The Hindu : New Delhi News : Growth must focus on the poorest, says Manmohan

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Friday, Aug 26, 2005

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Growth must focus on the poorest, says Manmohan

Diplomatic Correspondent

PM addresses a Commonwealth colloquium

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday that the results of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections showed that economic growth processes that do not extend to the poorest carry inevitable social and political costs.

Addressing a Commonwealth colloquium, the Prime Minister said since his Government had taken power it had worked to revitalise the tradition of moderation and inclusiveness while focussing economic growth on issues of growth, equity and development.

"The challenge before us is to increase growth while instituting necessary policies and administrative measures for achieving greater equity and social justice ... we must fashion instruments to address the needs of all citizens, particularly those at the lowest rung of [the] social and economic ladder ..." he said.

"The task of economic development is especially challenging when it is to be realised through a functioning democracy in a low-income environment.

Economic transformation requires difficult choices in which short-term goals often have to be sacrificed for longer-term objectives. Politics does not always afford the luxury of the longer view," the Prime Minister remarked.

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