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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Thursday, December 31, 1998 |
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New grades for non-teaching
staff Jhajjar
starts AIDS awareness drive |
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Minister
refutes Sampat's charges INLD
workers take out procession
University
Act may be amended Rape
case to be withdrawn Fresh
survey of poor demanded Tercentenary
function at Kurukshetra |
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New grades for non-teaching
staff ROHTAK, Dec 30 — Non-teaching employees of Maharshi Dayanand University will get wages as per revised pay scales from the current month. The Registrar, Mr Srikanth Walgade, told TNS that the university had made a provision of over Rs 5 crore towards payment of revised pay scales to the employees in its budget for 1998-99. But the annual budget of the university for the current financial year has not been approved till date. The finance committee (FC) had in March 1998, approved the vote-on-account till June 30 and after that all expenses have been incurred in anticipation of approval. The meeting of the finance committee, as also the Executive Council, fixed for August 11, 1998, was postponed till December 22. This meeting too was postponed on the advice of the state government. When the finance committee meets now is anybody's guess. The style of functioning of the Vice-Chancellor, Lieut-Gen (Retd) O.P. Kaushik, has reportedly annoyed the authorities and a section of the university teachers. The sailing may not be smooth for the Vice-Chancellor in the coming months. The government has reportedly taken a serious view of the appointments, made on a contract basis by the Vice-Chancellor, despite a ban on fresh recruitment. It is alleged that the term of the non-teaching employees employed initially for 89 days has been extended. In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Bansi Lal, it is alleged that the Vice-Chancellor is contemplating appointments to the post of Professor, Reader and Lecturer in the Departments of Military Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hindi, Psychology, Music, Computer Sciences, Law, English, Political Science and Distance Education. The memorandum further alleges that in the Department of Military Science there are two lecturers and a professor who, as per the UGC norms, are to take up 40 teaching hours every week whereas the teaching load is only 36 hours. Moreover, only three students have been admitted in MA (I) by the department. Regarding selection to the post of Reader in the Music Department, it is alleged that there are only 16 students in MA previous and final year but the department already has another Reader and three lecturers. The MA (Instrumental) Department has one student and two lecturers. In Item No 39 of the
agenda of the now postponed meeting of the Executive
Council, the Vice-Chancellor has stated that a large
number of vacancies was coming in the way of smooth
functioning and impinging on academic and administrative
efficiency of the university. |
Jhajjar starts AIDS awareness
drive ROHTAK, Dec 30 — The district administration of Jhajjar has launched a social campaign against AIDS which is fast spreading tentacles in rural as well as urban areas. The campaign was launched in Beri — the seat of goddess Bhimeshwari Devi — with the involvement of teachers, anganwari workers, health workers, nambardars, chowkidars and panches and sarpanches of the Beri Block. A similar meeting was held at Bahadurgarh yesterday which was also attended by the municipal employees and NSS volunteers from the local college. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, told TNS that the idea behind involving opinion-makers was to ensure the message went down to lakhs living in villages and towns. Each participant was expected to carry forward the message to the populace. The participants were told that small precautions like use of condoms, disposable syringes and insistence on HIV-free blood donation could help in keeping this lethal disease away. The CMO, S.C. Sharma, explained the symptoms, causes and safety measures against AIDS. The District Red-Cross Society distributed pamphlets among the participants. A video film on AIDS was also shown. Mr Arun Kumar said similar
meetings and seminars would be held in the remaining
blocks of Salhawas and Matanheil and big villages in the
district. The entire cost for the same was being borne by
the Red Cross Society, he added. |
