Tension in Dalit basti
From Satish Seth

KAITHAL, Aug 15 — A lot of resentment and tension prevails among Dalits of Peedal village of Guhla subdivision, 22 km from here. They have stopped consuming water from a village well, following an incident, when the villagers, including women, detected the SDM of Guhla putting certain articles wrapped in a red cloth in the village well on the night of August 12.

On getting the information about this incident some reporters visited Peedal village yesterday. The villagers said on Wednesday night some residents of a Dalit basti noticed a man putting some articles in the well. Ram Dai (60), a Dalit woman, was the first among the villagers who noticed this incident. She told the reporters that while standing outside her home near a fodder-cutting machine adjoining the village well, she saw someone dropping something into the well. The men, when challenged, went to his Maruti car parked nearby.

The woman raised an alarm. Some more villagers came out of their house. They asked the man clad in white kurta-pyjama, as to who he was and why and what he had put into the well. After realising the tense atmosphere and resentment among the villagers, the man explained that he was L.P.S. Tomar, SDM, Guhla, and had come to perform a pooja on the village well. Following the pooja he had put the offerings of coconut and other articles into the well as advised by some pandits. He was reportedly accompanied by his brother-in-law.

The villagers were not satisfied by his explanation and were not ready to believe that the man was the SDM of Ghula. They were apprehensive that he had either put some poisonous substance or done some tantrik ritual. Some men out of the crowd tried to manhandle the official. But better sense prevailed among others and he was taken to the house of the village sarpanch, who was out of station. As no one was able to identify the man, someone from the village rang up the Cheela police station and informed that a man claiming himself to be the SDM, Guhla, was sitting gheraoed, by villagers in the sarpanch's house.

The SHO heading a police party reached there, identified the SDM and rescued him. The SDM then reportedly drove away in his Maruti car.

When newsmen asked the villagers about this incident, they were unhappy over the whole episode and felt that such a senior officer should not have behaved in such an irresponsible manner. They were also apprehensive as to why the said officer chose this village well to perform religious rituals. They further said this well was the only source of drinking water for the residents of the Dalit basti.

After this incident they had sealed the well with ropes, barbed wires and wooden poles and discontinued drawing water from there. The villagers wanted the entire water from the well to be drained out and test in a laboratory to detect any harmful contents.

In the meantime the residents of this Dalit basti were bringing water for domestic use from wells and hand-pumps situated at a long distance.

Mr Amar Singh Dhanda, a former MLA, Guhla, who had reached the village in the presence of reporters said he did not like the way the official behaved and hurt the feelings of the villagers. He assured the villagers that water would be drained out from the well.

The SDM, Guhla, could not be contacted at his residence in spite of a number of attempts by the reporters. But some other reporters confirmed that Mr Tomar had admitted going to the village well to perform pooja, but he had not put anything harmful into the well. He was also ready to consume the water at the first instance.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jaiwanti Sheokand, when asked said the matter would be investigated and suitable action would follow.

Chautala, Bhajan move to
topple Bansi govt
From Ravi S.Singh
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Aug 15 — Two former Chief Ministers of Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala and Bhajan Lal have initiated fresh moves to destabilise the HVP-BJP government in Haryana with the help of a BJP Education Minister of the state, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma.

According to well-placed sources, the BJP President, Mr Khushbhau Thakre, who is scheduled to visit Rohtak tomorrow, may not hold a meeting of the party leaders of the state on the occasion in order to avoid possible bitterness between his party and the HVP. Incidentally, Rohtak is the state headquarters of the BJP. A number of senior BJP leaders of the state plan to raise issues against the coalition government in the state and urge Mr Thakre to consider the BJP’s withdrawal of support to the Bansi Lal government.

A source in the BJP said that Mr Chautala and Mr Ram Bilas Sharma have reached an understanding in order to bring down the government. Mr Bhajan Lal is said to be also behind the move to topple the Bansi Lal government. The understanding is that Mr Chautala and his party MLAs in the Haryana assembly will lend their support to Mr Sharma if he wanted to become Chief Minister following the fall of the present government. However, the deal entails a proviso: Mr Sharma must also effect a split in the HVP. Mr Bhajan Lal,who is presently finding things difficult in the Congress, is reportedly giving his support to the move.

In the present arithmetic in the Haryana assembly with the 11 MLAs of the BJP, one third of the 35 MLAs of the HVP (in case of a split and the 24 MLAs of the Indian National Lok Dal — erstwhile Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya) — the move to get the magic number of 45 becomes a reality if things went according to the plans of the Chautala-Bhajan Lal — Sharma axis.The move to destabilise the government hinges on the reported resentment among a section of the HVP and the BJP legislators against the state government.

