Hopes of an early settlement of Punjab issues dwindled with Haryana leaders deciding to stick to the state’s stand at a meeting at Union Agriculture Minister Birendra Singh’s house. It was decided that Bhajan Lal should stick to the original stand of Haryana, viz, Chandigarh should be given to Punjab and the Fazilka and Abohar areas to Haryana.
Chief Minister N T Rama Rao told newsmen that a high-level meeting of all non-Congress (I) leaders would be held on May 28 to discuss the political situation in the country. He refused to disclose the venue. To a question whether he would try for a national alternative to Congress (I), he said it would depend on the outcome of the meeting. The second “mahanadu” (state-level convention of the Telugu Desam) may well become a venue for bringing all regional and national non-Congress (I) parties together.
The Commerce Ministry plans to lay special emphasis on agricultural exports as part of its strategy to boost exports and reduce the balance of payment deficit. At the first open house discussion between the government and representatives of trade and industry, the Commerce Minister, V P Singh, said an additional secretary would be appointed in the Commerce Ministry to deal with agricultural exports. He accepted the plea made by the industry to make the export of mango kernel eligible for 10 per cent cash compensatory relief.
Secretary of State George Shultz says the US will lift an embargo on the sale of 75 F-16 warplanes to Israel following Israel’s agreement to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, the New York Times reported. Shultz told reporters that Israel would get the planes by 1985.
