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| Saturday, January 29, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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CM
kicks off poll campaign Fix panchayat poll at earliest: SC Tourist complex struggles to
survive S.K. Sethi dies of heart attack Returning Officers appointed Mulana files papers |
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Chautala sews up deal
with BJP Dismiss Chautala govt: Hooda JD(U) 'should get' majority of
seats 3 killed in jeep accident 'Bypass surgery should be done as
last resort' 'Bhoomi pujan' of school
|
CM kicks off poll campaign FATEHABAD, Jan 28 — The ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) set its poll campaign in this district in motion with the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, addressing two rallies at Fatehabad and Tohana last evening. Mr Chautala has already announced his party's candidates for all constituencies in the district except Fatehabad. While the Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh, will be the INLD candidate from Bhattu Kalan constituency, Mr Jarnail Singh and Mr Nishan Singh will contest from Rattia and Tohana, respectively. Addressing a public meeting in the local grain market, the Chief Minister said that his only ambition was to serve humanity through politics. He claimed that what he had done in five months of his tenure, the other political parties could not do in 50 years. Mr Chautala claimed that he had not restored grants to Agroha Medical College to appease a particular community to get votes. He alleged that his predecessors had worked with prejudice against the Aggarwal community and wrongfully stopped the grants to the college, which was started by his father, Mr Devi Lal, during his tenure. He said Agroha Medical College would not benefit only a particular community, but would provide medicare facilities to all rural people in and around Agroha. He also claimed that abolition of octroi in the state would benefit the whole business community and not merely a particular community. He said earlier his opponents used to label him as a 'Jat leader', but now they had started terming him as 'anti-Jat'. He said he had left it to the people to decide which description of him was correct. The Finance Minister and INLD candidate from Bhattu Kalan, Mr Sampat Singh, the party's candidate from Rattia assembly seat, Mr Jarnail Singh, the INLD MP from Hisar, Mr Surinder Barwala, the MP from Sirsa, Dr Sushil Indora, the District INLD (women's wing) president, Mrs Krishana Poonia, and former MLAs, Mr Leela Krishan, Mr Balbir Choudhary and Mr Atma Singh Gill were present. A former Haryana Home Minister, Mr Mani Ram Godara, who recently joined the INLD after quitting the HVP, was conspicuous by his absence. Mr Godara represented Bhattu Kalan in the dissolved assembly and he had indicated that he was keen to contest from the same seat again. Though Mr Godara had gone to Sirsa, from where the Chief Minister filed his nomination papers for the Rori seat, he did not attend the rally at Fatehabad. A former MLA from Rattia, Mr Atma Singh Gill, left the dais as soon as Mr Chautala announced that Mr Jarnail Singh would be the party candidate from Rattia. Mr Chautala called him again to the dais and whispered something to him. After that the Chief Minister announced that he had given the party ticket to Mr Jarnail Singh on the recommendations of Mr Gill. Regarding the party's candidate for the Fatehabad assembly seat, Mr Chautala said that there were differences with the BJP over this seat but these would be sorted out soon. He assured the people that ultimately the seat would come to the INLD and appealed to them to vote for his party in Fatehabad too. Earlier, Mr Sampat Singh
and Mr Jarnail Singh filed their nomination papers before
the DDPO, and DRO, Fatehabad, respectively. The two
leaders came to the offices of the Returning Officers in
big processions. Later, Mr Chautala addressed an election
meeting at Tohana. |
Fix panchayat poll at
earliest: SC CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Supreme Court today directed the Haryana Government to file an affidavit on January 31 spelling out the dates when elections to the panchayati raj institutions in the state could be held at the earliest. This order was handed down by a Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Dr A.S. Anand, comprising Mr Justice S. Rajendra Babu and Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti, after the Haryana Advocate-General made a mention of the state's special leave petition. In their six-line order the Judges said: "Learned Advocate-General for the state of Haryana undertakes to file an additional affidavit indicating the calendar for holding the elections. He has been told that the elections should be held as early as possible. Put up (the file) on February 1, 2000, as requested." This interim order of the apex court has cleared the decks for holding elections to panchayats, municipalities, panchayat parishads and zila parishads after the Assembly elections, slated for February 22. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had on December 27 directed the state government and the state Election Commission to complete these elections by February-end positively. The Haryana Government had gone in appeal against this order to the Supreme Court. The Advocate-General's arguments before the apex court centred round the point that the Election Commission of India had announced the Haryana Assembly elections for February 22. Therefore, it was not possible for the state government to make available to the state Election Commissioner election material and personnel for security purposes. He told the Bench that under Section 28-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, officers of the state on election duty as well as security forces were under the control of the Election Commission of India between January 27 and March 8. He also explained the difficulties faced by the government in holding elections to the panchayati raj institutions and the Assembly simultaneously. Reliable sources reveal that the state government had now asked the state Election Commission to draw up the panchayat elections programme keeping in mind that the government would be in a position to provide him men and material only after March 8. The panchayat poll issue came to the limelight last September when the former Advocate-General of Haryana had withheld from the High Court the provisions of these elections and obtained an order that these elections could be deferred till June, 2000. Certain Congress leaders, including Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, a whip and spokesman of the party, had filed an application for impleading them as parties to the case and recalling the September 30 order. A Division Bench of the High Court consisting of Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg had recalled their September 30 order, issued contempt notice to the former Advocate-General, the state Election Commissioner, Mr T.D. Jogpal, and the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Verma. On December 27 the
Judges had directed the government to hold these
elections by February 28. The Haryana Government had
filed a review petition before the Bench urging it that
keeping in view the difficulties faced by it owing to the
announcement of Assembly elections, panchayat elections
should be deferred by a couple of weeks. The Bench had
declined the review petition of the government. |
Tourist complex struggles to
survive PANIPAT, Jan 28 — Though on the one hand, the former Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, will be remembered for building tourist complexes to develop the tourism industry in the state, on the other hand, his decision to introduce prohibition in Haryana will be seen as a move that ruined these tourist complexes. While coming from Delhi to Chandigarh, Blue Jay at Samalkha is the first Haryana Government tourist complex on National Highway No 1 in Panipat district. Today, this complex is struggling for survival. Sources said that before prohibition in Haryana, this unit had 80 to 100 per cent occupancy. Due to prohibition and the slump in the foundry business, coupled with enhancement of licence fee and sales tax, the profitability of this unit was affected and it is now running in loss. The Haryana Tourism Department has itself dealt a severe blow to these tourist complexes by asking their senior officers to give catering training to nearby dhabhas on National Highway No 1. Travellers now prefer to eat at the dhabas, which are cheaper. The day-to-day business of these complexes has also suffered due to the flat rate of Rs 5 lakh imposed by the Licensing Department as excise fee. Previously, it was Rs 50,000 per annum. Moreover, this flat rate of Rs 5 lakh increased their financial burden by Rs 4.50 lakh per annum. In addition, this complex has to make the payment of 20 per cent sales tax on liquor. This has broken the back of this unit, converting it into a loss-making unit. As compared to this, the private dhabas are free to deposit any amount as tax. They are free to adjust the rates of liquor according to their income, while the government-run tourist complexes have to stick to their official rates, which are higher than those of the dhabas. The occupancy at these tourist complexes has gone down to 50 per cent and hardly two to four persons come there daily. The officer in charge of
the Samalkha complex said that the government should levy
the licence fee on the basis of population. Sales tax
should be abolished, he added. He also suggested starting
a fast food centre like the one at Skylark in Panipat,
and Oasis in Karnal to meet the day-to-day expenses along
with provision for an amusement park to increase revenue. |
S.K. Sethi dies of heart
attack CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Director-General of Prisons, Haryana, Mr S.K. Sethi, IPS, died of a heart attack this morning at Panchkula, near here. Mr Sethi, an IPS officer of 1965 batch, returned home after playing tennis with the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, Mr S.K. Monga, around 9 a.m., when he complained of severe chest pain. He died at his Sector 16 residence in Panchkula around 9.30 a.m. Mr Sethi is survived by his wife and three sons. Born on May 12, 1942, Mr Sethi joined the IPS on July 5, 1965. After serving as SP of Karnal, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Hisar districts, Mr Sethi was promoted as DIG in August, 1981. He worked as DIG, Ambala range, the State Vigilance Bureau, Railways and Operations. Mr Sethi became the Inspector-General on October 26, 1989. He remained on deputation with the union government from April 20, 1993 to April 26, 1998, during which period he was promoted as Additional Director-General on November 4, 1994. On being promoted as the Director-General, Mr Sethi served the Haryana Police as its DG from April 27, 1998, to May 7, 1999. He proceeded on leave following differences with the then Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. He had been working as Director-General, Prisons, since June 8, 1999. He was honoured with the Police Medal in 1988 and with the President's Police Medal on 1998. Mr Sethi will be cremated tomorrow noon in Mani Majra cremation grounds. The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, and the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, have expressed shock over the death of Mr Sethi. The Governor described
Mr Sethi as an "able police officer who rendered his
service with dedication and zeal". Mr Chautala said
in the death of Mr Sethi the state had been deprived of a
very competent police officer. |
