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| Wednesday, January 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Discrepancies
in voter photo I-cards EVMs to be used in 45
constituencies NCP to contest 50 Haryana seats Bansi promises 24-hour power Raghubir Singh joins BJP Chautala recruiting SPOs "to
rig poll" Governor to hoist flag at Kaithal UPEB staff stir supported Need to conserve oil stressed |
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Haryana
flower show concludes Abhey Chautala assails Cong Brave kids felicitated Motorcycle snatched Two thieves arrested 3 killed, 5 hurt in road mishap Drug Inspector arrested Order on weapons
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Discrepancies in voter photo I-cards AMBALA, Jan 25 — Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh male of robust health, does not know whether to laugh or to cry. For he has been issued a photo voter identity card with a lady’s photograph on it and he has become a female according to the identity card issued by the Election Commission of India. Talking to The Tribune, Jaspreet, who is doing his apprenticeship diploma in auto engineering, said that he was surprised to find a lady’s photograph on the voter’s identity cards. "Even I have been shown as a female in the ID card. Rest of the information on the card is mine and has been correctly entered on the card," he said. The Election Commission of India card no. HR/01/08/207351 has a lady’s photograph on it. "The address on the card "H. No 43 Ambala Cantt Ward-11" is ours. But there is no such lady staying here. The age "20 years" is of my son, Jaspreet," Jaspreet’s father, Mr Mahabir Singh said. "The card was prepared on October 15, 1999, and it is now being given to us," he added. He pointed out that there is also a discrepancy in his daughter’s card. There are similar such cases in which there is a mistake in the card and one can see people who come to collect their photo voter identity cards trying to find out ways to correct the mistake at the Municipal Committee office at Ambala cantonment. Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, Ram Niwas said that all those people who find that there are faults in their photo voter identity cards should immediately get in touch with the Returning Officer. "In Ambala cantonment, a photographer has been kept who is taking photographs of such people. The affected persons can go to the Municipal Committee office and apply for rectification of the error," he said. He said that the preparation of the photo voter identity card is a mammoth task and errors can sometimes creep in. "However, people who find that there are mistakes must immediately get in touch with the officials concerned so that they can be issued cards with correct information in it," he said. Mr Anil Vij, former MLA and Independent candidate for the Ambala Cantonment assembly seat, said that many people have approached him stating that there are faults in their photo voter identity cards. "Those persons who lost their photo voters identity cards, are being told by the administration that they must first get an First Information Report lodged and then card will be prepared. I feel that it is a lengthy procedure, specially with the assembly elections with less than month away," he said. Mr Vij pointed out that there are even cases of people who have not received their photo voter identity cards despite completing all formalities. "Now there is very little time left before the polls, and if they start making corrections now, then it will be too late," he said. Citing an instance, Mr Vij said that a person had approached him saying that while photo voter identity card is correct, his wife has been shown to be double his age. "There are serious anomalies and need to be timely rectified. If one goes to the Municipal Committee office, one will see several cards lying there which are yet to be distributed," he said. Mr Ranbir Singh Chhatwal (Fauji), General Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Haryana unit, said that the administration is to be blamed for the faults in the photo voter identity cards. "We have received complaints in which their are errors in either the age, name, father’s name and even in the address of the person," he said. Mr Chhatwal said "my own photo voter identity card has got wrong name and wrong address and even my wife’s card has got my name wrong and the address is also wrong." He demanded that the
officer on electoral duty at the polling booth should be
vested with the power to decide whether a voter is
genuine or not. "A person may be voting regularly
for the past several years and there may be a mistake in
the photo voter identity card. So, for no fault of his,
he would be denied the right to exercise his franchise.
