The Tribune...Nation

N A T I O N

Tuesday, July 14, 1998

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Army seeks more representation in govt offices
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Indian Army today sought to increase the percentage of its personnel going on deputation to various posts in the Central Government offices.

210 districts hit by violence
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Home Ministry has painted a grim picture of the country’s internal security, stating that 210 out of 535 districts are affected by insurgency, ethnic conflict, extremism, caste clashes and other crises.

Extend express highway,
says Bansi
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has urged the Central Government that the Express Highway aimed at connecting important satellite towns around Delhi be extended from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh to Kundli in Haryana and thereafter to Bahadurgarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Haj panel-Indian mission rift surfaces
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Sharp differences have surfaced between the Central Haj Committee and the Indian mission in Saudi Arabia, especially the Consulate-General of India in Jeddah, over the management of the Haj pilgrimage.

Jaswant Singh briefs PM
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Mr Jaswant Singh today met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and briefed him on his recent discussions with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott
Dy Speaker's post : allies leave it to PM
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was today authorised by the allies to draw out a strategy on election of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.
Nurses' march to PM's house stopped
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Striking nurses from Haryana demonstrated here today for the acceptance of their demands by the state government.
Congressmen for initiative on women's Bill
NEW DELHI, July 13 — A strong demand that the Congress take the initiative for inclusion of reservation for women from backward classes and minorities in the controversial women’s reservation Bill was made in the party today.
MPs for draft plan on Cauvery
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Members from Tamil Nadu today demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre submit the draft scheme on the Cauvery to give effect to the interim award on water sharing
Bitta moots front to fight terrorism
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Congress leader M.S. Bitta today urged all political parties to forge an all party anti-terrorism front
Cong: Jain panel report leaked
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Several Congress members in the Rajya Sabha today complained that there had been a systematic leak of the Jain Commission report even before it had been submitted to the government.
Urban heritage awards given
New Delhi, July 13 — The Delhi Government would legislate laws to preserve monuments and take area-specific initiatives to preserve old buildings with architectural excellence, the Lieut-Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, said here today while giving away the DDA Urban Heritage Awards ...
Stop cow slaughter,demand MPs
NEWS DELHI, July 13 — BJP members in the Rajya Sabha today demanded that the Centre convene a meeting of state governments to evolve “constructive steps” to immediately stop cow slaughter in the country...
Nurses' march to PM's house stopped
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Striking nurses from Haryana demonstrated here today for the acceptance of their demands by the state government...

Army seeks more representation in govt offices
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Indian Army today sought to increase the percentage of its personnel going on deputation to various posts in the Central Government offices.
Addressing newsmen here today, the Adjutant-General, Lt.-Gen S.S. Grewal, said the Army had given a representation to the Government to increase the percentage of its personnel posted at various posts on deputation to the Central Government.
Presently about 0.49 per cent of the Army personnel were being sent on deputation. The Army was of the view that this percentage was very less as compared to the force strength and should be accordingly increased, General Grewal said while talking about the developments in the recruitment policy in the force.
The Army was also presently carrying out an in-house exercise for ‘rank-restructure’, which would help in improving the motivational level of the personnel. Following the completion of this exercise, the Army was hoping to bring down the age at various ranks by at least five years. By this exercise there were expectations that an officer would be able to be the ‘commanding officer’ at the age of 35 rather than the present age of 40-41 years.
According to General Grewal, the Army headquarters had now decided to finalise the recruitment of personnel to “other ranks” through open rallies.

