M A I N   N E W S

Chautala assures quality power
Promises galore in manifesto
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 6 — The ruling Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana, which had promised free power and water to farmers in the 1996 Assembly elections, has changed its priority in 2000 to provide adequate and quality power supply to the people.

The manifesto of the party, which was released here last night by the Chief Minister and INLD President, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, makes no mention of the party’s promise of providing free power and water. Instead it talks of reforming the power distribution system so that the consumers could get adequate power. It also promises to take appropriate steps to check the theft of power and replace burnt transformers within 24 hours.

Releasing the manifesto prepared by a three-member committee headed by the Finance Minister, Prof Sampat Singh, the Chief Minister said the people of Haryana were not interested in free power. “Rather they want adequate power”. He said the government was reviewing the agreement signed by the Bansi Lal Government with the World Bank for reforming and restructuring the power sector. He said he was of the opinion that the agreement was not in the interest of the state.

Mr Chautala said the manifesto aimed making each citizen of Haryana prosperous. His party was committed to providing a stable government, all-round development of the state and to eradicate corruption. The first 11 pages of the 16-page manifesto highlights the achievements the six-month-old Chautala Government in various fields and concessions given to various sections of society.

The Chief Minister said his government had already done so much within the short span of six months that not much was to be done now. However, the government would now lay stress on improving the education system. The INLD would impress upon the Centre to complete the SYL canal and resolve the other inter-state disputes. The Centre would also be advised by the INLD to raise the exemption limit of income tax.

English would be introduced in the schools from first class itself. Sports would be made part of the curriculum and vocational education would be encouraged.

Sanitary conditions in villages and towns would be improved. Sewer systems would be created. Ex-servicemen and their families would be provided free medical treatment in civil hospitals at those places which did not have military hospitals.

The party promised to set up a committee of official and non-official members to monitor the implementation of the manifesto. Land banks would be set up at various places. A bank of 4000-acre would be established in the National Capital Region. A handicrafts development board would be set up to help small artisans.

SGPC Secretary fails to contact Bibi Jagir Kaur
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Feb 6 — The Akal Takht-Bibi Jagir Kaur row has taken an interesting turn. The hukamnama issued by Giani Puran Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, could not be delivered to the President of SGPC now in the retreat.

The SGPC Secretary, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, who had gone to Chandigarh to deliver her the hukamnama told TNS on the phone that he could not locate Bibi Kaur despite full day’s struggle yesterday.

Meanwhile, Dr Nirmal Singh, professor of physics at Panjab University and brother of Bibi Jagir Kaur said she had not received as ‘hukamnama’ from anyone.

He was not sure as to when she would appear before Akal Takht. Meanwhile, the Punjab Minister for Cooperation, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, met the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh at his residence today. Both the Jathedar and Mr Brahampura held talks initiated by the Jathedar of Anandpur Sahib, Prof Manjit Singh.