Instructions must be given to the officials on election
duty to take discretionary action," he said. |
EVMs to be used in 45
constituencies CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — Mr Bhaskar Chatterjee, Chief Electoral Office, Haryana, disclosed here today that electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in 45 of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the coming Vidhan Sabha elections to be held on February 22. He said Haryana would be the first state in the country to have 50 per cent voting cast on electronic voting machines and the 45 constituencies are, Kalka, Yamunanagar, Jagadhri, Ambala city, Indri, Nilokheri, Karnal, Jundla (SC), Gharaunda, Assandh (SC), Panipat, Sambhalka, Naultha, Thanesar, Pehowa, Kaithal, Hassangarh, Kiloi, Rohtak, Meham, Kalanaur (SC), Beri, Salhawas, Jhajjar (SC), Badli, Kailana, Sonepat, Jind, Faridabad, Mewla, Maharajpur, Ballabgarh, Ferozepur Jhirka, Gurgaon, Bhiwani, Tosham, Hisar, Adampur, Bhattu Kalan, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Rori, Rewari, Jatusana, Mahendragrah and Narnaul. Mr Chatterjee said the Election Commission of India had made it clear that photo identity cards, made at a huge cost of Rs 1000 crore, should be used effectively for free and fair elections in the country. Haryana has made maximum progress in issuing photo identity cards to its electorate. However, if any voter, has still not got photo identity card he is advised to go to the nearest electoral authority immediately to get the photo identity card prepared. The CEC said a meeting to review the poll arrangements was held recently at Kurukshetra and Gurgaon. Necessary directives
were given to the District Election Officers to ensure
effective publicity for use of electronic voting machines
and preparation of photo identity cards in the coming
Assembly poll. |
Council seeks EVMs AMBALA, Jan 25 — The Citizens Council of Ambala cantonment has demanded that electronic voting machines should be used in their constituency. A fax message has been sent to Chief Election Commissioner, Mr M.S. Gill, appreciating that electronic voting machines are to be used in 45 assembly constituencies in Haryana. However, the message has regretted that Ambala cantonment assembly segment has not been included in the list, a release said. "Ambala is an A class station in Haryana. Moreover, Ambala cantonment is the only constituency which is purely an urban constituency, hence, it is demanded that the Ambala cantonment should be included for the use of electronic voting machines," the release issued by Chairman of Citizens Council, Dr N.C. Jain adds. It was also demanded
that a voter who was above the age of 65 should be
allowed to cast his vote through postal ballot because
many times due to illness or any other reason, he may not
be able to cast his vote. |
NCP to contest 50 Haryana
seats INDRI (Karnal), Jan 25 — The Nationalist Congress Party will fight the coming Assembly election in Haryana on its own. Mr Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party inaugurating the party's campaign in this sleepy town, about 25 km from Karnal today, announced this. Addressing a well-attended rally despite inclement weather he asked the people of Haryana to rid themselves of the three Lals. Who despite their long innings in power, had done nothing concrete for the welfare of the people. He said the NCP would play a major role in formation of next Government in Haryana. Criticising the policies of the BJP, he described it as "anti-farmer and anti-labourer." He added that even while the Kargil war was on the BJP Government was buying sugar from Pakistan. The wheat policy of the Vajpayee Government was also faulty. He said his party stood for safeguarding the interests of labourers and farmers and accused Mr Chautala of not getting farmers a proper price for their paddy. Mr Vedpal, president of the Haryana unit of the party, alleged that successive governments in Haryana had failed to provide jobs and north Haryana districts were discriminated again it. Mr Rajinder Mohan, a spokesman of the party, said the NCP would contest about 50 seats in Haryana and Mr Vedpal, would be the party's candidate from Indri. With this unilateral
announcement the chances of formation of a third front
further receded. |
Bansi promises 24-hour power HISAR, Jan 25 — Haryana Vikas Party supremo and former Chief Minister Bansi Lal has promised round-the-clock power, if voted to power in the forthcoming poll. Talking to reporters here before addressing party workers, the former Chief Minister said, round-the-clock power and all-round development of the state would be his main priority. He criticised his opponents for spreading rumours about his health. He claimed he was hail and hearty and would tour all Assembly segments and garner support for the HVP candidates. The party will contest 89 seats and will support Independent candidate Anil Vij from Ambala. The former Chief Minister said the fall of his government "was a blessing in disguise", as he could undergo heart surgery because he was out of power. Similarly the party too had rid itself of certain cancerous elements. But the greatest benefit was that his successor Om Prakash Chautala had been exposed on the issues of free water and electricity. "In fact people could see and feel themselves, what Chautala’s rule means", he said. Spewing venom at the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said Mr Vajpayee was the most disappointing Prime Minister the country had ever had and it was unfortunate that the reins of the nation were in his hands again. His opinion of the BJP was that it was an unreliable party. About Sonia Gandhi, he said she thought she was "another Indira Gandhi", which she cannot be. The HVP chief said, he will seek re-election from Tosham and his party will secure majority in the forthcoming elections. Mr Bansi Lal also had
his reservations about journalists, accusing a local
journalist of being a "government agent". This
was resented by the scribes present at the press
conference. Later, at the workers’ meeting also, he
said, certain journalists were conspiring with his
opponents of defame him. He alleged that "the
Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal and the BJP people
were entertaining journalists to write against me".
