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On Friday, Dr Singh raised the Cold War-era bogy of the ”foreign hand”, accusing US and Scandinavian non-government organisations of stalling the commissioning of a nuclear power plant in southern India and delaying implementation of government plans to commercialise genetically modified crops by supporting protest groups.

His comments attracted a barrage of criticism…..

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ”has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don’t appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply”.

Dr Singh’s words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government’s policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be telling.

Last year, Dr Singh accused the media of undermining India’s self-confidence through their relentless campaign against corruption….

Dr Singh has passionately advocated the expansion of India’s civilian nuclear energy program and is the architect of a controversial nuclear co-operation agreement with the US. But work has not yet started on any of the new nuclear power plants proposed as a result of the pact because of local opposition.

Dr Singh’s statement was rejected by a coalition of women, fishermen and farmers from 17 villages that have been protesting against the plant. ”By making these absurd allegations, he is diverting everybody’s attention from the real issues here,” activist V. Pushparayan said. : http://www.theage.com.au/world/indian-government-paralysed-but-pm-blames-others-20120225-1tvai.html#ixzz1nd9BS6KB