Cong Trying to Silence Oppositions’ Voice against Corruption– Sushma

Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/VA)

Mangalore, Apr 30: Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition at the press conference here strongly condemned the attitude of DMK and Congress members with regard to their opposition to the draft report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the 2G spectrum scam.

She said that it is nothing but disrespect to the democracy. The congress government is trying to wipe out the voice raised against corruption by the opposition party and the people.  In particular she criticized Prime minister Manmohan Singh and telecom minister Kapil Sibal for rejecting the draft report of PAC.

She dismissed the allegations levelled against PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi that he was responsible for the leakage of the report to the media saying it is "baseless”.

National Fishermen Conference's Valedictory

Swaraj was in city today mainly to attend the valedictory ceremony of Fishermen National Convention (West Coast.   She urged the central government to work on safe release of the imprisoned Indian fishermen as they are struggling in the jails of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

She said as many as 267 fishermen are hostage of Pakistan jail and more than 150 are suffering in Sri Lanka jails. Thus many such fishermen of India are leading miserable life there. The joint working group which was formed to ensure the safety and security of fishermen has not been calling up any meetings; she lamented and said the group has also not come forward to hold dialogue with Pakistan.

Adding further she said that just like how agricultural loans enjoy relief on its repayment, even fishermen’ loan should be dissolved. Agriculturists get loan at 4% interest, fishermen too have to be availed the loan at the same percentage of interest, she added.

BJP state president K S Eshwarappa presided. MP Nalin Kumar, Dy speaker N Yogish Bhat, Padmanabha Kottari among others were present.

Issues like environment pollution; reduction in the catch, social and economic problems of the fishermen was discussed thoroughly in the convention to prepare a comprehensive report. The convention also focused on chalking out plans to solve the problems of the fishermen.