NEW DELHI: The rise in the prices of essential commodities found reflection as the United Progressive Alliance got down to mark the completion of three years of the Manmohan Singh Government with the Prime Minister stating it was becoming a "cause for concern," while UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi claimed that the Government achieved much success in controlling it.

"In the last year, the growth processes we unleashed have put some pressure on prices. We have been faced with galloping demand for many products. This has resulted in inflation becoming a cause for concern, particularly in the case of essential commodities. This has been compounded by a shortfall in production of these commodities," Dr. Singh said at the function held here to release the "Report to the People," giving an account of the accomplishments of the UPA Government.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government took credible steps to control inflation and would continue to be vigilant on this front so that the poor and vulnerable sections "do not suffer unduly."

The UPA Government aimed at promoting "inclusive growth" as it recognised that high national income growth alone did not address the challenge of employment promotion, poverty reduction and balanced regional development or improving human development.

While recounting the achievements on various fronts, Dr. Singh said there were many challenges to be addressed and singled out agriculture for attention. In the next 10 days, a major initiative would be unveiled and it would not only enhance the total public investment in the sector but also enable States to resolve problems of agriculture through comprehensive, localised plans.

He stressed the need for replicating the success of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan in the secondary education sector and promised to unveil a major programme for universalising secondary education.

The Government would engage all Chief Ministers to move to a power surplus position by 2012. Steps would be taken to improve the public health system and to provide a social safety net for workers in the unorganised sector.

In her brief address, Ms. Gandhi said people in villages were looking to the Government to improve their living standards and emphasised that ensuring social and economic justice for all was still a goal to be achieved.

The coalition had to reiterate the objective of the UPA, as articulated in the National Common Minimum Programme, as it completed three years, and take steps to effectively implement the other measures in the next two years.

Ms. Gandhi's stress was on reiterating the ideological and political convergence of the UPA partners. She exhorted the alliance to rededicate itself to bring about an inclusive India and a secular society.

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