Sunday, January 9, 2000,
Chandigarh, India




THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
H A R Y A N A

Public sceptical of ‘darbar’
PANCHKULA, Jan 8 —With a visit to the constituencies of Nuh and Ferozepur Jhirka, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, will complete his whirlwind tour of the 90 Assembly constituencies of the state. In spite of claims that the decisions being taken at the "Sarkar Aapke Dwar" programme, being held during such visits, were being implemented in letter and spirit, the public seems less optimistic and more sceptical of the decisions.

Congress to kick off campaign from Ambala
CHANDIGARH, January 8 — The Haryana unit of the Congress Party today claimed that there was unity among its leaders and spelt out issues that would figure in the party's poll campaign.

College bends law on admissions
ROHTAK, Jan 8 — The recent admissions by Shri Baba Mast Nath group of institutions to various professional courses including MBA B. Pharma. B.D.S., B. Engg. and B.Sc. (Physiotherapy), in violation of ban imposed by the state government, Dental Council of India and Pharmacy Council of India have raised eyebrows.

Ticket-seekers meet observers
KARNAL, Jan 8 — To ascertain the winning prospects of various contenders for the Congress ticket in the coming assembly poll, party observers have started visiting different district.

Chautala announces sops for cops
CHANDIGARH, Jan 8 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has announced a time-bound promotion policy to remove stagnation in the constabulary.

JD (U) to go it alone in Haryana
GURGAON, Jan 8 — The Janata Dal (United), Haryana unit, yesterday said it would contest all Assembly seats in the state on its own despite being a partner in the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.

Telephones mere "show-pieces"
SONEPAT, Jan 8 — A majority of the telephones have become mere "show-pieces" in the industrial belt of the G.T. Road, Kundli following unsatisfactory working of the Kundli telephone exchange since the past fortnight.



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EARLIER STORIES
  Post set up on Haryana-UP border
SONEPAT, Jan 8 — The police has set up a post at Khurampur village on the Haryana-UP border. According to official sources, the step has been taken following directive of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, who had ordered the setting up of the post during his recent visit to Rai in connection with the mass contact campaign.

IAS officer Sushil Kumar dead
CHANDIGARH, Jan 8 — Mr Sushil Kumar , a Haryana cadre 1982 batch IAS officer, died this morning after a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Bitta: declare Pak terrorist state
AMBALA, Jan 8 — The chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, today demanded that Pakistan must be declared a terrorist state. Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Bitta said all parties should come together whenever there was a threat to the nation's integrity and sovereignty.

Parking area remains redundant
AMBALA, Jan 8 — A redundant Nagar Palika parking, behind Rai Market recently made operative, has not been able to receive the expected response of the public needed to regulate haphazard traffic in the Sadar Bazar area of Ambala cantonment.

CM hears Naraingarh grievances
NARAINGARH (AMBALA), Jan 8 — The Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today, said the efficiency of the District administration would be judged from the number of grievances redressed at its level.


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Public sceptical of ‘darbar’
By Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Jan 8 —With a visit to the constituencies of Nuh and Ferozepur Jhirka, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, will complete his whirlwind tour of the 90 Assembly constituencies of the state. In spite of claims that the decisions being taken at the "Sarkar Aapke Dwar" programme, being held during such visits, were being implemented in letter and spirit, the public seems less optimistic and more sceptical of the decisions.

Mr Rajneesh Jain, a resident of Ambala, had come with the idea of seeking justice at the darbar on a problem with the plot allotted to him. "Andar to paise ki boriyaan bant rahin hain," he said. Later, he explained that the Chief Minister was giving grants to all and sundry without taking the merits of the case into consideration. "The holding of the darbar amounts to wastage of time and money. Nothing concrete will emerge from the programme and this is just an opportunity to pull wool over our eyes since elections are just round the corner," he contended.

Another complainant, Mr Hemant Kinger, who returned empty-handed from the darbar opined, "this is just a political gimmick. If the government is really interested in working out solutions to the problem they could have organised a better show. They could have easily invited complaints and instead of collecting applications at the darbar they could have made known the action taken on these complaints. This is just another way of enticing the voter but we are no fools."

