CHENNAI, Feb 4: The Tamil Maanila Congress was in favour of maintaining the current pace of economic reforms, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who is also the party's manifesto committee chairman, said on Tuesday.Speaking to media persons at the release of the party's manifesto, he denied that multi-national corporations (MNCs) had been allowed free entry into the country. Ninety per cent of their investment was in the infrastructure and core sector, while only ten per cent related to the `soft' sector. Even the soft sector generated employment.
To a question on whether the disinvestment commission had now been reduced to an advisory body, he said a panel of secretaries headed by the cabinet secretary had been constituted to monitor the pace of disinvestment. No disinvestment would be done without the specific recommendation of the commission. Again, none of the commission's recommendations had been turned down by the government, he added.
SAFEGUARDS AGAINST MISUSE OF ART 356: In itsmanifesto, the TMC promises to provide adequate safeguards to prevent misuse of Article 356 of the Constitution which empowers the President to dismiss State Governments.
The manifesto, which says that the party will strive for a prosperous and strong Tamil Nadu, adds that it would work towards the formation of a government at the Centre comprising of political parties that were not communal.
The party would strive to amend the Constitution to ensure devolution of more financial powers to the States and the local bodies. The TMC's objective was to ensure education to all.
On the Cauvery issue, the party would attempt to ensure the rightful allocation of Cauvery water to the State. The manifesto called for linking major southern rivers and nationalisation of all rivers.
The TMC would support the Lok Pal bill intended to eradicate corruption as the party itself was born out of its fight against corruption, the manifesto said. The AIADMK was wearing the mask of the BJP as it was unable to show itscorrupt face to the electorate.
In the next five years, the TMC has advocated the implementation of two projects: developmental works in villages at the cost of Rs 1,000 crore from the Rural Development Infrastructural Fund and increase by 50 per cent the storage capacity in the waterways in the State.
The TMC has promised to implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and guide the Central government in the interest of Tamils if voted to power.
Meanwhile, TMC president GK Moopanar said on Tuesday that Sonia Gandhi did not hit out at him or his party in her campaign speeches.
Speaking to media persons after releasing the party's election manifesto, he said that in her speeches, she had merely criticised Rajiv's assassins and the parties that had aided the assassination. ``I know who the parties are and so do you (media persons).
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