He said he had got sacked two journalists who had falsely
reported that he (Mr Bansi Lal) had promised free
electricity and water. "I have never been in favour
of free water and electricity and no Chief Minister can
provide it, he said. |
Raghubir Singh joins BJP CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — Mr Raghubir Singh, a former IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, yesterday joined BJP with a large number of supporters. He made an announcement to this effect at a meeting of his supporters at Tohana, a sub-divisional town in Fatehabad district. The State BJP vice-president, Mr S. Goyal, who was present at the meeting, welcomed Mr Raghubir Singh's entry into the BJP. A former Deputy Commission of Chandigarh, Mr Raghubir Singh is likely to be fielded by the BJP from Tohana, the traditional seat of his cousin, Mr Harpal Singh, a former Congress state minister. Both Mr Raghubir Singh and Mr Harpal Singh were in the fray in the last elections as the HVP and Congress nominee, respectively, from Tohana, but they were defeated by Mr Vinod Kumar Marya, who was elected on the Samata Party ticket in 1996, then led by Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Mr Marya had
subsequently joined the HVP but now he is once again back
with Mr Chautala as a Minister of State in the caretaker
ministry. |
Chautala recruiting SPOs "to
rig poll" ROHTAK, Jan 25 — Haryana Pradesh Congress Chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda charged the state government of recruiting special police officers (SPOs) to rig the Assembly polls. The Congress leader, in a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleged that Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala had directed the superintendents of police in the districts to recruit SPOs for five days for election duty. The state government, he said, was contemplating recruiting 100 to 150 SPOs in each district. The recruitment of retired police officials and ex-servicemen as SPOs was being done on the pretext of conducting a free-and-fair poll, the memorandum alleged. Mr Hooda said that he had definite information that criminals and ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supporters would be recruited as SPOs with the aim of rigging the polls. He cited large-scale violence and rigging of polls during the Meham bye-election in 1990 when Mr Chautala was Chief Minister. Mr Hooda claimed that hardened criminals involved in cases of murder, rape, robbery and dacoity had escaped from jails in Haryana during the present tenure of Mr Chautala. "All this has been master-minded under the government patronage as a part of the well planned strategy to unleash a reign of terror during the Assembly elections in the state," Mr Hooda alleged. He asked the CEC to ban
recruitment of SPOs to ensure a free-and-fair poll. |
Governor to hoist flag at Kaithal KAITHAL, Jan 25 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahavir Parshad, arrived in the town this evening. He will hoist the National Flag at a state-level Republic Day function to be held here tomorrow. He was received at the local PWD Rest House by senior officials including the Commissioner of Ambala Division, Mr Chander Singh, Mr H.S. Ahlawat, IG, besides the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mahavir Singh and Mr M.S. Mann, SP. The Governor was presented a Guard of Honour by the Haryana police. The officials of the District Administration are worried as the ground where the function is to be held was flooded with rain water that lashed the town since early morning. The authorities have
also made elaborate security arrangements as the
Governor, the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and
other senior officials of the state will attend the
function. |
UPEB staff stir supported SONEPAT, Jan 25 — The Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union (Hisar) and the Haryana State Electricity Board Workers Union (Bhiwani) have extended their support to employees of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Board (UPEB) and described the strike as just and legitimate and appealed to the UP and central Governments to accept their demands. In a joint press statement issued hare yesterday, Mr Janardan Prasad Kothari, secretary of the All-Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union, and Mr Narinder Sharma, president of the HSEB Workers Union, said the trifurcation of the UPEB in different corporations was improper as it was only creating difficulties for the employees who were in no way responsible for the losses incurred by the board. They also condemned the coercive methods used by the UP Government in crushing the employees strike, warning that such methods would only aggravate the situation. They demanded immediate release of the employee leaders so that the stalemate could end soon. Meanwhile, large number
