Sonia has disciplined partymen: Bhajan
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 5 — Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal today claimed that the visit of Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, had given a "semblance of unity" to the divided Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee.

Talking to reporters here today, Mr Bhajan Lal said, although the organisers of the public meeting at Rohtak did not manage the show properly, yet Mrs Sonia Gandhi had succeeded in bringing in discipline among the rank and file of the party. He pointed out that at least for the time being, the leaders had stopped criticising each other in public. Look at me, I do not speak anything against anybody now and same is the case with every leader", he said with a lighter.

Mr Bhajan Lal admitted that the differences within the PCC persisted, but sought to clarify that this was natural for a party as big as the Congress. He said, it was a healthy sign of internal democracy within the party.

The former Chief Minister also refused to comment on the alleged links of Romesh Sharma with the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj." Why do you want me to criticise her. "Pahli baar Haryana ki Chhori Mukhiya Mantri bani hai" (For the first time a Haryanavi girl has become the Chief Minister)".

More was Mr Bhajan Lal prepared to point a finger at Mr Om Prakash Chautala. When his attention was drawn towards the demand by Mr Jai Prakash, the President of the Haryana Gana Parishad, regarding the alleged links between Romesh Sharma and one former Chief Minister of the state, he refused to comment, saying, "we may need his help anytime".

However, Mr Bhajan Lal was critical of the Chief Minister Mr Bansi Lal for his alleged failure in providing relief to the flood-hit farmers of the state. He said, the farmers must be paid an instant relief at the rate of Rs 10,000 per acre. Besides, he said, the government should ensure that the water is drained out in time so that rabi seeds can be sown.

He said, the Bansi Lal government had not even been able to put forth adequate demand before the Union Government. He said, the demand made by the Chief Minister upon the centre was far low than the exact extent of damage caused by the floods. He claimed, that during his regime, when there were similar floods in 1995, he had ensured the draining out of water from 80 per cent area and had also provided relief to the farmers at the rate of Rs 3000 per acre.

Hisar Declaration stresses cooperation
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 5 — The International Conference on Food Security concluded here today with a call to all nations for cooperation to ensure food security for all.

The conference which was organised at CCS Haryana Agricultural University here today came out with declaration called Hisar Declaration which said, ‘‘we must recognise that the earth belonged to all people, that we all have a stake in achieving global sustainability, and that no particular privileged group or country should dominate and benefit’’.

Emphasising the need for thorough need for agricultural research, which it said was an integral component in ensuring food security for all, the declaration noted, ‘‘agricultural research is the tool and the means to achieve sustainable resource management and environmentally sound productions systems’’, adding that the agriculture will play an increasingly essential role in the future, not only in food production for the expending population but also as a producer of bio-fuels and raw materials for the industry.

The declaration suggested a seven-point action plan, which it said could lead towards ensuring food security and stability. It underlined the need for ‘‘dialogue, cooperation and research’’, as these were the tools to overcome the major challenges humanity was faced with. This would also ensure the sustainability for current and future generations.

The declaration called upon the researchers to integrate elements of sustainability in their activities, including consideration of innovation in experimental approaches to the study of complexity and fundamental processes.

It emphasised the need for increased agricultural research for food, energy and industry. This, it added, should be recognised and accepted by the political institutions of every country.

Hisar Declaration called upon the nations to ensure that new developments and technologies supporting sustainable systems be transferred to the end users, ensuring linkages between basic research and applications.

It stressed upon scientists that they must bear the responsibility to understand the earth as an integrated whole and pointed out that actions in one particular region do have impact on global environment.

One of the important points suggested by the declaration was regarding giving increased attention to the development of biomass. The biomass it said, has among all renewable energy sources the highest potential for substitution of fossil fuels in various regions of the world. The biomass, it observed had thus the potential to offer energy in view of depleting fossil fuel resources, especially oil.

The declaration pointed out that it was the responsibility of the each individual to foster and encourage educational programmes to promote at all levels of society the awareness about ecological, biological and organic production systems.

Secy skips visit, villagers disappointed
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Nov 5 — The Chief Secretary, Haryana, Mr R S Verma, skipped his visit to Gorakhpur village in this district yesterday amidst reports that the villagers may express their strong resentment over the inaction of the government in draining out water from the village.

The Chief Secretary who was on a tour to review and assess the damages, caused by the recent rain, was to visit Gorakhpur village. According to sources, the new Deputy Commissioner, Mr V Raja Shekhar, who joined his duties on Tuesday was informed of the Chief Secretary’s visit shortly after taking over.

Gorakhpur is one of the biggest village of district, which has been badly hit by waterlogging and unseasonal rain. The problem is so acute that the village has virtually been converted into an island. The health and veterinary services there have been badly crippled as the primary health centre and the veterinary hospital are among many other buildings that have been submerged under water. Water-borne diseases have broken out in the village, and villagers are forced to live in a hell-like situation.

Leaders of various political parties, including the Congress and the INLD have visited the villages but the visits have had made little difference to the plight of villagers.