"The officers offer only lip service and through the darbar it comes from the Chief Minister. With just over a minute allotted to every complainant, it is too much to expect any action on the complaint. If they were serious about the business they would have the records ready and arrive at a decision after consultation. This is clearly exploitation of the official machinery for one’s own interest. Even though I am not hopeful of any outcome, I am submitting my application so that it comes on record and my presence at the darbar is marked," Mr Darshan Kumar, a resident of Sector 11, rued. He was accompanied by other members from his sector and had come with an application of their grievance on behalf of the Housing Board Allottees Association of their sector.

Another resident, Mrs Krishna Hooda, said, "We have been having trouble with the sewerage connection of our sector for over a year now. However, no permanent solution has been worked out. We have been to other darbars organised at the district level but to no avail. We are putting our application here and only time will tell if our complaint is redressed. We can only hope that our plea will not fall on deaf ears and can't do anything beyond that."

From Jaswantgarh, Mr Gurdas Lal, is sarcastic about the manner in which the cases were being dealt with. "Yeh to parshad bant ta lag raha hai. Among the many complaints that are being heard by the Chief Minister, hardly five per cent are likely to get their due. The rest is a farce and we become party to it once we give in our application. The statistics will show the darbar was a success when, in reality, nothing much will come out of it. I have also given a complaint on behalf of my panchayat and have forgotten about it since it was handled in a very casual manner bringing home the point that it is votes that has brought the government to the public," he adds. Top


 

Congress to kick off campaign from Ambala
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, January 8 — The Haryana unit of the Congress Party today claimed that there was unity among its leaders and spelt out issues that would figure in the party's poll campaign.

The Om Parkash Chautala-led Government's failure to keep its promise of providing free power and water to people, the power shortage prevailing in the state and the union government's lapses in the security front would be the Congress's poll plank in its run up to the Assembly elections, Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, chief of the party's election campaign committee told newspersons today following the first meeting of the campaign committee at the HPCC office here.

The meeting and the press briefing was attended by HPCC chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Mr Hooda's rival and a former Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal a former HPCC chief, Mr Birender Singh, and others.

Mr Motilal Vohra, AICC General Secretary in charge of Haryana affairs, attended the meeting and the briefing.

Mr Surjewala said it was decided at the meeting that senior Congress leaders of Haryana should address meetings jointly in various divisions of the state from January 13. The first meeting in this series would be at Ambala to kick off the party's campaign, and subsequently such meetings would be organised at Hisar, Gurgaon and other divisions.

In a resolution passed at the meeting it was decided that from January 17 onwards the Congress would organise protest marches and rallies in all 90 Assembly constituencies of Haryana to highlight the issues against the Chautala-led Government. Deterioration in the state's law and order scenario, the spree of promises by the Chief Minister irrespective of budgetary provisions, crash in the prices of farm products, etc, will also figure in the Constituency-level campaigns, Mr Surjewala said.

The meeting resolved to constitute district campaign committees for intensifying the campaign, he added.

Later answering questions from reporters, Mr Motilal Vohra said there was complete unity among the various factions of the Congress and the party would fight the poll unitedly. The party would not project any leader as Chief Minister, Mr Vohra averred and added if the Congress could obtain majority in Haryana, the choice of Chief Minister would be decided by Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Mr Vohra said an election committee for Haryana would be constituted soon and the effort would be to announce the names of candidates at least one month before election as suggested by the A K Antonys' report.

The AICC general secretary added that Congress was capable of fighting the Assembly elections on its own but if necessary it could have some other party as its ally. So far no talks had been held with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for fighting the election jointly. Any senior leader of party could contest the poll if the person desired so, Mr Vohra added.

Congress leaders also said they had met the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr M.S. Gill, and presented to him two separate memoranda, regarding the elections. The first one related to various promises made by Mr Chautala in the 'Sarkar aap ke dwar' (government at your door-step) programme.

According to the Congress, by making promises Mr Chautala was misusing state machinery and resources for electoral gains. This memorandum was presented to Mr Gill by a Congress delegation on January 3.

According to Mr Surjewala, the CEC took note of it and assured the delegation that the Assembly poll in Haryana would be a model.

The second memorandum, presented to the CEC on January 6, urged Mr Gill that the Assembly poll should take place after the local bodies poll since the terms of the panchayats and municipal committees had already expired.

Mr Surjewala claimed that the CEC had assured the Congress delegation that it would keep the party's memorandum in mind while drawing up the poll schedule for Haryana Assembly.
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College bends law on admissions
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, Jan 8 — The recent admissions by Shri Baba Mast Nath group of institutions to various professional courses including MBA B. Pharma. B.D.S., B. Engg. and B.Sc. (Physiotherapy), in violation of ban imposed by the state government, Dental Council of India and Pharmacy Council of India have raised eyebrows.