Minister refutes Sampat's charges CHANDIGARH, Dec 30 — Haryana Minister of State for Power Attar Singh Saini has refuted the allegations made by Lok Dal leader Sampat Singh that the state government was misleading the people on the power scenario of the state. In a statement issued here today, Mr Saini said from Professor Sampat Singh's demand that a White Paper should be issued on the power scenario it appeared that certain opposition parties were getting nervous by the unprecedented pace of development in the state. He said it was a known fact that neither Mr Bansi Lal nor any of his Cabinet colleagues was in the habit of making false promises or issuing irresponsible statements. Refuting the allegation of Professor Sampat Singh that the World Bank had sanctioned a loan of only Rs 240 crore and not Rs 2400 crore and the state had received just Rs 32 crore till date, Mr Saini said the Lok Dal leader was "talking through his hat". Alleging that Professor Sampat Singh was ignorant about the working of the bank, he said while a written commitment for a total loan of over Rs 2400 crore had been made by the bank, it fully sanctioned Rs 240 crore in the first phase in January last. Mr Saini said this was as good as having received this amount. As soon as projects were executed, payment was made to contractors or supplies by the bank directly. Against this loan purchase and work orders had been awarded for Rs 172.58 crore and the remaining contracts were being finalised. The entire amount would be disbursed by December, 1999. Claiming that the availability of power had improved remarkably under the HVP-BJP government, Mr Saini said it was only the present government which had given a concrete shape to new power generation projects, while the previous governments did not set up any new plant. The extra power had been possible because of better management of the existing generation capacity and also an increase in the installed capacity which as on date was 2437 MW against 2347 MW in May, 1996. Mr Saini said generation
from the state's own plants had also improved
considerably. A power purchase agreement had been signed
for the National Thermal Power Corporation extension
projects of Unchahar-II, Rihand-II, Anta-II and
Auriya-II, which would provide 150-200 MW of power to
Haryana. International competitive bidding was in
progress for setting up 500 MW Yamunanagar thermal
project. As many as 11 internationally reputed firms had
responded for this project. Documentation was also being
done for inviting competitive bids to set up another 500
MW thermal power project at Hisar. |
INLD workers take out procession SIRSA, Dec 30 — "The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) lost in the recently held Vidhan Sabha elections due to the eight months of poor performance of the central government", said Mr Om Parkash Chautala, leader of Opposition in Haryana while addressing a workers' conference at the local Janata Bhavan. Blaming the Bansi Lal government for lawlessness, he accused it of being "anti-farmer" and held it responsible for the non-availability of DAP. He also referred to the recovery of duplicate fertilisers in a godown owned by an HVP leader in Fatehabad. Reacting to the rally of Mr Bansi Lal here he said it was a flop. Mr Chautala said his party would be divided into four zones — Hisar, Bhiwani, Panipat and Kurukshetra — and training camps would be organised to strengthen the party. He also announced that he would contest from the Rori constituency in the next elections. SONEPAT: Meanwhile, a large number of workers of the INLD took out a procession here on Wednesday in protest against the acquisition of agricultural land at cheaper rates by the state government in Rasoi, Kundli, Piplikhera and Nangal villages of this district. Mr Kishen Singh Sangwan, MP, Mr Suraj Mal Antil MLA (Rai), and Mr Ranbir Dahiya, President of the district unit of the party joined the procession. Carrying placards and shouting slogans against the Bansi Lal government, the processionists passed through the main bazaars of the city and reached the mini-secretariat where they held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner. According to another report, a large number of trade union workers and government employees took out a procession in protest against the "misrule" of the Bansi Lal government and "repressive measures" adopted by it. The protest was observed
on the call of the Haryana unit of the National Platform
of Mass Organisation. Leaders of the Sarv Karamchari
Sangh, the CITU, the SUCI and the Haryana Government PWD
Mechanical Karamchari Union also participated. |
University Act may be amended HISAR, Dec 30 — The Haryana Government is reported to be planning yet another amendment to the University Act regarding appointment of Guru Jambeshwar University Vice-Chancellor. The university awaits the appointment of a regular Vice-Chancellor after the founder Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.L. Johar, completed his term on October 20. Since then the Commissioner, Hisar Division, Mr Dharamveer, has been officiating as Vice-Chancellor. The government appears to be biding time for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. According to the amended statute, the university needs to constitute a select committee, which will finalise three names for the post. The committee will have three members among them two would be nominated by the Executive Council of the university. The third will be nominated by the Governor. However, the university wants to amend the statute so that the Governor, who is also Chancellor of the university, is authorised to appoint the Vice-Chancellor on the advice of the state government. Obviously, in order to appoint one of its favourites to the post, the government is contemplating an amendment to the University Act. Originally, the Act provided for appointment of the Vice-Chancellor by the Chancellor (Governor) on the advice of the state government. However, under a directive from the University Grants Commission, the state government amended the Act. Under the UGC directive a search committee, which is called "select committee" here, has to be constituted. This is general practice adopted by all universities in the country, including Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, and Kurukshetra University. The UGC has been insisting on this norm in order to minimise political interference in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. Highly placed sources confirmed that the state government is likely to amend the Act so that the Chancellor is authorised to appoint the Vice-Chancellor on the advice of the state government. The state government
