Sonia pledges to implement CMP

United Progressive Alliance chairwoman Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said the coalition was committed to implement its Common Minimum Programme in "letter and spirit".

"The document, prepared in consultation with all pre-poll allies [of the Congress] and others supporting the coalition, reflects the mandate of the people, which was the mandate for a strong, secular government, which will work and care for all sections specially women, youth and the weaker and the poorer sections," Gandhi said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, leaders of all coalition partners and the Left parties were present on the occasion.

The CMP broadly sets out the main priorities and policies of the coalition and the UPA partners have agreed to meet once a month, she said.

Dr Singh said the CMP lays down broad parameters according to which the UPA would work.

The government will seek to preserve, protect and promote social harmony and ensure seven to eight per cent growth on a sustainable manner over a decade, he said.

Dr Singh said the government would also enhance welfare of farmers, artisans and labour, particularly in the unorganised sector.

The government will seek to fully empower women, provide full equality of opportunity in jobs and education and release the creative energies of entrepreneurs, scientists and other professionals, he said.

The PM said the UPA was committed to provide "corruption-free, transparent, accountable, responsible and responsive" government at all times.

He pledged to "preserve and protect" social harmony and enforce the law "without fear and favour".

The CMP also pledged to provide political and economic empowerment and equality of opportunities, particularly in education and employment for scheduled castes, scheduled  tribes, minorities and other weaker sections.

The PM said the CMP sought to "accelerate the tempo of social and economic change".

The UPA was committed to paying attention to "agriculture, farmers, small industries, village industries, artisans and other neglected sectors of the Indian economy", he said.