According to sources, the Haryana, vide memo number 2795-2833/Eb, dated Dec 2, 99, has directed all the four universities "to convey that permission granted to managements of self-financing degree/MBA/MCA/B. Pharma institutions etc for making admissions of their own is hereby withdrawn/frozen till further orders. Any admission, whatsoever, henceforth by the management in any course, even against vacant seats, is not allowed".

Similarly, the Secretary of the Dental Council of India wrote to Maharshi Dayanand University Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (retd) O.P. Kaushik, in letter (number DE-3 (108)-99/2527, dated Sept 13,99) that "since the central government has not renewed its permission for the 2nd batch/year BDS. Course to the said institution, I am directed to request you to stop further admissions at the said college till the central government renews its permission for 2nd batch/year BDS. course".

The Pharmacy Council of India had asked the management of Shri Baba Mast Nath Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research to "rectify deficiencies and submit compliance with documentary evidence to enable the council to process the matter of approval of the B. Pharmacy course. The council also returned a sum of Rs 40,000 as fee for approval to the management on Nov 8, 99.

Setting aside these embargoes the Mast Nath Institute allegedly completed the process of general admissions by Dec 27. Besides, the institute advertised for on-the-spot-admissions against some paid seats "lying vacant against minority quota" in various professional courses on Dec 30 and held the interviews on Dec 31. The university authorities were taken by surprise when the institute submitted the ‘return’ for these admission on Jan 3.

In an effort to justify the admissions, the institute, in a letter submitted to the university, argued that the order of the appellant court dated September 16,99 is stayed and that of the trial court dated September 9, 99 is made operative.

It is worth mentioning here that a trial court had given a decision against the ban on admissions to various professional courses imposed by the university on the Mast Nath institute on Sept 9 last.

However, the university authorities claimed that the court had only directed lifting of the ban and not abolishing of the procedure for admissions itself. They said the university and some other agencies were authorised to conduct the entrance tests for various professional courses at the institute.

When contacted the MDU vice-chancellor said the university had issued a letter to the institute warning that the admissions were violation of the rules and regulations and the institute would itself be responsible for the consequences. He said the university was also considering to file a SLP in this connection after the vacations of High Court end on January 10.Top

 

Ticket-seekers meet observers
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KARNAL, Jan 8 — To ascertain the winning prospects of various contenders for the Congress ticket in the coming assembly poll, party observers have started visiting different district.

The Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, has appointed observers for the 10 parliamentary constituencies in Haryana. Each observer would submit his report about the prospective winning candidates in each assembly constituency to the Congress President.

Col Sonu Ram from Rajasthan, who has been appointed observer for all nine-assembly seats of Karnal and Panipat districts, visited Karnal yesterday to meet the prospective candidates.Deputation of congress workers accompanied by the contenders for the party ticket met the observers at Karnal lake. They included Mr Jai Parkash Gupta, a former Minister Mr Suresh Gupta, a former president of the Karnal Municipal Committee, and Mr Kuldip Sharma, DCC, President.

Both Mr Kuldip Sharma and Mr Chiranji Lal Sharma, former MPs, have reportedly sought the Congress ticket for Karnal city assembly seat. The others in the race are Mr Suresh Gupta, Mrs Sumita Singh and Mr Jai Parkash Gupta. Mr Jai Parkash Gupta had once earlier represented this constituency.

Earlier, Mr Dalip Singh Bhoria from Madhya Pradesh had also visited Karnal as Congress observer.Top

 

Chautala announces sops for cops
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 8 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has announced a time-bound promotion policy to remove stagnation in the constabulary.

Speaking at a function organised at the Hisar police lines to celebrate the birth of new millennium Gurpurab, Mr Chautala said the new promotion policy would envisage promotion to constables on the completion of 16 years of service. He also announced reintroduction of a selection test for preparation of list BI, marking a reversal of the existing policy which is loaded heavily in favour of seniority with no weightage to merit.

A press note issued by the Police department said the Chief Minister also announced that henceforth policemen would be eligible to be posted in districts of their home range, except their home districts.

The Chief Minister, who was accorded a colourful welcome by officers and jawans of the police force, compared their sacrifices with those Army jawans and officers who defended the motherland in the Kargil conflict.