Recently, the president and the General Secretary of the Haryana unit of the BJP, respectively, Mr Om Prakash Grover and Mr Manohar Lal had called on Mr Khushabhau Thakre and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani and made out a case against the Bansi Lal government. Mr Thakre told them that he would meet the other party leaders and MLAs to form any opinion about the government in the state and on the continuance of BJP’s support to it, the sources said.

Significantly, both Mr Grover and Mr Manohar Lal are considered to be close to Mr Ram Bilas Sharma.

A section of the BJP leaders had made out a case for withdrawal of the party support to the government in the state several times in the past but they were vetoed each time by the Central leadership. For example, the demand for withdrawal of the support had come up at a meeting of the BJP MLAs at Chandigarh on March 25. A similar demand was made at a meeting of the BJP leaders of the state held in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh in April. Two BJP MLAs Chander Bhatia and Anand Sharma had tendered their resignation from the assembly to the leadership in the state. They were unhappy with the functioning of Mr Bansi Lal as Chief Minister. However, they later withdrew after they were persuaded by the leadership after deliberations in the party.

The scheduled visit of Mr Khushabhau Thakre to Rohtak assumes significance. Although all BJP MLAs, heads of the front organisations of the party in the state, the district presidents and the state office bearers have been informally asked by the state leadership to attend a meeting to be presided over by Mr Thakre, there are many in the party who say that Central leadership was likely to avoid a meeting. A senior leader who was against the move to topple the Bansi Lal government said on condition of anonymity that Mr Thakre, who was to inaugurate a office of the district (Rohtak) unit of the party, would return to Delhi after the occasion. Even if a meeting was held Mr Thakre would play down any suggestions for the party’s withdrawal of support to the government.

A BJP leader against the move to destabilise the government said that a number of Central leaders of the party were not in favour of any meeting which would create bad blood in the HVP-BJP fold and also bad media publicity. The leaders were strongly against the move of "topple Bansi Lal government" feel that the party should presently concentrate on the fast approaching Assembly elections in the four states.

A tale of sick hospital
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Aug 15 — Due to callous attitude of doctors and lack of amenities in the local General Hospital, a head constable of the Haryana police is struggling for life at the Medical College, Rohtak.

Mr Azad Singh, an upgraded head constable was on patrol duty on Thursday. He was hit by a speeding mini-truck on the national highway near the local bus stand. He suffered a serious head injury and fracture in the thighs. He was immediately rushed to the local General Hospital. He was given a simple dressing. No x-ray of fractured parts was done. The hospital has two orthopaedists and two general surgeons and an operation theatre.

Of the four specialists, one was away the second was drunk while the third refused to attend to the wounded policeman despite repeated calls. When the matter was brought to the notice of the district police chief, Mr Rajbir Deswal, he immediately rushed to the hospital. But the doctors attending on the cop expressed their inability to treat the patient. The SP asked the doctors to send for an ambulance to shift the patient to Rohtak. But he was informed the ambulance driver too was heavily drunk. There is no other ambulance in the town. The driver was called to the hospital and was medically examined. He was not in a position to drive. Finally the SP sent the head constable to Rohtak in a police Gypsy.

A doctor of the hospital on condition of anonymity said there was no anaesthetist and provision of blood transfusion. He also said that as the ambulance driver was on the rolls of the District Red Cross, he did not obey the doctors.

Curb baby boom: Governor
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 15 — The Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad has called upon the people to dedicate themselves to eradicating illiteracy and curbing population explosion so that the pace of development could be geared up in Haryana.

Unfurling the national flag here today, he regretted that even after 50 years of Independence, nearly 60 per cent women in Haryana were still illiterate.

The Governor also took salute at an impressive march-past by contingents of the police, Home Guards, NCC, girl guides and scouts. Children from various schools presented a PT show amidst rain. The Governor announced a reward of Rs 21000 for the participating students.

The Governor presented Mr Ram Singh Jakhar, Chairman Haryana Freedom Fighters Samman Samiti and Mr Ranbir Singh, member of the constituent assembly, with gold medals for their role in the freedom struggle. He also honoured k.m. Pinky posthumously by presenting Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to his father Hoshiar Singh. Pinky of village Adalpur in district Mohinderagarh had saved the life of five students when their school van caught fire. Master Sunil Kumar, son of Surjan Singh of village Karsa Dod in district Karnal was honoured with Jeevan Raksha Padak. He saved three persons from drowning in a canal in 1997.

