LUDHIANA, Aug 9: Punjab Local Bodies Minister Balramji Das Tandon today claimed that there were no `serious' differences between the alliance partners SAD (B) and BJP and the stand-off between the two parties over inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in proposed hill state of Uttaranchal would be resolved amicably.Talking to media persons in circuit house here, Tandon refused to be drawn further into the implications of imminent political crisis and declined to comment when his reaction was sought on the SAD (B) political affairs committee ultimatum to the Union Government to review the decision failing which the party could even withdraw the support to coalition government led by Atal Vajpayee.The minister also disagreed with a questioner that the coalition government at the Centre was unstable and shaky as a result of different constituents putting pressure and pulling indifferent directions. The jerks and jolts coming from different `quarters' had rather strengthened the Vajpayee government, he commented.Tandon disclosed that an estimated Rs. 3700 crore were needed to provide piped water and sewerage facilities to 140 towns with civic bodies in the state.The government was exploring the possibilities of securing funds from World Bank and other international financial institutions. He said if the funds were available, the basic amenities like drinking water and sewerage could be made available to a majority of population in the state within a period of five years.Expressing serious concern over continuous haphazard urban growth and mushrooming of slums, particularly in this city, the minister informed that the government was preparing master plans for Amritsar and Ludhiana to ensure planned development in the two large cities in Punjab.
