CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister S.B.Chavan said here last week that Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana had to be taken into confidence before introducing a democratic set-up in Chandigarh He was speaking (o journalists after laying foundation stone of Central Forensic Institute Complex.

But Bhajan Lal is for such a setup & newsman pointed out as the Haryana CM sitting next to Chavan smiled quietly Chavan; A Political issue has cropped up as how to provide a democratic set-up in the city in view of 74th amendment and  do not think that the issue can be delayed for long. He had arrived in the city on a visit that he Said was non-political

On whether the city would continue to be a Union Territory Chavan said the Prime Minister would decide about the future status of Chandigarh. The Rajiv-Longowal accord however stood To a question about apology sought by former Union Home Minister Buta Singh at the Golden Temple for having got the Akal Takht built with the government funds after it was demolished during Operation Bluestar in 1984 Chavan said Buta Singh could apologize in his individual capacity. Not wanting (o say much on this issue Chavan said Singh would have to seek Congress’s permission before apologizing in case he does so in his capacity as a party MP of former minister.

Pakistan Chavan said had been encouraging terrorism in India and (the issue of human rights was being mixed up with politics. He claimed India had a very clean record of projecting human rights. Pakistan had been more successful in spreading disinformation about India than India projecting its genuine views he said. About US President Bill Clinton’s remarks about his support to anti-India outfits in Punjab and Kashmir Chavan said the US had officially clarified its position. I do not know if such references {o Clinton were a mistake on the part of his aides he said.

Director of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory R.Y.P.Bhatia and H.K.Mehta Superintendent Engineer CPWD which is constructing the complex also spoke on the occasion.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994