Chautala trying to sabotage rally: Cong
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1
Several Congress leaders of Haryana today issued a joint statement accusing the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash, Chautala of “adopting wrong and illegal methods” to sabotage the “adhikar rally” being organised by the Haryana Congress at Jhajjar on March 2.

Launching a severe attack, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of the Opposition, Birender Singh, former HPCC chief, Rao Inderjit Singh, Mr Raghubir Singh Kadian, Mr Jai Parkash Mr Dharambir, Rao Dan Singh, Mr Shadi Lal Batra, Mr Sher Singh, Mr Jitender Singh Malik, MLAs and other senior Congress leaders said Mr Chautala had violated all democratic norms by changing the place of the Congress rally to Anaj Mandi. The Anaj Mandi at Jhajjar was the most unsuitable place for holding a rally, they said. They also alleged that both sons of the Chief Minister were at present in the Jhajjar area where they were trying to put pressure on people not to participate in the rally. The Congress leaders further alleged that 15,000 cops had been “ordered to take part” in the rally at Rohtak being organised by the Haryana Government on the same day (March 2).

They also alleged that Mr Chautala had directed all SPs and DCs of the state to confiscate documents of commercial vehicles to assure the failure of the Opposition rally. However, Mr Chautala’s design would not succeed, they said.

The Congress leaders added that the rally at Jhajjar would highlight the indifferent attitude of the NDA government and the state government toward the completion of the SYL canal. They would also protest against the discrimination of canal water distribution inside the state, the statement said.

NAAC team visits college
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, March 1
The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr S.P. Singh, said here yesterday that it the existing infrastructure in universities and other educational institutions was properly used, it could revolutionise the education system in the country and open new avenues for youths

Dr Singh, who headed a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team to the town, was addressing mediapersons after visiting the local RKSD College Post Graduate College. The team comprising Dr S.K. Dhawan, former Director Education, Himachal Pardesh, Dr M.D. Lawrence, Vice-Principal of Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Commerce, Pune, and Mr Ganesh Hegde, assistant adviser, NAAC, Bangalore, inspected the college and talked to students and members of the college governing body and had a first-hand information about the institution to assess its infrastructure and academic facilities.

Dr Singh said colleges should introduce such courses which generate self-employment for youths and prepare them to achieve excellence in every field. The team, which started its work on February 26, handed over its assessment report to the college principal Mr K.K. Sirohi.

‘Need to modernise education’
Our Correspondent

Hisar, March 1
Noted scientist and educationist, Prof Yash Pal, yesterday underlined the need for adapting the education system to the modern day needs.

Addressing the annual convocation of the local Fateh Chand College for Women, he said the existing system did not meet the requirements of the modern era as it did not aim at overall mental development of an individual. Education did not just mean just providing information. It should instead develop an individual’s intellect and maturity.

Prof Yash Pal said there was an urgent need for linking different disciplines which alone could ensure that students got the right mix of knowledge. He stressed the need for providing platforms to students for constant exchange of views for better understanding of the world today. Such platforms were the right place for understanding different regions, religions and communities. Once this understanding was developed, world peace would follow.

The eminent scientist gave away prizes to meritorious students. As many as 345 students received their prizes and 271 were awarded graduate degrees in various disciplines.

Dr Shamim Sharma, Principal, in her annual report, said the students of the college had won laurels in academics, sports and cultural activities during the past year.

PNDT Act: panel to check violation

Yamunanagar, March 1
A committee has been formed to inspect clinics and hospitals having ultrasound machines. The doctors clinics, violating the PNDT Act (Prenatal Diagnostic Technique Act) 1984, are liable to be prosecuted under the Act.

Mr Vijayendra Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said here today that female-made ratio in age group up to six years of age has come down to 807 girls against 1000 boys. He said to check female infanticide a committee headed by Dr Naresh Sharma, Civil Surgeon, had been set up. Other members of the team include Dr Vinay Chaudhary, Radiologist, District Family Planning Officer Dr R.K. Singhal, District Family Welfare Education Officer Suresh Kamboj and others. He said the members made a surprise check at Radaur Ultrasound centre near here and found it violating the PNDT Act. The ultrasound machine was sealed by the committee. OC

Ex-MLA booked for cheating

Hisar, March 1
The police has registered a case of cheating against three persons, including P.K. Chaudhry, former MLA and BJP leader.

