http://www.congressmedia.net/rss2 Connect with Congress Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:43:24 GMT Copyright 2008, Indian National Congress en-us :Title: Monday, 08 Mar 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the Women's Reservation Bill is a subject where the only question is when and not if. It is an idea whose time has come and the inevitable cannot be postponed despite all the churlish attempts to the contrary. :Info: =================================== Press Briefing Monday, 8th Mar 2010 =================================== **Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.** Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the Women's Reservation Bill is a subject where the only question is when and not if. It is an idea whose time has come and the inevitable cannot be postponed despite all the churlish attempts to the contrary. Something which would and should have made India, Indian womanhood and Indian democracy proud, is being turned by a bare handful of persons into the shame of democracy. The Congress party condemns it; the Congress party characterizes it as deplorable and denigratable. It is a clear reflection of the true approach and thinking of these handfuls of persons and that thinking which stands exposed that 'mansikta' brings shame on Indian democracy on the proud name of Indian parliament but we shall not give up, we shall and we will overcome each barrier and each bastion is surely falling, giving way and the few people who stand up to oppose this, realize the impact and the force of public opprobrium of public denigration. In particular, we condemn in the strongest possible words the shameful conduct of climbing on the dais and virtually attacking even the Chair. The Indian democracy is shamed by such incidents. Even the chair is not sacrosanct. But as I said such actions only expose the actors and they shall not be able to postpone the inevitable. To a question if the Congress party is doubtful of the passage of this Bill, Shri Singhvi said that obviously before cameras, he cannot give any guarantees or any absolute statements. We are after all functioning within the constraints of the democracy in the temple of democracy namely Parliament. Shri Singhvi said that there is very rarely if ever that in one day the House has met in full numbers and this applies to both the Houses after not one, not two, not three but four adjournments. After all that shows the true intent, the true grit, determination and the will to do something. So, as far as the intention, the desire and the determination are concerned, no one but no one can bear any doubt. As far as transforming it into reality is concerned, everyone understands the constraints of democracy, the fact that balances have to be struck where a constitutional amendment is involved on the issues and the need for discussion on voting so on and so forth. It is only a question of time and time is very short. On another related question as if there is any opposition in the form of sub quota or some reduced quota, Shri Singhvi said that we have been engaging them and as we speak, there is another engagement going on. The question is that counter proposal has to come from them. Their approach is not one of nitty-gritty or counter proposal as you are putting in. There is absolute 'no-go' and absolute obstructive attitude and absolute barrier to be created physically. So in a sense your question is hypothetical and completely speculative. On the question of the BJP's statement that there does not appear to be any road map, Shri Singhvi said that he would prefer not to comment on such issues for the simple reason that there are very rare occasions where there is broad spectrum degree of unanimity on the need for the Bill. Let us not say or do anything to dilute or affect that unity. Shri Singhvi further said that the road map is simple. Road maps sometimes complicate things if the road maps are complicated. The road map is, this bill has to be passed. Some way is being found, some way will be found. It is a question of time and the time is very short. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/08mar2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/08mar2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:42:20 GMT :Title: Wednesday, 03 Mar 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 03 Mar 2010. :Info: ======================================= Press Briefing Wednesday, 03rd Mar 2010 ======================================= .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-1.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-2.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-3.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/03mar2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/03mar2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:14:08 GMT :Title: Thursday, 25 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 25 Feb 2010. :Info: ====================================== Press Briefing Thursday, 25th Feb 2010 ====================================== .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/25feb2010-1.gif .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/25feb2010-2.gif http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/25feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/25feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:16:08 GMT :Title: Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 24 Feb 2010. :Title: Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 24 Feb 2010. :Info: ======================================= Press Briefing Wednesday, 24th Feb 2010 ======================================= .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/24Feb2010-1.gif :width: 650 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/24Feb2010-2.gif :width: 650 :height: 750 http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/24feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/24feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:00:30 GMT :Title: Monday, 22 Feb 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that today is the first day of Parliament in this year and of the Parliament's longest session and the first day is the President's address which is the statement by the Government of the day of its various programmes, policies and intention and the Government of the day is a Congress Party led UPA Government and is, therefore, very much a declaration of the Congress Party and the UPA's programmes, policies and intentions. :Info: ==================================== Press Breifing Monday, 22nd Feb 2010 ==================================== **Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.** Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that today is the first day of Parliament in this year and of the Parliament's longest session and the first day is the President's address which is the statement by the Government of the day of its various programmes, policies and intention and the Government of the day is a Congress Party led UPA Government and is, therefore, very much a declaration of the Congress Party and the UPA's programmes, policies and intentions. It is a declaration for the year and for the full 5 years of elected governance. It is a declaration which is intended and especially at the beginning of the first year of a new Government in a sense last year, the budget session was before the election. It is in that sense setting of the tone, the tenor, the direction. the content and the momentum and the pace for the year and for the term and for both Executive work and legislative programmes. It shows our firm unequivocal resolve to deal with each burning issue of the day candidly, transparently and openly. They include diverse issues. They include price rise, food inflation, as you may call, terror and security, inclusive governance but the basic object is to discuss and to invite criticism and discussion of those issues which will propel India on a path to irreversible growth and progress to meet our goals for 2020 and for 2050. Shri Singhvi said that I would like to submit on behalf of the Congress party that we are proud that our programme is unique. It is comprehensive and inclusive. You have before you the President?s address and its range is wide and all inclusive. We will deal with terror with the firmest of resolve and determination. That applies to external terror as well as international fermented terror or violence or other serious disturbance. Our resolve to beat the so-called economic crisis has already shown unprecedented results in comparison to other countries of the world. Our resolve to meet our commitments and promises is reflected in the Armed Forces Bill and the Tribunal and when you have all the statistics for NREGA, Electricity and Bharat Nirman, Housing and so on and so forth. The real point is that these are the programmes which are available for you to test us on, to examine us on and to question us on. These are not mere pious declarations but concrete specific statements with facts and figurers. It is the obligation of each Member of Parliament irrespective of political color and shade to strive to fulfill this agenda because ultimately this agenda is not political but for the people of India and it is our obligation and bounded duty to convert it into reality. If we fail, we not only fail ourselves, as India's Apex Parliament but we fail the people of India. On the question of price rise as contained in Para 7 of the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that the Government, through the President's address in Para 7 & 8 and Para 8 is the longer more detailed paragraph has laid down a complete set of resolves, determination, action and concrete measures. It is true and that is what is stated in Para 7 that when you have inclusive governance, you need to have Public Expenditure programmes of a massive and an unusual kind. It is also true that when you have massive Public Expenditure programme, you are bound to infuse monetary liquidity in the system. A certain amount of monetary liquidity leads to inflation but that is not the whole story. That is the beginning of the story and we are not deterred by the fact that in economics, we are not deterred that we will not do such inclusive programmes. The challenge is how to achieve these inclusive programmes and also how to maintain the deficit also to completely contain the food inflation and after that statement you find a substance in Para 8. On a further question that there was no mention of Naxalism in the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that you are not correct. There is a general address on all forms of violence, terrorism, domestic and external; in particular, apart from mentioning Pune, there was a mention that Left Wing extremism continues to indulge in senseless violence as in their recent attacks in West Bengal where a large number of innocent lives have been lost. These cowardly acts strengthen our resolve to challenge posed by such violence. Our Government has also given a call to Left Wing extremists to abjure violence and come for talks. On a further related question over the statement of Mamata Banerjee, Shri Singhvi said that it is a totally different question. You do not need to fish in troubled waters because the Government's decision is the decision announced by the Government of the day. Individual Ministers are entitled to their view and each view may be entitled to weight and respect but ultimately it becomes only a point of discussion. What emerges from the Cabinet as the final declaration is the policy of this Government. It is not the view, comment or opinion of any Minister. There could be different perceptions on this violence and indeed in a healthy democracy there ought to be and there are. Nobody is suggesting that clone like everybody is having the same view. We are very strongly telling you that the view of the Government is what comes out and that position remains unaltered as far as policy, implementation and policy declaration is concerned. You have a certain policy of dealing with naxal violence. It is the policy announced not only by the Home Ministers but others also. If anybody has a different view, it does not make any difference to that policy. In particular policy remains the same. We are going to be extremely firm, strong and determined but equally we are told that if you stop it as quickly as 72 hours, we are here to talk with you. That is the straight forward candid, unambiguous statement which holds the field and there is no reason for you to harper on individual statements. On another question of climate change, Shri Singhvi said that you should be aware that there is not an occasion for the Congress party to respond. That could be an individual view for a person concerned. We do not agree that there is any change in the basic Government policy. It stands declared. It has been declared even after Copenhagen on the floor of the Parliament and I prefer to believe and stand only by that and not by what I read in the press. On the question that there is no mention of Telengana in the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that on the contrary it is being shown in the priority list and it has gone on a path of commission. On the question of the statement of BJP that they will not allow discussion on any other issue unless price rise is discussed, Shri Singhvi said that whether and in what sequence there will be a discussion is something for the Government to announce and you will have that decision either through the Parliamentary Affairs Minister or the Government. We are fully ready for discussion on anything under the sun within the rules of the House. Is it not a sterile or a futile controversy to insist that before a discussion on the President's address which is traditionally and conventionally an established rule of the House, you should have an item out of sequence. It does not really matter because neither Parliament nor the MPs are going to run away. So whether it is one day before or one day later, let it not be an excuse for obstruction or delay for the walkouts, for disruptions for boycotts. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/22feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/22feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:54:54 GMT :Title: Friday, 19 Feb 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that earlier from this podium I had occasion to mention that imitation is the best form of flattery. :Title: Friday, 19 Feb 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that earlier from this podium I had occasion to mention that imitation is the best form of flattery. :Info: ==================================== Press Breifing Friday, 19th Feb 2010 ==================================== **Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.** Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that earlier from this podium I had occasion to mention that imitation is the best form of flattery. News report suggests that the BJP, without quite admitting it, is indulging in flattery by imitation except they are doing it while in the same breath ridiculing Congress Party. I am referring to the new found love for the dalits, their new declarations and love for the depressed classes. This is the same BJP which did not take any penal or punitive action against a senior member of its party Arun Shourie when he wrote a book demolishing several fundamental principles a great man like Ambedkar stood for. This is the party which recently has officially opposed the issue of reservation for converted dalits. I am only commenting on the hypocrisy. Recently their senior leader Mr. Joshi has categorically said that he opposes any reservation being granted for those who convert from the Hindu religion to any other religion. This is the party which believes and has always run with the hare and hunted with the hound. As the news report suggests they seem to say that when the Congress Party does it, it is photo opportunity, when the BJP does it, it is sincerity. What can be more hypocritical than this? I ask you, is it possible for the BJP to preach to anyone much less than the Congress Party on this subject? It is the Congress Party which has historically been the rainbow of coalitions for over 100 years and the backbone of that coalition was the dalits - whether 100 years, 80 years ago, 60 years or now. It is the Congress Party which has stood for Dalit Indian head of the State. It is the Congress Party which has the judiciary headed by a dalit. It is the Congress which has the first dalit woman speaker. It is the Congress which has in words, in action, in spirit and in letter stood for this concept, for this movement and we are not here to justify it or flaunt it. We are only commenting on the double-facedness and hypocrisy of the BJP which has done this for nothing else but cheap electoral gain and crude favour seeking for votes alone and we have absolutely no doubt that the intelligent and mature electorate of this country will reject it with a resounding rejection. Shri Singhvi said that we now enter the longest Parliament session - budget session - and I want to, through you, draw the attention of the nation and in particular our other political party friends especially the opposition. Although we do tend to take our Democracy for granted, it requires ever- zealous and over-precious action and reminders to keep the flame of Democracy burning. In that process Parliament is the heart and soul of the democracy. It is the grand inquest of the nation. We have several important issues. The issues may be Government issues and there may be issues which do not suit the Government at all. I am only saying that this is the time and the place to discus them vigorously, objectively and fairly, but never disruptively. We will discuss Internal Security, Naxals, Terror and Pune. We should discuss Indo-Pak talks and we shall also discuss the humble Brinjal. We should discuss fertilizer pricing and we should discuss the price rise but the crucial word is 'discuss' and the discussion happens only if you do not have the other word 'disrupt'. We hope and trust that the opposition will remember that basic temple of democracy theme. We hope and trust the opposition will co-operate in the passage of legislative agenda which is rich and diverse. I am reminding you of the 11th Reservation Bill - a long pending promise - and also many others like the National Green Tribunal Bill; Communal Violence Bill, Mines and Mineral Research and Development Bill and some items which in fact have been passed by the Lok Sabha but could not be taken up in the last Rajya Sabha e.g. Commercial Division of the High Court. So you have part done legislative agenda, you have a full to-do legislative agenda and you have discussion topics. The crucial thing is that although we did better in the last few sessions in terms of less wastage of time and more productive interaction, we have to strive to make it even better and that striving must involve all sections of each House. On the question of decisions taken in the yesterday's cabinet committee meeting with regard to hike in the urea price and subsidy on other products, Shri Singhvi said that the cabinet decision is unanimous. Factually and constitutionally India and the Indian cabinet speaks in unison. He further said that within the cabinet, we have free and frank discussion and have vigorous dissent and that is the essence of the democracy which we should have, but when a decision is taken in the cabinet. It is the decision of the Government of India. We have no hesitation in saying that what has ultimately emerged after a long detailed in-depth deliberative process is the win-win situation. Urea remains controlled and a modest 10% increase has happened after 8 years. More important is that the choice of farmer has significantly expanded. Previously the subsidy was available for only 15 controlled items. That meant that producers will produce only those 15 controlled items and there was no incentive to produce better fertilizer which is more effective and more efficient. Today the new policy gives subsidy according to the nutrient content and the nutrient quality of several fertilizers is much better today than in the old product. So now you will get subsidy according to the better nutrient content you are able to provide in the fertilizer. That will save us around Rs. 45,000 crore per year along with giving you better fertilizer and giving the farmers more choices. It is a win- win situation and it will ultimately translate into a very positive productive result for the Indian agriculture. To another question related to the statement of Advani, Shri Singhvi said that Mr. Advani is again living in his dream world. He would wish for election every week because he wants a fresh opportunity every week as he is the perennial PM in waiting. He does not realize that even if we announce monthly elections, his dream of becoming the Prime Minister would never be fulfilled. As far as security issue is concerned, he has been unfair to the Union Home Minister and he has been doubly unfair because he himself was the Union Home Minister. He has used four or five very precise calibrated words. It is the policy which is yet to evolve. It will be subject to heavy and very precise restrictions in terms of identification and in terms of selection, separation and in terms of documentation. If you pass all those tests and you are able to come back to what is the Indian part of the Kashmir although the whole of Kashmir including POK by a parliamentary resolution remains India's. Mr. Advani should stop fishing in troubled waters and should look back on his own tenure as Union Home Minister which was marked by a series of unbelievably tragic terror incidents and by virtually no other innovative initiative. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/19feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/19feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:06:52 GMT