NEW DELHI, Sept 29:
Unfazed by the uproar over FDI in retail and other tough decisions, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today indicated that the Government may continue with the reforms process and expressed willingness to discuss issues with allies.
“We will do what is good for the country… Reforms are not one-off process,” he said.
The Prime Minister was responding to questions on demands for rollback of decisions on FDI in multi-brand retail, diesel price hike and cap on subsidised LPG cylinders by the opposition.
When asked to respond to reservations expressed by allies that the recent decisions could hurt their electoral prospects, Singh said the issue could be discussed. “We are far away from elections.”
Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of new Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
During the week, the UPA coordination committee had discussed the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail and other decisions.
When his attention was drawn to allegations by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s that FDI was aimed at pleasing the US, he responded saying, “What has the US got to do with this. We are not a country to be dictated by others.”
Prime Minister said the hard economic decisions to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, hike in diesel prices and a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders had been taken for the economic interests of the country and more such decisions could be taken in future as well.
“We are ready to take hard decisions for the good of the nation. Reforms are not a one-off process. It is an ongoing process.”
There has been an uproar in the country over the foreign direct investment in the multi-brand retail sector, the hike in diesel prices and a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders.
At a meeting of the UPA coordination committee earlier this week which had held discussions on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail, the hike in diesel prices and the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, sources said the alliance partners felt that the decision would hurt their electoral prospects. In fact, some of them called for a slight rollback in diesel prices and a increase in the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders.
On a question on attack on him by Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, who recently withdrew support of her party from the UPA at the Centre, the Prime Minister said he is not upset with her over her decision.
“There is no bitterness in my mind towards her (Mamata),” Dr Singh said.
Responding to observation of the Supreme Court on the issue of auction of natural resources, the Prime Minister said, “we honour the judgement of the apex court.” (Agencies)
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