[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-36

[Taha Mehmood]

http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/24/stories/2005072403900800.htm

The Hindu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 24, 2005

BJP criticises handling of internal security

Special Correspondent

Accuses UPA of mismanaging economy

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused the Manmohan
Singh Government of allowing the internal security situation to
deteriorate, betraying the "aam aadmi" [common man] by mismanaging the
economy and indulging in vote bank politics for narrow gains.

Resolutions to this effect were adopted at the party's office-bearers
meeting, convened here to discuss the agenda originally drawn up for
the July 21-23 national executive meet, since postponed. Briefing
presspersons, senior leaders Jaswant Singh and Sushma Swaraj said
party matters were not discussed. The focus was on the UPA
Government's performance in 14 months of office. "The office-bearers
expressed grave concern at the "sharp deterioration" in the country's
internal security situation ever since the Congress party, in a
post-election arrangement of unprincipled convenience with the Left
Front, installed itself into office... ," Mr. Singh said reading out
from a resolution.

The BJP demanded that the Government "honestly" implement the Supreme
Court judgment on the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal)
Act; wind up the Group of Ministers established for the purpose;
prevent illegal migration by vigorously enforcing the Foreigners Act
1946 and complete border fencing on the Bangladesh border at the
earliest.

Other demands included a white paper on "Illegal migration, its
status, consequences and remedial action needed," checking the growth
of madrasas and proselytising activity in the entire north-east, a
multipurpose identity card and a national register of citizens, status
report on the spread of naxalism and restoration of the Prevention of
Terrorism Act or similar legislationto thwart anti-national
activities.

FDI in retail trade

In a resolution on the economy, the BJP opposed the proposal to open
up the retail sector to foreign direct investment. It would affect the
viability of small enterprises and have a debilitating effect on the
livelihood of lakhs of people engaged in retail trade, it said.

The Congress-led Government had not only eroded the living standards
of the common man, its mismanagement of the economy had stymied
progress as well. The Government had failed to cushion consumers
against the rise in petroleum prices, which rose by 30 per cent in a
year. The condition of farmers had worsened and the "share of
agriculture in India's Gross Domestic Product had dropped.Expressing
alarm over "the effects of policy incoherence on the overall economic
progress of the country," the BJP said that "after inheriting an
economy that was heading for double-digit growth, the UPA has
squandered the legacy of the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance
Government."