AIR broadcast from Hisar soon

Man poisons wife, kids, himself

Compensation for farmers sought

Car presented to state BJP chief

Employee of petrol station shot

CBI probe into killings sought

Teachers' bid to evade ESMA
From Tribune Reporters

ROHTAK, Aug 12 — Striking teachers of Maharshi Dayanand University and its affiliated colleges have started signing the attendance registers but continued the boycott of the classes to save themselves from any action which might be taken against them under Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Although Mr Vazir Singh Nehra, president of MDUTA claimed that the strike had been completely successful in the university and its affiliated colleges, principals of the certain colleges said a majority of the teachers were marking their attendance and some of them were taking classes.

Mr R.N. Gupta, Principal of the Local Vaish College said 39 teachers were marking their attendance out of a total of 45 while six teachers were on probation. Mr R.N. Sharma, Principal, Gaur Brahmin Ayurvedic College, said all 18 teachers in his college were on duty and taking classes. Ms Shyama Sharma, Principal, Vaish Mahila Mahavidyalaya, said that the teachers were signing the attendance registers but simultaneously boycotting the classes.

The statewide indefinite strike entered its second day today.

YAMUNANAGAR: "The Ministry of the Human Resources Development is giving misleading figure in the national dailies by inserting advertisement regarding grades of the university and college teachers"

Prof Harbhajan Singh, former president of the Haryana College Teachers Union said this here today. He said the package was exaggerated and Teachers working in Haryana and in other parts of the country will get much less.

Teachers in Yamunanagar colleges are observing indefinite strike since Tuesday on a call of AIFUCTO (All India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisation).

Speculation over Thakre’s visit
From Jatinder Sharma
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 12 — The proposed visit of the BJP President, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, to Haryana on August 16 has sparked speculation of all sorts in the political corridors of the state.

Mr Thakre, who would be accompanied by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana, would visit Rohtak on Sunday to review the performance of the HVP-BJP government, functioning of the BJP ministers and relationship between the coalition partners, with the party MLAs, district chiefs, party office-bearers, presidents of the frontal organisations and chairmen of various government owned boards and corporations.

The party is likely to revise its strategy in view of the situation prevailing at the Centre and the ensuing elections to the Rajasthan and Delhi Assemblies. The happenings in Haryana have direct bearing on the situation in the two neighbouring states.

Mr Thakre, according to political observers, would have to manage hardcore Hindutava forces and the liberal BJP leadership during his one-day visit. In the exercise, the faction ridden state BJP leadership would find difficult to explain its stand on various crucial issues.

While the dominant faction insists that its urban base among the trade and industry has not been given expected preference in the government policies, the BJP leaders hailing from rural areas are not that desperate.

The BJP election agenda had categorically committed abolishing of octroi and house tax in urban areas and supply of free drinking water. However, for whatever reasons, including strain on the state exchequer caused by two-year-long prohibition (since lifted), the HVP-BJP government could not fulfil these promises.

Mr Thakre is reportedly coming with a purpose to boost the image of the BJP in the state and to infuse new spirit among the forces in Hindutava lying subdued after the BJP came to power in the state.

The state BJP has planned to avail the opportunity to dispel the impression that its influence is confined to the urban pockets only. It has decided to hold the party functionaries meeting on the premises of a school near Makrauli-Khurd village to convey the message that the BJP belonged to the farmers and labourers as well.

During his visit, Mr Thakre would inaugurate the new office building of the district unit (urban). He would also address party workers from Rohtak district and the nearby areas.

Five killed in bus-Matador collision
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 12 — Five persons were killed and 11 others injured in a head-on collision between a Haryana Roadways bus and a Matador on the Sonepat-Gohana road near Pinana village, about 22 km from here, today.

According to preliminary reports, four persons died on the spot and the fifth succumbed to his injuries in the local civil hospital. The injured persons have been admitted to the local civil hospital where Naresh and Sadhu Ram were sent to the Medical College Hospital at Rohtak.

Rash and negligent driving by the drivers of both vehicles reportedly was the reason of mishap and Haryana Roadways bus was on its way to Gohana from Sonepat and the Matador was coming from Gohana to Sonepat.

The victims have been identified as Mr Dharamvir (25), Mr Dalip Singh (25), Mr Suraj Bhan (25), all residents of Lath village, Satish of Pinana village and Mr Ram Bhaj of Bidhal village.

The injured persons have been identified as Mr Satish (25), Mr Jatinder (26), Mr Naresh (21), Mr Sadhu Ram (25), Mr Balwan (28), Mr Ishwar (37) and Mr Jagbir, all residents of Lath village, Mr Krishan (35) of Mohana village, Mr Raj Singh (22) of Jharoti village, Mr Satbir (54) of Bidhal village and Mr Dharampal (42) of Anwali village.