The case was registered on a complaint of Mr Suraj Bhan, of Sisar village in Hansi subdivision, police sources said here.

Mr Bhan had complained to Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, in an open darbar held in Hansi on February 12, that Chaudhry had purchased wheat from his flour mill in Narela (Delhi), but failed to pay the Rs 1.50 lakh due to him.

Mr Chautala had reportedly directed the authorities concerned to investigate the matter. PTI

Budget anti-farmer, says Surjewala
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, March 1
Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, president, Haryana Krishak Samaj, and former HPCC chief, has termed the Budget as ‘anti-farmer’ and against the middle class and poor.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Mr Surjewala criticised the Finance Minister for making diesel and fertilisers costlier. He said decrease in interest for small-savings deposits would hit the middle class. He urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to withdraw his party’s support to the Centre.

He said three years rule of Mr Chautala was a dark period in the history of Haryana and it would be remembered by the coming generations.

Vikas Rally today
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, March 1
The Haryana Government has made all-round progress during the past three years under the leadership of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and new thrust has been given to development activities. Besides, a congenial environment has been created in the state for the smooth growth of industry.

This was stated by Transport Minister Ashok Arora while addressing party workers and reviewing arrangements for the state-level Vikas Rally to be held at the Jat Heroes Memorial College Rohtak ground on March 2, where Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, Union Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Chief Minister of Delhi and Punjab Madan Lal Khurana and Parkash Singh Badal would address the rally.

Science Day celebrated
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, March 1
A two-day function to mark National Science Day was organised in Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, which concluded yesterday. Prof Satish Maheshwari of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi was chief guest. Professor Maheshwari spoke on “The book of life — unrevealing of our genomes’. He said the study of genomes would give a new direction in the fields of medicine and agriculture.

Prof Hari Singh, Dean, Science faculty, welcomed the chief guest and highlighted achievements of different science departments.

The function was presided over by Prof R.S. Mehrotra, a former professor of botany in the university. Also present were the Registrar, Dr Hewa Singh, the Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr V.K. Aggarwal, and Dr S.P. Singh, Professor Emeritus.

Petrol station looted at gunpoint
Our Correspondent

Yamunanagar, March 1
Three armed youths robbed Chuharpur village petrol station today of Rs 1.25 lakh.

According to police sources, the accused got their car petrol tank filled at Chuharpur and asked for a proper receipt. When employee went to the office room, they followed him and allegedly locked all five employees at gunpoint in a bathroom. They then collected the Rs 1.25 lakh from the station and fled.

The manager of the petrol station, Mr Parvinder Narang, informed the Chhachhrauli police about the robbery.

A case under Sections 392 and 394 IPC, has been registered.

Book on DAV movement released
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1
The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand today released a book, “DAV Andolan Ka Itihas” written by historian of the DAV movement, Dr Dharam Dev Vidyarthi.

Speaking at the function, the Governor said the Arya Samaj movement of Swami Dayanand Saraswati was aimed at removing the ills of poverty, superstitions, ignorance and immorality from the society. He complimented Dr Vidyarthi for writing the book which he said would inspire the youth to learn about the contributions made by the Arya Samaj leaders, journalists, freedom fighters, educationists and jurists towards nation building.

Shivratri celebrated

Ambala
Shivratri was celebrated here with great enthusiasm and devotion. Long queues of devotees could be seen before temples since early in the morning. Temples of Lord Shiva at Ambala City and Ambala Cantt were well decorated on this occasion. There was a great rush of the devotees in Hathikhana Mandir at Ambala Cantt and Rambagh Shiv Mandir at Ambala City. Some of the temples organised ‘bhandara’ on this occasion. The police has made tight security arrangements at different temples.

Meeting on ESI scheme held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1
Proposals relating to the improvement of the ESI scheme in Haryana such as setting up of a model hospital at Gurgaon to render super special treatment to industrial employees covered under the scheme, upgrading the ESI hospital at Sector 8, Faridabad, a diagnostic centre at Sonepat and operation of revolving fund providing cash to employees and their families in cases of emergency were recommended for immediate implementation in the meeting of the Regional Board ESI Corporation (Haryana), held here yesterday.

Stating this here today, a press note said the meeting was presided over by Mr Prem Prashant, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, Haryana.

Hooda thanks HP voters
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1
Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of the Opposition in Haryana, has expressed satisfaction at the victory of the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh and thanked the voters of the hill state for reposing faith in the Congress.