Prime Minister,

Pranabjee,

Dr. Karan Singh,

CPP Executive Members,

Fellow MPs

The first substantive session of the 15th Lok Sabha will soon come to a close. The session began with the unanimous election of one of our senior colleagues as Speaker. This reflects our steadfast commitment to women empowerment and we once again wish her all success in her new position.

During the Lok Sabha elections, we made a number of important commitments to the people, on the basis of which they gave us a clear mandate. The Budget, presented by the Finance Minister on July 6th, has set in motion the implementation of many of these pledges. Foremost among these is the revival of high economic growth and confidence which are critical for creating new jobs and for fulfilling our key social pledges.

The Budget has substantially increased allocations in key areas despite the difficult fiscal environment. As an example, the allocation for our flagship, NREGA has been enhanced to Rs.39,100 crore this year. The inflation-adjusted wage rate of Rs.100 a day as an entitlement under NREGA will also soon become a reality. Similar large increases have been made for other key social sector schemes. In the discussion on the budget, the ministers concerned described in detail these new priorities and the manner in which they will be met.

The challenge ahead will be to ensure that these enhanced allocations lead to improved outcomes and make a tangible difference to the daily life of the 'aam aadmi'. That is why, in keeping with the promise made in the President's Address, a delivery monitoring unit has already been established in the Prime Minister's Office which will actively keep track of progress on our flagship schemes. The President's Address also mentions the establishment of an independent evaluation office. This is proof of our determination to ensure that what we spend, has effective and visible impact.

We have commenced our legislative agenda in right earnest. A Group of Ministers has been constituted to finalize the National Food Security Act, a key election promise. The draft Bill is expected to be made public shortly. This too will be a historic legislation, giving our citizens the legal entitlement to food. In the past, we have benefitted from inputs from civil society in such legislation and issues, like in the case of The Right to Information Bill, NREGA and the Tribal Rights Bill. Similarly, the drafting process of the Food Security legislation should actively seek civil society involvement.

The Right to Education Bill will finally be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before we adjourn. Every child will be assured of access to education and, more crucially, government will be required to impart that education. The Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, which provides for benefits and compensation to people displaced by land acquisition, and the National Green Tribunal Bill, that will create environmental courts to deal with issues related to our environment and forests will also be introduced before we adjourn.

The performance of the monsoon has been a cause of considerable concern to us all. We are reassured by the fact that we have adequate buffer stocks of foodgrains. Even so, we need to keep the strictest possible vigil on the prices of essential commodities. This is where the states must play their part and fulfill their responsibilities as well. It goes without saying that the Centre too will provide all possible assistance to farmers in areas of deficient rainfall.

The Prime Minister has made a firm and unequivocal statement in the Lok Sabha yesterday on all major foreign policy issues, in particular, our relations with Pakistan. No one should be in any doubt on our party's position vis-a-vis Pakistan. It remains unchanged. We support the resumption of the dialogue process with Pakistan, but only after it has demonstrated its seriousness to bring the perpetrators of the ­Mumbai terror attacks to justice, and to prevent its territory from being used to launch terror attacks on any part of our country. These are imperatives for restoring confidence and building an environment conducive to any meaningful dialogue.

Membership of various Standing Committees and Consultative Committees has been finalized. Regular participation in these committees will provide excellent opportunities to all of you - ­particularly, to those who are first-termers - for learning about how different ministries function. They also provide opportunities for you to make meaningful contributions to the functioning of parliament. We are also planning a series of training sessions on important subjects for our MPs.

Now that State convenors have been elected, I hope that the problem of poor attendance, in both Houses will be rectified. Our Chief Whips have a tough task mobilizing all of you on crucial occasions. This reflects poorly on us and does little justice to those who have voted us to represent them here. It is both our individual and collective responsibility to see to it that the attendance record improves.

We now have a larger number of ministers from our own party. I am speaking from my personal experience which I know you will share, when I say that the expectations and demands from constituents are ever-increasing and rightly so. It is no longer a matter of a hand-pump here and there, or a culvert or a kutcha road. People demand better infrastructure, all-weather roads, functioning schools and hospitals, skill-training facilities and jobs. Naturally, as their representatives, it is our duty to respond. We need to approach various ministers for help. So, I would like all ministers to give time to be of assistance to us MPs. I also urge them to visit party offices and interact with party functionaries when they travel within the country. This makes all the difference especially in States where our workers are waging a struggle in the opposition.

You will be soon going back to your constituencies and states. I am sure you will keep in touch with your constituency and attend to the needs and demand of the people there. You have to familiarize yourselves with the policies and programmes of our government and see that they are properly implemented. As I said on an earlier occasion, we have been given a decisive mandate and people expect us to fulfill their aspirations. It is for us now to deliver what we have promised.

Jai Hind.