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Repolling passes off peacefully
School, college vehicles for students exempt from road tax
Over 16,000 children in Haryana face exposure to AIDS
Artists honoured at KU function
Class VIII exams end; board announces prizes for 29 teachers
Sirsa has lowest bank accounts in Haryana |
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Rs 1-cr penalty on Bhushan Steel Strips
Sale of church land: DC assures action against guilty
Insurance claim settled after 7 yrs
Parle factory workers lathicharged
377 units of blood donated
Prisoner booked for threatening DCC chief
5 cops suspended for negligence
Burglary bid in sub-post office
Gujral is Forest Dept Principal Secretary
Bank employees hold dharna
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Repolling passes off peacefully
Faridabad, February 23 According to the reports, 685 voters of the booth No. 10 at Kot came out to cast their votes out of the total 793 voters, making the poll percentage to 86.38 per cent. At booth No. 84 of the Penglatu, about 1,103 voters of the total 1,293 (85.23 per cent) exercised their right of franchise in the repoll today. The polling was held in tight security arrangements and it was peaceful as no untoward incident was reported. The administration has shifted the EVM’s to the places where the counting of votes will take place on February 27. Jhajjar: More than 75 per cent of voters cast their votes today in the four polling booths where repolling had been ordered after the February 3 poll due to irregularities and minor violence. The repoll passed off peacefully. Three of these booths were located at Dighal and one in Birdhana village of this district. Unprecedented security measures were in place for the repoll. Both the villages were virtually turned into police camps. Armed personnel of the Haryana Police and the ITBP had been deployed to ensure that polling took place peacefully. Leaders of all main political parties and their candidates kept visiting the booths every few minutes coaxing the villagers to cast their votes. For the ruling INLD, Dr Birender Pal, Dr Bijendra Ahlawat, Mr Balwant Maina and the party nominee Mr Om Pehalwan supervised the repoll. The Congress and BJP nominees, Dr Raghbir Kadian and Ms Santosh Gocchi, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful polling. Polling was disrupted at booth No 96 in Dighal village on February 3 after hooligans damaged the EVM and manhandled the polling staff. However, the staff performed their duties fearlessly today because of adequate security. |
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School, college vehicles for students exempt
Chandigarh, February 23 The judgement has come on a petition filed by the Haryana College of Technology and Management, Kaithal, through its counsel, Mr Rajesh Bindal. In July last, the college applied for the registration of a new bus. The State Transport Controller, while sanctioning the registration of the vehicle, imposed a condition that the college would pay Rs 200 per seat per annum, which is charged from a contract carriage. The college moved the high court against the controller’s order. The respondents took the stand before the court that the college vehicle could not be granted exemption from tax in terms of Rule 8(1)(iii) of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Rules, 1925, as applicable to Haryana, because it would be used for carrying the students and staff of a professional college which was being run on commercial lines. They also pleaded that the students of the Kaithal college were in the age group of 16 to 17 years and they did not fall within the ambit of the term “pupil”, which was “referable only to schoolchildren”. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal held that motor vehicles owned by educational institutions were entitled to total exemption from tax provided the vehicles were used solely for the purposes of carrying pupils to and from the institution or for a purpose directly related to or incidental to the functions of the institution. The court said the language of the relevant rule was very wide. The Judges said the plea of the respondents that the students of the college could not be treated as covered by the word “pupil”, as was commonly understood, “cannot but be treated as frivolous and vexatious”. There was nothing in the language of the relevant rule from which it could be inferred that the expression “educational institution” was restricted to schools and it did not apply to other educational institutions and the word “pupil”, was referable only to schoolchildren and not to students of a college. The court held that “rather, by adopting the rule of purposive interpretation, it must be held that the expression, ‘educational institution’, takes within its fold schools, colleges, universities, etc., and the word ‘pupil’ comprehends within itself all categories of students.” |
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Over 16,000 children in Haryana face exposure to AIDS
Panchkula, February 23 These are the findings of a state-wide survey carried out by a private consultancy firm, Faith Healthcare Private Limited, during a mapping of site and size of high risk behaviour population with regards to HIV/AIDS. The survey was authorised by the Haryana AIDS Control Society, and for the first time identifies 16,269 street children all over the state who face threat of contacting the HIV virus. This survey also identifies 74,884 truck drivers, 9206 commercial sex workers, 3593 intravenous drug users (IDUs) , besides 1268 eunuchs and 770 homosexuals in the state, facing risk from HIV. Officials say that for the first time a detailed survey of each high -risk group and its concentration in different parts of all districts has been carried out. Though the Health Department, Haryana, has not formally accepted the report commissioned by the Haryana AIDS Control Society, the findings reveal that districts in the National Capital Region are the new breeding grounds for core group (commercial sex workers, homosexuals and intravenous drug users) of