•Shekhar Gupta: Would you comment on the current security situation, including the communal violence and the government’s record on governance?

Those who are in the government would say they have done well; those outside the government would take an independent view—which is likely to be more correct—while the opposition will criticise everything that the government is doing. It was a very difficult task for the government to carry all the allies and continue to perform its duties. However, due to the mature approach of all the parties, the Prime Minister and other members of the government, there have been no difficulties in governance in the area of development. This government has taken a more liberal attitude towards economic development than the previous government. This attitude has helped to attract more investments and bring about impressive economic progress. Problems have now arisen because of the global meltdown but due to the government’s approach, it should be possible to protect our interests.

Agriculture is doing well. We have paid a lot of attention to making food grains easily available and to restrict imports. Employment is being generated by the NREG scheme (National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme). On the social front, we are facing a very complex situation: there are tensions developing between people of different communities. Some people who are religious and fundamentalist in attitude and have parochial feelings are creating problems.

Fortunately, there have been no threats posed to national security. Internal security has been threatened and it will be discussed in the next general elections. Such a debate is welcome to remove whatever current defects exist in the system. So far, we have paid more attention to development than to security. If there is enough security, development becomes easier. I believe we have not been able to inform the citizens properly on issues of security. National security is the responsibility of the Centre. Terrorism and crime are to be managed by the states. However, it is not possible for the Union government to say it is not responsible in any way for the current security scenario and it is wrong for the states to say we cannot cope with the situation. Cooperation between state governments and the Central government is required for the desired results. Fortunately, such coordination has been possible among all political parties.

... contd.