Chandigarh, April 30
Former state minister and independent MLA from Sirsa Gopal Kanda today finally parted ways with Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accusing him of “betraying” him and not standing by him in his hour of crisis.

Taking potshots at Hooda, Kanda also accused his government of illegally tapping phones of state ministers and certain MLAs. “I had raised the issue of tapping phones of ministers and certain MLAs with the Chief Minister during my tenure as a home minister but nothing happened,” Kanda said here today.

Earlier, he submitted a letter to Governor Jagannath Pahadia, withdrawing support to the Hooda government. “Since I am floating a new political outfit (Haryana Lokhit Party) in Gurgaon on May 2, it would be inappropriate for me to continue to support the Hooda government,” Kanda asserted.

He accused Hooda of betraying him repeatedly. "When the Congress government fell short of majority in 2009, I was the first to extend support to it,” he said.

However, he said Hooda should have asked for an inquiry into the suicide note of Geetika Sharma when it had surfaced, as it involved one of his ministers. “But the Chief Minister failed to do so and the case became a one-sided affair,” he said, referring to the Geetika Sharma suicide case, in which he is on bail these days.

Kanda said he would like other MLAs supporting the government to take their own decision, as he "would not like to be blamed for the fall of the government." The Hooda government, which failed to carry out any development works in the past 10 years, can take another three months if it wants, but it should not be given any chance to make excuses,” he said.

He conceded that he met Ambala MLA Venod Sharma in Gurgaon recently. He, however, refused to divulge the details.

The Haryana Home Department has refuted the allegations levelled by Kanda, saying that no attempt whatsoever had been made to tap his or other ministers’ phones. In a statement issued here, the department claimed that phone tapping was carried out only in those cases where the person was found involved in any heinous crime or there was any threat to the law and order situation. This was done on the recommendation of the SP concerned. Under Rule 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, the Home Department permits the interception of phone according to merit on the case-to-case basis. After according the permission of interception of phone, a review committee, constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Revenue and Legal Remembrancer as its members, reviews the decision taken by the Home Department on whether or not the orders passed by the department for the tapping of phone are in accordance with relevant rules and law.

Ambala, April 30
On a petition filed by a local lawyer, the district consumer forum has served a notice on the Managing Director and other senior officials of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) over charging of monthly minimum charges (MMC) from the consumers on the basis of connected power load.

The notices served after Puneet Sarpal, a local lawyer, moved the consumer forum claiming that the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam was billing all its consumers on the basis of the MMC irrespective of whether the electricity equivalent to the billed amount was consumed or not.

As per the tariffs applicable to the domestic consumers, a fixed monthly charge of Rs 260 was being taken for a connected load of 3KW, while Rs 1,370 were being charged each month for a commercial connected load of 7KW.

In his petition, Sarpal contended that this was unjust, as on one hand the government was giving subsidies and waving off bills of farmers, while on the other, the urban consumers were being forced to shell out fixed charges even if they were not consuming power.

However, a spokesperson of the power utility stated that the MMC was duly approved by the Haryana Electricity Regularity Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2003.

He said all these charges were level in lieu of the services being provided by the distribution companies and there was no breach of law in doing so. 

Chandigarh April 30
The government has issued the transfer and posting orders of five IAS and three HCS officers. Anand Mohan Sharan, Additional Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi, has been given additional charge as Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi during the election duty of PK Mahapatra.

Ashok Sangwan has been given additional charge as Director, Supplies and Disposls, Haryana; MD, HARTRON, and Special Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology.

Chander Shekhar goes as Special Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Vivek Atray has been posted as Director and Special Secretay, School Education, Haryana.

Gauri Parasher Joshi goes as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Panipat. Among the HCS officers, MK Ahuja, Additional Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management -II Department, has been given additional charge as Additional Director (Administration), School Education, Haryana; and Additional Secretary, School Education Department.

Mahavir Singh has been given additional charge as Estate Officer, HUDA, Panchkula.

Vandana Disodia goes as Joint Director (Administration), Industries and Commerce, against a vacant post.