Returning Officers appointed HISAR, Jan 28 — Mr O.P. Indora, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Hisar, has been appointed Returning Officer of the Ghirai constituency in Hisar district in place of the District Revenue Officer. Mr Apoorv Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said here today that the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Jind, had been appointed as Returning Officer of the Rajaund constituency in Jind district in place of Managing Director, Sugar Mill, Jind. The changes had been made following instructions the Election commission, said Mr Apoorv Kumar Singh. He said the use of
plastic in banners, posters and other election materials
had been banned and the message was conveyed to all
political parties. |
Mulana files papers AMBALA, Jan 28 — A former Education Minister, Mr Phool Chand Mulana, today filed his nomination papers from the Mulana constituency as a Congress candidate. Since there is no other “serious” ticket seeker from this constituency, Mr Mulana is likely to get the party ticket from this rural constituency. Mr Mulana has contested the assembly elections from this constituency six times. He won in 1972, 1982 and 1991. Meanwhile, Mr Nirmal
Singh, a prospective Congress candidate from the Naggal
constituency, has inaugurated his election office on the
Ambala-Hisar road. Mr Jasbir Malour, an INLD favourite,
also inaugurated his election office here today. |
38 file papers in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — A total of 38 persons from 22 Assembly constituencies filed their nomination forms today for the coming Haryana Assembly elections on February 22. Those who submitted their forms today included Mr Satvinder Singh and Mr Somvir Singh, who were the Congress and the HVP legislators, respectively, in the dissolved House. Both aspirants stuck to their old constituencies and the parties they had represented in the dissolved Assembly. There were 10 candidates from the ruling INLD, including four each for Narnaund and Hansi constituencies. However, no prominent INLD leader filed papers today. There were two aspirants from the Congress, one each from the CPM, the BSP, the Samajwadi Party, the National Loktantrik Party, the Bharatiya Jan Kalyan Party, the SUCI and the Ambedkar Samaj. With this the number of people who have filed their nominations in Haryana has gone up to 60. The process started on Thursday and so far none from the BJP has filed nomination. A number of Independent candidates have filed their papers. The nominations will close on February 3 and the scrutiny of the papers will take place the next day. The last date for
withdrawal is February 7. |
Ram Bilas Sharma to file
papers today CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — A former Leader of the Haryana BJP legislature group, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, will file his papers from Mahendragarh tomorrow, according to party sources. There had been a
speculation that Mr Sharma, a senior leader of the
Haryana BJP, may shift from his traditional constituency.
But his decision to file his nomination from Mahendragarh
has put the speculation at rest. |
Chautala sews up deal with BJP HISAR, Jan 28 — The Indian National Lok Dal leader and Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala today confirmed that his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party were going to fight the elections together. In an informal conversation with this reporter before a public rally organised on the occasion of filing of nomination papers by the "likely" INLD candidates from the assembly segments of Ghirai, Mandi Adampur, Narnaund and Hansi the Chief Minister said an arrangement had already been reached at. He said both parties had agreed to the settlement and the list of candidates was being prepared. About the nominations being filed by various candidates here, including Narnaund, where the BJP has already announced Mr Ram Kumar Gautam as its candidate, Mr Chautala clarified that these candidates (who filed their nominations today) were only "likely" candidates. Mr Chautala did not clearly specify anything about Hisar. However, it was clear from his statement that the seat had been left for the BJP. To a question about the nomination of Mr Om Prakash Mahajan from here he said, "I will have no objection if BJP nominates him from here". Till now Mr Mahajan had been hopeful of his nomination on the INLD ticket. A minister in the Chautala’s government, Mr Mahajan has not joined the INLD formally and supported the government as an Independent candidate. It was an interesting scene outside the Canal Rest House here, with the Chief Minister sitting in the CM’s suite while ticket seekers like Mr Om Prakash Mahajan, Mr Ram Kumar Gautam, Dr Kamal Gupta and others waiting outside. The Chief Minister listened to each of them by turn. While Ram Kumar Gautam has already been nominated by the BJP from Narnaund, Dr Kamal Gupta is a BJP-probable from here. Addressing party workers before filing of nomination papers by the INLD candidates, Mr Chautala asked them to ensure the victory of the alliance candidates. INLD candidates who
filed their nomination papers today, include Mr Puran
Singh Dhabra from Ghirai, Mr Rajesh Godara from Mandi
Adampur, Mr Ram Bagh Kharab from Narnaund and Mr Subash
Goyal from Hansi. However, Mr Chautala made it clear, all
of them were "likely candidates" and could be
changed at any time, in accordance with the requirements
of the alliance. |
Dismiss Chautala govt: Hooda ROHTAK, Jan 28 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has demanded the dismissal of the Haryana Government and the imposition of the President's rule in the state in view of the "deteriorating law and order situation." In a statement issued here today, Mr Hooda expressed concern over the kidnapping and murder of a young schoolteacher at Sampla town of the district on January 21. He alleged that robbery, kidnapping, rape and murder had become the order of the day in the state. The HPCC chief asserted that the Chautala government had failed miserably in its prime duty of maintaining law and order. Mr Hooda said the former had been indulging in bargaining in the matter of seat-sharing with the BJP instead of paying attention towards the maintenance of law and order in the state. Mr Hooda urged the state