He said the youth wanting to join the Army would not have to go the branch recruitment offices for their selection.
Instead the Army would hold rallies through various states in which people of that state could participate and get selected. The written tests, physical tests and medical of the persons would be carried on the spot during the rallies and results announced with the next four to five days.
He said persons from through the state could attend these rallies which would make the recruitment to the force more open and transparent. It would also help in better selection and would take the recruitment to the doorstep of the people in various states.
As per the new policy, the selection teams at the rallies would be from out station and not from the branch recruitment offices and a special board would be constituted for every such rally.
The Army has also decided to give various concessions to the children for the war widows and ex-servicemen. The children of war widows would be exempted from written tests and in case of no issue any close relative would be entitled for the concession. There would also be a 5 per cent quota for children of ex-servicemen, NCC passouts and outstanding sportsmen.
The General said as per the new policy being worked out, the criteria for the technical arms in the officers scheme had been brought down to 10+2 level. The youth joining the Army from 10+2 level in the officers cadre would do its technical courses while being part of the force and the expenses would be taken care by it.
He, however, clarified that by doing this the officers entry standards were not being diluted. He admitted that presently there was a shortage of about 13,000 officers in the Army but pointed out that with the increase in the retirement age by two years the force would be able to get about 3,000 officers, which would marginally improve the situation.
While saying that the number of women to be selected through the short service was now being increase from 50 to 100, he said the Army was also trying to move a proposal for increasing the capacity at the NDA, the IMA and the OTA by 15 to 20 per cent.

Extend express highway: Bansi
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has urged the Central Government that the Express Highway aimed at connecting important satellite towns around Delhi be extended from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh to Kundli in Haryana and thereafter to Bahadurgarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the 23rd meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) presided over by Union Urban Development Minister Ram Jethmalani and attended by the members of the NCRPB in the Capital today.
Mr Bansi Lal said that development of satellite towns around Delhi and a fast communication system would ease congestion in Delhi. He urged that the project of constructing the Kundli-Bahadurgarh-Gurgaon-Faridabad Express way be also taken up simultaneously and Delhi state government should make adequate funding provision for land acquisition for the project.
He pointed out that NCPRB had the responsibility of spatial planning of the NCR besides achieving balanced development of the entire NCR with dispersal of population and economic activities.
While underlining the significance of Regional Rapid Transport System, he said that it was encouraging that some preliminary work had already been started in this regard. He said that the national highways originating from Delhi and passing through the neighbouring states should be strengthened and widened immediately.
On the suggestion of the Haryana Chief Minister that there was a need to construct a flyover at Ashram Chowk and ‘Karnal Mor" on outer ring road near Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma said that the state government was planning to construct 18 new flyovers in different parts of the Capital.

210 districts hit by violence
NEW DELHI, July 13 (UNI) — The Home Ministry has painted a grim picture of the country’s internal security, stating that 210 out of 535 districts are affected by insurgency, ethnic conflict, extremism, caste clashes and other crises.
This observation was made by Home Secretary B.P. Singh before the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs. He said out of 69 districts of the northeastern region, as many as 48 were affected by insurgency and ethnic violence and 10 districts of Jammu and Kashmir by militancy.
The situation in Assam was worse because 23 of its districts were badly affected by violence. In the northeast, the situation in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya was comparatively peaceful, and Nagaland was somewhat uneasy.
Similarly the law and order situation in Tripura was a matter of deep concern. Speaking with regard to Manipur, the Home Secretary mentioned the unrest in the extremism and insurgency caused by the Nagas, Kuki and Meitei outfits.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said Pakistan had now shifted its focus towards Nepal. Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) agents in Kathmandu and Dhaka had been imparting training to youths, particularly on the Indo-Nepal border. The interceptions have revealed that not only funds, but unwanted elements also come in through that route.
The security forces arrested 4,397 Pak-trained militants and intercepted 711 gangs from the border during 1990-98. They killed 1,501 terrorists and arrested 1,031. Also, 2,820 militants of various outfits surrendered to the authorities.
The Home Secretary stated that the situation in Uttar Pradesh was marked by communal violence while Bihar was characterised by an increasing growth of crime and the activity of organised criminal groups.
In Tamil Nadu, three factors have adversely affected the internal security. These were influence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), growth of Muslim fundamentalist organisations and caste clashes.