GURGAON: The Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, unfurled the national flag here.

Mr Bansi Lal said about 1250 MW of additional power would be generated within next one and a half years as against the present power generation level of 863 MW attained during the past 31 years. The first unit of 146 MW of a 432 MW gas-based power plant, being set up at Faridabad by the NTPC, would start generating power by January, 1999. This entire plant would be commissioned by the end of 1999.

Regarding upgradation of power system in the Ahirwal belt and the Gurgaon district, the Chief Minister said new power lines of 220 KV had been laid from Badshahpur to Rewari in order to improve power supply in southern part of Haryana. The capacity of six sub-stations had been increased in Gurgaon district. As many as eight new substations would be set up and 100 km new lines would be laid in Gurgaon district during this year at a cost of more than Rs 66 crore. A 25MW magnum power plant at Gurgaon would also be commissioned very soon.

He said the state government was fully aware about the irrigational requirements of the Ahirwal belt. The construction of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Canal (JLNC) was only meant to serve the interests of farmers of the region. The state government had also planned to construct one or two new canals for the Pataudi area,he added.

Mr Bansi Lal said Rs 150 crore for repair of roads in Gurgaon district during the current financial year. This amount, if possible could be increased to Rs 250 crore, he added.

The Chief Minister distributed prizes to personnel,who had done commendable work in various fields.

Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a war memorial in John Hall (Panchayat Bhawan) and handed over a cash award of Rs 23600 to the father of martyr 2nd Lt. Rajesh Khurana, who sacrificed his life while fighting against the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. He also honoured the winners of gallantry awards gave away cash awards of Rs 2000 each to eight war widows and sewing machines to five war widows.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a 50-bed hospital at Manesar, about 10 km from Gurgaon. The village panchayat of Manesar has donated a cash amount of Rs 1 crore and 16 acre

Addressing a gathering at Manesar, he said that he had taken up the issue of setting up of an Army recruitment centre in the Ahirwal belt with the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes. He indicated that it would be set up in Gurgaon.

He also accepted the demand of the people of the village to upgrade a government school for girls to plus two standard. He also conceded a demand for setting up six KV power station in Goda Kalan, near Manesar and for laying additional sewer lines in Sohan town. He also assured the gathering that the industrialists setting up their plants in villages where the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation(HSIDC) had acquired land would give preference to the local youths in matters of employment.

Mr Bansi Lal's ministerial colleagues unfurled the national flag at district headquarters in the state. They inspected the guard of honour presented by the police and school children and exhorted all sections of people to work for the development of the state.

Reports of Independence Day celebrations were received from Kurukshetra University.

Swearing-in of chief, members on Monday
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug. 15 — The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Authority which starts functioning from Monday will have quasi-judicial powers under the civil laws of the country. It can award punishment up to two years of imprisonment and a fine or both for any violation of the Electricity Act. These strong teeth has been provided to make this authority, a powerful regulatory statutory institution, oversee the implementation of power reforms in Haryana.

Haryana is the second state in the country to have such a regulatory commission. The reforms have helped the state obtain a huge loan of Rs 2,400 crore from the World Bank. This, as Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal who is also the minister in charge of Power and Irrigation, explained would help tide over the present shortage and to ensure the supply of this vital economic input in an adequate measure.

The chairman and two members would be formally sworn in on Monday. This arrangement, as per the power secretary, Mr S.Y Quarishi, is meant to impart respect and more powers to this regulatory authority. "This would be a quasi-judicial authority and even those who have appointed it would also come under its supervision," he added.

Mr Vidya Sagar Ailawadi, a retired senior I.A.S officer who has held some prestigious assignments including the deputy chairmanship of the Delhi Development Authority, would be the Chairman. The others two members are Mr Ramesh Chandra, former Deputy Comptroller General of India as member finance, and Mr R.K. Chander, a Chief Engineer with the Central Electricity Authority as member technical. While the present Chairman would have a three-year term, the other two members would have a four year and a five-year term, respectively. Mr Ailawadi would be succeeded by Mr Ramesh Chandra for one year and then by Mr R.K Chaube for one year. This has been done to give continuity. This provision is available under the statue. The Act was amended last year.

Within six months from now, Haryana would be divided into parts. While one area would have a public sector company to look after the distribution of power another area is to have a joint sector company to compete with the public sector company. There shall be international bidding to have a partner for this joint sector company.

DoT revises local area policy
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 15 — The Department of Telecommunications has introduced a new local area policy with effect from today.

