 |
| Thursday, February 24, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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New
schedule for Panchayat poll Repoll
at five booths today Haryana
staff panel’s appointment contested Fake
degree racket case hanging fire Bogus
firm dupes people of Rs 30 lakh FIR
registered against Jindal All
set for Feb 25 counting Congressmen
block highway in protest Holiday
today in Meham, Kalka |
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Sonepat civic body poll on April 2 Plans
afoot to coop bhavan
|
New schedule for Panchayat
poll CHANDIGARH, Feb 23 — The Haryana State Election Commissioner, Mr T.D. Jogpal, today announced a new schedule for elections to the Panchayats and local bodies. The ruling BJP-INLD Government, which was keen on holding these elections after the Assembly poll had to fight a protracted legal battle in order to achieve this. Mr Jogpal said today that the panchayat elections would be held in three phases. In the first phase of election, polling in 27 blocks in six districts would be held on March 19. In the second phase, polling in 52 blocks in 12 districts would take place on March 19. Polling in the third phase in the remaining 35 blocks in nine districts would be held on March 26. Mr Jogpal also said that for elections to all panchayati raj institutions, the nominations in all blocks of the state would be filed from February 26 to 28. Scrutiny of nominations would be made on March 1. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers has been fixed for March 6. The counting of votes for elections to panches and sarpanches of gram panchayats would be done immediately after the close of voting. However, counting of votes for elections to the members of panchayat samitis and zila parishads in respect of Ambala, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak and Jhajjar districts would be done on March 13. For Kurukshetra, Narnaul and Rewari districts, the counting of votes would be on March 20 and for the remaining districts of Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Sirsa, Sonepat and Yamunanagar it would be on March 27. Mr Jogpal also stated that the limit of expenditure for panchayat elections had been enhanced from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 in the case of panches, from Rs 5000 to Rs 8000 in the case of sarpanches, from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 in the case of members of panchayat samitis and from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 in the case of members of zila parishads. Elections to 316 members of 19 zila parishads, 2426 members of 114 panchayat samitis, and 6017 sarpanches and 54,346 panches of 6017 gram panchayats would be held during the general panchayat elections. More than 16,000 polling stations have been notified by the Deputy Commissioners in the state for the conduct of these elections for which nearly 80,000 employees would be deployed. Besides this, a sufficient number of police officers, police personnel and also personnel from the Haryana Armed Police and other Central police forces would be deployed to ensure a free and fair poll and provide security. Over 86 lakh rural voters will exercise their right of franchise in these panchayat elections. The nomination papers for panches and sarpanches will be filed and received this time at the gram panchayat headquarters and elections to the members of panchayat samitis at the panchayat samiti headquarters. The papers for the members of zila parishads would, however, be filed at the district headquarters. The Deputy Commissioner
is the Returning Officer for elections to the members of
zila parishads. HCS officers posted in districts have
been appointed as Returning Officers for elections to the
members of panchayat samitis. However, in cases where
sufficient number of HCS officers are not available other
officers such as DROs, tehsildars, DFSCs, DETCs have been
appointed as Returning Officers for panchayat samitis. |
Repoll at five booths today PANCHKULA, Feb 23 — On the recommendation of the election observer, Mr P.D. Thomas, the Election Commission of India, today ordered repoll at five booths (190, 191, 194, 195 and 285) at the polling station in Government High School, Sector 17, here. The repoll at the five booths having an electorate of about 5,600 will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. The administrative machinery geared up in the afternoon to inform the voters through munadi in the rural and urban areas. The loss of time following the suspension of polling for over three hours owing to a conflict between workers of various political parties was reportedly the main consideration for a repoll. Section 144 of the CrPC will be in force tomorrow in Rajiv Colony, Indira Colony, Sector 17 and on the dividing roads of Sectors 16 and 17. Private vehicles without authorisation shall not be allowed to ply within the restricted areas near the polling station. The District Magistrate has banned the opening of the liquor shops close to the polling station. The police has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the repolling goes peacefully. About 320 electronic voting machines (EVMs) are now under the security of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Sources reveal that more than 20 personnel are guarding the auditorium in BEL Colony where the EVMs have been kept after yesterday's polling. An estimated 1,19,140 of a total 2,00,992 voters cast their vote in the constituency. In the Kalka assembly constituency 66,617 male and 52,337 female voters exercised their franchise at 289 polling booths. The Congress candidate,
