Youth beaten up, Rs 50,000, revolver snatched
ROHTAK, Dec 16 — A youth was allegedly beaten up and looted Rs 50,000 in cash and a licensed revolver snatched from him near police barrier at Shiela bypass here last evening.

• Goods train engine, wagons separate
• 39 employees found absent from duty
• Nagaland students call on Prasad
• Probe panel to record evidence
• Lecture on maritime strategies

Varsity council to take up appointments issue
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Dec 16 — The proposed meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Maharshi Dayanand University here on December 22 is likely to take up the controversial issue of approval of some of the appoinments held up due to the ban imposed by the state government in August this year.

According to sources university authorities have included the item of consideration of the selections made by the various election committees in July and August this year on the agenda of the proposed meeting of the EC for its approval. It may be recalled that the state government wide its letter no 47/48-91/edu-1 (6) dated August 12,1998 had imposed a blanket ban on all types of recruitment in the university. Although the selections of more than 12 teachers including some professors, readers and lecturers had been made between July 27 and August 1 this year, these appointments could not get approval by the EC as the government decided to ban recruitments before any meeting of the council could be held.

It is reported that the ban had been imposed after the state government recieved some reports and complaints that the authorities wanted to make appointments of some of their favourites. However the university authorities deny any such allegations and claim that the work of teaching had been affected seriously by the ban. They claim that all selections made in July-August this year had been on need-based requirements. It is claimed that about 78 teaching and 270 non-teaching posts in the university had been lying vacant. On the other hand some of the teachers who had opposed these appointments have been claiming that some of the departments in whom the selections had been made or proposed had been already overstaffed and there was no workload as shown by the authorities concerned. They allege that the authorities wanted to give undue favours to people close to them. The proposal includes selection of a Professor in Psychology Department, Coordinator in the Directorate of Distance Education, Reader in Defence Studies Department, Readers and Lecturers in Computer Sciences Department, Lecturers in Law Department, Reader in Music and Lecturers in the Departments of English and Political Science. Any selection or appointment could be approved by the body if the nominee of the state government is present or accords his sanction at the meeting as the government’s nominee had the veto power in the matters concerning the budget or financial matters.

The 139th meeting of the Executive Council is likely to take up as many as 40 items of which 22 items are the one in which the VC has already used his emergency powers and were being tabled for "the approval of the EC for the decisions already taken. The other items which could cause resentment among the teaching staff and the students include the item of amendment in the rules of the Extraordinary Leave (EOL) of teachers" in which the authorities propose to withdraw the facility of "increment benefit" to the teachers who go on EOL, and the proposal to amend the fee of outstation or field visit by the students. The last item which could also generate some controversy is the proposal of providing the veto-type power to the nominee of the VC in matter of selection of the Principal, Lecturer and Librarian of any affiliated college.

Strike paralyses insurance work
From Tribune Reporters

FATEHABAD, Dec 16 — Work at the insurance companies was paralysed here today as the Class III and IV employees of the LIC and GIC observed strike and held demonstrations against the introduction of the IRA Bill in Parliament. The call for the strike had been given by the Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association (NZIEA). Mr Jagdish Mehta, President and Mr Ravinder Kumar, Secretary of the local unit of the association addressed the striking employees. They termed the IRA Bill as unfortunate and suicidal for the country.

The GIC employees also joined in the strike.

YAMUNANAGAR: The employees here and in Jagadhri remained on strike today. Mr Subash Chander Atri and Prithvi Singh Vaid President and Secretary respectively of the NZIEA here condemned the Bill.

They said they would continue the agitation till the time the Bill was withdrawn. They also condemned the BJP as well as the Congress for their role in the introduction of the Bill.

Mr Rajiv Malik, President of the National Federation of Insurance Workers, also addressed the LIC staff and expressed solidarity with Class II and III employees.

HISAR: The insurance staff observed strike, took out a procession in the city and raised anti government slogans. They also held a demonstration in front of their offices.

SONEPAT: Employees of the LIC and other insurance companies in the city and elsewhere in the district also joined in the strike today.

The striking employees assembled in front of their offices and raised slogans against the government.

