New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday admitted that he has a formal resignation of Dinesh Trivedi as railway minister. "I have received late last night the resignation of railways minister Dinesh Trivedi which I propose to send to the President of India," the prime minister said in Lok Sabha.

The prime minister also said that there is an urgent need to maintain consensus on key policy issues and this was brought out by the Railway Budget. He praised Dinesh Trivedi's Railway Budget and said it was in line with his predecessors.

On economic growth, the prime minister said that the government is committed to faster, sustainable and inclusive growth in the country.

"Our government gives high priority to agriculture and as a result the growth of the sector has been highest during last 5 years," Manmohan Singh said.

The prime minister admitted that price rise has been the problem but there are indications that it is coming down.

On NCTC, the prime minister said that the consensus can be achieved. "I know there may be differences on NCTC but I am hopeful that a consensus can be arrived through consultations," the prime minister said.

"I have promised chief ministers to consult them on internal security. A meeting will be held with them on April 16," the prime minister added.

In a victory for the DMK, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said that the government intended to vote in favour of the US-led resolution against Sri lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), but the final draft of the resolution was awaited.

"We are still waiting for the final draft of the resolution, but we intend to vote in favour of the resolution," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the Lok Sabha.

Main points of PM's speech in Lok Sabha:

• Adequate consultations will take place on NCTC before the chief ministers meeting on April 16: PM.
• It will be our sincere effort to resolve differences with states on manner of NCTC functioning, says PM. 
• Govt taking steps to tackle terrorism; NCTC an important step; state governments should be taken into confidence: PM.
• Reduction in fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 per cent next year, says prime minister.
• New railway minister will be sworn in shortly: PM.
• Prime minister says he received Trivedi's email and formal letter of resignation last night. 
• Prime minister says he will forward to president the resignation of Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi for acceptance.
• Reduction in fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 per cent next year, says prime minister.
• We need to have a consensus as difficult decisions become more difficult as we are running a coalition government: PM.
• There are indications that prices are coming under control but we have to be viligant, says prime minister.
• We need broadbased national consensus to push economic growth; narrow political views need to be eschewed: PM.  

Also read: Prominent hightlights of Railway Budget