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| Saturday, January 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Godara dares BJP to go it alone Reservations on ST structure in
Haryana Changing eligibility in post ads
challenged Polythene-bag ban has no effect Traders complain against banks |
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HPCC plea to Sonia Gandhi Exams schedule Devi Lal’s ideals ‘being
followed’ Ultras may strike on Jan 26: police BSP to contest all Sonepat seats Steps to improve bus services Girl's suicide: youth held Bomb hoax in school
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Godara
dares BJP to go it alone FATEHABAD, Jan 14 — Former Haryana Home Minister, Mani Ram Godara, who recently joined the INLD has said the BJP claim to popularity will be proved "hollow" if it dared to contest the Haryana Assembly poll independently. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said the state level leadership of the the BJP had misconception about the party popularity and warned that it may not win a single seat in the forthcoming elections if it dared to go to the polls alone. He said he had been a party to the seat-sharing consultations between the HVP and the BJP in the past and was of the opinion that the BJP should not demand more than 20 seats in the state. He advised the BJP leadership to see reason and settle for 20 seats. He claimed it were the policies of the INLD government in Haryana which had made the alliance popular and the people only wanted to see Mr Om Prakash Chautala back to power. On the BJP argument that it should have more share in seats in view of a pro-Vajpayee wave in the country, Mr Godara said if it was so, all partners in the National Democratic Alliance should benefit from it and not the BJP alone. Reacting on the controversies regarding the manifesto on which the alliance would contest the elections, Mr Godara said the controversy was needless as the electorate did not vote after going through manifestos of political parties. In fact, copies of manifestos were seldom distributed among voters and remained lying in the party office. The former minister indicated that he was keen to contest the next Assembly elections from Bhattu Kalan or Fatehabad. Mr Godara said as he represented the dissolved Assembly from Bhattu Kalan, he considered himself a strong contender from that seat. He said though it was up to the party high command to decide about his candidature, left to himself, he had no problem if he was fielded from Fatehabad or Bhattu Kalan. Reacting on the utterances of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal that he (Mr Godara) was not in a position to win from any constituency, Mr Godara said if this turned true it would only be due to the fact that he had remained with Mr Bansi Lal for a long time. He however, added that he would win hands down if fielded by the party either from Fatehabad or Bhattu Kalan.
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Reservations
on ST structure in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Jan 14 — The Haryana Government has reservations about sales tax rates on certain items identified for enforcement of the minimum floor rates fixed at the national level. More than 200 items have been listed for the enforcement of the new ST structure based on the minimum floor rates. Talking to TNS, Mr Sampat Singh, Finance Minister of Haryana, said the state government had problems about the proposed tax rates on farm equipment, fertilisers and petroleum products. "Right now there is no sales tax in Haryana on agricultural equipment and fertilisers but under the new system there will be 4 per cent tax on both items. Petroleum products will also become dearer in Haryana by almost twice its present price if the proposed rates are accepted", the Finance Minister said. The Haryana Government did not agree with the proposed tax rates on certain entries in the list as well, he said. Gujarat, West Bengal, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the states that have already introduced the new ST structure based on the minimum floor rates. The National Implementation Committee (NIC), which was set up by the Finance ministry to enforce the tax structure, has directed remaining states to implement the new rates by January 15. The NIC has also obtained an assurance from the Finance ministry that the Central Government will stop giving grant and financial assistance to those states which do not comply with the NIC’s directive. Punjab and certain other states are expected to issue the related notification before the January 15 deadline. Earlier on July 27, the minimum floor rates on various items of the list were drawn up at a meeting called by the NIC in Delhi. Chief Ministers and Finance ministers of all the states were asked to attend the meeting. However, from Haryana no minister could go as Mr Om Prakash Chautala was facing the crucial trust vote on that day, Mr Sampat Singh, emphasising the point that the Haryana Government was not a party to the decision taken on the new ST structure. The Finance Minister said officials from the Excise and Taxation department of Haryana would attend the meeting convened by the NIC in Delhi next Sunday. The NIC, it may be stated, has directed all states to attend the meeting and submit copies of the related notifications to the NIC as evidence of having enforced tax structure in their states. Mr Sampat Singh, however, said the Union Finance ministry would not be able to take any action against the Haryana Government for the latter’s refusal to abide by the NIC’s directive. The representatives from Haryana who will take part in the January 16 meeting would explain the state government’s viewpoint to the NIC. He also pointed out that all the states were yet to agree upon the tax rates on various items proposed by the NIC. "First, let there be a consensus among the states about the rates of tax on the listed item — once this is achieved, Haryana will also certainly follow the principle of a uniform sales tax". Mr Sampat Singh added that as the model code of conduct for the elections was now in force in Haryana, it would not be proper for the state government to take any step which would affect the prices of various commodities in the state.