Nurses' march to PM's house stopped
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Striking nurses from Haryana demonstrated here today for the acceptance of their demands by the state government.
Nurses were accompanied by their children who marched from the historic Jantar Mantar towards the residence of the Prime Minister this afternoon.
The demonstrators were stopped by the police near the Parliament Street police station, less than a kilometre away from Parliament.
Addressing the protestors, the president of the Nursing Staff Association, Haryana, Ms Jasbir Kaur, said they would intensify their agitation if the state government did not accept their demands.
She said the association has decided to court arrest en masse on July 15 in Chandigarh to press for their demands.
Among other demands, the nurses in the state have been demanding the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission, increase in the allowances and better promotional avenues.
The agitation by the nurses from Haryana at Jantar Mantar entered the 10th day today.
The association has stated that the health services in the state have deteriorated since the strike began, "but we will continue with our agitation till such time our demands are not met."
The police resorted to lathi-charge, and tear gas shelling last week when the members of Sarv Karmachari Sangh, Haryana, demonstrated in the Capital in support of nurses demand. Several nurses were injured in the incident.
The Sangh had stated that Haryana government employees would court arrest in Chandigarh on July 16.

Haj panel-Indian mission rift surfaces
NEW DELHI, July 13 (UNI) — Sharp differences have surfaced between the Central Haj Committee and the Indian mission in Saudi Arabia, especially the Consulate-General of India in Jeddah, over the management of the Haj pilgrimage.
The differences came to the fore during the All-India Haj Conference where chairman of the committee Salamatuallah said the Indian embassy and Consulate-General “do not want any supervision by the Haj committee.”
The Central Haj Committee, formed by an Act of Parliament, is being sidelined by the embassy and the consulate, which conceals facts, documents and information “regarding accommodation and other arrangements for the pilgrims in the kingdom from the apex committee,” he said.
It is strange that travel documents, transportation and other arrangements in India are made by the Haj committee and it has no role in looking after them in Saudi Arabia, which is the sole responsibility of the Consulate-General, Mr Salamatullah said.
In his criticism of the Consulate-General, he said, “They (Consulate-General) claim that it is in their exclusive purview to hire accommodation, negotiate rents and make transport arrangements for pilgrims at Mina and Arafat”.
The consulate has sent a number of communications to the External Affairs Ministry, expressing views and reservations” on the role of the Haj committee, Mr Salamatullah said in presence of Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhra Raje, who was attending the annual conference.
The chairman made it clear that his organisation should not be held responsible for problems faced by the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia regarding accommodation, medical care and transport. Over 93,000 Indian pilgrims performed the Haj this year, which was marred by the worst-ever stampede at Mina in which over 100 pilgrims, including 32 Indians, died.
It is for the External Affairs Ministry to review the working of the Consulate-General, Mr Salamutallah said.
He said the Haj Act provides that all responsibility of Haj arrangements either in India or Saudi Arabia lay with the committee. “But even then the consulate and the Indian embassy in violation of the Act encroach upon all powers of the committee. These problems have been brought to the notice of the ministry, but to my dismay no decision has been taken in this regard,” he added.
Several complaints have been made regarding arrangements in Saudi Arabia, including discrepancies in allotment of accommodation, lack of coordination between the consulate staff and the pilgrims and stranding of pilgrims at the Jeddah airport.

