New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Praful Patel Saturday said the government has failed to defend its own policies, which has "cost the country" and the UPA government dear.

“We failed to defend our policies. We ended up not defending our policies itself. Look at the 2G and the coal issue. Especially we failed to defend the allocation of coal itself per se. We should have been bold enough to say a spade a spade. The net result is we have lost a couple of years and it has cascading effect,” he said in an interactive session organised by FICCI at the chamber's 86th annual general meeting.

He said the government and the bureaucracy should work hand-in-hand.

Regarding the execution of policies, he added: “Last three years we have lost direction some way and that have cost politically UPA (United Progressive Alliance) very expensive and it has also cost the country.”

He, however, talked about correcting the perception and added: “There is more clarity and decisiveness in the way we want to look forward. There has been a great positivity. The government's way forward is very very clear.”