Govt to launch massive food-for-work programme: PM

PM also announced raising of planned expenditure by Rs 10,000 cr and setting up a major watershed development programme.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday the Government was going to launch a massive food-for-work programme in 150 most backward districts of the country.

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Noting the Government's emphasis on carrying forward the "rapid economic growth and social justice", Singh said the planned expenditure has been raised by 10,000 crore which will be aimed at meeting the objectives of Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

In the agriculture sector, he said the Government planned to go for "ambitious" watershed development programme wherein all water bodies would be "renovated, modernised and made functional" over a period of seven years.

Talking about social services, he said the Government was taking very seriously its commitment to universalise access to elementary education and good mid-day meal programme.

Singh said the scope of existing schemes for provision of drinking water was being expanded.

On employment, he said the Employment Guarantee Act was still in the process of being formulated.