Addressing the nation from the ramparts of historic Red Forton the occasion of 66th Independence Day, he promised to work for reducingcorruption in public life and sought the help of all political parties inpassing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill in Parliament in this regard.
During his 35-minute speech in Hindi, Singh made a host ofannouncements in social sector like expanding the national health scheme andelectrification, undertaking skill development and assessment of teachers.
The 79-year-old economist Prime Minister also sought toencourage foreign investors, who have been apprehensive after certain recenttaxation decisions, that there would be "no barriers" to investmentin India.
He referred to violence in Assam and promised that thecauses would be looked into and steps taken to ensure that such incidents arenot repeated anywhere else.
He highlighted that internal security in the country,including Jammu and Kashmir, had improved but said the recent blasts in Punewere a reminder that more needed to be done.
In his ninth consecutive Independence Day address, only thethird Prime Minister to do so after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Singhsaid there was a need to "introspect what remains to be done" so that"we learn from our failures and build on our successes".
"As far as creating an environment within the countryfor rapid economic growth is concerned, I believe that we are not being able toachieve this because of a lack of political consensus on many issues,"Singh said.
"Time has now come to view the issues which affect ourdevelopment processes as matters of national security," he said.
The statement assumes significance as the government hasbeen facing the charge of policy paralysis with key economic reforms decisions,like FDI in retail, being stuck due to opposition by allies.
The Prime Minister said India was being affected by the"difficult phase" encountered by the global economy.
"Also there have been domestic developments which arehindering our economic growth," he said, pointing out that last year, theGDP grew by 6.5 per cent.
Hoping to "do a little better" this year, Singhsaid, "I believe that this period of difficulties will not last long.
Even as we face these problems, we should be encouraged bythe fact that we have achieved extraordinary successes in many areas in thelast 8 years. We now need to replicate these successes in newer areas."
He said the government will leave no stone unturned toencourage investment in the country so that entrepreneurs can make asubstantial contribution to the economy.
"To attract foreign capital, we will have to createconfidence at the international level that there are no barriers to investmentin India," he said.
Foreign investors have been apprehensive after some recentdecisions on tax matters like retrospective amendment and GeneralAnti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR).
Talking about corruption over which his government has beenfacing an onslaught from civil society and opposition, Singh said, "Wewill continue our efforts to bring more transparency and accountability in thework of public servants and to reduce corruption."
While doing so, steps will be taken to see that the moraleof public functionaries taking decisions in public interest is not affectedbecause of baseless allegations and unnecessary litigation, he said.
In this context, Singh referred to the Lokpal and LokayuktasBill which was passed by the Lok Sabha last year and is now pending with theRajya Sabha.
"We hope that all political parties will help us inpassing this Bill in the Rajya Sabha," he said.
"Our commitment to make the work of the government andadministration transparent and accountable stands," he said.
"But we will also take care that these measures do notresult in a situation in which the morale of public functionaries takingdecisions in public interest gets affected because of baseless allegations andunnecessary litigation," the Prime Minister said.
He also referred to the Public Procurement Bill and saidsuch measures will increase transparency in decision making.
Among the announcements, Singh said the National RuralHealth Mission will be expanded to cover all towns of the country by convertingthe scheme into National Health Mission.
The NRHM was launched in 2005 to provide health services inevery village in the country.
The Prime Minister said the government is also formulating ascheme for distribution of free medicines through government hospitals andhealth centres.
He said in a bid to create new job opportunities for youthin the coming years, government is making efforts to put in place a system fortraining 8 crore people in many new skills.
"We also wish to provide short duration trainingcourses of 6 weeks to 6 months...the National Skill Development Council hasformulated a major scheme for skill development in which 8 crore people will betrained in the next 5 years," he said.
He said the government is considering the establishment of aNational Skill Development Authority so that skill development programmes allover the country can be implemented in a coordinated manner.
"We would also need contribution from the privatesector and non-Governmental organisations in this work," the PrimeMinister said.
He also said the government was targeting to provideelectricity to each and every household in our country in the next 5 years andto also improve the supply of electricity.
