People's Democracy

      Commission For Unemployed Likely: PM

THE prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, assured the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury that he was fully conscious of the fact that the mandate for his government was to implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) evolved by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and its allies.

In a pre-Budget exploratory meeting with Yechury on June 23, he said the government would disband the disinvestment ministry and take steps to restructure the public sector keeping in view the concerns voiced by the Left parties and others. He further indicated that as has been suggested, a commission for the unemployed could be on the cards.

Sitaram Yechury, it may be recalled, underwent a minor surgery relating to his throat and is still advised rest by the doctors. The prime minister enquired from Yechury about his recovery.