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| Monday, March 20, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Bansi
Lal down but not out Tumultuous welcome to Chautala Where to vote? ward 21 confused Education in Haryana to be
job-oriented
Governor's
greeting Poll
staff decry discrimination |
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Survey for old age
pension cases 2 more police stations for Gurgaon
likely Man rescues family Vinod Khanna flays exchanges with
Pak Cong flays ban on recruitments Police remand for 4 kidnappers Naik cremated with military
honours Wheat support price
‘law’ BSP meets in Delhi tomorrow Welcome gate to be built Banks flooded with Rs 500 notes
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Bansi Lal down but not out CHANDIGARH, March 19 — Rout in the elections and assault in the Assembly, where the Budget session concluded last Thursday, have failed to dampen the spirit of Mr Bansi Lal. The Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) supremo had a tough time in the House as both ruling Indian National Lok Dal(INLD) and Opposition Congress members targeted him for issues such as cancellation of grants to the Agroha Medical College, the failed prohibition policy and so on. With only one more HVP member, a newcomer present in the House, it was not possible for him to retaliate. While Mr Bansi Lal, a three-time Chief Minister who claims to be the architect of the state’s development, sat silently as heaps of criticisms were showered on him, he appeared almost as a tragic figure. ‘‘I feel sorry for him’’, chuckled a woman in the visitors’ gallery. Politicians, however, were less charitable. Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s response, when asked about the frequent attacks on Mr Bansi Lal in the Assembly, was a sardonic smile. Mr Karan Singh Dalal, who flowered under Mr Bansi Lal’s patronage but later abandoned him and now represents the Republican Party of India in the House, said the HVP chief deserved the isolation he had been subjected to. Though he looked helpless in the Assembly, Mr Bansi Lal, nevertheless, is a seasoned warrior. When this reporter met him for an interview, he appeared unperturbed by recent debacles. Criticisms, he said, were not new for him as he had sat in the opposition earlier also. According to the HVP chief, if there was criticism, there were compliments for him in the House. ‘‘The Governor’s speech mentioned that the government would carry on with reform process in the power sector. This was an acknowledgement of the policy initiated by me’’, he said. The HVP chief said he felt irritated only when the discussion inside the house lacked substance. ‘‘Then I come out to the lobby and tried to relax’’, he said. He, however, added that he would like to answer, point by point, why he cancelled grants to the Agroha Medical College. ‘‘Because of my ailments I could not prepare myself for this question, but in the next session I would settle this issue’’, he said. On his experience inside the House, Mr Bansi Lal said he did not expect that he would be treated with respect by the INLD members, except Mr Sampat Singh and Mr Dhirpal Singh, who were gentlemen. Mr Bansi Lal did not hide his contempt for Mr Mangeram Gupta, a former Finance Minister from the Congress, who made several critical remarks about the HVP-led regime. ‘‘I will always ignore any comment made by Mangeram Gupta’’, he said. The two-member HVP representation, he said, would always conduct itself as a responsible Opposition party. He pointed out that on last Wednesday, when the Congress, as well as the single member RPI and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) teams walked out of the House , the HVP did not follow suit. ‘‘They had trooped out because their members were not given a chance to speak. I spoke on behalf of my party, so there was no question of us leaving the House’’, he said. However, with his political fortunes hitting an all-time low, it is not going to be an easy job for the Haryana stalwart to make a comeback. The reply from Mr Bansi Lal on this score was that he was working upon it and in about a year’s time, he would be able to rejuvenate the party. ‘‘He is not at all frustrated, a politician of his stature can never be written off’’, said Mr Rajinder Singh Bisla, Independent MLA from Ballabgarh, whose sit was next to Mr Bansi Lal’s in the Assembly and the two were seen talking to each other. Nevertheless, in normal
course, a return by Mr Bansi Lal looks like a distant
possibility. However, the well-known political cycle of
Haryana — Chautala, followed by Bhajan Lal, followed
by Bansi Lal, and then Chautala again — may run its
course again and the tragic hero may be once again at his
imperious best, observers say. |
