NAGPUR: Prime Minister Singh said his government would soon bring to book the middlemen involved in the Bofors kickback since their Swiss accounts had been frozen after federal investigating agency, the central bureau of investigation (CBI) filed a first information report (FIR).

Talking to newsmen at Raj Bhavan state governor’s official residence, here in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, VP Singh accused the former congress government of inaction in the matter and said what the Rajiv Gandhi government could not achieve in three years, his government did in a week’s time.

“Why could not the previous government file an FIR in three long years after the scandal surfaced?” Premier Singh asked and said his government had already taken a decision on the future and present contracts with the Bofors gun manufacturers.

On the current turmoil in the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister said the nation’s unity and integrity could not be compromised and even former state chief minister Farooq Abdullah shared the same view.

VP Singh described his recent meeting with Dr. Abdullah a government’s initiative to solve the Kashmir problem by cutting across the party lines and to elicit support from all quarters.

When asked about some countries trying to internalize the issue, the prime minister said, “We are making our positions clear through diplomatic initiatives.”

VP Singh said his government was taking all steps to restore normalcy with the confidence of the people.

On the implementation of his party, the Janata Dal’s election manifesto, VP Singh said the mandal commission report would soon be implemented and his government had already acted so far as autonomy to all India radio and television was concerned.

The prime minister said he was in favor of re-organization of the states but there was need for political initiative.

In reply to a question, premier Singh expressed himself against the political appointment of state governors and said it should be done on merit,

Article extracted from this publication >> February 9, 1990