Rising prices take sheen off UPA 's 3rd anniversary

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) As the Manmohan Singh government completes three years in office on May 22, price rise and inflation apparently continues to cast a shadow on the Congress-led UPA dispensation.

Though a momentum has been created by the UPA through its flagship programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee, Urban Renewal Mission and the Right to Information Act, it seemingly lies dissipated with its inability to check soaring prices of essential commodities during the past one year.

The remaining two years are seen to be crucial for the ruling coalition and Dr Singh as they have to fulfil all the pre-election promises and implement the remaining parts of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which forms the basis of governance approved by the ruling coalition partners and the supporting Left parties.

Before facing the electorate in 2009, the government may step in efforts to give a 'human face' to the economic reforms and make the faster growth of between eight and nine per cent helping the poor.

The Indo-US Nuclear Agreement is often cited as a major achievement of the UPA government as it sought to cement a strategic alliance with the United States and usher India to the nuclear club.

However, the deal, announced with much fanfare in July 2005, appears to be running into trouble as the two sides struggle to pin down the fine print and assuage critics in both nations.

The third anniversary of the Singh government seems to have infused more confidence in the Congress than any of the partners of the UPA as it signals the success of the first coalition experiment of the century-old party at the Centre.

Apparently, faced with repeated electoral drubbings in recent times and widespread criticism over price rise, the Congress seems to be not enthusiastic to celebrate this third anniversary in a big way.

It was officially announced that the anniversary would be a low key affair.

"There is going to be no formal celebration this time to mark the completion of three years in power," a top Congress leader said refusing to comment on why it was decided to make it a lack-lustre affair.

The first two anniversaries of the UPA government were celebrated on a grand scale.

All the ministers presented a report card before Prime Minister Singh at the completion of the second year in office, highlighting the achievements of respective ministries and their future plans.

"No such exercise has been planned for this anniversary. However, a publication highlighting the achievements of the government will be released on May 22," a Cabinet minister confirmed today.

However, Dr Singh will host a dinner for the UPA partners at his residence, as he did last year, on May 22.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Ministers, leaders of UPA partners and Left leaders will attend the dinner at the Prime Minister's official residence at 7 Race Course Road.

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