The Hindu : Advani to talk to Assam, Bihar Governments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 17, 2003

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Advani to talk to Assam, Bihar Governments

New Delhi Nov.16. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said he would talk to the Assam and Bihar Governments in a bid to reduce tensions over the alleged prevention of Bihari students from appearing in railway recruitment test in Maligaon in Assam on November 9.

"I had gone to Aruanchal Pradesh yesterday. I will now talk to both Assam and Bihar to ensure that the tension created between them are removed," he said here during an interaction with women students from Bihar.

He was responding to a question from a student of Patna Women's College about the steps being taken to ensure security of women students from Bihar who may visit Assam in future.

Students from Bihar, agitated over being denied appearance in the examination had last week assaulted around 30 passengers after stopping two trains at the Jamalpur railway station.

Talking to presspersons on the Maharashtra multi-crore stamp paper scam, Mr. Advani said that the Centre would decide on any action after talks with the State Government.

After a 30-minute meeting with the Maharashtra Governor, Mohammed Fazal, he said: "If we have to do something, it will be on the basis of talks with the Maharashtra Government.''

He said Mr. Fazal did refer to the scam during the meeting but more important was "what the State Government says on the issue.'' "I have not asked for any report on the scam from the Governor," Mr. Advani said.

The Governor also discussed the possible Central assistance to tackle drought in 10 districts of the State.

Now both the issues would be directly taken up with the Chief Minister or Home Minister of the State, he said.

Mr. Advani said he had not demanded a CBI inquiry into the scam.

``The CBI is already looking into the matter on the request of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat. Its chief is on record stating if other States ask the investigating agency, it will take up their request as well.''

Mr. Advani refused to comment on the alleged bribery charges against the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Dilip Singh Judev, saying he would first like to speak to him.

PTI

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