Guarantee jobs to ex-servicemen: VC
ROHTAK, Nov 1 — The Vice- Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University, Lt-Gen O.P. Kaushik (retd), has appealed to the central government to grant the stature of a minority community to ex-servicemen and provide reservation for them.

Elders not getting respect: DC
KURUKSHETRA, Nov 1 — Elders' blessings are must to succeed in life and one can get their blessings only if one extends respect to them.

Stress on students’ all-round growth
AMBALA, Nov 1 — All-round development of the students is the need of hour, Mr I.D. Swami, Union State Minister for Home said while addressing the annual prize distribution function of Chaman Vatika, on Saturday, where he was the chief guest.

Structure of ex-SSP demolished
ROHTAK, Nov 1 — Nearly 50 persons allegedly demolished a structure owned by Mr Zile Singh Saroha, a retired SSP, at the Subhash Nagar locality here yesterday.

Cong activists hold rally
REWARI, Nov 1 — Congress activists led by Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, local MLA, took out a rally here yesterday in protest against the alleged step-motherly treatment being meted out to south Haryana, mainly the districts of Rewari, Mahendragarh and Gurgaon.

• Fresh notice to SP on Dangi's plea
• Farmers urged to take up bee-keeping
• HVPN staff offer to CM
• 5 gangsters arrested
• Old woman murdered

• BKU to hold dharna on November 6
• Man seeks action against daughter's in-laws
• Land dispute: cattle shed demolished

CM links Chandigarh’s transfer to Hindi areas
Tribune News Service

OTTU (SIRSA), Nov 1 — Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala today laid down the foundation stone of the new Ottu reservoir project on Ghaghar river. The foundation ceremony coincided with the Haryana Day, being celebrated in the state today.

The reservoir will be constructed at a cost of Rs 28.53 crore and provide irrigation to almost entire Sirsa district. Besides it will also provide great relief to the adjacent villages along the Ghaghar river from the recurring floods.

The new reservoir will have a capacity of 63604 cusecs against the existing capacity of 20,000 cusecs. The existing reservoir was constructed in 1895 and had almost outlived its life. Besides, the rising trend of floods in river Ghaggar at the reservoir site over the last few years had also rendered the flood discharging capacity of the existing reservoir inadequate.

The new Ottu reservoir is proposed to be constructed along the new head regulators of the off taking channels 300 metre downstream of the existing reservoir. This will be a modern structure with remote controlled regulation system and a two-lane road bridge. A new siphon is also proposed to be constructed across the river at 800 metres downstream for feeding the Southern Ghaggar canal with Bhakra waters during the lean period.

Listing benefits of the new Ottu reservoir, the Chief Minister said, it would be a modern structure with flood discharging capacity of more than three times that of the existing reservoir. The remote controlled mechanical water regulation system at the new weir will facilitate efficient and equitable distribution of water in the off taking channels and will also save water from wastage.

Later talking to reporters at the 150-year-old government Rest House at the reservoir site, the Chief Minister sought the cooperation of general public in the state as state was facing severe power shortage. "I must admit that we do not have sufficient power for our consumption. Besides the fault in the Northern Grid has also added to our woes", the Chief Minister said, while hastening to add, "but we will ensure that the electricity is provided to the farmers during the sowing season by purchasing power from other states". Mr Chautala said, he will be meeting the Prime Minister and the Union Power Minister to apprise them of the difficulties faced by the state.

Referring to the issue of Satluj Yamuna Link Canal, he said, it was the responsibility of the Centre to ensure that Haryana gets its due share of water. "Our water is flowing into Pakistan, we hope and expect the government (at the Centre) will resolve the issue". He pointed out, it was the best time to resolve the problem as all the three governments (of Punjab, Haryana and at the Centre) were part of the same National Democratic Alliance. When Mr Vajpayee could solve the long pending Cauvery dispute, especially when there were different governments in Karnataka Tamil Nadu and at the Centre, why he cannot resolve the SYL issue, when all the governments are in alliance with one another.

