NEW DELHI, Feb 5: The Janata Dal said on Thursday that it would block any move to open up the insurance sector to foreign companies and restrict foreign investment to only areas like infrastructure.The manifesto of the Dal, released by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and party leader Madhu Dandavate, promised to take a balanced approach towards globalisation and liberalisation to foster indigenous development of industry and the need to provide employment for the youth.
The manifesto, which is a replica of the United Front Common Minimum Programme, said gradual globalisation of the Indian economy wherever needed, food security, higher investments in research and development and technology and building up defence capabilities were "pillars of self-reliance to be used as shield against position of helplessness."
According top priority to cottage, small-scale industries and allowing certain items exclusively for the sector, the manifesto laid stress on modernisation of industries to improvequality.
The party promised that it would strengthen the public sector through reforms and improve the efficiency and functioning of these units by providing real autonomy. The disinvestment programme would be redesigned and investment would be "largely indigenous privatisation".The manifesto promised a new deal for the agricultural sector, including remunerative prices for agriculture produce, compensation scheme of Rs 50,000 to any farmer dying during agriculture operations and linking of all rivers to bring more areas under irrigation.
The party announced that it would launch a massive programme for utilising all available water resources for irrigation with 50 per cent soft loan from the Centre to the state governments.For perishable agricultural items, it promised "factory on wheels" to ensure quick sale and exports.
Each state horticultural department would be given five units of factory on wheels during the Ninth Plan period, the party said.It also promised to provide insurance for crops andcattle against natural and unforeseen calamities.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
