UPA has failed to rein in terrorists, Naxalites, says Vajpayee

Manali, June 4 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today criticised the UPA Government at the Centre for failing to rein in terrorists and Naxalities operating in various parts of the country and blamed the weak-kneed policies of the government for their ascendance.

Addressing BJP workers of Kullu district, he said the attack on tourists group in Dal Lake in Srinagar, an attempt to blow the RSS headquarters at Nagpur and other recent incidents were a pointer to the lack of determination on part of the government to root out terrorism.

Mr Vajpayee said the previous NDA government had passed stringent laws like POTA to curb terrorism and they proved effective but the UPA government scrapped the law.

The laxity on part of the government and its soft approach was responsible for a spurt in terrorism and Naxalite activities from Kashmir to Kaynakumari, he said.

Referring to rising prices of essential commodities, Mr Vajpayee said during the NDA regime foodgrains were being exported but now it was being imported as the foodgrains production in the country had fallen.

The former prime minister said drought was prevailing in various parts of the country since there was no proper use of the water resources. ''Planning should be done and shortcoming be overcome for optimal use of water to combat drought-like situations.'' Mr Vajpayee said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure supply of sufficient water for irrigation to increase food grains production in the country.

The NDA government had kept a check on the prices of essential commodities, while the present government had failed to check the sky-rocketing prices, he said, adding the prices were likely to rise again once the government decided to increase the prices of petroleum products.

Mr Vajpayee stressed the need for improving the basic infrastructure in the famous tourism resort of Manali to give tourism a boost in the district.

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