The Hindu : Front Page : UPA, Left parties release CMP

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Friday, May 28, 2004

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Front Page

UPA, Left parties release CMP

By K.V. Prasad

TEMPLATE FOR UPA GOVERNMENT: Leaders of the United Progressive Alliance and supporting parties with copies of the Common Minimum Programme document released in New Delhi on Thursday. The CMP promises to ensure an economic growth of seven to eight per cent. — AP

NEW DELHI, MAY 27. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and its supporting Left parties today unveiled the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), outlining six basic principles for governance for the Government headed by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

The 24-page roadmap was released at a special function held at the 7, Race Course residence of the Prime Minister that was attended by leaders of the UPA and the four Left parties.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said the basic principles would be to preserve, protect and promote social harmony; ensure that the economy grows at least 7 to 8 per cent in a sustained manner; enhance the welfare and well-being of farmers, farm labour and workers; to fully empower women politically, educationally, economically and legally; to provide for full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and employment for scheduled castes/tribes, other backward classes and religious minorities; and to unleash the creative energies of entrepreneurs, businessmen, scientists, engineers and all other professionals and productive forces of society.

``The UPA makes a solemn pledge to the people of our country: to provide a government that is corruption-free, transparent and accountable at all times, to provide an administration that is responsible and responsive at all times,'' the Prime Minister said, while releasing the document.

Even though the Left parties welcomed and ``broadly endorsed'' the CMP, in a separate statement these parties said they had their ``differing positions'' on a range of economic policies and would advocate alternative polices while continuing support to the Government. The Opposition BJP said it was studying the document and would offer its reaction tomorrow.

The CMP emerged after several rounds of consultations and discussions within the constituents of the UPA and with the Left parties over the past one week. It contains a declaration about scrapping the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act and the intention of the UPA Government to take the lead in providing one-third reservation for women in legislatures and the Lok Sabha.

Considering the fact that there were differences within the UPA, especially with the Rashtriya Janata Dal, over women's reservation, Dr. Manmohan Singh said: ``I would be less than honest to say there is one opinion... we have to find a practical way.'' Later, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, in an informal interaction with correspondents, acknowledged that the task was not easy but said the Government would have to work for it.

Besides promising to immediately enact a National Employment Guarantee Act to provide at least 100 days of employment to begin with on asset-creating public works programme every year, codify all reservations through an act and fulfil all reservation quotas for scheduled caste/tribes, the CMP spelt out its stand on Telangana, selective privatisation of public sector undertakings, and enactment of the Lok Pal Bill into law.

In fact, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who has been elected chairperson of the alliance, expressed satisfaction that the coalition was able to put together the CMP faster than the NDA did in 1998. She said the CMP reflected the mandate of the people and one that would cater to all sections of society, especially the poor. On the UPA, she said there were plans to hold a meeting every month. There is now no plan to appoint a convener. Pointing out the leaders of the alliance, she said they suggested there was no need to appoint a convener. However, there would be a spokesperson.

HIGHLIGHTS

Enactment of the National Employment Guarantee Act to provide a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of employment.

Repealing POTA, while strictly enforcing existing laws.

Legislation for one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Ensuring women complete legal equality in all spheres by removing discriminatory legislation and enacting new law.

Strengthening the Public Distribution System.

Enactment of a Reservation Act to codify all reservations.

Implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1992.

To await verdict of courts on Ayodhya, while encouraging negotiation between parties to the dispute.

Article 370 to be respected in letter and in spirit.

Holding dialogue with all groups and different shades of opinion in J&K in consultation with the State Government.

Economic reforms with a human face.

Profit-making companies not to be privatised generally.

All privatisation to be considered on a transparent and consultative case-by-case basis.

`Navratna' companies to be retained in the PSUs while they raise resources from the capital market.

Enactment of Lok Pal Bill into law. — PTI

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