The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : Delhi industrialists meet Khurana, seek help

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Monday, Sep 13, 2004

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Delhi industrialists meet Khurana, seek help

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, SEPT. 12. The Rajasthan Governor, Madan Lal Khurana, today found himself in a piquant situation when a large delegation of industrialists from his erstwhile political constituency, Delhi, pleaded with him to come to their rescue on the controversial issue of closure of polluting industrial units in the national capital.

The delegation, comprising about 50 industrialists and five Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, was led by the BJP leader and former Delhi Industries Minister, Harsharan Singh Balli. Regardless of his present status, the representatives of industrial bodies made their best efforts to cajole Mr. Khurana into returning to Delhi and provide them "guidance and leadership'' to protect their livelihood.

"Industry will finish in Delhi. The normal life of about 60-lakh people will be disturbed. People will come on roads and commit suicide,'' H.R. Sikka, chairman of Relocation Committee of the Delhi Factory Owners' Federation, said in the interaction at Raj Bhavan here, while beseeching Mr. Khurana to come back among his own people and guide them.

The drive to close down polluting industries in the non-conforming areas in Delhi and relocate them to the approved industrial areas has been undertaken on the Supreme Court's directive. The Delhi Government has already decided to approach the apex court with the plea to grant more time for shifting of various categories of industries.

Mr. Khurana had a tough time explaining his stand vis-a-vis the problem that had shaken him as he considered Delhi his temple and himself its priest. "I am worried about the future of lakhs of citizens, industrialists, entrepreneurs and labourers of Delhi. Their plight is my plight,'' he pointed out. However, Mr. Khurana said he had to confine himself within the parameters of governorship and ensure that his actions did not violate the dignity and sanctity of his office. "I cannot assure you that I will take some specific action to redress your grievance, even though this issue is above politics,'' he said.

Perhaps baffled by the appeal for returning to Delhi, Mr. Khurana said his would certainly hold "chintan'' (contemplation) over the problems created by the biggest-ever relocation of industries. "You should realise that you are not talking to a political leader of Delhi. I cannot make any promise that violates the dignity of Governor's office,'' he added.

Earlier, talking to newspersons, Mr. Khurana said the problem of polluting industrial units in Delhi had been compounded by the failure to develop and allot plots in the industrial estates, including that at Bawana, established by the Government headed by him in 1993. The Governor said he had taken up the industrialists' cause even as a Member of Parliament in 2000 and courted arrest during an agitation. "The future of 1.20-lakh units existing in non-conforming areas and 15-lakh labourers directly connected with them is now at stake. I am distressed by this scenario,'' he bemoaned.

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