The Director-General of the Haryana Police, Mr S.P.S. Rathore, presented a cheque for Rs 37 lakh to the Chief Minister for the Orissa Cyclone Relief Fund.

Earlier, the state-level welfare committee accepted the long-pending demands of constables, Head Constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors for parity in scales with their Punjab counterparts. The pay scales of the Punjab constables, Head Constables and ASIs are the highest in the country which will be extended to the Haryana cops.

The welfare committee also decided to revise the kit maintenance allowance and conveyance allowance paid to policemen. While the kit maintenance allowance has been doubled, the conveyance allowance has been tripled. Similarly, the ration money for cops belonging to the Armed Police has been raised from the existing Rs 150 a month to Rs 350 a month.

The policemen posted in the district force will get ration money at the rate of Rs 250 a month as against the existing Rs 100 a month. The committee also decided to enhance the diet money paid to members of the commando forces.

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JD (U) to go it alone in Haryana

GURGAON, Jan 8 (PTI) — The Janata Dal (United), Haryana unit, yesterday said it would contest all Assembly seats in the state on its own despite being a partner in the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.

Due to "non-cooperation" by the Chief Minister and President of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Mr Om Prakash Chautala and the BJP, the JD(U) would contest all 90 Assembly seats separately, party state president Ved Prakash Vidrohi said here.

Announcing a seven-member election committee headed by Mr Dalip Singh, he also invited applications from aspiring candidates before January 15 for the state polls.
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Telephones mere "show-pieces"
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Jan 8 — A majority of the telephones have become mere "show-pieces" in the industrial belt of the G.T. Road, Kundli following unsatisfactory working of the Kundli telephone exchange since the past fortnight.

Subscribers have alleged that the telephone exchange has not been functioning properly with the result that a majority of the telephones are out of order. The inquiry and complaint numbers, they say, are always out of order and the subscribers are forced to go personally to the telephone exchange to get their complaints registered.

Businessmen have alleged that they have suffered huge financial losses because of the inefficient working of the telephone exchange. They have also alleged that repeated complaints to the authorities concerned have fallen on deaf ears.

Mr S.K. Singal, president of the G.T. Road Industries Association, has alleged that the complaints of the subscribers were on the rise and authorities concerned had utterly failed to redress the grievances of the subscribers.

In a complaint sent to Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of Communications, a copy of which was released to the Press here today, he gave the details of the telephones which were out of order and alleged that even the senior officials of the Telecom Department had not bothered to take action in this regard.Top

 

Post set up on Haryana-UP border
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Jan 8 — The police has set up a post at Khurampur village on the Haryana-UP border.

According to official sources, the step has been taken following directive of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, who had ordered the setting up of the post during his recent visit to Rai in connection with the mass contact campaign.

The post has an armed contingent comprising an ASI and four constables. It is also equipped with a wireless set to keep a strict vigil on the activities of farmers belonging to the two states and maintain the law and order.

Official sources also revealed that farmers of Khurampur village had been allegedly attacked by UP peasants while sowing wheat along the embankments of the Yamuna.

The farmers had lodged a complaint with the Rai police in this regard. The UP farmers also reportedly fired in the air to scare away the Haryana farmers.

There have been frequent clashes between the farmers of the two states along the embankments of the Yamuna in Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat and Faridabad districts. The Yamuna passes through Saharanpur, Muzzaffarnagar and Mathura districts in UP. The river usually changes course during the monsoon every year. As a result, lands of farmers of the two states are submerged and subsequently there is a tussle between them over the remaining land.

The Dixit Committee Award had clearly laid down guidelines to meet the claims of the farmers of the two states. However, the report has not been strictly implemented so far.

Two years ago, a dispute was referred to the Survey of India, but the situation has not changed so far.Top

 

IAS officer Sushil Kumar dead
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 8 — Mr Sushil Kumar , a Haryana cadre 1982 batch IAS officer, died this morning after a massive heart attack.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

He was cremated with full state honours this afternoon. His cremation was attended by a large number of Haryana IAS officers, HCS officers, judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, apart from prominent citizens of Chandigarh.

The Principal Secretary of the Chief Minister, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, laid a wreath on his body on behalf of the Chief Minister. The Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Verma, and the general secretary of the Haryana IAS Officers’ Association, Mr Krishan Mohan, also laid wreaths on the body of the deceased.

