Internal hurdles hurting performance: PM to industry

The PM emphasised the need to surmount challenges of low rate of employment generation in the organised sector and the mismatch between the supply of skilled labour and demand. He also stressed the need to increase household incomes in rural areas and agricultural productivity.

‘‘We must invest more in the rural economy. We need both investment and reform in our educational and healthcare systems, reform the public sector and ensure better delivery of services to all, especially the poor. We have to improve urban governance and vastly improve the quality of life in our cities, especially in slums and jhuggi-jhonpris,’’ he added.

Urging industry to do its bit to overcome these challenges, Singh said that policies that help unleash the innate creativity and enterprise of people needs to be pursued.

‘‘Together, we must rid our ancient land, of the scourge of poverty, ignorance and disease,’’ he said, adding that though a lot has been acheieved in the 15 years but a lot still needs to be done.