appears to be in no hurry to appoint a regular
Vice-Chancellor in Guru Jambeshwar University. The issue
did not figure in the agenda of the Executive Council
meeting which was earlier scheduled for December 29 and
has been postponed. The issue was deferred at the
previous meeting of the council without specifying any
reason. |
Nigam conducts raids to check
power theft BHIWANI, Dec 30 — The Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam faced with financial crisis is determined to check electricity theft, especially in the industrial areas of the state. Last week a special vigilance team set up by the Chairman of the nigam conducted raids on some industrial houses in the area on the basis of complaints lodged with the nigam. Certain influential industrial houses were allegedly indulging in electricity theft to the tune of crores of rupees and selling their products at cheap rates because of the less rates at which they were able to produce their goods and compete with the less privileged industrial houses. The industrial units suffering at the hands of the big fish sought the help of influential people and asked the nigam authorities to move into action. During the intensive raids for the detection of the theft the vigilance team in the initial stages failed to detect any discrepancy in the running of the electricity meters whose seals were found intact. Later, it was found although the meters were outwardly giving correct number of circles per minute but the recording of electricity consumption in the meter was nominal when the meter was opened and actual reading counted. This novel method was adopted by changing the wheels in the meter. This, however, could have been made only with the connivance of the local staff of the sources say. The opening and sealing of the heavy meters is done at the workshop of the nigam at Charkhi Dadri, 28 km from Bhiwani. The opening of the heavy meters could only be possible with the help of the nigam staff. It is learnt that meters have to be checked in the heavy load industries after every three months so any change in the meters can be done with the help of the nigams staff. The involvement of the local nigam staff in the theft of electricity cannot be ruled out. The Chairman of the nigam has ordered that no meter should be opened, assembled or changed by the local officers till a special team of the nigam reaches Bhiwani. Checks at five industrial units have revealed power theft. Certain industrialists have fled for fear of arrest and closed down their units. The vigilance team had to seek the help of the police in breaking open the locks of the units for checking power theft. Several senior and junior officials of the local nigam office might be brought under investigation. An officer of the nigam
who on condition of anonymity told this correspondent the
nigam was not interested in harassing the industrialists
by moving the court. It was only interested in stopping
the theft of electricity and realising the charges and
penalty for the power stolen. |
Fresh survey of poor demanded AMBALA, Dec 30 — Several villagers of the district have demanded a fresh survey of those below the poverty line. A number of delegations from several villages falling in the Naggal Assembly constituency met Deputy Commissioner, Navraj Sandhu the other day and claimed that they belonged to poor families and their incomes were below the poverty line. They alleged that only the favourites of panches and sarpanches were given the application forms in this connection and they had been denied the opportunity to avail themselves of the benefit. Mr Nasib Singh and Mr Gurnam Singh of Naneola Village, Mr Somnath, Mr Jai Ram, Mr Shamsher Singh of Salarheri village, Mr Raj Kumar and Mrs Parkasho of Samalkha village made written submissions to the Deputy Commissioner that they had been discriminated against and justice should be done to them. It is learnt that the issue cropped up recently when the Food and Supplies Department started distributing yellow ration cards among the villagers which caused resentment among those who had been denied these cards. Sources said that the Lok Sabha MP from the area, Mr Aman Kumar Nagra had also taken up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner who had promised to look into the matter. A delegation of BJP leaders met the Minister for Food and Supplies, Mr Ganeshi Lal, and told him that the problem had arisen out of political rivalry in villages. Mr Kirti Prasad Jain, who was among the delegates, alleged that several irregularities had been committed by district officials. Some of the beneficiaries were not even eligible but had been given the benefit wrongly. Mr Jain said the minister had assured a detailed probe into the matter and issue the necessary orders to the district administration. It is learnt that the