To a question on the release of grant to the Agroha Medical College, he said, the grant had already been sanctioned and it will be released in a few days only.

UNI adds: Mr Chautala said that Chandigarh would not be allowed to be transferred to Punjab till 107 Hindi speaking villages in Abohar and Fazilka areas in that state were handed over to Haryana and sufficient funds allotted by the Centre for the construction of the new capital for the state.

The Chief Minister announced to abolish octroi in the state and said the Municipal employees rendered surplus as a result of this would be absorbed in other government departments in the state.

Mr Chautala said keeping in view long standing demand of the people, the government had decided to set up a sugar mill in this area. The district administration and the Hafed authorities had been entrusted with the task of finding a suitable place for setting up this mill, he said.

He said that Hafed had also been directed to set up two rice shellers in the area. Farmers were also being persuaded for adopting floriculture and dairy farming as per capita land holding was decreasing day by day, he said.

He said teams of farmers and officers would be sent to Israel to acquaint themselves with new techniques in the field of floriculture and dairy farming. He said that capacity of milk plant here would be raised and milk products would also be sold besides raw milk.

The Chief Minister said that regional educational centres at Rewari and here would become functional from the ensuing academic session. Land for the Sirsa regional centre had been acquired at Phulkan village, he said.

Mr Chautala said that his party was in favour of implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations because at the very outset former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal had organised a rally in support of the Mandal Commission recommendations at the Boat Club in New Delhi.

Bansi Lal faces dilemma
By Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — The decision of the four Haryana Vikas Party legislators to extend open support to the Chautala government has not caused any surprise in the political circles.

Reports that some MLAs may desert the HVP have been circulating ever since the results of the Lok Sabha poll were declared. The dismal performance of the party in the elections coupled with the increasing possibility of a snap assembly poll in the state made it obvious that some legislators will jump out and look for a secure political future elsewhere.

By extending "unconditional support" to Mr Chautala and condemning their own party President, Mr Bansi Lal, these legislators, who were unable to muster the requisite strength to split the party without attracting disqualification under the anti-defection law, have virtually tried to court expulsion. For engineering a legal split at least six legislators were required. But the dissidents fell short of the number.

The ball is now in the court of Mr Bansi Lal, the HVP chief, who has a difficult choice to make. If he takes disciplinary action and expels the rebels from the party, they will be too happy for, they will be then free to support the government. On the other hand if he ignores the anti-party activities of the dissidents, his authority will be eroded and the party's image will suffer further.

The point of discussion in the political circles now is what deal the four loyalists-turned-rebels, Mr Jagdish Yadav, Mr Ram Saroop, Mr Subhash Chaudhary and Mr Jagdish Nayar have struck with Mr Chautala for giving support to the government. In case Mr Chautala opts for a snap poll, as is widely expected, the minimum which they will settle for is a promise for the INLD ticket. However, it will not be easy for Mr Chautala to do so as he will have to first work out a seat-sharing agreement with the BJP. He will not have enough seats even to accommodate his own partymen.

Robots to repair heart defects
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 1 — Dr Naresh Trehan, Director of the Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi has disclosed that robots could now be used in India to repair defects in Heart valves and heart walls.

Addressing cardiac update organised by local Escorts hospital for Doctors from Haryana, Delhi, U.P. and Rajasthan, Dr Trehan said that robotics could be used in certain heart surgical procedures reducing strain on surgical assistants.

Dr S S Bansal, of Faridabad informed that drugs were now available to improve the quality of life of patients with weak hearts unable to pump blood properly. Such medicines might even help to avert cardiac transplantation which was costly and involved difficult procedures.

Dr N K Pandey, Director of Escorts Hospital, Faridabad speaking about the recent advances in cardiology said that they were prepared to meet the challenges of heart problems during the next millennium.

Haryana Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — The Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, today honoured eight Arjuna awardees of Haryana at the state-level 'Haryana Day' function held at the Raj Bhavan.