Mr Chander Mohan, hailed the decision of the Election
Commission for a repoll in the area, said Mr Ravider
Rawal, spokesperson of the Congress. |
Haryana staff panel’s
appointment contested CHANDIGARH, Feb 23 — The appointment of Chairman of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission, Rao Man Singh, and six members of the commission was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Mr Krishan Kumar Saini, an advocate of Chandigarh, through a writ petition. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh issued notice of motion to the state of Haryana, the Chairman and members of the commission and others for April 18. The Chairman and members of the commission were appointed for three years by the government vide the impugned notification of January 1, after the writ petition filed by earlier Chairman, Mr Manmohan Singh, was dismissed by it in a Judgement in December 23. The main contention of the petitioner was that the appointments had been made by a pick-and-choose policy without following the recognised "mode of recruitment", meant for public offices and that it was contrary to the directions given by the High Court in Manmohan Singh Chaudhary's case. The Division Bench in the above mentioned case had observed inter alia that even though the Chairman and members of the commission could not be treated as civil servants in strict sense, there could not be any doubt that the posts which they held were public posts and that it was imperative for the state government to lay down the qualification and conditions of eligibility and adopt a mode that was consistent with the concept of fairness in public interest. The petitioner submitted
that contrary to the court's directions the appointment
has been made without advertisement or by constituting a
collegium. |
Fake degree racket case
hanging fire ROHTAK, Feb 23 — The ‘casual’ attitude being adopted by the Maharshi Dayanand University administration dealing with the fake degree racket case is sending wrong signals among the university staff and the people in general. The Tribune exposed the scandal on February 19. Strangely, nothing concrete has reportedly been done so far by the administration dealing with such sensitive case. Although the administration had constituted a three-member committee to investigate into the matter and had asked it to submit its report by February 23, it served no purpose as one member of the committee was busy in election duty and the rest did not have a clear idea of the task before them. The examination wing of the university had investigated the matter on February 16 and detected 11 cases of forgery. It is learnt the Registrar also conducted an inquiry into the matter and submitted a detailed report to the Vice-Chancellor on February 16, the same day when the matter was brought to his notice by the Superintendent concerned. The administration it is alleged, has no clear idea as to how to proceed with the investigation. Some officials alleged the Vice-Chancellor intended to hush up the case till the completion of his tenure on February 25. They claimed that the first case of forgery was detected on February 4 but no action had been taken so far. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they wondered why an FIR had not been registered so far against the erring employees in this case amounting to a criminal offence. They questioned why no employee had been suspended so far even when prima facie evidence had been found against some employees? They, also asked why a notification had not been issued in newspapers regarding cancellation of the fake degrees? According to university sources, the Registrar, in his report, had recommended registration of an FIR against certain employees who were found involved in the racket. He had reportedly recommended that three erring employees should be suspended without holding any formal inquiry as prima facie evidence was found against them. It is learnt the Registrar had directed the examination wing to scrutinise the result sheets of all examinations. He had also suggested that the entire examination system of the university needed a thorough revamping. But according to sources, all his suggestions were ignored. The Vice-Chancellor
could not be contacted despite several attempts. However,
sources close to him claimed that stringent action would
be taken against the erring employees after the inquiry
committee report and no employee and official would be
spared in this connection. |
Bogus firm dupes people of Rs