Jaswant Singh briefs PM
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Mr Jaswant Singh today met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and briefed him on his recent discussions with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott on nuclear non-proliferation and diarmament.
Mr Singh and Mr Talbott, who have been appointed as the main interlocutors for the Indo-US dialogue in the aftermath of India's nuclear tests by their two governments, met in Frankfurt on July 9 and 10 for their second round of discussions.
The two will meet again in New Delhi on July 20 and 21 and their fourth round of talks is expected to be held in Manila towards the end of the month on the sidelines of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) meeting.
Meanwhile, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said Mr Singh's and Mr Talbott's discussions had led to an "increasing understanding" by India and the US of each other's perceptions.
When asked as why secrecy around the meetings between Mr Singh and Mr Talbott was being maintained, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said there was no secrecy. The meetings between the two have resulted in "increased understanding" of each other’s perceptions on the issue.
"It is always better to have discussions without much spotlight", the spokesman said explaining the reasons for the decision of the two sides to limit the outflow of information on the meetings.
Meanwhile, the official circles are piqued at the political party stand on the issue of India signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treatry (CTBT).
When Mr Vajpayee told the nation and Parliament that India was ready to turn its unilateral moratorium on further nuclear testing into a de jure commitment,then no political party raised any objection, a Minister asked. He said they have started raising objections only when media began to write that New Delhi was considering signing the CTBT.

Dy Speaker's post : allies leave it to PM
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was today authorised by the allies to draw out a strategy on election of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.
He was urged to take the decision during the ongoing session.
The decision was taken at the joint parliamentary party meeting of the BJP and its allies, according to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Madan Lal Khurana.
Later, the BJP general secretary, Mr Venkiah Naidu, said the Congress would have done well by not fielding a candidate for the post of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker. The post should have been left for the BJP nominee as it was the largest party in the ruling coalition.
Mr Naidu asked the government to table the Jain Commission report on the assassination of Mr Rajiv Gandhi along with the action taken report (ATR) at the earliest in Parliament.
Mr Naidu said this would enable the Houses to have a meaningful discussion on the report.

Nurses' march to PM's house stopped
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Striking nurses from Haryana demonstrated here today for the acceptance of their demands by the state government.
Nurses were accompanied by their children who marched from the historic Jantar Mantar towards the residence of the Prime Minister this afternoon.
The demonstrators were stopped by the police near the Parliament Street police station, less than a kilometre away from Parliament.
Addressing the protestors, the president of the Nursing Staff Association, Haryana, Ms Jasbir Kaur, said they would intensify their agitation if the state government did not accept their demands.
She said the association has decided to court arrest en masse on July 15 in Chandigarh to press for their demands.
Among other demands, the nurses in the state have been demanding the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission, increase in the allowances and better promotional avenues.
The agitation by the nurses from Haryana at Jantar Mantar entered the 10th day today.
The association has stated that the health services in the state have deteriorated since the strike began, "but we will continue with our agitation till such time our demands are not met."
The police resorted to lathi-charge, and tear gas shelling last week when the members of Sarv Karmachari Sangh, Haryana, demonstrated in the Capital in support of nurses demand. Several nurses were injured in the incident.
The Sangh had stated that Haryana government employees would court arrest in Chandigarh on July 16.

Congressmen for initiative on women's Bill
NEW DELHI, July 13 (PTI) — A strong demand that the Congress take the initiative for inclusion of reservation for women from backward classes and minorities in the controversial women’s reservation Bill was made in the party today.
A meeting of the party’s parliamentary affairs committee presided by party President, Sonia Gandhi saw members like Mr P. Shiv Shanker and Mr Rajesh Pilot urging the leadership against allowing other opposition leaders including Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav taking credit for championing the cause of the backward and minorities, party sources said.
"We had a free and frank discussion on the issue’’, one of the committee members said adding that some Muslim members in the Lok Sabha have also wanted the leadership to study the pros and cons of reservation for the community in the Bill.
The meeting also witnessed demands that the party should opt for double member constituencies to accommodate women. The proposed system of rotation of constituencies was not in the interest of party members, it was stated.
Ms Sonia Gandhi told reporters later that the party wanted the Bill to be passed in this session itself. "It is for the government to consider these demands", she said in reply to a question on the party’s stand on the demand for inclusion of quota for women belonging to backward classes.
The leader of the Opposition, Sharad Pawar, said that the party has taken a "consistent’’ stand of supporting the Bill. He said that the party was ready to sympathetically consider any move to accommodate the interests of deprived sections.

