H A R Y A N A

Cong-HVP-BSP tie-up likely
HISAR, Jan 12 — To ensure a better and respectable performance in the coming assembly elections, Congress leadership in Haryana is understood to be keen on working an alliance with the Haryana Vikas Party of Mr Bansi Lal and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

INLD-BJP rift over seats persists
CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — The stalemate over the sharing of Assembly seats between the ruling INLD and the BJP in Haryana continues, despite the bonhomie displayed by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and certain leaders of the Rohtak BJP today.

INLD-BJP ‘friendly contest’ likely
ROHTAK, Jan 12 — Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, INLD supremo and Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala has not ruled out a friendly contest between his party and the BJP on certain seats.

Gurgaon plot with Badals: Bansi
KURUKSHETRA, Jan 12 — "The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala has restored the controversial 17.75 acre Gurgaon plot to the Parkash Singh Badal family in most clandestine manner throwing all norms of public probity to winds".

Bushes cover NTPC officers’ houses
YAMUNANAGAR: The delay in the much-awaited Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant has led to 52 houses, constructed specially for officers of the National Thermal Power Corporation, falling vacant. These have now become the abode of animals.

Cong-HVP-BSP tie-up likely
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Jan 12 — To ensure a better and respectable performance in the coming assembly elections, Congress leadership in Haryana is understood to be keen on working an alliance with the Haryana Vikas Party of Mr Bansi Lal and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Sources in the Pradesh Congress Committee disclosed that despite opposition by an influential section of the state leadership to the proposed alliance the party high command had already been taken into confidence on the issue.

The prospective alliance between the Indian National Lok Dal and the BJP is said to be one of the main worries for the Congress leadership in the state. The INLD-BJP alliance is being viewed as a formidable combination as it gives a common option to the rural and urban voters.

The decline and fall of the HVP, not withstanding Mr Bansi Lal's stature still holds big in the state politics. His allying with the Congress may not be of much help to the party in terms of voter count, but it will definitely provide a psychological boost to the sagging morals of the party workers in the state.

Mr Bansi Lal's son, Mr Surinder Singh, is reportedly being persuaded to join the Congress. In fact his entry is said to be a matter of time. His wife, Ms Kiran Chaudhary, is a Congress legislator from Delhi cantonment and is also the Deputy Speaker in the Delhi Assembly. Her proximity to the Delhi Chief Minister makes her also close to the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Simultaneously the Congress leadership is also trying to forge an alliance with the BSP. Although the party does not have a significant presence in the state, yet its limited influence in certain assembly segments may prove a decisive factor in the final results. The Scheduled Castes and the backward classes have been the backbone of the Congress support base, an alliance with the BSP may help the party strengthen it.

The PCC leadership is understood to be trying to ensure a direct contest between the Congress or its allies and the INLD-BJP alliance candidates. Multi-cornered contests may help the latter. If there is a direct contest between the Congress-led alliance and the INLD-BJP alliance, the Congress leadership feels that the party may benefit.

However, all these developments are in the preliminary stage. There has not been any formal meeting on the issue between the leaders of the three parties. The Congress, being a dominant force is likely to take the initiative to ensure a workable alliance of the three parties. This is necessary to ensure the defeat of the INLD-BJP alliance in the state, one senior PCC leader and former minister told TNS.

INLD-BJP rift over seats persists
By Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — The stalemate over the sharing of Assembly seats between the ruling INLD and the BJP in Haryana continues, despite the bonhomie displayed by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and certain leaders of the Rohtak BJP today.

According to informed sources, a delegation of Haryana BJP leaders met the party chief, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, today and gave him the names of 35 constituencies which the party would like to contest in alliance with the INLD. The leaders also gave names of the party candidates.

The sources say from now onwards the talks on the issue of seat sharing will be conducted with Mr Chautala by Central leaders of the BJP.

Though Mr Chautala as well as Rohtak BJP leaders expressed cliche that ‘there was no dispute between the two parties’ over the sharing of seats, the sources say Mr Chautala’s denial at today’s press conference at Rohtak that he never committed himself to giving 35 seats to the BJP has annoyed the BJP leaders in Delhi.

BJP sources insist that before the party had agreed to the dissolution of the Assembly, Mr Chautala had met the General Secretary, Mr Narendra Modi, and had given an assurance that the INLD would leave 35 seats for the BJP.

They say no contact was made between Mr Chautala and Central BJP leaders today. Perhaps Mr Chautala was busy with the organisation poll of his party at Rohtak.

