Canals to be cleaned on priority basis: CM
SIRSA, Nov 5 — The Haryana Government has decided to clean the canals on a priority basis, the Chief Minister, Mr O.P. Chautala, said here today.

Police patrol to check canal cuts
SONEPAT, Nov 5 — The police has intensified patrolling of embankments of canals, distributaries and minors to check canal cuts and unauthorised use of canal water by farmers in Sonepat district.

Chautala cheated farmers: ex-MP
SIRSA, Nov 5 — "Farmers of Haryana feel cheated" said the general secretary of the HVP and ex-MP Mr Surinder Singh. He was here today to lead the demonstration outside the D.C's residence organised by the local unit of the HVP against the hike in the price of diesel and the purchase of paddy and cotton on at a price less than the support price.

Desilting of canals to ‘get priority’
CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today announced that the government would now be able to provide adequate power to the farmers in the current rabi season and also to the domestic consumers.

• DC’s office gheraoed
• Dowry death case against 3
• 2 get life term for murder

• Nov 9 is Legal Services Day
• Freedom fighter dead
• 1 killed, 5 injured in accident

Killing of 40 chinkaras: Bishnois up in arms
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 5 — Killing of 40 gazelles and four peacocks by tribal hunters in Sanwantsar village in Dungargarh tehsil of Churu district in Rajasthan has provoked serious resentment among the Bishnoi community, across the region. The Bishnois, who mainly live on both sides of Haryana, Rajasthan border have decided to launch an agitation to "seek justice".

The protest will start from Rajghat on November 14. Bishnois from across the country are expected to attend the protest dharna. They will subsequently submit memorandum to the President and the Prime Minister seeking punishment to the guilty.
On October 27 last, 20 hunters belonging to Bawaria tribe descended on Sanwantsar village and killed 40 gazelles (also called chinkaras) and four peacocks. The eyewitnesses said, the tribes men rode jeeps and camels. As they saw a herd of gazelles moving, one group stopped them from one side and tried to push them back, while the other group of hunters started firing indiscriminately at the helpless animals as they tried to move. As many as 40 gazelles and four peacocks were killed.

The incident sent shock waves across the Bishnoi community. The convener of the Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Jeev Raksha Samiti, Mr Banwari Lal Bishnoi termed it as "blasphemy and an insult to their religion". He pointed out, gazelle has been sacred to them and scores of Bishnois have laid down their lives to save these animals. Mr Banwari Lal said the animals were killed by the Bawaria hunters to hurt sentiments of Bishnois. He attributed the killings to the honouring of Nihal Chand with Ashok Chakra by the President posthumously on October 22. Nihal Chand had been conferred Ashok Chakra, as he had laid down his life in 1996 in the same village while trying to save some gazelles from hunters. He said, it was only an act of vengeance on part of Bawarias to kill the gazelles after Nihal Chand was honoured.

The Bishnois have sentimental attachment with the animals and plants, since the founder of the sect Guru Jambheshwar had forbidden killing of any living thing including the plants. Bishnois' is the only sect within the Hindu religion, who do not burn then dead, but bury them. Burning needs wood, which means cutting trees and that is forbidden.

The gazelles move in large groups in these areas inhabited by the Bishnois, as they do not have to fear for the life. However, at times they fell victims to the hunters of other tribes, particularly the Bawarias. This tribe, categorised as a criminal tribe, has deep animosity with the Bishnois on the same issue. Most of the members of this tribe are involved in various criminal activities.

Mr Nihal Chand was killed by members of the same tribe in 1996, when he had tried to prevent them from killing some animals. The president of the Bishnoi Sabha Hisar, Mr Sehdev Kaliravana alleged that the hunters who killed the 40 animals, included those also who were involved in the killing of Mr Nihal Chand.

Bishnois worship deer and any hurt caused to the animal amounts blasphemy. The community members are sore with the Rajasthan government for not having arrested any of the culprits so far. However, official sources in Churu told The Tribune over telephone that a few police officials including one officer have been suspended for the dereliction of duty.

