BJP President Press Release

[Guest guest]

Press statement issued by Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthi, President BJP

June 06, 2001

 

In view of the prevailing tension among certain vital segments of

Indian economy - such as agriculture, cottage industries and small

scale sector there is a need to strengthen monitoring function by the

government with regard to adverse impact of WTO provisions on the

domestic economy and take appropriate corrective steps immediately.

If required the government should further enhance import duties on

items which are under threat of import and, not in short supply.

 

 

The Party would like the government to point out to the WTO

implementation difficulties as well as anomalies in the last

multilateral trade agreement. The government should be fully prepared

to renegotiate trade agreement in the next round of trade negotiation

starting from November 2001.

 

 

At the same time government should start preparing the domestic

economy to adapt itself to globalisation - specially measures to cut

down production cost and improve quality. Similarly measures should

be initiated to accelerate export of traditional items such as herbal

and ayurvedic medicines where the country has tremendous

potentialities - using the available opportunity under the new global

order.

 

 

* * *

 

 

In view of surplus production of foodgrains in certain regions

compelling the farmers to indulge in distress sales - often lower

than even the procurement prices - there is a need to facilitate free

movement of foodgrains immediately - more so due to the fact

that 'governments' procurement capacity is limited. Though the NDA

government proposed to amend the Essential Commodities Act 1955 with

this objective, the bill could not be introduced in view of the

disturbed functioning of the parliament. Therefore, I earnestly

appeal to the opposition parties specially the Congress Party to

facilitate amendment to the Essential Commodities Act in the larger

interests of the farmers. In this regard I would like to suggest to

the government to consider bringing out an ordinance to this effect

so that farmers can get immediate relief. I am sure opposition

parties would welcome this measure in the larger interests of Kisans.

 

 

* * *

 

 

I would like to urge the government to expedite implementation of all

welfare measures proposed by the NDA Government -- such as Antyodaya

Anna Yojana, Sarva Siksha Yojana, measures to provide drinking water

and basic health care to all villages, crop insurance scheme,

insurance cover to farm workers and affected PSU employees, free

education to girls upto degree level, educational loan to poor

students to pursue professional courses, scholarship to poor students

studying in IX and X classes etc. so that common man would experience

human face of economic reform measures. In this respect I feel the

role of state governments also is important and hence the state

governments should extend total cooperation in the implementation of

these schemes so as to benefit the people of the states.

 

 

Similarly, I urge the government to speed up developmental projects,

specially the ones related to rural development and infrastructural

development so that employment opportunities would get accelerated

specially to lower strata of the society. In this context, projects

such as rural connectivity, watershed development, cold storage,

refrigerated transport system, agri clinics, agri export zones should

get priority. These steps are sure to improve the quality of life of

common people.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Reacting to the report of the Ministry of Defence of the Government

of India for the year 200-2001, the Chinese foreign ministry

spokesman is reported to have made the following three comments :

 

 

1. Attempting to seek an excuse to develop the military is not wise.

 

 

2. The Chinese stand on the Indian nuclear issue is known to all.

 

 

3. The Sino-Pak military cooperation is "normal" and that it did not

violate Beijing's commitments to the international community.

 

 

The comments of the Chinese foreign ministry are not quite valid.

India does not need any excuse for strengthening her military

preparations. Every country has its own assessment of threat

perception and the defence of our country requires a steady

development of missile technology and deployment of the missiles of

different ranges. India has no offensive designs against any country

as borne out by history and all our preparations are for defensive

purposes only.

 

 

Secondly, our nuclear programme has developed in response to the

threats from various quarters. India had refrained from exercising

the nuclear option for nearly 25 years. It was the lack of response

from the nuclear powers on an agreement to gradually reduce and

eventually destroy all nuclear weapons that compelled us to acquire a

credible minimum deterrence.

 

 

As to the third comment, the Sino-Pak military cooperation has

serious ramifications for India's security. The assistance received

by Pakistan from China in the nuclear field as well as the supply of

missiles by China to Pakistan have forced India to make adequate

preparation to counter Pakistan's capabilities.

 

 

India wishes to have friendly and peaceful relations with all her

neighbours, especially with China. At the same time India must be

prepared for all eventualities. Development of Agni missiles with

capability to carry any kind of weapons is an essential requirement

of that preparation.

 

 

for Office Secretary