JAMMU, March 4 (PTI): Maintaining that India will enter into talks with Pakistan with an open mind, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the country wants to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue and purposeful negotiations. He also asked Pakistan to take resolute action against extremist groups operating in the country and leave no stone unturned in bringing to book perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.
Referring to his recent statement in Parliament that the sub-continent will not realise its full development potential unless relations between India and Pakistan are normalised, he said, “Despite all problems, we have decided to resume the dialogue process”. “We will enter these talks with open mind. We wish to resolve all outstanding issues between two countries through friendly dialogues and purposeful negotiations. And this includes the issue of Jammu & Kashmir”, he said in his address to the third Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST).
Voicing concern over the activities of extremist groups in Pakistan, he said, “We cannot forget what happened in Mumbai. I urge the Government of Pakistan to leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits (of Mumbai attacks) to book”, “But I believe that there is a growing conviction in Pakistan, among the thinking segments of the population that something serious needs to be done to curb the influence of these groups on Pakistani society and polity”, he said. “I urge Pakistan to take strong and resolute action against these groups that is in the interest of Pakistan, the region and the world at large”, Singh said.
Referring to his recent statement in Parliament that the sub-continent will not realise its full development potential unless relations between India and Pakistan are normalised, he said, “Despite all problems, we have decided to resume the dialogue process”. “We will enter these talks with open mind. We wish to resolve all outstanding issues between two countries through friendly dialogues and purposeful negotiations. And this includes the issue of Jammu & Kashmir”, he said in his address to the third Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST).
Voicing concern over the activities of extremist groups in Pakistan, he said, “We cannot forget what happened in Mumbai. I urge the Government of Pakistan to leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits (of Mumbai attacks) to book”, “But I believe that there is a growing conviction in Pakistan, among the thinking segments of the population that something serious needs to be done to curb the influence of these groups on Pakistani society and polity”, he said. “I urge Pakistan to take strong and resolute action against these groups that is in the interest of Pakistan, the region and the world at large”, Singh said.
I accept my responsibility: Prime Minister on CVC PJ Thomas’ appointment
Jammu, March 4 (PTI): “I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court and I accept my responsibility,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh responded on Friday, a day after the apex court struck down the controversial appointment of PJ Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner. “It is necessary to ensure that such things do not happen again,” Singh said at a press conference on being asked about his future course of action on the issue. The Prime Minister, who has been targeted by the opposition, also said this issue did not relate to coalition compulsions.
“Well, I think what we see, this is not a question which relates to the compulsions of the coalition. As for the rest, I have already said that I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court,” he said. “Obviously, I think the Supreme Court has pronounced and as a loyal citizen of the country...I accept it. I respect the judgement and I accept my responsibility,” he said. He was asked about earlier having hinted at coalition compulsions after the 2G spectrum controversy broke out. Since he heads the high power committee (HPC) having Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj for the the appointment of CVC, who “misled” him, Singh was asked.
To another question on what would be his line of action now, he said, “I should speak first in Parliament. I have not made up my mind. But the issue you have raised is an important issue. It is necessary to ensure that such things do not happen again”. While quashing the appointment of Thomas, the apex court faulted the HPC on grounds of arbitrariness and ignoring “relevant material” like the pending corruption case against Thomas. Coming down heavily on the HPC’s decision, the court said in future appointments to CVC’s post should not be restricted to civil servants alone and that people of impeccable integrity from other fields should be considered.
Thomas, a former IAS officer of 1973 batch who was appointed as CVC on September 7 last despite a dissenting note by leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj in the HPC, is facing a corruption case in a Kerala court relating to Palmolein imports in 1991 that allegedly caused a loss of over Rs two crore to the state. Thomas was the Food Secretary in the Kerala government at the time of import and the then chief minister K Karunakaran, who died recently, was also another accused in the case. Training its guns on the Prime Minister, the BJP has asked the Prime Minister to explain who will take responsibility for the appointment despite objections raised by Swaraj.