Meanwhile, an analysis of the past election results does not support the BJP’s claim over 35 Assembly seats. Whenever the BJP has contested elections in alliance with a party in Haryana, it has shown relatively good results. In 1987, the BJP contested 17 seats in alliance with Mr Devi Lal’s Janata Dal and won 16 seats. In 1996, the party contested 25 seats along with the HVP but could win only 11 seats (The high court reversed the result of the Gharaunda seat in an election petition filed by the INLD candidate).

It was only in 1991 that the BJP contested the elections on its own. It could win only two seats of the 89 it contested.

The BJP again contested the 1998 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the HVP. On 27 Assembly segments of three Lok Sabha constituencies, the BJP faced the BSP, which had an electoral alliance with the INLD. Similarly, the BJP was in direct contest with the INLD in 27 Assembly segments of three Lok Sabha constituencies.

The BJP could establish a lead over the BSP in only 10 Assembly segments while it could not lead over the INLD even in a single segment.

Against it the INLD led in 43 Assembly segments while the BSP picked up another six segments, making it a tally of 49 for the alliance.

In the 1991 elections, the BJP remained at the second position in 10 Assembly constituencies, while it finished third on six seats.

Pollsters say that INLD’s apprehension that leaving more number of seats would be indirect help to the Congress is not baseless in view of the past record.

INLD-BJP ‘friendly contest’ likely
From Jatinder Sharma

ROHTAK, Jan 12 — Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, INLD supremo and Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala has not ruled out a friendly contest between his party and the BJP on certain seats.

He claimed that the BJP and the INLD have no differences on the sharing of seats but he did not rule out a friendly contest between the two on four or five Assembly seats. He, however, did not specify these constituencies.

Mr Chautala said that the criteria for allocation of seats between the two parties would be the winning prospects of the candidate. Both the parties, he said, would hold constituency-wise exercise of their respective candidates on all the 90 Assembly constituencies.

The INLD chief denied that he had ever agreed to allot 35 seats to the BJP. "There was never any agreement on the sharing of seats with the BJP", he told newsmen.

Mr Chautala said that the INLD and the BJP would contest the ensuing Assembly elections on their own symbols and manifestos. Since the INLD was a regional party, it has its separate approach on certain issues.

The major poll plank of the INLD would be clean administration, eradication of corruption and development, he said. During the past five-month rule, his government has launched many welfare schemes to benefit every section of the society.

Earlier, Mr Chautala was unanimously elected President of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). The Urban Development Minister, Mr Dhirpal Singh, proposed his name, which was seconded by Mr Malik Chand Gambhir and Mr Sri Kishan Sharma.

Addressing the INLD delegates, Mr Chautala said that he would uphold the respect and honour of every worker. He said that as in the last Lok Sabha elections, the INLD would contest the ensuing Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP.

He exhorted the party workers to whole-heartedly work for the success of the alliance candidates. Mr Chautala was given powers to nominate the executive committee and other office-bearers on the suggestion of Finance Minister Sampat Singh.

Mr Chautala said that during his tour of the constituencies under the "Sarkar Aapke Dwar" programme he had so far announced five candidates who were in a position to win. These candidates would not be changed under any circumstances, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chautala has renominated Mr Nafe Singh Rathi as INLD candidate from the Bahadurgarh Assembly constituency. Mr Rathi, who was a member of the dissolved Assembly, has been convicted to life imprisonment on charges of murder by the Additional Sessions Judge of Jhajjar last year. He is presently on bail.

Gurgaon plot with Badals: Bansi
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Jan 12 — "The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala has restored the controversial 17.75 acre Gurgaon plot to the Parkash Singh Badal family in most clandestine manner throwing all norms of public probity to winds".

Alleging this, in a press statement issued here yesterday, Mr Bansi Lal said that the orders of the Supreme Court of India made on December 3, 1999 while disposing of the special leave petitions (SLP) filed by the State of Haryana and the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) gives the impression as if the price of the plot was the issue.

He said that "the real issue was the resumption of the plot and it is clear that the court was allegedly duped by withholding the necessary assistance by indulging in the game of "connivance and conceding to the arguments of Mr Badal's counsel". He said that though the SLPs were filed by the State and the HSIDC during his time, yet the Badals have, through connivance with Mr Chautala, managed to get the relief which even the high court had not granted while deciding the LPA despite similar undertaking before the high court by the Badals.

The former Chief Minister said that "actually it was a case where Mr Badal's lawyers were managing the show for the State and the HSIDC as well as numerating various instances. Mr Bansi Lal said Mr R.S. Rai, who was earlier the advocate for the HSIDC in the Punjab and Haryana High Court was appointed as the Advocate General, Punjab by Mr Badal, Mr Mahabir Singh, who was Mr Badal's advocate on record in the Supreme Court in this case was appointed as advocate on record for the State of Haryana by Mr Chautala. The advocates engaged earlier were changed and the new ones engaged by Mr Mahabir Singh to "defend" the state's interests. It was like making the cat guard the milk," Mr Bansi Lal said.