Governor to dismiss the Chautala ministry to pave the way
for the imposition of President's rule in the state to
ensure the smooth conduct of Assembly elections slated
for February 22. |
JD(U) 'should get' majority of
seats SONEPAT, Jan 28 — The president of the Haryana Janata Dal (U), Mr Ved Parkash Vidrohi, said here today that his party was still exploring the possibilities for an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state. In a signed press statement issued here, he said that though the Janata Dal (U) had reached an agreement with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, it would be better if it contested the maximum number of seats in Haryana, where the chances of success of its candidate seemed bright. He said his party would contest the assembly elections on the symbol of 'arrow'. Mr Vidrohi contested the claim of the Haryana Government and other leaders of INLD-BJP alliance about the filling of potholes on damaged roads and alleged that the ruling party was misleading the people on this issue. He claimed that most of the roads in the urban and rural areas of the state were still in a bad condition and needed immediate repair. Meanwhile, Baba Prem Nath, president of the Jan Parishad, Haryana, gave a call for boycotting the forthcoming assembly elections at a public meeting held at Baroda village, about 50 km from here, yesterday. He also demanded
immediate scrapping of reservation policy, which, he
claimed had already ruined the nation. This policy had
encouraged factionalism among various sections of the
society, he said. |
3 killed in jeep accident HISAR, Jan 28 — Three persons were killed and one was injured when a jeep carrying them dashed against a tree near Ding village in Sirsa district yesterday. According to a report received here today, four persons were returning after attending a marriage near Abohar when the driver reportedly lost control over the jeep which hit a tree. While driver Ram Murti
and Mr Vijay Kumar died on their way to hospital, Hari
Ram died in hospital. A case has been registered. |
Nominations by Feb 3 PANCHKULA Jan 28 —
The Returning Officer of Panchkula yesterday said that
the nomination papers may be delivered by a candidate or
by any of the proposers at Mini Secretariat, Sector 1,
here, between 11 am and 3 pm on any day other than a
public holiday, not later than February 3. The election
is to be held a Haryana Legislative Assembly seat in the
01-Kalka constituency. |
'Bypass surgery should be done
as last resort' SONEPAT, Jan 28 — Dr P.L. Jindal, Director-General of Health Services, Haryana, has advocated a change in the lifestyle to save the people from serious heart ailments. Speaking at a seminar on "How to avoid heart attack" here yesterday, Dr Jindal said the country had already succeeded in eradicating malaria, small pox and polio diseases but it had not been able to arrest the rise in the number of patients suffering from various heart diseases. He advised the people to remain tension free and give up smoking, consumption of liquor and do light exercise to avoid heart ailments. He asked them to eat green vegetables, fruits and avoid non-vegetarian food. Eminent cardiologist H.S. Wazir said regular exercise could control cholestrol which was responsible for many heart ailments. He maintained that the bypass surgery should be done only as a last resort. More than 650 patients
suffering from various heart diseases were examined and
treated by a team of specialists. Echo tests were
conducted in 105 cases. Medicines were distributed free
of cost on this occasion. |
Shopkeepers hold strike BHIWANI, Jan 28 — Shopkeepers of the town observed a complete strike today in protest against the death of Anand, a ghee-dealer at the old Anaj Mandi here. He was stabbed on January 17 in front of his shop while he was getting ready to go home. Certain persons tried to snatch his money bag. In the scuffle he was stabbed. One of the culprits was nabbed by the people while the other two managed to escape. The shopkeeper succumbed to his injuries yesterday. The shopkeepers of Hallu Bazar closed their shutters yesterday as soon as they received the news of the death. The Beopar Mandal today
held a protest meeting at the Ghanta Ghar Chowk and
condemned the police inaction. |
'Bhoomi pujan' of school GURGAON, Jan 28 — The "bhoomi pujan" of a nursery school at the posh National Media Centre was performed here recently. Several religious leaders of various communities presided over the function.The centre, located near the Delhi-Haryana border, houses top journalists besides several dignitaries. The president of the society, Mr K. Gopala Krishnan, told TNS that the proposed building of the school, christened 'Mukul' would be ready by the March and academic curriculum would begin from the coming session. The society plans to extend the construction for upgrading the school to the primary level. Incidentally, the school presently functions from rented premises of the sprawling National Media Centre complex. The school has received a proposal from Shri Ram School of Delhi to act as one of its 'feeder institute'. The school, having a
built-up area of about 2,000 sq ft, was part of the
advanced media training complex. |
Feb 22 holiday in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Haryana Government has notified that February 22 will be observed as a public holiday in the state on account of the Assembly elections. The holiday will also be
observed as a public holiday within the meaning of
Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. |
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