Neglect of Sanskrit ‘curbed India's progress’
KURUKSHETRA: India was far ahead and excelled the world in the field of astronomy and mathematics up to the 12th century. There are reports that during the Mahabharata war, ladder like glass structures as were used after Hiroshima bombing were noticed and were used during that war in the Kurukshetra area.

Sarpanch denies murder charge
HISAR, March 23 — The Matrasham multiple murder case appears to be becoming complex with each passing day. The main suspect in the case, Ishwar Singh Nain, a sarpanch, has been denying his involvement.

An ungrateful nation doesn't grow: Kultar Singh
YAMUNANAGAR, March 23 — Mr Kultar Singh, younger brother of martyr Bhagat Singh, has said that a nation which does not remember the sacrifices and acts of bravery of the martyrs and freedom fighters does not grow and develop.

Appointment of board official challenged
CHANDIGARH, March 23 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice V.K. Bali and Mr Justice A.S. Garg has issued notice to the Haryana Government for April 24 on a petition filed by three senior officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board for restraining the government from issuing a notification appointing Mr S.C. Mann as Member-Secretary of the board.

Haryana to conduct survey of mentally ill
CHANDIGARH, March 23 — A survey of the mentally retarded persons in Hisar district will start from March 26.

PM will resolve SYL issue: Sushma
AMBALA, March 23 — Mrs Sushma Swaraj, BJP MP, said here today the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, would soon resolve the SYL canal water dispute between Haryana and Punjab

Recovery of funds recommended

Reservation for SCs, BCs

INLD threat to block traffic

Folk singers keep up Haryanvi tradition

Open durbar for teachers

3 held for stealing transformers

Governor lays 'parikrama' stone

Deputy Registrar's suspension sought

Plan to expand NCR area
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, March 23 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, today urged the Centre to release liberal grant for development of National Capital sub-region as accelerated development of this area was crucial for survival of Delhi.

Participating at the 24th National Capital Region Planning Board here today, Mr Bansi Lal expressed concern over the development process of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi which, he said, was moving in direction opposite to stated objectives of the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Chief Minister said large scale developing of industrial zones in rural areas, urban extension for 90 lakh to 100 lakh persons, urbanisation of Yamuna river bed, and urbanising of rural areas were being proposed instead of shifting these to the NCR towns, a state Government release said here.

He said nearly 44 per cent of the total area of Haryana fell in this sub-region including towns like Panipat, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari and Dharuhera.

"Their proximity to Delhi demanded heavy investment in maintenance of law and order upgradation of social infrastructure and improvement/maintenance of existing facilities. Haryana is not only surrounded by Delhi from three sides, but four of the five national highways and railway main lines emanating from Delhi pass through Haryana," he said.

Mr Bansi Lal underlined the need to draw a time-bound programme to shift the Government offices and wholesale trade to NCR towns. Efforts should be made to develop core infrastructure there as proposed in the NCR plan, he said. Earlier, inaugurating the conference the Urban Affairs and Employment Minister, Mr Ram Jethmalani, expressed concern over failure of member states of the NCT to keep up with the intended pace of development of the region.

While terming it as a joint failure of the Centre along with the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, he suggested equitable development of areas outside Delhi.

In this connection he appreciated and complimented the Haryana Chief Minister and his letter calling for keeping pace of development on par with Delhi, according to an official release.

The meeting also resolved to expand the existing area of NCR adding 24,711 sq km to existing 30,242 sq km to ensure decongestion of the NCT, Delhi and equitable dispersal of its population, industries, trade and commercial activities in the region.

The NCR Board also reviewed the performance of regional plan for 2001 and decided to go ahead with preparation of regional plan for 2021 for the NCR. Haryana and Delhi were requested to forward their regional sub-plan for the NCR.

Apart from Mr Jethmalani and Mr Bansi Lal, those who attended the meeting included the Lt-Governor of Delhi, Mr Vijai Kapoor, the Urban Development Ministers of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Villagers troubled over HVPN move
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, March 23 — The decision of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) against replacing damaged transformers of "defaulter" villages is causing sleepless nights to the agricultural and domestic consumers.

