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Thursday,
March 13, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Bansi dares Chautala for mid-term poll Issue echoes in Assembly CAG pulls up govt Haryana to open 10 ayurvedic dispensaries Discussion on roadways staff stir disallowed NCP legislator stages dharna |
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Councillor’s unseating: SC grants interim stay Question papers burnt in fire Policeman’s body found Forum penalises BSNL HIGH COURT Roadways
staff threaten stir Rathore case hearing adjourned NCC officer honoured Kalpana’s family to set up trust
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Bansi dares Chautala for mid-term poll Chandigarh, March 12 The HVP President, Mr Bansi Lal, today dared the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to test his popularity by going in for a mid-term Assembly elections. He said the INLD would be reduced to a single-digit presence in the next House because the people were waiting to vote it out of power. He said the Centre as well as the state governments were not serious about the construction of the SYL canal. He said if Mr Chautala threatened to withdraw the support of his five MPs to the NDA government, the Centre would take immediate steps for the early completion of the canal. Mr Bansi Lal claimed that his party would emerge as the frontrunner in the next elections without an alliance with any party. He claimed that whenever he talked about removing the statues of Mr Devi Lal, he received the loudest applause even in the villages dominated by the Jats. The Leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar, levelled allegations of corruption and acquiring benami property against the ruling family. Speaking to the press in the lounge, Mr Gurjar said on one hand the government was demolishing the houses of the poor in the name of removing encroachments, on the other it was allowing the construction of commercial complexes without approving the site plans and without change of land use. Mr Gurjar said a commercial complex, "Regent Towers", was being constructed in Faridabad in an industrial sector without an approved site plan and without changing the land use from industrial to commercial. He alleged that an influential Haryana family owned properties named "Regent" in Karol Bagh in Delhi and in Manali. A probe was needed to find out if there was a common link in the three properties. He listed a number of properties being developed in Faridabad in violation of rules. He alleged that the power utilities had been made to vacate a prime property in Delhi owned by it and had been forced to shift to a rented building in Gurgaon. Tenders were being given to favourites at high rates, he alleged. He demanded that the details of all tenders given during the past three years should be made public along with counter offers from contending parties. He lauded the Governor for referring the casino Bill to the President. Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleged that the Treasury Benches and the Speaker were not allowing the Opposition to raise issues of public importance. The state government should clarify on what basis it had demanded a package of Rs 2000 crore from the Centre as drought relief and why it was later satisfied with mere Rs 241 crore, which too had come from the Calamity Fund,he demanded. |
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Issue echoes in Assembly Chandigarh, March 12 Participating in the debate, Mr Bansi Lal said nowhere in the country were the high-powered purchase committees of the state governments headed by the Chief Minister. He said it was anybody’s guess why this practice was being followed by the INLD Government in Haryana. He alleged that Mrs Chaudhry, who was doing good in the power sector, was transferred when she was found to be inconvenient by the powers that be in the matter of making or not making payments to certain parties. Intervening in the debate, Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala said as these were administrative matters the INLD Government was fully competent to run the administration in the best interests of the state. It did not behove Mr Bansi Lal to talk of humiliation of officers because when he was in the saddle, he had spoiled the annual confidential reports of many officers, which
