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People from the land of the Buddha and Gandhi should talk about de-weaponisation: Dandavate

Janata Dal leader and former finance minister Professor Madhu Dandavate has stressed upon the need for the countries of the Indian subcontinent to have a multi-lateral agreement on reduction of defence expenditure to maintain peace and stability in the "already volatile" region.

Delivering a talk in Bombay on the post-Pokhran Union Budget and economic sanctions, the former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission said these countries should sit together and discuss social issues prevailing in the Indian subcontinent, and should arrive at a consensus to cut defence expenditure.

People from the land of the Buddha and Gandhi should talk about elimination of weapons globally, he said, adding that elimination of nuclear weapons was necessary as in a war or rather nuclear war, nobody is a winner or loser. The destruction is felt by the entire globe, he stated.

The former minister recalled that after the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the father of nuclear science Albert Einstein broke down. Though technological advancements and self-reliance was necessary, science should be used for peace and not destruction, he pointed out during his over two-hour long speech.

He also attacked the central government and its ministers for their sensitive statements. He said while the council of ministers was collectively responsible in the Lok Sabha, the ministers are rather speaking differently, both inside and outside Parliament. Without naming any minister, he stated that they are singing different tunes and this is harmful for the whole region. Why should we want a war, he asked.

Elaborating further on the Budget, he stated that while Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has made more allocations for research, agriculture and rural sectors, he said the government is not sure from where it is going to generate funds. He said it is an interim Budget by an interim government and may be followed soon by a supplementary budget.

UNI

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