Illegal construction on government land. — photo by T.C. Malhotra Bigwigs abet land grab GURGAON, Nov 23 — Helped by certain senior Haryana politicians and officials a government land has been encroached upon and a multi-crore shopping, banquet hall and residential flats complex is coming up at a fast pace.

Make healthcare cheaper : IMA
GURGAON, Nov 23 — Annual conference of the Indian Medical Association, Haryana unit was held here today. It was attended by more than 300 doctors from Haryana. Dr N.K. Jain, Civil Surgeon Gurgaon, was chairman of the conference.

Roads cry for repairs BHIWANI: The district administration has been claiming time and again that it would repair bad roads but so far there is no indication of such steps being taken.

SESHM activists stage dharna
HISAR, Nov 23 — Hundreds of activists of the Save Earth Save Humanity Movement today staged a dharna in front of the mini secretariat here, to generate awareness about the urgency of controlling population in the country.

Minister seeks CBI probe into his department
ROHTAK, Nov 23 — The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister of Haryana, Mr Jaswant Singh, has demanded a CBI enquiry into the alleged 'scandal' running into crores of rupees in his department.

• Record of producing 4’-6" bottlegourd
• Power Ministry team to leave for Pak
• Special teams to check power theft
• Resource mapping using satellite
• Demonstration by women
• Bus conductor’s honesty

Claims and counter claims of BJP, Congress
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 23 — Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress today claimed that their respective parties will form governments in all three states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Talking to reporters here the BJP leader, Mr Pramod Mahajan and the Congress leader Ms Selja, claimed that their respective parties were heading for a clear win in all the three states.

Mr Mahajan on his return from Bhadra, where he address a public meeting, claimed that the BJP would cross 100 mark in Rajasthan and the 200 mark in MP. However, he admitted that it would be difficult for the BJP to cross 50 mark in Delhi. But, he claimed that the BJP would get clear majority there also.

The BJP leader did not agree that the elections to the three state Assemblies would be a referendum for or against the Vajpayee government at the Centre. He said, Assembly elections and the Lok Sabha elections were fought entirely on different issues. Moreover, he pointed out eight months time was too brief for any government to be judged.

Mr Mahajan said, the Assembly election result would have no impact on the central government. He said, the BJP led government would last for full term. He said, in case of any eventuality of the government falling there could not be any alternative government formed from this Lok Sabha because, he added, the composition of this government was such that no party other than the BJP could form the government at the Centre in this composition.

Mr Mahajan did not want to be drawn into the controversy relating to his party's alliance with two traditional and bitter rivals. He said, the BJP had fought elections together with the Haryana Vikas Party and the arrangement would continue for the full term. At the same time he thanked Mr Om Parkash Chautala for extending unconditional support to the Vajpayee-led government at the Centre. He refused any further comment on the issue.

On the other hand the Congress leader Ms Selja claimed that the BJP headed for a disaster. She claimed the Congress would come to power in all three states. In Rajasthan, Ms Selja claimed, the Congress was heading for a two thirds majority. She said, the doings of the BJP government were enough for the people to see its ouster.

Ms Selja did not agree that rebel candidates in Rajasthan might pose any problem to the official Congress candidates. She said, the problem was more serious for the BJP. But in order to divert the attention of the general public, it was pointing finger towards the Congress.

The Congress leader refused to say who would be the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party in Rajasthan.

Bansi Lal's style of working "autocratic"
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 23 — Mr Dev Raj Diwan, an independent MLA of Sonepat, today hailed the resignation of Mr Om Parkash Jindal, former MP from the Haryana Vikas Party and said that no self-respecting person could tolerate the objectionable and bureaucratic style of functioning of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal.

Talking to mediapersons here, he claimed that the days of Bansi Lal's regime were numbered as many ministers and ruling party legislators were looking for an appropriate opportunity to quit the HVP. These ministers and legislators were feeling suffocation and insulted at the hands of the Chief Minister and his other family members.

He alleged that Mr Bansi Lal was using all methods to remain in power. The rank and file of the party was completely disenchanted with the Chief Minister because of his autocratic style of functioning.

Mr Diwan said that the Chief Minister was promoting the interests of his family members at the cost of other senior and devoted leaders of the party. He also alleged that on account of day-to-day interference in the government departments by Mr Bansi Lal and his other family members, the officers could not function independently and honestly.

The officers were being harassed and threatened with transfers if they air their grievances against him and his family members.