of employees of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN)
took out a procession here yesterday in support of the
employees of the UPEB. Carrying placards and raising
anti-government slogans, they marched through the main
bazaars of the city and reached the office of the HVPN
city sub-division on Atlas Road, where they held a
demonstration and a rally. The speakers warned that if
the demands of the striking employees of the UPEB were
not accepted, a nation wide agitation would be launched. |
Need to conserve oil stressed AMBALA, Jan 25 — In view of the growing gap between the demand and indigenous supply of crude oil and petroleum products, there is a need for conservation of oil Terminal Manager of Indian Oil Corporation, Akhilesh Gupta, said here today. Speaking at a meet of tank-truck crew and employees as part of the Oil Conservation Fortnight, Mr Gupta said that it is very important to save oil as our economy is also affected due to it. "Also one must bear in mind the fact that our ecology is also greatly affected if the consumption of fuel is on the higher side," he said. He pointed out that Oil Conservation Week was started for the first time in January, 1991. Thereafter, every year Oil Conservation Week has been observed throughout the country to create mass awareness about the need for conserving petroleum products. "Encouraging results prompted the extension of Oil Conservation Week into Oil Conservation Fortnight from the year 1997," he said. Mr Gupta said that various steps are being taken to promote conservation of petroleum products in association with the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) in different sectors of the economy such as transport, industrial, agricultural and household. "PCRA studies have revealed that leakage of one drop of oil per second amounts to a loss of 4000 litres of oil per annum," he added. Major Yuvraj Singh of ASC said that conservation of oil goes a long way in strengthening our economy. "By conserving oil, in a way we are doing a service for our nation," he said. He stated that in the Army there is a lot of stress on the efficiency of vehicles which leads to more economical fuel consumption. The Deputy Manager, Technical Services, Mr S.P. Mehrishi, said that there are various way of conserving fuel. The tips include not driving too fast. "The ideal driving speed is between 40 to 60 km per hour," he said. "Also, one must not keep the engine idling. If a driver has to stop for more than a minute, then he should switch off the engine to conserve fuel. For that it is important that the engine is kept in excellent condition so that it starts immediately," he said. Mr Mehrishi stated that
driving in correct gear is also important as driving in
low gear leads to higher fuel consumption. "One must
always try to stop slowly. Some drivers have the habit of
applying the brakes at the last minute. This should not
be done," he said. |
Haryana flower show concludes CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — The first national flower show organised by the Horticulture department, Haryana in collaboration with Haryana Tourism to promote commercial floriculture in Haryana, concluded at Oasis Tourist Complex, Uchana in Karnal district. More than 4,140 entries of different categories of flowers were received from various institutions, government and non-government organisations and individual farmers belonging to the states of Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chandigarh. A seminar on commercial floriculture was organised during the show which was inaugurated by Mr J.P.Negi, Executive Director, National Horticulture Board. Mr Naseem Ahmad, Commissioner and Secretary, Horticulture and Tourism, Dr Kartar Singh, Director of Horticulture, Dr B.L.Jalali, Director Research, CCS HAU, Mr Abner Chin, a scientist from Israel, and other eminent experts shared their technical knowhow about floriculture with a large number of farmers attending the function. Over 1.25 lakh farmers and tourists visited the function and appreciated the display of the flowers. The winners were given
cash prizes and certificates by Mr Vinay Kumar,
Vice-Chancellor, Ch Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural
University, Hisar. |
Abhey Chautala assails Cong SIRSA, Jan 25 — "During 40 years of its rule the Congress had destroyed social amity by getting votes through division", said the INLD leader and younger son of the Haryana Chief Minister Mr Abhey Chautala while addressing a gathering in Rania and Nathusari Chopta today. Attacking the Congress
