40 years ago October 30, 1986: PM attacks labour, industry

On October 30, 1986, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi criticized both the labor force and large industry for contributing to economic stagnation and poor performance. Addressing a national conference on "productivity through people in the age of changing technology," Gandhi emphasized the urgent need to rectify the situation, warning that the nation's independence could be at risk if swift action was not taken. "What we need is the will to do it," he stated.

In Punjab, efforts were underway to foster unity within the Akali Dal. Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and dissident leaders Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder Singh met with the Sikh head priests, who had recently taken steps to promote unity within the party. Barnala met with the priests at Anandpur Sahib in the morning, while Badal, Amarinder Singh, and other dissident leaders joined them in the evening.

Meanwhile, the Law Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court Judge D A Desai, had released two reports recommending significant changes in grassroots-level justice and the implementation of tax courts to expedite case resolution. Additional reports on an all-India judicial service and training for judicial officers at all levels were being finalized by the Commission.

The United States expressed interest in providing India with advanced technology for a modern quadruplex flight control system, avionics, and specific aircraft design elements. The US was prepared to sell this technology, including graphite composites, for aircraft manufacturing purposes.