bound business plan for building rural infrastructure — irrigation, roads, housing, water supply, electrification and telecommunication connectivity”.

The government would “promote rural development by providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA). Physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity will achieve economic connectivity”.

“It is the government’s firm resolve to make rural India realise its true potential”, Dr Kalam said and added that “Indian agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors will not only cater to domestic but also acquire leadership positions in the global economy”.

Dr Kalam said while the allocation of funds for the modernisation of armed forces has been increased, a number of new projects for the induction of various equipment and weapon systems are in progress.

In the Department of Defence Research and Development, three prototypes of the light combat aircraft “Tejas” are undergoing flight testing and have completed 307 test flights, including supersonic flights. The integrated electronic warfare system “Samyukta” has been successfully evaluated and accepted by the Army. “Sangraha, an electronic warfare system for the Navy has been accepted and production orders placed”.

Mr Kalam said another area of special attention for the government was employment. Policies aimed at increasing investment and stepping up the growth rate of agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and services will undoubtedly generate new employment opportunities.

The national employment guarantee programme providing 100 days of job to one person in every poor household, will be gradually expanded to cover all rural areas.

“My government is committed to reining in the rate of inflation as it hurts the poor the most,” he said. He noted that the economy is once again poised to record close to seven per cent in 2004-05 despite a weaker monsoon and higher oil prices.

Identifying cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and Naxalite violence as the three main areas of challenge to national security, Dr Kalam said the government was ready for a dialogue with anyone abjuring violence.

At the same time, the government made clear that it will deal effectively with any group challenging the constitutional authority of a democratically-elected government and resorting to use of arms.

Setting out the UPA government’s policy priorities during the coming fiscal, the President declared the government’s firm commitment to ensuring communal harmony and disclosed that a model comprehensive law to deal with communal violence is on the anvil.

“My government will deal resolutely with any attempts to spread communalism, disturb law and order and deny a life of peace and security to any citizen,” Mr Kalam stressed.

On the foreign policy front, Dr Kalam said relations with Pakistan were of utmost importance for peace, stability and prosperity in the neighbourhood and the government was engaged in a serious dialogue with Pakistan and have taken several initiative for that.

“However, the process of normalisation is critically dependent on Pakistan fulfilling its assurance that it would end its support to terrorist activities.”