Deputy Commissioner had already asked officials to make
random sampling of the beneficiaries to verify the
veracity of the complaints. An official admitted that the
number of beneficiaries was more than the national
average and errors could not be ruled out. |
Tercentenary function at Kurukshetra CHANDIGARH, Dec 30 — The state-level function to mark the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa will be held at Kurukshetra and it will be presided over by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state-level committee constituted to organise the celebrations of the tercentenary here today. Mr Bansi Lal, who presided over the meeting, said at present 10 lakh Sikhs were residing in the state and the government was fully alive to their aspirations. He said it was a matter of pride for every Haryanvi that when Guru Gobind Singh gave a call on March 30, 1699, that those who would be able to sacrifice their heads should come forward, Dharam Dass, a resident of Rohtak, was among the five volunteers who came to be known as "Punj Piaras". A Guru Gobind Singh chair would be instituted at Kurukshetra University. He agreed to the suggestions made by the Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, and the Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Mr M.L. Ranga, that essay writing competitions and declamation contests be organised at the college and university levels to acquaint the youth with the life and deeds of Guru Gobind Singh. It was decided to organise a yatra to all districts of the state, especially the places visited by Guru Gobind Singh and Banda Bahadur. A subcommittee was constituted under the chairmanship of the Home Minister, Mr Mani Ram Godara, to decide the route of the yatra. It was also decided that blood donation camps would be organised, besides taking out cycle rallies. Mr Karam Singh, a member of the committee from Jagadhri, suggested that an exhibition of paintings on Sikh history, especially those depicting the acts of bravery of the Sikhs, should also be organised. Dr Jai Bhagwan Goyal, former head of the Hindi Department, Kurukshetra University, suggested that writings of noted poet Bhai Santokh Singh on the concept of the Khalsa should be got edited and published by the Haryana Sahitya Akademi. Mr Surjit Singh Gulati (Ambala) suggested that a sports college should be set up at Lakhnaur Sahib in Ambala district where Guru Gobind Singh spent some time during his childhood. The Director, Haryana Panjabi Sahitya Akademi, Mr S.S. Arshi, was of the opinion that a library should be set up as a memorial to Guru Gobind Singh at any of the places like Bhiwani or Kaithal visited by him. The Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr Ram S. Verma, said the state government would take all steps to make this historic occasion a grand success. Among others who attended
the meeting were the Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister, Mr L.M. Jain, the Financial Commissioner,
Education, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, the Special Secretary,
Finance, Mr K.K. Jalan, the Vice-Chancellors of CCS
Haryana Agricultural University, Guru Jambheshwar
University and Maharshi Dayanand University, and Mr K.L.
Zakir, Secretary, Haryana Urdu Akademi. |
HARTRON gets affiliation CHANDIGARH, Dec 30 — The State Board of Technical Education, Haryana, has granted affiliation to the HARTRON work station, Ambala city, to start one year and two-year courses in computer education. Stating this here today, a spokesman of the board said the session for these courses would start in January next. The prospectus and application forms were available at Government Polytechnic and the HARTRON work station at Ambala city. The last date for admission to these courses is January 15, 1999. He said that the board had
decided to start MCA, BCA and other courses like DCO and
CIC through Indira Gandhi National Open University, New
Delhi. These courses would be introduced under the
programme computer internet at the HARTRON work station.
The session of these courses would also start in January
next. |
Traders cheated of Rs 8 cr FATEHABAD, Dec 30 — After informing the President of the local Beopar Mandal of their willingness to return back, the partners of a local business firm, M/S Bhushan Brothers, who had alsconded have started playing hide and seek with local traders. The partners, Jagmohan and Jagbhushan, it may be recalled had run away from here. They owed over Rs 8 crore to traders and bankers. A police party and a delegation of the traders had gone to Calcutta to find about their whereabouts after getting indications that they had fled to that city. Jagbhushan, however, it is
reported telephoned Mr Rohtash Kumar, President, Beopar
Mandal, on December 25 and expressed his willingness to
come back. He wanted an assurance from the mandal
President, that the family would not get a rough
treatment from the traders. He also told Mr Kumar that
the firm would give a power of attorney of all its assets
to the mandal. He said he would arrive at Fatehabad the
next day. However, he did not come. |