Overbridge construction begins at Bata Chowk
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Dec 16 — The preliminary construction work on the much-delayed Rs 20 crore four-lane bridge over the railway lines at Bata Chowk has begun. It is expected to be completed before June 2000.

Earlier, the Haryana Cabinet had given its approval to the flyover.

A Jaipur-based private company is being awarded the contract for the overbridge. It is for the first time in Haryana that a work is being undertaken on the build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

The bridge which will be 900 metre-long, will also have service roads underneath, drain and footpaths on both sides.

The company will charge toll tax from the passing vehicles for six years and nine months to recover the cost of construction and interest on the expenditure before transferring it to the State government.

Official sources said the trucks passing on the bridge would pay a toll tax of Rs 30, buses Rs 20, cars Rs 10, scooters Rs 5 and tractor trollies Rs 20 on each trip. The sources claimed that the toll tax was much less than the rates fixed by the Central government.

The sources said the construction of the bridge at Mohna over the Yamuna to connect Uttar Pradesh was expected to be completed by the end of 1999.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Railways propose to construct a subway on the Delhi-Mathura railway lines at Old Faridabad for people going to the NIT side. This is being done as hundreds of people are killed every year while crossing the railway lines in Faridabad.

Haryana transfers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The Haryana Tourism Corporation got its first woman Managing Director today when the state government appointed Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Director, Disposal and Supplies, as the Director, Tourism and Managing Director, Tourism Corporation.

Mr K.K. Khandewal, who relinquished the charge of MD Tourism Corporation, on December 13 under unexplained circumstances, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty, Land Use Board.

Mr M.K. Miglani, Financial Commissioner, Local Bodies, will also look after the Department of Animal Husbandary, in addition to his duties. So far Mr B.D. Dhalia was looking after this department.

Dr H.S. Anand, Resident Commissioner, Delhi, has also been given the additional charge of MD, Haryana Minerals Limited.

Mr P.K. Choudhary, MD, Hafed will hold the additional charge of the post of MD, Sugarfed, in place of Mr Ramendra Jakhu, who goes as MD, Dairy Development Corporation.

Mr R.R. Fuliya, MD, Harijan Kalyan Nigam, will also work as the Director, Disposal and Supplies, while Mr Sarban Singh, Chief Executive, Khadi and Village Industries Board, will have the additional charge of the post of Joint Secretary, Industries. These two posts were held by Mrs Arora so far.

Mr R.P. Chander, Director, Primary Education, will also look after the work of Joint Secretary, Technical Education.

Lift ban on student bodies poll: NSUI
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Dec 16 — The state unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has sought the lifting of the ban on the students bodies elections in colleges and universities in Haryana.

The demand was made by Mr Mahender Singh, President of the state unit of the NSUI, here yesterday. He said the justification given by the authorities for continuing the ban was not satisfactory and charged that it was an attempt to curb the rights of the students.

Criticising the recent "hike" in the re-evaluation, re-checking and examination fees at the college level, the NSUI President asked the government not to increase the fee often. He also put fourth the demand for computer education in every college and school. The NSUI has demanded free passes for students in the state roadways buses and free travel facility for the candidates appearing in the competitive examinations and interviews.

Tributes paid to martyrs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — Vijay Divas was celebrated throughout Haryana by organising special functions at various places to commemorate the historic victory of India in its war against Pakistan in 1971. Rich tributes were paid to the martyrs besides honouring the war widows on this historic day.

At Panchkula, the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Saroj Siwatch, paid rich tributes to the martyrs and gave away fans, wall-clocks and shawls to each of the nine war widows.

A number of people led by Col Devender Singh Rajpoot, a recipient of Veer Chakra, paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the War Memorial at Karnal.

While speaking at a function organised by the district administration to mark the Vijay Divas, Col Devender Singh said that it was on this day in 1971 that 93,000 Pakistani soldiers had surrendered before the Indian Army.

The Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, Mr M. Kithan, said that Haryana had a significant contribution of 11 per cent in the Indian Army as far as its population was concerned.

Col Devender Singh and Mr Kithan honoured 34 war widows by presenting them cheques of Rs 1,000 each and a shawl.

