Cong-JDS panel adopts draft report on common minimum programme

A draft report on the Common Minimum Programme, including loan waiver, was today 'unanimously' adopted by a committee of ruling JDS-Congress coalition in Karnataka.

The committee was expected to submit its report, that incoporates salient features from the manifestoes of both parties, to the coalition coordination committee tomorrow.

The coordination committee is slated to meet on Sunday and expected to approve the report afterdiscussion.

"We have unanimously adopted a report which will be presented to the coordination committee... it includes the crop loan waiver both from the cooperative and commercial sector," drafting committee member and senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the third meeting of the committee here.

"This demonstrates the fact that for another five years the bond will be cemented both between Congress and JD(S), and there will not be any hiccups whatsoever in implementing the programmes for another five years," he said.

This was the final meeting of the drafting committee on the common minimum programme, he said adding the draft would be submitted to the coordination committee probably tomorrow.

The coordination committee of the JDS-Congresshad appointed the drafting committee to prepare the CMP.

While revenue minister R V Deshpande and water resources minister D K Shivkumar are the other two members from Congress along with Moily, JD(S) is represented by PWD minister H D Revanna and Cooperation Minister Bandeppa Kashempur.

Moily saidthe draft had been prepared balancing both the Congress and JD(S) manifestos and keeping in mind what needs to be implemented in the next five years.

"...regarding the loan waiver keeping in mind the financial situation, coordination committee will discuss on how to goabout it, and recommend it to the Chief Minister forimplementation," he said.

He also said all the flagship programmes of the previous Congress government would continue.

Asked whether they have laid down the priorities for the government, Moily, who had earlier headed the Congress' manifesto committee ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, said "that is for the government to decide.We cannot interfere."
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Parameshwara said "it has been decided to continue the programmes of the previous government, but if there are any programmes that may cause financial burden it may be reconsidered, for now they will all continue."