UPA anniversary to be observed on austere note

New Delhi, May 21: As the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre completes its two years in office on May 22, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will release a report card "Report to the people", detailing the achievements of his Government in various fields, at a function here tomorrow to mark the celebrations.

The function,to be held at the Prime Minister's official residence will be attended by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers,leaders of the UPA allies and UPA MPs.

The simple and unostentious ceremony will be preceded by presentations to be made by 13 senior Ministers in charge of the Ministries covering thrust areas listing their respective achievements towards implementationof the National Common Minimum Programme.

Adding a new dimension to the UPA anniversary celebrations this year will be booklets printed in English, Hindi and regional languages for public distribution giving an account of what had been accomplished by the Union Government in the different States during the last one year.

This will be the second Report to the People to be released by the Prime Minister to mark the second anniversary of the UPA Government, the first one being released last year on completion of one year of the UPA Government .This practice of releasing report card is intended to subject the Government to the scrutiny of the people and for the sake of transparency and accountability, Congress sources said.

The Prime Minister and the 13 Ministers will highlight the initiatives taken by them in the thrust areas like rural development, infrastructure development, health and agriculture listing the steps taken in the flagship schemes like Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Urban Renewal Scheme, Bharat Nirman Yojana.

The function, to which the Left parties supporting the Government from outside have also been invited, will be followed by a dinner.

Instructions have been issued to all the Ministries to observe the second anniversary of the UPA in power with austerity sans any ostentation, according to the sources.

The last one year of the UPA Government has been marked by implementation of several revolutionary measures taken by the Government in fulfilment of its commitments made to the people in the National Common Minimum Programme. These included Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to confer legal right for employment the rural areas for 100 days in an year.

An important legislation to protect women from domestic violence was also enacted together with other legislations to advance the economic growth and foreign trade.

Massive investments in Bharat Nirman Yojana, aimed at changing the face of rural India, and higher budgetary allocations in health, education and social sectors amply demonstrated UPA Government's commitment to rebuild India through the process of inclusive growth.

The UPA's efficient economic management was evident by its ability to sustain higher economic growth achieved during the previous year, coupled with the successful implementation of the annual plan while amaintaining a low rate of inflation and fiscal discipline.

The UPA Government during the past one year was able to maintain by and large communal peace and harmony all over the country. There was a reduction in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and initiatives were taken for a dialogue with separatist leaders of the State.Various confidence building measures were taken towards improvement of relations with the neighbouring Pakistan.

The peace process initiated by India through composite dialogue with Pakistan was carried forward successfully during the period.

UNI