Those honoured included M.K. Kaushik, Deputy Director (hockey), Asan Kumar (kabaddi) Pritam Thakran, (hockey), Anju Dua, assistant gymnastics coach, Rohtash Singh Dahiya, (wrestling), Neelam J. Singh, (athletics), and Narender Singh, (judo). They were presented with a shawl and a memento. Sri Chand, an athlete, could not attend the function.

The Governor also honoured Mr M.S. Malik, IPS, with a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a memento. He was the manager of the Indian hockey team which won a gold medal in the 13th Asian Games at Bangkok.

A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion. Artistes from Kurukshetra University, the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Allahabad, and the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, enthralled the audience with dances, folk songs and music. A brilliant lamp show presented by Pandit Rajinder Prasad was the main attraction of the programme. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Ashok Kumar Arora, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr A.B. Saharya, judges of the high court, the Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh, and Minister of State for Sports, Mr Raj Kumar Saini were among those present at the function.

Guarantee jobs to ex-servicemen: VC
Form Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 1 — The Vice- Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University, Lt-Gen O.P. Kaushik (retd), has appealed to the central government to grant the stature of a minority community to ex-servicemen and provide reservation for them.

In a letter to the President, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Home Minister and all MPs , he has requested guarantee of jobs and rehabilitation to all ex-servicemen based on their qualifications.

He said he would soon form a national forum for this demand and the forum would call on the President, the Prime Minister, the Defence and Home Ministers to present its demands. He said ex-servicemen were an asset to the nation and they were disciplined to perform any job with efficiency.

He also appealed to the MPs to shed their political interest and work collectively for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. He justified his demand by saying that an ordinary soldier retired at 38 to 40 years of age. At this age his children were not settled. Under these circumstances, if ex-servicemen were compelled to fend for themselves only on their pension, it would make their lives harsh. To utilise the services and proficiency of ex-servicemen, General Kaushik has suggested constitution of a national task force to control and combat national calamities and disasters like floods, earthquakes and typhoons etc.

Elders not getting respect: DC
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Nov 1 — Elders' blessings are must to succeed in life and one can get their blessings only if one extends respect to them.

Stating this at the Elder Day celebrations organised by the local Senior Citizens Forum at the premises of Panchayat Bhavan here yesterday, the Chief Guest, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ashok Kumar Arora said fall in moral values had led to the breaking up of the family system in our society. The society which forget its elders, lags behind in progress, he added.

Mr Arora appealed to the people to render full respect to the elders. He announced a grant of Rs 21 thousand to the Senior Citizens Forum. He also declared that he would pay the newspapers bills of the forum library from his own pocket.

The former Haryana Co-operation Minister, Vaid Kapoor Chand lamented that no body was taking notice of the cultural pollution which was spreading very fast in our society .

After inaugurating the function, the Deputy Commissioner Mrs Jyoti Arora, said our elders were not getting their due respect due to a drastic fall in our moral values. She said forum members would be extended all types of facilities by the administration which would make full use of their experiences.

Forum's President Jagjit Singh Virak highlighted the problems of the elders as the reasons of the creation of a gulf between youngs and the elders.

Mr D. Suresh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr M.R. Singla, President of the Senior Citizens Council and Prof Himmat Singh Sinha also spoke on the occasion.

Stress on students’ all-round growth
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Nov 1 — All-round development of the students is the need of hour, Mr I.D. Swami, Union State Minister for Home said while addressing the annual prize distribution function of Chaman Vatika, on Saturday, where he was the chief guest.

He said the dedicated teachers and hard working students were the base of any institution.

Children would imbibe patriotism and commitment towards society if they were provided proper atmosphere in institutions, he added.

Mr S.D. Bhambri, General Manager, The Tribune group of newspapers while presiding over the function said students should be disciplined, obedient and hard working if they want a bright future. He said he was very impressed to see the active participation of students in cultural and in physical activities. Mr Bhambri also away prizes to students.

Students presented a cultural programme on the occasion. Earlier, the Chairman of the school, Mr Rajinder Nath, welcomed Mr Bhambri and Mr I.D. Swami.