Only last year, filmstars including Salman Khan, Saif Ali and Tabu had to face the wrath of Bishnois for allegedly killing two gazelles and two black bucks. They were detained by the police for several days. But none of the Bawarias have been arrested so far.

The police reportedly recovered bodies of 25 chinkaras and four peacocks and handed them to the Bishnois. These animals were laid to rest with all religious rituals after a 'shobha yatra'.

Under the Wildllife and Forest Conservation Act, the accused if found guilty can be imprisoned for two years and fined up to Rs 6,000. However, the Bishnois have been arguing that it is not killing of some animals protected under an act, but hurting the religious sentiments of hundreds and thousands of Bishnois living in various parts of the country.

Mahila Cong for 33 pc quota for women
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Nov 5 — The Punjab Mahila Congress will urge the party high command to allot at least 33 per cent seats to woman candidates in the forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab. This was stated by Ms Gurkanwal Kaur President, Punjab Mahila Congress here today. Talking to mediapersons, she said a delegation of the Mahila Congress would meet the senior leaders of the party in this regard.

She said she would encourage women to take an active part in politics.

Criticising the policies of the SAD-BJP combine government she said Punjab had been facing a serious financial crisis which had been affecting the development of the state. She alleged that the Union Government as well as the state government were acting against the interests of Punjab.

The Mahila Congress leader expressed concern over the hike in the diesel prices. She said it would affect the farmers in the state.

Ms Kanwal Kaur said Mr Badal should resign following the defeat of Akali Dal candidates in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. She demanded a mid-term poll in the state.

Replying to a question she said the Mahila Congress welcomes the Pope's visit to India but added that forcible conversions should be condemned at every level. She condemned the Phillaur incident occurred recently in which several nuns were looted by some miscreants. The government should hold a high-level inquiry into the incident, she demanded.

HUDA questions coal site’s change
of use
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — In an interesting development, the Haryana Urban Development Authority has preferred a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioning the decision of its former Commissioner and Secretary, Mr Ajit Mohan Saran, permitting the change of a coal site at Panchkula to commercial site for raising shop-cum-flat without any change in the zoning plan.

Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Mehab Singh Gill, before whom the petition came up for hearing, observed in their interim order: "Heard the Advocate-General of Haryana, Mr Mohan Jain and perused the record. Mr Jain argued that the reason assigned by the revisional authority for indirectly compounding the illegal construction made by the respondents was perverse and in no case could the revisional authority pass an order ignoring the plan duly approved by the competent authority HUDA. Notice of motion to the respondents for final disposal of the petition on December 15."

The petitioner stated that a site measuring 396 metres in Panchkula’s Sector 7 was allotted to Mr Amar Nath Jindal and Mrs Prem Lata Jindal in an open auction for Rs 8,82,000. The allottees got the building plan approved and put up a building for housing a coal depot. However, after getting the occupation certificate, the allottees raised an illegal construction in violation of the terms and conditions. They used the building for running a crockery shop as well as a residential house.

After issuing the necessary notices to the allottees for removing the illegal construction, the Estate Officer resumed the building raised in violation of the terms and conditions of the allotment letter. The allottees had also defaulted in payment of Rs 12,29,218 to HUDA.

The Jindals appealed against the order of the Estate Officer before HUDA’s Chief Administrator who upheld the order.

Aggrieved by this order, the allottees preferred a revision under Section 30 (2) of the Act before the former Secretary and Commissioner, Town and Country Planning, Mr Ajit Mohan Saran, who accepted the revision petition on July 23, 1999.

Notice to ex-Speaker

The High Court has issued notice to the Haryana Chief Secretary and former Haryana Speaker, Prof Chhattar Singh Chauhan, on a writ petition preferred by Mr Surender Singh, a resident of Kami village in Sonepat district, alleging that Prof Chauhan filled certain posts in the Vidhan Sabha without following the proper procedure.

