The Hindu : Front Page : “It will take time to tame inflation”

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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“It will take time to tame inflation”

P.K. Bhardwaj

Things will improve, says Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the government had taken several steps to tame inflation but it would take some time before they bore fruit.

He was talking to media persons after the civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He pointed to the agriculture situation being “excellent” with a record food production of 227 million tonnes. “We have improved procurement of wheat and rice as well as vegetable oil and pulses,” he said.

He wished the new coalition government in Pakistan well and observed that it has “begun very well.”

However, he had no plans to visit that country in the near future.

The Prime Minister has been invited to Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf. Though he had accepted the invitation, no decision had been taken on the visit. “Let them settle down,” he said.

Dr. Singh said: “Despite difficulties, they [new Pakistan government] have shown great statesmanship in tackling their problems. We wish them well.”

On “demands” by certain sections on the release of prisoners in both countries, the Prime Minister said: “I am not aware of any such demand. But on humanitarian grounds, whatever can be done to relieve the sufferings of the people should be done.”

He refused to get drawn into the controversy over U.S. President George W. Bush’s remarks that improving food habits of the huge Indian middle class had led to rising food prices across the world.

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