HIV cases and their bridge population (migrant labourers, truckers and street children- who are likely to contact the deadly disease from the core population). The report reveals that the highest concentration of these high-risk behaviour groups are in the districts of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar (mainly Bahadurgarh), Panchkula and Yamunanagar. The report, prepared after a study of all 19 districts in Haryana, reveals that Faridabad district has the highest number of intravenous drug users (472), truck drivers (13,876), migrant labourers (50,728) and street children (2,601). The survey also reveals that Yamunanagar has the highest number of commercial sex workers (1,246), Panchkula the highest number of homosexuals (95) and Panipat the highest (151) eunuch population in the state. The survey was commissioned by the Haryana AIDS Control Society in December 2003, so as to identify the high-risk behaviour population and initiate programmes for awareness of the disease, and establish inter-linkage with public services like sexually transmitted clinics and voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCTC). Health Department officials have already done sample surveys to check the veracity of the high-risk group findings for each district. Official sources inform that there are as many as 424 cases of AIDS (till January 31, 2005), and an estimated 40,000 HIV positive cases. They admit that so far the NGOs associated with the Haryana AIDS Control Society were targeting the general population for creating awareness, but this Report on High Risk Behaviour Population will lead to a targeted intervention project for awareness. The data from this report will be provided to the NGOs/Red Cross Society to prepare programmes for people identified in the report. |
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Artists honoured at KU function
Kurukshetra, February 23 The exhibition will continue till February 28. The awarded paintings include “Cosmos II” created by Bhim Singh Berwal from Bhiwani, “Open Gallery” by Bhup Singh Gulia from Rohtak, “Symphony” by Meetu Dhawan from Rohtak, “Gossiping” by Vikas Walia from Kishanpura village in Yamunanagar and “Me and My Niece” by Monika from the Fine Arts Department of Kurukshetra University. The chairperson of the Fine Arts Department, Dr Ram Viranjan, said that they had received nearly 90 entries and of which around 60 were displayed at the exhibition. He said of these five paintings were selected for cash rewards while five other participants were presented with merit certificates. Apart from the exhibition, a national-level painting workshop was also inaugurated at the department simultaneously. Dr Viranjan said 10 renowned artists from various parts of the country, including Harish Shrivastava, V.S. Rahi, Pranam Singh, H.N.Mishra, Ashwani Verma, Madan Lal, Baldev Gambhir, Dharmendra Rathore and Bhup Singh Gulia, besides the faculty members of the department, were participating in the workshop. The workshop will continue till February 24. Addressing the gathering after presenting the awards, Dr Chawla exhorted the faculty members of the department to strive for the top position in the country. He announced that the modalities for the introduction of four-year degree courses in theatre and mass communication had been worked out. The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that these courses would soon be started at the University College of Kurukshetra University. Earlier, he saw the paintings displayed at the exhibition and appreciated the efforts of the faculty members and students of the Fine Arts Department. A catalogue about the exhibition was also released. |
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Class VIII exams end; board announces prizes
Bhiwani, February 23 The board has announced cash prizes to 29 teachers, 48 police personnel and the panchayat of Jaitipur in Panipat district for commendable contribution in the smooth conduct of examinations. Stating this, the board secretary, Mr Rakesh Gupta, said that the highly vigilant and effective flying squads booked 698 cases of unfair means. Only one case of impersonation was reported. Whereas last year the number of unfair means cases was 1,006. This year 180 persons were arrested under Section 188, IPC, for violating the prohibitory orders under Section 144, CrPC. |
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Sirsa has lowest bank accounts in Haryana Sirsa, February 23 According to the Census Year 2001 report, Rewari tops the list with 61.05 per cent of the total households in the district using the banking facility. Sirsa has been ranked last with 30.97 per cent households having bank accounts. The report says there are 3,529,642 households in the state and a large number out of which has no access to banks and other financial institutions. Though 45.2 per cent of households in the state make use of the banking facility and have a higher average than the national average of 35.5 per cent, Sirsa’s average is even less than the national average. Dr N. K. Bishnoi, Chairman of the Department of Economics of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, terms the position as disappointing. He says that the lack of education is the most significant reason for this situation. He says banking is an index of the participation of the population in the mainstream financial system but the report shows that people seems not to keen on using the banking facility. Dr Bishnoi also sees the lack of conviction among financial institutions in motivating and educating local population about the benefits of using the banking facilities. The census data shows that there are seven banks per 1 lakh people in the state as against 11 each in Punjab and Kerala. Similarly, the state has 36 branches per 1,000 sq km while Punjab and Kerala have 52 and 86 branches, respectively. Experts also blame the lack of political will in educating people about the banking system for the poor situation in Sirsa. Investigations reveal
that the local population prefer moneylenders to banks and other
financial institutions.
