Press Briefing Wednesday, 4th May 2011

Smt. Jayanthi Natarjan addressed the media today.

On the question of a statement on Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and whether there will be a CWC, Smt. Natarajan said we are waiting for final details. As you are aware, we have been following the news that it has not been very encouraging information so far and signs of a crash and breakage have been located but so far final identification has not yet happened. Since the final identification and confirmation has not yet happened, we will not be able to say anything until that is done. We are waiting for the same. It is very unfortunate because of the terrain and bad weather that the process has not yet been completed.

On the question of the safety of the VIPs since there have been two accidents during the last month and the reaction of the Congress party over the same, Smt. Natarajan said certainly there should be some introspection regarding the safety of all helicopters that are used in this way including Pawan Hans. We should understand why this has happened but I would not like to say anything further without understanding the factors behind this particular crash. To say further without identification, would be premature and that is why I am exercising restraint in making any further remarks.

On another question on the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of Arun Jaitley of BJP that government should rethink its foreign policy including Pakistan, Smt. Natarajan said there has always been considerable concern in government over the terror that has emanated from Pakistan and the terror that is sponsored and allowed to operate on Indian soil, the most well known example being 26/11 - the Mumbai terror attack - every single time, there are talks with Pakistan or any communication with Pakistan, this government has expressed its deep concern and has always said that the issue of terror remains at centre stage and the issue of stopping Pakistan sponsored terror is something that has to be addressed at the earliest before there can be any further progress in our talks and this is something that has always been of primary importance in all our talks/dialogues with Pakistan. I would request the BJP not to politicize this important issue of foreign policy where we have always operated on consensus. The BJP, when the NDA government was in power, has also made several attempts and there have been several failures. However, the UPA government has adopted a steady policy of insisting upon the elimination of terror infrastructure and we have never compromised on this. So, it would be more appropriate if the BJP and Mr. Jaitley do not politicize the sensitive issue.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of US Ambassador that action should also be taken against Mr. Geelani, Chief of Lashker-e -Taiba, Smt. Natarajan said, yes, we had been demanding that repeatedly. Even yesterday the Home Minister said that there is no reason why Pakistan should not take that action against Mr. Hafiz Saeed and those who are accused. We certainly endorse the stand of the Home Minister and the government that this action should be taken and he be apprehended as soon as possible.

Smt. Natarajan further said that the question of bilateral relations itself is something that is predicated upon the fact that we insist that all infrastructure of terror unleashed from Pakistan must be stopped. Otherwise there cannot be normal progress of bilateral talks. Time and again, we have reiterated that there can be no normal dialogue unless the infrastructure of terrorism is eliminated.

On another question that in light of neutralization of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, should Indian commandos go inside Pakistan and get hold of the accused of 26/11, Smt. Natarajan said that the stand of the Congress party is exactly the stand which the government has taken. If you have seen the news reports of the Ministry of External Affairs, the doctrine of hot pursuit, which you are advocating, is something which is in a different context for India because of the proximity of Pakistan and we will pursue our objective in our own way.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over different views in the case of Osama Bin Laden, Smt. Natarajan said I do not think there were three different viewpoints. I think we all represent the same viewpoint. We articulated it as and when they were asked for the comments. So, there is only one viewpoint and that is the same viewpoint shared by the Indian National Congress.

On the question whether should there be Indo-Pak talks in light of Osama Bin Laden’s neutralization, Smt. Natarajan said this is something for the government to take further view on this. Foreign policy is something that we operate on consensus and carry forward at a considered pace.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over Baba Ramdev going for fast over black money issue, Smt. Natarajan said government has taken all steps as has been repeatedly stated by the Finance Minister to find and eliminate to root of the menace of the black money. Regarding the account holders also, the government has taken all steps under law to prosecute them and whether they should be brought into the public domain or not, is once again governed by the laws which are in operation which the Finance Minister has been in great pains to explain. Therefore, we are of the view that the Finance Minister and the government have shown every possible concern and taken every possible action to eliminate the menace of black money.

On another question related with the likely hike in prices of petrol, Smt. Natarajan said this is something that is tied up with the international prices from time to time. However, the common man is the primary focus of the government and it will always be the recommendation and desire of the Indian National Congress that the lives of common people are not affected adversely. Regarding the price of diesel, it is a sensitive issue which will affect the lives of common people but this is something on which final view will have to be taken by the government. However, we will always desire that the ‘aam-aadmi’ is not affected by price rise and I would like you to take note of the fact price rise in the past has been controlled by effective steps taken by the central government both on the revenue as well as on the administrative side and this is a phenomena that occurs from time to time - sometimes due to monsoon and sometimes due to bad crops. Certain common factors such as hoarding, action against hoarders, Essential Commodities Act and other steps regarding export which are taken by the central government – all these steps are always been taken and the prices are being monitored. So, regarding the price hike, this is something on which a view will be taken only by the government. As far as the Congress party is concerned, we would definitely plead that the lives of the common men are not affected particularly with regard to diesel. 



(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC