CM pays tribute to Kargil martyrs
BHIWANI, Aug 15 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala today said that our brave soldiers fought valiantly in the inhospitable terrains at Kargil and it was our moral duty to help the bereaved families.

Women's literacy ‘key factor’
PANCHKULA Aug 15 — Educating the women in our state is the crying need of the hour. Only 40 per cent of the women are literate and there is need to take up the project of spreading literacy in the state on a war-footing.

Apology for a railway station
PANIPAT: The local railway station is crying for attention. It's platforms are not cemented. Work allotted to a contractor 12 months ago to cement these platforms is going at a snail's pace.

Punjabis allege exploitation, to field own men
FARIDABAD, Aug 15 — A "maha panchayat" of Punjabi community was held at Lakhani Dharamsala here yesterday.

• Hav Din Dayal cremated

• S.S. Mattewal

CM pays tribute to Kargil martyrs
From Tribune Reporters

BHIWANI, Aug 15 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala today said that our brave soldiers fought valiantly in the inhospitable terrains at Kargil and it was our moral duty to help the bereaved families.

Mr Chautala was addressing the people after unfurling the national flag at local Bhim Stadium on the occasion of the 53rd Independence Day. Paying rich tributes to freedom fighters, he said that it was matter of pride that people from every sect and community extended their full cooperation in the hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister honoured the families of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in Operation Vijay.

On this occasion, an impressive marchpast was performed by the troops of Haryana Armed Police, contingents of Haryana Police, Home guard, NCC cadets of senior and junior wings and a squad of girls guide.

Mr Chautala later addressed a press conference in the PWD rest house and assured journalists that their problems would be looked into.

The first thing he did after assuming the reigns of office was restore the accreditation cards of journalists wrongly cancelled by the Bansi Lal Government he said.

Replying to a question Mr Chautala said that his ministry will be expanded as and when there will be pressure of government work. He also clarified that Mr Jagan Nath who has resigned as Agriculture Minister, never asked him for the Irrigation and Power portfolio.

HISAR: Independence Day was celebrated here with traditional gaiety and fanfare.

The Finance Minister, Prof Sampat Singh, unfurled the national Tricolour in the government college premises. The police, NCC and students from various educational institutions took part in the marchpast. A colourful cultural programme was also organised on the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the Kargil martyrs.

Another function was organised by the CCS Haryana Agricultural University in the Campus School. In Guru Jambeshwar University, the Dean Academic Affairs Prof B.K. Kuthiala unfurled the Tricolour.

YAMUNANAGAR: Mr Ashok Kumar Arora, Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha, unfurled the national flag and took the salute of march past presented by the contingents of Haryana Police, Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Girls Guides on the eve of 53rd Independence Day function organised at local Tejli Sports Complex.

Mr Arora also honoured Mrs Dolly Mehta, widow of late Hawaldar Naveen Kumar Vaid, Mrs Suman Chaudhry, wife of late Satpal Chaudhry, who laid down their lives during Operation Vijay and presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to Mrs Rajbiri Devi, mother of late Sipahi Parminder Singh. Mrs Sharda Rani a resident of local Jammu Colony who showed great courage in tackling dacoits who entered her house on February 13, 1999 was also honoured.

AMBALA: Mr Akram Khan, Minister of State for Wakf and Fisheries, hoisted the national flag here on the occasion of the Independence Day.

On the occasion 29 persons of Ambala were honoured for their achievements in different fields.

ROHTAK: The Town and Country Planning Minister, Mr Dhir Pal Singh, unfurled the national flag and took salute of marchpast on the occasion of the 53rd Independence Day at the local Police Grounds here on Sunday morning. Schoolchildren and other artistes staged an impressive cultural programme and the chief guest presented tri-cycles to 10 physically handicapped persons. Commendation certificates were also given to about 20 persons for outstanding work in different fields.

