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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Wednesday, September 8, 1999 |
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Chautala rules out snap
poll EC order sparks row |
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INLD men
attack police station Waiting for elusive rain Roadways staff observe strike Report sought in missing body case Branch canal breach inundates
colonies DPRO proceeds on long leave 1 killed, 3 hurt in road mishap Haryana cops' gesture Follow 'each one teach one' norm,
youth told |
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Chautala rules out snap poll CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today ruled out the possibility of mid-term Assembly elections in the state. Talking to newsmen here, Mr Chautala said his government would complete its remaining term and would like to use this time to consolidate the position of the INLD-BJP alliance in the state by taking steps for the welfare and in the interest of the people. Claiming that the ruling alliance would win all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state, Mr Chautala said the people of Haryana had accepted the alliance. He listed three reasons behind the "overwhelming response" of the people towards the BJP-INLD alliance. First, he said, there was resentment among the people against a former Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. He said the electorate asked the alliance leaders one question to which they had no answer. The question was why the BJP allowed Mr Bansi Lal to remain in power for so long. Second, Mr Chautala said the people had great expectations from him after he became Chief Minister. Third, he said, there was a Vajpayee wave in the state. Expressing his gratitude towards the people and the administration for free, fair and peaceful conduct of elections, Mr Chautala said Haryana had registered the highest poll percentage in the country in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday. He said the repoll ordered by the Election Commission in five booths in the state were due to technical reasons. Mr Chautala said he would visit Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for convassing in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He would also visit other states if the Prime Minister asked him to do so. The issue of Cabinet expansion would be considered after the results of the Lok Sabha elections, he added. Mr Chautala said his
priorities included clean administration, adequate power
supply and renovation of the road network which was in
bad shape. |
EC order sparks row CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — Can the Election Commission of India deprive a Chief Minister of his fundamental right of franchise while directing him not to enter his state on the polling day? This question has come up for a debate after the EC asked the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, not to visit their states on the polling day. While Mr Badal was able to cast his vote in his native village, Mr Chautala could not exercise his franchise in view of the directives by the EC. Mr Chautala is registered as a voter in his native village in Sirsa district. To reach Chautala village the Chief Minister had to travel through a long stretch of Haryana. The commission had gone to the extent of asking the Chief Secretary of Haryana to send the state plane to Bhiwani to lift Mr Chautala from there a day before the polling day to somewhere outside Haryana. The argument behind the commission's directive to the Chief Secretary was that if the Chief Minister travelled by road, he was likely to meet people on the way which would have amounted to convassing after the electioneering had come to a close at 5 p.m. on September 3. Interestingly after Mr Chautala left Bhiwani a fax message came from the commission to the Returning Officer, stating that door-to-door convassing was allowed but no public meetings could be held after the closure of the electioneering. It is believed that the Haryana Government is likely to write to the commission, protesting against the denial of the voting right to the Chief Minister, particularly when high dignatories like the President and the Prime Minister and even the Election Commissioners exercised their fundamental and civic right. The leader of the BJP
group in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma,
who had convened a press conference to thank the people
of the state for their "overwhelming response"
to the BJP-INLD alliance, said if the EC's directive to
the Chief Minister or for that matter to anyone resulted
in the denial of the right to franchise to that citizen
"it is a matter of concern." |
