Corruption and bad governance was the dominant theme of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s speech today. She pitched for accountability in the Commonwealth Games and sought innovation in mineral and forest management that would prevent illegal mining.
While Gandhi made an appeal to come together and ensure the success of the Commonwealth Games, she advocated strong steps against alleged malpractices. “I trust that as soon as the Games are over the government will look into the allegations of malpractice and spare no one found to be involved in them.”
She asked the government to ensure accountability while reminding that “the success of the Games is for our country — not for any party or any individual”.
Describing illegal mining as the “most serious menace’, Gandhi said there was cause to worry: “There is a high degree of convergence between areas that are mineral and forest-rich and areas that are arenas for tribal deprivation and Left-wing extremist violence.” She also called for “fundamental innovations” in mineral resources and forest management.
Addressing the meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), Gandhi said the government was planning a commission of enquiry and a mining regulatory authority.
Linking the issue of illegal mining to deprivation of tribals, Gandhi, who now heads the social sector watchdog National Advisory Council (NAC), added that “protecting the rights of tribals and ensuring their livelihood are central to bringing about an end to their exploitation and sense of alienation”.
Inflation top priority
Just as the Prime Minister mentioned in his Independence Day speech, the UPA chairperson too, said at the CPP meeting that controlling inflation remained the “top priority”. “Sometimes, there is simply no option but to raise the prices, as in the case of petroleum products some weeks ago. In spite of that, a constant vigil has to be maintained. The cooperation of the state governments is essential,” said Gandhi.