MPs for draft plan on Cauvery
NEW DELHI, July 13 (PTI) — Members from Tamil Nadu today demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre submit the draft scheme on the Cauvery to give effect to the interim award on water sharing even as members from Karnataka pleaded for out-of-court settlement by the two state governments.
The matter was raised through a special mention by AIADMK member R. Margabandhu and several members from both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka spoke in an orderly manner to express the viewpoint of their respective states.
Usually the Cauvery waters issue sparks off heated exchanges between the members of the two states. Barring a mild flutter members patiently heard the viewpoint of the other side and the chairman observed: “This is a tradition we have decided to set up and let us discuss issues with decorum.”
Margabandhu charged the Centre with adopting “dilatory tactics” to stall implementation of the interim award by delaying the filing of the counter (draft scheme) in the Supreme Court.
He alleged that the Centre had sought eight adjournments on the hearing in the Supreme Court and warned that if the counter reply was not filed during the next hearing scheduled for July 21, there would be serious consequences. He was supported by DMK member Viduthalai Virumbi.
Mr S.R. Bommai and Mr C.M. Ibrahim from Karnataka said the draft scheme did not protect the interest of the upper riparian state and said the two Chief Ministers should meet soon to reach an out-of-court settlement to the long-pending issue.
Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) and Mr Kapil Sibal (Cong) said the Centre should evolve a national water policy to deal with such matters.
DMK member C.P. Thirunavukkarasu asked the Centre to submit the draft scheme on the Cauvery and ensure its early implementation.
While, Mr Janardhana Poojary (Cong) favoured an amicable settlement of the issue, his party colleague, Mr H. Hanumanthappa, wanted to know if the House could discuss a sub-judice matter.
AIADMK member N. Thalavai Sundaram demanded immediate settlement of the issue, while Mr Vayalar Ravi (Cong) suggested that the Kerala government be included in the discussions.

Bitta moots front to fight terrorism
NEW DELHI, July 13 (UNI)— Congress leader M.S. Bitta today urged all political parties to forge an all party anti-terrorism front
“This is important in view of the recent seizure of RDX and arms and ammunition by the Delhi police from Punjab militants. The seizure reveals the conspiracy to revive terrorism in Punjab,” he told reporters here.
He said he had urged the party high command to create an anti-terrorism cell which would “create an atmosphere against terrorism” particularly in the North-East and Jammu and Kashmir. However, if the party high command did not constitute, he himself would, after permission from the party, constitute a non-political anti-terrorism front within a few days.
“The anti-terrorism front, besides creating an atmosphere against terrorism in the country, would also help the victims of terrorism and provide them relief in the form of financial help and employment.”
Demanding constitution of a special committee to look into the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and various terrorist attempts on himself (Bitta), he suggested that the government amend laws so that bail was not granted to terrorists.

Cong: Jain panel report leaked
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 13 — Several Congress members in the Rajya Sabha today complained that there had been a systematic leak of the Jain Commission report even before it had been submitted to the government.
While demanding the tabling of the report along with the action taken report (ATR) in Parliament, the Congress members said that this selective leaking of the report had vitiated the atmosphere and full justice could not be expected now.
The matter was raised in the House through a special mention by Mr Suresh Pachouri (Cong). Several members lent their support to the argument that the reported leakage of the portions of the Jain Commission report to the media was not proper.
Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad said the report should be table immediately as the people wanted to know the truth.

Urban heritage awards given
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 13 — The Delhi Government would legislate laws to preserve monuments and take area-specific initiatives to preserve old buildings with architectural excellence, the Lieut-Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, said here today.
The Lieut Governor said this while giving away the DDA Urban Heritage Awards for 1996 and 1997 in the Capital. The theme for 1996 was “Havelis built before 1947”, while the awards for 1997 were based on the theme “Building before 1947 under adaptive re-use.”
Mr Sushil Kumar Moda bagged the first prize for his ancestral Haveli in Chandni Chowk for 1996, while in the Adaptive reuse section, St Xavier’s school was adjudged best by the jury.
At present only monuments declared protected under the Central law was being preserved. There was need for local regulations to preserve both monuments and non-monument buildings.
A committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the MP and former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Jagmohan, to suggest ways of developing the beautiful Tughlaqabad ruins into a tourist spot without detracting from their heritage.

