NREGA major landmark of UPA Govt: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday claimed the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Right to Information Act were the two major landmarks of his government in the past two years and asserted that social and caste violence have been on decline under the UPA Government.

Speaking at a function to mark the second anniversary of the UPA coalition, he said his government is committed to paying special attention to the needs of the socially backward classes.

Observing terrorism continued to pose a threat to the country, Singh said that the Government would fight it in a "determined" manner and protect national integrity. "There should be no doubt whatsoever in this matter."

About naxalism problem, Singh said that his government had adopted a two-pronged strategy, which included effective policing and economic uplift of tribal people.

Singh added that the communal situation in the country had shown a marked improvement during the last two years of the UPA government.

Some of the statements that the Prime Minister made during his speech:

• Social and caste violence is on decline
• Terrorism continues to be a threat to our cohesiveness & security, but we would face it with courage, conviction and determination
• We will pay special attention to the needs of socially backward classes, while ensuring that no deserving student is denied the need of education
• The PM appeals to protesting students to call off the strike
• People of India had voted in a government which cares and we remain committed to our vision of building a more capable, equitable nation
• UPA government has launched some of the most ambitious programme of development and empowerment
• NREGA was a historic programme implemented in the country and the initiatives we have taken must be implemented properly
• Many initiatives we have taken must be implemented properly and successful implementation of each programme requires active participation of each UPA member
• Our farmers need most determined action to tackle their problems and we will work on all fronts to ensure that our farmers contribute to the prosperity of our nation
• RTI will ensure better governance and will make government more accountable to the people
• We have increased investment in education. We are committed to ensure that every citizen of this county live a better life
• Youths are a good asset to the country

With agency inputs