Three cops hurt ROHTAK, Sept 7 — After the Deputy Commissioner, it is now the turn of policemen to face the ire of INLD supporters in this district. Incidentally, in both cases persons involved belong to the Meham Assembly segment which had hit headlines during a byelection in the nineties. While the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, had to face humiliation at the hands of the Meham MLA on August 2, the policemen tasted the ire of the INLD supporters yesterday. According to the FIR, a mob of nearly 25 persons led by Mr Sunil, alias Kallu, chairman, panchayat samiti, Meham entered the official residence of the SHO around 9.30 p.m., attacked him with a chair and threatened to kill him. His fault was that he had, on the polling day, arrested a salesman of a liquor vend while selling liquor despite ban orders. Though the salesman was released on bail yesterday, these miscreants allegedly wanted to teach a lesson to the SHO for registering a case under the Excise Act against the liquor vender, Mr Pardeep Dhaka and his salesman. The SHO, Mr Jai Parkash, ran to the police station to save his life and asked policemen on duty to disperse the crowd. The SSP, Mr P.K. Aggarwal, said thereafter, the mob pelted stones at the police station in which three policemen were injured. While ASI Mohinder Singh suffered a fracture in the arm, constable Pritam Singh was hit in the head. Head Constable Raj Kumar was hit near the eyebrow. The injured policemen had been admitted to the local PGIMS, where the condition of constable Pritam Singh was stated to be serious. The police chief said a case under Sections 143/149/332/353/307/452 and 506 of the IPC had been registered against Mr Sunil, alias Kallu, wine contractor Pardeep Dhaka, president, Municipal Committee, Meham Anil Dua, Rajesh, sarpanch Bhaini-Chanderpal village, Dhanraj, sarpanch of village Kheri-Meham, Rajinder Singh son of Duli Chand of Madina and others. No arrest had however been made. Tension prevailed at Meham today when supporters of the chairman, panchayat samiti came to the subdivisional town in tractor-trailers. They had however, returned to their respective villages after the persons named in the FIR went to Chandigarh with their MLA to meet the Chief Minister and apprise him of the situation. The police chief said
situation was under control at Meham and there was no
tension in the area. |
Waiting for elusive rain SISWAL (Hisar), Sept 7 — Hazari Chand Bishnoi looks to the sky pleading with the god for rain. Cloudy sky is no consolation. Wind blows in the evening and clouds get dispersed. Any hope of rain is vanished. This has been happening for past one week. As the region continues to face an unprecedented dry spell, thousands of farmers like Hazari Chand are worried about their crops. Scientists at Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar have been apprehending a loss of at least 30 per cent, if the dry spell continues for another one week. "Last year, unprecedented rain in September caused floods damaging most of our crops and this year, it is the dry spell laments Baghirath of Khanda Kheri village in Hansi subdivision. If the dry spell continues like this, Baghirath fears, the farmers will be reduced to penury. According to figures provided by Haryana Agricultural University, the rainfall this year has been much below the normal. It is for the first time in past 12 years that the rainfall has been so low. Farmers’ fears are not unfounded, The Director, Research HAU, Dr B.J. Jalali, also shares their concern. He said any further delay in rain may lead to a considerable damage to paddy and cotton. He revealed that pearl millet had already suffered about 50 per cent damage due to delayed rain. However, Dr Jalali added, there was still hope. If there was rain in the next few days, the loss to paddy and cotton could be reduced considerably. The dry spell has caused immense loss to the rainfed areas. Even, in the areas, where irrigation is done through canals or tubewells adequate water is not available. Water is released in the canals in a phased manner. The low rainfall obviously affects the underground water level, making irrigation difficult with tubewells also. Official sources have been maintaining that the government was trying its best to provide adequate power to the tubewells, so that the impact of dryspell is minimised. However, the farmers are not satisfied, arguing they had great expectations from the government which claims to be pro-farmer. Although the government is yet to assess and calculate losses caused by the dry spell, there has been about 15 per cent to 20 per cent overall loss so far. The loss may go up to 50 per cent if the dry spell continues for another week. The Metereology Department at HAU is also not quite sure about the rain. Despite the cloudy sky for the past one week there has been no rain. On their part people are
not leaving anything to chance. Scores of havans have
been performed across the region to invoke the help of
god for rain. "That is all we can do," remarked
Baghirath with his eyes on the cloudy sky, he has not
given up hope yet. |
