Date:06/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/06/stories/2005110612010400.htm

New Delhi

Ram Babu says he will keep up pressure on Delhi Government

Staff Reporter

"Party is supreme and partymen have to be given due respect''

NEW DELHI: Asserting that party was supreme and partymen had to be given due respect, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president, Ram Babu Sharma on Saturday declared that he would continue to scrutinise the actions of the Congress-led Government in Delhi on the issue of power, water and if need be even take up confrontation in the interests of the people.

At the same time, he declared that all those children orphaned by the recent serial blasts in the Capital would be adopted by the DPCC. The entire educational expenses and other related expenditure of such orphans would be fully borne by the Delhi Congress. The DPCC delegates have been deputed to ascertain all such cases and also visit the residences of all those killed in the recent blasts so that a concrete plan could be worked out to help them out. "The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi would hand them over various policies to ensure financial security for such individuals and families shortly. Details of such policies are being worked out by professionals and would be announced very soon,'' he added.

Highlighting the achievements of the past one-year, Mr. Sharma, who completed one year in office on Saturday, told newspersons that he had been given this position by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi to protect the interests of the people and especially the poor. Be it the issue of power, water or relocation of industrial units, the Congress party will continue with its efforts to seek justice for the common man. "I have raised the issue of water and power crisis in the Capital with the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit. If need be, we will take strong action against the erring private power companies. They will have to address the issues of inflated bills, fast running metres and power cuts otherwise the party will be forced to take an adverse position on this issue once again,'' he added.

On the issue of relocation of industrial units presently functioning from the non-conforming areas, Mr. Sharma said after his recent meeting with Ms. Dikshit, he had been assured that a notification for regularisation of 17 areas would be issued very soon and a fresh survey would be ordered for three other areas. "I am confident the Chief Minister is actively working on the matter and a notification would be issued very soon. But we will continue to seek relief for lakhs of industrial workers and owners who have been affected by this delay in notification,'' he remarked.

Stating that he had been entrusted with the task of overlooking the implementation of the promises made in the party manifesto, Mr. Sharma said the manifesto had been approved by the Congress president and there would be no laxity in fulfilling the promises made by the party.