Gaur demands decrlaring remaining 20 wards as ''gas-affected''

Bhopal, Sep 26 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Babulal Gaur today alleged that remaining 20 of the total 56 wards of the city were not being declared as affected by the 1984 Gas Tragedy due to the Centre.

Mr Gaur told reporters here that all wards were affected by the tragedy on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984. However, 20 wards were left out despite the fact that people were as much affected in these wards and must get compensation.

He said he had urged Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh several times in this regard. However, these wards were not being declared gas-affected due to the Centre.

On whether he was raising the issue in view of the upcoming state assembly polls, the minister said he had been raising these issues several times. He would make people aware about this during elections if the Centre does not take action.

Mr Gaur said the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) was not returning 2,500 acre land of the state government due to the attitude of the Centre. He demanded that contract labourers of BHEL should be regularised.

Referring to increase in cost of the project of bringing Narmada water to Bhopal, he said the revised cost for the project was before the government for approval. He hoped that Narmada waters would reach the city by June 2009.

On whether he contest from Govindpura assembly seat again, he said the party would take a decision in this regard. Any decision of the party would be acceptable.

Earlier, Mr Gaur provided assistance money announced by the government to 18 bonded labourers, who were freed from a farm house recently. He said they were being rehabilitated in a proper manner.

UNI PKJ-PS SB RN1911