Though the HVPN has not disconnected power supply to these villages, it has decided not to replace the transformers which get damaged.

At least 49,272 agricultural and domestic consumers spread over 165 villages in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts owe more than Rs 2765.74 lakh to the HVPN. Of these, 78 villages are in Rohtak district.

The HVPN says unless the defaulting consumers of the affected villages clear the arrears, the damaged transformers will not be replaced.

The decision of the HVPN has disturbed the agricultural consumers in view of the harvesting season, which is likely to start in a fortnight. The most perturbed are the students of these villages who are preparing for annual examinations with the help of kerosene lamps and candles.

Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, a former minister, today alleged the HVPN and the government were discriminating against consumers of the Kiloi Assembly constituency. He said a damaged transformer of Makrauli Kalan village had not been replaced for the past one and a half months though more than 50 per cent of the consumers had paid electricity bills.

He further alleged the HVPN was playing with the future of the student community. The HVPN decision had also caused shortage of drinking water in the village. He warned that in case the damaged transformer was not replaced immediately, the affected villagers would gherao senior HVPN officials.

However, HVPN officials told TNS the consumers of Makrauli-Kalan owed more than Rs 12 lakh and only 39 per cent of these had paid the bills. They offered to replace the transformer if 50 per cent of the defaulting amount was paid by the erring consumers.

Ex-CMs for pressing Centre
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, March 23 — Two former Chief Ministers of Haryana along with several senior political leaders, including certain former ministers, have welcomed the move of pressing the Union Government regarding permanent settlement of the Sutlej Yamuna link canal waters dispute.

Mr Sampooran Singh, president of the Haryana Yuva Shanti Sena, had initiated the move to bring different political leaders, including six former Chief Ministers of Haryana, on a common platform to get the due share of water for Haryana.

Talking to The Tribune today, Mr Banarasi Das Gupta, a former state Chief Minister and a veteran freedom fighter, described the move as a constructive approach. He announced he would attend the meeting called by any political party on the SYL canal issue which is considered a lifeline for the people of this region.

He condemned the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader, Mr Sirmanjit Singh Mann, for filling up the SYL canal and termed it as an anti-national act. He alleged the Vajpayee government had given "wrong signals" by taking no action against Mr Mann as it was no secret that the canal had been constructed at the expenses of the Union Government.

Mr Gupta said following the directive of the then Prime Minister, Ms Indira Gandhi, he in his capacity as the then Chief Minister and Mr Giani Zail Singh, the then Punjab Chief Minister, had reached an agreement in 1976 according to which 35 lakh acre feet water was decided to be given to Haryana. He said later in other agreements reached in 1981 and 1986 also the leaders of Punjab, including that of the Akali Dal, had agreed to provide Ravi-Beas waters to Haryana. He said dishonouring all these accords by the leaders of Punjab was disgraceful and unfortunate. He urged all leaders of Haryana to express solidarity in pressing the Vajpayee government for this common cause.

Another former Haryana Chief Minister, Master Hukam Singh, said he had always been preferring the interests of farmers rather than political interest. Therefore, he would not hesitate to attend the meeting called by any political party over the issue. He said an all-party meeting over this sensitive issue should have been convened earlier so that the leaders and the people of the region with their concerted efforts could retaliate against the anti-Haryana policies of the Punjab Government and Mr Mann.

The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, opined the leaders should not try to derive political mileage from the waters dispute. Rather, they should put aside party politics to fight in a united manner.

He said an all-party meeting had been convened by him last year to decide a common strategy over the issue but the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, and the Indian National Lok Dal chief, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had expressed their inability to attend the meeting. However, he said he was ready to attend any such meeting called by any political party.

Neglect of Sanskrit ‘curbed India's progress’
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA: India was far ahead and excelled the world in the field of astronomy and mathematics up to the 12th century. There are reports that during the Mahabharata war, ladder like glass structures as were used after Hiroshima bombing were noticed and were used during that war in the Kurukshetra area.

