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Tribune Impact
Journalist’s kids find genuine guardian
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Hooda: BBMB should be strengthened
Haryana alert against
meningitis
Wayside utility services planned
JBT teachers’ case: SC advances date of hearing
High court
Farmers burning straw despite ban
Office of BSNL Dist Manager raided
Suman murder accused sent to judicial custody
MDU to terminate pact with service provider
GJU to have lake, auditorium
Owner takes charge of petrol station
Ex-servicemen’s rally on May 11
Cash, jewellery stolen
Army Captain commits suicide
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Tribune Impact Ravi S. Singh Tribune News Service
Gurgaon, May 4 The Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon, Mr Sudhir Rajpal, convened a meeting of the chief of the District Town and Country Planning Enforcement and the Chief Administrative Officer of the local Air Force Station. The Air Force Station had written a letter to the office of the Deputy Commissioner about a fortnight back, drawing his attention towards illegal constructions. In a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, the authorities of the Air Force Station showed a film showing fresh attempts made by the land mafia to set up shops and illegal colonies in the prohibited zone. The District Town and Country Planning Enforcement told the Deputy Commissioner notices had been issued to the violators of the norms and the administrative fiat was to take follow-up action. The chief of the District Town and Country Planning Enforcement, Mr B. K. Saini, told TNS a survey of the illegal constructions was started today. Many, however, take the development with a pinch of salt going by their past experience. The mafia and their patrons in the bureaucracy and politics close ranks when there is a hue and cry but are back to regular business with a vengeance when the dust settles down. Inquiries reveal a realtor, who claims to be a Congress leader, has been trying to make fresh attempts to set up an illegal colony in the prohibited zone. In fact, he has purchased about eight acres of land where he wants to set up shops and an illegal colony. He set up commercial shops more than a year back near the gate of Maruti Udyog Ltd. Certain shops were demolished last year but the person concerned started reconstructing the shops a few days ago.
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Journalist’s kids find genuine guardian
Chandigarh, May 4 Akash, now five years, and Sahil, two and a half years, would perhaps have ended up in some orphanage had it not been for Mr Nathuram Saini and his wife
Rajrani, the deceased journalist’s neighbours, who came forward to give shelter to the two children. Mr Saini (49) is a farmer of modest means. Rajrani is nearing (40). They have four children of their own. After the mother of Akash and Sahil died, it was Rajrani who took care of them as Roop Bachchan had to spend quite a lot of time outside due to profession requirements. When Bachchan also died, the Sainis became the two children’s natural guardian and the farmer and his wife did not let them down. Akash, Sahil and the Sainis were present here today to take part in a function organised by the Haryana Patrakar Sangh to give Rs 5 lakh to the two children. The money had come from an insurance policy which the sangh had introduced for journalists. The Sainis’ decision to bring up the two children was taken note of by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh
Hooda, who too participated in the function. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the children. Mr Hooda repeatedly mentioned the “greatness” of the
Sainis, particularly of Rajrani, and said such persons set an example for society. The Chief Minister spoke extensively on various issues related to the Press. He said the Press was not only the fourth pillar of democracy, but journalists also played a pivotal role in the fight against societal evils. He appealed to the journalists to carry out their duty fearlessly.
He said he would consider as suggestions the criticism that would appear in the Press about the shortcomings of the government. The Chief Minister, however, added that journalists must also consider it their responsibility to explore all possible aspects of an issue before they published a story on it. “In my own job as the Chief Minister of Haryana, there is always the threat of getting carried away if I listen to only one version about a particular matter.
I listen to the other party’s version also and this helps me form a balanced view on the subject in question”, Mr Hooda said. On the demands of journalists raised by the president of the sangh, Mr K. B. Pandit, Mr Hooda said he would look into these at the appropriate time. Mr H. K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune group, was also present. Addressing the gathering, Mr Dua lauded the sangh for its noble gesture of helping the children of the deceased journalist. Mr Dua said one of the objectives of the sangh was also to inculcate high professional standards among its members. He added that most of the members of the sangh came from the rural areas and small towns and they had more living links with the ground reality
as compared to journalists based in metropolitan cities. High professional standards of journalists working in small towns and villages would go a long away in benefitting society,
Mr Dua said. |
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MPs not performing in Parliament, says chamber
Ambala, May 4 Dr N.C. Jain, senior vice-president of HCCI, in a memorandum addressed to
President India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has stated that the behaviour and
performance of the representatives of the people on the floor of Parliament not
only leads to wastage of time and loss of public money, but leaves adverse
impact on the nation’s health of the economy for want of adequate discussion
on various proposals mooted by the government. The memorandum states “with
the state of affairs going gradually from bad to worse, the members (of
HCCI) unanimously resolved to approach the President of India in his
capacity as head of State to condition the members of Parliament to
improve their functional behaviour in the larger interest of the nation.