he (Mr Chautala) had to rectify. Mr Bansi Lal said the non-plan expenditure in the Budget would go up because of the promised 20,000 jobs by the state government which, in turn, would further reduce the plan expenditure. He said though the total debt figures had not been given in the Budget, 40 per cent of the receipts would go towards loan and interest payment. When he alleged that industry was migrating from Haryana because of harassment by the ruling party, Mr Chautala intervened to say that the industrialist at Dharuhera, about whom the Leader of the Opposition had mentioned in his speech yesterday, was a defaulter of the Sales Tax Department. He advised the members not to trust reports carried in newspapers, which, he said, often mis-reported. When Mr Bansi Lal said that on coming to power, he would remove all statues of Mr Devi Lal, Mr Chautala remarked: “Naa nau man tel hoga, naa Radha nachegi”. When the HVP leader retorted by asserting that “Radha would dance”. Mr Chautala again quipped: “Radha would now dance in the cremation grounds of the native village of Mr Bansi Lal.” There was a clash between the Treasury Benches and the Congress when Mr Nafe Singh
Rathee (INLD) made certain remarks against a prominent Congress woman leader. In the face of vehement protests by the Congress members, the Speaker expunged the name of the leader mentioned by Mr Rathee. However, this did not pacify the Congress members. When the Speaker said there was nothing wrong if the designation of the woman leader remained on the record of the Vidhan Sabha when her name had been expunged, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda said would it be proper if he alleged without naming anyone that “the biggest thief of the country was the Chief Minister of Haryana.” Though Mr Hooda’s statement went without challenge, the Speaker agreed to expunge the designation of the woman Congress leader at the request of the Chief Minister. Mr Bhajan Lal referred to the mounting debt and meagre allocation for sectors like agriculture and irrigation. He said the foreign visits of Mr Chautala had not brought any industry to the state. Among others who participated in the debate were Mr Shadi Lal Batra, Mr Rajinder Bisla, Mr Kanwar Pal, Mr Chander Bhatia, Mr Balwant Singh Sadhaura, Mr Balwant Singh Myna, Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Padam Singh Dahiya, Dr Sita Ram, Mr Malik Chand Gambhir, Mr Jagjit Singh Sangwan, Mr Jarnail Singh and Mr Pawan
Dewan. |
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CAG pulls up govt Chandigarh, March 12 The report said the construction of the canal was started in 1981 and Rs 2.41 crore was spent up to 1986-87 for creating the Madhogarh branch for irrigating the areas of Bhiwani and Mohindergarh districts. In addition to this Rs 12.09 lakh was paid to the Northern Railways between 1984 and 1987 for constructing a bridge on the branch. Moreover, Rs 34.02 lakh was paid to the erstwhile HSEB for energising of pump houses linked to the branch. Mention regarding the “unfruitful expenditure” was made in the CAG’s report for the year ending March 31, 1992, and the Secretary, Irrigation Department, told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in 1996 that works were carried out with the hope that water would soon be available. The PAC recommended that efforts must be made to put all these pumps in working condition but the position remained same as of March 2002, the CAG’s report observed. The works were resumed in July, 1999 and Rs 1.23 crore and Rs 0.46 crore were paid up to December 2000, in addition to Rs 34.02 lakh and Rs 12.09 lakh already paid to the HVPN (erstwhile HSEB) and the Railway authorities, respectively, without getting the revised estimates sanctioned. Following queries, it was stated by the Executive Engineer, Mohindergarh Canal Water Services Division, Charkhi Dadri, in March, 2002, that the system was dependent on completion of the SYL canal in Punjab. The report said the expenditure on account of Rs 1.57 crore paid to the HVPN and Rs 58 lakh to the Railway authorities without ensuring availability of water in SYL canal was unfruitful. An additional expenditure of Rs 1.69 crore was also incurred during March, 1999, and December 2000 without resolving the inter-state dispute and ensuring the availability of water in the canal. The Engineer-in-Chief Irrigation, Haryana stated in August, 2002, that payments to the HVPN and Railway authorities were made so that the scheme was ready on completion of the SYL canal in Punjab. |
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Haryana to open 10 ayurvedic dispensaries Chandigarh, March 12 Replying to a question asked by Mr Anil Vij, Independent, Mr Ranga said that the state government was considering a proposal to promote the homeopathic and ayurvedic systems of medicines. As many as 10 ayurvedic dispensaries were proposed to be opened during 2003-04. The government had also received some proposals from the private sector to grant
