India to aim at 9 per cent growth in 2011-12: President Patil

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil

The government will aim at an economic growth rate above 8 per cent in 2010-11 and expects to achieve 9 per cent growth in 2011-12, President Pratibha Patil said in her opening speech of the budget session of Parliament.

She said the government's policy thrust would be on infrastructure development, agriculture and rural development, education and health care as it seeks to ensure that the growth process is sensitive to the concerns and well being of the weaker sections of society.

For achieving a higher rate of growth, the President said the government would work towards creating an environment that encourages investments, especially in micro, small, and medium enterprises.

She said the government will take all necessary steps to expeditiously implement the recommendations of the Task Force on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the sector is vital for sustained and inclusive growth of the economy.

These include improved credit access, development of infrastructure, strengthening of the district industries centres, improved raw material supply, facilitating of product marketing, and institutional reforms, she said.

A priority area for the government is the listing of profitable companies on the stock exchanges through public offers of at least 10 per cent of the equity.