Monday, May 3, 1999

TRC to continue tie-up with BJP
CHENNAI, May 2 — Union Petroleum Minister Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy today said the Tamilaga Rajiv Congress led by him would continue to be part of the BJP-led front and fight the coming Lok Sabha elections along with its allies.

Cong, SP locked in verbal duel
LUCKNOW, May 2 — Even before the countdown begins for the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and the SP are engaged in a bitter war of words, much to the amusement of the ruling BJP.

Delhi faces water crisis
NEW DELHI, May 2 — Residents of Delhi are reeling under a water crisis even as the governments of Delhi and Haryana continue to trade charges and issue contradictory statements on water supply to the Capital.

HC stays trial of Kanshi Ram
NEW DELHI, May 2 — The Delhi High Court has stayed trial proceedings against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Kanshi Ram who challenged framing of charges against him in a case of alleged assault on mediapersons here in 1996.

Cong's no to tie-up at national level
BHOPAL, May 2 — The Congress today ruled out any national level alliance for the coming mid-term poll and said it might have only seat adjustments with some parties in a few states.

Goa Governor for early elections
By Ervell E. Menezes

ALTHOUGH the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has fallen in Delhi and there is no clear indication of an alternative government, Goa Governor Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob seems confident that elections will be held in Goa before the monsoon. His staff is working hard to see that the infrastructure and documentation is ready in time. The rest is left to the government and the Election Commission.

In an exclusive interview Lt-General Jacob spoke at length on a wide range of subjects. Studiously avoiding comment on earlier governments he gave instances of how he wanted to improve the quality of life of the people. Though corruption is a major factor, the Governor doesn’t want to enter into specifics because he thinks it might give the interview a political bias.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: It is quite unlikely now that elections will be held in Goa before monsoon. Delhi itself is in a sort of limbo after the fall of the BJP government. Comment.

A: As far as I’m concerned we have recommended early elections. In a democracy you can’t have president’s rule for too long. All parties have given me in writing their desire to hold an early election. The report has been tabled in Parliament. It is now up to the government and the Election Commission to carry it out. The staff is working hard to see that the infrastructure and the documentation for the purpose is ready.

Q: The common man is generally happy with President’s rule in Goa and would like it to continue. Why?

A: That you should ask the common man or the people. I’m a soldier who has given a job to do. My whole background has been one of dedicated service and here am I making efforts to improve the quality of life of the common man. Quality of life is largely dependent upon the amenities such as water, electricity, health services, transport, sewage and employment. Unfortunately, during the past few years the infrastructure has not kept pace with the development.

Q: Electricity seems to be an endemic problem?

A: We are dependent on Maharashtra and Karnataka. I’m doing my best to persuade them to provide power at acceptable voltages. To that end I have allocated large sums of money for the establishment of capacitors to stabilise voltages and improve supply. Work is in progress with BHEL in Ponda for a new transformer. The commissioning of a sub-station in Kolhapur (in two months) will further help the power position.

Q: Every summer water scarcity occurs. Why?

A: I have suggested to the government the commissioning of small projects to tap rain water. Goa gets 120 inches of rain and most of its flows out into the sea. It’s watershed management I’m talking about. I’ve asked for additional funds for it. I also want to improve the supply from the Tilari dam and have asked the Konkan Railway to allow pipelines across their Zuari bridge. The road bridge is to weak to carry the pipes. But water supply is also dependent on electricity. Hopefully, the next government will improve on these suggestions.

My other concern is the health services. I’m not satisfied with the condition of hospitals in the state. They are below standard. I’m having them upgraded and have asked the government to set up an angiography unit.

Q: You must have heard about the Assistant Engineer in the Water Department who has inserted a “no complaints” clause in the applications for water connections. What is being done about it?

A: That was really stupid. Orders have been given to cancel the clause and action is being taken against the persons concerned.

