Probe team gave wrong report: SE
SONEPAT, Aug 9 — Reacting sharply to the registration of an FIR against five officials, the Superintending Engineer, Yamuna Water Services Circle, Mr R.K. Garg, has not only exposed the conduct and role of a technical member of the checking committee, but recommended stern action against him.
Freedom fighters honoured
KURUKSHETRA, Aug 9 — The freedom fighters of Haryana made a significant contribution in making the 'National Struggle for Freedom' and the 'Quit India Movement', a big success which resulted in freeing India from the British rule.
Editor held on extortion charge
FARIDABAD, Aug 9 — The crime branch of the Delhi police has arrested Nafees Siddiqui, Editor of a Hindi magazine from Kanpur, on a charge of extorting lakhs of rupees as ransom from the Faridabad-based owners of Lakhani shoes company.

16 acres donated for hospital

Goods worth 15 lakh gutted in fire

12 labourers crushed to death
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 9 — As many as 12 labourers were killed on the spot when a truck rammed into them on the GT Road near Bhigan village about 10 km from here, last night.

According to preliminary reports, all of them were asleep on a divider of the national highway No 1 in front of a rice sheller.

The driver managed to escape along with the truck. The police has registered a case for rash and negligent driving and causing the death of the victims.

The dead have been identified as Najbur, a resident of South Dinajpur district (Bengal), Arjun Bhami, a resident of Khagria (Bihar), Ranjit of Begusarai district (Bihar), Nepalu of south Dinajpur (Bengal), Ataul of North Dinajpur (Bengal), Sajat of North Dinajpur (Bengal), Subodh Rai of South Dinajpur (Bengal), Koli Mal of North Dinajpur (Bengal), Chhaipur of South Dinajpur (Bengal), Majnu of South Dinajpur (Bengal), Abdul Samadh of North Dinajpur (Bengal), Rija Ajal of South Dinajpur (Bengal)

The injured are Suresh Abhi of Khagra district (Bihar), Nazrul Sultan of North Dinajpur (Bengal), Azad of North Dinajpur (Bengal), and Ram Ditta of Samastipur district (Bihar).

Official sources said in Chandigarh that the seriously injured had been referred to the Rohtak medical college hospital while the remaining three injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital, Sonepat.

The victims were workers of the Pikri rice mill situated opposite the village.

Haryana farmers in dire straits
From Sushil Manav

FATEHABAD, Aug 9 — Will the ecological changes eat into the vitals of the socio-economic fabric of this district situated at the trio junction of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana? If the deteriorating plight of the farmers of the area, a one time cotton belt of Haryana is any indication, the sons of the soil are all likely to find themselves in a financial crisis in the coming times. The apathy of the government towards their woes has made their situation pitiable. Plagued by repeated failure of crops, the farmers have landed themselves in an acute resource crunch.

If may be recalled that the one time cotton belt of Haryana has been fast losing that status due to the attack of the American bollworm on the cotton crops during the past five years. Due to a sharp decline in the yield of cotton crop, many farmers of the area had opted for paddy crop this season.

The total area under the cultivation of cotton crop during the year 1997-98 was 46,300 hectares, while that under the paddy crop was about 12,993 hectares. But as the yield in the cotton crop per hectare had fallen down to 8.5 quintal in 1997-98 as compared to 13.5 quintals during the 1996-97 season, about 40 per cent increase in the area under the cultivation of paddy was witnessed this season.

The main reason behind such a big shift in the crop pattern was that the yield of paddy per hectare of land had remained almost constant at 56 quintals during the last two seasons. But the move has failed to pay dividends.

A survey of several dozen villages conducted by The Tribune reveals that most of the farmers who had planted paddy crop in their fields are in a dilemma now. A dry spell has made their task difficult. The farmers who are dependent on canal water for irrigation complain that they are not getting sufficient water to save the paddy crop, while the farmers who have to depend on tubewells, are facing an acute shortage of power. Cracks have developed in many of the paddy fields.

Farmers are forced to use tractors to run tubewells, raising the cost of production. Others have installed new submersible pumps by arranging loans from the banks, but even they do not have much hope for their crops in the absence of rains. Experts say, if the present dry spell continues for another week, the total yield of paddy this year is likely to decrease by over 40 per cent. The situation is such that most of the farmers have decided to abandon half of their land under the cultivation of paddy, as they feel that with the given resources they would be happy if they could save the other half of their paddy crops.

Most of the farmers are trapped in heavy debts. Marginal farmers are sitting on the edge of poverty. Even affluent farmers have been rendered defaulters by the failure of crops over the years. Many of the farmers owe big amounts of money to nationalised banks, mini banks and arhtias. The interest on the amount of tractor loans and other agricultural equipment has crossed the principal amounts.

