Coimbatore, Jan 27: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram
today said serious efforts are on to make the country free of
terrorism and communal tension to achieve nine per cent growth
rate and increase foreign investments.
He said the last 14 months have not seen any terror attacks
or communal violence, resulting in economic growth and
benefits to all sections of society.
There had been some "lapses" in the UPA government's
first tenure, but the "second innings" had seen major economic
growth. "This year growth is expected to be around 7.75 to 8
per cent," he said at a Congress party function at Kuniamuthur
on the city outskirts last night.
India's proactive economic policies had seen it withstand
global recession and the nation has great opportunity to
become the fastest growing economic power. The world
appreciated the economic policies being followed in the
country, he said.
He said the UPA would guarantee education and food by the
end of its present tenure.
The government, after examining the Sachar Committee
report, wanted Muslims to have proportionate number of jobs,
including in the military and paramilitary, "since Islam and
Christianity are not alien religions, but Indian like
Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism," Chidambaram said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 08:46