Q: They say you personally went to a matka bookie to place your bet in order to establish that matka was still in operation. Is that true?

A: That’s all rubbish. I don’t know the game, but I’ve given instructions to see that it is stopped.

Q: Have you made any changes in the functioning of the panchayats?

A: I’ve set up a buildings clearance committee in each of the 11 talukas. It consists of a BDO and officials from the five important fields, water, health, town planning, PWD and revenue plus 11 sarpanches. They meet every fortnight (the first Monday) to go into building (repairs) proposals or road projects. By this we are moving some of the decision-making from the Secretariat to the Collectorate. The bane of functioning in Goa is the over-centralisation of authority. By giving more teeth and bite to the Collectors we are strengthening their position. Powers are still with the sarpanchs but this (BCC) is a “clearing house”. Instead of a person going to different departments for the permission he can get it in one place, a clearing house.

Cong-RJD ‘pact’ a mixed blessing

PATNA, May 2 (PTI) — With its alliance with the RJD yet to firm up, the Congress may find itself in an unenviable position in the coming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar.

Though a formal exercise for an alliance is yet to begin, forging total understanding between the two may be difficult, particularly in the context of south Bihar with both the Congress and RJD holding diametrically opposite views on the crucial issue of creation of a separate Vananchal state.

While RJD President Laloo Prasad Yadav has already declared that Vananchal would be possible only over his dead body, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has supported the demand for creation of a separate state comprising 16 tribal districts in south Bihar where the BJP held sway, winning 12 of 14 Lok Sabha seats in the 1998 polls.

According to political analysts, the Congress may have to cut a sorry figure if it goes to the hustings along with the RJD in south Bihar where Vananchal holds the key to electoral success.

BPCC sources claim the Jharkhand Regional Congress Committee (JRCC) has already apprised the party’s national leadership of the difficulties in forging a poll tie-up with the ruling RJD in south Bihar.

In north and central Bihar, where the RJD commands a formidable support-base, it may prefer to contest most of the remaining 40 seats on its own, leaving only a few for its possible electoral allies like the Congress and Left parties.

BPCC President Sadanand Singh says “Even if we have an electoral truck with the RJD, we will like to contest at least two-thirds of the 54 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar”.

Analysts feel Laloo Yadav may himself prefer “a covert understanding with Congress” as the latter will be able to cut into votes of the formidable BJP-Samata combine and thereby benefit the RJD.

It would be for the second time in its electoral history that the Congress is likely to go to the hustings as a junior partner in an alliance.

TRC to continue tie-up with BJP

CHENNAI, May 2 (UNI) — Union Petroleum Minister Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy today said the Tamilaga Rajiv Congress (TRC) led by him would continue to be part of the BJP-led front and fight the coming Lok Sabha elections along with its allies.

Briefing mediapersons after the TRC executive meeting here, he said his party would wholeheartedly welcome if the DMK chose to align with the BJP-led front.

He hoped that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) led by Dr S Ramadoss would continue to be part of the BJP-led front. "I am in constant touch with Dr Ramadoss," he added.

Asserting that there was a "pro-Vajpayee wave" in Tamil Nadu, he said AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalitha stood isolated in the political arena for her decision to pull down the Vajpayee government at the Centre "for no apparent justification".

He said Ms Jayalalitha would face a defeat worse than in 1996 when her party failed to win even a single Lok Sabha seat.

The TRC executive authorised Mr Ramamurthy to hold talks with other parties on seatsharing.

Replying to a question, Mr Ramamurthy said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s allegation that there was a "secret understanding" between Ms Jayalalitha and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to dismiss the DMK government could be true. "This has been Ms Jayalalitha’s main demand with the Vajpayee government from day one", he added.

Charging Ms Jayalalitha with nursing ambitions of becoming the Prime Minister after the fall of the Vajpayee government, he alleged that Ms Jayalalitha after initially supporting Ms Sonia Gandhi, had backed out, because of her ambitions. Ms Jayalalitha had wanted to get the maximum benefits from any alternative government, he claimed.

