Government's achievements 'quite impressive': P Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the meeting of Congress top brass to take stock of the progress made in implementation of the 2009 election manifesto, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said the achievements of the party-led coalition are "quite impressive".

"You take a list of achievements, that is what we will reflect on tomorrow, I think achievements in three years and nine months are quite impressive," he told reporters here at the briefing on the Cabinet meeting.

Asked about pending bills on food security and land acquisition, Chidambaram said, "On both bills, work is in progress along with Lokyukta. Each one of them is in different stages of progress.

"I think the Lokayukta is pretty near completion and the Food Security Act also will be passed if not in the Winter Session (of Parliament), then in the Budget Session."

He preceded his remarks by saying that while taking the balance sheet of performance of the UPA-II, one should consider both the work done and work in progress.

Tomorrow's day-long meeting at Surajkund in Haryana will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and all Cabinet ministers of the Congress, ministers of state with independent charge belonging to the party and Congress Working Committee members.

The party will take stock of the extent of implementation of the promises made in its manifesto for 2009 Lok Sabha elections.