Today, we are meeting at a crucial period in our history. Despite global economic meltdown and domestic inflationary pressures, the fundamentals of our economy continue to remain strong. During my interactions with various heads of state and government, I found our economic and technological prowess is universally recognised. India’s growth story is not only a reflection of the new dynamism of a young India, but a reaffirmation that the values of democracy, pluralism and the rule of law can sustain high economic growth.
While we are justifiably proud of these achievements, we cannot lose sight of the multiple challenges of terrorism, Left-wing extremism and insurgency facing us. India’s external and internal security requires foremost attention. Both central and state governments have to work hand in hand to fortify our security architecture. We look forward to hearing from the governors of those states which share international borders, of how best to address the security concerns, especially in their rural hinterlands. Regarding rain-fed agriculture, while there has been commendable growth in the corporate and service sectors, the plight of farmers of India has not commensurately improved. Rural India should be seen as a growth engine and for India to prosper, our citizens living in rural India have to be economically and socially empowered. We must carefully craft policies to pull out our agricultural economy from the trap of low investment, low productivity and rural indebtedness. About 60 per cent of our cultivated area is rain-fed, accounting for 44 per cent of our agricultural production and supporting 40 per cent of our population.
Extensive efforts have been made by the ministry of agriculture to augment productivity in the rain-fed areas. Convergence of efforts from all directions is the call of the hour. I had asked the department of public enterprises to involve the central public sector into an industry-agriculture partnership mission. I understand that a concept paper is on the anvil. Easier access to credit, tax holidays, economic incentives and a more open marketing system through suitable amendments in the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act can help. Given your pre-eminent positions, you can provide the right lead for initiating a second Green Revolution in the dryland farming sector, and inspire agricultural universities to develop region-specific workable models. I would be eagerly looking forward to hear new and innovative ideas that can provide a fresh perspective on making the agriculture-industry partnership a viable, mutually beneficial model.
Another area where the Constitution casts a specific and special responsibility on the governors is the administration of scheduled areas under the fifth schedule of the Constitution. Your role acquires greater relevance since a large chunk of the scheduled areas is affected by Left-wing extremism. There is a felt-need for a sensitive and sympathetic administration. You may also urge the state governments to intensify the government — tribal interface at the grass roots level, to map out the most optimal path for their good.
The sixth Schedule also devolves a special responsibility on the governors for providing peace, good governance, promotion of the welfare and advancement of inhabitants. Special provisions in our Constitution to redress imbalances must work in the right earnest.
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It is often complained that the autonomous district councils created under the sixth Schedule have been stunted in their functioning, due to tight regulatory control by the state government and impediments in the flow of funds. The counter complaints are that wherever autonomous district councils become entrenched, they have deprived traditional village institutions from having a say in decision-making. Governors must safeguard the interests of the varied sections of the population residing there, and intertwine the indigenous good governance practices and traditional institutional mechanisms with modern system of administration.
I will also like to focus your attention on the inhuman conduct on the part of senior students, inflicting physical cruelty and mental torment on freshers. The apex court has taken a strong stand against ragging. The ministry of human resource development has endeavoured to build a credible architecture of deterrence. Your persuasive influence, especially as chancellors of state universities can immensely help in wiping out this blot.
Edited excerpts from the speech of President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at a conference of governors in New Delhi on October 29