Mr Justice K.K. Srivastava and Mr Justice J.S. Khehar constituted the Bench.

The petitioner stated that the respondents had advertised posts of clerk, technical assistant, record restorer and legal assistant. He claimed that he contacted officers of the Vidhan Sabha and every time he was told that test and interview would be held within the next two to three months. However, until now no test or interview was held. He alleged that Prof Chauhan appointed persons from his own village and constituency without merit to secure votes and grossly misused his powers.

Review plea rejected

A Division Bench today turned down a review appeal filed by one Karam Chand against its order dismissing his writ petition praying for directing the Punjab Government to restrain from indulging in wasteful expenditure and recommending the President for issuing proclamation under Article 360 of the Constitution.

The appellant stated that his writ petition by "inadvertence was dismissed and on that account counsel could not put in appearance for arguing the case."

Lift that never worked
From Suman Bhatnagar

AMBALA: The lift which was installed in the new civil hospital building in Ambala City about 10 years ago has not been put into operation even once. No technical fault is attributed to its non-operation. In fact no lift man has been provided to operate it.

Interestingly, the district administration till today has failed to decide as to which department is responsible for the operation of this lift and who will bear the expenditure involving two lift men and a mechanic. Moreover, the lift has not been thrown open to patients or the staff even for a single day.

The health department holds the view that its responsibility is to examine and provide medical facilities to the patients and they have nothing to do with the operation of the lift. However, the Chief Medical Officer, Ambala, has written many letters to the Director, Health Services, to seek directions for its operation but the directorate is also silent over the issue. The Public Works Department has also declined to take the responsibility.

Previously, the lift was not put into operation since the hospital authorities had no generator and they did not want to take risk in the event of power failure. But now the hospital has a big generator. But there is no use as there are no liftmen to operate it.

In the first phase of the construction of the hospital the ramp was not made and apart from the stairs the provision of the lift was made for emergency patients to take them to the upper storey of the hospital. Keeping in view the possibility of non-operation of the lift a ramp was laid in the second phase of the construction.

According to information the lift was purchased from a Delhi firm with two years' guarantee period which has already expired. The full payment of Rs 6 lakh has also been made so the firm is not bothered whether the lift is operating or not.

It was the first lift to be installed in any multistoreyed building in the district. After this experience the government has dropped the idea to install lift in any other building which is under construction in the district.

In the past 10 years four governments were installed but none made any difference. Residents of Ambala and some doctors had brought this matter to the notice of the then Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, who had promised to put it in use within two months. He had also directed the then Deputy Commissioner to solve the problem, yet nothing happened.

No one knows whether the lift would become operational ever. However, it seems certain that the hospital does not seem to need it.

Canals to be cleaned on priority basis: CM
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Nov 5 — The Haryana Government has decided to clean the canals on a priority basis, the Chief Minister, Mr O.P. Chautala, said here today.

Mr Chautala was on a visit to the Darba Kalan constituency in the district. He said the capacity of the Bhakra canal which was 12000 cusecs had reduced to 5000 cusecs because of silt deposits. This had resulted in the non-availability of water on the tail-ends causing hardships to farmers.

He said the government had also decided to instruct gauge readers to inform the water level to sarpanches and lamberdars to check water theft.

The Chief Minister assured the farmers of sufficient power supply during the current sowing season for which the Centre had already promised to provide 15 lakh unit of additional power to the state.

Mr Chautala said the Government would ensure the strengthening of ring bundhs so that encroachments could be removed.

He also said construction and repair of roads would be undertaken by November 30 and 30,000 teachers would be recruited by December.

Police patrol to check canal cuts
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 5 — The police has intensified patrolling of embankments of canals, distributaries and minors to check canal cuts and unauthorised use of canal water by farmers in Sonepat district.