Hisar, April 30
With migrant labourers taking a break to vote back home, lifting of wheat has been hampered in grain markets. Thousands of quintals of procured wheat has been lying in the grain markets.

Lifting of grain for taking it to godowns of the Food Corporation of India has been delayed even though a weather advisory has predicted light rain in Hisar after two days. The contractor assigned the work of taking the grain to godowns and 'arthiyas' are engaged in a blame game. The non-availability of labourers has aggravated the problem.

Market association president Pawan Kumar said around 1.25 lakh 50-kg bags had been lying in the market, but the transporter was delaying lifting.

“The association has given a contract to Rampal to stitch and take wheat bags. He is complaining of shortage of labour and expressing his inability. We have taken up the issue with the market committee, but no solution is in sight,” he said.

Rampal said he was supposed to provide transportation. “It is not my responsibility to load trucks and 'arthiyas' have to arrange it. I have been arranging labour, but workers are not available as most of them have gone home for the elections. I told 'arthiyas' and the market committee in advance to make arrangements.”

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University here predicted dry and hot weather in the next two days, after which the weather could change. Hafed procured around 1,130 metric tonnes of wheat today, taking the total up to 11,980 metric tonnes.

Chandigarh, April 30
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that financial constraints cannot be a ground for denying benefits to retired employees of the Haryana Financial Corporation (HFC). They were granted pension after forgoing benefits under the Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) Scheme.

The ruling by Justice MMS Bedi came on four petitions filed by KK Sharma and about 52 other retired corporation employees. Sharma and others had contended that the state government granted them pension vide an order dated September 5, 1994.

They continued to get pension till October 31, 2007. Yet, vide an order dated December 5, 2007, their pension’s payment was not released on the ground that pension without the state government’s approval was improper, null and void.

During the course of hearing, the Bench was told it was not feasible for the corporation to pay pension to the petitioners “on account of financial constraints”. Allowing the petition, Justice Bedi asserted: “I do not deem it appropriate to enter into the disputed question of fact regarding the financial soundness of the respondent corporation.

“But I am of the opinion that financial constraints cannot be taken as a ground to deny the benefit which is legitimately expected by the petitioners who have been granted pension especially when they have forgone their benefits under the CPF Scheme at the time of their retirement”.

In his detailed order, Justice Bedi held as illegal the Board of Directors’ decision to “the extent of scrapping the pension scheme”. “The letters issued to petitioner KK Sharma and other similarly placed persons, intimating the scrapping of the pension scheme and the denial of release of pension are hereby set aside, declaring the same to be illegal and inoperative on the rights of the petitioners….

“It is held that the employees of the Haryana Financial Corporation, who retired prior to 1994 or had come into service after 1994 or were in service in 2007 would be entitled to be governed by the CPF Scheme and are held not entitled to the pension scheme incorporated vide a decision of the Board of Directors dated September 5, 1994.

“But the petitioners and other similarly placed officers and employees of the corporation who retired after 1994 and had been granted benefit of the pension scheme implemented vide a resolution of the Board dated September 5, 1994, would continue to be governed by the pension scheme…. The respondent corporation is directed to restore the pension scheme qua the petitioners and the similarly placed officials covered under this decision within a month….”

Hisar, April 30
Over 50 different traders’ associations participated in a complete and peaceful bandh in the town today to register their protest against the failure of the police in keeping a check on incidents of loot, theft and other crimes in the town. Almost all the markets and shopping complexes in the interior of the town remained shut throughout the day.

The strike call was given by the Hisar Beopar Mandal and the protesters rejected the appeal of local MLA and Urban Local Bodies and Housing minister Savitri Jindal to call off the strike.

They also carried out a procession in the markets.

Ramesh Lohia, mandal president, said they would hold a dharna for the next 10 days from Friday at the Gandhi chowk and would wear black badges. The minister and police officials have given an assurance that they would keep a check on the criminal activities in the city.

