Khurana to opppose shifting of units

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 13.

Announcing his decision to oppose the decision of the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan, to close down more than 38,000 polluting units in the Capital, the former Chief Minister, Mr.Madan Lal Khurana, said today he would launch an agitation against the move from December 16.

On a warpath with the Centre for its failure to effect a change in the Master Plan of Delhi, Mr. Khurana said there was nothing anti-party in what he was doing. He would hold a massive dharna at Rajghat on December 16 to press for change in the Master Plan and for proper relocation of industries. If that does not change the stand of the Urban Development Ministry, he would launch the second phase of his agitation, hitting the streets.

``I am not alone. I am backed by nearly 50 organisations and the industrial workers who would be displaced. I will fight for their rights. I will also meet the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, in this connection and seek their intervention'', he added. However, Mr.Khurana's decision could embarrass the BJP as it could even mean directly opposing the directions of the Supreme Court.

The Delhi Sadar MP was also confident that his moves would be backed by his party colleagues including the former Chief Minister, Mr. Sahib Singh Verma, and Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra.

Mr.Khurana was critical of Mr. Jagmohan for refusing to make any changes in the Master Plan. He indicated that some middle path had to be found to.

Meanwhile, in a related move, a deputation led by Delhi unit president, Mr. Mange Ram Garg; the Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi; the Delhi Mayor, Mr. Shanti Desai; and representatives of the Laghu Udyog Bharti met Mr. Jagmohan and discussed the hardships likely to be faced by the industrial units that are being closed.

The Minister assured the delegation that instructions had been issued to the Chief Secretary, Mr. P.S. Bhatnagar, that the party, whose unit is to be closed, should be given a hearing before the team led by the SDM seals the unit. The decision with regard to closure, or otherwise, would be taken keeping in view the position as it obtains at the site at present and not merely as per the list prepared earlier.

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