Janata Dal Opposes Western Model For Indian Economy

The Janata Dal yesterday demanded restructuring of public sector with no interference from the government, building of a healthy and efficient cooperate sector to eliminate middlemen and massive time-bound programme for providing employment.

In the economic resolution adopted at the two-day national convention here, the party has expressed its opposition to country's economy modelled on the pattern of western developed countries saying 'we have to take note of the ground realities of our economic life'.

'In the 50th year of India's freedom, we have to move away from some of the legacies and experiences of the past eight five year plans,' it said adding in the future, the legacy of the highly centralised planning will have to be discarded and replaced by decentralisation in the formulation as well as implementation of the ninth plan.

It suggested strengthening of rural economy and agriculture through accelerated irrigation benefit programmes, effective implementation of water shed schemes, encouragement of decentralised resource mobilisation, empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions and highest priority for agriculture and rural development in the ninth plan.

The resolution said the empowerment of women and other socially disadvantaged groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes and minorities as agents of socio-economic change and development must become the major plank of programme for social justice.

In its foreign policy resolution, the party said it noted with satisfaction that relations with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka have improved substantially, creating a new atmosphere of mutually beneficial cooperation.

'The commencement of a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan is a most welcome development,' it said.

The national council calls for an end to external interference in the

internal affairs of Afghanistan and reiterated its commitment to a peaceful and negotiated settlement which preserves the territorial integrity of the friendly nation.

The resolution fully endorsed the government's principled stand on security and disarmament related issues.

'India being the largest democracy with a population of nearly one billion....deserves to be represented on the expanded Security Council,' the resolution said.