NOC (no objection certificate) for setting up homeopathic colleges in the state, Mr Ranga said. Answering a supplementary question on the same issue, Mr Ranga said the state government would like to set up a medicine testing laboratory at Kurukshetra with central support. This would help in the detection of fake medicines, including ayurvedic ones. Instructions had been already issued to initiate strict action if any ayurvedic doctor was found prescribing allopathic medicines. Mr Ranga said 205 ayurvedic health camps were held in rural areas last year while three such camps were organised this year. Along with medicines, medicinal plants were also being distributed among the villagers at these camps. Answering a question on the condition of roads in the Sonepat assembly constituency, Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala replied that the roads were likely to be repaired by September, 2004. Answering a question asked by Mr Karan Singh Dalal (RPI) and Mr Ram Bhagat, Independent Agriculture Minister Jaswinder Singh Sandhu said it had been planned to diversify the existing cropping pattern in Haryana over a period of three years. (2003-05). The area under paddy would be reduced by three lakh hectares and that under wheat by eight lakh hectares. Pulses, maize, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane and fruits and vegetable were proposed to be grown in place of rice and wheat. The matter had been referred to the Centre for providing funds for compensating the farmers for growing alternative crops and also for assured marketing of their produce. A sum of Rs 1920 crore was demanded from the Centre for this purpose. In reply to another question, Mr Chautala replied that during the four months ending on January 31, 215 cases of murder, 102 cases of rape, 96 cases of looting and 19 cases of dacoity were registered in Haryana. Responding to a question asked by Mr Ajay Singh Yadav, (Cong), Mr Subhash Goyal said the regularisation of 756 colonies was ordered during 2002-03. The orders were however, withdrawn in January for conducting comprehensive surveys for working out the requirement of development works in such colonies and for creating eco-friendly environment there. |
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Discussion on roadways staff stir disallowed Chandigarh, March 12 The employees have been on a fast for the past nine days in front of the Transport Commissioner’s office in Chandigarh. According to a press note issued by the Haryana Roadways Workers Union, the demands of the agitating employees include bonus and regularisation of adhoc workers. As soon as question hour got over in the assembly today, Mr Ajay Singh Yadav and Mr Jai Parkash of the Congress and Mr Karan Singh Dalal (RPI) stood up demanding threadbare discussion on the agitation. The Speaker was in no mood to listen to them which prompted Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of the Opposition; Mr Bhajan Lal, HPCC chief; and Mr Sher Singh, also of the Congress, to vociferously press for a discussion on the issue. They were also joined by Mr Jagjit Singh Sangwan (NCP). Mr Kadian, said provision for zero hour did not exist in the rules. Zero hour was a convention, adding that the option was exercised only when something important crops up. Mr Karan Dalal had not given anything in writing regarding the issue, Mr Kadian said and added that if Mr Dalal and other MLAs were serious, they would have given notice. “Anyway the agitation is not something which requires immediate attention”, Mr Kadian said. His views were echoed by Finance Minister, Sampat Singh, who also urged the Speaker to maintain decorum in the House. As the opposition legislators kept insisting on discussing the employees’ agitation, Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala got up and said the debate on the Budget was going on and opposition legislators were being given enough opportunity to speak. When the Speaker also refused Mr Dalal to make a point of order during this debate, the MLA staged a walkout.  |
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NCP legislator stages dharna Chandigarh, March 12 Talking to reporters he said that in successive meetings of the assembly, he had been putting questions regarding the creation of a separate Dadri district. “But the question was never accepted which prompted me to hold this dharna”, he said. |
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Councillor’s unseating: SC grants interim stay Kaithal, March 12 According to a copy of the stay order received here yesterday, a Division Bench comprising Justice Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri and Justice Ashok Bhan have accepted the appeal filed by Pala Ram Saini, an unseated councillor of the Municipal Council, Kaithal, for hearing and issued a notice to the State of Haryana.