“After the symbolic dharna for 10 days, the Hisar traders would again hold a meeting to review the functioning of the police. If the police fail to ensure safety of the traders, we could give a call for a Haryana bandh,” he maintained. Opposition parties, including the HJC and INLD, also extended their support to the strike. HJC MLA Renuka Bishnoi, Gautam Shardana, INLD leaders Hari Singh Saini and Umed Lohan also participated in the protest.

Sirsa, April 30
With the day temperature soaring to 43°C in this part of Haryana, the distribution system of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Nigam (DHBVN) has been put to severe test. Power breakdowns have been reported though many residents are still not using air-conditioners at night.

The DHBVN today claimed that it had made all arrangements to meet the increasing load during the summer.

A DHBVN spokesman said today that consumers should cooperate in the nigam’s endeavour to provide uninterrupted power supply by refraining from putting unauthorised load on the distribution system.

“Unauthorised extension of load by consumers is the main reason of interruptions in power supply, including low voltage, tripping, breakdowns, damage to transformersetc. That is why it is an offence under the Electricity Act and invites a heavy penalty,” said the spokesman. But consumers extend load at their residences, working places, tubewells or industries by installing additional gadgets without giving any intimation to the nigam, the spokesman said.

The DHBVN, he said, did not allow load more than 70 per cent of the capacity on its electricity distribution system.When load crossed the limit of 70 per cent, it augmented capacity of the system. He said with the onset of summer, the people were buying cooling gadgets, including air-conditioners and desert coolers, without declaring the additional load in DHBVN offices.

All this overloaded the distribution system causing low voltage, higher line losses and frequent interruptions in supply.

Ambala, April 30
The Haryana Roadways Coordination Committee protested against the registration of a case against the conductor under Section 304, IPC, in the Mayank death case here today. Later, members of the committee led by union vice-president Inder Singh Badhana submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, demanding a magisterial probe.

The memorandum stated that the police had booked the conductor under pressure from the victim’s relatives.

Badhana said that Mayank was travelling on a fake monthly bus pass issued in the name of Pankaj Kumar. Mayank jumped from the bus when the conductor told him that he would be handed over to the police for committing forgery. Badhana said the driver immediately stopped the bus and Mayank was taken to the civil hospital by the driver and the conductor.

He said the police should take further action only after the completion of the probe. He said if they were not granted justice, the union would launch an agitation. Mayank’s relatives also protested in front of the Sadar police station for the second day today.

Half-burnt body found

Sonepat: The police recovered a half-burnt body of about 28-yea-old youth from a road here in the Mahavir colony last night. It was suspected to be a case of murder by the police. The body is yet to be identified.

Faridabad, April 30
The much-awaited Faridabad Master Plan 2031 is likely to get final approval soon. The Plan aims to develop 72 new sectors for residential, commercial and industrial activities by the year 2031. The final proposal was submitted by the department concerned in January this year.

The Master Plan is part of the Sub-Regional Plan submitted by the state Planning Department for clearance from the NCR Planning Board. The clearance reportedly got stuck in the election process.

“The Plan, which was prepared in December last year, was re-submitted to the authorities concerned after making some changes in January this year,” said Renuka Singh, District Town Planner.

She said reports indicated that the Plan had been approved in a recently held meeting of the NCR Planning Board and the government could publish it through a notification in the next few weeks.

The Plan aims to develop at least 32,618 hectares of land in both the urban and rural areas and include as many as 55 villages for development till 2031.

The Master Plan is likely to give a fillip to the infrastructural development of the city, which include more opportunities in both residential and commercial development of the city.

While it plans to develop 14,419 hectares of the total land as residential sectors, as many as 7,742 hectares have been kept for industrial purpose. The commercial and transport zones will get 1,342 and 3,452 hectares, respectively.

Sonepat, April 30
A team from the Town and Planning Department today sealed four houses on the TDI City premises in Block-A of Sector-58 for carrying out commercial activities without prior permission of the authority.

District Town Planner Dilbag Singh said they had already issued notices to the plot holders and owners of the houses to stop illegal commercial activities on residential plots under the provisions of the law, but the owners neither stopped the unauthorised activities and nor took requisite permission.

