Name: PM breaks silence on scams, offers no answers
Uploaded: 2011-02-16T11:10:39+05:30
Description: Singh categorically stated that despite the scams, he never thought of quitting.

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New Delhi: Finally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke his silence, only to sound less than convincing about his own effectiveness in containing corruption within his administration. Harping repeatedly on the need for compromises in managing coalitions, he virtually admitted that many decisions, possibly dubious, were taken by individual ministers and officials without the full participation of the Cabinet. 
 
In an open house session with the media, Singh answered a wide range of tough questions on the scams besieging the UPA administration, his handling and personal response to the continuing discovery of corruption, and the prospects of his party in the forthcoming state elections. 
 
Singh said that the media has drawn the country's attention to aberrations to allocation of 2G spectrum, Commonwealth Games and developments in Adarsh society affairs while addressing the editors of top news channels in New Delhi on Wednesday. 
 
"Media has important role in these issues which require corrective action. Government is dead serious in booking the wrongdoers however high they may be. An impression has gone out that we are a scam-driven country. In the process we are weakening the confidence of the people of the country. It's not in the interest of any body in the country," said the Prime Minister. 
 
When asked why A Raja was re-inducted into the Cabinet even after allegations started to surface about the 2G spectrum scam, he replied, "Complaints were coming in but I was not in a position to make up my mind if anything was seriously wrong." 
 
"In a letter that I wrote to Raja on November 2, 2007, I listed a number of concerns and it should be looked into in a fair manner. I also asked him on possibility of auction of spectrum in a fair and legal manner. Raja responded to me by saying that I have been absolutely transparent in my dealings and assured me that nothing wrong will happen. On auction, he told me that it has not been suggested by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). I told Raja in my letter in 2007 the numbers of concerns expressed by telecom companies. I asked him to look into the issues and ensure that they are dealt with fair, equitable manner. I wanted to tell him the possibility of auctioning spectrum. Raja wrote back to me and told me that 'I have been transparent in my dealings, I have done nothing and will do nothing which is against the promise I have made'," he added. 
 
Reply to the question on the policy adopted for allocation of 2G spectrum, he said that neither the TRAI not the Telecom Commission advised on allowing auction of spectrum. 
 
"TRAI's advice and Telecom Commission's advice was that auction is not the way forward. Initially the Finance Ministry did ask for a high price of spectrum. After discussions it was agreed that as far as 2G is concerned we should remain with the existing system (first come first serve policy). This is why I didn't proceed further with the pricing of spectrum," he claimed. 
 
He blamed the Opposition for disrupting Parliament and hoped that they would allow the Budget Session to function properly. 
 
"Parliament has not been able to function, for reason I am not able to understand. Hope next session is orderly. Talks are going on with Opposition parties to ensure that whatever our differences are, Parliament should be allowed to function normally," he said. 
 
Refuting talks of stepping down in the wake of various scams, Singh said, "I never felt like resigning. I have a job to do. We have lot of unfinished job to complete." 
 
"I am not afraid of appearing before any committee. I have publicly declared that I am ready to appear any committee including the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee). It is an entirely wrong impression that I did not want to appear before the JPC. As Prime Minister my conduct too should be scrutinised," he added. 
 
He also admitted that a coalition government has some limitations. 
 
"I am conscious of my responsibility. Ours is a coalition government and a coalition dharma has to be followed. Some compromises have to be made in managing coalition government," he said. 
 
He asked the media to also focus on the positive aspects of the Government. 
 
"My special message to media we must not excessively focus on negative issues. You have my assurance that wherever corrective action needs to be taken it will be taken. Let us work together to revitalise the spirit of self confidence, we have credible mechanism to overcome the problems 
 
Touching on the global financial crisis, inflation, Naxalism and terrorism, the Prime Minister said that the UPA Government has been taking the job of governing the country very seriously 
 
"We are here to govern seriously, tackle the problem seriously and to take the country forward. Our economy is in good shape and there will be 8.5 per cent growth this fiscal year. The way India has tackled the international finance crisis deserves credit. Inflation, food inflation is a problem we want to deal in such a way that growth is not disturbed. We could have dealt with it seriously, but in the process growth process could have been hurt. We are trying to deal with it with (but) some instruments are not in our control," he said. 
 
Singh hoped that inflation would come down to around 7 per cent by the end of the year and added that India would succeed in dealing with the issue despite adverse international environment. 
 
"This fiscal year, all top leaders of 5 permanent Security Council have visited our country, which has never happened. Wherever i go, people marvel that there is a country like India. Whatever our own domestic weaknesses, we shouldn't create an atmosphere where country should lose confidence. India as a whole has to march forward," he said. 
 
If the media interaction was an attempt by the Prime Minister to show his critics who believe that silence over a extended period is a proof of guilt he only seems to be partly succeeded. Singh made it very clear that he is not going to quit and he will last the course. He defended himself both on the 2G scam and the stand that he has taken on various other controversies. 
 
Even though he said that he was "dead serious" to punish the wrongdoers involved in corruption but at the same time the signs of weaknesses did emerge whenever he was asked questions about why he didn't take any tough act against corruption but allowed Raja to continue as telecom minister. 
 
He said certain compromises have to be made in a coalition government admitting that even the Prime Minister has some limitations.

PM breaks silence on scams, offers no answers

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Singh categorically stated that despite the scams, he never thought of quitting.

PM breaks silence on scams, offers no answers

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