Colleges asked to
submit proposals
CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The University Grants Commission has invited proposals for the introduction of vocational subjects at the first degree level in colleges and universities of Haryana from the academic session 1999-2000.

Oppn parties a divided lot: JD

Sale of mustard oil banned

Man held for rape

Woman stabbed to death

Haryana postings

Shop gutted

Sex maniac on the prowl
From Jatinder Sharma
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Sept 9 — Fear prevailed among the residents of Bahadurgarh, a sub-divisional town bordering Delhi, following the kidnapping and murder of a 10-year-old girl by a suspected sex maniac.

The body of the girl, Aarti, daughter of an industrial worker, was recovered today from an empty plot in the New Industrial Estate (NIE). She was reportedly kidnapped on the night of September 6 from her house situated in the compound of a closed industrial unit in the NIE.

The Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar, Mr Arun Kumar, told Tribune News Service that when the body was recovered it was stinking. Prima facie, it appeared that the girl was raped.

Surprisingly the body was found from a place from where it was noticeable from a distance. Almost all the factories around this plot were operational and the empty plot was used by the people for grazing their cattle and for defecation.

Though many people must have gone to ease themselves in that empty plot and grazed cattle yesterday, nobody saw the body. It was only this morning that Jeetu, a chowkidar in a neighbouring factory, saw the body and informed the police, which was desperately searching the missing girl. The police has rounded up five youth and a woman on the suspicion of kidnapping Aarti who, it believed, was an eyewitness to a sex scandal.

Residents of the industrial town believe that the serial killer, who had already kidnapped and murdered 10 girls in the age group of 5 to 9 years in the past four years, has struck again. Aarti has become the 11th victim of the suspected serial killer who had forced the police and the CID sleuths to spend sleepless nights for the past 11 months.

The plainclothesmen of the CID (Crime) branch, headed by Mr Jeet Ram, DSP, have been camping at Bahadurgarh since October last year to trace the sex maniac. They have not been successful in getting any clue.

The scene of the crime, however, has shifted this time from the abandoned and deserted fields of Parnala village, across the railway line, to the not-so-deserted place in the NIE. After the last incident of murder of a girl child on October 8, 1997, the authorities set up a police post and deployed police for round-the-clock patrolling so as to infuse confidence among the fear-stricken residents of Bahadurgarh.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr A.S. Chawla, believes that the maniac might have shifted the scene of crime following tight police arrangements in the previous place.

The body of Aarti has been sent for a post-mortem to the local Medical College and Hospital after the hospital authorities at Jhajjar said that they do not have sufficient arrangements for conducting the post-mortem of a stinking body.

Meanwhile, the Jhajjar authorities have summoned additional police force from the adjoining districts of Rohtak, Sonepat and Panipat in maintaining law and order in the town.

Last year, the agitated residents of the town had gone on the rampage following the kidnapping and murder of a five-year-old girl on October 8,1997. They had then set many vehicles, including Haryana Roadways buses and a police jeep, on fire and gheraoed the police station. The police had then resorted to firing which claimed two lives and the government had ordered a judicial inquiry being conducted by Mr Justice M.L. Kaul.

Interestingly, the police had on January 30, 1996, claimed to have arrested the serial killer and had given an award of Rs 50,000 to an unknown person, who had provided a clue about the killer, identified as Ram Babu, alias Pandit. Ram Babu was lodged in district jail here but after his arrest four more girls in the same age group fell victim to the maniac in the same manner.

Ram Babu was killed by another prisoner inside the jail premises here on August 16 last. The kidnapping and murder of Aarti, whose body was recovered today, has once again belied the police claims.

Rise in crime on PGIMS campus
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK, Sept 9 — The Pandit B.D. Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) here the only medical college and hospital of the state government, has became an unsafe place these days as the incidents of crime have increased leading to a sense of fear. The alleged failure of the authorities concerned to step up vigil has resettle in panic among the faculty and the staff residing of the campus.