Notwithstanding the justification of political differences which could
and should be sorted out of Parliament.” The Chamber has suggested
that as a step to ensure improvement in the functioning of Parliament,
the President should be urged to convene a meeting of members of both
the Houses to devise ways and means in order to ensure that the interest
of the nation is not left to the whims and fancies of one or the other
political group. |
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Authorities shut eyes to illegal blood collection
Sirsa, May 4 Though the state authorities are aware of the illegal blood collection, no action has been taken yet. As per the Drug and Cosmetic Act, a private blood bank can collect blood through voluntary donations ‘only within the premises of the bank’. But Shiv Shakti Blood Bank, run by a team of private medical practitioners of the town, regularly organises blood donation camps in private colleges, villages and other places. The Senior Drug Inspector had issued a notice to the bank in October taking suo motu notice of the illegal blood collection after reading a news item in a section of the Press. Sources in the Drug Department said the matter had been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned eight months ago, but to no avail. Admitting that the notice had been served on the bank in this regard, founder chairman of the bank Ved Beniwal said the bank was organising such camps as a “gesture to the humanity”. Though Dr Beniwal claimed that the bank had not organised any such camp since the notice was served on them, the sources said they were ‘regular’ in organising the camps. On April 6, the bank collected several units of blood at a camp that was held to mark the death anniversary of Chaudhary Devi Lal at Lord Shiva Pharmacy College here. The Principal of the college confirmed the fact. The sources said the bank was being run by a trust and the members behind the scene were ‘influential’ and had political links. An official of the Health Department said: “This is a serious matter that the blood bank is indulging in the illegal practice. There is a need to investigate the whole issue as how the bank had managed to carry on the illegal activity for over eight years, without any check by the authorities concerned.” Dr Aditya Chaudhary, Deputy Director, Blood State Transfusion Authority, confirmed that the bank was not supposed to conduct any such camps outside its premises. “In fact their application to get a nod for organising blood donation camps outsides their campus is pending with the department. As on now, if they are collecting blood outside their premises, it is illegal,” Dr Chaudhary said. The Director, State Drugs Controller, Mr R. M. Sharma, expressed ignorance in this regard. He said he would get the matter investigated and take necessary action, if any rules were violated. |
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Hooda: BBMB should be strengthened
Chandigarh, May 4 Mr Hooda was asked by mediapersons here to give his comments on the decision of the Rajasthan High Court directing the BBMB to take over three headworks. When asked to disclose the stand of the Haryana Government following the verdict of the Rajasthan High Court, Mr Hooda said the government would take a decision after knowing what the Punjab Government had said in its special leave petition. He said in case Punjab approached the Supreme Court, he would comment on it only after studying its plea. In reply to a question regarding the selection of candidates for the byelections to the Tosham and Hisar Assembly seats following the death of two ministers, Mr Hooda said it was for the Congress high command to choose the candidates. A decision in this regard would be taken at a meeting of the party’s central election committee, he said. Mr Hooda added that members of the families of the deceased ministers, Surender Singh and O.P. Jindal, would be consulted before selecting the candidates. |
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Haryana alert against
meningitis
Panchkula, May 4 Dr Madan said that instructions had been issued to all hospitals and health centres in Haryana to be on the alert in case any case of meningococal meningitis is reported. She said that cefotaxim injections were available in all hospitals and health centres and doctors had been instructed to set up isolation wards in case such cases were reported. She said that the symptoms of this infection were high grade fever, body ache, body rashes and neck rigidity. |
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Wayside utility services planned
Chandigarh, May 4 A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Transport Department presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here today. Mr Hooda constituted a six-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities of setting up the wayside utility services within six months. The Chief Minister expressed his concern over the menace of overloading of vehicles and directed the Transport Department to take appropriate steps to deal with the
situation. It was decided to install computerised weighbridges and video cameras to get information on the overloading of vehicles. The wayside utility services would include petrol stations, rest rooms, eating joints, cyber cafes and STD booths. |
