New Delhi, Aug 15: Following are the highlights of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh's, fifth Independence Day speech delivered from the ramparts of the historic Red fort on Friday morning.

The highlights of Dr. Singh's Independence Day speech are: On Employment, Poverty and Economic growth

.Employment generation is a key component of the Government.

.National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill to be tabled in Parliament.

· Eradicating poverty by creating jobs –a constant commitment

New Delhi, Aug 14 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs here today approved Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas.

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) will be a central sector scheme.

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) had proposed the introduction of a new credit linked subsidy programme called PMEGP by merging the two schemes that were in operation till 31.03.2008.

New Delhi, Aug 14 : The Government today gave its approval to the modernization or expansion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (NSCBI) International Airport, Kolkata at an estimated cost of Rs. 1942.51 crores.

The work, which is expected to be completed within 30 months of award, will result in an additional passengers handling capacity of 20 Million Passengers Per Annum
(MPPA).

New Delhi, Aug 14 : Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari today said that sports is not glamour, it is sheer hard work.

Speaking after a meeting with Abhinav Bindra, India''s lone Olympic gold medal winner, Ansari said that he is extremely proud of the achievement of Bindra and hoped that in future Indian players would win more medals in Olympic Games.

“The grand success of Bindra proves that if the three important things that are family support, state support and zeal to achieve for the country combine together lead to sure success,” he added.

New Delhi, Aug 14 : The Centre on Thursday called back the Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sunil Kumar Jain, from Srinagar.

More transfers are expected in Jammu and Kashmir Police. Reports said the Centre is also considering replacing Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) Shiv Mohan Sahai and that of his counterpart in Jammu, K Rajendra Kumar.

Jain was asked to proceed on a tour to headquarters pending transfer and no replacement for the post has been announced.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Valley continues to remain tense though authorities relaxed curfew this morning. The Army has been kept on standby to meet any eventuality.