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Addressing a Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan here, he said Congress party and the government were committed to create a prosperous India but the people have to travel a long distance to achieve that goal.
"If we want to bring some changes in our policies for the benefit of the country, we will definitely do so," he said.
Defending the opening up of multi-brand retail to foreign investment, he said suggestions that this will harm farmers were "wrong".
The "difference" between Congress and those opposing them was that his party and the government wanted to create a change in the society, he said.
"We have to take difficult decisions to achieve this... Those opposing us will be proved wrong. Eight crore people have benefited from the MNREGA. Twelve crore children have benefited from mid-day meal programme. Prosperity should reach the common man.
"We need economic reforms to create more jobs... The people are being misled about recent government decisions... We have done a lot of work in the last eight years," Singh said.
Elaborating on his defence of FDI, he said Congress and the government believes that FDI in retail is in the interest of farmers.
"All will be benefited. Farmers will get the right price for their produce. New employment opportunities will emerge. It is wrong that FDI in retail will affect farmers. Such a suggestion is aimed at misleading the country," he said.
Singh dismissed opposition suggestions that FDI will take jobs away from people.
"We want FDI in retail primarily in bigger cities. We have seen other countries progressing after introduction of FDI in retail," he said.
Referring to economic reforms initiated in 1991 when he was Finance Minister, Singh said this is not the first time that the country has brought in foreign investment.
"We have done it before and today we are reaping its benefits," he said.
On oil prices, the Prime Minister said India imports 80 per cent of the petroleum products.
"We have taken some steps on prices of petroleum products. We have not increased kerosene prices. This decision is for the betterment of the people. We want our farmers to be happy and prosperous," he said.
NOW WE HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN PRIME MINISTER WHO HAVE SOFT CORNER FOR CORRUPT LEADERS AND NOT BOTHERING ABOUT A COMMON POOR AND MIDDLE MAN. PM SHOULD RESIGN .
Before getting FDI operational, get the Kiranas and farmers to pay their fair share of income taxes. Only 3% of the people of India pay income taxes. The relevant number in developed countries is about 45%. Till this disgracefully low number is revised and raised, India will continue to have poor infrastructure. It can also not afford the 5.9% of GDP subsidies for virtually everything (fuel, electricity, etc.)and hope to be 'developed' by 2020.
Initially he is correct,long run he failed to foresee as when the FDI will start commanding that time it is the farmers who will suffer because the oftake price will be decided by them as they have invested on hervest,they will decide the commodity price on their own and no policy maker would be available to restrain the step.
so what stopped the same congress guys from doing it soon after independence ? okay if its too long ago, try 4 years back ? huh ? mr. PM ?
and how come yu have just woken upto this ? what were yu doing all these years ?
I have to say two things about this PM, either he is liar or totally a stupid person because all the studies done so far suggest it other way. When large corporations have monopoly on any sector then people don't benefit from them, period.