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Question papers burnt in fire Kurukshetra, March 12 According to an FIR lodged with the police, a nearby market watchman saw flames emerging from the school building and informed the police, who, with the help of officials concerned, controlled the fire, which had already turned question papers, the school record and office furniture into ashes. On getting information, the Haryana Board of School Education Chairman, Mr Rajbir Singh, and Secretary, Mr Mahinder Singh Mor, along with the District Education Officer, Kurukshetra, reached the school. Keeping in view the likelihood of leakage of question papers, he said the Haryana police as well as the officers concerned had been alerted. The examinations at the centre would be conducted after arranging for new set of question papers. He said he had asked all Deputy Commissioners and district police chiefs to keep a watch on photostat shops in the state so that the accused could be traced and arrested. The school watchman had been suspended and the examination coordinator relieved of charge. A departmental inquiry had been initiated against him. The police has registered a case. |
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Policeman’s body found Yamunanagar, March 12 The deceased has been identified as Parkash Chand, 50, who was posted at Karnal. He was a resident of Dariapur village near here. Parkash Chand had brought the barat of his son Sanjeev to Kamalpur village on Monday. Later, he went missing. Parkash Chand’s relatives tried to locate him, but to no avail. Meanwhile, a body in a mutilated condition was found at the railway track near Dusaini village. Hundreds of villagers assembled at the site. Railway police personnel also reached the site and got the possession of the body. His relatives identified the body. The deceased has left behind his wife and two children. After a post-mortem examination at the Civil Hospital here, the body was handed over to the relatives of Parkash Chand. The exact reason of his death has not been established as yet. |
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Forum penalises BSNL Fatehabad, March 12 The complainant, Mr Ram
Niwas, a resident of Ayalki, village applied for a telephone connection on December 16, 2000, and deposited the requisite security deposit. While he had been waiting for his turn, the department started sending bills to him. The consumer then filed a complaint in the District Consumer Forum and presented two bills for Rs 322 and Rs 655 issued in his name and telephone number 56530. In reply, the BSNL admitted the mistake and said it was a computer error at the billing section of the department at Hisar. |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, March
12 Dismissing Mr Veer’s petition seeking the quashing of his transfer “stage-managed by the officer against whom he had made complaints of financial irregularities”, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, observed: “A perusal of the record shows that the petitioner had challenged his transfer from Ambala Cantt to New Delhi primarily on the ground that it was tainted by arbitrariness and malafides”. The Judges further observed: “We have carefully gone through the notings recorded in the file and are satisfied that the petitioner’s challenge to the transfer is not well-founded. His primary plea that Mr P.P. Singh was instrumental in getting him transferred is not at all substantiated by the record.... The writ petition is dismissed”. |
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Roadways
staff threaten stir Ambala,
March 12 He
alleged that some of the unions affiliated with the Sarv Karamchari
Sangh were trying to weaken employees’ unity for their vested
interests. He asked the unions to work for the unity of workers. He
said the state government had not fulfilled the demands of employees,
which were accepted by it on October 24, 2002. He alleged that the
government had also not fulfilled its promises of adjusting employees
of the HSMITC in other departments. Mr Baldev Singh said employees
of Haryana Roadways had not been paid bonus for the past two years. |
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Rathore case hearing adjourned Ambala, March 12 Mr Rathore alleged in the application that Mrs Madhu Prakash, the complainant in the Ruchika case, tampered with the records of a file related to the case. Mr Giyan Grewal appeared on behalf of Mrs Prakash while counsel Ajay Jain and the wife of Mr Rathore, Mrs Abha Rathore, appeared on behalf of Mr Rathore in the court. The former DGP and Mrs Madhu Prakash were also present in the court. |
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NCC officer honoured Ambala, March 12 Senior under officer Sudeep Singh has been awarded a trophy by Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand for having led a team to Seychelles for a youth exchange programme. A number of NCC cadets from different countries had come to Seychelles for the programme. Sudeep Singh was the only cadet from Haryana in the team. The college Principal, Dr R.R.
Malik, said that senior under officer Sudeep Singh would be extended various facilities. Mr Bhupinder Singh
Jauhar, Mr Laxmi Sagar, Mr R.S. Goel, Col A.K. Sinha and other officers were also present. |
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Kalpana’s family to set up trust
Karnal, March 12 The trust will provide financial assistance to poor students throughout the world.
TNS |
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Run over Ambala,
March 12 |
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