The uplift of farmers and society's poverty-stricken sections is imperative for the nation's progress, Union surface transport minister Rajnath Singh said in Jaunpur on Saturday. Interacting with mediapersons, Singh said that India's image in the international community had improved considerably under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “With the economy on a growth path, there was no reason why the country shouldn't emerge as one of the powerful nations,” he observed.
''We have not gone for blind globalisation and liberalisation. However, we must remember that the economy cannot be run by isolating it,'' he added. To a query, Singh said that the prices of diesel, petrol, cooking gas and kerosene were increased under compulsion following the hike in their prices in the international market.
The minister said that the government had formulated a scheme for connecting all villages with pucca roads within the next five years.
A commission had been set up to protect the interests of workers in the unorganised sector. Bureau Report