According to information available nearly 12 cases of thefts and threatening the doctors and students of the PGIMS have taken paice in the past three to four months. These include a robbery at the residence of the Director of the Institute Dr DS Dubey, last month in which a cash of Rs 60000 was stolen . Not only this the director was also reportedly manhandled and abused by anti-social elements just outside his office in broadlight a fortnight ago. It is learnt that the incident daylight fortnight ago. It is learnt that the incident had the alleged involvement of some of the class IV employees who had been interrogated in connection with the theft at the residence of the director.

In another cash that recently rocked the medical campus was the incident in which some armed youths snatched a Maruti Zen car from a lady Doctor from the official parking in broad daylight. They even fired the air to terrorise the people who had tried to resist the attempts. It is reported that at least 1- cars and tried five two wheelers have been stolen from the campus in the past one year or so. In these cases some of the vehicles or two-wheelers were stolen on and around the campus. In one of the case recently reported by a postgraduate doctor (Resident) was allegedly threatened with dire consequences at his hostel room by some unidentified persons in connection with a dispute at his village which involved his relatives. The robbers have struck several times and have been successful in decamping with valuables ornaments residence from the residence of the doctors during the day or in their absence. Besides these the wards in the hospital are also not safe. While personal belongings of patients including cash and ornaments have been stolen quite a number of times. The Equipment of the hospital including the intercom telephones and bedsheets have been found missing several times.

Recently some women students doctors residing at the hostels were molested and harassed at the hospital (PGIMS) canteen at 9.30 p.m. when they had to gone make a call from the PGO. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has taken up the issue at several times to demand telephone and photostat facility near the hostels so that the students specially the women could benefit from it. Association has also demanded stepping up the security at the campus to check movement of outriders in the campus.

Meanwhile the RDA general secretary Dr J.B. Jataxe has alleged condemned the recent incident of misbehaviour and manhandling of the director and has demanded action against the guilty. He said he had also written to the chief minister to seek his intervention of the issue of providing security staff on the conference.

Colleges asked to submit proposals
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The University Grants Commission (UGC) has invited proposals for the introduction of vocational subjects at the first degree level in colleges and universities of Haryana from the academic session 1999-2000. Ten new subjects have been added in the list of vocational courses by the UGC.

Giving this information here today, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Education Minister, said the Government was laying special emphasis for the promotion of vocational education in the State. At present, 19 government and non-government colleges were imparting training in vocational courses.

He said that the Department of Higher Education had directed the selected colleges of the State to submit their proposals to the respective universities by September 22. A state-level committee headed by the Director, Higher Education, would consider the proposals and make suitable recommendations to the UGC before September 30. The other members of committee would be the Dean of Colleges and the Registrars of Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra and Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

He said, according to the UGC guidelines, a college should indicate in its proposal not more than three subjects in order of preference that it proposed to introduce. A university which has undergraduate department is expected to suggest not more than five subjects in order of preference. Due to financial constraints, not more than one vocational subject will be allotted to a college. A vocational subject so allotted would be introduced in the existing first degree programme (B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc.) by way of dropping one of the conventional subjects in each of the three years from those prescribed in university regulations.

Mr Sharma said that in addition to the vocational subject proposed to be introduced, every student would have to study compulsorily, a course on entrepreneurial development for which a broad outline had already been designed and incorporated in the report of the committee. The course was expected to provide students with knowledge and skills required for working as a self-employed person.

Job opportunities for handicapped
persons reviewed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Haryana Government has directed the Departments of PWD (Building & Roads) and Architecture to provide barrier free environment to the disabled persons in public buildings in the state.

This was decided at a meeting of the State Executive Committee presided over by Mrs Meenaxi Anand Chaudhary, Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Haryana. The committee has been constituted under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

It was decided to disseminate information about the vacancies of the handicapped through voluntary organisations engaged in the welfare of disabled persons. She said that the State Government had already undertaken a survey to identify all the disabled persons in the state to facilitate their rehabilitation under various schemes launched by the government.

Now the Health Department had undertaken the assessment of the extent of disability in visually handicapped and orthopaedically handicapped. She further said that district immunisation officers had been designated as Nodal Officers to register the birth of a child born with disabilities.

