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PM bids farewell to personal staff
PM Bids Farewell to Personal Staff, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bid farewell to his personal staff at his official 7, Race Course Road residence in the capital, he got a standing ovation from the staff who bid him an emotional farewell.
- He will not seek third term even if UPA wins
- To hold his last Cabinet meeting on May 17
- To meet Prez and address nation on the day
New Delhi: As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bid farewell to his personal staff at his official 7, Race Course Road residence in the capital, he got a standing ovation from the staff who bid him an emotional farewell.
The Prime Minister chaired the Union Cabinet meeting and took decisions like clearing private equity firm KKR's proposal to acquire stake in two pharma firms and clearing the name of Lt Gen Dalbir Singh as the new Army Chief. Lt Gen Dalbir Singh will succeed Gen Bikram Singh who retires on July 31.
Singh exchanged pleasantries with his 110 personal staff members and about 400 other peripheral staff members in South Block, sources said. He expressed his gratitude towards them and the staff members returned the accolades by cheering him, the sources said. Singh, who became the Prime Minister in 2004 and retained the post in 2009, met the staff before holding Cabinet meeting this evening. He told them: “You served the nation well. God bless you.”
Singh will hold his last Cabinet meeting on Saturday, a day after the counting of votes. After that, he will go to meet President Pranab Mukherjee. After returning from his meeting with the President, Singh will address the nation, the sources said. On the same day, Singh will host high tea for the members of his Council of Ministers after which the President will host a dinner for all of them. Meanwhile, the PMO, including the hall where Cabinet meetings are held, is being refurbished, to welcome a new Prime Minister. "It is for the first time in 10 years that the PMO is spending money on refurbishment and change of upholstery," a source said, adding, "This is being done to give a fresh look to it." Singh, 81, had announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term even if the Congress-led UPA won this time. He is expected to vacate his official residence at 7, Race Course Road and moved into a bungalow at 3, Motilal Nehru Road, which too has been refurbished.
Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Let me on behalf of the party, put on record our deep appreciation for the last 10 years of UPA-I and UPA-II under the able stewardship of Manmohan Singh when we have carved out a trajectory and a path of clear inclusive growth stability and social harmony in this country. Manmohan Singh’s experienced and seasoned stewardship, his personal integrity and ability to lead the country through difficult times is noteworthy and India is proud to have earned so many laurels and respect.