Tumultuous welcome to Chautala RORI (Sirsa), March 19 — Caught between his commitment towards the policies and programmes of the National Democratic Alliance and the great expectations of millions of farmers, the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, finds himself a dilemma as how to take an unambiguous stand on the issue of withdrawal of subsidies on fertilisers. Mr Chautala does not go beyond issuing 'too wide' warnings to the Vajpayee government about "opposing it in and outside the Parliament". At best Mr Chautala hopes to prevail upon the Union Government to continue the subsidies. He either evaded queries on the subject and tried to be vague during his two-day visit to his home constituency here. The Chief Minister was accorded a tumultuous reception on his arrival here. It was his first visit to his home constituency after assuming power. He had defeated his brother and Congress candidate, Mr Ranjit Singh, from here by a margin of over 20,000 votes. The Chief Minister toured about 20 villages during his two days stay in his home constituency. Wherever he went, he was accorded a red carpet welcome. The people as was obvious, had great expectation from their leader, why not, they had elected him for the second time with an improved margin. Probably for the same reason, the Chief Minister did not make it clear, which of the two constituencies he was going to retain. He has been elected from Rori and Narwana. Against a comfortable win here, it was quite close in Narwana. An impression is being created here, that Chief Minister's younger son, Abhay Chautala may, contest from here, as the Chautala was likely to retain Narwana. He refused a direct reply on the subject and preferred to keep silent. Nor did he say anywhere that he was going to retrain Rori. Mr Chautala surprisingly did not promise any thing. Nor did he announced any thing new or big. Barring few announcements of lining the drains or upgrading a village school here or there, the Chief Minister had not much to acknowledge his people with. His speeches in all the villages were limited to the usual rhetoric of improving the lot of the farmers. Asking the administration to be more responsive towards the problems of the people and asserting that the works ordered during his earlier tour in connection with Sarkar Apke Dwar would be expedited. However, the Chief Minister did not leave his voters disappointed. He announced certain things, may be in little measures, wherever he went. For example the sanctioned water works station for Malikpura village besides the construction of 6 kilometre road up to Bishnoian village. In Kngre village he promised the construction of a dharamshala, water works station and upgradation of the local middle school to high school. In village Jndwala Jatan he announced bricklining of streets in the colony of backward classes, construction of water works station, installation of transformer and repairing of the wall of village pond. In another village of announced construction of an old age home. At Odhan village he sanctioned a community centre. At a number of places Mr
Chautala was presented the symbolic green turban as a
mark of love and respect. He was accompanied by the local
MP, Dr Sushil Indoora, and the MLA from Elnabad, Mr Baghi
Ram. |
Where to vote? ward 21
confused AMBALA, March 19 — One third of the total voters of ward no 21 of Ambala City are in a fix about the ward in which to cast their vote in the Municipal Council election to be held on April 2 as their names also figure in the voter list of the adjoining ward no 23. The number of such voters is around 450, while the name of these voters appeared in the voters list of only ward no 21 in the Assembly elections a month ago. Interestingly, the candidates of both wards have been approaching these voters to cast their votes in their favour. Voters are of the view, that this duplicity might result in bogus voting in the elections in the wards. The candidates contesting from ward no 21 are Poonam Rawat, Pooja Kapoor and Neelam Kumari while, Amrit Lal, Jineshwar Jain, Shashi Mehta and Jagmohan are in the fray in ward no 23. Ms Rawat said, “we have met the officer concerned in this regard but he expressed his inability to amend it at this later stage.” The Deputy Commissioner,
Mr Ram Niwas, said that after the publication of the
voter lists of the Municipal Council elections,
sufficient time was provided to the voters regarding
amendments to be made in the voters lists. The people
were repeatedly informed through public announcements and
the press. At this stage, the amended voter list cannot
be published. Moreover, there is no such provision in law
for it. |
12,000 voters' names
"missing" KURUKSHETRA, March 19 — Dr Subhash Sharma convener of the Haryana Pradesh Congress (I) Committee, Vichar Vibhag (Intellectual Cell), has alleged that about 12000 local voters who had voted during the last Haryana Vidhan Sabha elections would be deprived of their franchise in the ensuing Municipal Committee elections because their names were missing from the list of voters printed by the Thanesar Municipal Committee. Seeking an inquiry into
this case, Dr Sharma has demanded that the ensuing
Municipal Committee elections should be held only after
preparing fresh voters lists incorporating the names of
missing electorate. |
Education in Haryana to be