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JBT teachers’ case: SC advances date of hearing Chandigarh, May 4 Mr Sanjiv Kumar had moved the apex court alleging that the then Chautala government was harassing him for not implementing a “fake” list of candidates selected for appointment as JBT teachers. He also submitted the “fake” list to the court, which ordered the CBI to probe the allegations. Mr Sanjiv Kumar has also moved an application before the apex court expressing his willingness to undergo the narco-analysis test(truth serum test) on all aspects of the case. Earlier he had made a similar offer to the CBI. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the CBI in its interim report to the Supreme Court has claimed that the “fake” list submitted by Mr Sanjiv Kumar to the court was in fact the “original” list. It is believed to have based its claim on the argument that the candidates in the “fake” list are more meritorious than those in the “original” list, on the basis of which the teachers were appointed. The CBI is also believed to have stated in its report that it was able to retrieve a copy of the “fake” list from the hard disc of a computer of the Panchkula Primary Education Officer. The investigating agency said though Mr Sanjiv Kumar claimed to have videographed the process of opening the almirah in which the “original” list was locked by his predecessor, Mrs Rajani Sibal Sekri, he had not handed over the video cassette to the CBI. The CBI also reportedly informed the court that those candidates who had earlier alleged that the then Officer-on-Special Duty to the Chief Minister, Mr Vidya Dhar, had demanded money from them, had now retracted their statements. The agency also claimed that certain chairmen of the selection committees had identified the “fake” list as the “original” list.
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High
court
Chandigarh, May 4 Actually, Sunil Bahl and his wife Sarita Bahl, are accused of having cheated scores of industrialists of Haryana on the false promise of getting them loans from the World Bank. While the wife is already on bail, the High Court today bailed out Sunil Bahl also. He is presently lodged in Gurgaon Jail. Time sought
The Haryana Government on Wednesday sought time to file its final reply regarding the filling of vacancies of judicial officers by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the last hearing, the High Court had asked the governments of Punjab and Haryana to give their respective views on the issue. The Punjab counsel also sought time till May 9 to submit the state's reply. Counsel for Haryana said the state would like to study rules before making its final statement as to whether it would be required to amend its rules. |
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Farmers burning straw despite ban
Panipat, May 4 Using his powers under Section 144 of the CrPc, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Mr Mehtab Singh, had issued directions in the last week of March putting a ban on burning straw. However, the ban could not take any practical shape as most of the farmers in the district are burning straw after harvesting their wheat crop by combines without any hindrance. According to the data collected by The Tribune, as much as 1,01,124 hectares of land is under wheat in the district and a large number of farmers have been following the practice of burning the remains of their crops in the fields for several years. This correspondent noticed during a round of several villages that most of the farmers had either burnt or were burning the straw in their fields openly. The District Magistrate’s order was being openly flouted in Naulatha, Bawana Lakhu, Israna, Madana and Nara villages. A farmer of Nara village, Surender Jaglan, expressed ignorance about the ban on burning straw. He said no one had told him about the imposition of ban on burning the remains of the wheat crop. Sat Parkash Malik of Naulatha said that he did not know anything about the bad effect of burning the remains of wheat crop. When contacted, the Deputy Director, Agriculture, Mr R.R. Poonia, admitted that several farmers were still following the practice of burning the remains of the crops. At the same time, he said that the number of such farmers had decreased a lot as compared to previous years. Mr Poonia said that the department was holding awareness camps for the farmers in different parts of the district to tell them about the ill-effects of burning the remains of different crops. |
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Office of BSNL Dist Manager raided
Sonepat, May 4 According to sources, the raid was kept a secret and officials and subordinate employees failed to get information about it. The seized documents were taken away by the officials for scrutiny. They apprehend the misuse of huge money in laying the underground cables for the expansion of telephone exchanges during the postings of Mr R.C. Hooda and Mr Chander Shekhar as the District General manager of the BSNL in Sonepat. The officials also visited Kharkhauda to inspect the sites for laying the cables. When mediapersons contacted Mr T.S. Chauhan, General Manager of the BSNL at Sonepat, and Mr Gokul Kumar, Chief General Manager of the Haryana circle of the BSNL, they declined to comment. |
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Suman murder accused sent to judicial custody
Bhiwani, May 4 The accused, identified as Sumit, Dinesh, Rajbir and Sanjay, had allegedly attempted to rape the deceased, Suman, when she was cutting firewood in the fields along with her father, Dharmpal. The father of the victim had alleged that the accused had stabbed Suman to death after setting his hut on fire. Holding the accused innocent, the panchayats of seven villages met the Superintendent of Police three days back and demanded an inquiry into the case. Thereafter, the police concentrated on Dharmpal and interrogated him. During interrogation, Dharmpal broke down and accepted
