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BJP lauds govt's commitment to swadeshi economy

P Dev Kumar in Panaji

The National Executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is currently in session in Panaji, Goa, today appreciated the ''sincere efforts'' of the Vajpayee government in highlighting the party's swadeshi philosophy.

Swadeshi involves building the economy on ''pillars of self-reliance and self-respect''. The government had included it in the National Agenda of Governance.

In a resolution adopted unanimously on the economic situation of the country, the executive noted that certain sections of society were required to make a ''little sacrifice'' due to reduced subsidy on food, fertiliser and cooking gas.

These sections should stand by the government at ''this juncture of critical fiscal situation''. More so because these contributions were aimed at development of hitherto neglected social and physical infrastructures.

The executive congratulated the BJP-led coalition for bringing the economy back on the right track and laying a strong foundation for sustained economic growth.

The overall economic growth is estimated at 5.8 per cent in 1998-99 compared to five per cent the previous fiscal. This is a ''commendable'' achievement in the background of international recession with hardly two per cent growth in world output.

''This achievement has been made possible mainly due to emphasis on agriculture and rural development in the first Budget of the BJP-led government -- with increase in agriculture outlay by 40 per cent supported by other supportive measures such as kisan (farmer) credit cards and better pricing of agricultural produce,'' it said.

'The party salutes the farming community for untiring efforts'

UNI

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