JOIN USUPA govt paints rosy picture of its rule
In an attempt to dispel the notion of policy paralysis and non-performance, the UPA government is bringing out a report card that will highlight the steps taken in various sectors in the last one year, during a celebratory dinner on Tuesday, to mark its third anniversary.
In its “Report to People”, the government is expected to detail various initiatives taken to tackle corruption, check inflation and efforts to sustain economic growth despite the gloomy global scenario.
On Monday, the UPA government will complete three years of its second term in office amidst perception of policy paralysis, rampant corruption, and uncertainty over passage of key legislations such as FDI and Lokpal.
Stung with various scams such as 2G spectrum allocation, Commonwealth Games, Adarsh Housing Society, the UPA II faces tough challenge in the run up to the general election in 2014.
Adding to its discomfiture is the spiralling rate of inflation, which crossed the double digit figure in April, and the overall economic situation marked by downturn in manufacturing and worrying tax collections.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has cited “coalition compulsion” for the delay in various decisions on critical issues.
The DMK had joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to force the government keep in abeyance the proposal of bringing FDI in retail sector.
NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar also made it public that he was not amused by the prime minister’s talk of coalition compulsions, which they found as a euphemism to blame the allies.
Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and an important member of the Group of Ministers formed to project a better image of the government, dismisses all criticism about the prime minister and perceptions of UPA’s policy paralysis.
“I don’t think we could have had a better person in these times when we have been under stress....that we have a lot of questions raised about how India should be governed and how it is being governed,” he said.
“Singh is the best person we could have had,” he said, adding he alone could not be held responsible. Besides handling crucial allies like the TMC, the coming presidential election in July is another challenge to the UPA.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have been incessant in attacking the government. “It is a non-performing government and replete with corruption. It has demolished the faith of the people in the government which has functioned with lack of leadership and commitment,” said BJP leader and spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
CPI’s D Raja said government woes are due to its abandoning the path of the Common Minimum Programme, which alone can be “anchor” to put the allies together.