Vote of Thanks on the Conference of Prices of Essential Commodities on 6th February 2010 at New Delhi

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh ji, Respected Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherji, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs Shri Sharad Pawar ji, Chief Ministers of the States, Lt. Governors and Administrators and other dignitaries, it is my privilege to propose a vote of thanks today.

I, extend a very hearty gratitude to all speakers for attending this meeting and for sharing your opinions today.

I thank all the honourable speakers of the day.

I wish to thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for being with us today and also calling for this conference. His commitment to ensure affordable kitchen essentials to the needy population especially the poor and middle class has been at the foundation of our efforts in the Ministry. We are fully aware that the efforts taken need to be strengthened with cooperation from one and all. I hope that the decisions taken here will go a long way in our follow up actions on the price front.

I sincerely thank the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee for his views on the subject and the further measures be outlined here to be taken at the Central Government level and at State level on a war footing. The Finance Minister has always been a source of confidence with his vast experience and deep knowledge. We will continue to look to him for support and guidance. Thank you, Sir.
Shri Sharad Pawar ji, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture has made a very comprehensive presentation on this crucial subject and suggested measures to be acted upon together. Sir, as you have mentioned, the State Governments have an important role to play in ensuring that food articles distributed through the Public Distribution System quickly reach the intended beneficiaries without losses. I hope that the coordination is fully achieved in the coming weeks and states put the central policies to work more effectively.

I am also deeply grateful for the participation of Hon’ble Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of the States and UTs in this conference. We look to the States to provide us with the basic data and information promptly. They also have to implement various Schemes to ensure that the benefits go to the right persons. Their task is indeed arduous and calls for constant vigil.

I also thank the Members of Cabinet Committee of Prices and Secretaries of the Central Government Departments present in this conference.

I thank the media for their endeavour to cover this important conference.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my sincere thanks to the staff of my Department for organizing the Conference successfully.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.