Mr Diwan also accused Mr Bansi Lal of adopting double standards in politics as he and his family members were working day and night to ensure the success of Mrs Kiran Choudhary who is contesting the assembly elections in Delhi on Congress ticket. The Chief Minister, he alleged, had directed the party workers to rush to the Delhi Cantonment and work for the success of his daughter.

Alleging that there was complete anarchy in the state, Mr Diwan said that the law and order situation had been deteriorated and the basic infrastructure in the state was in a bad shape. Not only the people, but farmers were unhappy with the Bansi Lal government.

Bigwigs abet land grab
From Ravi Singh
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Nov 23 — Helped by certain senior Haryana politicians and officials a government land has been encroached upon and a multi-crore shopping, banquet hall and residential flats complex is coming up at a fast pace.

A piece of land (Khasra number 976) in New Colony was sold to an individual a couple of months back. But the new owner took possession of the Public Health Department land (Khasra number 980) near Mahima Banquet Hall here. The banquet hall is close to the plot (Khasra number 976) which has been sold to a close relative of the state Inspector General of Police.

The new owner has started construction on the 500 square-yard plot. Pillars have been erected with a view to setting up 26 shops on the ground floor, a banquet hall on the second and residential flats on the third. The plot is open from all sides.

Following a complaint, the matter came up for a discussion at the District Grievances Committee meeting, chaired by the state Finance Minister, Mr Charan Dass Shorewala, last month. Thereafter, the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr Devender Singh, was asked to investigate into the matter.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurgaon, Mr R.C. Pawaraia, submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner confirming illegal possession and construction on the department land. According to the records available with this correspondent, the SDM had recommended action against the encroachers.

Significantly, a transformer of the Haryana State Electricity Board is also at the encroached land.

After the SDM, Mr Devender Singh's report further construction came to a halt. Following his transfer the encroachers have resumed the construction work. Public Health officials have brought this illegal activity to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Krishan Kumar, and the DIG Gurgaon range, Mr P.V. Rathee. But there is no let up in the construction work.

The DIG confirmed that a complaint in this regard had reached him and probe has been ordered.

A Public Health official on condition of anonymity said the DIG has ordered action, but his order has not been implemented.

A senior Revenue Department official reportedly close to the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, and a senior member of his Cabinet are said to be giving patronage to the illegal activity. The Chief Minister's Cabinet colleague is on the panel of the committee constituted to look into the complaints of encroachments on panchayat land.

Make healthcare cheaper : IMA
From Our Correspondent

GURGAON, Nov 23 — Annual conference of the Indian Medical Association, Haryana unit was held here today. It was attended by more than 300 doctors from Haryana. Dr N.K. Jain, Civil Surgeon Gurgaon, was chairman of the conference.

Dr Prem Aggarwal, chief guest, who is also national secretary of the IMA addressing the doctors present talked of the challenges facing the doctors today of like failure of the public health system, law against medical profession, menace of quackery exploitation of service doctors and incidents of assault on doctors.

He said that 80 per cent of healthcare was now provided by private sector and 85 per cent of this was curative healthcare, only 15 per cent being preventive. He stressed the need of concentrating on preventive healthcare and appealed to all IMA members and the 1700 branches of the IMA in the country to stand united in their fight against the issues concerning the doctors today.

Dr Subhash Khanna, president of the IMA, Haryana, dwelt on the causes of costlier treatment. High land prices for hospitals and no subsidy, lesser Income Tax depreciation as compared to any other industry, doctors have to pay even more octroi. Industry set up in a backward area gets Income Tax exemption but not hospitals. To cap it all every other day some new "exploitative" laws are being formulated against our profession, he added.

He requested the people to keep a health budget and appealed to the government to make medicines cheaper — at least life saving drugs. He said that medicines have become very expensive, increasing the cost of treatment. Dr Khanna laid emphasis on the end of quackery, public health awareness etc. Mr K.C. Wadhwa, an industrialist and social worker of Gurgaon, appealed to doctors to visit remote areas to benefit needy patients.

Gita recitation competition held
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Nov 23 — The state-level Gita Shlokacharan competition was organised jointly by the Kurukshetra Development Board and Sri Sthanu Sewa Mandal at Gita Kendra here today.

The results are:

First group (up to class V): First — Kumari Lorika, Bal Bhawan Public School, Kurukshetra; Second — Punam Sharma, Gita Vidya Mandir Bal Ghar; Kurukshetra; Third — Aman, Gurunanak Senior Secondary School Kurukshetra; consolation prizes — Abhimanyu, Gurukul, Kurukshetra, and Shivangi Modgil, Primary School Blahi (Kurukshetra).