job-oriented SIRSA, March 19 — "To impart qualitative education based on information technology to the students of the state a new education policy would be formulated", said Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala at Mandi Dabwali in the district. He added that it would check the growing unemployment in the state. Mr Chautala made this announcement after laying the foundation stone of a cafeteria-cum-recreation centre in the compound of Maharana Pratap Women College at Dabwali last evening. He revealed that educationists and social workers were being consulted for its early formulation. Criticising the present education system, he said that it was producing educated who were unable to meet the needs of advance technology. This system was formulated by the British to produce clerks as the senior administrative officers were deputed from England at that time. He stressed the need for making computer education necessary in schools. Under the new education policy special emphasis would be laid on vocational and job oriented education so as to meet the demands of the modern industries coming up in the state. Referring to the demand of the college Principal Mrs Sarla Bhalla the Chief Minister assured that the land of the old Civil Hospital, adjacent to the college would be transferred for its expansion provided there was no legal hindrance in it. He lauded the role of the institution in the field of women education and said that the government was also not lagging behind in promoting women education in the state. Later speaking at a function of the Aggarwal Sabha where he was honoured by the Aggarwal community, he said that the Haryana Government's new industrial policy had not only been hailed within the country but also at the international level as Rs 2700 crore investment from all over the world including Japan had been promised at the industrial town of Manesar alone. He said that the development of the country was possible only if the farmers and traders worked jointly. The Chief Minister said the he was open to suggestions for the development of the state. He thanked the people of the area for giving massive mandate to the INLD-BJP alliance during the recent Assembly elections. He assured the people that he would fulfil their aspirations and make Haryana a top ranking state in the country. Mr Chautala urged the people to maintain peace and amity so that peace of development in the state could be accelerated. On this occasion, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg Minister of Punjab expressed his gratitude to Mr Chautala for restoring grant to the Agroha Medical College. Dr Sushil Indora MP from Sirsa urged the Chief Minister to set up a Medical College and government college in the town besides declaring it an industrially backward area. Local MLA, Dr Sita Ram presented the demands of the area which included repairing of 14 roads of the town and setting up of an Engineering College. UNI: Mr Chautala has said that people living below poverty line would be issued yellow cards to enable them reap benefits of schemes being implemented for their welfare. The Chief Minister, who was on a whirlwind tour of 19 villages of the Rori Assembly constituency from where he was declared elected with a thumping majority in the recent Assembly election interacted with the residents yesterday and expressed gratitude to them for their whole hearted support. He said 'phirnis' of all
villages would be bricklined, and asked panchayats to
pass a resolution and forward it to the Union Human
Resource Ministry for setting up sports stadia in their
villages by the Union Government. |
Poll staff decry
discrimination ROHTAK, March 19 — Resentment prevails among the employees over "discrimination" in the allotment and exemption from poll duties in the panchayat elections. The elections were held in Meham, Sampla and Rohtak blocks of the district on March 16. Nearly 260 teams were constituted to conduct the elections in 81 panchayats of these three blocks. Each team consisted of five members, including a presiding officer. Besides, about 100 teams comprising five members each were kept in reserve. The staff were told that election duties were mandatory under sub-section 21 to 28 of Rule 16-17 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Election Rules, 1994. However, despite the strict directions nearly half of the members named in the main duty list did not turn up. This resulted in a state of chaos. Some university teachers and other employees were seen exchanging heated arguments with the SDM and other election officials at the local Jat College. The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer also reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the matter. Some senior employees alleged there was no set criteria for allotment and exemption from election duties. They claimed some employees were continuously put on poll duties while others were either not deputed or were exempted later on for reasons best known to the authorities concerned. Further, while employees were assigned election duties by a single agency the exemptions were given at different levels which created confusion. District election