30 lakh PANIPAT, Feb 23 — Hundreds of people in Samalkha town and adjoining areas have reportedly been duped by a private firm with a promise to supply domestic articles on cheaper rates within 21 days after receiving advance deposits. It is estimated that around Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh has been collected by the owners of the firm as advance amount. They are reported to have fled on Monday night from Samalkha. According to information available, a shop-cum-office was opened by some South Indians at Jorasi road in the town in November, 1999. They promised to provide domestic articles at 40 per cent cheaper rates than the market price on getting advance deposits. When some of the depositors reached their office on Tuesday morning, they found the shop and the house where they used to live locked. Hundreds of people gathered in front of the shop. The victims of the fraud have lodged a complaint in Samalkha police station. Interestingly, on the
complaint of some people who were suspecting foul play by
this firm, the shop-cum-office was raided by the police
and the owners of the firm were taken into custody for
investigation. But after intervention by a labour leader
and a complaint in the court by one of the owners,
Amritalingam, against the police for illegal confinement,
they were released after three days on December 11, 1999. |
FIR registered against
Jindal HISAR, Feb 23 — The city police today registered a case of attempted murder against the local industrialist and Congress candidate, Mr Om Prakash Jindal. A case of assault on government employee and disruption of the electoral process was registered against him yesterday, but Section 307, IPC, was added to it today only. An FIR against Mr Jindal was registered on a complaint lodged by Mr Subash Chander Mehta, Presiding Officer, Polling Booth Number 103, located at the Kabir Chowk in Rampura Mohalla. Mr Mehta alleged that Mr Jindal tried to disrupt the polling and also misbehaved with the staff. Mr Jindal has denied the charges and said the case had been fabricated against him. He alleged that the Presiding Officer was not performing his duties in impartial manner. Meanwhile, two vehicles
belonging to Mr Jindal and his supporters were stoned,
and some of his supporters were injured. |
All set for Feb 25 counting AMBALA, Feb 23 — The arrangements for counting of votes have been completed at various places for the five assembly segments of Ambala cantonment, Naggal, Ambala city, Mullana and Nariangarh. The Ambala city assembly seat where electronic machines (EVMs) were used for the first time, counting will take place at the women’s polytechnic. While the counting of votes for Ambala cantonment seat will take place at Arya College, Ambala cantonment, the counting of votes for Naggal assembly segment will take place GMN College, Ambala cantonment. For Mullana assembly seat, the counting of votes will take place at S.D. College, Ambala cantonment, and the counting of votes for the Naraingarh seat will take place at community centre, Naraingarh, a release said. Deputy Commissioner of Ambala Ram Nivas said that in the Nariangarh constituency, out of a total of 1,09,925 voters, 83,934 voters exercised their franchise, which include 46,102 men and 37,832 women. In Mullana seat, out of total of 1,21,308 voters, 87,060 exercised their franchise, which include 47,220 men and 39840 women. In the Ambala cantonment seat, out of total of 87,616 voters, 55,182 voters cast their votes which include 29,634 men and 25,548 women. In Ambala city where EVMs were used, out of a total of 1,15,257 voters 69,884 voters cast their votes which include 37,384 men and 32,500 women. In Naggal assembly seat, out of a total of 1,20,869 voters, 51,448 voters exercised their franchise,which include 51,448 men and 43,235 women. He said that the
counting of votes for the assembly seats will start at 8
a.m. on February 25 at the respective counting centres. |
Congressmen block highway in protest ROHTAK, Feb 23 — A large number of Congress activists and supporters blocked the National Highway No 10 at Bahadurgarh, about 40 km from here today, in protest against the police action in connection with poll violence and ‘firing’ yesterday. The blockade, which continued for about three hours, was lifted after ‘intervention’ by the Inspector-General of Police, Rohtak range. The protesters alleged that the police had booked a false case against the Congress candidate, Mr Ramesh Dalal and had been detaining him illegally. They also alleged that Mr Naresh Sharma, congress candidate from the Badli constituency, was also ‘rounded up by police. He was leading the dharna and blockade today. The police, however, "denied" that any of the Congress candidate had been arrested. A case of attempt to murder had been registered against Mr Dalal, who is the Congress nominee from the Bahadurgarh seat, in these Assembly elections. But the Congress workers calmed that the case against Mr Dalal has been fabricated. A police official said that the case had been registered against not only Mr Dalal but also against an INLD candidate, Mr Nafe Singh, in connection with firing. Meanwhile, the Haryana
Congress President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has