KURUKSHETRA: After unfurling the national flag in the courtyard of Kurukshetra University Auditorium here on Sunday, the Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University. Dr M.L. Ranga, paid rich tributes to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the freedom of our country and hailed the spirit of patriotism during the Kargil war.

On the occasion, the students of University Senior Secondary Model School, University College and Department of Music presented a colourful programme based on patriotic songs, dances and skits. Sweets were also distributed among the children.

At a separate function, Mr Raj Kumar Saini, State Sports Minister, Haryana unfurled the flag.

On this occasion, the parents of Sepoy Sanjeev Kumar, Kargil martyr, and the mother of martyr Major Nitin Bali, who has been awarded a Sena Madal, were also honoured.

FATEHABAD: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr V. Raja Sekhar, hoisted the national flag at a district- level Independence Day function organised at the local Manohar Memorial College.

In another function, noted social worker Mrs Usha Dahiya hoisted the Tricolour at Little Flowers School.

SIRSA: Mr Jasvinder Singh Sandhu, Chief Parliamentery Secretary, Haryana, unfurled the national flag at the local Maharana Partap Stadium here on Sunday.

Reports of celebration of Independence Day were also received from Mandi Dabwali, Ellenabad and Kalanwali in this district.

REWARI: The Haryana Transport Minister Rao Narbir Singh unfurled the national flag at a district-level function organised to mark Independence Day at Rao Tula Ram Stadium here today. He took the salute from a joint parade of the contingents of the Haryana Police, Homeguards, N.C.C., Scouts, Girl Guides. A colourful cultural programme highlighting certain aspects of the Kargil war was presented by schoolchildren.

KAITHAL: The Industries Minister, Mr Brij Mohan Singla, hoisted the national flag in the R.K.S.D. College ground here. 22 persons were honoured by the minister for their outstanding contribution in various fields. A colourful cultural programme was presented by the students of different educational institutions on the occasion.

Women's literacy ‘key factor’
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA Aug 15 — Educating the women in our state is the crying need of the hour. Only 40 per cent of the women are literate and there is need to take up the project of spreading literacy in the state on a war-footing. In spite of having made tremendous progress in the field of agriculture and industry, we are way behind on the educational front. On the threshold of the 21st century, we must make concerted efforts in raising the literacy level of the state, especially of the women, Mr Mahabir Prasad, Governor of Haryana, said in his address on the 53rd Independence Day at Police Parade Ground in Sector 5 here today.

Unfurling the Tricolour, the Governor paid tributes to martyrs of the national freedom movement and those who laid down their lives in Kargil-Dras-Batalik sector. Recalling the heroism of Raj Guru, Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh, Pandit Ram Parsad Bismil, Chander Shekhar Azad among others, he stressed that we should tread the path shown by the great leaders — Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dr BR Ambedkar and Lal Bahadur Shastri — for all round development and progress of the nation.

Speaking on the Kargil operations in a speech liberally peppered with verses of poems, Mr Prasad stated that 75 soldiers from Haryana had laid down their lives while safeguarding the boundaries of the country from Pakistani infiltrators. He spoke of the heroism of Major Sandeep Sagar and Deputy Commandant Joy Lal who lost their lives in the conflict and paid tributes to Major Deepender Bhuchhar, Major Sandeep Sankla and Capt Rohit Kaushal of the district for their sacrifice in fighting insurgency.

Addressing the officials, he raised the question of welfare of families of the soldiers who laid down their lives while protecting the frontiers. Our soldiers never fail to rise to the occasion in the face of an attack from the enemy and sometimes lose their life. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the state and the nation to look after their families and fulfill their every need. However, it has been brought to my notice that we are not dispensing with our duty religiously which is a sad reflection on the state of affairs in our country. We need to take up urgently the matter and must pledge to take care of these families to the best of our ability. Then, besides financial aid and assistance, these families need our support and understanding.

Mr Prasad also honoured Mrs Gita, wife of Deputy Commandant Joy Lal, and Mrs Raksha Devi, mother of Major Sandeep Sagar. Two freedom fighters of the district, Mr Parmanand and Mr Harbans Lal, were also honoured.

He warned against the ill-effects of population explosion which was eating into progress made by the state and the country. "We have miserably failed to highlight the impending disaster of a population explosion that awaits us in the next century. The only solution lies in educating the womenfolk or we will be doomed with the limited resources at our disposal.'"

The Governor also highlighted the need to check the growing pollution levels in cities and countries while explaining the urgency to launch programmes for the protection of the environment.

He concluded on the note that the great leaders who fought for the Independence of the country were desirous of an India which was a picture of unity, democracy, fraternity and secularism, and Haryana must take the initiative and launch a movement in the country for building an India of their dreams.

Later, students of local schools presented a cultural programme. Besides, a number of patriotic songs, the high point of the cultural programme was the play staged by St Xavier's and an action song by Jayendra Public School. They brought Kargil to the parade ground as the audience watched. The intruders, the forces, the casualties and widows of the martyrs gave a moving performance. These culminated with the national flag being flown atop the different mountain peaks. A Haryanavi dance and ‘bhangra’ brought life and colour to celebrations.

The display of skills by the commandos of the Haryana police needs special mention. The commandos jumped through fire rings, broke ice slabs and marble slabs with one chop and demonstrated grit as mobikes roared over them as they lay flat on the ground. They also displayed exercises to keep themselves in shape and in form.

Apology for a railway station
From Rakesh Bhardwaj

PANIPAT: The local railway station is crying for attention. It's platforms are not cemented. Work allotted to a contractor 12 months ago to cement these platforms is going at a snail's pace. Even earth work is yet to be completed. Fast-moving trains through up dust putting the waiting passengers to inconvenience and covering eatables with dirt.

A shower of rain makes the platforms muddy and slippery. Brick work on platforms is yet to be done.

Two old, slow-speed self-printing machines are being used for sale of tickets to passengers as a result of which there are invariably long queues. For advance reservation, two terminals exist but they are out of order. Local industrialists, traders and business people want the introduction of the railway reservation credit card scheme which will eliminate corruption and long queues and curtail delay. Under this scheme, a card holder can seek reservation on the phone and the ticket is made available at the start of the journey.

Reduction in the number of general coaches has put passengers from rural areas and labourers to much trouble. They cannot board reserved coaches for fear of getting penalised. There are only six small sheds of about 100 feet each. All these sheds are mostly used by 30 vends to store their trolleys, three STD/PCO booths and six stalls for selling sundry items, leaving little space for passengers.

Water supply is inadequate. Only one water cooler donated by a retired Colonel is functional on platform No 2. The Colonel plans to donate two more such coolers the next summer. Water taps at the station are either defective or are used for purposes other than what they are meant for.

Only two toilets are there, one for women and the other for men. But these are dirty, mainly choked and stinking. People, therefore, utilise the space on both sides as open urinals.

Three STD/PCO booths allotted to needy and handicapped persons are a source of corruption and loot. The original allottees except one have engaged employees who fleece the users. Yellow-coloured coin box PCOs installed at these platforms by the Telecom Department are either out of order or made inoperational allegedly by these PCO employees.

The monopoly of two contractors holding the whole catering of base kitchen and trolleys and stalls at the station leaves passengers at their mercy.

As the station superintendent has no powers to sack any vendor even after noticing discrepancies, passengers suffer as the contractors charge high rates for eatables. Only three or four challans were issued by the catering staff at Panipat last year, leaving the passengers at the mercy of the contractors and their vendors.

The Railway Protection Force and the General Railway Police (RPF/GRP) appear to be attaching little importance to their duties as unscrupulous and anti-social elements are found active at the railway station. Unauthorised sale of tickets, satta and matka has been going on under the very nose of law-enforcement agencies and poor Bihari and UP labourers are victims of such illegal activities.

