FORMER Prime Minister Vishwanth Pratap Singh, who earlier supported the UPA Government on the nuclear agreement with United States, has now demanded ‘review’ of the agreement for the safety and security of the country, even as he suggests to the Indian government to use alcohol as an alternative source of energy along the lines of Brazil.
Slamming the United States, accusing it of trying to exploit the nuclear agreement with India to include inspection of fast reactors, the former prime minister, in an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times here, demanded ‘review’ of the agreement and scrapping it if it posed a threat to the nation’s security.
“Yes, earlier I did support the Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government for inking the nuclear agreement with the United States but as the things started unfolding, it seems we are jeopardizing our country’s security”, Singh who has recently formed ‘Kisan Manch’, cautioned.
“I demand a thorough ‘review’ of the agreement and if it is found that the conditions laid down in the agreement are going to prove detrimental to our security, the agreement should be scrapped”, the former PM, who was in Varanasi for his onward journey to Chakia block in Chandauli district to address a rally of farmers on his Kisan Manch platform in Chandauli, said.
Though almost all the political parties are up in arms against the UPA government on the Iran nuke issue, Singh backed the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue, saying India had no other option but to vote for referring the Iran nuke issue to the UN Security Council after the stand taken by Russia and China.
{{/usCountry}}Though almost all the political parties are up in arms against the UPA government on the Iran nuke issue, Singh backed the Manmohan Singh Government on the issue, saying India had no other option but to vote for referring the Iran nuke issue to the UN Security Council after the stand taken by Russia and China.
{{/usCountry}}Lashing out at UPA government for import of wheat at exorbitant prices, Singh said it was surprising that the wheat per quintal which was available at the rate of Rs 630 was being imported at the rate of Rs 950.
The former prime minister was furious at the Mulayam Singh Government for uprooting 40 villages in Dadri just to make 2,500 acres of land available to Reliance Industries group for their so called power project. “ I am going to seek all information under the newly enacted Right to Information Act about the project”, the former PM asserted, adding that he wanted to know whether public sector companies like NTPC, GAIL etc already in gas manufacturing trade were approached. If yes, had they rejected the offer so that a vast stretch of land (including government land, cattle grazing fields, farmers’ land) was alloted to this particular company at throwaway prices.