The Prime Minister says, his government will make every effort to pass the Lokpal bill in this session of the parliament.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the Lokpal bill will come before the cabinet by tomorrow and the government is sincere about taking it to parliament.

He was talking to news persons on board the flight on his way back home from Moscow after attending the 12th Indo-Russia annual summit. He has since returned to New Delhi after his tour to Russia.

On a question on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the Prime Minister assured that these nuclear reactors are the safest available anywhere in the world.

He said that a 2000 MW power plant at a cost 14000 crore will benefit the people of Tamil Nadu and the southern states. On the FDI issue, the Prime Minister replied that a broad based consensus has to be evolved once the state elections are over.

On the economy, the Prime Minister said that India cannot be oblivious of what is happening to the world economy.

The Euro-zone crisis is affecting the world economy. However, India has the ability to sustain a growth path of 8 to 9 percent the next five years.

The Prime Minister said that his government stands committed to the reform process. Replying to question on Afghanistan, the Prime minister said that the United States has announced that their forces will quit Afghanistan after 2014 and whatever happens in Afghanistan is of deep interest to Russia and India.

Replying to a question on criticism of the Home Minister, the Prime Minister said that Chidambaram has made a statement that he is not guilty and it is there for everybody to see.

On cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister answered that it all depends on the exigencies of the situation.

About water related issue in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Prime Minister said that his sincere belief is that that the two states can sort out this problem through dialogues.

Reading out a statement on board the flight earlier the Prime Minister said that India’s strong strategic partnership with Russia in nuclear energy, defence and space will be buttressed by stronger economic relations.