Manmohan Singh changes tack, wants ministers to be pro active

With Baba Ramdev ending his fast, the government is now gearing up to deal with a number of serious political issues. If prime minister Manmohan Singh decided to stay put in the capital during the scorching heat to clear the huge back-log, Congress president Sonia Gandhi decided to go on a vacation and return by the mid-week only.  The Cabinet Committee on Parliament (CCP) will be meeting here on Tuesday to take a decision on convening of the parliament’s monsoon session.  Sources told the DNA that the session will be held from July 20-21.

The government is fully conscious of the fact that Swami Ramdev may have been put in his place in Haridwar and Team-Anna Hazare may be on the back-foot too, the issue of corruption in high places and Lokpal will have to be addressed effectively. The prime minister has directed the Group of Ministers on Media to take pro-active steps to communicate government’s view point on black money, Lokpal and other sensitive issues. Until now, the GoM is only explaining issues raised by others and has been on the defensive.

Sources say that a massive publicity blitz on this front is likely to be launched during the coming weeks and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will provide the much-needed input. The government is also toying with the idea of coming out with some “disclosures” on the black money to erase the impression that whatever it is doing it is because of the pro-active judiciary. With regard to Lokpal, the PM is keen for a nationwide debate whether the office of the PM and judiciary be included in the ambit of the Lokpal.

The PM is in the process of re-constituting his council of ministers to strengthen this message further. He has taken note of the comments made by defence minister AK Antony recently who had gone on record that “Netas, Babus and others are thwarting transparency revolution taking place in the country.”