A crowd was present there to object the sealing drive, but the drive was successfully carried out with the help of the district administration, he said and added that some unscrupulous peoples had constructed cabins and unauthorised structures on the internal road of Sector-58 and a demolition drive would be carried out against these structures shortly.

He said for de-sealing of the houses, the owners had to pay a penalty and give bank guarantee that they would not carry out commercial activities without prior permission of the competent authority. 

Karnal, April 30
Despite a ban, wheat stubble burning continues in the district. Though officials of the Agriculture Department have been spreading awareness among the farmers about the harmful effects of the stubble burning, a majority of the farmers are still indulging in this practice.

This is not only a cause of pollution but also leads to burning of trees near fields. It has an adverse impact on the fertility of the soil.

Unaware of the harms caused by the stubble burning, a large number of farmers were seen burning stubbles in Gadibirbal, Indri, Kunjpura, Ballah and Munak villages of the district.

Raj Kumar, a farmer, said, “They have no other options but to burn the wheat residue in the field to prepare the land for the next crop.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Balraj Singh today visited Kachwa farm, where he found burning of wheat stubble. He directed the Deputy Director, Agriculture, to take action against the farmer.

He said the administration had warned the farmers against stubble 
burning.

Yamunanagar, April 30
The police have booked a panchayat secretary for forgery and fraud of funds of three panchayats in the district. The amount from Mujafat, Bagpat and Mandauli Gaggad panchayats may run into lakhs.

The Khizrabad police registered two FIRs and the Buria police one against Madan Lal yesterday. He reportedly misappropriated funds released by the government to undertake development work.

Sources said Madan Lal had obtained blank cheques from sarpanches and filled in the amount as per his choice. They said he he had tampered with the cheques as well.

Bagpat sarpanch Gafuri's father-in-law Nanha said about Rs 15 lakh was misappropriated.

Mujafat sarpanch Pawan Kumar said Rs 7 lakh was misappropriated. Mandauli Gaggad sarpanch Tejpal said Rs 3 lakh was misappropriated.

Nanha said Madan Lal had returned some funds which he had misappropriated. The sarpanches alleged that some of the panchayat record was missing.

The sources said the amount could be more as the panchayat secretary held charge of 15 panchayats. The fraud was committed between 2010 and 2013. The panchayat secretary was transferred to another district later.

The cases were registered on directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mandip Singh Brar. He asked the Block Development and Panchayat Officer of Chhachhruli to conduct an inquiry.

The DC today constituted a committee comprising District Development and Panchayat Officer Gagandip Singh and the account officer of the ADC office to probe the funds of all panchayats concerned.

Chandigarh, April 30
Sumita Misra, Transport Commissioner, said that screen test aid for learner’s driving licence (STALL) would be implemented in all Registering and Licensing Authorities (RLAs) during May .

Addressing a state-level workshop of Registering and Licensing Authorities on information technology initiatives here today, Misra said STALL was currently being implemented in 22 RLAs and learner’s licences would only be issued to those who cleared STALL.

Misra said that process of issuing smart driving licences would soon be launched. She said the dealer point registration system was a big initiative as people would not have to go anywhere for passing of vehicles.

She asked the officers to ensure that this system was made fully operational throughout the state within May.

Reviewing the high security registration plate (HSRP) system, she directed the vendor to make available the HSRPs to vehicle owners within a week.

Misra directed the SDMs and RTAs to ensure the mobile numbers of vehicle owners or aspirants of driving licences to facilitate them through online SMS facility.

Rewari, April 30
Following the complaints of irregularities in the electoral list, the annual election of the Rewari Bar Council has again been stayed by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.

The Bar council has asked the returning officer (RO) to prepare the final voter list and display it on the notice board of the Bar Association by May 6 evening. The poll will now be held on May 7. The RO has been directed to take affidavits from all voters who intend to cast vote.

It is for the second time that the election has been withheld due to irregularities in the voter list. Earlier, it was fixed for April 24 but stayed by the Bar council.

