JAIPUR, India: An official Release issued after the two day long continuous session of the Union Cabinet in the wild-life reserve at Sariske about 107 km away from Jaipur, described this meeting held in a tight security as ‘an informal get together for the Cabinet.
‘According to the release, the three years of the performance of Rajiv Gandhi’s government was reviewed. According to the release the meeting which lasted for 14 hours was held in two prolonged sessions. No official or any other person outside the Cabinet participated in the deliberations.
The release disclosed that the ‘meeting was the first in the series of in-depth consultations which the Prime Minister intends to hold through free and frank discussions within the government and with the representatives of different sections of the people coming from various walks of lives.
According to a very highly placed official, these consultations are crucial in the formulation of eighth five year plan and are geared to generate a new ray of hope among the people. These discussions also took cognizance of the results and impact of three years rule of Rajiv Gandhi.
‘The main issues which got maximum attention included Center State relations, strengthening of democratic institution at all levels, relations with neighboring countries, the role of media including official media. Judiciary and the people in general, The Cabinet examined various measures 10 fight against disruptive elements and strengthening the nationalistic forces.
‘The meeting also decided to fight out the poverty on a vigorous level.
This meeting appears to have ‘been held primarily to improve the image of Rajiv Gandhi in the midst of various allegations of non-rule and pay offs and to assess the prospect elections, if ordered as a mid-term poll.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 25, 1987