officials could not be reached for comments despite
several attempts. |
Taking medicare to the doorstep SIRSA: Mobile healthcare centres are the stepping stones to achieve health for all in the new millennium. Ranbaxy Community Healthcare Society is an example of medico-social workers and multi-national companies joining hands to bring healthcare to the rural sector. The data of health improvement speaks of the fruitfulness of this "friendship". There is a substantial improvement in various health parameters in the three villages adopted by Ranbaxy Community Healthcare Society (RCHS) in the district. Now the immunisation in these villages, namely Bappa, Skinderpur and Kharia is 94 p.c. while the couple protection rate has increased to 78 per cent from 60 per cent in 1997. The society which started functioning in these villages under the able leadership of local medico-social worker, Dr Anita Arora, has completed six years. The results show the utility of such services in other villages. The society, which has a mobile healthcare unit, continues to focus on medicare and education to the rural community with special emphasis on vulnerable groups like mothers and children. Elaborating on the RCHS aims and working, Dr Anita Arora said in addition to arranging "adarsh mata" contests and healthy baby shows, cultural programmes and film shows are conducted to disseminate health messages and to reach out to the community on important issues like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, family planning, ante-natal care, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, safe deliveries, unsafe abortions, etc. Meetings with specially organised groups within the community like adolescent girls, breast feeding support groups, birth attendants and anganwadi workers and even school children to focus on the critical needs of the community and to involve the community. Dr Arora emphasised the
need for such healthcare services by the NGOs, with the
support of MNCs, if the motto of health for all was to be
achieved. |
Survey for old age pension
cases SIRSA, March 19 — The Haryana Government plans to conduct a special survey in the state to facilitate those above 60 years of age and were left out from the old age pension scheme. Those ineligible would not be allowed to avail the benefit of the scheme. Mr Om Prakash Chautala Chief Minister Haryana announced it on whirlwind tour of the 17 villages of Rori constituency today. The Chief Minister heard grievances of the people of 20 villages yesterday. He was given a rousing reception and presented with a turban and shawls in many village. He talked to people in their local dialect and reviewed the progress of the Sarkar Apke Dwar programme. Extending good wishes to the people on the festival of colour-Holi, he asked them to forget their ill—will and get development accelerated as his government was stable now and not formed by engineering defections. He assured them that he would not adopt a vindictive attitude towards his political rivals instead he would try to convince them and bring them to his fold. The Chief Minister announced that all water courses would be constructed and repaired by the government and the people would not have to make formal applications for this. This would help in saving precious water. He also revealed that the size of irrigation (outlets) would be measured and would be made according to land holdings so as to ensure equal distribution of water to all farmers thereby removing previous discriminations in water distribution. Mr Chautala said on encroachments Panchayat land would be removed on priority as the Panchayat land was meant for common use of the residents of the village. He said that all 'Phirnies' would be made 'pucca' and boundary walls, sheds and roads to the cremation ground would be constructed in all villages. While acceding to the demands put forward by the people of Panniwala Mota village he announced construction of Primary Health Centre, road from the village to Khuiyan Nepalpur, construction of cemented street up to the village chowk and bricklining of streets with drains in the Scheduled Caste mohallas. In Sahuwala village he ordered the authorities of Public Health Department for expansion of water works and to execute this within a fixed time frame, repair of Harijan Chaupals, upgradation of school to senior secondary level and bricklining of streets Scheduled Caste basties. In Nuiyanwali he ordered replacement of electric polls and removal of high tension wire passing over the houses construction of water works and laying of pipe lines. In Ghukanwali village he revealed that Rs 6.42 lakh has been allocated for the construction of 5 additional rooms of the school, replacing of transformers and ensuring the water supply to the school. The Chief Minister also
visited Karamgarh, Khuiyan Nepalpur, Bhagsar,
Khaishergarh, Banwal, Risaliakhera, Ram Garh, Bijuwali,
Chak Faridpur, Ahmanpur Darewala, Godika and Kaluwana
village. During his tour he was accompanied by Dr Sushil
Indora local MP, Mr Ashok Verma, Chairman HLRDC, Mr Padam
Jain, President INLD Sirsa, Mehta Hari Chand, Mr R.S.