The committee expressed satisfaction in implementing the Act by the various departments. She said that a comprehensive plan should be chalked out for the rehabilitation of the handicapped in the state. She said that the Health Department would provide audiometer in each district in the state. Intelligence quotient chart would be given to the psychiatrists in the state, she added.

It was also decided to upgrade the Government Institute for Blind, Panipat, to senior secondary level with the Department of Education.

Lok Chetna Manch floated
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Sept 9 — Mr Ram Phal Koli, a former general secretary of the Haryana BJP, today floated a party named "Lok Chetna Manch, Haryana" to fight against corruption at all levels.

Addressing the first meeting of party workers here, Mr Koli said the party would force the state government to immediately appoint the Lokayukta and institute a committee to assess the wealth and property held by the ministers, legislators, Chairmen of various boards and corporations, powerful politicians and bureaucrats in the state.

He called upon the party workers to prepare a list of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats so that the same could be presented to the government for instituting an inquiry against them.

Mr Koli also announced the names of the executive committee of the manch and nominated Bhakur Samarbir Singh, a former District Education Officer, as the acting president of the manch.

Mr Koli, it may be recalled, had been associated with the Haryana BJP for several years. After taking over of the present HVP-BJP alliance government in the state, he is reported to have put pressure on the state BJP leaders to get him appointed as the Chairman of the Haryana State Staff Selection Board but the party leaders refused to sponsor his name for the post. This resulted in his resignation from the party.

The following are other office-bearers of the party vice-presidents — Mr Shahubbudin and Mr Om Parkash Parashar; general secretaries — Mr Luxman Diwan and Mr Prem Chand Gaur; Secretaries — Mr Mahabir Singh Malik, Mr Nanak Chand Premi, Mr Bashir Ahmad and Mrs Daya Rani; and treasurer — Mr Rajinder Singh Rohilla.

Scientists told to take technology to farmers
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Sept 9 — Over 30 plant pathologists from state agricultural universities are attending an advanced course on fungicides in plant disease control.

Dr R.K. Grover, a pioneer plant pathologist, inaugurating the course yesterday, said even though much advances had been made in plant diseases control, farmers were using outdated technology, including fungicides.

In view of this technological gap, he urged the scientists to do their best in taking the technological advances to all strata farmers.

Dr Grover stressed the need for setting up plant disease forecasting centres.

Prof J.B. Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, HAU, in his presidential remarks urged the scientists to find out biocontrol of plant diseases to avoid environment pollution due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides and fungicides.

For getting higher crop production, the scientists should focus on evolving high-yielding as well as disease-resistant varieties.

Dr M.P. Srivastava, course Director and Head, Plant Pathology Department, said the participants would be apprised of the latest developments in the field of plant pathology, besides educating them in the use of new generation fungicides.

Board exams from September 14
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Sept 9 — Arrangements have been completed for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the supplementary examinations of the Board of School Education, Haryana, which will commence on September 14.

Matric examinations will conclude on September 22, senior secondary academic and vocational examinations on September 30 and the middle examinations on September 24.

Stating this, the secretary of the board said in a press note today that to check copying and other unfair means adopted during the examinations, various flying squads had been formed. Fortyfour squads of the Subdivisional Magistrates would operate in their respective subdivisions. Seventeen rapid-action force and 19 squads of board officers had also been constituted for the purpose.

He said control rooms had been set up at district headquarters of Bhiwani, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Kurukshetra and that deputy secretaries and assistant secretaries of the board would be deputed at each control room. They would send reports daily to the board's headquarter at Bhiwani regarding the conduct of the examinations.

Hooda welcomes "Pachmarhi declaration"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, has welcomed the "Pachmarhi declaration" issued after the three-day conclave of senior Congress leaders.

Mr Hooda today said his party's resolve to launch an ideological crusade against communalism and to meet unflinchingly the challenge of divisive forces, including the shortsighted power brokers and strange bedfellows coming together for power, had established that with Mrs Sonia Gandhi at the helm of affairs, the party now was no longer a rudderless ship.

