The Hindu : National : Kerala's concern for Maudhany questioned

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006

National

National

Kerala's concern for Maudhany questioned

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI : Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday questioned the rationale behind the request of the Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan for special and immediate arrangements for medical treatment to the leader of the People's Democratic Party Abdul Nasir Maudhany, lodged in a Coimbatore jail.

"Why should he [Mr. Achuthanandan] be concerned about the health of Maudhany? In what way is the Kerala Government involved in this matter?" Dr. Swamy asked, addressing mediapersons.

When it was pointed out that the Kerala Chief Minister's request was based on humanitarian grounds in view of the "deteriorating health" of the PDP leader, the Janata Party leader said that it was the responsibility of the Tamil Nadu Government to take care of Mr. Maudhany.

To challenge in court

Dr. Swamy said that in the event of the Tamil Nadu Government acting on the request of Kerala, he would challenge such an action in a court of law.

On the increase of prices of petrol and diesel, he said that according to calculations provided by the Union Petroleum Ministry, the cost of petrol delivered to pumps came to Rs. 18.71 a litre. After giving allowance for other taxes, it was possible to peg the cost at not more than Rs. 30 a litre.

He wanted the Government to allow foreign oil companies to enter the Indian market and said this would automatically bring down the cost. He cited the example of the airlines industry where the entry of more players, he said, had resulted in lowering of passenger fares. A similar approach would ensure that the cost of petrol did not exceed Rs. 20 a litre.

Calling for greater research on hydrogen fuel cells as alternative forms of energy, Dr. Swamy said several countries were undertaking research programmes in this area.

The Janata Party leader said his party welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party's move to continue ties with it for local body polls.

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