Then April 30 was set for the election.

Hawa Singh Jat, returning officer, said: “We have started the election process as per the rescheduled date after receiving the bar council order in this regard.”

Advocates Ravi Yadav and Shamsher Yadav had submitted separate complaints with the Bar council alleging gross irregularities in preparing the electoral list.

The complaints said: "Affidavits for casting vote in only one Bar association’s poll were not obtained from members of other associations even though it is mandatory for a fair and free election."

Sonepat, April 30
Activists of the Chhatra Abhibhawak Sangh today started an indefinite dharna here in protest against the failure of the Education Department to pressurise the managements of private schools to enrol students under the RTE Act.

Talking to mediapersons, sangh district president Vimal Kishor said though a list of the students eligible for admission to Classes I and II was released on April 22, but so far none of the students had been enrolled.

He alleged that there was a nexus between the Education Department authorities and private school owners and even the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court were not being followed in this regard. Many students had already taken school leaving certificates from their previous schools after allotment of the new schools for their admission in the released list, he added.

Meantime, Haryana United Schools Association (A body of private schools) district general secretary Dharam Prakash said there were three conditions to be fulfilled for admission of students as prescribed in the RTE Act -- firstly, the student should be intelligent, belongs to economically weaker section (EWS) and from the BPL family.

He said the Punjab and Haryana High Court while giving its directions over admissions under the RTE Act on November 20, 2013, said if there were any objection from the private school, they could approach the High Court. “We have appealed in the High Court to explain our point of view in the matter and the next date of hearing is May 5,” he added.

Despite number of scholarships and other incentives being given by the government to students studying in government schools, he questioned, “Why even then the parents prefer admission of their children in private schools?” The government and the Education Department must look into this development and arrange quality education in the government schools, he added.

Kurukshetra, April 30
The Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Shakti Manch and the Nidana Heights started the mission ‘Apna bana purdah mukt Haryana’ in Beed Pipli village today to end custom of veil.

Santosh Dahiya, president the manch, said, “The veil is not necessary as times have changed. It is an obstacle for progressive women and we want to eliminate this 'purdah pratha' in Haryana. The veil has never been a part of Indian tradition.”

She said, “Centuries ago, when invaders came here, our forefathers asked women to wear the 'ghunghat' to maintain dignity and be safe. Gradually it became a part of our lives. Now we are free and there is no need to continue this custom. Women, especially those who are young, want to give up this burden.”

A total of 31 men removed the veils of their wives and asked them to not wear the 'ghunghat'. Dahiya is associate professor with Kurukshetra University. She said, “We want to eliminate this custom from every house. If some elders find it unacceptable, we will not impose our thoughts, but try to convince them.”

Rajesh Saini, village sarpanch, said, “It is a matter of pride that the mission has been started here. Times have changed and women find the 'ghunghat' a burden and an obstacle. We have no problem if women want to do away with it. From today, the village is 'ghunghat' free.” He removed his wife's veil to officially start the mission.

Dahiya said, “Like the 'sati pratha' and the 'bal vivah' have ended, the 'purdah pratha' will be history. We will ask all religious gurus, members of NGOs, politicians and leaders of social organisations to extend their support to our mission.”

Kurukshetra, April 30
A large number of college students led by Indian National Student Organisation (INSO) chief general secretary Jaswinder Singh Khaira today demonstrated outside Kurukshetra University Vice-Chancellor DDS Sandhu’s office against the development fee being charged from them .

Hundreds of students gathered at KU Student Home, took out a protest march and staged a demonstration outside the VC’s office.

They said the college authorities had been asking the students to deposit thousands of rupees in the name of development fee.

Khaira said: “Colleges affiliated to Kurukshetra University have been charging Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 for different courses in the name of development fee. We have submitted a memorandum to the KU Vice-Chancellor, urging him to take immediate action in this matter.”

A delegation of students met the VC .The VC assured the delegation that positive steps would be taken within a month and till then no student needed to pay the development fee.

