Manmohan to address first industry meet today

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first public interaction with industry, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) here tomorrow, is unlikely to result in important policy announcements.

"The prime minister is only going to make a high-sounding speech because Parliament is in session, and he cannot make policy announcements on that account" said a top official.

Prime Minister Singh will inaugurate the JRD Tata centenary celebrations tomorrow. JRD Tata (1904-1993) was the chairman of Tata Sons for over five decades. Among his many achievements, he is credited with bringing civil aviation to the country.

This is the first meeting organised by an industry association that Singh will be attending after taking office as the country's prime minister three months ago.

Instead of policy announcements, Singh was likely to focus on the high integrity in business shown by JRD Tata and the House of Tatas in general, sources added. Apart from a large number of Assocham members, tomorrow's meeting will be attended by Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Sons.

On its part, industry expects Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to speak out on two critical issues: rising inflation and the ongoing truckers' strike.

While the spiralling inflation is expected to result in a rise in interest rates, the truckers' strike is expected to hit industry hard by bringing the transportation of goods to a halt.

The inauguration of the centenary celebrations will be followed by a panel discussion on "India in the global matrix". The guest of honour for the discussion is Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Member of Parliament Karan Singh and ONGC Chairman Subir Raha will also take part in the panel discussion.