Senior Superintendent of Police K.P. Singh said here today that this action followed a series of reports about canal cuts and unauthorised use of canal water by the farmers in view of drought-like conditions in this region.

Expressing concern over the use of electricity by the entrepreneurs during the period of power cuts, the SSP alleged that some officials of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam might be involved in such cases and this had made the power situation grim in other sectors.

He said that patrolling in the industrial belt had been intensified and legal action against the entrepreneurs found using electricity during the period of power cut would be initiated. Officials of the HVPN should also be taken to task if they are found involved in such cases, he added.

Referring to the looting of cash from the government employees outside the banks in the district, the SSP disclosed that the police had made arrangements for providing security to the government employees entrusted with withdrawing amount from the banks for the salary of government servants every month. If any case of loot is reported in the absence of the security, the officials would be responsible for it and not the police, he added.

The SSP also announced that the police had mobilised all resources to check the activities of criminals and anti-social elements in this district. All the SHOs of the police stations have been directed to intensify patrolling in their areas.

Chautala cheated farmers: ex-MP
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Nov 5 — "Farmers of Haryana feel cheated" said the general secretary of the HVP and ex-MP Mr Surinder Singh. He was here today to lead the demonstration outside the D.C's residence organised by the local unit of the HVP against the hike in the price of diesel and the purchase of paddy and cotton on at a price less than the support price.

Mr Surinder Singh was talking to reporters at the local Surkhab Tourist Complex before proceeding for the demonstration.

Accusing the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr O.P. Chautala, of cheating the people of Haryana in the name of providing free water and electricity. Mr Surinder Singh said that the cruising burden of loans on farmers was due to this family. He said that either he should provide free electricity to the farmers or accept that he has cheated the public for grabbing power, The HVP leader said that it was not at all possible to provide free power. Mr Bansi Lal never made false promises and would never resort to such tactics to form government. We said the HVP had bright prospects and would come into power again because of the development works undertaken and initiated by Mr Bansi Lal's government. Mr Surinder Singh supported his argument by referring to the laying of foundation stone at Ottu on Haryana Day by Mr Om Parkash Chautala and thereby claiming it as his achievement. Mr Surinder Singh said that this project was one of those cleared during the Mr Bansi Lal's rule.

Replying to a question regarding quitting of the HVP by four of their MLA's Mr Surinder Singh said that there was no written information to this effect. He said, one of these four MLA's had already been expelled and the rest could not afford to leave the party under the Anti-Defection Law.

Later, Mr Surinder Singh led a procession through the main streets of the city to the D.C's residence. He was accompanied by the ex-Minister Kanwal Singh and ex-MP Het Ram and the Vice-President of HVP women's wing, Mr Vijay Luxmi Tiwari.

Nov 9 is Legal Services Day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Haryana Legal Services Authority had decided to observe November 9 as Legal Services day.

Stating this here today, Mr Justice V.K. Bali, who is the executive chairman of the Authority, said under the Legal Services Authorities Act any person who is a member of the Scheduled Caste, the Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes or a victim of human trafficking or ‘begar’ as referred to in Article 23 of the Constitution or a woman or a child or a mentally ill, disabled, victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, brought, earthquake or industrial disaster or an industrial worker or in custody, including that of protective homes, juvenile homes, psychiatric nursing homes or having annual income less than Rs 18,000 were entitled to legal services Mr Justice Bali said the legal services were given by way of providing advocates at state expense, paying the court fee on behalf of the eligible persons, bearing expenses for the summoning of witnesses and paying other incidental expenses connected with litigation. Mr Justice Bali said all eligible persons should contact the Legal Services authorities in the state, district and sub-divisions.

He added that the legal aid counsel scheme was being undertaken in all courts of magistrates to give timely and free legal aid to those in custody. He claimed that nearly 2.90 lakh cases had been settled in 1,188 Lok Adalats held so far in Haryana.