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Rs 1-cr penalty on Bhushan Steel Strips
Chandigarh, February 23 The case was heard in the court of Mr K C Sharma, Chief Controlling Revenue Authority, Haryana, Chandigarh. Mr Sharma, also the Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, in an order on February 10, directed that the fine as well as the stamp duty payable should be recovered from Sanjay Singhal and Neeraj Singhal, sons of Brij Bhushan of M/s Bhushan Steel Strips Industries, within 30 days of the pronouncement of the order. The case had first come to light when the Accountant General, in his report for the year 1996-97, raised an objection regarding short levy of stamp duty due to the mis-classification of disputed instruments. The Singhals, it was stated in the report, had raised over Rs 121 crore as loan from banks by mortgaging immovable properties in Panchkula district. All these deeds were got registered between March, 1995, and January, 1996, as security bonds in favour of the banks on non-judicial stamp papers of Rs 15 each instead of ad volorem stamp duty chargeable on the mortgage deeds. The Singhals should pay Rs 1.96 crore as stamp duty payable for mortgage deeds, the report said. The affected parties were subsequently heard by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Panchkula. The DC also came to the conclusion that the Singhals were liable to pay the stamp duty. The DC forwarded the case to the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority (CCRA). The CCRA observed that the proprietors of the steel strips industry managed to procure loans from the Punjab National Bank against security bonds whereas the loans were permissible only under mortgage when property or part of property was used as security for the advancement of such loans. The CCRA did not accept the argument of by the Singhals’ counsel that it was for the Punjab National Bank to have rejected the loan applications if the bonds were not adequate security for the bank. The order said the court was of the firm view that any intelligent design used by the Singhals with the connivance of the Punjab National Bank did not convert the necessity of a mortgage deed into security bonds. The CCRA then ordered the levy of penalty of Rs 1 crore on the Singhals in addition to the Rs 1.96 crore payable by them as stamp duty. The penalty was imposed in view of the depreciation of the value of the rupee since January, 1996, when the deeds were registered. |
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Sale of church land: DC assures action against guilty
Ambala, February 23 Talking to Chandigarh Tribune during his visit to Ambala following a land scam in which mission complex land worth Rs 50 crore of market value was sold for Rs 38 lakh, Bishop Karam Masih said they were taking stock of the situation. A three-member team from Delhi arrived here today. The team comprised Bishop Karam Masih, former Bishop PB Santram and Reverend ZS Peter. The delegation led by Bishop Karam Masih met the SP Mr M.R. Kiran as well as Deputy Commissioner R.P. Gupta. The officials assured them that action would be taken against the guilty. Bishop Masih said they were deeply concerned over the manner in which the land belonging to the Church of North India (CNI) was fraudulently sold. “We will protect our church property. We will also seek action against unauthorised encroachers on our land,” he said. Bishop Karam Masih said he had general power of attorney for all church land in Delhi and Haryana. “The powers have been further delegated for better management. In the land in question, the Philadelphia Hospital director, Dr Sunil Sadiq, and Reverend George Lazer are authorised to take action,” he said. He stated that they are considering certain development projects which will be beneficial to all the residents of Ambala.