Roadways staff observe strike JIND, Sept 7 — Employees of the Haryana Roadways, Jind Depot observed a strike and stopped the plying of buses here for about two hours today in protest against the beating of some Haryana roadways drivers and conductors. The employees held a demonstration at the local bus stand under the leadership of Mr Baldev Singh, President, Roadways Karamchari Union, Haryana. The striking employees demanded immediate action against the guilty responsible for the incident. According to Mr Baldev Singh, some persons beat up the roadways employees in Madloda village on August 17, in Nara village on August 21, at Patiala Chowk here on September 1 and at the local workshop gate on September 2. But the district administration had not taken any action against the guilty so far, he alleged. He said that on the assurance by the police that action would be taken soon against the culprits, the employees called off the strike and resumed plying of buses. Mr Baldev Singh said
that if the administration did not arrest the culprits
within five days and the roadways employees were not
provided security at bus stands and at prominent places,
the bus services throughout the state would be suspended
on September 17 and the responsibility for this would
rest with the administration. |
Report sought in missing body
case PANIPAT, Sept 7 — On the complaint of the Berojgari Hatao Kshetra Bachao Samiti, the National Human Right Commission has asked for a report from the Deputy Commissioner here on the alleged disapperance of the body of Sanjiv (14) from the local Civil Hospital's mortuary. The Deputy Commissioner has been asked to submit his report on or before September 28. The Chief Coordinator of the samiti, Mr Surinder Singh Hooda had written a letter to the chairman of the commission alleging that seven days had passed since the incident, took place but neither the Subdivisional Magistrate had submitted his inquiry report nor the body returned to Sanjiv's guardians. Besides, no action had been taken against the erring officials who reportedly cremated Sanjiv presuming it to be an unclaimed body. Sanjiv, a resident of Begumpur village was reportedly hit by a van on the Panipat refinery road on August 13 and was brought to the local Civil Hospital in a serious condition. After reaching the Hospital, Sanjiv had succumbed to his injuries. His body was kept in the mortuary for conducting a post-mortem examination. But the next day the
body was missing. On the demand of the parents of Sanjiv,
the Deputy Commissioner had initiated an inquiry. |
Branch canal breach inundates colonies HISAR, Sept 7 (UNI) — Branch canal, popularly known as Chhoti Minor of Bhakra main line, breached near Tohana, about 70 km from here, today inundating a number of colonies and submerging hundreds of acres of standing kharif crops. According to reports reaching here the gushing water was rushing towards Tohana town. Traffic on the
Tohana-Hisar bypass remained suspended for sometime. |
DPRO proceeds on long leave FATEHABAD, Sept 7 — After a controversy over the issuance of election posses to local scribes, the District Public Relation Office, DPRO, Mr H. S. Dahiya, has proceeded on long leave alleging intimidation by a senior administrative officers. The DPRO in a fax message to the Director, Public Relations Haryana, has sought protection for his family expressing apprehensions of physical harm to him and his family. According to reliable sources, the controversy arose related to the issuance of election passes to some local correspondents of national dailies. The sources said a senior administrative officer of the district had called the DPRO to his office and expressed his displeasure to him. The DPRO according to sources, wrote to the Director of his department alleging that the officer had threatened him of dire consequences. He has sought protection
for his family and has applied for long leave. |
1 killed, 3 hurt in road
mishap KAITHAL, Sept 7 — One person was killed and three sustained injuries in a road accident near Kheri Lamba in Kalayat sub-tehsil of this district, yesterday. According to information received here, the accident occurred when a private school bus hit a three wheeler tempo near Kheri Lamba. One person indentified as Angrej Singh travelling in the tempo was killed on the spot and three injured were admitted to a hospital. The police has
registered a case against the bus driver for rash and
negligent driving. |
Haryana cops' gesture CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was presented with a bank draft for Rs 75,15,251 by the Director-General of Police, Mr A.S. Bhatotia, for the Chief Minister's War Heroes' Relief Fund. The donation has been contributed by the staff of the Haryana Police. Mr Chautala expressed his gratitude to the police personnel for the contribution. Another draft for about Rs 17.29 lakh was presented to the Chief Minister by the Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Public Works Department (B&R), Mr L.M. Goyal. The funds have been
collected by the officials of the Haryana PWD (B&R)
department. |
Follow 'each one teach one'
