UPA-II releases report card; Sonia Gandhi backs PM, lashes out at opposition: Highlights

New Delhi: Battling corruption allegations and scandals, the government today released its report card for UPA-II.

Here are the highlights of the report released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:

• A detailed review of government programmes is contained in the report, request media to read fully
• We can legitimately claim with pride that UPA government has taken India forward; we have journeyed many miles and we have many miles to go
• Deep sense of gratitude to Sonia Gandhi whose inspiring leadership has made these achievements possible
  Let me focus on 4 key achievements:
  1.Improved performance of economy
  2.Making growth process more inclusive
  3.Delivery of better governance, welfare, development programs
  4.Improved relations with changing and challenging world
• UPA government has taken our country forward on all these four fronts
• Faster growth necessary to provide opportunities to young generation
• Growth slowed down to 5 per cent in 2012-13 but it was a doable phenomenon
• GDP declined in euro zone, grew very slowly in japan, US.. Slowed down in China
• Last year economy in India did slow down but its temporary
• India was among the fastest growing economy with average growth rate of 8 per cent in nine years including years of slow growth
• Economic situation is turning around, inflation is under control
• Confident that growth in 2013-14 could exceed 6 per cent, this could set the stage for achieving 12th Plan target of 8 per cent growth 
• Faster agricultural growth combined in government programs such as NREGA have improved real wages of agricultural labour
• Agricultural wages grew at 6.8 per cent per year which is six times faster than the rate of growth between 1994-2004
• Impact of our policies in rural areas can be seen: rural per capita consumption grew real term at 3.4 per cent per year
• Percentage of people below poverty line has fallen much faster after 2004 than earlier
• Many feel official poverty line was too low, experts have been employed to look into this
• Growth has also spread to erstwhile backwards states
• Literacy has improved
• Polio has been wiped out
• Public debate focuses less on what has been achieved and more on whatever is yet to be done
• Quality is still an issue, we will push hard
• Will say to critics that in many of these areas, since the glass was almost empty when we started, it'll take some time before it is full
• Important point is it is being filled
• Assurance of safety and security for every citizen especially women
• Public services will be delivered to specified standards
• Freedom from delays and harassment which breed graft and corruption and has to be rid of
• Elimination of corruption in procurement and allocation decisions of government
• Problems aren't unique to India
• Demand to remedy them has risen all over the world
• People access information that puts pressure on system to take corrective measures
• We've introduced Lokpal Bill
• We've introduced government procurement bill which will make process of government procurement and content much more transparent
• Introduced land acquisition bill to replace an old and highly colonial legislation
• Much is made of problems that arose the way scarce resources were allocated in the past
• We've introduced auctions rather than relying on administrative allocations
• Improving quality of governance in a vast nation like ours is a challenge
• Both centre and state have to act to deal with this problem
• UPA government has done more in this area than any other government
• Rise of India as an economic powerhouse of the world is an idea whose time has come
• India has engaged with International community as the fastest growing democracy in the world
• Our improving economic performance and talent of people has enable us to build bridges with both developed and developing countries
• Deepened relationships with US, Russia and Europe
• Our government has taken lead in India's active participation in Asia's community building
• India is warmly welcomed to every Asian and Asia-Pacific forums
• We've increased economic cooperation all-round the Indian subcontinent
• What message does this experience of nine years convey to young people about to enter their working life
• UPA government is working to realize your dream of an economically, socially just India. An India where everyone can expect to live a life of security and dignity
• To participate and benefit in one of the great historical transformations which will take in next 20 years, re-emergence of India in Asia
• Under the leadership of our Chairperson, UPA government is about to bring this transformation in which all our people will benefit and participate
  
  UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi speaks:

• This is an appropriate moment to celebrate, also to reflect on what we have done in past nine years
• We've never deviated from our priorities, to address needs of our people mainly weaker sections, pay special attention to farmers, to strive for a growing dynamic economy which is inclusive
• Can anyone question the magnitude of the changes we have been able to bring about
• All state across party lines have received unprecedented assistance from government for development schemes
• Government is subject to strict transparency and accountability as a result of the laws put in place
• Weaker sections of society have been further empowered through many effective initiatives
• Never before has procurement prices for farmers increased in last nine years, led to a record of food grain production
• Never before have so many of our children been in schools and colleges aspiring for a better future
• We see the making of an economic recovery
• We expect high growth to return, look forward to a renewed momentum in our programs
• Can't hide at deep sense of disappointment at the way Parliament has been prevented from functioning and fulfilling is role and obligations by principal opposition party
• We offered to debate and discuss all issues but Parliament wasn't allowed to function due to obstructionist approach
• We still have time to fulfill our duties to our people
• Want to make fervent plea to NDA, Opposition parties, let us come together for food security, land acquisition and other important bills
• These bills affect lives and livelihood of millions whom we are committed to represent and benefit
• We have nothing to hide, nothing to feel defensive about
• We need to be aware that there has been a deliberate attempt to create innuendo and spread false news to confuse and demoralize people
• PM has been fulfilling responsibilities with great dignity irrespective of the opposition
• We respect him and we all stand by him
• We won't get distracted by ground of morals being created around us
• We will continue to look ahead with confidence
• People of India will recognise our efforts and what we have accomplished