• Haryana pensioners seek clarification
• Man cheats parents of dead youth
• Cop’s dismissal order struck down
• SP, SHO appear in court

Rs 2,300-cr plan to combat floods
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, March 14 — Entrepreneurs setting up industrial units in the state will have to provide 75 per cent employment in their units to the people of Haryana. This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, while addressing a public meeting at Songal village, 15 km from here, today.

He said the government had also formulated a comprehensive plan of Rs 2,300 crore to combat the menace of recurring floods and tackling the problem of waterlogging in the state. He said the efforts to desilt and clean canals had resulted in 6 lakh acres of additional irrigation, adding that with the completion of the Hathni Kund barrage by June, Haryana would get 20,000 cusecs water as against 1100 cusec at present.

Mr Bansi Lal said the renovation of four units of 110 MW each of the Panipat Thermal Power Plant was in hand and the contract of these units had been given to a German firm. The total generation capacity from these units would be from 250 MW to 270 MW.

He said the 432-MW gas-based power plant was under construction at Faridabad.

The Chief Minister said the position of Haryana was different from Punjab as Punjab had sufficient water for irrigation and it was spending only Rs 200 crore on providing free electricity to farmers. However, Haryana was providing a subsidy of several crores on power to the farmers.

The Chief Minister announced that work on the Songal drain at a cost of Rs 30.28 crore would be started after receiving clearance from the Central Water Commission. The Chief Minister was presented with a purse of Rs 51,000 by the people of the area. However, he returned the money to the panchayat for development of the village.

Nationalise water resources: INLD
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 14 — The Indian National Lok Dal president and the Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, said here today that in the national interest it was imperative that water resources of the country be nationalised.

Talking to mediapersons, he said this would not only solve various inter-state disputes over river waters, but also result in better harnessing of the precious water resources. He said the states did not have adequate funds to harness these resources. The Centre could build dams to store water which could be later released as per the requirement of various states.

Describing Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's statement that it was futile to construct the SYL canal because there was no surplus water for Haryana as "an unnecessary attempt to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere", Mr Chautala said those occupying responsible positions should not make such irresponsible statements.

Coming down heavily on Mr Badal, Mr Chautala said it was the Badal government which had accepted about Rs 2 crore from the Devi Lal government in Haryana for acquiring land for the SYL canal in Punjab territory in the seventies. Now Mr Badal could not challenge the construction of the SYL canal on which a huge amount had already been spent.

The Lok Dal leader, whose family has close ties with the first family of Punjab, said Haryana had always treated Punjab like its "elder brother". But Punjab should not forget that by asking for its share in the river waters, Haryana was not begging. It was only demanding its share determined by various commissions from time to time. He said Haryanvis knew "how to get their share" and there should be no misunderstanding on this score in any quarter.

Ridiculing the statement of the president of the Haryana Congress, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, asking Mr Chautala and his father to put pressure on Mr Badal for giving Haryana its share in the river waters, the Lok Dal leader said all these problems were the creation of the Congress and its leaders who did not respect the award announced by their "beloved" leader, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

He said the Chandra Shekhar Government, in which his party was a partner had decided to hand over the construction of the SYL canal to the Border Road Organisation. But the Congress, which succeeded the Chandra Shekhar government, reversed the decision. Mr Hooda, who was an MP then, did not protest.

Similarly, when Haryana MPs protested against Mr Badal's statement in Parliament, Mr Hooda, he alleged, remained silent.

Appealing to all political parties in Haryana to rise above party politics and wage a joint struggle on the SYL issue, Mr Chautala said the state government should convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha so that another unanimous resolution on the pattern of the one adopted in 1997 could be passed, demanding the implementation of the Shah Commission recommendations in toto and the Eradi Tribunal award.

However, he alleged, Mr Bansi Lal did not care for the interests of Haryana and only wanted to cling to power. He said earlier to remain in power Mr Bansi Lal had given consent to accept about 70,000 acre in lieu of Chandigarh. Even now the HVP leader would not raise his voice against injustice to Haryana because he was dependent on the BJP support.

In turn, the BJP, which touted the solution of the Cauvery waters dispute as one of its big achievements, was silent on the SYL issue because it did not want to lose the support of eight Akali MPs.

Criticising the recent expansion of the Haryana Cabinet, Mr Chautala said instead of giving relief to the victims of floods that ravaged the state last year, Mr Bansi Lal had burdened the state exchequer with more ministers.

Chautala sees bigger role at national level
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, March 14 — The leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Mr Om Parkash Chautala, appears to be keen on playing a crucial role in the national politics. Party sources say, Mr Chautala hopes that his position in the Haryana politics will get stronger, if he gets prominence at the national level.

He appears to have made a sound beginning by organising a rally at Delhi on March 6. The sources said, Mr Chautala wanted to assume a prominent role for himself in the regional politics in the north, and the switch over to the national politics.