Second group (VIth to class VIII): First — Nishant, Gurukul Kurukshetra; Second — Sumedha, Haluvasia Vidya Mandir, Bhiwani; Third — Annu, S.D Modern Sr Sec School; Panipat, consolation prizes: Yashika, Gita Niketan Residental Senior Secondary School, Kurukshetra.

The function was presided over by the Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Haryana, Mr D.S Dhesi. He urged the Education Department to organise such programmes at the school level.

The Deputy Commissioner Kurukshetra, Mr Alok Nigam said students from about 80 schools from all over Haryana participated in the competition.

The Chief Executive Officer, Kurukshetra Development Board, Mr Ashok Yadav said the state-level speech competition would be organised on November 24, debate on November 25 and a question-answer competition on November 26. Students from colleges would participate in these competitions and the winners would be honoured with 'Sri Krishan Dyapayan Gita Jayanti Chalvijayophar'.

Mahant Prabhat Puri of Sri Sthanu Sewa Mandal gave a discourse on the Bhagwadgita.

The two-day Kurukshetra Cultural Fair concluded yesterday on the banks of holy Brahmasarovar named as Purshotampura Bagh.

With saffron-clad sadhus roaming over the city, thousands of devotees paying obeisance at the Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, this ancient town bustled with activity.

The state Public Relations and Cultural Affairs Department kept up its practice of inviting artistes from all over the state to the fair. A show comprising folk songs, bhajans, ragni, folk-tunes was presented. Competitions were held in traditional dress, embroidery, rangoli and phulkari were also organised.

Jindal's charges ridiculed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 23 — Five Haryana Ministers today attacked their former party colleague and former M.P., Mr Om Prakash Jindal, for levelling, what they called, false allegations against the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal.

While four Ministers — Cooperation Minister Narbir Singh, Development and Panchayats Minister Kanwal Singh, Finance Minister Charan Dass Shorewala and Labour and Employment Minister Ramesh Chander Kaushik — issued a joint statement here, Animal Husbandry Minister Jaswant Singh, who had earlier resigned from the Cabinet in protest against the privatisation of the HSEB, reiterated his support to Mr Bansi Lal while talking to TNS on the phone from Rohtak.

The joint statement of the four Ministers refuted the claim of Mr Jindal that he had played a major role in empowering the HVP in Haryana. They also sought to deny Mr Jindal's claim to be a founder member of the party by arguing that he had not been an office-bearer of the HVP for the past two years. Perhaps the Ministers did not realise before issuing the statement that being a founder member and being an office-bearer are two different things.

They said Mr Jindal joined the HVP because of his enmity with Mr Bhajan Lal. Alleging that he accorded highest priority to his business concerns, they said Mr Jindal had nothing to do with the party's policies. They accused Mr Jindal of having resigned from the HVP due to his vested interests and not in public interest. Expressing surprise over how Mr Jindal had accused Mr Bansi Lal of being vindictive towards members of the minority communities, the Ministers said even Opposition leaders hesitated in levelling such allegations against him.

The Ministers also reiterated that the grant to the Agroha Medical College was not stopped by Mr Bansi Lal but by the Bhajan Lal Government. Mr Bansi Lal never gave any assurance about the resumption of the grant. The Ministers claimed that the resignation of Mr Jindal would have no effect on the HVP-BJP Government because Mr Jindal and his colleagues were "diffused cartridges".

Mr Jaswant Singh also said that Mr Jindal's resignation was insignificant because he had not been politically active for the past two and a half years except contesting the elections occasionally. Describing the allegations levelled by Mr Jindal against Mr Bansi Lal as false, Mr Jaswant Singh said it was unfortunate that Mr Jindal had tried to divide the people of the State on caste lines over the Agroha college issue.

Asserting that the Legislature wing of the HVP was behind Mr Bansi Lal like a rock, Mr Jaswant Singh said the Government would complete its tenure of five years.

Hooda: clarify stand on Prashar issue
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 23 — The Haryana Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the colossal loss caused to the State Transport Department on account of illegal plying of buses by persons having political clout.

In a statement issued here today the party chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said there was lot of speculation in political and administrative circles of the state about the circumstances which led to the sudden transfer of the Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mr R.N. Prashar, two days after he took steps under the instructions of the Chief Minister, to check vehicles plying in and around Bhiwani district without the payment of passenger tax.

