Attack on peace train not to hit talks with Pak: Kalam

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Declaring the UPA government's resolve to involve the backward minority groups in the growth process, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the terrorist attack on Samjhauta Express would not hit the ongoing peace process but its success would depend on Pakistan delivering on its promise of checking cross-border terror.

''We remain concerned over infiltration and cross-border terrorism, and the success of the dialogue process is predicated on Pakistan fulfilling its commitment not permit any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism in any manner,'' Dr Kalam said in his address to a joint sitting of Parliament that kicked off the Budget session.

The President also announced the government's resolve to firmly deal with the challenge posed by terrorists by their ''tragic, dastardly and cowardly attacks'' in Mumbai and Assam and on Samjhauta Express.

Pointing out that certain minority communities continued to remain relatively backward, Dr Kalam said the government was considering the formulation of a programme for those districts and towns that had the highest concentration of minority populations.

Also, there was a proposal to introduce comprehensive scholarship schemes from primary to post graduate levels for eligible students belonging to the minorities.

The government would maintain law and order and internal security in the North-East, Jammu and Kashmir and naxalite-hit regions, while remaining focussed on the overall social, economic and cultural development of these parts of the country.

''My government will continue to impart a healing touch both in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North-East, while maintaining utmost vigil against terrorist and extremist forces.'' On the economic front, the President said allout efforts were on to rein in inflation, while the stage was set for a nine per cent growth rate during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) to maintain the momentum created by the over eight per cent rate in the past three years and the close to nine per cent this fiscal.

''My government will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that the poor are not adversely affected by inflation. This is our solemn commitment.'' The President reaffirmed the government's determination to implement in full all its flagship development programmes, including Bharat Nirman, National Rural Health Mission, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

The government would increase...etc etc Editors: Pl pick up from line one, para one of PAR7, PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

UNI