Indian President outlines 10 priorities of the new government

President Pratibha Patil Thursday outlined 10 areas of priority for the Manmohan Singh government:

- Internal security and preservation of communal harmony;

- Stepping up of economic growth in agriculture manufacturing and services;

- Consolidation of the existing flagship programmes for employment, education, health, rural infrastructure, urban renewal and introduction of new flagship programmes for food security and skill development;

- Concerted action for the welfare of women, youth, children, other backward classes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities, the differently-abled and the elderly along with strengthened and social protection;

- Governance reform;

- Creation and modernisation of infrastructure and capacity addition in key sectors;

- Prudent fiscal management;

- Energy security and environment protection;

- Constructive and creative engagement with the world; and

- Promotion of a culture of enterprise and innovation.