The Home Secretary, Mr N.K. Jain, laid wreaths on the body of Mr Sushil Kumar, on behalf of the Chandigarh Administration.

Before making it to the IAS, Mr Sushil Kumar had served the Subordinate Judiciary of Haryana for two years.
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Bitta: declare Pak terrorist state
Tribune News Service

AMBALA, Jan 8 — The chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, today demanded that Pakistan must be declared a terrorist state.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Bitta said all parties should come together whenever there was a threat to the nation's integrity and sovereignty.

Mr Bitta stressed the need for setting up anti-terrorist courts to expedite the trial of terrorists in three months.

He alleged that explosives were being smuggled in through Nepal, but the government had failed to take effective measures to check it.

He said the union government must learn a lesson from the recent hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane.

Mr Bitta stated that the front would organise an international seminar against terrorism in Delhi on February 1.

In reply to a question, he said Mr Bhajan Lal was "the most suitable leader in Haryana" who could bring the Congress back to power.Top

 

Parking area remains redundant
By Anil Sharma

AMBALA, Jan 8 — A redundant Nagar Palika parking, behind Rai Market recently made operative, has not been able to receive the expected response of the public needed to regulate haphazard traffic in the Sadar Bazar area of Ambala cantonment.

It might be recalled that after a report published in The Tribune a few days ago, the civic authorities have launched a drive to free the city business centre from parking problems. The Administration put up sign boards advising residents to park their vehicles at the Nagar Palika parking.

The Municipal Council has deputed four employees to man the free parking behind Rai Market. The staff deputed there explained that in the beginning the number of parked vehicles was very less, now it had risen to around 10 daily, but the response is still lukewarm. People still park their vehicles in the market.

Mr S.K. Goel, Executive Officer, Ambala Sadar, informed that during the last week the civic and police personnel in a joint drive had put the crane into use, hooking three cars and challaned a similar number of vehicles.

The link road leading to the parking enclosure is in a pathetic state. There are big potholes in it. It needs immediate carpeting. Furthermore, no tubelight poles have been installed to provide streetlights at the Nagar Palika parking during the night. There is only one tubelight at the roof top of the cabin installed there for the staff.

The vehicle owners complain that the parking timings are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. whereas the market opens at 9 in the morning and closes at 8 in the night. No one remains there to take care of vehicles after 8 p.m.

The police authorities should adopt strict measures and impose a fine on violators who still park their vehicles along the roadside in the bazaars.

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CM hears Naraingarh grievances
Tribune News Service

NARAINGARH (AMBALA), Jan 8 — The Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today, said the efficiency of the District administration would be judged from the number of grievances redressed at its level.

Talking to newspersons after hearing the problems of Raipur Rani and Naraingarh blocks under the Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar programme, Mr Chautala said the number of persons going to Chandigarh for grievance redressing should come down and it would be possible only when the district officials took interest in their work.

In answer to a query, Mr Chautala said there was no rift between the Indian National Lokdal and The Bharatiya Janata Party regarding into the division of seats for the coming Vidhan Sabha elections. “Ticket distribution will only be done on merit basis and the most suitable candidate will be given the ticket for the elections,” he said.

In answer to another question, the CM said his government had been making consistent efforts to improve the administration and welfare measures had been taken for the benefit of the people. He said he had covered almost all the Assembly segments and the people had appreciated his work. During the open darbar the CM heard a variety of grievances, ranging from the need for primary schools to primary Health Centre and also for a link road and improvement in the potable water.

According to a press note Rs 4.51 crore have been distributed in past one month.

While Ambala has been granted money for development work in villages and road repair Barara, Naraingarh and Shahzpur have also been granted money for similar purposes by the CM.

Mr Chautala said there had been a big improvement in the power scenario and there had been efforts to provide electricity to all. “I have directed the authorities to remove power lines from near schools and other public places where there is a possibility of an accident,” he said.

“We have again began the survey of persons above the age of 60 so that they can be given the benefit of pension.”

“I have also directed that the government land occupied illegally should be immediately cleared.”

He promised financial help for all projects which were cleared by him at the open darbar.

He decided to revert back a piece of land in Naraingarh to the local owner, which had been leased to a property dealer of Chandigarh.


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Another blast victim dies
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Jan 8 — One more victim of bomb blast incident which took place at Ambala cantonment recently died in Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir, last night.