Probe panel to record evidence
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The M.L. Kaul Commission of Inquiry, enquiring into the circumstances leading to the death of four persons in a police firing at Pashupati Spinning and Weaving Mills, Dharuhera, on February 19 last and other related matters will record evidence from December 28 to 30 at 10 a.m. daily in Tourist Complex, Dharuhera.

Stating this here today, the Registrar-cum-Secretary of the Commission, Mr S.P. Arora, said that 15 witnesses had been summoned to appear before the Commission and for recording of their evidence on the above dates.

Nagaland students call on Prasad
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — A group of 40 students and teachers from Holy Care School, Phek, in Nagaland called on the Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, at Raj Bhavan here today. The students belonging to eighth to 10th classes are on a tour of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Agra under the north-eastern students cultural exchange programme. The Nehru Yuva Kendra, Karnal, is conducting this programme from December 7 to 20.

Wishing them a happy, successful and bright career, the Governor said such cultural exchange programmes played an important role in promoting national integration.

He took keen interest in a Naga folk-dance and a folk-song presented by the students projecting the religious and traditional culture of Nagaland.

Mr Chandan, the group leader, informed the Governor that all the students belonged to different tribes of Nagaland but most of them were from the Chakhesang tribe of Phek district. He said the main profession of the people of this hilly region was agriculture besides rearing piggery, poultry and cows.

Mr Sadashiv Ram Sharma, Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan, North Zone, accompanied the group.

Villagers seek action against rapists of Dalit girl
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Dec 16 — The district unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Khet Majdoor Union and a large number of residents of nearby Kiloi village, have demanded action against the accused who allegedly abducted a minor Dalit girl of the village and gangraped her for three consecutive day.

According to reports, the victim was abducted on December 12 by three youths while she was returning from school. She was taken to a house and was kept there till December 14. The mother of the victim reported the matter to the police on Monday and the girl was recovered from the house. The girl has been admitted to the PGIMS here.

Several residents of the village met the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP here today and sought strict action against the accused.

39 employees found absent from duty
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Dec 16 — Thirty-nine employees were found absent from duty when Mr Ramesh Verma, SDM, visited the Civil Hospital, Empoyment Exchange and offices of cooperative societies in Hansi town, about 26 km from here, yesterday.

A Senior Medical Officer, five medical officers and 11 other employees were among found absent from duty.

The SDM said one day salary would be deducted from these employees and a letter has been written to their departments concerned for further action against them.

Lecture on maritime strategies
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Dec 16 — Rear-Admiral Pradeep Kauhiva, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, has said that India's maritime strategies should not be based upon threats by one nation only because these were neither permanent enemies nor threats.

Delivering extension lecture on "India's maritime strategies for the 21st century" organised here today by the Department of Defence Studies M.D. University, he said that study of maritime strategies of advanced navies reveal that the freedom to use the occans was the bedrock of their formalation.

He also discussed the geo-political, economic and geo-strategic factors which impinge upon the national maritime strategies. According to him these major factors dictate that "India utilise every available means at its disposal for the safety, security, protection and defence of her maritime interests across the globe."

Youth beaten up, Rs 50,000, revolver snatched
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Dec 16 — A youth was allegedly beaten up and looted Rs 50,000 in cash and a licensed revolver snatched from him near police barrier at Shiela bypass here last evening.

In his complaint Mr Manoj said the incident occurred while he was returning to Rohtak from Sisana village. He alleged that certain cars of a marriage party intercepted his vehicle and robbed him of cash and revolver.

He also alleged that the police refused to file an FIR and get his medical test conducted despite his having received serious injuries. Later, when he met the district police chief, alongwith persons of his locality, he was assured of an action.

Although the victim has been examined medically, no FIR has been registered so far.

Goods train engine, wagons separate
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Dec 16 — The engine of a goods train got separated from the wagons after a coupling broke down near the office of the Divisional Railway Manager in cantonment here today. The incident which occurred this afternoon resulted in blocking the "Up" track for about 40 minutes. According to a railway official, the train was coming from Delhi side. According to sources, an incident of similar nature had occurred near the cantonment railway station yesterday also. Officials are investigating the matter.