Pm Defends Raja

[kesav 127]

Raja was only implementing policies approved by TRAI: PM

In his first press conference after becoming the Prime Minister for the second time, , Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday said that Mr A. Raja, the controversial Minister for Communications, had informed him that he was only implementing policies that were in place and had approvals of the regulator TRAI.

The Prime Minister, however, admitted that there was a large gap in the prices of 2G and 3G services, but added that the whole issue needed to be seen in “proper perspective”.

In reply to a question on allegations of corruption in sale of 2G spectrum, the Prime Minister said that this had been discussed in Parliament and investigations were on.

In the press meet, which marked the UPA completing one year in its second stint, Dr Singh, looking confident and relaxed, said, “The world looks at India with confidence.”

Growth record

“Our annual growth rate had averaged 9 per cent for four years before the crisis. It reduced to 6.5 per cent in 2008-09 but recovered to 7.2 per cent in 2009-10. We expect 8.5 per cent growth in this financial year.

“This is widely regarded as one of the best performances among the larger economies of the world.” However, he was not so exuberant on the issue of inflation. “Prices continue to be a matter of deep concern,” he said, adding that he expected inflation to come down to between 5 and 6 per cent by December.

Target: 10% growth

The Government's medium-term agenda was to achieve a growth rate of 10 per cent a year, he said. “I am convinced that given our savings and investment rates, this is an achievable target.”

The Prime Minister said that key constraints in the modernisation of agriculture and in the expansion of infrastructure required long-term strategies and greater investments. These, he said, “will continue to receive the focussed attention of the Government.”

Dr Singh said he was aware that his Government could have done more and that it should not be satisfied with what it has achieved.

“There is always room for improvement and for better outcomes.”

On Pakistan and Kashmir, he said India was prepared to discuss “all issues” but a pre-condition was that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism must stop.

On the question of caste-census, he said all “views” would be taken into account.

Security Threat

In response to a question on the Naxal problem, the Prime Minister said the Maoists constituted the “biggest” internal security threat to India, although there was no link between Naxal violence and economic reform.

Asked about his Government's stand on water from Karnataka for Tamil Nadu, he said his Government was not a “mute spectator” as alleged by the DMK leadership.

While refusing to say when he thought Mr Rahul Gandhi would join the Cabinet, the Prime Minister said Mr Gandhi was “very qualified” to do so. “I have asked him many times, but he wants to focus on revitalising the party,” he said.

In response to another question about retiring, he said: “I think young people should take over but it is up to the Congress party. I will be happy to make way.”

Asked whether there was some tension in his relationship with the Congress President, Dr Singh said there was no question of any “distrust” between him and Ms Sonia Gandhi. “We meet every week to discuss major issues,” he said.

source :: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/05/25/stories/2010052554070100.htm