Reforms in focus at Cong huddle

Economic reforms with a human face is likely to be the guiding spirit of the economic resolution to be adopted at the three-day Congress plenary session commencing at Hyderabad from Saturday, according to Congress sources.

Coming as it does at a time when the Left parties have managed to browbeat most of the UPA government's ambitious proposals like disinvestment of PSUs, labour reforms, Pension Bill, et al, the ruling party's resolution at Hyderabad will send a clear signal about the intent of the government vis-a-vis economic reforms.

Although the resolution will reaffirm the party's commitment to reforms, it will also reflect Congress President Sonia Gandhi's concerns, as expressed by her at the party chief ministers' conclave in Chandigarh last October, said sources.

Addressing the chief ministers, Sonia had said, "Reforms do not mean abdication of government's role. They mean making the government at all levels caring, effective and efficient".

The Hyderabad session will also adopt resolutions on international affairs, agriculture employment and poverty alleviation, and on political situation in the country.

The last resolution assumes significance given the party's recent experiences in coalition politics "" the latest being in Karnataka.