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Insurance claim settled after 7 yrs
Rohtak, February 23 The complainant Mr Ravinder Kumar had submitted to the forum that his wife Ms Harsh Bala died on October 24, 1997 in a road accident while on duty. Her life was insured for Rs 2 lakh with the New India Assurance Company through the Managing Director of the mill. However, after her death the insurance company refused to pay the sum assured on the plea that her death did not occur in the course of employment. However, the complainant produced the duty slip which stated that when the fatal accident took place she was supposed to meet an advocate of the mill to collect some papers. Relying on this the forum ordered the company to release the amount within two months. In another case the forum today directed the bottlers of Pepsi brand of soft drinks to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a local consumer. In his complaint a local resident, Mr Sunder Pal had alleged that a dead housefly was found in a bottle of the soft drink he had purchased. The forum also ordered the bottlers to pay a litigation fee of Rs 2000. |
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Parle factory workers lathicharged
Jhajjar, February 23 According to information, about 100 workers of the unit gathered at the Devi Lal park near Sector 6 today to discuss the issue after the locking of the factory about six months ago. Though the management had claimed yesterday that the differences have been resolved following talks between the two factions, the workers’ body maintained today that a few workers were forced into the factory under pressure from the police. President of the workers’ union Virender Singh said they were deliberating over the fallout of the closure of the factory in a peaceful way when a police team arrived in the park and unleashed a reign of terror. He told that policemen cane-charged them and chased them away. He along with other workers showed injury marks inflicted by the police at the press conference in the presence of Congress nominee from Bahadurgarh Rajender Singh
Joon. They said the police also impounded their bicycles and scooters parked outside the Devi Lal park. Refuting the allegations of the workers, the SHO of Bahadurgarh city police said the police only tried to persuade the agitated workers to return to their work. |
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377 units of blood donated
Ambala, February 23 The camp was organised in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Ambala and the State Bank of India. The blood donation camp was conducted by a team led by Dr Usha Rao from PGI, Chandigarh. Deputy Commissioner R.P. Gupta inaugurated the camp. He lauded the role of SD College in the field of blood donation. The Rotary Club of Ambala president Ajay Mittal, AGM, State Bank of India J.K. Kapil were also present. Mr Rajinder Aggarwal, president of Young Saviours Club, donated blood for 122nd time. The college Principal, Dr Desh Bandhu, donated blood for the 32nd time, Prof Ishar Singh 52 times, Prof N.K. Sen 51 times, Prof R.K. Puri 32 times, Mr Ashwani Satija 35 times, Dr Neena Malhotra eight times, Dr Asha Sharma seven times and Dr SP Sharma seven times.
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Prisoner booked for threatening DCC chief
Hisar, February 23 On his complaint, the police has registered a case against a murder convict, Ram Chander Dahiya, and his son Sandeep in this regard. Mr Attar Singh Ahlawat, SP, said
Dahiya was already undergoing imprisonment in a murder case. The Congress leader had alleged in his complaint that Dahiya and Sandeep had written a letter to him, in which they had threatened him with dire consequences. On his complaint, the Civil Lines police registered a case under Section 506 of the IPC against Ram Chander Dahiya and Sandeep of Kirmara village in the district. |
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5 cops suspended for negligence
Karnal, February 23 The Superintendent of Police, Mr Vikas Arora, while issuing the suspension orders on Tuesday had also marked a departmental inquiry into it. Those suspended include ASI Dharam Pal, ASI Surjit Singh, ASI Balwan Singh and constable Ram Mehar and Rajinder Singh. ASI Balwan Singh and constable Ram Mehar were caught drunk while on duty while constable Rajinder Singh did not go on election duty during the polling day on booth No. 17 in Aamin village. Meanwhile, ASI Gurdial Singh Bakhshi, who was suspended a few days back by the SP, has been reinstated. |
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Burglary bid in sub-post office
Ambala, February 23 Postal officials informed the police that since money was sent back to the Head Post Office every evening, the thieves must have returned empty-handed. Three days back, thieves had burgled two shops located in the Municipal Committee market of Punjabi Mohalla. Also, 11 shops were broken into near Manav Chowk, Ambala City, two days back. The police has not been able to check the series of robberies which has caused concern among local residents. Shopkeepers are particularly worried and they have appealed to the police officials to beef up security in the market area.
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Gujral is Forest Dept Principal Secretary
Chandigarh, February 23 Mr N. Bala Baskar, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, PW (Public Health) Department, has been given additional charge of Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Finance. This post fell vacant after Mr Bhaskar Chatterjee was placed under suspension on February 14. |
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Bank employees hold dharna
Ambala, February 23 The dharna call had been given by the All-India Bank Employees Association. The dharna was staged in front of a local branch of Central Bank of India. The demonstration was held under the presidentship of Mr Anil Grover, president, Haryana Bank Employees Federation, Ambala Cantt unit. The demonstration was held to oppose the government’s move to merge banks, dilution of government equity in public sector banks and increase in private capital permitting foreign direct investment up to 74 per cent in private banks.
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