Govt seeks private funding for infra in 12th Plan: Patil

Listing government''s foremost priorities in 2011-12, the President said it would be to combat inflation and inparticular to protect the common man from the impact of risingfood prices.

The priorities include addressing frontally the concernregarding the lack of probity and integrity in public life,sustaining the economic growth momentum, maintaining anuncompromising vigil on the internal and external securityfronts, Patil said.

Besides to pursue a foreign policy, which would ensurethat "our voice is heard and our interests are protected" inglobal fora, she said.

She expressed deep concern over the adverse impact ofinflation on the ''aam aadmi'' and the threat it poses to thegrowth momentum.

Taking a look at the year gone by, the President said,"We have gone through a difficult year for our country.

Inflation has been a problem in the past year. Certain partsof the country have suffered from unacceptably high levels ofviolence especially areas affected by Left-wing extremism andthe Kashmir Valley".

She said the maintenance of law and order was theprimary responsibility of the state governments with thesupport of the Central government.

"Terrorism, fundamentalism, ethnic violence andLeft-wing extremism continue to pose major challenges", shesaid, adding the Centre has initiated a major revamp in thesecurity apparatus following the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Except for two incidents of terror in Pune and Varanasi,the internal security scenario has largely been under control,Patil said.

The situation in J and K has improved, she said, notingthat a number of proactive measures have been taken by theCentral and state governments. All party delegation visitedthe state and the interlocutors have also been engagedfruitfully in their endeavours, she said.

Intensive engagement with various groups in the NorthEast has largely reduced violence in those states, she said.