Challia, IGP Hisar range, Mr Amit Jha, DC Sirsa and
senior officers of the district. |
2 more police stations for
Gurgaon likely GURGAON, March 19 — The Haryana government is actively considering a proposal to sanction two more police stations in Gurgaon city to streamline the administration and to effectively deal with crime. The district police has submitted the proposal to the government for increasing the present strength of police stations from 13 to 15. The district police authorities have also demanded addition of 400 personnel in the force. The present strength of the force is 1,500. Sanction has also been sought for 15 PCR vehicles to add vigour to patrolling. The move to strengthen the number of police stations will increase the visibility of the police. This is on account of the fast growth of the city. With the national highway coursing through the city and large number of residential and commercial centres coming up on either side, the police is facing stiff challenge from the anti-social elements. According to sources, a notification for setting up the two police stations will be issued by the government shortly. The police authorities feel that the ideal concept of ‘‘beat constable’’ in vogue in Delhi could not be followed in Haryana, especially in the key districts, on account of shortage of logistics. The concept empirically enables specified constables to be accountable for all developments in a particular area. This enables them to concentrate in the areas assigned to them. The woeful shortage of logistics could be gauged from the fact that the strength of the force in south-west district of Delhi, adjoining Gurgaon is 3,200. The persons handling the PCRs duty are from a different pool. On the other hand, in Gurgaon, the majority of the personnel are put on duty in random fashion, depending on the exigencies. The shortage in the manpower does not provide the authorities the luxury to use the services of the personnel anticipation and prevention of crime. In an effort to check
the rate of crime, the police has decided to intensify
their interactions with the residents’ welfare
associations to enlighten the associations to initiate
possible measures to check on possible crimes in their
areas. |
Man rescues family SONEPAT, March 19 — Jagbir displayed courage in saving members of a family trapped in a burning house at Kalupur village, on the outskirts of the city, yesterday. According to information the fire broke out in the house of Mr Ram Kishan, a Dalit at Kalupur village. On hearing hue and cry, he entered the house and brought out all members of the family safely. Thereafter, a large
number of residents assembled at the site and succeeded
in extinguishing the fire. However, no one was hurt in
the fire. |
Vinod Khanna flays exchanges
with Pak FARIDABAD, March 19 — BJP MP Vinod Khanna in a statement said today that there should be no dialogue or sports activities with Pakistan till military rulers of that country stopped aiding terrorists activities in India. He also expressed shock over the role of some opposition members in stopping the proceedings in Parliament. He said there should be some qualification for becoming an MP so that the MP should know his responsibility towards the people of his constituency. He also criticised those politicians who have won the parliamentary elections by making false promises with the voters like free power supply and no taxes. He also said that there
should be a law by which voters should have right to call
back his MLA or MP if the changed his loyalty or work
against the interest of his voters. |
Cong flays ban on
recruitments CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The Haryana Congress has come down heavily on the INLD Government for banning fresh recruitment in government services. Describing the state government’s decision as a fraud played on the people by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, the President of the Haryana Congress, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said here today that Mr Chautala had announced several populist measures during the just concluded Assembly elections. Immediately after the elections the INLD leader played a cruel joke with the people by not only banning the new recruitment but also abolishing those posts which were lying vacant for the past two years. Mr Hooda accused Mr Chautala of hoodwinking unemployed youth and said it was not for the first time that the people of Haryana had been fooled through populist slogans. In 1987 Mr Devi Lal, father of Mr Chautala, grabbed power by promising to write off the loans of farmers and other weaker sections of society. He too had conveniently forgotten his promise. Sympathising with the
