New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the government has taken several initiatives to ensure higher growth which has improved the living standards of the common man.

"On the development front, we have taken several steps to ensure higher growth, coupled with greater inclusion. The high rates of economic growth experienced over the last decade have provided individuals with greater opportunities for improving their standards of living," the prime minister said while addressing the National Integration Council (NIC) meet in Delhi Saturday.

Under the major initiatives, he named the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the National Rural Health Mission, Bharat Nirman and the right to free and compulsory education act, all of which he said have helped to secure benefits to those who need them most.

The prime minister said the government is preparing a legislation to address the issue of land acquisition and mining operations in the larger public interest.

"The government is moving forward with legislative proposals for securing a better deal for the people where land acquisition becomes unavoidable in the larger public interest, and also for sharing the benefits of mining operations with persons who have occupations, and traditional rights in such areas," he said.

He added that even the forest rights act has helped address a long-standing inequity in the treatment of forest dwellers.