Manmohan skips 'tainted' ministers issue

Talks with Pakistan, Hurriyat conference to continue for resolution of Kashmir problem: PM

After the washout of the inaugural session in which he was not allowed to speak, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday voiced deep concern over disruption of Parliament and appealed to political parties to respect the institution but skipped the "tainted" ministers issue on which the opposition rocked both the Houses.

Using the opportunity of an address to the nation over TVand radio, he said the country would have benefited if Parliament had been allowed to discuss the President's address, which outlines the comprehensive agenda of the government.

The 8-page address detailed the priorities of his government in various areas, mainly economic, and made it clear that it was keen on continuing dialogue with Pakistan while maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent as a responsible power.

Though he did not directly refer to the inclusion of "tainted" ministers in his government, an issue on which the BJP-led Opposition disrupted Parliament, Singh said he shared the concern about "decline of moral and ethics in public life".

Terming the disruption of Parliament "unfortunate", Singh said: "I was eagerly looking forward to contributions from all parties in the discussions. Unfortunately this was not allowed to happen.

"It should be a matter of deep concern for all of us when established mechanisms for a constructive dialogue and critique, which are vital for a parliamentary democracy, are disrupted and not allowed to operate," he said in his first address to the nation after assuming the office.

Singh, a late entrant to public life, said "I share the feeling of well meaning citizens when they express pained concern about the decline of morals and ethics in public life."

"There is, however, no better way to deal with this incipient threat to our democracy than to meet it head on by joining public life ourselves," he said.

In his 26-minute address, which focused on the country's economy ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget on July 8, Singh said the government would create a single market for manufactured and agri-products, announce an energy policy package and pursue economic reforms to give "new deal" to rural India.

He said the national common minimum programme had been prepared keeping in mind the priorities brought into focus by the people's mandate.

On the foreign policy front, Singh said India would actively pursue the composite dialogue with Pakistan and was "sincere" about discussing and resolving all issues, including Kashmir.

"We recognise that resolution of major issues requires national consensus and accommodation of public sentiment in both countries," he said.

In remarks ahead of the crucial foreign secretary-level talks this weekend, he said: "We desire to live in a neighbourhood of peace and prosperity. We will actively pursue the composite dialogue with Pakistan. We are sincere about discussing and resolving all issues, including Kashmir".

Singh said his government would continue the process of dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference and all other groups in Jammu and Kashmir to bring peace in the troubled state while combating terrorism with all the resources at its command. "The government is willing to talk with all disaffected groups provided they shun the path of violence," he said.

Observing that internal security remained an "important challenge", he said terrorism posed a grave threat to the unity and progress of India. "We shall combat it with all the resources at our command. There shall be no doubt whatsoever about our resolve to deal with this insidious threat to our nation," he said.

India, Singh said, would maintain a credible minimum nuclear deterrent along with a policy of "no first use" in its nuclear doctrine. "India is a responsible nuclear power, and we will continue to work to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," he said.

"At the same time, we remain committed to the goal of universal nuclear disarmament," Singh said.

Observing that the government would streamline defence acquisition procedure, he said this would allow the forces to obtain the modern weapon system and technology. "Our government will ensure that the necessary funds are made available for these purposes," he said.