Steps taken to help farmers: Godara
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 12 — The Haryana government has taken a series of measures to pump out rain water from fields so that farmers could sow kharif crops.

This was stated by Mr Mani Ram Godara, Home Minister, at the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievances Committee held here yesterday.

The minister directed officials of Irrigation and Agricultural departments to take immediate and effective steps for pumping out rain water from the fields.

Mr Godara also ordered an inquiry on a complaint of a woman against the District Manager of the Women Development Corporation.

On complaints regarding road repair in urban and rural areas, the minister directed the Executive Engineer PWD (B&R) to complete the works immediately.

Don't depend on others,
Army men told
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 12 — Lt-Gen H.B. Kala, GOC-IN-C, Western Command, said here today that Army men should not depend on others for their routine work in view of the impending changes in the Army in the next 10 years.

General Kala was here to inaugurate a residential complex for families in cantonment which has been constructed by the 40 Artillery Division in three months. He said the percentage of those living in the Army accommodation had risen for 14 per cent to 35 per cent. The General, who was addressing jawans and officers, said as much attention should be paid to the problem of housing as possible.

He said almost all houses in Ambala cantonment were old and the government did not have sufficient funds to repair these. He said as much as Rs 20 crore were needed for building residential houses in cantonment.

The GOC, 2 Corps, Lt-Gen G.S. Sihota, said 1800 houses of Army men were being repaired at a cost of Rs 3 crore.

Haryana scales modified
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Haryana Government today modified the revised pay scales under the Haryana Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 1998, and the Haryana Civil Services (Assured Career Progression) Rules, 1998, of certain categories of posts of its employees with effect from January 1, 1996.

The Finance Minister of Haryana, Mr Charan Dass Shorewala, said the government employees were required to exercise their options within a period of three months from August 7. Fresh option for withdrawal of the pay would be obtained from all effected government servants before fixing their pay in the modified revised pay scales.

He said arrears from January 1, 1996, to July 31, 1998, would be worked out on the basis of difference between the entitled pay in the modified revised pay scale and entitled pay in the pre-modified revised pay scales already drawn by the employees. The arrears so drawn would be deposited in their respective general provident fund accounts

SDM calls meeting of councillors
From Our Correspondent

GURGAON, Aug 12 — The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mr R.C. Pawaria, has called a meeting to consider the no-confidence motion against the BJP-backed Chairman of the Municipal Committee, Sohna, on August 27 following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Amrit Singh Bagri, had moved the high court after the SDM had called a meeting of councillors to discuss the no-confidence motion against Mr Bagri on August 3, However, the court had granted a stay on the August 3 meeting.

Since the post of Chairman is reserved for a male Scheduled Caste candidate there is only one more person who can stake his claim — councillor Bhajan Lal, who he is one of the nine councillors who had given a notice of no-confidence against Mr Bagri to the Deputy Commissioner.

This no-confidence motion was brought by the support of HVP councillors and this has caused dissension among the local leaders of the alliance.

Safety of factory workers stressed
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Aug 12 — Mr A.N. Nimbalker, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Labour, today called for taking steps to ensure safety and health of workers.

Inaugurating the seminar on "occupational safety and health — new challenges", Mr Nimbalker regretted that the ill-effects of industrialisation on environment were not being taken care of.

He said although the injuries due to accident had come down from 33.11 per 1000 a year in 1990 to 21.83 in 1994, the fatality rate had remained 0.20. He wanted education and training of the supervisory staff and labourers on safety measures.

Dr S.K. Saxena, Director-General of the Factory Advice Service and Labour Institute, in his keynote address, said that managers, supervisors and workers should be involved in the safety steps which should be reviewed periodically.

Mrs Asha Sharma, Commissioner and Secretary, Labour, Haryana disclosed that the accident rate in Haryana was only 1.82 per 1000 workers a year as against the national figure of 26.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Regional Labour Institute, Directorate of Industrial Safety, and the State Safety Council and Factories Inspectorate, Delhi.

Self-employment promotion camp
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 12 — The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Kumar, today inaugurated a self-employment promotion camp here to mark closure of the state-level golden jubilee celebrations of Independence.

An exhibition depicting development in the industrial, social, and banking sectors has also been organised. The camp and the exhibition will conclude on the Independence Day.

Officials and experts of various departments explained the schemes for self-employment, particularly in the rural areas. On the first day, loan worth Rs 68.44 lakh were sanctioned to 216 beneficiaries.

The Deputy Commissioner handed over keys to the beneficiaries of three and four-wheelers purchased with financial assistance from the HHKN.

AIR broadcast from Hisar soon
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Aug 12 — The local station of the All-India Radio (AIR) will start functioning from August 15.

Mr S.V. Kapil, Station Director, All India Radio Rohtak said this here today. He also holds the additional charge of this station. The daily programme would be broadcast between 2.55 p.m. to 9.15 p.m., he said

He said special programmes for children, women, farmers and youth and regional and national bulletin would be relayed.

