Congress unveils govt agenda

MANDATE 2004

THE common minimum programme prepared by the Congress has sought a gradual elimination of tax exemptions, a nationwide implementation of the value added tax (VAT) regime and strengthening of the public distribution system (PDS) to ensure price stability.

The CMP will also put the curtains down on disinvestment, in atl east the blue chip public sector companies, IOC, HPCL and BPCL.

While selective sell off is not being ruled out, the sensitivities of the Left parties will be kept in mind. "The sale of profit making PSUs is also ruled out," the source said.

"It will broadly draw from the 1996 common minimum programme of the United Front government," said a senior Congress leader told Business Standard.

The first draft will be sent to the party's pre-poll allies, the Left parties, and other constituents of the proposed government in a day or two for their comments and approval.

Manmohan Singh, now tipped to be India's next prime minister, said the draft was ready but he and other senior colleagues did not have the time to discuss it with the party allies.

As far as the taxation policy was concerned, the sources said that the government was against any increase in tax rates, corporate and personal income.

"The Vijay Kelkar task force reports on taxes will be implemented," the source said. When asked specifically about tax exemptions, he said, "We will push for doing away with the exemptions gradually."

The CMP also seeks strengthening of the public distribution system (PDS) to meet the twin objectives of price stability and making available essential articles to the poor.