Fresh notice to SP on Dangi's plea
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — In a writ petition filed by Mr Anand Singh Dangi, a former MLA seeking follow-up action on the report of CBI into the murder of Mr Amir Singh, a candidate in Meham Assembly byelection on the night of May 16, 1990, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.S. Gill today directed issuance of fresh notice to Mr K.S. Tomar, SP, for November 29, while counsel appearing for Mr Om Parkash Chautala, Chief Minister, and his son Ajay Chautala, who were earlier issued notice by the court in the case, sought time for filing replies.

During the violence on May 16 allegedly at Mr Dangi's house, three persons had died due to fire-arm injuries.

During the hearing Mr Mohan Jain, Advocate-General Haryana, sought disposal of the case on the ground that the CBI had already submitted the final report under Section 173 Cr P.C. as "untraced" in the court of Special Magistrate, Ambala, on September 30, 1997. Thereafter the report was accepted by the Special Court on November 25, 1997 after hearing the complainant Mr Partap Singh, elder brother of the deceased.

It was further stated before the court by the Advocate-General that the investigation in relation to the other FIR bearing No 164 dated July 8, 1991 relating to the incident at Madina village would be within six months.

However, the court felt that the writ petition could not be disposed of in the absence of the respondent and adjourned the case to November 29.

Structure of ex-SSP demolished
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 1 — Nearly 50 persons allegedly demolished a structure owned by Mr Zile Singh Saroha, a retired SSP, at the Subhash Nagar locality here yesterday.

According to sources, the structure, spread over nearly 240 sq ft was being used as a cattle-shed by the retired police officer since 1972.

Mr Saroha alleged in the FIR that the miscreants led by Bhupender Singh and his wife, Raj Bala reached the place around 11.30 a.m. and claimed to be the owners of the piece of land. They allegedly started demolishing the shed with the help of a machine.

When he came out of the house and confronted them, they shouted at him and asked him to go inside. Mr Saroha immediately reported the matter to the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP. However, the assailants escaped before the arrival of the police. According to the FIR they damaged household goods worth nearly Rs 50,000.

The police has registered a case under Section 147, 148, 379 and 427 of the IPC.

Cong activists hold rally
From Our Correspondent

REWARI, Nov 1 — Congress activists led by Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, local MLA, took out a rally here yesterday in protest against the alleged step-motherly treatment being meted out to south Haryana, mainly the districts of Rewari, Mahendragarh and Gurgaon. They also flayed the anti-Congress and anti-people policies of the Vajpayee government.

They submitted a memorandum to the union and the state governments through the Deputy Commissioner seeking the deletion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's name from the Bofors charge sheet, withdrawal of hike in the prices of diesel and adequate supply of power to the farmers of south Haryana who are dependent on tubewells.

They demanded the construction of flyovers on the Rewari-Narnaul road and Rewari-Jhajjar road and opening of a medical and a engineering college in south Haryana.

Capt Ajay Singh Yadav said that if a fair deal was not given to south Haryana by the state government they would organise a rally here on December 16 to launch a struggle.

BKU to hold dharna on November 6
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 1 — The Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has decided to hold a day's dharna in front of the residence of the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha from Haryana on November 6 in protest against the hike in diesel price by the Centre.

In a press note issued here today, the union resolved to continue its agitation till the hike is withdrawn.

The union urged the state government to declare Haryana as a drought-hit and launch relief measures to compensate the farmers whose crops had been hit by scanty rains, erratic power supply and canal water.

It also demanded that the government should ensure the supply of power and canal water in the agricultural sector and take steps to purchase the entire stock of paddy marketed by the paddy growers.

Meanwhile, Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan, BJP MP, while addressing party workers at Ganaur yesterday urged the government to take immediate steps for buying entire stock of paddy marketed by the paddy growers.

Farmers urged to take up bee-keeping
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 1—Scientists of CCS Haryana Agricultural University have suggested bee-keeping as a profitable subsidiary occupation for small farmers in the state. Unemployed rural youths should adopt it as self-employment venture.

