PM lauded for growth rate,Sonia flags ecological concerns

Noting that economic development was very decisive in terms of funding development programmes and loan waiver schemes,Congress president Sonia Gandhi said it must also be in consonance with environment.

Sonia said environmental concerns had become an issue of national existence. Drawing inspiration from Indiraji,we have to protect our unique biodiversity. We should not forget Rajivjis warning that whenever the environment is damaged,a bit of India dies. Why is it not possible to strike a balance between high growth rate for coming generations and equally necessary conservation of national heritage? she said at the AICC meeting here.

Incidentally,as long as she spoke,Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh was sitting near the dais.

Expressing concern over the rise in prices of essential commodities,Sonia said,From the jump in the stock market and high rates of private investment,one cannot gauge the difficulties that most of our countrymen have to face in their life. Bringing down inflation rate is a challenge.

She said it is as much a responsibility of the Centre as of the states,which have to act against hoarders and blackmarketeers and ensure proper functioning of the PDS. Her audience,incidentally,also included Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi later dwelt on the same theme with his common refrain about two Hindustans one that is progressing fast,and another of the poor,which is somewhat immobile (band pada hai).

Rahul said while other parties belonged to a caste,a religion or a region,the Congress is the only pan-Indian party that can link all these. People told me our party is finished in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Our party is never finished. It wakes up easily. The only way to wake it up is to talk to the poor,understand the poor and work for them, he said.

On Naxalism,Sonia said the party had always maintained that while firm police action is necessary,greater emphasis is essential on socio-economic issues.

There must be greater sensitivity to the daily concerns of tribals and other communities. Of course,these areas need to be developed but it is the nature of that development that is in question. People must have a say and they must have a stake. Destroying forests and their habitat through the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources does not necessarily bring them out of the abject poverty, she said.

Noting how the country is faced with a new situation in Jammu & Kashmir,Sonia said that a whole generation has seen nothing but violence and conflict.

This is not the future we want for them. Our sorrow for those who died does not diminish our gratitude to our security personnel who are confronted with a most difficult and delicate situation, Sonia said.

Sonia said the government had empowered a group of interlocutors as there had to be a meaningful political dialogue with all sections of society and with all regions of the state. Our Prime Minister has said on more than one occasion that the key to a permanent peace is a political solution that addresses the alienation and emotional needs of the people. As a party,we stand committed to this approach, she said.