These revelations were made by Sanskrit scholars who had gathered here recently at the inaugural function of the Sanskrit Year in the country.

Dr K.P.A. Menon, Chancellor of Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, a former Defence Secretary, told The Tribune that India was far ahead of other countries in astronomy, astrology, mathematics and even physics. He maintained that the scientists of those days were adapt in these fields even before the Greek civilisation. All this knowledge was contained in the Vedas.

Dr Menon pointed out that during the time of sage Bhardwaja, references were available about the "viman" technology. The rishi had described how mercury could be used as aviation fuel. Bhardwaja had described aviation technology using mercury as a fuel base. Today there was a proposal before Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL) to take up the project of making mercury-based fuel as the basis of aviation technology.

Dr Menon maintained that in the first paper prepared by central government on nuclear weapons in 1972, there were references about the use of nuclear weapons during the Mahabharata war and even storage of underground water and shelter had been made in that paper.

Dr Menon claimed that during 1996 an Indian nuclear physicist had presented a paper saying that "there was evidence of a nuclear explosion and use of nuclear weapons in the Kurukshetra area during the Mahabharata war." This indicated that the ancient Indian Sanskrit texts contained a lot of knowledge about nuclear weapons and their use. He maintained that the said physicist whom he did not name, had carried out research in the Kurukshetra area for 10 years on this subject.

Dr Menon stated that deterioration in scientific knowhow started with the neglect of the Sanskrit language, study of Sanskrit texts and the Vedas. After the 8th century, much damage was done as India had closed its door to foreign civilisations and there was no interaction. Besides, Sanskrit was not given any respect during the Mughal period. After the 12th century, the control on the study of Sanskrit destroyed the country's age-old culture.

Talking about the knowledge of plants and ancient system of medicines, Dr Menon maintained that the great Ayurveda acharyas like Brahotri, Charaka, Sushruta and Banbhatta had clearly laid down the principles of manufacture of various types of Ayurveda medicines after analysing plant life, water availability and the earth crust.

Dr M.L. Ranga, Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, stated that the term "anu" i.e. atom was first used by rishis in Sanskrit texts. He wanted that in order to restore the pristine glory in science, literature, mathematics, astrology and astronomy, the study of Sanskrit should be made compulsory up to the matriculation level. This would also come handy as an alternative to moral education which the government proposed to introduce as a subject.

The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the study of Sanskrit should be made free and scholarships introduced for brilliant students. Besides, the Sanskrit Department in the universities should start free classes to teach temple priests about methodology, shloka-recitation and "padhdhati" of the worship system. Sanskrit could be the only unifying language of the country. He stated that foreigners who visited India were keen to know about Sanskrit first and then later about India.

Dr Satyavrat Shastri, the first teacher appointed when Kurukshetra University was started on January 11, 1956, stated that if the country wanted to acquaint itself with the treasure of knowledge and awareness of heritage, then a study of Sanskrit must be encouraged. The country would be failing in its duty if it did not pass on to posterity the rich knowledge hidden in Sanskrit texts. He, therefore, wanted that Sanskrit scholars to start free classes, and highlight through newspapers, magazines and on television about the "treasure" in Sanskrit books.

He claimed that Sanskrit in the olden days was the common people's language but with the passage of time it was converted into the language of the Brahmins. Sanskrit lost its pre-eminence when it became a literary language instead of a language of the people. Sanskrit had the richest vocabulary among languages of the world.

Dr Maan Singh, formerly Head of the Sanskrit Department of the Kurukshetra University, stated that politics was responsible for the present neglect of Sanskrit. It was a conspiracy to term Sanskrit as "the language of higher classes only" (Brahmins). It was meant for all people. Even in the Rigveda there was reference that "we should make the world civilised". This was the spirit of the Sanskrit language and the Vedas.

He said the ban on the study of Vedas for women was also the result of a deep-rooted conspiracy to downgrade the stature of the language. The study of Vedas should not be attached to any caste, colour, creed or sex.