Admitting that he too had initially demanded the dismissal of the DMK regime, but he gave up hope after the Centre failed to get the Rabri Devi government in Bihar dismissed.

Asked about state Congress President Tindivanam Ramamurthy’s appeal to him to return to the Congress, he said the Congress in Tamil Nadu was a sinking boat.

Replying to another question, he said the proposed Third Front in Tamil Nadu comprising the Tamil Maanila Congress and the Left parties, was a non-starter. "Notwithstanding his claims to the contrary, TMC Leader G. K. Moopanar is likely to make up with the AIADMK if the Congress strikes an alliance with that party", he felt.

Bid to revive militancy
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 2 — Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan militants who owe allegiance to various militant outfits are under pressure from the Inter-Services Intelligence to revive the separatist movement, according to a Home Ministry report.

In its latest annual report released recently, the Ministry said that remnant of the Punjab’s militancy was largely sustained by militant organisations based in Pakistan and some other countries.

Observing that there has been no major incident of terrorist violence in Punjab during 1998-99, the Ministry said vigilance was the key to preserve peace in Punjab.

"There is, however, no perceptible change in the desperate endeavours of the Pakistan based pro-Khalistani militants and their mentor the Inter Services Intelligence, in reviving militancy in the State," the report said.

The report observed that such militancy was largely sustained by the ISI which continued to provide sanctuary, impart training, coordinate strategic and tactical moves, provide sophisticated arms and high grade explosives and actively assist in infiltration from across the border.

The militant groups, the report said, were under tremendous pressure from the ISI to step up violence in Punjab and neighbouring States by resorting to targeted killing of senior political leaders and government officials.

The Centre had taken up the matter with the Pakistan government during official talks between the Home and Interior Secretary last year.

"Pakistan has been told in no uncertain terms that it must abandon its state policy of sponsoring terrorism in various parts of India and dismantle the infrastructure that exists in Pakistan for indoctrinating, training, arming, financing and then infiltrating mercenaries and militants into India from across the border,’’ the report said.

While bringing to notice the recent trends of infiltration into India, Pakistan has also been asked to execute international warrants of arrest issues by Interpol against top-ranking militants and underworld operators of Indian origin sheltered in that country.

Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry said reports of the appointment of a former ISI Chief, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Nasir as the head of the Pakistan Gurdwara Management Committee (PGPC) has been noted with concern.

The notification of the PGPC, it said, was interestingly issued on February 20, 1999, the day bus from Amritsar was rolling into Lahore.

According to reports here, Gen Nasir in an recent interview in a leading Urdu daily did not outline any plan for the restoration of gurdwaras in Pakistan but suggested that the creation of PGPC would provide fillip to the separatist movement.

Eminent citizens for early poll

NEW DELHI, May 2 (PTI) — Even as political parties are divided over the timing of the mid-term polls, distinguished citizens are against “prolonged” life of a caretaker government and favour early elections.

“I want the caretaker government to quit at the earliest and elections should be held sooner than later,” says noted columnist and nominated Rajya Sabha MP Kuldip Nayar.

“While there would be difficulties in holding elections in summer, it is advisable to conduct it as early as possible,” says former Chairman of Joint Intelligence Commission R K Khandelwal.

Director, Gandhi Smriti, N Radhakrishnan favours polls by June-end and the first week of July. He says, “It would be against healthy democracy to have a caretaker government continue for more than three months”.

“This caretaker government was defeated on the floor of the House. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a government with people’s mandate to take up crucial decisions,” says Nayar.

Khandelwal endorses saying, “Given today’s state of economy, the share market will remain uncertain under a caretaker regime. The vital ongoing talks with Pakistan and China would remain in suspended animation if not derail”.

Nayar also refuses to accept the argument for delay in polls on the ground of revision of electoral roll.