condemned the police action. Asking the Governor to
intervene, Mr Hooda said that it was a fabricated case
and an example of ‘highhandedness’ of Mr Om
Prakash Chautala. |
25 arrested for poll
violence ROHTAK, Feb 23 — The police has registered a case against 25 persons in Meham subdivision of this district on charges of creating disturbance and intimidating the employees on election duty during polling yesterday. According to police sources, the accused persons forcibly entered Booth Number 152 located at Madina village 15 km from here, and disrupted the polling in an attempt to "capture" the booth. They also allegedly threatened the poll officials on duty. The complaint has been filed by Mr Azad Singh, the Presiding Officer. Meanwhile, the police yesterday registered a case against four persons of Chamarian village who assaulted a former sarpanch, Mr Umed Singh, of the village. He was attacked by Mahender, Kuldeep, Nanhe and Bhola. A case under Sections 323, 324, 505, 307 and 188/34 of the IPC has been registered against them. In another incident, a
country made revolver and 23 cartridges were recovered
from three youths near Sampla, yesterday. They were going
in a jeep towards Hisar when they were arrested by the
police. |
Holiday today in Meham, Kalka CHANDIGARH, Feb 23 — The Haryana Government has declared a holiday on February 24 in the offices and institutions within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, in the areas falling in the limits of Kalka, Hassangarh, Meham, Safidon, Taoru, Tosham and Mahendergarh constituencies in view of repolling in 23 polling stations in seven Vidhan Sabha constituency. The repolling in Panchkula in the Kalka constituency will be held in polling station numbers 190, 191, 194, 195 and 285 in Government Senior Secondary School, Sector-17, Panchkula. Repolling in Gandra village in the Hassangarh constituency at polling station No. 87 will be in Government High School, in Madina Korssan in the Meham constituency at polling station No. 152 in Government Primary School, near ITI. Similarly, in Chhapar in
the Safidon constituency it will be at polling station
No. 59 in Government Middle School. It will be held in
Taoru village in the Taoru constituency at polling
station Nos. 46, 55, 56 in Government Sr. Secondary
School, polling station No. 49 in Government Girls High
School, 52 to 54 in Chandravati High School and in
Shikarpur village in the same constituency at polling
station No. 61 in Government Primary School. In Meeran
village in the Tosham constituency repolling will be held
at polling station No. 5 in Government High School. The
repolling in Riwasa and Mundiya Khera in the Mahendergarh
constituency will be at polling station No. 45, 46 at
Government Middle School, polling station No. 47 in
Panchayat Garh, 191 and 193 in Government Primary School
and 192 in Harijan chopal. |
Sonepat civic body poll on April
2 SONEPAT, Feb 23 — Elections to the 31-member Municipal Corporation of Sonepat will be held on April 2 and a notification to this effect has already been issued by the Haryana State Election Commissioner. According to official sources, nomination papers will be accepted between March 2 and 6. Scrutiny will take place on March 7 and the nominations could be withdrawn up to March 13. However, any revisions
against the decision of the Returning Officer can be
filed before the Deputy Commissioner between March 8 and
10 and the Deputy Commissioner will decide the petitions
on March 11. |
Plans afoot to coop bhavan PANCHKULA, Feb 23 — The Haryana Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Cooperation, Mr L.M. Goyal, inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters building of the Haryana State Cooperative Labour and Construction Federation here today. Spread over an area of 645 sq. yards, the building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh having all modern facilities. He said the matter of abolition of doubles sales tax on the labour construction societies was under active review of the government and they would be given relief soon. There was a proposal to construct a cooperative bhavan so that all cooperators institutes could be brought under one roof. Mr Goyal asked the cooperatives to follow the example of Gujarat and strengthen the cooperative movement in the state. Mr Krishna Mohan, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Haryana said a committee had been constituted under the chairmanship of the Financial Commissioner Cooperation, for updating and amending the bylaws of the Cooperative Societies Act according to the needs of the time. He added that with the incentives given to the labour construction societies, they had become very active and many of them were now out of red. Mr Mewa Singh Pattar,
Managing Director, Haryana State Cooperative Labour and
Construction Federation, disclosed that the construction
work of the societies had touched the Rs 60 crore mark
annually as against Rs 66 lakh when the federation was
formed. He suggested that to improve the performance of
the societies their committees in the districts should be
revived. |
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