New Delhi, December 6
The Chautala brothers, Abhey and Ajay, today got further respite in the corruption cases against them with the Supreme Court agreeing to hear detailed arguments challenging their prosecution without permission from the competent sanctioning authority.

A Bench comprising Justices VS Sirpurkar and TS Thakur said it would hear their contention in the third week of next month. Until then, the stay granted by the Bench on the trial court proceedings would continue. The stay was granted on October 22.

Appearing for the CBI, Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanium said the investigation agency opposed the Chautala brothers’ plea. He said the CBI, in its response to their contention, had cited various SC judgments to clarify that no sanction was necessary to prosecute them for corruption. He also found fault with the SC order staying the trial court proceedings.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi said the CBI was citing the SC verdicts in the cases relating to former Chief Ministers Bhajan Lal (Haryana) AR Antulay (Maharashtra) and K Karunakaran (Kerala). Either these verdicts had been reversed subsequently by a larger Bench or were under review.

Rohatgi pleaded with the Bench to hear detailed arguments before passing any further order. He said Abhey was an MLA from June 7, 2000 to March 8, 2005 and was elected to the assembly again on January 27 this year, though from a different constituency.

The charge sheet against him was filed after he had been elected MLA again and it was taken cognizance of by the trial court on February 2 this year. Since his client was an MLA on both these occasions, the CBI should have taken permission from the competent authority before proceeding against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Solicitor-General said Abhey was found to have amassed unaccounted wealth to the tune of Rs 127 crore, while his brother, Ajay, had Rs 27 crore worth of such wealth. Both had abused their official position as MLAs.

During the arguments, the Bench raised several questions on the logic of sanction now as the corruption charges related to their previous tenure in the House. Rohatgi said he was pleading with the Bench to hear the detailed arguments precisely for this reason.

Sirsa, December 6
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Om Prakash Chautala today said the democratic structure of the country was under a threat due to “large-scale corruption by Central ministers” and other functionaries of the government that had come to the fore these days.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Chautala alleged that Parliament remained “paralysed” for over 15 days only because the Union Government wanted to shield one of its former ministers, who allegedly swindled public funds to the tune of Rs 1.76 lakh crore. He said the manner in which the Supreme Court had been forced to issue directions and make adverse observations against the government almost on a daily basis had made a mockery of the democratic set-up in the country.

Chautala alleged that the government was shying away from a probe by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) because it could bring many more skeletons out of the cupboard.Launching an attack on the Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government in Haryana, Chautala alleged that like the UPA government at the Centre, the state government, too, was involved in corruption. Terming the Hooda Government as a government of builders, land sharks and property dealers, Chautala alleged that the only thing the state government was doing today was to acquire farmers’ precious land for “peanuts” to benefit those close to the powers that be. The INLD supremo demanded that the Hooda Government should come out with a White Paper on what benefit the people of Haryana had got from the 53 special economic zones (SEZs) developed by it in the state. Chautala alleged that rules regarding allotment of land in the SEZs were being amended repeatedly to suit those close to the powers that be and while the rules clearly provided that only those willing to set up industry were to be allotted land, these were being violated with impunity.

“The government provided all sorts of benefits, including waiver of stamp duty, income tax and other taxes, to big industrial houses in the name of providing employment to the local youth. However, the beneficiaries had been selling their land purchased for Rs 15 to 20 lakh per acre for a whopping Rs 1.25 crore per acre,” the former Chief Minister alleged.

The Leader of the Opposition alleged that a former senior military officer considered close to Hooda was first given industrial land in Gurgaon by amending laws and now he had been allowed to sell his land for a premium by amending the rules yet again.

Chautala alleged that while common people, who had purchased industrial plots 17 years ago were being denied permission to sell their plots, those close to the powers that be were being accommodated by bending the rules.

Ambala, December 6
Union Tourism Minister and MP from Ambala Kumari Selja has requested Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to review its decision on acquiring 1,852 acres of fertile land in Panjokhra village and five more villages near Ambala city for setting up an industrial township.

In a letter, she said the land being acquired was very fertile and under cultivation with 350 deep and sallow tube wells irrigating the fields. Canal water via the Panjokhra minor was also available to the farmers of the area. The farmers were upset and agitated over the decision to acquire their land, she said.

"Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a conference of Chief Ministers held in Nainital on September 25, 2009, had expressed deep concern over the acquisition of fertile land for other purposes in the country. The then Commerce Minister Kamal Nath had issued directions to various states in this regard.

“The Supreme Court has also issued guidelines in this matter, " she wrote.

the Union Minister also mentioned in her letter that 68 acres in Panjokhra village had already been acquired for BSF regional headquarters. She suggested that such projects should be set up on unproductive land. “Sufficient barren land is available in Naraingarh area close to these villages for the purpose,” the letter pointed out.

Affected farmers had met the CM at the residence of former MLA Nirmal Singh two days back. Local MLA Venod Sharma had also taken up the matter with Hooda.

The farmers are adamant that they will not allow the government to acquire their land while traders support the industrial township proposal as it will propel industrial growth and result in job opportunities for the local youth.

Chandigarh, December 6
Haryana Finance Minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav today suggested that items of essential nature should not be taxed at the rate at which items of luxury or non-essential nature were taxed.

Speaking at a meeting of state Finance Ministers at New Delhi today, which was presided by Union Finance Minister Parnab Mukherji, Capt Yadav said a single tax rate structure, even in a phased manner, was not acceptable to Haryana. Therefore, in the interest of the common man, a dual rate structure should be introduced in the country.

He said the state agreed with the proposal that the actual rate of SGST can only be decided after various GST parametres are sorted out and finalised. He said the compensation on GST should be paid to the state on a monthly basis in the form of special grant-in-aid. Also, an independent agency should be set up to deal with GST compensation-related issues and payments.

The Finance Minister suggested that for calculating revenue loss, the preceding year of the GST introduction year should be adopted as the base year and for calculating the average rate of growth, the states should be allowed to choose three of their best years of the preceding five.

Referring to the CST, he pointed out that as suggested by the empowerment committee, initially 2 per cent CST (as transaction tax) might be retained even after GST is implemented as the same would help in keeping the compensation amount low.

Capt Yadav said the purchase tax should not be subsumed and if it is subsumed, the Centre should compensate the states on a permanent basis.

He was of the view that the Government of India should give assurance to the states that it will compensate for their loss on account of introduction of the GST. While referring to the Central Sales Tax (CST) compensation, he reiterated that the Centre was unilaterally deducting an amount which was far higher in comparison to the actual increase on account of abolition of form D. He made it clear that the state endorsed the decision of the empowered committee to adopt a two rate structure- lower rate at 6 per cent for necessary items and goods of basic importance and standard rate at 10 per cent for goods in general.

Referring to taxation of services, he was of the opinion that there should be a uniform rate for both CGST and SGST at 8 per cent.

For providing flexibility to the states during financial exigencies, the standard SGST rate might be a floor rate with a band of 2 per cent, he suggested.

Chandigarh, December 6
The Haryana government has notified December 15 as public holiday in offices, educational and other institutions of the government, boards and corporations located in areas where byelections to gram panchayats and panchayat samitis are to be held. This is to enable the employees to cast their vote.

The government has also notified December 19 as public holiday to enable employees to cast their vote for civic elections in Kaithal, Bhiwani and Uchana (Jind).

On both days, the holidays will be observed under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument s Act.

Tohana (Fatehabad), December 6
The police today booked three students of Guru Nanak Polytechnic for allegedly ragging a second-year student, Jagtar Singh, who is battling for life in a Kaithal hospital after he consumed poison.

SHO of the City police station here Shiv Kumar Bishnoi said a case under Sections 306, 506, 511 and 34 of the IPC had been registered against Joginder Singh, Naresh Kumar and Beenu, all final-year students of the polytechnic.

In his statement given to a magistrate at Kaithal, the victim had alleged that the accused stripped him naked on December 3 and when he protested, they beat him up.

Jagtar Singh said he took poison as he could not withstand the humiliation. Principal of the polytechnic ML Jain, however, belied the claims of the victim.

Jain alleged that it was a case of interpersonal rivalry and not of ragging and the alleged incident occurred on the local bus stand and not in the college.

