M A I N   N E W S

PM flays Oppn for stalling House proceedings
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 24
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hit out at the Opposition parties for stalling proceedings of Parliament and termed it as a “matter of deep concern” that a discussion on the President’s address was not allowed.

“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”, the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation.

Interestingly, the Prime Minister steered clear from making any reference to the Opposition’s charge of inducting “tainted” persons in his Council of Ministers. The short session of Parliament after the assumption of office by the UPA government was marked by acrimonious scenes with the BJP-led Opposition training its guns on the government for inducting ministers with alleged criminal records.

“The address of the President to Parliament outlines a comprehensive agenda for the nation to which our government is committed. The country would have benefitted if Parliament had been allowed to discuss the President’s address. I was eagerly looking forward to contributions from all parties to this discussion. Unfortunately, this was not allowed to happen”, Dr Manmohan Singh said.

Stating that Parliament is a “sacred forum”, he urged all “parties across the political spectrum to respect Parliament as an essential forum for public debate so that we can move forward on the task of nation-building which is a common goal for one and all”.

SNIPPETS

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today placed on record the nation’s deep sense of gratitude and pride in the valour, professionalism and spirit of sacrifice of the armed forces.

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Dr Manmohan Singh said his government would adopt a comprehensive approach on the issue of national security, to create greater synergy between intelligence agencies, closer coordination between internal security structures, more efficient civil-military interface and more effective harnessing of technology to national security management.

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The Prime Minister shared the feelings of well-meaning citizens expressing pained concern over the decline of morals and ethics in public life. He urged them to come forward and play an active role in the nation’s public affairs for capturing the spirit of idealism and sacrifice which characterised the high noon of the country’s freedom struggle.

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Travelling across the country, he said he was heartened at the increasing number of idealistic people he meets who work with voluntary organisations, empowering the dispossessed and the disfranchised.

Govt to continue talks with Hurriyat: PM
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 24
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today that the government would continue the process of dialogue with the Hurriyat and all other groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The government is willing to talk to all disaffected groups provided they shun the path of violence,” he observed in his maiden address to the nation.

Dr Manmohan Singh said his government would adopt a comprehensive approach to the problem of national security by creating greater synergy between intelligence agencies.