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| Sunday, January 23, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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INLD may pit Godara against Bhajan INLD's emergency meeting on Jan 25 HVP to go it alone on all seats Labanas reject INLD plan on
candidates
CJM holds court in jail A nursery for food entrepreneurs |
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Voters urged to defeat
‘defectors’ Cultural show at SD College
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INLD may
pit Godara against Bhajan MANDI ADAMPUR (Hisar), Jan 22 — There may be scores of applicants hunting for the Congress tickets in various constituencies in the state, but there is none from this constituency considered to be the traditional stronghold of senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal. Even Mr Bhajan Lal has not formally applied for the ticket from here. A predominantly rural constituency bordering Rajasthan, it has for the past three decades returned Mr Bhajan Lal or one of his family members. "If Mr Bhajan Lal asks people here to vote for a statue, people will gladly oblige him," claims Ms Shalini Atri, a die-hard supporter of Mr Bhajan Lal. Ms Atri is not wrong. The former Chief Minister has a mass following in this constituency. Mr Bhajan Lal claims he knows most of the people in the area by name. Whether they are his supporters or opponents, Mr Bhajan Lal claims to know them personally. He claims to have recruited over 20,000 employees in various government departments during his 12 year tenure as the Chief Minister. Mr Bhajan Lal's candidature from here is a foregone conclusion. It is the matter of time only, when he files his nomination papers from here as the Congress candidate. The Congress veteran has reasons to be confident about. Barring the past Lok Sabha election, the voters here have never gone against the wishes of their leader. It was only in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections when the voters in Mandi Adampur overwhelmingly voted for the Indian National Lok Dal candidate from the Bhiwani parliamentary constituency, Mr Ajay Chautala, against the wishes of Mr Bhajan Lal. They had voted for him earlier also in 1998 parliamentary elections, but reportedly at the instance of Mr Bhajan Lal, when the latter was accused of having a tacit understanding with Mr Om Prakash Chautala. However, another Congress supporter Jogi Ram has an explanation. He claims that there are thousands of government employees in Mandi Anampur. Fearing the reprisal from the INLD government in the form of transfers, they voted for the INLD candidate. The error will be rectified this time, he adds. After Mr Bhajan Lal was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Karnal parliamentary constituency in 1998, he resigned this seat in the assembly. His younger son Kuldeep Bishnoi contested the byelection and won by about a margin of 20,000 votes. The election was fought against all odds, when the HVP government had concentrated its energies here to see its candidate Master Hari Singh win. There is a unique pattern in voting here. In past several elections Mr Bhajan Lal or one of his family members have constantly got about 54,000 votes, while the main opponent got around 35,000 votes. Local people say, "there are only two types of voters here. Either pro-Bhajan Lal or anti-Bhajan Lal, no fence sitters". And this pattern is usually reflected during most of the elections. While Mandi Adampur is almost impregnable for the opponents of Mr Bhajan Lal, the Indian National Lok Dal is reported to be planning to field Mr Mani Ram Godara from here. Mr Godara also commands considerable influence among the Bishnois, but this may not match that of Mr Bhajan Lal. Obviously, Mr Godara is
not enthusiastic about this constituency and has
reportedly expressed his keenness to the INLD leadership
about contesting either from Bhattu or Fatehabad. While
he represented Bhattu in the dissolved assembly,
Fatehabad was represented by Prof Sampat Singh, senior
INLD leader and Finance Minister. Prof Sampat Singh has
represented Bhattu on several occasions. He was defeated
from there by Mr Godara in 1996 for the first time. But
later he was elected from Fatehabad in 1998 byelection.