SDO’s office gheraoed

Hundreds of residents of Anthedi village gheraoed the SDO’s office and demanded action against officials of Pipli Power House for allegedly misbehaving with a woman in the village.

Fatehabad, April 30
In a case of honour killing, a 17-year-old youth was killed for having an affair with a girl and his body was thrown into a canal at Jallopur village of Fatehabad.

The police has rounded up the girl’s father, Subhash, and her two cousins, Virender and Mukesh, in a case of murder. Ranjit Singh’s body was recovered from the canal near Badopal today.

Ranjit , a resident of Jallopur village, had been missing since April 27. His father, Raj Kumar, had expressed suspicion that his son had been done to death due to his love affair with a girl. The girl hailed from Hisar and had come to meet her uncle at Jallopur village.

After Raj Kumar’s complaint, the girl’s father, Subhash, also moved an application to the police, accusing Ranjit of raping his minor daughter. Before the police could takeaction on the two complaints, the boy’s body was recovered from the canal.

Kosli (Rewari), April 30
After the arrest of all 13 Bhakli residents accused in the Mahavir murder case, the row between Kosli and Bhakli villages over naming of development projects has taken another twist. The police have initiated action against 15 persons, including the Kosli sarpanch, by booking and summoning them in connection with the clash between residents of the two villages on March 5.

The police have registered a criminal case against Kosli residents on the complaint of Bhakli residents. A delegation of Kosli residents called on Rewari Deputy Commissioner (DC) CJ Rajnikaanthan and Superintendent of Police Pankaj Nain today and demanded cancellation of the case. They claimed that a false case had been registered against them.

Vijay Singh Kaushal, president of the Kosli Naam Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, who was among the accused, claimed that the police registered a false case against them. He asserted that neither were they armed, nor did they threaten or injure anyone during the protest. He added that they had obtained the permission to organise the march on March 5.

Devender Yadav, Kosli sarpanch, said they were surprised that a case was registered against them as they had not tried to break the law. He demanded cancellation of the case during the meeting with the DC and the SP. He asserted that they would convene a panchayat meeting if the authorities did not accept the demand. 

Sirsa, April 30
The police recovered the body of a woman, who had been missing since April 16, alongside the Bhakra canal near Aboobshahr village of the district yesterday.

Her husband Gurjeet Singh, a tantrik and two women have been arrested in the case. Gurpreet of Dadu village went missing on April 16. Gurjeet Singh allegedly had illicit relations with Sukhpal Kaur, another accused. Her friend Jaspal Kaur and Makkan Singh, a tanrik, have also been arrested.

After the victim went missing, her brother Kuldeep approached the police and alleged that his sister has been kidnapped by her husband and his beloved. During investigations, the police found out that when Gurpreet came to know about her husband's affair, she demanded her gold ring back.

Sonepat, April 30
Geeta (35), a mother of two, and her paramour Shashi Kant (24) of Rabra village were found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room in Libaspur village today.

The police reached the spot and after preliminary investigations, brought the bodies to the Civil Hospital. The bodies were later handed over to their family and the police have registered a case of suicide.

Sources said Geeta of Juan village was married to Narender of Kumaspur village about 12 years ago and she had two children. Shashi Kant, unmarried and a casual worker at a private industrial unit in the Rai region, had been residing in a rented room at Libaspur village. Geeta was reportedly missing from her in-laws’ house for four days and was staying with Shashi Kant during this period. It was suspected love affair, the police said.

Fatehabad, April 30
An elderly woman was robbed of Rs 52,000 in broad daylight by two motorcycle-borne miscreants when she was waiting for a bus here this afternoon.

Roshni Devi, a resident of Manawali village, said she had come to deposit Rs 1.01 lakh in her bank account. In the bank, she was informed that she could not deposit Rs 50,000 and more without a copy of her PAN card. She deposited Rs 49,000 in her account and decided to take back the remaining Rs 52,000. When she was waiting for the bus at the Bhattu road bus stand, two youths came on a motorcycle and sped away after snatching her bag containing the money as well as bank documents.

She raised the alarm, but the youths had escaped by then.