“Everyday new voters can be added to the roll, but somewhere you have to draw the line and ensure a popular government,” he says.

Nayar, however, says it is for the Election Commission to decide on the poll dates.

“If the commission is not physically equipped we can’t help it,” the veteran scribe says.

Radhakrishnan of Gandhi Smriti also says continuance of a caretaker regime for long would only create “embarrassment” both for the ruling and Opposition parties.

“For example, people are already talking about misuse of government media vis-a-vis Prime Minister’s address on Doordarshan,” he says.

Agrees Khandelwal who says “mudslinging” will be at its peak with an interim regime continuing for long “irrespective of the fact it takes objective or subjective decisions”.

Cong, SP locked in verbal duel

LUCKNOW, May 2 (PTI) — Even before the countdown begins for the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and the SP are engaged in a bitter war of words, much to the amusement of the ruling BJP.

The leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), both banking on a common vote bank, are locked in a verbal duel blaming each other for the Opposition’s failure to provide an alternative government at the Centre, while the BJP and the BSP are branding each other as “traitors” and “unreliable”.

For SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and UPCC chief Salman Khursheed, the coming elections will be an acid test of their popularity and hold on the Muslim vote bank.

Mr Yadav claims the reason for his stalling the Congress from coming to power at the Centre was to save the country from going into foreign hands. He also holds it responsible for demolition of the Babri mosque.

“Congress cannot be relied upon after its hand in getting the doors of Ram Janambhoomi Temple opened and demolition of the Babri mosque,” Mr Yadav says adding “a party with such a track record cannot be given a free hand”.

The UPCC chief on the other hand charges Mr Yadav with being the “worst enemy of the Muslims”.

Mr Khursheed, being a Muslim, has established a personal rapport with Muslim voters and the recent revival of sympathy for the Congress has also strengthened his hands.

But state leaders of the SP have questioned Mr Khursheed’s role in the mosque demolition. “Mr Salman Khursheed was a minister in the then Union Government that silently saw the demolition of the Babri mosque,” they say.

Mr Yadav has also called upon all secular parties to beware of the “pseudo-secular” character of the Congress.

The UPCC President, on his part, has been alleging a secret understanding between the SP and the BJP.

The BJP is blaming everyone but the SP for forcing a mid-term election on the country and this shows some kind of understanding between the two,” Mr Khursheed says.

Interestingly, each of the parties do not consider the other strong enough to pose a challenge to it in the election.

Both the SP and the Congress have claimed their direct fight is with the BJP, but in their bid to attack each other, they have till now ignored their main rival.

Claiming a “sympathy wave” in its favour, the faction ridden BJP state unit is hoping to put up a united fight by turning a blind eye to the simmering discontent in the party.

Citing the performance of his party in the byelections for the Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad, Chief Minister Kalyan Singh claimed BJP’s tally would touch 60 out of the total 85 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Mr Kalyan Singh has termed the BSP a “traitor” which he said failed the BJP after its promise of abstention on the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha in keeping with its character.

Delhi faces water crisis
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 2 — Residents of Delhi are reeling under a water crisis even as the governments of Delhi and Haryana continue to trade charges and issue contradictory statements on water supply to the Capital.

The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, today accused Haryana of not giving enough water to Delhi to tide over the crisis. While the Capital’s requirement is 800 million gallons per day, availability is 605 mgds, she said.

“We had expected Haryana to give us 40 mgd water. It has not given us and due to this attitude of the Haryana Government, many things could not fructify,” she stated.

However, Haryana Irrigation Minister, Harsh Kumar, had said that Delhi was getting 1000 cusecs of water per day, more than its share of water from Haryana. While the people of Haryana on an average require about 40-45 litres a day, people of Delhi get 240-250 litres a day.

Mr Harsh Kumar said there was no such agreement between the two states that Haryana should supply water to the Nangloi water treatment plant. Therefore, there was no question of stopping the supply of water, he added.

HC stays trial of Kanshi Ram

NEW DELHI, May 2 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court has stayed trial proceedings against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Kanshi Ram who challenged framing of charges against him in a case of alleged assault on mediapersons here in 1996. While issuing notice to the state government, Justice N.G. Nandi stayed till further orders proceedings against Mr Kanshi Ram in the court of metropolitan magistrate V.K.Sharma.

Mr Sharma, who had summoned Mr Kanshi Ram to his court on April 28 for framing charges against him, adjourned the matter till June 14 in view of the High Court order.

Cong's no to tie-up at national level

BHOPAL, May 2 (PTI) — The Congress today ruled out any national level alliance for the coming mid-term poll and said it might have only seat adjustments with some parties in a few states.

"One must understand that there is a difference between an alliance and an adjustment," senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here.

Asked to specify the parties with which the Congress would have seat adjustments, he said it would be divulged only after the tie-ups were arrived at.

He said experience had shown time and again that coalition governments were unable to last their full tenure and appealed to the people to ensure that a single political party gets a majority on its own in the next mid-term elections to the Lok Sabha.

History has shown that only a single party government run for its full term while coalitions collapse after sometime, the Congress leader said.

The Congress had lost in 1977 but returned to power in 1980, he said and added that it was for the people to realise that coalition governments cannot ensure stability.

Mr Mukherjee said his party was perfectly justified in not supporting West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu as a Prime Minister after the fall of the Vajpayee government. "Why should we have supported Mr Basu as Prime Minister?" he asked to a query. He said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had stated that Mr Basu was not interested in becoming Prime Minister simply because he had told her so.

Mohan Babu files case against Reddy
TIRUPATI: Film star Mohan Babu, MP, has filed a private complaint before the second additional munsif here, alleging that Tirputi Urban Development Authority (TUDA) Chairman K. Shankar Reddy had cheated him of Rs 3,05,000. In his complaint on Friday, Mohan Babu said he had paid the amount to Mr Reddy by way of cash and cheques, in June and August, 1992 for the purchase of 60 cents of land here. However, Mr Reddy had neither delivered the land, nor returned the amount, he claimed. — UNI

HC order on Sikkim lottery
GANGTOK: The Sikkim High Court has allowed the state government to renew agreement with a firm as sole distributor for state lotteries for another three months. The firm would enjoy the facility from May 6 to August 5 as a “temporary measure”, the interim order passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice R Dayal and Justice Anup Deb said on April 24. — PTI

Antique coins found
HUBLI: Two antique copper coins of the royal families of Indore and Marawar in Rajasthan have been found at Managuli village in Bijapur district of Karnataka. Karnataka University history research scholar S.G. Dhavalagi told UNI here that one of the coins, minted at Indore in Madhya Pradesh during the role of Shivaji Rao (1886-1903), belonged to the Holkar family. Its one side has the picture of a sleeping bull with Srimanth Maharaj Shivaji Rao Holkar, Indore written around it while its flip side has “ardh ana” inscribed in Nagari language. — UNI

Leprosy highest in Bihar
PATNA: Two out of every 1,000 people in Bihar suffer from leprosy. Official sources said here on Sunday that in Bihar the incidence of leprosy was the highest in the country. The national average was 0.9 person out of a population of every 1,000. Abject poverty was blamed for the problem. They pointed out that even after the government had launched the leprosy eradication programme, the number of patients had increased considerably during the past three years in the state. The number of patients went up to 247,078 during 1997-98 from in 75,267 in the previous year. — UNI

22 bonded labourers freed
PRATAPGARH (UP): Twentytwo bonded labourers were freed from a brick-kiln owner at Lalganaj here on Saturday and sent back to their homes in Madhya Pradesh, official sources here said on Sunday. These labourers were being made to work at the brick-kiln on nominal wages against their will, the sources said. — PTI