The General Manager of the Ambala Telecom., Mr C.R. Kataria, said here today that according to the revised policy, the local area which so far was within 5 km radial distance from the exchange would now be the area coterminous with short distance charging area (SDCA). Calls made by any subscriber within the same SDCA would be charged as a local call and calls made by the subscribers of one SDCA to the subscribers of the adjoining SDCA would be charged at the rate of 180 seconds.

For dialling adjoining SDCA numbers, the first digit, zero, of the national dialling code has to be replaced by the new code '92' to avail of the benefit. He said in case of subscribers served from cross bar exchange (number starting with level 2), subscribers would have to replace the first digit, zero, by '9' only. He said this facility would be available to all subscribers with or without the STD.

Mr Kataria said the Ambala secondary switching area comprised of six SDCAs, namely Solan, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Ropar, Saharanpur, Rajpura and Chandigarh. He said for any information or clarification, subscribers were advised to contact the commercial officer at telephone number 645754.

Minister denies HVP-BJP rift
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Aug 15 — The Haryana Industries Minister, Mr Shashi Paul Mehta, has denied rift between the HVP and BJP alliance partners in the state was talking to mediapersons on the reported statements by certain leaders of the state BJP regarding discontentment in the BJP over the style of functioning of the Chief Minister Mr Bansi Lal, Mr Mehta said there may be minor misunderstandings but there was no question of withdrawing support to the government.

Mr Mehta, a BJP legislator from Karnal in Haryana, said the state under the chief ministership of Mr Bansi Lal had seen all-round development.

He gave away Commendation Certificates to government officials for outstanding performance in their respective fields. Among those awarded were the APRO, Mr Hawa Singh Dahiya, the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Mr B.C. Taneja and the District Education Officer, Mr Shri Ram Jakhar.

Officials geared up to face flood threat
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 15 — The district administration has geared up its machinery to meet any eventuality in view of the heavy floods in the Yamuna passing through the Khadar tract of this district.

The water level in the river increased further yesterday due to heavy rains in the upper Yamuna catchment area and release of about 2.54 lakh cusecs of water from the Tajewala Headworks near Yamunanagar by the authorities of the Irrigation Department.

The swirling water of the Yamuna is stated to be exerting pressure on the 48-km-long protective bundh between Bega and Dahesra villages on some points as well as the stone spurs constructed at vulnerable points near the villages of Bega, Memarpur, Baroli, Garhi Asadpur and Dahesra. The protective bundh as well as the stone spurs are still intact and have withstood the fury of the Yamuna.

Meanwhile, officials of the Sonepat Water Service Division and the Rai Water Service Division are patrolling the embankment of the Yamuna as well as the protective bundh around-the-clock as a precautionary measure.

Serial killer killed in jail
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 15 — The 'serial baby killer" Ram Babu (32) was allegedly killed by another undertrial prisoner in the district jail here today.

According to jail authorities he received serious head injuries when the another accused, Om Prakash repeatedly hit him on the head by a brick. The victim succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the medical college.

Ram Babu, a resident of Bihar was arrested by the Delhi Police nearly 2 years back from a dhaba on the Delhi-Rohtak road at Nangloi on the charges of kidnapping, raping and murdering of more than six minor girls of Bahadurgarh, an industrial town of Jhajjar.

The matter was reported to the police and a case of murder of an undertrial in jail custody has been registered against Om Prakash. The body of the deceased is in mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Om Prakash has been charged under Section 302 of the IPC. Nobody knows how the brick reached in the barracks of these accused because the articles which can be used as weapons are prohibited in the jail premises, according to jail norms.

It is learnt that an inquiry has been ordered into the cause of dispute between the undertrial prisoners resulting in the death of Ram Babu.

Novel claim on 1857 war
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 15 — The MLA from Ambala Cantonment, Mr Anil Vij, has claimed that the First War of Independence started here hours before it erupted at Meerut on May 10,1857.

Mr Vij was addressing a function to mark Independence Day celebrations at Lal Kurti Bazar here today. He said as per the records available, the soldiers of the 60th native regiment stationed at Ambala Cantonment had raised the banner of revolt against the Britishers a couple of hours before the uprising led by Mangal Pandey at Meerut. Mr Vij said the soldiers had planned to attack a church where some Britishers were to gather for the inauguration of a new church. He said the plan got foiled due to leakage of information by Sham Lal.

Mr Vij claimed that his information was based on available official record. He said he had talked to the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, in this regard who had promised to get the whole issue examined by experts. He claimed that the Chief Minister was convinced about the authenticity of the sequence of the events.

The MLA further said the soldiers from Ambala Cantonment had marched to Delhi via Rohtak.