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Changing
eligibility in post ads challenged CHANDIGARH, Jan 14 — On a writ petition challenging the advertisement issued by the state of Haryana published on November 14, 1999 vide which the posts of S.S. Masters and S.S. Mistresses advertised in 1994, 1995 and 1996 have been readvertised after modifying the qualifications, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High court issued notice of motion for February 16. The case came up before Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice J.S. Narang. The petitioners, who are occupying the posts on an ad hoc basis for two to five years, are aggrieved by the government's action in not providing any relaxation in their qualifications. The petitioner, M. Vijay Kumar, and 33 others working in government schools at various places in Haryana selected by the Departmental Selection Committee after interviews, were appointed on 89 days' basis in pursuance of an advertisement in August, 1997. The petitioners submitted that the qualifications mentioned in the impugned advertisement had been changed in such a way that MA and B.Eds were made ineligible for appointment. It was contended that under the 1955 rules, there was no requirement of a combination of subjects. The petitioners who gained experience made representations to the government against the subject combination provided in the impugned advertisement. It was contended on behalf of the petitioners that the effect of the advertisement was to deny rights which had accrued to the petitioners who had expectations of their services being regularised, said the counsel. The petitioners sought the quashing of the impugned advertisement and readvertisement of posts after exempting the ad hoc S.S. Masters from the new condition.
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Polythene-bag
ban has no effect AMBALA, Jan 14 — The administration has virtually failed to check the polythene bag menace. The civil authorities do not appear to be serious in implementing the law to curb pollution. A year ago the Haryana Government had banned the use of polythene bags through a law, which prohibits the use of recycled coloured polythene bags within municipal limits in the whole of the state. And on July 1, it imposed a complete ban on the use of all types of polythene bags. It also banned the throwing of these bags into drains. Initially, the local administration put up a few dustbins at some places inscribed with the words “ati-agalansheel” (non-biodegradable) on them in order to keep polythene separate from routine garbage. In the Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1998, there is provision for fines up to Rs 5000 or imprisonment up to one month for non-compliance. According to Mr S.K. Goel, Executive Officer, eight wholesale traders dealing in polythene material were challaned. He regretted that he had not received the response which was expected from the public to control this menace. He stated that this drive would be intensified. Mr Jodh Singh, a resident, says: “We had thought that the authorities were serious in controlling the menace but one can see now that a large number of shopkeepers, especially vegetable sellers, and other traders were using it freely and the administration is a helpless spectator”. During a visit, this reporter found drains were choked and garbage in polythene bags scattered all around the city. No garbage containers have been placed at Mahesh Nagar, Gobind Nagar, Partap Nagar, Mati Das Nagar and other colonies. Moreover, garbage is not lifted for several days. Now, on the directive of the Deputy Commissioner, cleanliness drive had been launched to clear Mahesh Nagar and adjoining localities of garbage. A team of 25 persons has been engaged on a contractual basis for two months. Sources revealed that the Municipal Council had been planning to purchase a tractor, 20 refuse collectors, 10 containers and other materials to be placed in the Mahesh Nagar area. Even the dumping sites are near dense localities. One such is “Dhobi Ki Diggi”, near Kumhar Mandi, where the city’s garbage, including polythene bags, are thrown in to the open. Another dumping site is IOC Ki Diggi, adjoining the rear boundary wall of Government Primary and Higher Secondary School, Bakra Market. There are more than 1500 students studying at this school. Sometimes carcasses are thrown in the open. The area then stinks. It also affects the health of the people, say residents. Mrs Sarita Verma, a councillor, and several other residents have appealed to the administration to shift these dumping sites and threatened to approach the courts if these are not shifted immediately. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Municipal Council had sent a proposal to the state government to earmark a 15-acre Dhobi Ki Diggi, near Rangia Mandi, to be used as the dumping ground for the city’s garbage disposal.