What was wrong today was that the country, failed to inform science students about the country's achievements and contributions in science in the past. He wanted that each science student should learn Sanskrit. India without Sanskrit had no identity, he stated. The language taught us the way of life. That was why its study should be patronised, he added.

Sarpanch denies murder charge
Tribune News Service

HISAR, March 23 — The Matrasham multiple murder case appears to be becoming complex with each passing day. The main suspect in the case, Ishwar Singh Nain, a sarpanch, has been denying his involvement.

Ishwar Singh is in police remand. He told TNS that the story was fabricated by his enemies and said "how can a father kill his sons, a son his father and a husband his wife."

The police has constituted a special investigation team headed by a DSP to investigate the case. The team is working under the direct supervision of the SP, Mr O.P. Singh. It submits two reports to the SP every day.

The police has recovered a rifle, belonging to Ishwar Singh’s younger brother Shamsher Singh, whose vehicle was also allegedly used during execution of the crime. However, Shamsher told TNS that he used to keep his rifle with his father, Prahlad Singh, who stayed with Ishwar Singh. Prahlad Singh was also killed in the incident.

Immediately after the incident took place, Ishwar Singh’s younger brother Chander Singh, who survived several bullet injuries, in the incident accused an ex-sarpanch of a nearby village. He claimed, the mask of the ex-sarpanch had fallen down and he had identified him. But later he changed his statement and blamed his brother Ishwar Singh for the incident.

According to investigating officers, some other facts also go against Ishwar Singh — he fled from the spot, while his entire family was wiped out, he did not contact the police himself, he did not go to see his injured brother. Instead he went first to Rajasthan and then to Delhi.

The DIG (Hisar range), Mr Parminder Rai, told TNS that two separate teams had been dispatched to trace Sushma, the daughter of Krishna (Ishwar Singh’s mistress) to Rohtak and Lahali. Their absence has created a suspicion and substantiated the theory that they were also involved in the plot. According to Chander Singh, Sushma’s husband was also accompanying Ishwar Singh at the time of the incident.

The police is likely to seek extended remand for Ishwar Singh. The investigating officials are waiting for the blood sample and finger print reports from forensic experts.

An ungrateful nation doesn't grow: Kultar Singh
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, March 23 — Mr Kultar Singh, younger brother of martyr Bhagat Singh, has said that a nation which does not remember the sacrifices and acts of bravery of the martyrs and freedom fighters does not grow and develop. He felt concerned that even after the 50 years of independence, no concrete efforts had been made to inculcate a spirit of nationalism among the youths of the country.

He was expressing these views while presiding over a "state-level shaheedee divas function" in Mukand Lal National College here today. Without naming anybody he recalled how Bhagat Singh had warned against the class and caste conflicts and that it was a matter of shame that even after a lapse of half a century, senseless killings in the name of religion and caste were still continuing. Eighty-year old Kultar Singh had also been imprisoned under the British rule.

More than 200 freedom fighters from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pardesh and Delhi participated in the function.

Mr Kultar Singh cautioned that unless timely steps were initiated to inculcate a spirit of oneness and patriotism among the youth, conditions would go out of control. He made a strong plea for social and economic emancipation of the country.

Mr K.L. Johar, former Vice-Chanecellor, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar and vice chairman of the Seth Jai Parkash Mukand Lal Institutions of knowledge and service and a reputed scholar on the freedom fighters, stated that much more needed to be written on the history of the freedom movement to inspire the young generations to face the social and political onslaughts. He reminded that Gandhian and revolutionary forces supplemented each other to achieve the goal of independence.

Mr Kultar Singh was honoured with a shawl and memento.

Dr Ramesh Kumar, principal of the college, welcomed the freedom fighters and announced that such functions would be organised by the chain of 30 Mukand Lal Institution in the country.

Others who spoke on the occasion included freedom fighters Liet Karam Singh, Mr Roshan Lal Yas, Lala Sadhu Ram and Swami Brahmanand Kalesar, Sant Karam Singh of Dera Santpura, also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the two ministers of Haryana, Mr Krishan Pal Gujjar, Transport Minister and Mr Vaid Chand' Kapoor, Industrial Training Institution Minister, were present at the function of Guru Nanak Khalsa College here organised by Samaj Hitkari Sangathan.