people for falling prey to Mr Chautala’s populist
slogans, Mr Hooda said if the Chief Minister did not
fulfil his election promises, the Congress would launch
an agitation to secure justice for the people. |
Police remand for 4 kidnappers KURUKSHETRA, March 19 — All four alleged kidnappers of Harsh (13), son of a local resident, were produced in a local court yesterday and remanded in police custody for three days. Stating this here today, the district police said efforts were being made to arrest the fifth kidnapper Laxmi Narain, a resident of Jyotinager, here. He said ring leader Pervez Khan told the police that they had kidnapped Harsh from near his school in the morning on February 15. He was blindfolded and taken to house number 772 in Sector 13 of HUDA here. The kidnappers then contacted Harsh's father and demanded Rs 15 lakh as ransom. The district police
chief said the police had recovered the car used by the
kidnappers. |
Naik cremated with military
honours FARIDABAD, March 19 — Naik Raghbir Singh (34) of 5 Rashtriya Rifles was today cremated with full military honours at Sotai, his home village in Ballabhgarh subdivision. He was killed fighting against Pakistani mercenaries in the Badamibagh area of Srinagar on March 15. A number of senior Army
and civil officials were present at the martyr's
cremation. |
Governor's greeting CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, and the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, have greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Holi. In a message issued here
today they described the festival of colours as a symbol
of India's unity in diversity, saying that such festivals
promoted the spirit of mutual understanding and fellow
feeling. |
Wheat support price
‘law’ ROHTAK, March 19 — Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, a former minister has described the recently announced minimum support price for wheat as inadequate. In a statement here today he said the farmers were adversely affected in two ways — the government slashed subsidy on the prices of urea and the support price for wheat was very low. Expressing surprise over the reduction of prices of mobile phones, he alleged that the government was trying to appease the rich and was least bothered about the farming community, which constituted about 80 per cent of population of the country. He appealed to the Chief
Minister to pressurise Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee to increase the support price to Rs 600 per
quintal. He also urged the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant
Sinha to restore subsidy on the prices of urea. |
BSP meets in Delhi tomorrow CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The BSP has convened a meeting in Delhi on March 21 to discuss the party's performance during the recent Haryana Assembly elections. The Senior
Vice-President of the Haryana unit of the BSP, Mr Jagpal
Singh Chaudhri, said here today that the party President,
Mr Kanshi Ram, would preside over the meeting to which
all party candidates and prominent workers had been
invited. |
Welcome gate to be built KALKA, March 19 — A welcome gate will be constructed in Parwanoo, that will project the picture of Himachal Pradesh, listing the spots to be visited in the state. This was stated by Director, State Urban Development, during his visit to Parwanoo. He directed the
Secretary, City Council, to prepare the design of the
gate and send it to him. He also inspected the office of
the City Council and directed officials to take
appropriate action to keep the town clean. |
Banks flooded with Rs 500
notes KALKA, March 19 — Fear of fake currency note of Rs 500 denomination has gripped many in the town. Shopkeepers have been reportedly seen refusing Rs 500 notes, and the spread of rumour that these notes are being taken out of circulation has panicked many people, who are now crowding banks to return these notes. It is learnt that
cashiers of banks here hesitate in accepting these notes,
and many shopkeepers refuse to accept these. |
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