having murdered his daughter. The police then arrested Dharmpal and produced him before the court along with the four accused. |
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MDU to terminate pact with service provider
Rohtak, May 4 The mandatory two-month notice has been served on the service provider in this regard. As per the notice the MoU signed between the university and the company would now come to an end on June 30. The MOU was formalised between during the tenure of Major-Gen Bhim Singh Suhag(retd) following termination of a similar MoU with the earlier service provider. According to sources, no reason has been cited for the termination of the agreement between the university and the national service provider. The university now plans to run these courses without associating any outside agency. The national service providers have been associated with these courses since their introduction and they have been assigned the role of setting up study centres in various parts of the country for admissions, distribution of study material, conduct of contact programme and the examinations of the various information technology and management courses. The Maharshi Dayanand University Teachers Association(MDUTA) has been criticising the manner of the selection of the service providers. MDUTA president Vazir Singh Nehra has welcomed the step taken by the university and has reiterated its demand for a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities in the appointment of national service providers. |
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GJU to have lake, auditorium
Hisar, May 4 The Commissioner of Hisar Division, Mr R.R. Fuliya, who is also the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, convened a meeting of senior university officials to discuss the modalities in this regard. The Superintending Engineer, the Consultant Architect, senior faculty members and other GJU officials attended the meting. It may be mentioned here that the GJU came into being in 1995 when 372 acres of land were acquired for the development of its premises. However, till now only 170 acres have been developed. At the meeting, it was decided to develop and beautify the university campus according to the GJU master plan with due consideration to university security and cleanliness. Proposals regarding having a lake surrounded by shady trees, a neem park, a botanical garden and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 500 persons were passed. |
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Owner takes charge of petrol station
Ambala, May 4 The then Haryana Revenue Minister and now Naggal MLA, Mr Nirmal Singh, and a few others had to face trial in the case. They were also lodged in prison. Mr Nirmal Singh was, however, acquitted. However, the government has appealed in the High Court against his acquittal. A posse of police personnel arrived at the Sekhon Petrol Station located near Manav Chowk in Ambala City at around 9.30 pm. Thereafter, Ms Jagdeep Kaur arrived at the petrol station and took charge of the station. Ms Jagdeep Kaur, in a complaint to the police, has said after the murder of her husband the petrol station was being managed by her husband’s brother Harinder Sekhon. She claimed that the petrol station was virtually in possession of Harinder Sekhon. The police arrested Harinder Sekhon and five others last night. They were produced in a city court today. Harinder Sekhon and Sumit Sekhon were sent to one-day judicial custody while the others have been released on bail. |
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Ex-servicemen’s rally on May 11
Hisar, May 4 An Army spokesperson said here today that apart from the former defence personnel, representatives of the BRO, the
DPDO, the ECHS and agriculture and electrical wings would also attend the rally. A medical check-up camp would also be organised for the ex-servicemen on this occasion, he added. |
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Cash, jewellery stolen
Panipat, May 4 Thieves entered Mr Niranjan’s house by crossing the outer wall and decamped with the cash and gold jewellery. He came to know about the theft in the morning when he and his family members found the iron grill of one of the rooms broken. Mr Niranjan informed the police. Several police personnel reached the spot. A dog squad was pressed into service but no culprit could be arrested. The thieves also reportedly tried to break in the house of one of Mr Niranjan’s neighbours. An FIR in this regard has been registered at Model Town police station. |
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Army Captain commits suicide
Hisar, May 4 Captain Hanglam, who was from Manipur, was serving in the Army Supply Corps. Some personal reasons are said to be behind the suicide. The body of the officer was sent to the Military
Hospital where a post-mortem examination was conducted. |
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Kendriya Vidyalaya celebrates annual day
Pinjore, May 4 The students presented various items including dances, fancy dress, Haryanvi dance, English play and bhangra. Mr S.M.Z. Rizvi, ADGP, (GC) CRPF, was the chief guest. The students who were adjudged the best in different fields were also given prizes. Earlier, Ms Bhupinder Kaur, principal of the school, read out the annual report and highlighted the achievements of the school. |
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