PM makes rare intervention in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is usually present during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha but does not intervene. Wednesday was different.

While V Narayanasamy, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, was answering questions on nuclear plants and safety, members wanted to know India’s position on the nuclear power issue after the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown and closure. Singh took the floor and made it clear that safety is paramount and that there will be no compromise. He emphasised that India cannot give up the nuclear power option.

“I would respectfully submit that we must keep the option of having nuclear power as an additional source of power for our country,” he said.

Later, Ashwani Kumar, minister of state for planning, was answering a question on agriculture and how the government was keen on increasing the growth rate from 3.3% in the 11 Fiver-Year Plan to 4% during the 12th Five Year Plan. Radha Mohan Singh of BJP asked whether the targets of growth will be matched by allocation of resources. It was then that Singh got up once again to say, “I wish to make it clear that every effort will be made to achieve targets…targets will be matched by resources.”

He also told the House that the 12th Five Year Plan was not yet ready and that the House will have an opportunity to discuss it once it is finalised and presented.