UPA rebuff to Amar on new petroleum secy

BY MUKESH RANJAN

New Delhi

Aug. 25: In a kind of rebuff for the first time to Samajwadi Party since it tendered support to the UPA during the crucial trust vote last month, the government on Monday ruled out the possibility of taking cognisance of the insinuations raised by SP leader Amar Singh over appointment of petroleum secretary R.S. Pandey.

Refuting the charges levelled by the SP leader in his reported letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that there was a "suspicious" role of Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani in the crucial appointment, sources in the UPA government said, the Prime Minister took "special care to ensure neutrality of the person" while selecting Mr R.S. Pandey, a 1972 batch Nagaland cadre IAS officer.

Mr Pandey, who before joining the petroleum ministry, was secretary to the steel ministry. Mr Singh in his letter, quoting media reports, mentioned that minister of state for steel Jatin Prasada facilitated Mr Ambani to have a meeting with Mr Pandey, just a day before his appointment.

Interestingly, this, however, was also denied by Mr Prasada, as he reported to have said, "There is no question. No such meeting ever took place."

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‘Chiru party no threat to Congress’

BY OUR SPECIAL

CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI

Aug. 25: The Congress on Monday asserted that Telugu mega star Chiranjeevi’s new party, which is to be launched in Tirupati on Tuesday, would pose no threat to the Congress. The Congress position is strong in Andhra Pradesh and the launch of a new political outfit would not affect the ruling Congress.

AICC spokesman Manish Tiwari said, "Anyone is welcome to start a political party. But the position of the Congress in Andhra Pradesh will not be affected. The Congress has earned the goodwill through the good work done for the people."

The Congress leadership is focusing on the paradigm shift brought about by Dr Rajashekhar Reddy, by turning attention to the rural areas.

The Rajiv Arogyashri enables the poor to avail treatment for chronic diseases upto Rs 2 lakh. The Rs 2 a kg rice scheme was supplemented by sale of pulses and edible oil at subsidised prices.

Land distribution to the landless has also been a major initiative. Scholarship to students of the weaker sections, Indiramma housing for the poor, free power to farmers and the flagship Jalayagnam to rescue the farmers .