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Traders
complain against banks AMBALA, Jan 14 — The Ambala Cantonment Traders' Federation has expressed concern over the working of nationalised banks in Ambala Cantonment. The federation alleged that banks's employees did not behave properly with the customers in day-to-day dealings. The federation said in a press release here today that generally soiled currency notes were given to customers by the bank authorities and when these were asked to be replaced, reluctance was generally shown. The Chairman of the Federation, Mr N.C. Jain, said that many a time there was shortage of currency notes in packed bundles, which were signed by banking authorities. He said it was very difficult to count these on bank counter. He demanded that an automatic currency counting machine should be installed on the bank premises. The federation demanded
that banks in Ambala Cantonment should remain open on
Sunday. |
HPCC plea
to Sonia Gandhi AMBALA Jan 14 — Former Organising Secretary of the HPCC Om Parkash Malik has demanded that the party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, should announce the Congress candidates as early as possible as the delay in the announcement will affect the performance of the party in the coming elections. He said the unity of the Congress leaders in the state would give boost to the Congress in the coming Assembly elections.
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They ring
in New Year in dark SIRSA: A three-day ‘Osho meditation camp’ was organised in the city. This training programme consisted of various discourses explaining how to control ‘kaam’, ‘krodh’, ‘lobh’, ‘moh’ and ‘irshya’ to reach the Almighty. Speakers emphasised the need to spread love. The programme included bhajans on Osho teachings. A mysterious disease was reported in animals of Suba Khera village in the district due to which animals are not taking the feed. According to villages, if the problem is not tackled soon this may affect other animals too, causing damage to heads of cattle. They have demanded the district administration to depute a team of veterinary doctors to deal with the problem. As many as 551 family disputes were settled in the past one and a half years by an NGO named ‘Koshish’. According to the district police chief and the chairman of ‘Setu’, 595 cases came to the organisation ‘Koshish’ of which 30 were found fake, 32 were withdrawn by the complainants while the rest were solved by mutual consent of the parties concerned. He elaborated the system of ‘Koshish’ and said this was an organisation through which women from weaker sections of society were being given free legal aid, and the police had installed nine special number 103 exclusively for reporting crime against women. The crime graph of Sirsa district has shown a “marked decline”, claimed the district police chief, Mr K.K. Mishra. He was addressing a press conference in his office here. Mr Mishra claimed that the district police had achieved success in curbing gambling and smuggling. Besides this the police during a special campaign against proclaimed offenders arrested as many as 158 criminals within a month. Of the 158, 52 are “historical cheaters”. The police also succeeded in unearthing three gangs one of which was involved in theft of vehicles. The law and order situation had also improved to a great deal, he said. While the world reverberated with crackers and glittered with illumination, half of Sirsa town was plunged into darkness in chill to welcome the year 2000. The power breakdown left many residents heart broken. Power breakdown is almost a daily feature for the past one week and the complaints lodged with the officials concerned remained unheeded, culminating in blackout of the whole night on December 31, 1999. This powerless crucial night bears testimony to the inefficiency of the HVPN staff as well as the “substandard” material used in transmission lines.
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Exams
schedule BHIWANI, Jan 14 — The Board of School Education Haryana has announced the dates of commencement of the middle, matric and senior secondary annual examinations. Board secretary Jagdish
K. Sihag told mediapersons here today that the middle
examinations would commence from March 24, and matric and
senior secondary examinations from March 7. |
Devi
Lal’s ideals ‘being followed’ ROHTAK, Jan 14 — The Lok Sabha member from Bhiwani and the president of the youth wing of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, has said the present state government had been following the policies and ideals adopted by Mr Devi Lal during his tenure as Chief Minister. Speaking at a function organised at Baland village near here yesterday, Mr Ajay Chautala claimed that various development schemes and programmes launched by the INLD-BJP government in the past about six months had not only received a good response from the people but it had also left the opposition parties baffled, who had started criticising the Chautala government. He charged that the misrule of the Bansi Lal government had led to its upstaging even before it could complete its term. He said every section of the society had become a victim of the misgovernance of the HVP and the Congress rule under Mr Bhajan Lal in the past eight years. He said it was the present government which not only released the funds for the sugarcane growers held up for the past few years but also abolished octroi. Defending the announcements made by the state government recently Mr Ajay Chautala claimed that it was perhaps for the first time that grants for the schemes reached the district headquarters within 15 days.