Mr Bansi Lal questioned Mr Chautala's commitment to the State by saying, "He gave a Rs 200 crore worth plot to Mr Badal on the platter who proclaims that not a drop of water will flow in the SYL for Haryana. Well, it was a family deal, Mr Badal would help Chautala become the Chief Minister of Haryana and the latter would restore the plot to the former. Let Haryana or its interests go to dogs for Mr Chautala," said Mr Bansi Lal in a hard-hitting attack on Mr Chautala.

It may be mentioned here that a 17.75 acre plot was allotted in favour of Orbit Resorts Pvt. Ltd. during the regime of Mr Devi Lal in 1989. The Managing Director of the Orbit Resorts is Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal whereas Mr P.S. Badal and Mrs Surinder Kaur Badal are the promoter directors in the company.

Mr Bansi Lal said that not only the plot was allotted at lower rates but a few more concessions were also given. However, notwithstanding the relaxation in construction norms the Badals failed to construct beyond the boundary wall. As a result, the HSIDC resumed the plot in January, 1995.

The Badals challenged the resumption through a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The single-Judge Bench upheld HSIDC's resumption order. The Badals filed an LPA in the high court which was decided in their favour and the resumption order was quashed. Both the State Government and the HSIDC, the allotting agency, had filed SLPs in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the high court.

The plot was allotted for Rs 4.25 crore. Mr Bansi Lal feels that it was the most ideal location for developing an information technology park which would not only generate employment for thousands of IT professionals but would also become the hub of IT industry in North India.

Mr Bansi Lal maintained that the plot was in the possession of the HSIDC, when the Supreme Court ordered status quo on April 19, 1999 but Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal gave an affidavit in the Supreme Court that the possession was with them.

Immediately after Mr Chautala took over as Chief Minister, Mr Badal's men forcibly took possession of the plot on July 25. The issue was raised in the Assembly on July 27 when the Chief Minister categorically made a statement that the plot was in government's possession whereas Mr Badal's men were still in control of the plot, claimed Mr Bansi Lal. He alleged that Mr Chautala misled the House and Mr Badal submitted a false affidavit.

Bushes cover NTPC officers’ houses
From Ashwani Dutta

YAMUNANAGAR: The delay in the much-awaited Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant has led to 52 houses, constructed specially for officers of the National Thermal Power Corporation, falling vacant. These have now become the abode of animals.

When this reporter went to the site he was surprised that the Rs 1-crore building complex was without electricity and water. Animals could be seen moving about in the complex. There was a thick growth of congress grass and even houses were covered by bushes.

The complex was inaugurated on October 1,1992, by the NTPC Chairman, Mr Rajinder Singh. The NTPC initially undertook the work on thermal plant and constructed a helipad, two big godowns, 52 houses, a residential complex and offices.

The chowkidar says that they are employees of Haryana Vidyut Parasaran Nigam (HVPN) and seven of them were deputed to look after the deserted complex. At one time the entire NTPC staff was staying here but later were shifted elsewhere.

The people of Yamunanagar say that till the government takes the initiative to start the super thermal power plant, till then these houses should be allotted to district officers who are at present living in rented buildings.

The 1133-acre complex has a barren look. If the government had allotted the land to the people of the area on lease, the government could have made a sizeable amount.

Residents of nearby villages informed that at the time of acquiring the land, the government assured that job priority would be given to those families whose land had been acquired. The residents alleged that every time on the eve of election various party candidates assured that they would raise the issue in the assembly, but nobody cared after the election.

However, on March 28,1993 Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister, inaugurated the thermal plant by remote control from Faridabad, but no special funds were allocated resulting in projects hanging fire. It is learnt that the Haryana Government is determined to undertake this project of which they have already invited tenders.

HC notice in panchayat poll case for Feb 15
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to Haryana's Election Commissioner, review petitioners Randeep Singh Surjewala, Kartar Devi and certain Congress leaders, apart from the petitioners, in the panchayat election case for February 15 on an affidavit filed by Mr Rajan Gupta, former counsel for the Haryana Election Commission.

Earlier, counsel for the state Election Commission told Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg, who had issued contempt notice to the state Election Commissioner, a former Advocate-General of Haryana, Mr Mohan Jain, and the Chief Secretary, that they had not been given an opportunity to rebut the contents of Mr Gupta's affidavit.

The judges had issued the contempt notice to these persons for withholding from them the provisions of the Constitution about the panchayat elections. In fact, the court had felt that it had been misled and a wrong order was obtained from it for adjourning the panchayat elections till June.

