Under the dynamic leadership of hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, the focus of all programmes and policies was the upliftment of the common man. I would congratulate the Government for adhering to and following a very healthy parliamentary precedent and practice of not coming out with any major policy decision in this budget as we are on the verge of elections and it would be the prerogative of the new Government which is likely to be installed in the next few months. Madam, in a nutshell the highlights of economic growth were, in spite of the global recession, we maintained a growth rate of over 7 per cent. Loans for farmers for more than Rs. 65,000 crore were wiped out. The interest rate which is charged is only seven per cent and the levy price both for wheat and paddy has been nearly doubled. With regard to education, the outlay for higher education has been increased by 300 per cent. Emphasis was given on quality education, and to improve literacy, 15 new central universities and six new ITTs were set up. For the minorities, a 15-point programme was initiated. There is a flow of funds for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and children. As a result of the efficient fiscal reforms and controls by the Government and the Reserve Bank of India, the inflation has come down from 13 per cent to less than four per cent. An outstanding feet of this Government has been the Nuclear Deal without signing the CTBT and ending our nuclear isolation of the last three decades. Madam, for growth and prosperity, it is very necessary that we have peace, unity and tranquility. Communalism, casteism and regionalism are the antithesis of our freedom movement struggle.