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Ultras
may strike
on
Jan 26: police KURUKSHETRA, Jan 14 — Disturbing reports are pouring in regarding disruption of Republic Day celebrations at the district headquarters here on January 26. Stating this at a press conference here today, the district police chief, Mr Des Raj Singh, said: "According to intelligence reports a 17-year militant Narinder, a resident of Salpaani village, who is now in Pakistan has offered to become a human bomb to create terror here on January 26." "Narinder is a member of a gang whose ring leader is Rattan Deep, a resident of Ror village under the Safidon police station in Jind. Rattan Deep is also in Pakistan now. The other members include Purshotam, a resident of Materi Shaikhan, Sadar Ambala, Gurbax Singh and Charanjit. The district police chief said to keep a constant watch on terrorist activities, the police had been asked to remain alert. A list of harbourers had been prepared and the police would start searches in suspected hideouts.
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BSP to
contest all Sonepat seats SONEPAT, Jan 14 — The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has decided to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections from all six seats in the district. According to party sources, it will field one Balmiki, two backward classes, one Scheduled Castes and two general candidates and their names will be announced shortly. According to another report, the Haryana Committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has also decided to contest the Assembly elections in coordination with the CPM and other like-minded parties. Mr Daryao Singh Kashyap, a leader of the party, told mediapersons here today that the names of the candidates would be announced on January 26. He also disclosed that the party would field its candidate from the Kailana Assembly seat in Sonepat district. The Ganaur unit of the BJP has urged the party high command to allow it to field the party candidate in the Kailana Assembly constituency. This seat should not be given to the INLD during the seat-sharing adjustments as the party had extended its base in the constituency, it added. Meanwhile, the All-India Joginath Vikas Manch has urged the INLD supremo and the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to field its candidate in the Gohana Assembly constituency and if it failed to meet the demand, the manch will have no alternative but to oppose the candidates of the INLD in the elections.
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Steps to
improve bus services PANIPAT, Jan 14 — The Haryana Roadways has taken a number of steps to supplement the income of the local bus depot by extending better facilities to the passengers, drivers and conductors. Disclosing this to mediapersons, the General Manager of the depot, Mr L P S Tomar, said the work for replacing the damaged seats and windowpanes was being completed on war-footing and a retiring room had been earmarked in the workshop for the drivers and the conductors. The depot has introduced a bus service for Bikaner via Madloda, Safidon, Jind and Hisar. Two inspectors have been deployed on each route to ensure proper sitting facility for the passengers. Mr Tomar said "super fast" had been inscribed on the buses plying distances of more than 130 km and boards had been placed on the bus with the names of route written on it.
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Girl's
suicide: youth held ROHTAK, Jan 14 — The police today arrested Sunil on the charge of harassing a teenaged Dalit girl of Nehru Colony here, allegedly forcing her to commit suicide on Saturday. The accused was produced in the court of Ms Shalini Nagpal, who gave him 14-day judicial remand. A student of plus two at the local Government Senior Secondary School, the girl had committed suicide by consuming poison. Her father, alleged that an upper caste youth, Sunil (21), used to tease her while going to school daily, which forced her to take the extreme step.
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Bomb hoax
in school YAMUNANAGAR, Jan 14 — A bomb hoax created panic in a Jagadhri school yesterday. At 11 a.m. an anonymous caller rang up the authority of St Thomas School informing that the school would be blown up at about 1.45 p.m. The Principal, Mrs K.D. Singh, informed newsmen that the caller was speaking English and Hindi. He said she immediately informed the Deputy Commissioner and the SP, Yamunanagar. She said Mr Amrik Singh, SHO of Jagadhri police station along with police force reached immediately and cordoned of the school. A bomb-squad was also swung into action but they could not locate the bomb anywhere.
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