In a first, Rahul Gandhi to address biz leaders

In what will be his first formal interaction with the captains of industry, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address a special plenary of the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) annual general meeting on Thursday.

In what will be his first formal interaction with the captains of industry, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address a special plenary of the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) annual general meeting on Thursday.

He is likely to use the opportunity to articulate his views on the economy and what kind of a role he envisages for industry in the Congress's mantra of inclusive growth.

Fresh policy pronouncements may pacify investors who fear the government could be more focused on political risk management than turning around the economy, which is set to crash to a decade's low growth of 5%.

Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley will deliver the valedictory address, while food minister KV Thomas will address a special session on the Food Security Bill that promises to entitle two out of three Indians to government-subsidised rice and wheat.

The bill has been planned for passage during the Parliament's current session, which will reconvene later this month after a four-week recess. The theme of this year's meeting is 'India of Tomorrow: Imperatives of Growth, Security and Governance'.

"The theme has been designed, keeping in mind the great need for focusing on issues where industry can play a greater role in nation-building and creating an enabling business environment," Chandrajit Banerjee, CII director general, said.