Asking the government to clarify its stand on the issue Mr Hooda alleged that the tall claims of bringing transparency in the administration made by the HVP-BJP government had remained on paper only. He said various other electoral promises of the alliance had also turned out to be a clever move to hoodwink the electorate.

Mr Hooda said the transfer of Mr Prashar, on the heels of the murder of an Excise and Taxation Officer of Faridabad allegedly at the hands of the owners of a goods transport company, exposed the nexus between antisocial elements and the powers that be.

Referring to the reported move of the state government to shift some of its offices out of Chandigarh, Mr Hooda asked the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, not to take any step which might adversely affect the interests of the state by weakening its case on various inter-state issues, until the dispute on the river waters was solved.

Mr Hooda warned Mr Bansi Lal not to take this "autocratic" step otherwise the Congress would be compelled to launch a statewide stir.

Criticising the state government for its failure in ensuring adequate supply of DAP to farmers, Mr Hooda said while the government and its Agriculture Department had been loudly claiming that there was no shortage of DAP and the Chief Minister was himself monitoring its supply, reports reaching the Pradesh Congress exposed the government’s claim.

Roads cry for repairs
From Shiv Sharma

BHIWANI: The district administration has been claiming time and again that it would repair bad roads but so far there is no indication of such steps being taken. There are concrete proposals to convert the Loharu road stretching from Dinod Gate to the Loharu road railway crossing into fourlane. Sources claim that tenders have already been passed for the same but it remains pending. The Loharu road is the busiest and is accident-prone. The police administration has now set aside the demand raised by the common man to divert the heavy vehicles, including jeeps, towards the ring road and the bypass. There are dozens of educational institutions and medical centres on the road. The police has always been assuring in the press of diverting the heavy vehicles towards the ring road but these proved only tall claims. This road not only need repairs but also the streetlights.

A step was taken to widen the main road from the Rohtak gate to Hansi Chowk but the advantage is exploited by jeep drivers, tractor owners and rehriwalas who park their vehicles on either side of the road. The traffic police shows apathy on this issue. There is no parking place for taxis and these are parked here and there blocking the smooth traffic.

Police assistance booths have been set up at Ghantaghar and Hansi Chowk only but nothing is done to regulate the traffic. Most violate traffic rules. No proper parking outside the shops is made. Fruit juice, ice cream parlours and restaurant owners have encroached upon the road and there is always danger of accidents. Neither the municipal council nor the district administration has tried to stop this practice.

* * *

The district administration has fixed the target of availing 11.480 MT chemical urea for the kharif crop during the current financial year. Mr Krishan Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said 1330 quintals seeds of best quality would be made available for the cotton crop. The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that 150 biogas plants would be installed in the district this year and eight have already been installed.

* * *

The municipal council has earmarked a plan to provide basic amenities to citizens. The council president, Ms Meena Arora, said under the plan a sum of Rs 1 crore would be spent on various development works and Rs 3 lakh would be spent in every wards. Concrete link roads would be constructed in the streets.

A project of Rs 5 crore had been sent to the Central Government for sanction under a scheme for the development of the city.

* * *

Railway's washing line here is proving a big cause of moisture and cracks in the walls of the houses of old Krishna Nagar. The Railway authorities have not cared for the drainage of its waste water and it has been collecting near the railway track. Residents of the colony have been complaining every now and then but the authorities have paid no heed. Likewise, the Bikaner division which constructed a bridge over the Loharu road along with the state PWD, had ordered to close down the railway crossing here, but nothing has been done.

The Railway authorities have repeatedly written to the district authorities to close this crossing but to no avail. Whenever, the authorities tried to close it nearby shopkeepers resorted to strike just to put pressure on the Railways not to close it.

SESHM activists stage dharna
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 23 — Hundreds of activists of the Save Earth Save Humanity Movement (SESHM) today staged a dharna in front of the mini secretariat here, to generate awareness about the urgency of controlling population in the country.

Addressing the activists Mr Devender Uppal, the convenor of the movement, blamed shortage of essential commodities on rising population. He feared anarchy if the population continued to increase at the present rate. Mr Uppal said the movement will also focus on environmental protection.

Mr Uppal pointed out that by the year 2050 India's population was likely to cross 1.5 billion mark. He said, recently an international meet of the scientists pointed out that there was a limit to the increase in the agriculture production. The population needed to be controlled accordingly, he warned.

The convenor of the movement informed that the activists of the movement will stage a dharna at Boat Club, New Delhi, on January 1 next year to attract the attention of the government.

