Implement PURA to fight downturn: Kalam

With the downward slide of the Rupee and slow growth rate, former president A P J Abdul Kalam today proposed implementation of PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) a concept advocated by him for economic stability.

"First you have to implement the PURA programme for the 700 million people of the villages," Kalam said about the scheme for providing urban infrastructure and services in rural hubs to create economic opportunities outside cities mooted by him when he was the President.

"Secondly, focus on small and medium enterprises throughout the country and value addition for agriculture products which we are not doing," Kalam said in reply to questions on the economic instability, Rupee devaluation and slow growth rate.

"If these three programmes are rolled out as national programmes, we do not require any body's help for economic upswing," he said speaking on the sidelines of a valedictory session of golden jubilee of JD Birla Institute.

The Central government has been running pilot PURA programmes in several states since