Jain maintained that it was Jagtar Singh, who along with some outsiders beat up the final-year students, who have been named in the FIR, and claimed that two of them had sustained injuries.

He said Jagtar Singh had consumed poison in the fear of retaliation from the group opposed to him.

He said Jagtar Singh had joined the polytechnic 18 months ago and hence there was no question of ragging an old student.

Contradicting the principal’s claim, the SHO said none of the students, allegedly beaten up by Jagtar and his friends, came to him with any complaint.

He said had there been any injuries to them, they would have gone for medico-legal reports, which was not done in the case. He said the police had lodged an FIR.

Karnal, December 6
President of the youth wing of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (ad hoc) Kanwaljit Singh today said that December 4 would be remembered as “black day” in the history of Sikhs for not letting them enter their own gurdwaras for recital of “path”.

It was shameful that the Sikhs were denied permission to enter their own gurdwaras, intercepted by the police near Devi Lal Chowk and forced to recite the “path” squatting on the road in the presence of SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, he said after being released from the police detention.

Referring to the claims of Raghuvir Singh Virk, Vice-President of the SGPC, that a large number of developmental works were being carried out in the state, SGPC member from Kaithal Avtar Singh Chaku and Kanwaljit Singh stated that it was due to the agitation for a separate gurdwara committee for the state, launched in 2000, that the SGPC was forced to spend money.

To put the record straight, the SGPC should bring out a white paper giving details of year-wise expenditure incurred in Haryana after the formation of a separate state on November 1, 1966, till 2000, they demanded.

Defending the decision to support Mangal Singh in the SGPC executive, they said in the last term Bibi Ravinder Kaur was elected with the support of former Jathedar of the Akal Takth Sahib and Leader of the Opposition Bhai Ranjit Singh and they have supported the candidature of Mangal Singh this time.

Meanwhile, Raghuvir Singh Virk reiterated that a large number of developmental projects were under execution and blamed the state government for delay in starting some projects by not issuing the “no objection certificate” on time.

Bhiwani, December 6
A blood donation camp was organised by the Guru Ravidass Jan Kalyan Samiti to mark the 54th death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar at the local Bansi Lal Civil Hospital today.

Inaugurating the camp, Chief Information Commissioner Munni Ram Ranga said the thoughts of Dr Ambedkar were still relevant today.

He said Dr Ambedkar served the society with his wide thinking and so we should also discard casteism for the welfare of society.

Ranga said now block and development officers would be authorised to provide information sought under the RTI Act about the gram panchayats instead of sarpanches.

CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said today that the importance of education, a unified society and struggle for the overall development of human beings as highlighted by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was still very much relevant.

Hooda was addressing the gathering on the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar here. He said Baba Saheb raised his voice against the evils of the society and created awareness against them.

Citing Dr Ambedkar’s contribution in drafting the Constitution, he said his father Ch Ranbir Singh was also a member of the constituent Assembly for drafting the Constitution. Dr Ambedkar kept in mind the interests of the weak and poor sections of the society while drafting the Constitution.

REWARI: Dr ML Ranga, Vice Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar, RS Sambharyia, Chairman of Dr BR Ambedkar Social Welfare Association, functionaries of the Sewa Stambh Organisation and HPCC spokesperson Ved Prakash Vidrohi paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at the Garhi Bolni Chowk here.

Jind, December 6
The district authorities have ordered a probe into seven persons ‘losing’ their vision after being operted upon at a free eye camp in Safidon.

The office of the Director-General Health Services, has sought a report on the matter following a complaint.

The three-member probe panel will be headed by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Jind and will include two other senior doctors of the administration, said the Deputy Commissioner.

The record of the two organisations which had held the camp in Safidon between October 12 and 15 had been seized, he said. The CMO had been directed to submit the report as soon as possible. Gopi Ram of Muana village, Hukam Chand of Haat, Ram Diya and Ompati of Shiv Colony, Ajaib Singh and Rajo Devi of Nimnabad village and Ranbir Singh of Singhana village reportedly lost their vision after attending the eye camp.

They said in their complaint that instead of improvement in vision, they lost it altogether. They also said they contacted the doctor who had operated upon them at the camp, but he refused to entertain their complaint or treat them further. About a hundred operations, mainly of the cataract, had been performed at this camp, said sources.

