16,000 shifted to safer areas
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Oct 20 — The steady rise in the water-level of the Yamuna is expected to reach 206 metres, one metre above the danger mark, tonight. Around 16,000 persons who were living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer areas.

The Chief Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, said here today that the situation was well under control. The Yamuna water level had stabilised at 205.90 metres and was now increasing at a slow rate."

She said the river water might reach its maximum level tonight at around 206 metres. "Around 700-750 more persons may need to be shifted out. Alternate arrangements have been made for them," she said.

The Chief Minister denied that the Haryana Government had forewarned Delhi regarding the release of water. "It is absolutely not true," she added.

The Lt Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, along with Ms Sushma Swaraj will be present at Sonia Vihar bundh at about 8 pm, when the water level is expected to be at its highest.

Meanwhile, Ms Sushma Swaraj said that the Delhi Vidyut Board had been directed to undertake measures to reduce inconvenience to the people.

She said that the first was to make every complaint centre "fully operational". All ministers had been advised to check the functioning of the complaint centres during their night patrolling, Ms Swaraj said.

The second was to work out modalities for the acceptance of electricity bills in banks. "A meeting has been called tomorrow where this particular issue is going to be discussed," she said.

The third was to undertake a "crash programme" to provide electricity to all those unauthorised colonies where money had already been deposited. "This was an earlier Cabinet decision. Now we want that those who have deposited the money should be provided with electricity," she said.

Sahib Singh offered berth
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Oct 20 — Former Chief Minister of Delhi Sahib Singh Verma today confirmed that he had been offered a berth in the Union Cabinet but said he was in no hurry and would accept the offer only after ensuring the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the Delhi assembly elections.

"I will take oath as Cabinet Minister only after ensuring the victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the November 25 hustings," he said.

Mr Verma’s statement comes amidst reports that his predecessor and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.L. Khurana is opposed to his induction in the Union Cabinet.

His reluctance to take up the offer at this juncture is being seen by political observers as an attempt to give a face-saving formula to the party high command. The high command is already under pressure to grant berths to the allies and it would have been extremely difficult for Mr Vajpayee to accommodate a single BJP man without ruffling the feathers of the BJP-led coalition partners.

After reportedly receiving an invitation from Mr Vajpayee to join the cabinet, Mr Sahib Singh today wrote a letter to the Prime Minister explaining "his opposition".

I will not be able to discharge my duties if I take up the offer of ministership now. Till the elections, I want to devote full time to the poll in Delhi. Today I have only one aim, that of ensuring a glorious victory and enhancing the honour of the party", the communiqué written in Hindi said.

It further stated that he would take oath only after ensuring victory for the party and after Ms Sushma Swaraj took oath as Chief Minister.

Mr Sahib Singh said Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee became so "emotional" on receiving his letter that he "began to cry". Even the party president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, was all praise for my action, Mr Sahib Singh said.

He clarified that the Prime Minister's decision to give him a cabinet berth had been given "clearance by Mr S.S. Barnala and Ms Jayalalitha".

Explaining the reason for his decision not to take oath till the assembly poll, Mr Sahib Singh said there was very little time left for the elections and "if I join the cabinet, I will not be able to devote full attention to campaigning."