Now even the arhtias have started refusing further loans to the farmers. The farmers are finding it difficult to arrange for fertilisers and pesticides. The way things are going, there is apprehension that an Andhra Pradesh-like situation may not arise in this part of the state.

Probe team gave wrong report: SE
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 9 — Reacting sharply to the registration of an FIR against five officials, including an XEN and an SDO of the Sonepat Water Service Division, Sonepat, the Superintending Engineer, Yamuna Water Services Circle, Mr R.K. Garg, has not only exposed the conduct and role of a technical member of the checking committee, but recommended stern action against him for making an inquiry in a "perfunctory manner" and submitting a "wrong report" to the authorities.

In a communication sent to Mr J.K. Jain, Chief Engineer, Yamuna Water Services unit of the Irrigation Department, Haryana, Mr Garg also alleged that the checking team sent by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sonepat, had failed to carry out the checking in a prescribed manner. He also pointed out that the findings of the team that 50 per cent of the stone was of smaller size appeared to be erroneous and as such the FIR lodged against the officials of the department was based on wrong facts.

Mr Garg also accused the district administration of displaying undue urgency in lodging the FIR against the officials. He suggested that the subject deserved full attention of the department as it was a serious stigma against the officials involved in the case if the FIR was found to be unsustainable.

In another communication sent to the Commissioner of Rohtak Division, Mr Garg pointed out that the checking of stones at the Bega river complex by a special committee was not carried out from a complete stack and a random picking up the stones was more likely to give an incorrect result.

Mr Garg also asserted that the site had been inspected by the engineer-in-chief and other senior officers of the Irrigation Department, Haryana, and all of them were apparently satisfied with the on-going work at the site.

Giving the details of the project and the sanctioned amount for it, Mr Garg maintained that because the meeting of the Haryana State Flood Control Board was delayed this year, there was inadequate time at the disposal of the department for completing the project work. Hence, the Executive Engineer, Sonepat Water Service Division, Sonepat, who was the in charge of this work, was advised not to receive the stone supplies beyond June 15 last and reduce the scope of work for a better planning of the work.

Mrs Ompati, Sarpanch of Bega village, and residents of nearby villages also criticised the attempt to implicate the officials in a wrong case.

In a signed memorandum sent to the Deputy Commissioner, Sonepat, a copy of which was released to the press here, they had pointed out that the construction work at the Bega river complex was up to the mark and the stones used there in were of right size.

Mr S.N. Sharma, Executive Engineer of the Sonepat Water Service Division, who is involved in this case, had alleged that the FIR was got registered against him with ulterior motive to falsely implicate him in the case at the instance of a local Haryana minister who, he further alleged, had been trying to replace him by Mr M.S. Sangwan, Executive Engineer, and a technical member of the special committee set up by the ADC, Sonepat, to enquire into the river works.

Mr Sharma also alleged that he was summoned personally by the minister concerned in May, 1998 and directed to get himself transferred outside Sonepat on his own request, failing which he would have to face dire consequences.

Freedom fighters honoured
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 9 — The freedom fighters of Haryana made a significant contribution in making the 'National Struggle for Freedom' and the 'Quit India Movement', a big success which resulted in freeing India from the British rule.

This was stated by the Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, while speaking at the state-level function of the 'Kranti Divas' (Revolution Day) organised by the Public Relations Department, Haryana and the District Administration to mark the 'Quit India Movement of 1942' at Kurukshetra University Auditorium here today.

Paying warm tributes to freedom fighters, the Governor said that due to the sacrifices, suffering and dedication of those patriots and freedom fighters we had just celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Independence. It is our first duty to safeguard and to strengthen the national freedom, unity and integrity which were the valuable gifts to use from our freedom fighters, he added.

The Governor called upon the planners, administrators and teachers to take stock of all our failure and achievements we attained during the past 50 years of our free India so as to review our development in the field of eradicating illiteracy, poverty and inequality from the society. We should work hard to serve the poor, the disabled and the dalits residing in the slums and rural areas through heralding a number of social and educational developmental schemes, he said.

Mr Prasad also stressed upon making the maximum use of Hindi, our national language.

The Food and Supplies Minister, Haryana, Prof Ganeshi Lal also paid his homage to the martyrs of the 'Freedom Movement' and expressed his gratitude towards the freedom fighters of the 'Quit India Movement of 1942' who made supreme sacrifices for the sake of our national freedom. Dr M.L. Ranga, Vice-Chancellor, Kurukshetra University, Mr Banu Ram Gupta, a freedom fighter of Haryana, Vaid Kapoor Chand MLA and Mr D.S. Dhesi, Additional Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister also expressed their views on this occasion.