Panipat, December 6
Acute shortage of coal at major thermal power stations has started to worry Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL). The depleting coal stocks at its thermal plants are insufficient to sustain operations for more than a few days.

According to official sources, 25 major thermal stations in the country have coal stocks that would last for less than a week. The coal stock position at 14 large stations is super-critical, with stocks expected to last for less than four days.

At Panipat, the coal stocks are 1,16,000 tonnes, which is sufficient only for six days. Here unit number 2 is under annual maintenance and unit number 3 is non-operational. It had developed a technical snag a few days back.

According to a report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), coal shortage at Panipat is due to the failure of HPGCL to bring in coal. The corporation was allocated 1.45 million tonnes of coal for the current financial year.

The coal stock at the Hisar power plant is 23,000 tonnes, which is sufficient for two days. However, its two units are under maintenance.

Rohtak, December 6
The state unit of the CPI(M) launched a state-level campaign against alleged corruption, holding a march through the main bazar of the city carrying placards demanding a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam, recovery of squandered wealth and severe punishment to the guilty. The protesters raised slogans and distributed hand bills giving details of various scams and the loss incurred to the public exchequer. Addressing party workers, Inderjit Singh claimed that leaders of the Left parties and state governments led by them stood above board, unblemished and clean in contrast to the Congress and BJP.

He said an unholy nexus among business houses, politicians and bureaucrats, in connivance with the corporate media, had resulted in unprecedented corruption in the country. The CPI(M) will holding public meetings and street-corner meetings for a week, motivating people to raise their voice against corruption, which was a threat to democracy and the livelihood of the people.

Sirsa, December 6
Tricycles were distributed among differently abled persons at a function organised in the local CMK National PG College here today.

Saugaat, an NGO working in the field of social service, had organised the function with the cooperation of the district authorities.

Deputy Commissioner CG Rajini Kaanthan, who distributed the tricycles, said more NGOs should come forward to mitigate the problems of the differently abled.

He said people should support the differently abled so that they could play a positive role in society.

A variety of cultural items were presented on the occasion. Sanjeev Shad, a well-known choreographer from Dabwali, helped students present items on social issues like female foeticide, water conservation, environment protection and the Kargil war.

The NGO honoured three philanthropists - Gurvinder Singh, Hari Om Bhardwaj and Sita Ram Gupta, who despite their handicaps and constraints, served society with dedication.

Artist Sanjeev Kalra exhibited his portraits on this occasion. City Magistrate Harish Bhatia and prominent persons like Radha Kishan Bansal, Subhash Kaswan, Dalip Jain, Lalit Mehta, Shilpa Verma, Pooja Bansal and Manju Sachdeva were present.

Bhiwani, December 6
Bhiwani district won the overall champions trophy in the third Haryana state Rural Sports Championship, which concluded at Bhim Stadium here today. Hisar and Jind district teams won the second and the third positions, respectively.

District Child Welfare Council chairperson and wife of Deputy Commissioner Kamlesh Verma was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

She said the aim to hold such a competition was to create awareness among children about sports. She said the state government had made the new sports policy so effective that sportspersons from the state won medals in the Commonwealth Games and the Asiad. “Competitions at rural and local levels will give new shape to our new sportspersons,” she added.

In athletics, the Bhiwani team stood first and Rohtak team got the second position. Kaithal and Jhajjar teams got first and second places in basketball. In boxing, Bhiwani got the first and the Fatehabad team won the second position. As many as 2,650 players from the state participated in the three-day competition.

Sirsa, December 6
Three masked miscreants allegedly looted Rs 80,000 from a petrol station in Moriwala village on Monday. Ved Pal, Jagdish and Bhal Singh were on duty when three miscreants struck at the petrol station.

The workers have alleged in their complaint that two of the miscreants were armed with pistols and another carried a sharp-edged weapon. They made the workers open the cash box and took away Rs 80,000.

The workers raised the alarm after the miscreants left. The owner of a dhaba near the petrol station and some truck drivers sleeping nearby rushed to the station, but the miscreants had fled by that time.

The police said a case had been registered. — TNS