They were pinning hopes on the visit of Mr Verma. They hoped that the Chief Secretary might ask officials of Irrigation Department to expedite the dewatering operation.

But the cancellation of the visit has disappointed them.

The district administration, it is learnt, was apprehending strong protests from a section of villagers, against the apathetic attitude of the local administration towards their woes. This, reportedly prompted the administration to cancel the visit of the Chief Secretary.

ETO's murder: six arrested
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 5 — The police has arrested six persons, including the main accused Brij Gopal, a transporter, in connection with the murder of Lakshman Ram Chowdhary, Excise and Taxation Officer, here on November 1.

Besides Brij Gopal the arrested persons are: Bijinder, Uday Raj, Santosh, Rajindeer and Domi. While Domi and Uday Raj were nabbed the same day the others were held yesterday.

Brij Gopal told newsmen at central police station before being taken to the court for securing his remand that he was being harassed by officials of the Excise and Taxation Department and forced to pay illegal gratification. They also made him to transport goods in his trucks from Delhi to Faridabad without paying freight charges.

He alleged that despite paying Rs 20,000 a week back and Rs 5000 and a whisky bottle on Sunday the officials impounded his four trucks and brought them to the office in Sector 12. When he protested he was beaten up by Mr Lakshman Das. In a fit of anger he took out his revolver and fired at the ETO who died on the spot.

Brij Gopal alleged that he had also paid Rs 17,000 for purchasing a television set, Rs 40,000 for two air conditioners and Rs 12,000 for an inverter for a senior official of the department during the past three months.

Reliable police sources said a report was being sent to the state-level officials for initiating action against the officials.

Girl handed over to parents
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 5 — Neelam, a 19-year-old Dalit girl, who had been missing from her house since May 20, has been recovered and handed over to her parents by the police under the orders of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sonepat.

According to the police, Mr Dharamjit, father of the girl and a resident of West Ram Nagar here had lodged a complaint with the city police on May 22 saying that his daughter had been missing since May 20. On July 29, Mr Dharamjit lodged an FIR with the police alleging that his daughter had been kidnapped by a neighbouring youth Kuldeep, alias Mannu. He also suspected some of Kuldeep's friends in the kidnapping episode.

During investigations the police found that she fed up with the rude behaviour of her father and she had left the house at her own will. Thereafter, she had gone to her sister's house at Delhi and started giving tuition there.

Later when she came to know about the serious condition of her father she returned. The girl stated before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate that she wanted to be restored to her parents.

Legal Services Day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — In Haryana, November 9 will be observed as "Legal Services Day" to enlighten the masses about their legal rights provided by the Legal Services Authorities Act.

This was disclosed by Mr Justice VK Bali, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority, here today. He said that on this day the Legal Services Authorities Act came into force.

The Haryana State Legal Services Authority would organise seminars on this day at sessions court complexes in each sessions division from 3 p.m to 5 p.m.

He stated under this Act, persons whose annual income was not more than Rs 18,000 or those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes, women, disabled, children below 18 years and person in custody were entitled to legal services under the aegis of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority.

Mr Justice Bali said permanent Lok Adalats had been set up at all the district headquarters in the State.

He revealed that about 2.75 lakh cases had been got settled in 912 Lok Adalats held so far. In all, over Rs 60 crore had been given as compensation to the accident victims in the Lok Adalats held in the State. The Haryana State Legal Services Authority had provided legal aid to 7,789 persons of weaker sections.

Probe sought into use of inferior
building material
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Nov 5 — A high-level probe has been demanded into the alleged use of inferior material in the construction work undertaken in past two years under the Public Health Department.

It is alleged that the money used for undertaking the work on the water works, sewerage and laying of water pipelines was not used properly. Such complaints were made to the MP, Mr Surender Singh, during his visits here. The Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, ordered a probe into these charges. A flying squad was sent to Bhiwani to collect samples of the construction material used but only a few samples were taken due to political and administrative interference, it is alleged.

The flying squad reportedly collected half a dozen samples whereas more than 100 development works have either been completed or are underway. Work on as many as 25 projects is being carried only in Buwani Khera, Dharanwas, Dadas, Dhani Brahmnan, Bond, Bamla, Siwani Ranila, Kalinga, Bardu, Nigana, Loharu, Nandgaon, Kaluwas, Nimrtiwali, Rohnat, Mandhana, Bakhtawarpura, Baliali, Naloi, Dhanana, Talu phase I and Kairu phase II etc.

It is alleged that contractors having relations with political hierarchy, have been awarded these projects.

However, contractors say that the department has been supplying them low-grade cement.

DC’s direction to officials, villagers
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Nov 5 — The Deputy Commissioner, Mr V Raja Shekhar, has asked officials of the Irrigation Department to ensure speedy dewatering of water-logged villages.

Addressing district level officials of various government departments after assuming charge here, Mr Shekhar directed the officials to ensure that water from "abadis" must be drained out at the earliest. He asked them to tell the villagers to use their pumps and tractors for dewatering operations. The administration would provide diesel required for the purpose.