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3. PDS (Public Distribution System)

The PDS, which was a source of relief to the poor, has been neglected and the concept of rationing has been marginalized. It is strange that thousands of tons of food grains are rotting in the godowns of FCI, whereas lakhs of people especially those belonging to the tribal areas and weaker sections are left to starve. It is disheartening to find that the Government does not consider it their responsibility to feed or provide means of livelihood to the starving millions. The much publicized "Work for Food" programme is a Non-Starter.

4. Neglect of Welfare Measures

As the Government is assessing every department with a commercial approach, the welfare measures are relegated to the background. Food, employment, education, health care and social security measures are all being sidelined from the priority lists. The people are left to fend for themselves.

Primary education, which has been made one of the fundamental rights, is dealt with in a halfhearted way. No serious steps to impart compulsory Primary Education within a stipulated time frame are being taken. In lakhs of villages in the country, there are no school buildings, no regular teachers, no furniture, no teaching aids, and no funds to run the school. This Convention therefore calls upon the Government to give top priority to education and health in view of the fact that the greatest development activity of the country is the development of the child, the child's mind and brain, which forms the base for the future development of the country.

Many states like Rajasthan are reeling under drought. Many states are facing acute scarcity of water for drinking as well as for irrigation. Schemes aimed at providing employment to the millions of youth are only on paper.

5. Women

The Nationalist Congress party reaffirms its commitment to work for empowerment of women. The Party supports the constitutional amendment for providing one-third representation for women in the Parliament and in the State Legislative bodies.

6. Youth

The youth constitute about one third of the population of the country. The most serious concern of the youth today is unemployment. It causes them frustration and drives them to violence.

While unemployment is a big problem, employ ability is a bigger problem. Therefore there is an urgent need to impart and enhance skill development so that the youth can go for self-employment.

The NCP is determined to involve the youth in several constructive programmes, like adult literacy, especially functional literacy, universalisation of elementary education, elimination of child labour practices, environmental protection, campaign against drug addiction etc. As the youth are to be future national leaders, the NCP will conduct massive programme of leadership training. The Convention calls upon the youth of the country to join the Nationalist Congress Party.

7. Peace talks with Pakistan:

This Convention welcomes the initiative taken by the Prime Minister to normalize diplomatic relations with Pakistan. It may be remembered that NCP President, Shri Sharad Pawar, Shri Praful Patel and Dr. Farooq Abdullah had met Shri Vajpayee and requested him to take the initiative for talks even before the PM made the formal announcement. NCP extends all support for the peace initiative of the Prime Minister and requests him to resume purposeful talks with Pakistan broadly on the lines of the Simla Agreement so that normalcy and peace can be restored in the sub-continent.

8. Iraq:

It is with regret we note the developments in Iraq. However, in view of the excellent relations between the people of Iraq and India, our country should engage itself in the process of re-construction of the country so that our Iraqi brothers and sisters may have a good future under their own legitimate government.

9. Viable Alternative:

Congress (I), which is the main opposition party has proved to be a failure to provide an alternative both in the Parliament and outside. Their inability to coordinate other opposition parties to grill the government on vital issues was glaring. But still at one point of time there was a move from the Congress (I) to coordinate the approach of opposition parties in the Parliament. But they seem not to be inclined to continue the line thereafter.

Their hesitation to act when opportunities knocked at their doors to dislodge the BJP-BSP government in Uttar Pradesh virtually stabilised the government, which was cracking down by defections in the BJP. It was again the perverted approach of the Congress (I) in having rejected the open offer of the NCP to cooperate with all secular parties including Congress (I) in Gujarat assembly elections that paved the way for the return of Modi Government in Gujarat.

They are also not realistic in their assessment of political situation. I hey should have known that days of single party rule in India is gone and that at least for some more years to come, India will have only coalition governments. Even though the anti-incumbency factor had helped Congress(l) to come to power in some states, the people do not reckon Congress(I) as an alternative to BJP for the main reason that Congress(I) is not acceptable to the great majority of the people of this country as the National Alternative.

Thus a viable National Alternative, the people are looking for, is yet to emerge.

The Convention congratulates the people for the support they have extended to our party and calls upon them to come forward and assist the party in our endeavour to establish a society, where there will be no exploitation, starvation, unemployment or poverty. This Party pledges itself to get rid of the communal and fascist regime at the Centre.

The Nationalist Congress Party will endeavour to work towards dislodging the BJP-NDA Government and intensify our efforts to bring about better coordination amongst like-minded secular parties.