By inviting only Mr Deve Gowda to the rally, Mr Chautala has given clear signals, that he wants to create an exclusive place for himself in the national politics as a leader of farmers of north India.

Significantly enough, Mr Chautala has on two occasions ignored his favourite leader Mr Chander Shekhar, otherwise, Mr Chander Shekhar is said to be as good as his political mentor. The party sources pointed out that Mr Chautala deliberately kept Mr Chander Shekhar away from the March 6 rally, as that might have given undue credit to the latter.

Notwithstanding Mr Chautala's latest stand on the Third Front, with which he says, he has not had a good and encouraging experience, he appears convinced that the Third Front has to emerge, because, there are some regional outfits like the INLD, which can neither go to the Congress, nor to the BJP. He has already given positive signals to Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav by opposing President's rule in Bihar.

Compared with Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Chautala is yet to achieve a prominent place at the national level. He might have inherited a mass base in Haryana from his father Mr Devi Lal, but he is yet to get a place in the national politics.

Mr Devi Lal had considerable following in certain parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, besides enjoying a powerful influence at the national level among non-Congress parties.

Mr Chautala's parting of ways with the BJP at a crucial moment on some crucial issues is quite significant. He opposed President's rule in Bihar, thus winning the confidence of Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav. He withdraw support to the Vajpayee Government in protest against hike in the prices of essential commodities supplied through PDS and the urea.

It will not be surprising, if Mr Chautala joins hands with Mr Mulayam Singh and Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav in near future. He has already taken into confidence Mr H.D. Deve Gowda, whose influence and importance in the Third Front is no less.

Experts for open debate on conversions
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, March 14 — Since conversions have caused social tension, particularly in the remote tribal areas, there should be an open debate on the issue to thrash out the problem.

This was stated by various speakers at a seminar on "Conversion — constitutional and social implications", organised by the Kurukshetra Education Research Institute at Kurukshetra University here today.

Initiating the discussion on the subject, Haryana Education Minister, Ram Bilas Sharma, said conversions had been practised since centuries in India but through volition and not by compulsion.

In his keynote address, Chairman of the Chandigarh-based Panchnad Research Institute, Mr Shyam Khosla, claimed Christian missionaries were involved in conversion of the tribals in remote areas, particularly in Nagaland, Mizoram, Gujarat and some parts of Orissa. He made a plea to review the constitutional provision under Article 25 (1) to ban conversion through coercion and fraudulent manners.

The president of the managing committee of the Kurukshetra Educational Research Institute and former Chairman of the Haryana Education Board, Prof J.B. Goyal, said the constitutional and social implications arose only when a religious conversion was done through coercion or allurement.

He said it was not in the interest of the country to give the issue a political angle.

Later, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma released a Hindi book, "Ambva ki Daar pe Kukey Koyliya," written by Prof Goyal.

Haryana Cong to support rally
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, March 14 — Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, former President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, told newspersons here yesterday that the demonstration to be held in front of Parliament by the Kishak Samaj, Haryana, on March 17, would have the support of the Haryana Congress party.

He said the demonstration would highlight the demands of farmers and labourers which had been adversely affected by the Budget of the Central government and alleged that they had been indirectly taxed to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore. He termed the Budget as "anti-farmer" and "anti-labourer."

He demanded the Centre to fix the prices of wheat at Rs 650 per quintal, adding that the rate of interest for loans to the farmers was irrational as the government was getting loans at the rate of 4 per cent from NABARD and the World Bank, but was lending it to the farmers at an interest of 17 to 24 per cent. He said the farmers should be charged only 8 per cent interest on their loans.

He also demanded the introduction of crop insurance schemes and compensation for crops damaged due to natural calamities.

Reports of leaking of papers false
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, March 14 — Mr Mansa Ram Sharma, Secretary Board of School Education Haryana has categorically denied reports of question papers of the ongoing matric and senior secondary annual examinations being leaked published in a section of the media. He was talking to pressmen here today.

Giving details, Mr Sharma said that on March 7 he was at in the board office when an anonymous caller phoned from Jind to say the math paper of the matric examination had been leaked. The caller also sent a copy of the question paper by fax to the board office. The question paper was verified by the Assistant Confidential of the Board and found to be bogus.

It is alleged that some persons prepared bogus question papers of math, social science and science and sold them in the market for hefty sums. Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter he reached Jind on March 11 for investigations where he was shown a 'duplicates' of the papers of science and matric held on that same day. The secretary got these 'duplicates' too verified and found them to be bogus.

Mr Sharma said that on his request the district administration had intensified investigations against those behind the bogus question papers.

Haryana pensioners seek clarification

YAMUNANAGAR, March 14 — The Pensioners Welfare Association has demanded the grant of a medical allowance to the pensioners.

