Photographs: S B Mathur/Reuters.
We understood that the two must go together the search for growth and the search of social justice.
That a developing economy like India needs resources and revenues to be able to distribute them equitably. This calls for both resurgent growth and prudent management of our public finances.
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Excerpt from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech at the inauguration of the Indira Gandhi Conference, "An Indian Social Democracy: from Political Vision to Practical Possibility," on November 19 in New Delhi
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Reliance Industries KG-D6's floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.Photographs: Reuters.
This among other things involved a relook at the role of the state and market forces in the development process, of incentives to promote risk taking and entrepreneurship and regulation of private enterprises.
When distributional interventions seemed to fail, we had to create new instruments covering a mix of entitlement and empowerment approaches and new institutions to promote equity.
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India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Prem (3), the son of an idol vendor, plays with a mobile phone.Photographs: Ajay Verma/Reuters.
From the panchayat raj to the public distribution system, from public health programmes to mid-day meals programme, from educational interventions aimed to empower Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes, Minorities, our women and the girl child, India has put in place a wide range of practical policies.
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India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: A girl sells flags at a traffic signal.Photographs: Reuters.
This Indian model has evolved with time, reflecting all the gains and limitations of our political, economic and social development.
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India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Rupee notes.In addressing the challenge of fiscal sustainability, one cannot put the cart before the horse.
The experience of other countries, especially in Europe, tells us that governmental over-reach and fiscal over commitment can sometimes lead to economic crises.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Students make a formation of the rupee symbol.Photographs: Reuters.
But, higher growth has also been associated with higher inequalities and simultaneously increased expectations of the people at large.
There is a revolution of rising expectations underway in India which any government has to take note of.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Children in a slum.Photographs: Reuters.
We need institutions and mechanisms that can deliver effectively our promise of livelihood security, the Right to Education, to employment, to food and to shelter.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: Indian citizens with their identity card.Photographs: Reuters.
Unless development administration is strengthened, is made more representatives, more accountable and transparent, allocating more financial resources from New Delhi will only contribute to higher levels of corruption and leakage of funds.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: A worker spreads red chilli peppers to dry in Sertha village.Photographs: Amit Dave/Reuters.
We have seen from our experience with the employment guarantee programme that the effective realisation of a right we grant in New Delhi varies from State to State, from district to district.
Local competence determines the outcome of national campaigns and this is the reality which has to be borne in mind.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: A child labourer.Photographs: Reuters.
We are presently considering the legislation of a Right to Food, but this right can only be realized if we have an effective public distribution system in place in every neighbourhood.
We can legislate a minimum wage from New Delhi, but its implementation is in the hands of local governments.
India's economic transformation is unparalleled: PM
Image: A small girl works at a quarry.Our success in accomplishing this gigantic task could have great significance for the evolution of human kind in this twenty first century of ours.
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