In his affidavit Mr Gupta had stated that when the case was fixed for September 30 for filing a reply by the state Election Commission, he had prepared the reply on behalf of the commission. The reply contained all relevant provisions about the panchayat elections as envisaged under the Constitution.

He further claimed that the reply was brought to the High Court. The state Election Commissioner, Mr T.D. Jogpal, was also present on the High Court premises. However, he had refused to sign the reply prepared by him.

Harassed by eve-teaser, Dalit ends life
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 12 — A teenaged Dalit girl of Nehru Colony committed suicide on Saturday, according to a delayed report.

"He (an upper caste youth) has made it almost impossible for me to go outside. I feel myself as a captive in my house. I cannot live with such a miserable life," these were the last utterances of the girl who committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance on Saturday last after returning from school. She died while being taken to the PGIMS.

Her father, Muniram, a tracer in the Irrigation Department said his daughter, Suman (17), a student of Plus Two at the local Government Senior Secondary School often complained against a neighbour named Sunil (21) allegedly used to make passes at her. He said the matter was reported to the parents of Sunil and the police, but the complaint went unattended due to their poor socio-economic status.

The police has registered a case. Sunil and his parents are reported to have absconded.

Republic Day function
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Jan 12 — The state-level Republic Day function will be held here and the Governor Dr Mahavir Prasad will host the national flag.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner while addressing officials at a meeting held at the Mini Secretariat here yesterday. He further said tableau depicting the progress in the field of agriculture, fish farming, industry, power, transport and sugar mills would form part of this programme. The Deputy Commissioner directed the district officials to intensify the implementation of various developmental schemes.

The Deputy Commissioner said the election department would provide electronic voting machines in the ensuing assembly poll.

Bus stand building unsafe
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA Jan 12 — The bus stand of Ambala city, even after being declared ‘unsafe’ a decade ago by the PWD (B & R) is continuing to function, posing a great danger to the passengers. If any mishap happens, the authorities will have no answer or excuse for it. One of the employees of the roadways said: “We have no option but to face this danger every day.”

Although it is not situated on the main GT Road like the Ambala Cantonment bus stand, it is an important bus stand located at the district headquarters from where hundreds of passengers travel for different destinations like Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa and Hisar.

The condition of the campus of the bus stand is deteriorating day by day.The roof of the building may give way any time. The employees of the RTA office, which is situated on the first floor of the building, have to think twice before entering their rooms. In the rainy season the roof leaks and may cause damage to the office records. Urinals and the drains of the bus stand are generally found overflowing. The polluted sewerage water can be seen every where in the campus.

According to information, the bus stand was constructed in 1974 and inaugurated by the then Governor, Mr B.N. Chakravarti. At that time Rs 12 lakh were spent on its construction. Although it was constructed by a private contractor, the supervision of the quality of the work was the responsibility of the then Executive Engineer of PWD (B&R). Now the government is in a fix as to who should be held responsible for this substandard construction since the engineer has retired and the contractor has gone abroad.

Interestingly, the roof of the building started leaking only after five years of its construction. In 1985 one part of the building was dismantled. Later, within two years 30 per cent of the building was damaged and it was declared unsafe for use. In many parts of the building cracks appeared.

The PWD, which had issued the NOC of the building tried its best to conceal the cracks of the building by sending Rs 3 lakh on its repair. But the condition of the building continued to deteriorate. In 1986 the General Manager of Haryana Roadways, Ambala depot, informed the higher authorities that if it was not repaired immediately, it might lead to a major accident. In 1988 and later in 1992 a major portion of the building was repaired by spending lakhs of rupees, which, in fact, was temporary arrangement. At present renovation will not do. Reconstruction from the base is the only permanent solution.

Earlier, the senior officers had expressed different opinions over its worsening condition even within the short period of two decades. Some of them were of the view that the proper quality of cement was not used in the construction,while some of them said the water which was used was having huge contents of shora. A senior officer had advised to get the construction materials tested through the Quality Testing Institute, Roorki. But when the institute demanded Rs 1 lakh for this work, the idea was dropped.

‘Main sarkari duty par hoon’
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA Jan 12 — A scooterist of Ambala City has been challaned since he had allegedly refused to give an ASI a lift on his scooter. The scooterist, Mr Vinod Kumar of Ravidass Basti, has made a complaint to this effect to the DSP.

According to Mr Kumar, two days ago, he was approached by the ASI at Patiala chowk to give him a lift upto the police line chowk. But when he dropped the cop 100 yards away from his destination, the ASI challaned him for not wearing a helmet. When questioned why the violation was not noticed earlier, the ASI allegedly said, “Too poochne wala kaun hota hai. Jab meri marzi hogi, challan karoonga. Tujhe pata nahin main sarkari duty par hoon”.