the INLD leader called Mr Virendera Singh, Mr Bhajan Lal,
Mr Shamsher Singh, Mr Bhupender Hooda and Ms Selja
hypocrites as they are still holding one another
accountable for the defeat in the last Lok Sabha poll. |
Brave kids felicitated GURGAON, Jan 25 — Fifteen children, along with their parents and representatives of the Indian council for Child Welfare, who won the National Bravery Award-1999 visited Fun Food village at Kapashera situated near the New Delhi-Gurgaon border. They were felicitated by hundreds of children who visited the village on that day. The management presented complementary entry passes to these children. They were also entertained at the complex. Mr Balwant Chawla MD,
and Mr Santokh Chawla, Director, of the company met the
children and presented souvenirs and gifts to them. |
Motorcycle snatched ROHTAK, Jan 25 — Two youths armed with a pistol and a knife assaulted a resident of a nearby village and took away his motor cycle. According to the police, the victim identified as Rajvir, a resident of Balamba village in the district was stopped by the youths near Basana village last evening. He alleged that they not
only injured but also took away his motor-cycle and some
cash. A case has been registered. |
Two thieves arrested SIRSA, Jan 25 — The CIA branch of the district police has arrested two thieves who were trying to sell a stolen motor cycle. According to the police press note issued here today, Surinder Singh and Manjeet Singh of Rawweendan village were arrested and the vehicle was seized from them. In another case, the police has registered a case against six persons for allegedly torturing two married sisters for bringing insufficient dowry. A case has been
registered on a complaint lodged by Savitri and Luxmi
both residents of Peer Basti. |
3 killed, 5 hurt in road
mishap SONEPAT, Jan 25 — Three persons, including a jeep driver, were killed and five injured when a truck hit a jeep carrying passengers on the Gohana-Panipat road near Sainipura village, about 40 km from here, last evening. According to preliminary reports, two of the victims have been identified as Virender, the jeep driver, a resident of Shamri village, and Sube Singh of Sainipura village. Four of the injured persons have been sent to the medical college and hospital at Rohtak. The police has
registered a case. |
Drug Inspector arrested KAITHAL, Jan 25 — Mr Sat Pal Verma, District Drug Inspector, was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 by the District Revenue Officer and Mr Pale Ram, DSP, here today. Harish, a chemist of Ralavat town had complained to authorities that the Drug Inspector was demanding a bribe from him to recommend his case for getting a drug licence. A trap was laid and the
Inspector was arrested while accepting six currency notes
of Rs 500 each signed by the DRO. A case under the
Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against
the official. |
Order on weapons AMBALA, Jan 25 — In order to ensure that there are no untoward incidents during the election process, District Magistrate of Ambala has ordered all those persons with licensed weapons to deposit these by January 28. The persons having licensed weapons must deposit their weapons at the nearest police station. The police and the Duty Magistrates have been asked to take necessary action in this direction, a release said. Meanwhile, DC, Ambala,
has said that as electronic voting machines (EVMs) are
being informed about the EVMs in every ward. "People
can also go to the District Election Office and get
information about the EVMs." the release stated. |
Caught accepting bribe CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has caught Sat Pal Varma, District Drug Inspector, Kaithal, red-handed while accepting illegal gratification of Rs 3,000 from Mr Harish Kumar of Kalayat for granting licence for his chemist shop at Kalayat. The first information
report was registered today under Section 7/13/49/88
against the accused at the bureau police station in
Ambala. |
Free eye operation camps
planned SONEPAT, Jan 25 — The district blind control committee is organising two free eye operation camps — one at Gohana and the other at Sonepat — for conducting cataract operations during a special campaign commencing on January 27 official sources said here today. The first camp would be
held at Shri Ram Sharnam Ashram at Gohana from January 27
to 29 and the other at the local Civil Hospital from
January 31 to February 4. |
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