He is understood to be not in favour of conceding any of
the two seats to Mr Godara, which may ultimately force
the latter to opt for Mandi Adampur only. At least this
may make the contest interesting. |
INLD's
emergency meeting on Jan 25 CHANDIGARH, Jan 22 — The President of the Haryana unit of the Indian Lok Dal (INLD) and Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has called an emergency meeting of the party office-bearers at the INLD office in Rohtak at 2 p.m. on January 25. The meeting assumes significance in view of the deadlock on the issue of seat sharing for the Assembly elections between the INLD and the BJP. Mr Dharambir Singh, office secretary of the INLD, said the party MPs, ministers, former MLAs, office-bearers, members of the state executive and district presidents would attend the meeting to discuss the strategy for the coming Assembly poll on February 22. Meanwhile, the presidents of all district units of the INLD were announced today. The elections, according to an INLD press statement, were held at the district headquarters on January 7. The district presidents
are Mr Ram Gopal Mehta for Panchkula, Mr Mahipal Singh
for Yamunanagar, Mr Surjeet Singh for Ambala, Mr Maya Ram
for Kurukshetra, Mr Leela Ram Gujjar for Kaithal, Mr
Suraj Bhan 'Kajal' for Jind, Mr Brij Sharma for Karnal,
Mr Kartar Singh Chokar for Panipat, Mr Devender Chauhan
for Faridabadm Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot for Gurgaon, Roa
Inderpal for Rewari, Mr Hoshiar Singh for Mahendragarh,
Ms Shakuntala Sangwan for Bhiwani, Mr Puran Singh Dabra
for Hisar, Mr Nishan Singh Kamboj for Fatehabad, Mr Padam
Jain for Sirsa, Mr Balwant Maina for Rohtak, Mr Balwan
Suhag for Jhajjar and Mr Ranbir Dahia for Sonepat. Rao
Rajinder Singh Contractor was named executive president
for Rewari. |
HVP to go
it alone on all seats HODAL, Jan 22 — The Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) will contest all the 90 seats of the Vidhan Sabha without alliance with any other party. Mr Bansi Lal, a former Chief Minister told TNS today at Hodal (Faridabad district) where he launched the party’s campaign for Mr Harsh Kumar, a former minister contesting the Hathin assembly seat on the HVP ticket. Mr Bansi Lal denied reports that negotiations were going on with any other party for an electoral alliance. He said all the party MLAs of the dissolved Assembly would be given the ticket. The parliamentary board of the party headed by Mr Kamal Singh of Hisar would soon decide the names of other candidates. Mr Bansi Lal said although he was receiving feelers there was no question of readmitting those MLAs who had left the party after the fall of his ministry. Lambasting Mr Om Prakash Chautala, he said the Chief Minister would not be able to fulfil promises made to the people even during the next three generations. He claimed whatever projects Mr Chautala had announced recently were initiated by the HVP government. Mr Bansi Lal criticised Mr Karan Dalal who represented Palwal in the dissolved House and was a minister in his government and later defected to the BJP. Whatever development had taken place in Palwal was not due to Mr Dalal, but the result of his (Mr Bansi Lal’s) personal interest. The funds recently allotted for development were not from the State Government but had come from the Yamuna Action Plan. Mr Bansi Lal said the charges made against Seth Srikishen Das, a minister in his cabinet were baseless. He was an honest man to the core. The former Chief Minister described Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee as an “incompetent” Prime Minister. As proved by Kargil and hijacking crisis his only aim was to remain on the highest post of the country. Later Mr Bansi Lal
addressed an election rally in Anaj Mandi for Mr Harsh
Kumar. |
Labanas
reject INLD plan on candidates AMBALA, Jan 22 — The Labana Samaj today criticised the reported plan of the Indian National Lok Dal not to field candidates from their society in certain seats. At an emergency meeting chaired by their regional chief, Capt Mangat Singh Multani (retd), the society expressed displeasure over the fact that none of the nominees in the tentative INLD list hailed from the Labana society. Regional youth President of the Labana Samaj, Mr H.S. Labana, said that despite sending a representation to Mr O.P. Chautala for fielding their candidates for the Pehowa, Naraingarh and Nilokheri seats, their names did not figure in the tentative list. "If Mr Chautala does not relent, then at our meeting on January 28 we will harden our stance," a press release quoting Mr Labana said. The release further said
that the Labana Samaj would only support that party which
would look after their interests. "At the meeting at
Pehowa, we may also decide to go alone at the hustings,
if we do not reach any understanding with other
parties," the release said. |
CJM holds
court in jail ROHTAK, Jan 22 — The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr R.K. Sharma, today held court in the district jail here to dispose of cases of under-trial prisoners involved in petty offences. Similar courts are being held by the CJMs in Haryana and Punjab on the advice of the Chief Justice of India, so as "to provide speedy justice to poor under-trial prisoners and also to reduce jail population". Expressing concern over the plight of the under-privileged population, Mr Justice Anand said: "The poor, illiterate and weaker sections in our country suffer day in and day out in their struggle for survival and look towards those who have promised them equality — social, political and economic". "We, who are responsible for upholding the rule of the law in the country", he said in a demi-official letter to Chief Justices of High Courts, "may not be in a position to solve all of their problems but we can certainly contribute our might to nourish and safeguard the constitutional goal of 'equal justice for all' to the extent possible". Mr Justice Anand said that: "I am deeply pained when I notice that all over the country a very large number of under-trial prisoners suffer prolonged incarceration even in petty criminal matters merely for the reason that they are not in a position, even in bailable offences, to furnish bail bond and get released on bail". Many of them during such confinements only develop criminal traits and comeout fully trained criminals, he said. Mr Justice Anand revealed that according to a survey, out of the total jail population in the country, the under– trial prisoners constituted 73 per cent, many of whom were involved in petty offences and ready to confess their guilt but could not do so unless a police report was filed against them in a court of law. "Many of such
