The Hindu : Downturn on all fronts: Opposition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 21, 2003

National

National

Downturn on all fronts: Opposition

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI FEB. 20. The Opposition today launched a sharp attack in the Rajya Sabha on the Government policies saying that during the five-years in office, there had been a downturn on all fronts — social, economic and international relations.

Ranging from "ad-hocism" in its policy towards Pakistan, allowing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal to spread hatred in the country and the downslide in economy, the Opposition said the Government's policies outlined in the President's address to the joint session of Parliament did not contain any programme.

The thrust of the criticism against the ruling combine was articulated by the Leader of the Opposition, Manmohan Singh while taking part in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the address which began today.

Stating that the foreign policy was in a "bad shape", Dr. Singh said the Vajpayee Government had a consistent record of "mishandling" relations with Pakistan. While the Opposition gave support in the battle against cross-border terrorism, there was no visible gain.

Terming the Government move to reduce diplomatic contact with Islamabad, as "counter-productive", he suggested that diplomatic channels of communication be kept open and cited a similar approach adopted by Moscow and Washington during the cold war and at the height of the Cuban crisis. He said it was "not wise" to disallow cultural contacts between civil societies. He also expressed dissatisfaction over handling of relations with Bangaldesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and urged the need to utilise SAARC to promote harmony in region.

On the activities of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, Dr. Singh said the organisations were spreading communal hatred. He sought to know why these outfits were now indulging in a campaign to spread discord in States such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. There was "cynical exploitation" of the Ayodhya issue for partisan political purpose, which showed that the Government's commitment to deal with communal problems was "not even skin deep".

On national security, Dr. Singh said the defence budget sanctioned by Parliament was under utilised each year. He charged the Government with adopting ad-hoc norms in defence purchases and said there was "total absence" of a long-term strategy. He suggested the setting up of a Parliamentary standing committee to oversee matters of internal security and intelligence.

On the Government economic policies, Dr. Singh claimed that during the past five years there had been a downslide, with the growth rate remaining much below the targeted 8 per cent envisaged in the Ninth Plan. The output in both agriculture and industry had also gone down. The economic climate was not conducive for growth or investment while the revenue collections lagged far behind the estimated figures in successive budgets.

The CPI (M) leader, S. Ramachandran Pillai, said the Government was against the interests of workers and was not taking care of the downtrodden. He also decried the move to approach the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue and said it amounted to interfering in the judicial process. "The Government is taking a partisan attitude and has surrendered to communal forces."

Earlier, moving the motion, L.M. Singhvi (BJP) suggested that a confederation of friendly neighbours be formed for economic cooperation, as SAARC had virtually become an "empty shell' because of recalcitrant Pakistan.

Referring to cross-border terrorism, Dr. Singhvi said India must see that the world plays its role. "We are peaceful. For us in India, the acid test is to see how the United States deals with Pakistan and terrorism".

Calling for a "human face" to economic reforms, Dr. Singhvi said the reforms "mindset" was important in civil services, judiciary, education and governance. Reforms should bring about consolidation and institutions should be made to work for their effective implementation. "We cannot put institutions in strait-jacket. They must evolve, grow and meet challenges.'' Supporting the BJP move to ban cow slaughter, Dr. Singhvi sought consensus on the issue.

The Shiv Sena member, Satish Pradhan, said his party was not against disinvestment but the Government should take steps for setting in place a social security system as the voluntary retirement scheme had created unemployment and social unrest amongst people who had opted for it.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National