By IANS,
New Delhi : Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan Sunday launched a scathing attack on the government’s “non-populist” policies, saying India had fallen behind countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Human Development Index.
Taking to the stage after Medha Patkar gave the crowds a rousing cry of “bhrashtachar hatao, desh bachao (remove corruption, save the country)”, Bhushan opened with a fierce salvo against the economic policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Quoting leading economist Amartya Sen, he said: “Due to the government’s economic policies, which (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh drafted in the 1990s, the country has fallen behind countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Human Development Index.”
Alleging misuse of natural resources, he said: “Following these destructive policies, the government distributed lakhs of hectares to the private companies at giveaway prices, leading to destruction of native peoples’ habitat and natural resources across the country.”
He alleged that government’s policies have led to establishment of a corruption mafia in the country.
He also named various corporates and illegal mining operations as a result of the government’s wrong policies.
Bhushan also hit out at the government for its decision to implement FDI in retail sector.
“The government pushed the FDI on the people without considering the popular opinion,” he said, adding the government “listened to a few corporates such as Walmart, instead of the population”.