Stir against quota policy planned
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Aug 8 — Organisations with eminent personalities from different walks of life have constituted a national coordination committee (NCC) to launch a countrywide campaign against any move to amend the Constitution for further extension of the reservation policy.

An action committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the president of the All-India Brahman Mahasabha, Mr Mange Ram Sharma, hailing from Haryana, to spearhead the campaign.

Talking to TNS here today, Mr Sharma said the NCC consisting of 70 organisations had decided to launch a campaign with a token fast at the Rajghat in Delhi on August 23. The decision to constitute the same had been taken at a meeting of representatives of organisations of various castes in Delhi on August 2.

Among others, representatives of the All-India Brahman Mahasabha, All-India Kashtriya Mahasabha, All- India Jain Parishad, All-India Vaish Mahasabha and All-India Kayast Mahasabha attended.

Mr Sharma said a call had been given to members of these organisations to launch a signature campaign among legislators in the state assemblies against the continuation of the reservation policy. The signatures procured will be submitted to the President and the Prime Minister.

Mr Sharma said the movement was not directed against any section of society but in the overall interest of the state. The reservation policy had taken a toll of merit. As was borne out from facts, the reservation policy since Independence had not paid dividends. Those who were supposed to benefit from the policy had remained mired in illiteracy and poverty.

Mr Sharma said the NCC was of the view that instead of reservation to the targeted strata, there should be a mechanism to improve the merit of its members so that they could compete with others. To this effect, free scholarships could be provided to the children of the socially backward people.

He said the action committee would hold its first meeting in Delhi to further chart out its strategy.

Minister's appeal to govt staff
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Aug 8 — Addressing a meeting of district officers here today, Mr Sat Narain Lather, Minister of State for Housing and Public Health, appealed to the state government employees not to resort to strike and agitation for realization of their demands.

He said the Haryana government had already accepted their genuine demands and there was no justification for the employees to go on strike and to hold demonstration against the government.

The Haryana Government was determined to provide adequate electricity to the agricultural sector. He appealed to the farmers to pay their electricity bills regularly so that the functioning of the HSEB might not suffer due to paucity of funds.

The construction of mini secretariats at nine district headquarters was in progress and expressed the hope that these would be completed during the current financial year. All the roads in the state would be repaired after the rainy season.

Bold fashion show rocks Rohtak
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 8 — Organising a fashion show in a traditional town like Rohtak may prove quite a challenging task unless one has innovative ideas. An attempt was, however, made in the 'fashion show' organised by a voluntary body in the Vaish College Auditorium here last evening.

The main draw of the show was Union Minister Mrs Maneka Gandhi and the organisers of the show did their best to put the show across as a programme by people who cared for animals. Those who bought tickets were, however, shocked by the 'boldness' of the dresses.

On condition of anonymity an advocate said he and his family were scandalised by the display of 'vulgarity'.

He said advertisements had only mentioned a fashion designers contest. Nothing was stated about a fashion parade.

The show was held in the auditorium of the 'Vaish Institutions' the foundation stone of which was laid by the father of the nation, Mahatama Gandhi, during the freedom struggle.

A member of the Vaish Education Society described the show as shocking. A spectator later contended that the name of People For Animals had been misused to attract sponsors and the audience.

Gandhi, in her address stated that an animal hospital would be set up in the near future at Rohtak.

Man axed to death following dispute
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 8 — A resident of Asan village in the district was allegedly axed to death by another person of the village because of old enmity.

According to the complaint lodged with the police the accused, identified as Mohinder Singh, attacked and injured one Balwan Singh with an axe after a quarrel. The victim later succumbed to his injuries. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC against the accused.

In another incident an undertrial prisoner escaped from police custody on being produced in the local court in connection with a case. The accused had been identified as Narender of Chhara village of the district. He was to be produced in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate along with Rajesh of Meerach village in Bhiwani district yesterday. The police has registered a case under Sections 323 and 324 IPC.

The police has also registered two separate cases of molestation at Lakhanmajra and Marodi Jatan village against two persons. The cases were registered under Sections 354 and 354, 506 IPC respectively. No arrest was made in this regard.

Teacher threatens indefinite fast
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 8 — Mr Narinder Singh, a government teacher and resident of the local Mohabat Nagar, has been staging a dharna in front of the office of the District Education Officer since July 6 to get justice from the Punjab Government.

He alleged that the Education Department had transferred him from Government High School, Razapur, on the basis of "false'' complaints.

He has given an ultimatum to the district administration and the Punjab Government saying he would go on fast unto death if his transfer was not cancelled till August 17.

Mr Sucha Singh, District Education Officer (P), however, claimed that the transfer of Mr Narinder Singh had been ordered on administrative grounds by the DPI (School), Punjab. He said Mr Bir Singh Sahota, District Education Officer, had conducted an inquiry against him, on the basis of which he had been transferred to Government Senior Secondary School, Jallalabad.

BJP suspends 3 councillors
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 8 — Mr Om Prakash Grover, state president of the BJP has suspended three municipal councillors of Karnal on the charge of anti-party activities.

Those suspended are Mr Mukesh Sharma, Mr Ram Prakash and Mr Satendra Jeet Singh.

An official statement issued here today, said, the councillors were suspended as they were indulging in anti-party activities during the election to the post of vice-president of the Karnal Municipal Council. The statement said earlier too, these councillors had supported the president of the council, Ms Sumita Singh, a supporter of Mr Bhajan Lal, when a no-confidence motion was tabled against her.

Sonepat to observe bandh on Aug 20
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 8 — Sonepat, a fast growing industrial city, will observe a complete bandh on August 20 in protest against the HVP-BJP alliance government's failure to provide round-the-clock power and water not only to the farmers but also to the inhabitants living in the urban areas.

A decision to this effect was taken at a specially convened meeting of various political parties, trade and industrial organisations here last evening.Prominent leaders who attended this meeting included Mr Braham Singh Dahiya, vice-president of the Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Mr Deputy Prasad Gupta, president of the Haryana Pradesh Halwai Union, Dr Dev Rattan Madan, president of the Sonepat Vegetable and Fruit Commission Agents Association, Mr S.N.Solanki (CPM), Mr Howa Singh (CITU), Mr Taneja, president of the Gita Bhjavan Market Association, Mr Daryao Singh (CPI), Mr Hari Parkash (SUCI), Mr Raj Singh Dalal (BSP) and Dr Vinod, president of the Mandi Market Association.

Representatives from various students and youths organisations also took part in this meeting.