The Governor also went round an Exhibition and a Painting Competition organised on this occasion by different schools of the district. The Governor also honoured about 12 freedom fighters of the district by presenting them souvenirs. The artistes of the Public Relations Department, Haryana presented a one-act-play highlighting various sensational events of the 'Quit India Movement of 1942' and the National Struggle for freedom.

Editor held on extortion charge
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Aug 9 — The crime branch of the Delhi police has arrested Nafees Siddiqui, Editor of a Hindi magazine from Kanpur, on a charge of extorting lakhs of rupees as ransom from the Faridabad-based owners of Lakhani shoes company. The police has also taken into custody Ms Indu Saini, Faridabad representative of the magazine and Mr S.D. Tyagi, a trade union leader. The two were, however, let off after questioning as they denied any involvement in the extortion.

The Delhi police is learnt to be looking into the possibility whether the Kanpur man and his accomplices were involved in the kidnapping of Mr Mukund Lal Madan, a close relative of the Lakhanis who was found murdered in Aligarh district in May.

Siddiqui is alleged to have links with Babloo Srivastava and Daud, a mafia don.

It is reported that the Lakhanis had paid Rs 35 lakh to the accomplices of Siddiqui who threatened to kidnap them between January and April. However the Lakhanis have denied paying any money.

Hasya kavi sammelan held at KU
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 9 — The Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs of Kurukshetra University in collaboration with the North Zone Culture Centre, Patiala, organised a hasya kavi sammelan in the University Auditorium here last evening.

Ten eminent satirists of Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi languages presented their talent. These included Meeruthi, Hira Lal and Virender Tarun from Hathras, Bhai Sajan from Gwalior, Rana Jewa, Satya Dev Shastri (Bhompu), Tanwir, Dilbar Halwai from Sirsa, Manjit Singh from Narnual and Suresh Neerav from Delhi.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr M.L. Ranga, was the chief guest at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ranga disclosed that the university had organised various programmes throughout the year to celebrate the golden jubilee of India's independence. For this he complimented all concerned and especially Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Director, NZCC, Patiala, for arranging two hasya kavi sammelans on the university complex. The Vice-Chancellor also read two poems to start the sammelan.

Earlier, the Dean, Students Welfare, Prof. S.K. Singh, presented a brief report of various cultural activities of the department.

Panchayat donates 16 acres for hospital

GURGAON, Aug 9 — The Manesar village panchayat, 18 km from here, has handed over 16 acres of panchayat land to the state government for setting up a modern hospital there. The panchayat has also contributed Rs 1 crore for the construction of a 50-bed hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore.

Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal is slated to lay the foundation stone of the hospital on August 15 next. With the industrial model township of the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) coming up at Manesar, this area is witnessing rapid growth.

The Manesar hospital will bridge the gap in providing quality medical care and emergency services to the increasing number of accidents on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. Presently, even Gurgaon is lacking in such facilities and accident victims often have to be taken to Delhi, where delay and traffic jams take its toll of the victims. This hospital will be upgradable to maximum number of 200 beds. It will have a trauma centre and state of the art equipment to take care of highway accidents.

Mr Bansi Lal is also stated to lay the foundation stone of the war memorial at John Hall here this Independence Day. The memorial will commemorate the role of soldiers of Gurgaon district who won laurels for their courage during the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. He will also offer financial assistance and sewing machines to the widows of the war heroes for their rehabilitation.

Protest against erratic power supply
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 9 — Residents blocked traffic at two places in the district during the past 24 hours in protest against the irregular supply of power and low voltage.

Residents of Sunder Nagar, Chanderpuri, Shivala Mandi and Gulab Mandi near cantonment here blocked the GT road for more than three hours last night to demand improvement in power supply. The angry consumers demanded to be connected to an urban feeder instead of a rural feeder. They complained that since the power was being supplied from Shahabad, even the voltage was very low. The blockade was lifted after an assurance by the district authorities that their grievances would be looked into.

Aggrieved farmers led by the Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya), Malour, blocked traffic for more than one hour near the Jansui village in the district to protest against power shortage and low voltage problem. Mr Malour said that the farmers were also angry for being denied the benefit of slab system for tube wells which had been introduced in the rest of the state. He said that the farmers affected by the recent floods in the Naggal Assembly constituency were yet to receive compensation.

Mr Malour threatened that if no improvement was made in the power supply, the farmers would be forced to launch an agitation.

Goods worth 15 lakh gutted in fire
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 9 — Machinery and other kinds of goods worth about Rs 15 lakh were reduced to ashes when a devastating fire broke out in a chemical factory situated in the industrial area here yesterday.

According to official sources, the building of the factory was also gutted completely in the fire. On being informed the fire brigade of the local municipal council arrived on the scene and controlled the fire within a few hours.