They requested the young generation to follow the footsteps of their freedom struggle heroes.

Mr Aman Kumar Nagara, Member Parliament from Ambala and President Bahujan Samaj Party, while speaking at Surindera Senior Secondary School, said that the real salutation to those martyrs would be that we should free the society from caste and class war.

Haryana to conduct survey of mentally ill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 23 — A survey of the mentally retarded persons in Hisar district will start from March 26.

An official spokesman said the survey for counting and gathering percentage information would be conducted in different parts of the district. The survey in Hisar-I, Hisar-II and Hisar city would be conducted from March 26 to 29 at Red Cross Hall, Hisar. Similarly the survey in Hansi-I, Hansi-II block and Hansi city would be conducted on March 30 in General Hospital, Hansi. The survey in block Narnaund and Narnaund city would be conducted on March 31 at the community health centre, Narnaund, and the survey in Barwala/ Uklana block and Barwala/Uklana city would be held on April 1 at the Community Health Centre, Barwala.

The surveys of Adampur Block, Agroha block and Adampur city would be done on April 3 at the General Hospital, Adampur.

The spokesman urged the panches and sarpanches of the district and councillors of the city municipal council that they should bring the mentally retarded people of their wards, colonies and villages for registration at the given time and place. A team of psychiatrists would be available at these places to investigate and complete the necessary formalities.

He added that from April 10 to 26 the Social Welfare department would conduct a survey for old age pension. Under this, names of new entrants would be registered. A survey of those living below the poverty line would also be conducted along with a survey of the voters' list on April 24 and 25.

Appointment of board official challenged
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 23 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice V.K. Bali and Mr Justice A.S. Garg has issued notice to the Haryana Government for April 24 on a petition filed by three senior officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board for restraining the government from issuing a notification appointing Mr S.C. Mann as Member-Secretary of the board.

Alleging arbitrary and illegal selection of Mr Mann, the three officers claiming to be senior and more qualified to become Member-Secretary of the board have also alleged that Mr Mann’s appointment would be in total violation of the Water (Prevention and Control) Pollution Act, 1974, and the Water (Prevention and Control) Pollution Rules, 1975. According to the petitioners Mr Mann is ineligible to be even given the promotion as Scientist Grade B.

Interestingly, the petitioners have heavily drawn on the earlier writ petition filed by Mr R.A. Goel, who was summarily removed as the Chairman of the Pollution Control Board by supersession of the board itself on June 30, 1998.

Mr Goel had inter alia alleged that the Haryana Government had not finalised the service rules of the board employees in spite of the High Court orders on September 4, 1995, in another writ petition. He subsequently alleged that the Environment Minister favoured Mr Mann in spite of the clear communication of the chairman that the irregular and illegal arrangement of giving Mr Mann the current duty charge should be discontinued.

It was also averred that the Environment Minister stalled a proposed vigilance inquiry against Mr Mann and later on when a departmental inquiry was initiated against him he got the inquiry officer changed on a mere letter written by Mr Mann’s wife.

The petitioners have also averred that Mr Mann was facing an inquiry owing to several serious allegations of corruption accompanied by affidavits from different companies and individuals as well as charges of gross misuse of telephone and official vehicle. In addition, a company , Atul Glass, has already filed a writ petition in the High Court for cancellation of the order on cess payment by the Pollution Control Board citing Mr Mann’s ineligibility to assess cess as Member-Secretary.

Ministers’ defection: plea admitted

The High Court today admitted a writ petition filed by Mr Varinder Pal, a Samata Party legislator from Beri in Rohtak district, praying for disqualifying Mr Charan Dass Shorewala and Mr Raj Kumar Maria, Haryana Cabinet Minister and Minister of State, respectively, for defecting from their party.

Mr Justice H.S. Brar and Mr Justice V.M. Jain directed that the petition to be heard on May 17 by a Division Bench.

