Key points from the PM's detailed document listing the administrative and legislative measures taken to implement the NCMP. ...... | e-mail | one page format | feedback: send - read | Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assessment of his government's implementation of the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) is not a mere propaganda pamphlet. It is a detailed document listing the administrative and legislative measures taken to implement the NCMP. Here are some key points: Employment * National Employment Guarantee Act has been passed and is being implemented. * Arjun Sengupta Committee is looking into the problems faced by the unorganised sector. Agriculture * The Vaidyanathan Committee is examining ways to nurse back to health the rural credit system. * Loan waivers have been cleared for farmers. * Water management for irrigation has been given urgent attention. Right To Information * Passing this legislation is seen by many as one of the biggest achievements of this government. * This law increases transparency in public spending and the bureaucracy can be held accountable. Education & Health * Allocation for education has gone up from Rs 7,025 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 34,400 crore this fiscal. * Education cess has been introduced to finance the commitment to universalise education. * Public spending on health has increased from Rs 6,630 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 16,534 crore this year. Women And Children * As per the NCMP commitment, the Women's Reservation Bill was introduced in Parliament this month. * Gender budgeting introduced to improve programmes for women's welfare. This year's allocation: Rs 11,460 crore. * Ministry of women and child development created to focus on this vulnerable section. Budget allocation: Rs 33,000 crore. Welfare Of Minorities * The NCMP promised a national commission to examine the condition of minorities. The Sachar Commission certainly produced a creditable report. The commission made 76 recommendations that have been accepted. * The PM's 15-point programme for minorities provides for earmarking 15 per cent of plan outlay in certain schemes and locating development facilities in minority areas. Tribal Welfare * Legislation passed to give tribals right over lands and minor forest produce. * A programme for the development of 2,388 forest villages initiated. Infrastructure * Top priority given to development of roads, highways, ports, railways etc. The 11th plan will up investment in infrastructure from 5 per cent of gdp to 9 per cent. * The turnaround of the Indian Railways has been phenomenal. To improve rail services, Rs 75,000 crore will be invested to add to the line capacity on congested routes. Industry * Important decisions to help industrial growth through deregulation have been announced. * Several loss-making psus have done a turnaround Foreigb Affairs * Relations with all neighbouring saarc countries have improved. * The acrimony with Pakistan has come down and a dialogue is being pursued on a sustained basis.