Mr Hooda also hailed the decision of the conclave to provide increased representation to the Dalits, women and youth in the organisation at all levels and said it would go a long way in regaining the lost confidence of these vulnerable sections which had so far been the vote bank of the party.

Mr Hooda had all praise for the decision not to nominate persons having more than two children to hold any party post or selection as Congress candidates for any election by the turn of the century. He said the decision, which reflected the key element of the party's programme, would promote the small family norm and contribute significantly in controlling the population growth.

He announced that the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee would implement the radical decisions of far-reaching consequences taken at the Pachmarhi conclave which would go a long way in rejuvenating the party organisation.

Lala Jagat Narain chair at KU soon: Ranga
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Sept 9 — A chair in the name of Lala Jagat Narain will be established at Kurukshetra University shortly, Dr M.L. Ranga, Vice-Chancellor, said at a blood donation camp organised jointly by the NSS unit of University College, Kurukshetra, the District Youth Aggarwal Sammelan, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the Nehru Yuva Kendra, the Janhit Punjabi Sabha and Sarthak, in his memory.

Mr Ashwani Chopra, grandson of Lala Jagat Narain and Delhi-based Editor of Punjab Kesri, said Lalaji fought for freedom of the Press and against injustice, corruption and other evils prevailing in society.

Nearly 200 units of blood were collected during the camp conducted by a team of doctors from the PGI, Chandigarh.

Residents take out procession
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Sept 9 — Residents of Palwal took out a procession and blocked the traffic for two hours on the Delhi-Mathura national highway here today in protest against the rise in crime in the town.

They alleged that the police had failed to curb thefts. The shop of a watch dealer situated near the police station was burgled last night and goods worth lakhs of rupees were taken away.

The blockade was lifted after the police assured them to bring the culprits to book.

Opposition parties a divided lot: JD
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Sept 9 — The state unit of the Janata Dal has alleged that the Opposition in Haryana had failed to discharge its duties as the present government, which he said had "failed" to fulfil its promises, was still in power.

Speaking to newspersons here today the president of the state unit of the party, Mr Ved Prakash Vidrohi, alleged that the Opposition was a divided lot and had been fighting within itself instead of protesting against the failures of the coalition government in the state.

Sale of mustard oil banned
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Sept 9 — The district administration has banned the sale of mustard oil.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Navraj Nain Sandhu, a team consisting of a health officer, a food and supplies inspector and a tehsildar are conducting regular checks at oil mills and shops and are drawing samples from different places.

Man held for rape
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Sept 9 — The district police has arrested a person for allegedly abducting and raping a girl. The police has recovered the girl and restored her to her parents after her medical examination.

According to the SP, Mr Rajbir Deswal, Rajinder Singh, a resident of the new grain market, Tohana, allegedly abducted the girl on August 17 this year. The police registered a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC and launched a hunt for the girl and her alleged abductor.

The police arrested Rajinder yesterday and recovered the girl from his possession.

The girl alleged that the accused had raped her. The police has registered a case under Section 376 of the IPC and restored the girl to her parents.

Woman stabbed to death
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Sept 9 — Swaran Kanta (58) was stabbed to death at her house in Sector 11-B and her husband, Brij Mohan Bakshi (65), was injured by three youths who tried to rob them last night.

The youths entered the house on the pretext of making a call. As they were coming out, one of them tried to strangulate Mr Bakshi and dragged Swaran Kanta out of the house and repeatedly stabbed her. Upon hearing her cries for help, assailants ran away. Ashok Kumar, a milkman has been arrested in this regard. His accomplices are, however still at large.

Haryana postings
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Haryana Government has promoted Mr M.S. Sheokand, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, as Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies, and posted him as Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies (Enforcement) vice Mr. Rattan Singh, who has been posted as Managing Director, Haryana State Housing Federation on deputation.

Shop gutted
From Our Correspondent

GURGAON, Sept 9 — Fire broke out at a shop in the Sadar bazar area of the city this afternoon. Goods worth lakhs of rupees have reportedly been destroyed.