Impleading the state of Haryana, Mr Chhattar Singh Chauhan, Speaker, Mr Shorewala, Mr Maria, apart from Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, as respondents, the petitioner stated that both Mr Maria and Mr Shorewala were elected members of the Vidhan Sabha on the Samata Party symbol from Tohana and Kaithal Assembly constituencies.

After the constitution of the Vidhan Sabha, both Mr Maria and Mr Shorewala had made a declaration to the Speaker informing him that they were members of the Samata Legislature Party. They attended the first Assembly session after taking oath as members of the Samata Party in May, 1996. However, both of them indulged in anti-party activities and were expelled from the party.

PM will resolve SYL issue: Sushma
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, March 23 — Mrs Sushma Swaraj, BJP MP, said here today the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, would soon resolve the SYL canal water dispute between Haryana and Punjab.

Talking to newspersons at Janetpur village, she said after the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, issued statements on the SYL issue the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, talked to the Prime Minister who assured him that the matter would be resolved soon. She said the central government was fully capable of solving the problem on the pattern of the Cauvery river waters dispute.

Mrs Swaraj said while states looked after their own interests the Centre had to take care of the entire country.

The former Union Communication Minister said the differences between the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India would be removed shortly.

Mrs Swaraj said the opposition parties were feeling jittery because of the achievements of the BJP government and were, therefore, trying to create hurdles in the functioning of the government and Parliament. She said the Congress was to be blamed for not allowing tabling of the Bills on Bihar and the Central Vigilance Commission.

BSP’s charge against Chautala
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, March 23 — The general secretary of the Haryana unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mr Pardeep Choudhary has said that Mr Om Parkash Chautala leader of the INLD, was the biggest hurdle in the completion of the SYL Canal.

Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, the BSP general secretary said the Chautala clan had personal as well as business ties with the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He alleged that Mr Chautala had given prime land, worth Rs 100 crore, to Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal a union minister and son of Mr Badal, at Gurgaon during his tenure as Chief Minister.

He said Mr Chautala wanted to keep the SYL issue alive for political reasons. He further alleged that the recent statements of Mr Badal regarding water to Haryana were aimed at giving political mileage to Mr Chautala.

Mr Choudhary said the BSP had written to all parties on the issue and was waiting for their replies. He said the party also intended to convene an all-party meeting to find out the reasons for the non-completion of the canal.

7 killed in jeep-bus collision
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, March 23 — Seven persons, including two children, were killed and at least eight others injured when a private jeep carrying them collided with a private bus near Garhi, village about 35 km from here, on the Hisar-Delhi highway this afternoon.

The ill-fated jeep was returning from a religious place near Gurgaon. The accident took place when it reached near Garhi. The jeep after the head-on-collision with a bus rolled into the road side killing seven persons on the spot.

The victims have been identified as Santosh and Sagar of village Sorkhi, Pawan and Ramanand, two infant of village Khushal, Kamla of Sorkhi, Harpal, conductor of Chainat village and Hardoi of Dhani Khushal village.

The condition of Prem, the driver of the jeep, is stated to be critical. He has been shifted to Rohtak Medical College. All the others injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital, Hansi.

Recovery of funds recommended
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 23 — The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has recommended departmental action and recovery of funds from five gazetted officers who have been found guilty in three cases of revenue leakage involving over Rs 95,000.

An official spokesman said today that the bureau had recommended registration of criminal cases against 13 gazetted officers, 16 officials and 13 others. It had also recommended departmental action and recovery of money from four gazetted officers two officials and six others.

He said the roadways wing of the bureau had checked 217 buses of Haryana Roadways and 75 passengers were found travelling without tickets. A sum of Rs 7590 was realised from them as penalty of 10 times the fare.

Open durbar for teachers
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, March 23 — Next open durbar will be held in the office of the Director, Secondary Education Haryana in Chandigarh on March 26, for speedy redressal of complaints of school teachers.

Mr Surender Sindhu, president and Mr Kuldeep Fogat, press secretary of the Haryana School Lecturers Association (HSLA) disclosed this in a joint statement here. They further said that a deputation of HSLA had demanded from the Director to hold open durbar at directorate level for the redressal of complaints which had been accepted.

