India set for high growth trajectory: Govt

The government is confident that it will soon steer the country back to the high growth trajectory of eight to nine percent. Addressing joint Session of Parliament, the President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil said that the country's economy grew at a handsome rate of 8.4 percent in 2010-11, but it has slowed down to about seven percent this year. 

On bringing black money back to the country stashed away abroad, Mrs. Patil said that government has initiated action on various fronts to tackle the menace of black money. She said new e-Governance projects in education, health, public distribution and postal services will be launched for providing easy services to citizens.

Dwelling at length on health sector, Mrs. Patil announced that the National Rural Health Mission will be converted into a National Health Mission covering urban areas also in the 12th Plan. On agricultural sector, she expressed confidence that 2011-12 target of 4,75,000 crore rupees will be achieved. 

Inflation, particularly in food items, has been a major challenge before the country. She said strong policy actions by RBI and effective measures by the government have been able to bring the inflation down, giving relief to the common man. 

On Defence, Mrs. Patil said that the government's focus is on enhancing domestic defence production capabilities as well as achieving technological self-reliance in weapons and delivery systems. She said that in the years ahead, the Indian Armed Forces will be among the technologically most advanced in the world.

Speaking on foreign affairs, the President said that government remains firmly committed to the success of the South Asian Association for Regional cooperation, ASEAN, G-20, BRICS and IBSA. She said that India believes in resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue.