PM assures Left on advisers

Promising to look into the issue of foreign experts in the Planning Commission over which a row had been kicked up by the Left parties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh .said he had no problem in dealing with the communists and had "great faith in their inherent patriotism."

"I am confident that despite different perspectives that we may have on how we look at various issues, that when the chips are down, we will be able to work out a programme of action, which meets the challenges of our times," the Prime Minister said.

He also said he would look into "every aspect of the issue when he gets back" to Delhi. "When I go back, I will certainly look into every aspect of it," he said.

Singh was talking to mediapersons on board his special aircraft Tanjore on way from New York to Geneva for a stopover before returning home tonight.

The Prime Minister contended that in many ways he endorsed the concerns of the Left parties that the path chosen by the government should be one which at all times was aimed at helping the poorest people of the country. It should be something which was advancing the cause of social equity, he said, adding "these are values, which I cherish".

He said: "There will be differences about how we get to the final outcome but I am confident we will work together. That is my hope, that is my faith." "I have absolutely no doubt. I look forward to working with all colleagues in the Left," the Prime Minister said.

Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is accompanying the Prime Minister, said he had a "formula" to resolve the issue, but did not elaborate when reporters persisted. He, however, stressed that "you have to listen to all points of view" before arriving at a decision.

There were indications earlier this week that experts from the World Bank, McKinsey and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have offered to quit amid a boycott of the consultative group on industry by the Left economists on the panel.

The World Bank and McKinsey have declined to comment on the issue.

CP Chandrashekhar and Jayanti Ghosh, wife of the Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen, are members of the committee on industry who had earlier boycotted a meeting of the group. Chandrashekhar has threatened to quit the panel to protest the presence of foreign experts.

Ahluwalia had earlier stated that the foreign experts would continue in the consultative committees, triggering vehement protest from the Left allies.

Observing that he has "new challenges and new promises," Singh said his "key priority" would be to impart a new momentum of dynamism to the management of infrastructure and take practical steps to cut bureaucratic delays in the clearance of projects in the pipeline.

"I have new challenges and new promises. My only wish and prayer is that I should be worthy of the trust and confidence that our people have placed on me," Singh said.

Singh, who was greeted on his 72nd birthday on board Tanjore, said "I have a lot of things to do. If I can impart a new momentum of dynamism to the management of India's infrastructure, that will be my key priority."