The programme would be broadcast on FM band at the frequency 102, 6 medium hertz within the radius of 60 km, Mr Kapil added.

Resignation of Pawar sought
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 12 — Mr Brij Gopal Sharma, president of the district unit of the Adhivkta Parishad, demanded the resignation of Mr Sharad Pawar, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, as the Srikrishna Commission indicted him for the Mumbai riots of 1992-93.

In a statement issued yesterday, he said the commission had also held Mr Sudhakarrao Naik, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, responsible for the riots. The parishad demanded that the Maharashtra Government should initiate legal action against these two Congress leaders.

He said the demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Manohar Joshi, and for action against the Shiv Sena chief, Mr Bal Thackeray, was "ridiculous and politically motivated".

Man poisons wife, kids, himself
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Aug 12 — A person of Prem Nagar here allegedly poisoned his wife and three children with some substance leading to their death and later on consumed the same substance resulting in his death on the night of Tuesday.

According to the police, Surender Singh (42) took the extreme step due to domestic tension.

While Surender Singh died on the spot, his wife Nirmala (40), daughters Mona (19) and Banti (17) and the only son Sonu (15) died later on.

Their another daughter Salu (10), however, was saved.

On the basis of the statement by Salu, the police has registered a case under Section 306 of IPC against six members of the family, including parents of Surender.

Compensation for farmers sought
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 12 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress has demanded declaration of Rohtak and Jhajjar districts as drought affected region and also sought compensation at the rate of Rs 10,000 per acre to the affected farmers.

In a statement here yesterday the president of the District Congress Committee (Rural) lamented that the crops of paddy, sugarcane and millet spread over lakhs of acres of agricultural land in these districts had been damaged to scanty rainfall. Demanding a survey of the loss to the farmers he appealed to the government to suspend the reimbursement of loans from the farmers of the affected region.

According to an estimate, the crops at the Salhawas, Jahajgarh, Chhuchhakwas (Jhajjar) and Meham and Kalanaur subdivisions of Rohtak have been damaged from 50 to 60 per cent as the agriculture in these areas mainly depended on rains. The tubewells have also failed to provide adequate water supply to the fields on account of unscheduled power cuts.

1.86 cr sanctioned for repair of roads
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 12— The Haryana Government has sanctioned Rs 1.86 crore for repair of roads in this city and other parts of the Sonepat assembly constituency.

Stating this, Mr Rajiv Jain, Political Press Adviser to the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, told mediapersons here yesterday that the work for the repair of the roads would be started after monsoon rains in the region. All main roads would be remodelled and stretches of other roads would be repaired for smooth flow of the traffic.

He also disclosed that the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has also sanctioned Rs 22 lakh for such works to be carried out by it. Some of the works, he said, had already been started in different parts of the city.

Mr Jain further disclosed that construction of the roads between Chitana and Juan villages, Barwasni and Mahra and Mahra and Hullehri villages would be constructed on a priority basis.

He disputed the claim of Mr Dev Raj Diwan, an independent MLA, that the state government had ignored his assembly constituency in the matter of development.

Car presented to state BJP chief
From Our Correspondent

REWARI, Aug 12 — Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Vice President of the BJP, has said that the efforts being made by the RLM chairman, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, and the RJD president, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, to dislodge the Vajpayee govt were not going to succeed and the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, would unfurl the National Flag from Red Fort on August 15.

Addressing a party workers conference here last evening he said with every such move the BJP would grew stronger.

He said that the objective of gaining power at the Centre, had now been achieved. But unlike the Congress and other political parties, the BJP used to bring glory to India. The Pokhran blasts had made India a nuclear power.

Earlier, Mr Sharma handed over the keys of a car which was presented by party workers to the Haryana BJP President, Mr Om Prakash Grover.

The Haryana Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma and the Industries Minister, Mr Shashi Pal Mehta were also present.

Employee of petrol station shot
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 12 — Mr Narain Parsad, a 25-year-old Nepalese employee of a petrol station was allegedly shot dead by a car driver on the G.T. Road near Bahalgarh village, about 10 km from here, last night.

According to preliminary reports the assailant managed to escape. The Rai police has registered a case.

It is reported that the car driver purchased petrol worth Rs 500 but declined to make the payment. When the employee insisted for the amount, he was shot.

CBI probe into killings sought
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 12 — Two workers' leaders have demanded a CBI probe into the killing of 12 labourers from Bihar and West Bengal on the G.T. Road near Bhigan village on Saturday night.

Mr S.N. Solanki, a CPM leader and Mr Howa Singh, president of the district unit of the CITU, made this demand in a joint statement. They said none of state minister had visited the site of the killing. The state government, they said, had also not announced any ex gratia or any other financial help for the families of the deceased, despite many deputations which called on the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police.