Economic policy with technical base needed, says Pranab

He said in case the world did not cooperate with India, it would survive on its own economy, while economies of many nations would collapse in such a situation.

He charged the BJP-led Central Government for following disastrous8217; economic policies, adding that the Pokhran tests were not the result of a 40-day miracle but its foundation stone was laid by the Congress which formulated the nation8217;s scientific policy.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led coalition, Mukherjee said the Congress alone could provide a viableand stable government which could fulfil the aspirations of the public. He called for a probe into the allegations raised by Mohan Guruswamy.

He claimed that India had become self-sufficient in foodgrain production and established itself in the field of science and technology because of the policies and programmes enunciated by the successive Congress governments.

The AICC leader called upon the youth to tackle the issues concerning the nation at the grassroots level. He also called upon them to know the stand of the Congress on various issues in order to counter the propaganda initiated by the BJP and its forces.

Indian Youth Congress president Manish Tewari, said the camp was organised to help the workers properly equipped with necessary knowledge of party working and proper know how to help in proper implementation of the party8217;s programmes.

The camp is being attended by Youth Congress office-bearers and workers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory ofChandigarh.

Earlier, Chandigarh Youth Congress president Chander Mukhi Sharma welcomed those present. Chandigarh Territorial Congress president Venod Sharma was also present at the inauguration, besides IYC secretary Jagdish Chander. The camp was also attended by Himachal YC president Sukhvinder Sukhu, Punjab YC president Devinder Babbu and Jamp;K president Yogesh Sahni.

Meanwhile, delivering a talk on instability and its impact on economy8217;, organised by Pawan Kumar Bansal at Punjab University, the former Union Minister called for an all-party common minimum economic programme boosting development in the country. He said there should be greater continuity in the economic schemes for the nation notwithstanding political changes.

Mukherjee said the nature of the common minimum economic programme could be decided later once the political parties reached at a consensus on the idea.

Quoting figures, he said that long-term national interests were being ignored when budget estimates were higher than theplanned expenditure.