Govt unveils priorities; to check inflation, woo investment

The Narendra Modi government today unveiled its priorities saying it would take steps to tackle communal violence, eliminate corruption, rein in inflation and encourage investment including through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The road map formed part of the address of President Pranab Mukherjee, which is cleared by the Cabinet, to the joint sitting of Parliament which also promised "predictable, transparent and fair" policy environment and non-adversarial tax regime conducive to investment to put the economy back on growth path.
"The government will maintain utmost vigil in the area of internal security. A policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, riots and crime will be pursued....

"A national plan will be chalked out in consultation with the state governments to effectively curb incidents of communal violence and the challenges posed by left wing extremism," he said in the 50-minute address delivered in the Central Hall of Parliament.
In a word of assurance to minorities, the address said the new government is committed to making all minorities equal partners in India's progress.
Noting that this is the first election in 30 years to give a clear verdict in favour of a single party, the President said he applauded the wisdom of of the people for having voted for stability, honesty and development in a resurgent India in which corruption will have no place.

On the economic front, he noted that the country was passing through an extremely difficult phase as for two consecutive years the GDP growth rate had been less than 5 per cent.