Desilting of canals to ‘get priority’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today announced that the government would now be able to provide adequate power to the farmers in the current rabi season and also to the domestic consumers. According to a press note, the Chief Minister said the special package of 15 lakh additional units of power daily given by Centre would help the state overcome power shortage to a great extent. Mr Chautala said priority would be given to desilting of canals, cleaning up of minors and distributaries and of watercourses. The unauthorised possession of phirnies in villages would be removed and the government would get the demarcation of phirnies done again.

Mr Chautala said more boosting stations would be installed and underground pipelines laid to ensure better water supply in the village. As the water capacity in the Bhakra canal had got reduced to 5,000 cusecs from its original capacity of 12,000 cusecs, that water was not reaching the tailends of the canals.

DC’s office gheraoed
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 5 — A large number of people, including women, held a demonstration and gheraoed the office of the Deputy Commissioner here yesterday protest against the failure of the administration to construct a road and improve the sewerage system in the street near the Suri Petrol Station.

Earlier, carrying placards and raising anti-government slogans, they marched through the main bazar of the city and reached the office of the Deputy Commissioner in the Mini-Secretariat.

They submitted a charter of demands to the ADC.

A rally was also held and it was addressed among others, by Mr S.N. Solanki, President of the Haryana CITU and Mr Hari Parkash, general secretary of the SUCI.

They urged the Chief Minister, Mr O.P. Chautala, to intervene and direct the district authorities to undertake the work immediately.

Meanwhile, the indefinite fast by seven leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti on this issue is continuing and the condition of one of them is fast deteriorating, according to a medical officer.

Freedom fighter dead
Tribune News Service

KARNAL, Nov 5 — Ghamandi Lal, a freedom fighter and a close associate of Mahatama Gandhi during the Quit India Movement, died here today after a brief illness. He was 86.

Born on August 15, 1914, at Soop village of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh, he responded to the call given by Gandhiji and joined the Quit India Movement at the age of 28 years. During the freedom struggle he was imprisoned for eleven-and-a-half months at Meerut Jail in 1942.

Though he was an active member of the Congress during the freedom struggle, however, after Independence he left the Congress and took no part in active political activity.

He was awarded Tamra Patra by then Prime Minister of India, late Indira Gandhi on the eve of Independence Day in 1972 for recognition of his services as a freedom fighter.

He is survived by three daughters and a son.

Dowry death case against 3
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 5 — The police has registered a case against three members of a family belonging to nearby Sampla town in connection with an alleged dowry death.

According to police sources, in a complaint, Virender of Bamdola village has alleged that his sister Anita, married to Devender of Sampla, committed suicide a couple of days ago when she was harassed by her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law, for not bringing adequate dowry.

Meanwhile, the police has arrested two persons of the town on charges of possessing drugs. About 10 gm of Smack and 260 gm "afeem" were seized for their possession.

1 killed, 5 injured in accident
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 5 — One person was killed and five others were injured when a jeep carrying them overturned between Garhi and Sorkhi village, 40 km from here on Hisar-Delhi National Highway, last night. The deceased has been identified as Darshan Singh of Wazina.

The injured persons identified as Pankaj, Praveen, Rajesh, Kamal and Dalbir have been admitted to the Civil Hospital at Hansi. In another incident one person was killed when a truck crashed into a bullock cart near Garhi village in the district, last night. Balbir Singh, bullock cart owner died on the spot.

2 get life term for murder
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 5 — Mr P.L. Goyal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, yesterday sentenced Devi Singh and Satbir Singh of Gehlab village to life imprisonment for murdering Duli Chand on January 12,1998. Heera Lal, the third accused, was acquitted by giving him the benefit of doubt.

According to prosecution Hemraj and his father Duli Chand were attacked by sharp-edged weapons by Devi Singh, Satbir Singh and Heera Lal. A dispute over electricity cable passing through fields was the reason behind the attack.

They were also directed to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 each to be given to Mrs Rajjan, wife of Duli Chand as compensation.