PM for common approach on CNG issue

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 21. The impending transport crisis, triggered by inadequate availability of eco-friendly CNG fuel and an untrusted technology, took an interesting turn with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, directing the Union Petroleum Minister, Mr. Ram Naik, to sit down with the Delhi Government representatives and adopt a common approach before the Supreme Court.

The direction came after the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, and her Transport Minister, Mr. Parvez Hashmi, met Mr. Vajpayee to seek his intervention in the matter which was threatening to turn into a major crisis. The Minister of State in the PMO, Mr. Vijay Goel, was also present at the meeting.

It is learnt that Mr. Goel was instrumental in bringing about the meeting and had worked hard behind the scene to ensure that both parties arrive at a common stand in the interest of lakhs of people whose money was at stake. The seriousness of the crisis could be judged from the fact that Ms. Dikshit had sought the meeting on Thursday and was granted an audience this morning. She met Mr. Vajpayee at for 55 minutes.

The Prime Minister also asked Ms. Dikshit, Mr. Hashmi and Mr. Naik along with Mr. Goel to meet tomorrow and chalk out a common strategy so that no individual or government was singled out for criticism. A meeting has been fixed between the four for 3 p.m. tomorrow. Mr. Vajpayee is understood to have told Mr. Naik that all efforts should be directed at presenting the factual position before the Supreme Court when the case comes up for hearing on September 28. The ground realities with regard to the availability of CNG fuel, the number of vehicles and the finances of the vehicle operators involved should be kept in mind before arriving at a common stand.

The meeting also witnessed some sparks between Ms. Dikshit and Mr. Naik on tackling the CNG crisis on previous occasions. Stating that the Delhi Government was being blamed for everything, Ms. Dikshit is understood to have told Mr. Naik that the situation was bleak and required tough decisions. At this, Mr. Naik is learnt to have remarked: ``Ms. Dikshit is very pessimistic. I am optimistic''. At this, the Chief Minister is understood to have said: ``I hope that Mr. Naik is proven right and myself wrong''.

It is learnt that the Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister about the recent directions of the Supreme Court and the continued harassment faced by the CNG vehicles owners, especially those in the public transport sector. She said the Petroleum Ministry and the Indraprastha Gas Limited had failed to provide the required quantity of CNG to vehicle owners. The promise to import compressors that would have eliminated the long queues outside the gas filling stations had also failed not been kept.

Ms. Dikshit said the situation was very grim and until and unless some solution was found, the Capital would face a chaotic situation. It was at this point that Mr. Vajpayee said it was important that both governments make united presentation before the Supreme Court and the blame game should end. Instructions in this regard should be passed on the concerned lawyers so that there is no contradiction before the court.

It is understood that Mr. Vajpayee told Mr. Goel to keep him informed about the outcome of tomorrow's meeting and also of the developments that take place during the week on the CNG front.

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