PM talks tough on terror, full of sympathies for Aam Aadmi

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Talking tough on terrorism and Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced a rehabilitation policy for displaced people, a mission on vocational education and a financial package for farmers trapped in debt on the lines of the interest waiver scheme for Vidarbha.

Dr Singh also promised the 'aam aadmi,' the UPA's mascot, that the government would use all means at its command to keep the prices of essential commodities and inflation under check, but indicated a subsidy cut on kerosene and LPG due to galloping international oil prices.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the third consecutive year, he declared that terrorist elements would be smashed at all costs.

''Let those who want to hurt us by inflicting a thousand cuts remember -- no one can break our will, or unity. No one can make India kneel,'' Dr Singh, who will be 75 next month, said after unfurling the tri-colour at the traditional function in the walled city.

Firmly telling Pakistan to keep its word for not allowing its territory to be misused for terror activities aimed against India, the Prime Minister said this was a pre-requisite for the success of the ongoing peace process, which had virtually come to a standstill following the July 11 serial blasts in Mumbai.

Admitting that globalisation ''can also hurt the common man'' despite all its benefits, he cited the example of rising prices of crude oil in the international market.

''When our industry and services compete successfully across the globe, we celebrate our success in global markets; but at the same time, we are buffeted by the same global forces when oil prices go up because of factors beyond our control,'' he explained.

Pointing out that the domestic prices of kerosene and LPG has not been raised for some time, he said ''but there is a limit to which we can go on subsidising the consumption of petroleum products in the face of rising import costs.'' Talking about large development projects, he said while progress was a matter of rejoice, the displacement of people was a cause for worriy.

''Our government will soon put in place a comprehensive Rehabilitation Policy so that displacement does not lead to impoverishment and those who lose their land benefit from subsequent economic development,'' he said without elaborating.

Declaring that the ''imminent shortage of skilled employees'' would not be allowed to impede the booming economy, he said the government was planning to launch a ''Mission on Vocational Education'' to address the skill deficit. Again, he did not give any details.

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