Financial system should be more inclusive: PM

New Delhi, Dec 17: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today stressed the need for revitalisation of the rural economy, improved delivery of essential public services and management of the urban areas.

Spelling out challenges that will engage the country over the next decade, he underscored the need to prepare the country's financial system for greater inclusion and increased global integration and to establish a regulatory culture to facilitate cost-effective private investment in infrastructure.

Delivering the keynote address at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the National Council of Applied Economic Research here today, Dr Singh observed that on each of these, the Government had taken several steps, but there was a need to do more.

The Prime Minister pointed out that agricultural activity needs to be redirected to higher-value activities so that small-holders can earn a decent income.

''Improved rural connectivity and economic and social infrastructure will be critical in this effort as will removal of barriers to domestic trade'', Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister released a copy of India's Rural Infrastructure Report on the occasion. Dr. Bimal Jalan, Dr Suman Bery, Dr M S Verma, members of Governing body of NCAER and eminent economists participated in the function.

UNI