A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Monday unveiled the programs and policies of the new Congress Party-led government in his address to a joint session of Parliament on June 7. Highlights of the speech:

* Economic growth to be raised to at least 7-8 percent.

* Economic reforms with a human face.

* Privatization of state-owned units on case-by-case basis.

* Repeal of anti-terror legislation POTA.

* Government to await court verdict on Ayodhya.

* Law to curb domestic violence.

* Model law to deal with communal violence.

* Dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues.

* One-third reservation for women in Parliament.

* One-third of all funds of panchayats to be spent on women and children.

* 100 days’ guaranteed employment to rural poor.

* 6 percent of GDP to be spent on education; 2-3 percent on health.

* Public investment in agriculture to be stepped up substantially.

* All languages in the eighth schedule to become official languages.

* Steps to end saffronization of school syllabus .

* Autonomy will be be restored to higher learning institutions like IIMs, IITs.

* Power sector reforms to be continued.

* Interests of small investors in the country’s stock markets will be protected.

* The revenue deficit is to be eliminated by 2009.

* Subsidies will be earmarked by the government only for the poor and needy.