Being an industrial town, goods booking from Panipat is increasing fast. Traders are forced to give "consideration" when they approach goods clerks and other lower staff for immediate uplifting of their consignment on the same-day train. The daily sale figure of tickets is about Rs 4,50,000, which includes general tickets, reservation tickets and small parcel bookings.

However, the situation has started improving after the taking over of the present station superintendent who attends to complaints expeditiously. Goods booking has now increased and the revenue earned by the Northern Railway has picked up.

Imposter dupes police
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Aug 15 — A man posing as an I.P.S. officer enjoyed the hospitality of the Yamunanagar police for around a week until his arrest here yesterday in a dramatic fashion.

25 years old Danesh Kumar had introduced himself as an I.P.S. officer and A.S.P. trainee from Nagaland cadre a week ago. he was put up in the Canal Rest House, Yamunanagar and a special vehicle provided to him by the district police.

But his frequent visits to police stations and hotels raised doubts in the minds of the local police and Superintendent of Police assigned Mr Paramjit Ahlawat D.S.P. (HQ) to verify his antecedents.

Today because of the Independence Day function the D.S.P. went to the rest house where the Speaker, Haryana, Mr Ashok Kumar Arora the chief guest was staying and asked Danesh Kumar to vacate the rest house. Meanwhile, Mr Ahlawat asked him to produce his identity card. When he said that he had forgotten to bring his identity card his luggage was searched and he was taken to Yamunanagar police station.

On interrogation he disclosed that he earlier posed as an ASP at various places including in Punjab and had planned to visit Karnal next.

He was arrested under Section 420 and 370 IPC. The accused had duped the police at Panchkula too.

Punjabis allege exploitation, to field own men
From Our Correspondent

FARIDABAD, Aug 15 — A "maha panchayat" of Punjabi community was held at Lakhani Dharamsala here yesterday. A large number of leading representatives of the community from Palwal, Rewari, Gurgaon, Sonepat, Panipat and other parts of Haryana participated. The panchayat was presided over by Mr Gulshan Bagga, a well -known Punjabi leader of Faridabad.

Speaking on the occasion, various speakers criticised the Congress, the BJP, the Indian National Lok Dal and other political parties for exploiting the Punjabi community.

The representatives of the community in a unanimous resolution decided to field their own candidates in Haryana where Punjabis form 33 per cent of total population.

As a first step, the panchayat decided to field Mr Shyam Sunder Kapoor an Industrialist from the Faridabad parliamentary constituency.

The panchayat will hold its meeting next week to decide the names of candidates from other districts.

Hav Din Dayal cremated
From Our Correspondent

REWARI, Aug 15 — The mortal remains of Havaldar Din Dayal, of 97 Field Regiment (Artillery), who died in a tunnel explosion engineered by ULFA militants at Rajgarh in Sointpur district of Assam at 6 p.m. on August 11 were consigned to the flames at his native village Masani, 10 km from here, this morning with full military honours.

The pyre was lit by his elder son Ajay Kumar (18).

The funeral was attended by Haryana Transport Minister Rao Narbir Singh, the Dy Commissioner Mrs Rajni Setahri Sibal, the S.P. Mr A.S. Chawla, Cong Legislator Capt Ajay Singh Yadav and prominent local leaders and hundreds of villagers.

The deceased who is survived by his wife and two sons — Ajay Kumar (18) and Arvind Kumar (12) and a daughter Sushila Kumari (16) was the sole breadwinner of the family.

S.S. Mattewal Additional A-G of Haryana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 15 — Mr Sukhbir Singh Mattewal has been appointed Additional Advocate-General of Haryana.

An official spokesman said the government had also appointed two Deputy Advocates-General, Mr C.R. Dahyia and Ms Bimla Devi and one assistant Advocate-General, Mr S.K. Mahajan.

Mr Mattewal is a nephew of Punjab's Advocate-General, Mr H.S. Mattewal.