Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Apr 24: “Even though the entire world is reeling under economic recession, because of the efficient governance provided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India has been able to face the downslide effectively and recording progress. Because of this phenomenon, entire world is getting up and taking notice of India and heaping praises on it,” said union minister Oscar Fernandes.

Addressing the media men at Bajagoly near here on Thursday April 23, Oscar said the late Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, brought stability to the country's economy by nationalizing banks. This step enabled even the poor people to achieve economic progress. After the union government implemented the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, unemployed rural people are getting employment for 100 days every year, thereby reducing migration to cities. The government has waived farm loans to the extent of Rs 70,000 crore. Agriculture, industry and several other sectors are showing progress. In the elections held in the recent past in several places, because of its good administration, people have chosen Congress candidates in majority of the places, he claimed.

He criticized state chief minister B S Yeddyurappa for making tall claims of developing the state on the lines of Gujarat and then engineering pub and church attacks instead. Answering a question, he said the union government has decided, apart from extending technical and financial assistance to curb naxal menace, to consider enacting laws towards this end.

Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha candidate Jayaprakash Hegde has a unique personality and his victory is assured, Oscar felt. M A Gafoor, Aveline Louis, Shekhar Madiwal, Bipin Chandra Pal, Annappa Salins, Vivekanand Shenoy etc were present.

Oscar was scheduled to address the people between 1 and 4 pm. Other leaders addressed the people, awaiting his arrival. By the time he came, it was well past 4 pm. Hence, Oscar addressed the pressmen instead of the public.