norm, CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, and the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, have appealed to the people, especially the youth, to take a pledge that each one of them will educate at least one illiterate person in order to make Haryana a totally literate state. In a separate message issued on the eve of International Literacy Day, the Governor described illiteracy as a curse and said a number of other social problems like poverty, and superstition were connected to this evil. He said at present the literacy rate of Haryana was nearly 56 per cent, which is more than the national average. The Chief Minister
reiterated his commitment to eradicate illiterate from
the state and said a special literacy programme was being
implemented at the district level. While describing
literacy and development as "two sides of the same
coin," he said literacy aimed at creating an
awakening among the people. |
Truck driver killed ROHTAK, Sept 7 — A truck driver was allegedly killed on the spot and his cleaner was seriously injured when a youth attacked them with a sword at Rohtak-Hisar road here today. The deceased has been identified as Sukhdev Singh of Dubaldhan Majra village. According to police sources, Sukhdev Singh and cleaner Bhim Singh of Kalanaur were taking their meals at a dhaba on Rohtak-Hisar road here. They entered in to a quarrel with Karan of Shyam Colony here who allegedly attacked them with a sword. The police has
registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC on the
complaint of Ram Singh, truck owner, but no arrest has
been made so far. |
Chautala assures help to NRIs CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala has assured all possible help to the non-resident Indians (NRIs) for launching joint ventures in the field of tourism in his state. The Chief Minister was talking to a three-member delegation of NRIs who called on him here today. The NRIs included Mr Varinder Kumar, Vice-President, Indo-American Council of Southern California, having a chain of sub-ways in Los Angeles, USA and a leading importer of Indian goods, Mr Rajinder Mahal, Chairman, SITA World Travel Inc. of North America and Mr Surjit Singh Bawa, owner of a chain of hotels in California, USA. The Principal Secretary
to the Chief Minister, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, Political
Adviser to the Chief Minister, Mr Sher Singh Badshami,
and Ch Sartaj Singh advocate, were present on the
occasion. |
L. N. Mittal posted as
Legal Remembrancer CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — Mr L.N. Mittal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Kurukshetra, on designated as District and Sessions Judge, has been posted as Legal Remembrancer and Commissioner and Secretary to the Haryana Government, Law and Legislative Department vice Mr. B.L. Gulati, who has retired from service. The Haryana Government
has promoted Mr Karam Singh, Joint Director (Deputy
Examiner-Class I) Local Audit department as Director
(Examiner Class-I), Local Audit department. |
| Diary |
Physiotherapy
centre SIRSA: The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Avtar Singh, inaugurated a physiotherapy centre at the local Red Cross Bhavan. Equipments worth Rs 2.5 lakh have been installed at the centre. Dr Avtar Singh said that minor physical handicaps could be overcome by physiotherapy. * * * A free eye camp was organised by the local Hanumant Foundation. Local doctors diagnosed various eye diseases with the help of latest equipments. Operations were also performed. * * * To promote self-reliance among rural women, 20 women milk samiti's have been formed with 450 members. A training programme for these members was organised by the local milk union. The training was given veterinary and dairy sciences. Mr A.K. Kaushal, General Manager of the local milk plant, said five more milk samities would be formed under the Women Dairy Development Programme. * * * The local branch of Punjab and Sindh Bank organised a programme to give information to farmers about loan procedures. Experts from Haryana Agricultural University and tractor companies told the farmers about spray systems, animal husbandry and dairy. Free tractor services were also made available to the farmers. * * * World Lactation Week was observed in the district from August 1 to August 7 by the Ranbaxy Community Health Care Samiti. The Medical Officer, Dr Anita Arora, went to different villages of the district to acquaint the women about the importance of breast feeding. * * * Water supply in the town is erratic. Residents here have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Avtar Singh, to improve the supply. The Executive Engineer, in charge of water supply, has blamed the Electricity Department for not supplying electricity at the optimum voltage and the Canal and Irrigation departments for failing to provide water in time. * * * Residents of Nirban
village in a letter to the Chief Minister have said that
they have not been supplied water for the past one month.
After Mr Chautala assumed office of the Chief Minister,
water in the canal was released for a week whereas it was
just the opposite earlier, the farmers have stated in the
letter. |
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