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No question of succumbing to pressure, says PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asserted that India would not deviate from its chosen path under pressure from any quarters and would use its nuclear technology for peaceful purposes only, sending a clear signal to the Western powers about the country's decision not to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in its present form.

Making his maiden speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the country's 51st independence day, Vajpayee said India was all for a nuclear-free world, and therefore had announced a unilateral moratorium on further nuclear tests. ''Our tests of May 11 and 13 were not meant for any war,'' he maintained.

The prime minister reiterated the country's policy to have good relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan, and said all bilateral issues could be resolved through dialogue.

While expressing regret on not getting a positive response from Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief during their meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC summit at Colombo, Vajpayee said he had not given up hope and would go to Durban, South Africa, to attend the Non-Aligned Movement summit with the hope that Sharief would respond.

He exhorted the youth to dedicate at least one year for the country to make it an economic power in the world, and announced that India will have its own satellite within a year for spreading computer and Internet education.

The proposed INSAT 3b would have six transponders, he said and added that it was an era of space development and ''we will not lag behind.''

Vajpayee also announced the following welfare schemes while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 51st independence day today.

• A new satellite, INSAT 3-b will be launched next year for educational purposes including internet and computer education.
• Crop insurance scheme will be extended to more states and commodities.
• Funds allocation under the self employment scheme for Bholangir and Kalahandi districts of Orissa will be doubled.
• The special cell in Prime Minister's Office to check corruption will be re-activated.
• A task force will be set up to provide employment opportunities to more than 100 million people next year. The force will give its report soon.
• A provision of Rs 5.5 billion has been made for girls education, including providing books.
• Two new insurance schemes will be launched, which will entitle the beneficiary to take Rs 25,000, after paying a rupee every month. The details of the scheme will be announced soon.
• A new scheme on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand will be launched for youths involving them in various spheres of work.

  The prime minister sufferred a ''mild muscle pull'' while getting down from the podium after making his maiden Independence Day speech.

  A close aide to the prime minister said Vajpayee suffered the muscle pull on the lower back. However, within a minute he recovered and came down the stairs on his own.

  After meeting and greeting the former prime ministers and other dignitaries, he left.

  TV clippings had shown Vajpayee stumbling and being assisted while getting down.

  UNI

  Click here for the Real Audio version of PM's I-Day speech

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