The Hindu : National : Give up fasting plan, Waghela urged

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Thursday, Jan 25, 2007
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National

National

Give up fasting plan, Waghela urged

Manas Dasgupta

Prohibition Act not relaxed, says Gujarat Minister

Shankarsinh Waghela

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ashok Bhatt has denied that the Government had relaxed the Prohibition Act and asked Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Waghela to stop the "drama of sitting on fast."

Mr. Bhatt claimed that the Government's decision to issue group permits to those coming from outside to attend national and international conferences and permits to the residents in the Special Economic Zones were not relaxations in the prohibition policy but intended to encourage foreign investments.

Alleging that during the Congress rule bootleggers and violators of the Prohibition Act prospered, Mr. Bhatt said Mr. Waghela's "dramatic announcement to go on a 52-hour fast" was "politically motivated" and a "last-ditch effort for his own political survival."

Pointing out that the people of Gujarat had rejected the political outfit he launched after breaking away from the BJP, Mr. Bhatt said Mr. Waghela was staging the drama to "prove himself to be a Gandhian" without having anything to do with Gandhian values. "The people of Gujarat will not tolerate his drama," he said.

Mr. Waghela has said that he would go on a fast from Gandhi Nirvan Day on January 30 against the alleged relaxations in the prohibition law. Several voluntary organisations, including Lok Adhikar Manch, have announced their support to the agitation.

Budget session

The State Cabinet, at a meeting, has given final approval for the budget session of the Assembly scheduled to begin here on February 22 and last till March 30.

Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala is due to present the annual budget for the next financial year on February 23.

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