This was stated by Dr R.S.Walia, chief scientist-cum-head of the farm science centre, at the concluding function of a three-day training camp at Jagdishpur village, near here, yesterday.

He stated that vocational training camps on bee-keeping were organised every year for jobless youths in this district. He claimed that the Italian bee-keeping was more popular and profitable than the Indian bees and one trained person could take care and manage up to 100 colonies which could give a profit up to Rs 2 lakh per annum.

According to Dr Waldia, bee-keepers were also trained on identification of queen, drones, workers and soldiers of a bee colony.

During the discussions, the scientists suggested the bee-keepers to form an association for solving their problems.

Man seeks action against daughter's
in-laws
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Nov 1— A written complaint was handed over to the president of the Mahila Dakshata Samiti, Mrs Suman Krishan Kant, when she came here to inaugurate the new branch of the samiti by Mr Roshan Lal of the local Thermal Colony on Saturday.

In the complaint, Mr Roshan Lal alleged that no arrest had been made in a case against her daughter's in-laws.

He said his daughter was married to Raj Kumar 1997. After the marriage her in-laws starting ill-treating her for bringing inadequate dowry. He alleged that her daughter's brother-in-law even tried to molest her. Subsequently, an attempt was made to kill her by pouring kerosene over her.

He said a case was filed in the Matloda police station on May 3,1999, but till date no arrest had been made in this connection.

Mrs Suman Krishan Kant assured Mr Roshan Lal that necessary action would be taken in this case.

HVPN staff offer to CM
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 1 — The Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union has offered not to draw one month’s salary by all employees amounting to Rs 240 crore if the Chief Minister goes ahead with the revival of the electricity board.

A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the central committee of the union held here yesterday. Mr R C Bagga and Mr Subhash Lamba, spokesmen for the union said the money contributed by the workers could be utilised to repay the loan taken from the World Bank while dissolving the board.

They said the employees would cooperate with the Chief Minister if he wanted to get out from the clutches of the World Bank.

Land dispute: cattle shed demolished
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 1 — Nearly 50 persons demolished a cattle shed owned by Mr Zile Singh, a retired IPS officer who used to be the SSP of this district, in broad daylight here yesterday.

The cattle shed was built on a land measuring 240 sq feet and was being used by the former SSP since 1972. The land was registered in the name of Mrs Raj Bala, wife of Mr Bhupender Singh on April 30.

Mr Bhupender Singh and his men allegedly demolished the shed and damaged coolers, fans and other items.

The police has registered a case under Sections 147, 148, 379 and 427 of the IPC.

5 gangsters arrested
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 1 — The police claims to have arrested five members of a gang of ‘‘kachha-banian’’ who have created terror here and in surrounding areas.

They have been identified as Amin, Amira, Nakki Mian, Ishaq and Aslam. All belonged to a jhuggi cluster of Nazafgarh in Delhi. They were having a number of assumed names to misguide the police.

During interrogation gang members admitted that they had killed four persons, including three sadhus, when they attacked a temple-cum-dharmshala at Prithal early last month. They were also responsible for a number of lootings in Neemka, Mirzapur, Shahpur Khurd, Chandawali, Sotai and Bamnikhera villages in Ballabhgarh sub division.

Villagers were so terrified that they had beaten to death two innocent persons mistaking them to be members of the kachha-banian gang.

Old woman murdered
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Nov 1 — An old woman was brutally murdered by five unidentified persons who later decamped with her valuables.

According to information received here today at about 3 p.m. they entered the house of Parmod Kumar and started beating the other members of his family.

The same group of robbers later entered the house of Baldevi and thrashed the other members of her family. She too, was hit by the rods that resulted in her death. The Sadar police has registered a case under Section 460 of the IPC.

In an another incident three dacoits attacked the houses of workers residing in the plywood factory complex at Mukarampur village near here, and decamped with the valuables, including tape recorder, clothes and cash of labourers. The police has registered a case under Section 392 of the IPC.