According to sources, Mrs Nirmala Devi, wife of deceased Bhawani Ram, succumbed to her injuries after struggling for life for 13 days.
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Ban on carrying of arms
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 8 — The District Magistrate, Mr Rajesh Khullar, prohibited the carrying of arms and ammunition, within a radius of 100 meters from the courts, including the sessions court.

The restrictions imposed under Section 144 of the Cr PC will remain in force till July 5 Rohtak is perhaps the only district in the state where such orders have been imposed by the authorities.

Justifying the imposition of the prohibitory orders, Mr Khullar told this correspondent that unauthorised persons and supporters of the criminals were seen moving freely carrying arms and weapons within the judicial complexes and its vicinity.

A few months ago, supporters of rival gangs had clashed near the courts complex and two persons had been injured in the exchange of fire.

Therefore, he said, these orders were aimed at strengthening the security system to ensure public safety during the working of courts. These orders, however, would not apply to the police and other public servants on duty, he said.


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Poor response to Home Science courses
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Jan 8 — There has been a poor response of students to various courses in Home Science at the IC College of Home Science in CCS Haryana Agricultural University here. The number of students admitted to various undergraduate courses is less than 50 per cent of the total available seats.

While there are 150 seats available for the undergraduate course, only 60 students have been admitted. The workload of teachers has come to 50 to 75 per cent of their requirement. The college authorities have already relieved the research scientists of the teaching work.

Surprisingly, there are some teachers who have been appointed on contract basis, without any requirement. The Chief Minister's office, in a communication to the university authorities has sought a detailed report about the desirability of such teachers.

The poor response to the courses has been attributed to the new Indian Council of Agricultural Research guidelines. Earlier the college would admit most of the students who had Home Science as their subject at plus two level. The changed ICAR guidelines, state only students with medical at the plus two level can be admitted to Home Science. Such students prefer medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences. Home Science is their last choice.

The college authorities are understood to be pursuing the ICAR to change the eligibility criteria.
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INLD leader quits
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Jan 8 — Mr Brij Mohan Singla, an Indian National Lok Dal leader from Jind announced his decision to quit the party here on Saturday.

Announcing this decision at a press conference Mr Singla said he along with certain Haryana Vikas Party MLAs had quit the HVP and joined the INDL expecting the Assembly would complete its term. But Mr Om Parkash Chautala had dashed their expectations by forcing the mid-term polls on the state electorate.

The Chief Minister had ignored the Jind Assembly constituency. Even the development works sanctioned by the Bansi Lal Government were stopped by Mr Chautala, Mr Singla alleged.Top

 

Old age pension: Dalits allege discrimination
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Jan 8 — The Haryana Harijan Janhit Seva Samiti has alleged discrimination against the Dalits in the survey of eligible persons for old-age pension.

In a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, the vice-president of the Panipat unit of the samiti Mr Jagdish Chander Kalsan, has pointed out that a number of eligible persons from the weaker sections had been left out by the surveying teams. He has demanded a re-survey of the old-age persons, particularly of Dalit of the society, so that the poor eligible persons were not deprived of this benefit.

He in his complaint has appealed that for those persons who do not have the birth certificate, an age certificate should be issued by the medical board.

He has also pointed out that in a large number of cases, the old-age pension has been sanctioned to those persons who otherwise are not eligible. Top

 

Encroachment on panchayat land removed
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Jan 8 — Following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the district administration has removed encroachments on over 100 kanals of panchayat land of Kurana village.

According to available information, some influential persons of the village had illegally occupied the panchayati land and allegedly were not allowing the gram panchayat to auction it.

The gram panchayat also filed a case in the High Court against the encroachment and in the case, the High Court ordered the district administration to get the encroachment removed.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sandeep Garg, deputed Duty Magistrate, L.P.S. Tomar and the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Israna along with police force to get the illegal possession vacated.

The Deputy Magistrate, in the presence of the village panchayat and villagers got the land auctioned on yearly lease of Rs 1 lakh.
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2 die in mishap
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Jan 8 — Two women died and six persons were injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a jeep in the district.

According to the informations received today, the accident took place at 9 a.m. near Gauriwala village. A jeep carrying a family from Jodhpuria village dashed into a bus coming from the opposite direction. Neeko Bai, 50, and Shanti Devi, 60, died on the spot. The jeep driver Om Parkash and five others suffered injuries. The injured were admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

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