LD PM 3

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister referred to
the media expose of various scams including the Commonwealth
Games, ISRO deal, Adarsh housing affairs but asked the media
not to give an image that India was a scam-driven country and
nothing good was happening.
He said that such an image would weaken the
self-confidence of the people and it would not be in the
interest of the country.
"I wish to assure the country as a whole that our
government is dead serious about bringing to book all
wrongdoers regardless of the position they occupy," he said.
Asked about his biggest regret in UPA-II, Singh referred
to "these irregularities" and said "They should not have
happened. I am not very happy about these developments".
To a specific question whether he would be ready to be
projected as Prime Ministerial candidate in the next
elections, Singh said "it is too early. We still have a long
way to go. I have to complete this term. It is too premature
to speculate who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate."
He was asked whether he was feeling bad as certain
embarrassing things were happening which were not in tune with
his nature.
"I have looked upon life as a learning and re-learning
process. It has been a great educational experience from civil
service to academic world to political world. This process of
learning, I relish that", he replied.
When told that he was an honest Prime Minister
surrounded by dishonest administration and a sense of drift
was prevailing, he said after the budget session, there will
be a restructuring and reshuffling of his cabinet.
"I will get back to the exercise once the budget session
is over", he said.
To a question on Home Minister P Chidambaram's comments
on governance deficit, he admitted, "obviously, some events
have brought out the weaknesses in governance and processes, I
think we need to improve the quality of governance. But that
does not divide me and other members of the government."
He rejected a questioner's suggestion that his
government was facing double-incumbency of attacks from the
opposition and within the party.
"I do not get that impression (party not backing him).
In a democracy, there are views and discussions and when
decisions are taken, our party stands united in support of the
government.
"I would like a cohesive party to support the government
but I am not saying it is not happening," he said.
He virtually disagreed with the CAG calculations on the
loss figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore in the 2G scam saying the
CAG itself had called it presumptive. (MORE) PTI