FOC
Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) staged a dharna in New Delhi protesting against the appointment of representatives from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and McKinsey on the consultative committees of Planning Commission of the country. Shri P. Muralidhar, All-India convener of SJM, Dr Mahesh Sharma, member, All-India Steering Committee of SJM and many other leaders were present at the dharna. Speakers strongly, they condemned the decision of the Planning Commission, in particular Vice Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, for the decision to appoint foreigners on the consultative committees of the Commission. Shri Muralidhar Rao expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the economic policies were being framed by the UPA government. He said that the appointment of foreigners in those committees would have long-term detrimental effect on the economic planning of the country, which has the potential of endangering its sovereignty. ?Records are witness to the fact that whichever country followed the advice of these agencies they have been badly ruined. These agencies are manipulated by MNCs and by developed economies of the West. Their advice is bound to be in tune with the policies suited to their masters,? he said, adding that the good of the people of this country cannot and will not be their priority. ?This step of the government is nothing but a camouflage. Their real intention is clear and the common man has already felt the heat of this shift in the focus of the government,? he added.