Panchkula gears up for New Year PANCHKULA, Dec 30 — Live orchestra and DJ’s are all set to liven up the new year festivities at local clubs, hotels and eating joints here tomorrow. Mouth watering dishes and special prizes for couples would be the special attractions for the New Year revellers. Couples thronging the Pallavi Restaurant will dance their way into the New Year. A DJ has been specially invited from Delhi. Prizes for best dancing couples, games and multi-cuisine buffet would be special attractions. Another local hotel, Prabhat Inn has many surprises for those going out with their families. The theme at this joint is "Family No. 1". A majority of the events have been planned, keeping in mind the families. The Gymkhana Club has
arranged a local DJ to entertain the guests. There are
prizes for the best male dancer, best female dancer and
best dancing couple. |
9 emerge victorious in poll PINJORE, Dec 30 — Over 80 per cent polling was reported in the elections to the nine wards of the Pinjore Municipal Committee held here today. No untoward incident was reported during the eight-hour polling. According to official sources, of the total 8,273 voters in the nine wards 6,320 exercised their franchise. The participation of women was more as compared to men. The winning candidates are: Mr Sucha Ram (ward No. 2); Ms Maya Devi (ward No. 6); Mr Naresh Kumar (ward No. 7); Mr Roshan Lal Saini (ward No. 8); Mr Sant Kumar (ward No. 9); Ms Raj Rani (ward No. 10); Mr Ramesh Bhatti (ward No. 11); Ms Karnail Kaur (ward No. 12); and Mr Naresh Mann (ward No. 13). While the candidates, Mr
Jeet Singh (ward No. 3); Ms Shakuntala Devi (ward No.4)
and Mr Lajpat (ward No. 5) had already been elected
unopposed, the election for ward No. 1 has been
rescheduled for January 17. |
SUCI activists hold dharna ROHTAK, Dec 30 — Activists of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) organised a demonstration-cum-dharna at the Deputy Commissioner’s office today in support of their demands. Addressing the demonstrators, Mr Anoop Singh, district unit secretary of SUCI, said the privatisation of the government had lessened job opportunities. He said the weaker sections had been facing hardship due to rising prices. The condition of a majority of farmers in the region was deplorable as they had suffered heavy losses due to unseasonal rains and rise in the water table. He alleged the government had not given any compensation to the affected farmers. He charged the police and the administration with adopting a "negligent" attitude towards the rising crime rate. A memorandum was submitted
to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner,
asking for a check on the rising prices, regular power
and water supply to the rural areas and special ration
cards for people living below the poverty line. |
Hansi death toll five HISAR, Dec 30 — The toll in the road accident near Hansi on the Hisar-Delhi National Highway on Sunday has gone up to five with two of the six wounded succumbing to their injuries at Medical College in Rohtak yesterday. The victims were
identified as Bhim Singh and Krishan Kumar. |
Watchman shot dead FARIDABAD, Dec 30 — Armed miscreants last night shot dead Moolchand, a watchman of a rice mill situated on Punhana Road in Hodal and escaped with Rs 30,000 in cash from the safe of the mill. Reports reaching district
headquarters today said that the watchman was firmed upon
when he resisted the miscreants. He died on the spot. |
Filling station cashier robbed ROHTAK, Dec 30 — Four unidentified car-borne youths robbed the cashier of a petrol filling station of Rs 20,000 at Jakhoda village in Bahadurgarh subdivision last night. According to information, the youths reached Vishal Filling Station on National Highway No 10 and took petrol. Suddenly, one of the youths hit the cashier on his head with an iron rod and fled with the cash. The Bahadurgarh police has registered a case under Sections 395, 397 and 342 of the IPC but no arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, no clue has been found in the robbery at the filling station owned by Haryana Tourism here on Monday night. Some youths had made off
with a safe containing Rs 6.91 lakh placed in a room of
the filling station. |
FCI staff stage dharna HISAR, Dec 30 — Members of the Food Corporation of India Employees Union today staged a dharna in front of the office of corporation here in protest against the alleged excesses of the Senior Regional Manager, Haryana, towards the employees. A spokesman of the union
said in a statement issued here today that similar
dharnas will also be organised at Rohtak and Gurgaon
tomorrow. Members of the union would also stage dharnas
from January 5 to 8 in front of the FCI's Regional Office
at Chandigarh to show their resentment. A mass rally will
also be held at the Zonal office, New Delhi. |
Rape case to be withdrawn AMBALA, Dec 30 (PTI) — The rape case against Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Wakf Board M. K.. Khan will be withdrawn, police sources said today. Two days back a woman from Alwar (Rajasthan) had lodged a complaint with the Ambala police that Mr Khan had raped her at his residence in Ambala cantonment. But yesterday she withdrew her allegations and according to her statement in a local court she was “instigated” to level rape charges against Mr Khan. The police said as the complainant had withdrawn her charges, the case may not be pursued further. Meanwhile, Mr Khan denied
the charges and said a conspiracy was hatched to defame
him. |
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