Mr C. Kathpalia, legal adviser of the association, said here today that while the Haryana Government had enhanced the medical allowance for employees from Rs 60 to Rs 100 per month with effect from February 1, 1996, it was silent about pensioners. The association had written to the Secretary, Finance Department, for issuing the necessary clarification but no reply had been received so far.

SP, SHO appear in court
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, March 14 — Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat, SP and Mr Rajesh Duggal, SHO, Civil Line police station, Hisar, yesterday appeared in the court of Mr Virender Malik, Judicial Magistrate, Hisar, in connection with a complaint filed by Dr Sumitra Devi daughter of Chief Minister Bansi Lal.

A police party had gone to the residence of Dr Sumitra Devi to arrest her last year charge of assaulting two officers Mrs Renu Phulia and Mr Lalman, Tehsildar, in the PWD Rest House Dr Sumitra Devi in her complaint had alleged illegal detention, harassment and misappropriation of lakhs of rupees. The court fixed April 24 the next date of hearing Dr Sumitra Devi was also present in the court.

Round-the-clock power in Haryana from June
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, March 14 — The Deputy Chairman of the Haryana Planning Board, Mr Kailash Sharma, said here today that the state would get round-the-clock power supply from June.

Addressing a BJP workers' meeting in city, Mr Sharma said Mr Om Parkash Chautala was misleading people by making false statements. Mr Purshottam Deshmukh, treasurer of the Haryana BJP, alleged that Mrs Sonia Gandhi was responsible for conversion of Hindus to Christianity.

The Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Faquir Chand Aggarwal, said that a Rs 2-crore stadium would be built in city and all remaining main roads would be repaired soon.

Several municipal councillors and BJP leaders were honoured on the occasion.

Cop’s dismissal order struck down
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, March 14 — Mr D.K. Sharma, Civil Judge (Junior Division) Sonepat has declared the orders passed by the Superintendent of Police, Sonepat on December 16, 1992 for the dismissal of a former Head Constable Ram Kishore and subsequent order passed on January 13, 1995 in appeal by the DIG Police Rohtak Range as well as the order passed on February 15, 1996 by the Director General of Police, Haryana, as illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the rules.

In his nine-page judgement, the Judge, however, rejected the prayer of the plaintiff for giving him arrears of pay and allowances at the rate of 18 per cent interest by holding that it had been proved on record that the plaintiff was placed under suspension and keeping in view the principle of "no work no pay" was not entitled to arrears.

DAV committee poll challenged
Tribune News Service

HISAR, March 14 — Mr Hari Singh Saini, President Hisar Arya Samaj and a senior member of the DAV Management Committee, New Delhi and Ramesh Leekha also a member of the committee, have challenged the election of four office-bearers of DAV Management Committee, New Delhi.

In a writ petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, they alleged that the office-bearers were elected by an incomplete electoral college, as out of 25 Arya Samajis, only 14 participated. They submitted in the writ that ten members of the Hisar Arya Samaj were not involved in the elections, which was mandatory as per the regulations of the DAV Trust and Society.

They submitted that the principals of various DAV colleges also participated in the election process, which was contrary to the law as, the principals were employees of DAV colleges.

They added that the election was conducted by show of hands and no democratic election procedure was followed.

The writ has challenged the election of Mr T R Tuli, Mr G P Chopra, Mr M L Khana and Mr P N Kaul, as president, vice-president, general secretary and treasurer, respectively.

INLD denies defections
Tribune News Service

HISAR, March 14 — The Indian National Lok Dal has refuted the claims of the Haryana Vikas Party that 33 of its activists, defected to the HVP. On March 6 the HVP had claimed that 33 INLD activists joined their party.

A press release issued by the party today claimed that Mr Dharampal Siwatch, the district general secretary for Hisar, had already been expelled from the party long much before he joined the HVP. Referring to other party activists, the INLD claimed that only three of its activists had left the party.

It claimed that the party had received denials from the activists whose names figured in the list of defectors. Some of them, the INLD claimed, had also attended its Delhi rally on March 6 when it was being claimed here that they had joined the HVP.

The release said that several other persons, who it was said had joined the HVP had never had any connection with the INLD. It alleged that the HVP was deliberately distorting facts as it had been unnerved by the March 6 rally of the INLD at Delhi and was now feeling desperate.

Man cheats parents of dead youth
From Our Correspondent

FARIDABAD, March 14 — Nineteen-year-old Shyam Sunder reportedly committed suicide after consuming some poisonous substance yesterday.

After a post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to the parents of the deceased by the local hospital authorities.

However, due to the absence of any means of transport, they did not know how to take the body to the house.

Later, a youth approached them, saying he could bring a van to take the body, if Rs 500 was paid to him.

The parents paid him the amount and waited for the vehicle. However, after taking the money, the youth disappeared.