Stop cow slaughter, demand MPs
NEWS DELHI, July 13 (PTI) — BJP members in the Rajya Sabha today demanded that the Centre convene a meeting of state governments to evolve “constructive steps” to immediately stop cow slaughter in the country.
Raising the matter through a special mention, Mr Omkar Singh Lekhawat said he was submitting a memorandum to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this regard.
He alleged that a large number of cows were being smuggled to neighbouring countries and Dubai where they were slaughtered and their meat exported.

In brief

Bengal minister passes away
CALCUTTA: The West Bengal Minister for Self-Employment and Employment Exchange, Ms Chhaya Bera, died at the state-run SSKM hospital on Monday after a prolonged illness. She was 55 and was suffering from lung cancer. She is survived by her husband, a son and a daughter. Born in Cuttack and a teacher by profession, she became a member of the CPM in 1971 and was involved in student and teachers movement for a long period. — PTI
Judicial custody for fraud accused
NASIK: Charanjit Singh Walia, who along with eight others had defrauded the Union Bank of India and Janalaxmi Co-Operative Bank here of Rs 21 lakh last month, has been remanded in judicial custody till July 17. The judicial magistrate, Mr P.K. Multaikar, before whom Walia was produced following the expiry of his seven-day police custody, put him in judicial custody and ordered his release after that on a bail of Rs 3,000. — PTI
RUWA seeks panel for women
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan University Women Association (RUWA) has demanded the setting up of a separate “state women commission” and more women police stations in the state to deal with cases of atrocities against women. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday evening RUWA president Dr Ladkumari Jain said the RUWA was in favour of 33 per cent reservation for women in both Houses of Parliament and State Assemblies. A one-day workshop on “Listen to Women’s Vote” would be held here on July 17 under the joint auspices of the RUWA, the National Commission for Women and the British Council. — PTI
Part of refinery unit gutted
MUMBAI: Fire gutted a portion of the naphtha pumping unit at the Bharat Petroleum Refinery here on Monday but there were no casualties, fire brigade sources said. The blaze was put out about two hours after it broke out around 8.30 a.m. following naphtha leakage at the refinery in Mahul in north east Mumbai. A spokesperson of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited told PTI “it was a localised fire.” — PTI
Spurt in highway robberies
MUMBAI: A spurt in thefts and robberies had been reported along the highways in Maharashtra transport and Industry Organisations said on Sunday. Concerned by the recent spurt in hijacking of trucks and looting of cargo on the highways, traders and truck and cargo operators had urged the government and the police to apprehend the culprits and retrieve the stolen goods. Most of the robberies had been reported from the Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Nasik and Mumbai-Ahmedabad highways. Traders and consigners claimed that they had lost crores of rupees this year in highway robberies. — UNI
Panchayat staff to launch stir
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa Grama Panchayat Karmachari Sangha has threatened to launch a statewide agitation from July 15 demanding the fixation of cadre and pay scale for grama panchayat secretaries. Addressing a news conference here on Sunday, the sangha general secretary, Mr Bhagaban Mohapatra said that they had taken the decision to go on strike in view of the dilatory tactics adopted by the government in fulfilling its one-point demand. — PTI
Information on Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: The Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to set up an information centre at Raipur for providing information about the Chhattisgarh state. The public Relations Minister, Mr Satyanarayan Sharma, told newsmen on Sunday that the computerised information centre would be linked to internet. All basic information about the proposed Chhattisgarh state including its history and culture would be available at the centre. — UNI