The Director had also issued seniority list of the school lecturers up to 1998 which was a prime demand of the union, they said. The union has protested against not removing the disparity which still remained in the wages of school lecturers in the Fifth Pay Commission, Mr Sindhu said representation had been made before the members of the wages disparity committee in this connection.

Haryana reservation for SCs, BCs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 23 — The Haryana Government has decided to provide 20 per cent reservation for the Scheduled Castes, (50 per cent each to 'A' and 'B' category), 27 per cent to the Backward Classes, (16 per cent for block 'A' and 11 per cent for block 'B'), 1 per cent each for orthopaedically handicapped, dependants of freedom fighters and ex-servicemen and their wards for the purpose of admission in the educational, professional, medical, dental, ayurvedic, engineering, ITIs, technical education institutions and colleges,

3 held for stealing transformers
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, March 23 — The police has arrested three persons on a charge of theft of transformers and cables of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam. However, two other accomplices of the accused are yet to be nabbed.

The arrested persons, who are stated to be private electricians, have been identified as Tusan Lal, Chhajjan and Ram Babu.

They used to steal transformers and sent these for sale to the junk dealers. Their area of operation was Palwal and Hodal subdivisions'.

A police spokesman said 12 transformers and several metres of cable worth lakhs of rupees had been recovered from their possession.

INLD threat to block traffic
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, March 23 — The district unit of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has threatened to block traffic on national highway no 10 at Sampla town, nearly 25 km from here, if its demand for the cleaning of the town is not accepted immediately.

In a statement here yesterday, the district president of the party said heaps of rubbish and mud water had accumulated at various places on the national highway at Sampla.

He said the pond in the town was stinking leading to the outbreak of various diseases.

He alleged that doctors were usually not available at the local hospital and patients had to go to private practitioners who fleeced them.

Folk singers keep up Haryanvi tradition
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, March 23 — In an effort to promote Haryanvi folk arts, a saras sangeet programme was organised at Rajput Dharamshala here yesterday on the occasion of varsh pratipada 2056 (Vikrami year) by Sanskritik Manch, a social organisation.

The programme was inaugurated jointly by Mr Pawan Duwaniwala, Dr Ravi Kant and Mr Arun Agarwal.

Noted folk singers Jagdish Chandra Chauhan, Om Prakash Chauhan, Sri Pal Tanwar, and Satbir Singh Posla presented different items.

Gulab Chand, who has put in lot of effort to revive the folk arts of the state, presented several raginis in the programme. Another famous artist Jhamman Malik presented jhoolana and barahmasia on the occasion.

Governor lays 'parikrama' stone
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, March 23 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, laid the foundation stone of "parikrama" on the west bank of the holy Brahma sarovar here last evening. It will be completed in two years time at a cost of Rs 3.48 crore.

Mr Prasad said the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) would spend Rs 1 crore on the development of various pilgrimage centres within its jurisdiction during the next financial year. He said the State government made a grant of Rs 50 lakh to the KDB for various development works. He wished that Rs 1 crore might be granted by the Ministry of Tourism for this purpose.

Later the Governor visited Sannihit tank and ordered completion of various development work in progress, within a month. He performed pooja at the ancient Shaktipeeth Bhadrakali Mandir.

He also visited Aditi van at Amin village 10 km from here, where the mahant of the temple presented a 2000-year old brick weighing 5kg with fingerprints engraved on it.

Deputy Registrar's suspension sought
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, March 23 — Members of the Regional Engineering College Karamchari Sangh, Kurukshetra, today staged a dharna in front of the main entrance gate of the college. They were protesting against the alleged threat to the watchmen on duty, by the Deputy Registrar (Administration), Mr L.C Makvana, on March 19.

The sangh in a statement to the Press has alleged that Mr Makvana, with the help of some outsiders, abused and threatened the watchmen on duty near the college building. At an emergency meeting held here last evening, the sangh unanimously passed a resolution demanding the suspension of Mr Makvana and added that the dharna would continue till he was suspended.