Minister seeks CBI probe into his department
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 23 — The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister of Haryana, Mr Jaswant Singh, has demanded a CBI enquiry into the alleged 'scandal' running into crores of rupees in his department.

Speaking to reporters here today Mr Jaswant told that when he took over the charge of the department about 14 months back, he took serious view of various irregularities being done in his department by some officials including some very senior officers. He said he tried to correct the matter at his own level at first but when he did not get positive results, he had to draw attention of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. He said serious irregularities had been noticed and amount in these cases could be between Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crores. He said he had written a letter to the Chief Minister, a month ago, to seek a CBI probe into the affairs of his department. Giving details he said the preliminary investigations indicated that corrupt practices had been followed in the purchase of medicines, material for artificial insemination and other items. He said when he pursued the matter, the Secretary was transferred, but still the issue had been hanging, despite case being handed over to the state vigilance.

Earlier, Mr Jaswant Singh said that the resignation of Mr O.P. Jindal from the Haryana Vikas Party would have no effect on the 'stability' or future of the state government. He said Mr Bansi Lal government was stable and it would complete its tenure without any difficulty.

Record of producing 4’-6" bottlegourd
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 23 — Mr Randhir Singh Sheokand, a farmer of Jajanpur village in Kaithal district has created a new record of producing four and a half feet long bottlegourd and a turnip weighing 5 kg, Mr Rakesh Yamdagni, Director Extension Education of Haryana Agriculture University (HAU) said in a statement here today that the farmer had also produced a 2.9 kg calocesia antiquorum (arbi) and garlic of 700 grams. According to Mr Yamdagni the name of Mr Sheokand has been entered in the "Limca Book of World Records". The farmer has produced these vegetables without the help of fertiliser.

Demonstration by women
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 23 — Hundreds of women of the Mill Gate area today staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here.

They were protesting against the shortage of electricity, drinking water, and absence of sewerage and drainage. They alleged that for the past six months they had been bringing to the notice of the administration but nobody seemed to care.

They also alleged that they had not been provided with the ration cards to people living below the poverty line.

Power Ministry team to leave for Pak
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 23 — A high-level delegation of the Union Power Ministry will soon visit Islamabad to finalise details on the import of electricity from Pakistan, according to reliable sources.

This comes after Pakistan indicated that it had about 2,000 MW of surplus power which it could sell to India. If the deals come through it may end shortage of electricity particularly in the northern states. The quantum and cost are expected to be worked out during the delegation’s stay in Pakistan.

The long-term availability of power from Pakistan will also figure in the talks.

The seven-member delegation would be led by the Special Secretary in the Electricity Ministry, a member of the delegation told TNS.

Special teams to check power theft
From Our Correspondent

NARNAUL, Nov 23 — The special team constituted by the Deputy Commissioner, Mahendragarh at Narnaul, Mr S.S. Prasad, to check power pilferage and heavy line losses in the power sector made raids in Narnaul city for three days. Rupees 81,000/- was imposed as penalty on defaulters by Mr N.K. Verma, SDO (Urban) and Mr K.K. Sharma, SDO (Suburban) of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited. As many as 118 cases of theft were registered with the local police up to October 10, 98.

According to Mr N.K. Verma, SDO (Urban) there are heavy line losses in the city area which is about 40 per cent. He said the HVPN is looking for defaulters to improve power supply. A penalty of Rs 25,000/- was realised from the defaulters.

The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal not satisfied with the working of the HVPN ordered the formation of special teams by the Deputy Commissioner here.

Resource mapping using satellite
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 23 — The Haryana State Remote Sensing Application Centre (HARSAC), a research and development institute, has undertaken an ambitious project on sustainable development, using satellite data with active collaboration and support from the Indian Space Research Organisation.

According to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Hisar, Ms Sukriti Likhi, the project envisages integrated resource mapping using satellite data in conjunction with the conventional data for developing an action plan related to land and water resources on sustainable basis.

The HARSAC has already completed similar studies in Bhiwani and Mahindergarh districts.

Bus conductor’s honesty
From Our Correspondent

NARNAUL, Nov 23 — A conductor of Haryana Roadways, Mr Ram Krishan, badge No. 153, who was on board bus No. HR-35-0118 going from Chandigarh to Delhi, found a bag which a commuter had forgotten, containing Rs 23,150/- Mr Ram Krishan took the bag into his custody and returned it to the owner, Mr Ravinder Kumar of Muradabad along with cash and clothes after proper verification.