CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Saturday joined the issue of appointment of Chief Commissioner for Union Territory of Chandigarh and urged the Central Government that Administrator of Chandigarh be held rotationally by the Governor of Punjab and Haryana.

Punjab government has been opposing appointment of Chief Commissioner and wanted to continue the present system of Punjab Governor holding the charge of administrator of Chandigarh. The Union Home minsitry has proposed to appoint Chief Commissioner as administrator. Punjab Governor was given charge of the administrator of UT during upseurge of Punjab militancy in early eighties.

While interacting with media at a function hosted by Haryana Pradesh Vyopar Mandal , Hooda on a question about the facilities extended to the traders in the state, replied that the State Government had taken several decisions to benefit the traders which included reducing the sales tax on many items and exemption in sales tax on tractors and agricultural implements. Besides this, the State Government was seriously contemplating for the simplification of Form 38 which would definitely provide a major relief to the traders.

In reply to a question regarding the action on the leaders who had been issued notices for being responsible for internal dispute in the Congress Party, Hooda said that the decision in this regard would be taken by the Party. Replying to a question for earmarking Rs 10 crore for the rejuvenation of Saraswati River, he said that the legendary River relates to Indian culture and civilization and connected with Mahabharata times, hence the efforts were being made to revive it. The help of Oil and Natural Gas Nigam was also being taken for this purpose. Mr Hooda said that the revival of the extinct River would add a new history in the field of irrigation in the state.