prisoners are not likely to get severe punishment for the
reason that the offences in which they are involved are
petty or may be let off by courts on payment of fine
only. It is neither just nor fair that the persons
involved in petty offences should suffer incarceration
much beyond the ultimate punishment merely on account of
the fact that they happen to be poor and
under-privileged", the letter said. |
A nursery
for food entrepreneurs PANIPAT: Set up years ago, the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, the only one of its kind in Haryana,has been instrumental in providing lucrative avenues for its students in the hotel and catering industry. From the Taj and Sheraton hotel groups to airline companies, boarding schools and Indian hotels in the USA, alumni from this institute have found place in prestigious organisations the world over. A graduate of the institute, Mr M.K. Sharma, who takes care of the food requirements of over 600 students at Sainik School, Kunjpura, says: "I passed out from here in 1984 joined the Hyatt Regency, Delhi. After working for two years, there, I joined the Sainik School as mess manager." His younger brother, Ved Prakash, who passed out in 1989 struck "gold" when he was picked up by an Indian hotel, Bombay Grill, in Ohio (USA). Indian delicacies are becoming extremely popular in the USA and European countries and that's why a lot of Indian hotels are coming up there. They need trained manpower for food production which we have here as most students passing out from this institute specialise in food production, says Mr Sharma. Explaining why more students from Haryana were inclined to specialise in food production, the institutes principal, Mr A.B. Saluja, says the food production sector has manifold opportunities as one can set up catering units as well. "Some of our students have taken up the food catering contract with Nestle in Panipat. Food to the Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad, is also being supplied by our students. The opportunities are very wide", says Mr Saluja. Besides offering a three-year diploma in hotel management, catering and nutrition, the institute also runs short-term craftsmanship courses in food production, food and beverages service and bakery and confectionery. Udaiveer Chandela, a first year student from Faridabad, did not have much idea about the hotel industry until one of his friends, working in an airlines company as the catering manager, told him about it. "It is not easy to get employment these days. I feel that this is the right kind of a career for me which assures me a job. I intend to specialise in food and beverages service", he asserts. Amit Jangda, another first year student, left his studies to take up a career in the hotel industry. "The job opportunities in this sector are enormous. There are a number of departments in which one can specialise like food and beverages, front office, food production, etc." An instructor at the
institute, Mr Sanjay Pruthi, says that the institute
calls hotel groups and companies for campus interviews so
that the students can get placements immediately after
passing out from here. There can be no doubts about the
glamour of the hotel industry but it is also true that
the trade provides ample employment opportunities and a
lucrative career. This institute has provided youngsters
from Haryana a platform for entry into this industry, he
added. |
Voters
urged to defeat ‘defectors’ ROHTAK, Jan 22 — The Anti-Defection Front, constituted recently under the chairmanship of Mr Ram Krishan Gupta, a former MP, has called upon the electorate to defeat the "defectors" in the ensuing Assembly elections. Mr Puran Chand Azad, a freedom fighter, has been nominated convenor of the front. The leaders of the front plan to visit the constituencies from where these defectors would contest and urge the voters not to support them. The leaders regretted that no party had considered the candidature of freedom fighter for the elections. Mr Gupta said he was
ashamed that the defecting MLAs had spoiled the prestige
of Haryana and the state had become the home of "aya
Rams gaya Rams". He appealed to all political
parties to keep the defectors at a distance. |
H.S. Malik
promoted to IAS ROHTAK, Jan 22 — Mr H.S. Malik, Additional Deputy Commissioner, has been promoted to the IAS. Mr Malik, an HCS officer
of 1976 batch, had topped the state Civil Services
examination. He has jointed as Additional Deputy
Commissioner here on January 20 after his promotion to
the IAS. |
Delay in
laying sewerage resented ROHTAK, Jan 22— Resentment prevails among residents of Preet Vihar here over the "delay" in laying sewerage in the colony by the PWD. The residents have threatened to stage a dharna outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner and the Public Health Department if the authorities do not take action in this regard. According to the Residents Welfare Association, a tender for laying sewerage in the colony had been allotted to a contractor about a month ago and he had been asked to start the work on January 3 But due to a shortage of some material, the work has not been taken up so far. Due to this delay, the work of relaying or repairing roads in the colony has suffered, as the authorities concerned had asked the PWD get the sewerage laid before the roads are repaired. The superintending
Engineer (SE) and the Executive Engineer of the Public
Health Department said the work would be started as soon
the department got cement and eight inch pipes which were
in short supply. |
Cultural
show at SD College AMBALA, Jan 22 — Participants of the national integration camp, organised under the aegis of National Service Scheme, being held in Kurukshetra, presented a cultural programme at SD College (Lahore) here. The participants were given a warm welcome by the college officials and the college volunteers yesterday. On the occasion, besides a Manipuri song by Ms Dhanpriya, participants from Karnataka and Rajasthan sang their folk songs. S.D. College student, Mr Sunil Baggat, sang a patriotic song, a release said. Principal of S.D. College Deshbandhu, while welcoming the delegates, gave a brief history of the institution and stressed upon the need for national integration. National camp programme coordinator Mahinder Singh, said that more than 100 students were participating in the national integration camp and such type of camps go a long way in promoting brotherhood and solving various problems. Programme incharge Ratan
Singh Dhillon said that the national integration camp was
extremely useful in bringing together youth from
different parts of the country. |
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