“Well, I think what we see, this is not a question which relates to the compulsions of the coalition. As for the rest, I have already said that I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court,” he said. “Obviously, I think the Supreme Court has pronounced and as a loyal citizen of the country...I accept it. I respect the judgement and I accept my responsibility,” he said. He was asked about earlier having hinted at coalition compulsions after the 2G spectrum controversy broke out. Since he heads the high power committee (HPC) having Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj for the the appointment of CVC, who “misled” him, Singh was asked.
To another question on what would be his line of action now, he said, “I should speak first in Parliament. I have not made up my mind. But the issue you have raised is an important issue. It is necessary to ensure that such things do not happen again”. While quashing the appointment of Thomas, the apex court faulted the HPC on grounds of arbitrariness and ignoring “relevant material” like the pending corruption case against Thomas. Coming down heavily on the HPC’s decision, the court said in future appointments to CVC’s post should not be restricted to civil servants alone and that people of impeccable integrity from other fields should be considered.
Thomas, a former IAS officer of 1973 batch who was appointed as CVC on September 7 last despite a dissenting note by leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj in the HPC, is facing a corruption case in a Kerala court relating to Palmolein imports in 1991 that allegedly caused a loss of over Rs two crore to the state. Thomas was the Food Secretary in the Kerala government at the time of import and the then chief minister K Karunakaran, who died recently, was also another accused in the case. Training its guns on the Prime Minister, the BJP has asked the Prime Minister to explain who will take responsibility for the appointment despite objections raised by Swaraj.
‘Centre recognises pol grievances of Kashmiris’
Jammu, March 4 (PTI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Centre recognises the genuine political and emotional grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and was willing to discuss all issues that have a bearing on the peace and dignity of the people under a constitutional framework.”We will always keep the interest of people of Jammu & Kashmir in our minds. We are willing to discuss all issues that have bearing on peace, dignity and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Sciences and Technology here.
“There is no way forward but a sustained dialogue and resolution of all problems under a constitutional framework that I believe has the flexibility to accommodate honourable and durable solutions for all”, he said. Referring to the initiative taken by the Centre in J&K, the Prime Minister said the visit of an all-party delegation to the state last year was intended at bringing about a national consensus on some important problems.”We recognise that there are genuine political, social and emotional grievances of the people. We are trying honestly to address these issues,” he said.
The problems of Jammu & Kashmir are complex and each region of the state - whether it is Kashmir, Jammu or Ladakh- have their own problems which require attention, he said. The Prime Minister said a group of interlocutors was appointed to facilitate a continuous dialogue with all sections of the people in the state.Regarding development in J&K, he said, “As a part of our efforts to promote balanced development of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has set up special Task Forces on Jammu and Ladakh regions”.
While the reports of these task forces are being considered in consultation with the state government, the Centre has already made a budget provision of Rs 250 crore for implementation of the identified projects, he said.”I am happy that state government has committed itself to early conduct of panchayat elections,” he said, adding this will deepen the routes of democracy and ensure greater public participation in governance.”But these bodies can only function effectively if there is adequate provision of funds, function and functionaries. I urge the state government to take early action in this regard”, he said.
“There is no way forward but a sustained dialogue and resolution of all problems under a constitutional framework that I believe has the flexibility to accommodate honourable and durable solutions for all”, he said. Referring to the initiative taken by the Centre in J&K, the Prime Minister said the visit of an all-party delegation to the state last year was intended at bringing about a national consensus on some important problems.”We recognise that there are genuine political, social and emotional grievances of the people. We are trying honestly to address these issues,” he said.
The problems of Jammu & Kashmir are complex and each region of the state - whether it is Kashmir, Jammu or Ladakh- have their own problems which require attention, he said. The Prime Minister said a group of interlocutors was appointed to facilitate a continuous dialogue with all sections of the people in the state.Regarding development in J&K, he said, “As a part of our efforts to promote balanced development of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has set up special Task Forces on Jammu and Ladakh regions”.
While the reports of these task forces are being considered in consultation with the state government, the Centre has already made a budget provision of Rs 250 crore for implementation of the identified projects, he said.”I am happy that state government has committed itself to early conduct of panchayat elections,” he said, adding this will deepen the routes of democracy and ensure greater public participation in governance.”But these bodies can only function effectively if there is adequate provision of funds, function and functionaries. I urge the state government to take early action in this regard”, he said.
