Friday, March 3, 2000,
Chandigarh, India




THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
H A R Y A N A


INLD ‘will go with’ BJP
KURUKSHETRA, March 2 — The Indian National Lok Dal will go with the BJP in the Lok Sabha if the censure motion brought against the RSS by the Congress is put to vote under Rule 184.

Haryana Cabinet abolishes 29 MCs
CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The new Haryana Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has decided to abolish 29 municipal committees because they were non-viable, according to an official statement.

12-year hunt for power connection
CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Mr Gurdev Singh, a farmer of Sukhanand village in Moga district, has been paying the price of a blunder committed by the Punjab State Electricity Board 12 years ago.

Court summons 2 Railway officers
AMBALA, March 2 — The Judicial Magistrate (Ist class), Ambala, Mr J.S. Dhanjal, has summoned two senior officers of the Indian Railways, including the Chairman of the Railway Board, following a complaint filed by Mr Jasjit Singh, a Class I Railway Officer, earlier posted as Senior Divisional Safety Officer in Ambala Railway Division, under Section 3 (I) (X) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for March 21.

NFL employees flay privatisation move
PANIPAT, March 2 — The joint action committee of the employees of National Fertiliser Limited today said the Centre's decision to disinvest a majority equity 51 per cent in NFL, a public sector unit, indicated that the government had mala fide intentions.

Resentment among Congressmen
FARIDABAD, March 2 — Resentment prevails among Congressmen against the State High Command’s decision to contest the forthcoming elections to Civic Bodies on April 2 not on the party’s symbol all over Haryana.

Firm asked to pay farmer Rs 15,000
KAITHAL, March 2 — The district Consumer  Forum has directed a Narwana-based pesticide dealer to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000 to Mr Om Parkash, a farmer of Kheri Sherkhan village, on account of supply of poor quality pesticide, causing damage to two acres of cotton crop.

Haryana panchayat poll dates changed
CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The State Election Commission, Haryana, has decided to hold panchayat elections in the state in two phases on March 12 and March 16 instead of March 22 and March 29 notified earlier.



YOUR TOWN
Ambala
Bhiwani
Chandigarh
Faridabad
Gurgaon
Hisar
Kaithal
Kurukshetra
Panipat
Sirsa
Sonepat


EARLIER STORIES
 

Haryana Budget session from March 9
CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha will commence on March 9.

Voters' complaint to DC
PANIPAT, March 2 — Resentment prevails among voters in rural areas over the holding of panchayati raj institutions election, on the basis of electoral rolls of 1990.

End unemployment problem: Hooda
SONEPAT, March 2 — A former Haryana Minister, Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, to take immediate and effective steps for solving the unemployment problem and improving the law and order situation in the state.

INLD anti-farmer, says Nehra
FATEHABAD, March 2 — Former Haryana minister and a senior Congress leader, Mr Jagdish Nehra has alleged that the Indian National Lok Dal pretend to be well wisher of farmers but is safeguarding the interests of industrialists.

3 jail escapees arrested
HISAR, March 2 — Three of the four hardcore undertrials criminals who escaped from the local Central Jail on the evening of February 27, have been arrested by the police in Rajasthan, the police said today.

Haryana announces new excise policy
CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The Haryana Government today approved a new excise policy for the year 2000-2001, aimed at curbing the smuggling of illicit liquor from other states.

Diagnosis of impotence improved
PANIPAT, March 2 — The advent of penile doppler study, a mechanism operating on ultrasound technique, has now facilitated a correct diagnosis of impotence. Dr Ajit Saxena, a senior consultant urologist and andochrologist at the Apollo hospital, New Delhi at a Continued Medical Education programme jointly organised by the Indian Medical Association and the Apollo Hospital.

All set for middle, matric exams
BHIWANI, March 2 — All arrangements have been completed by the Board of School Education Haryana for the conduct of the matric, senior secondary (academic and vocational) and middle annual examinations 2000. The matric and senior secondary examinations are commencing from March 7 and the middle examinations from March 24.

Lance Naik cremated with honours
GURGAON, March 2 — Body of Lance Naik Om Prakash Singh, today reached his Khandsa village, near here, from Jammu and Kashmir amidst slogans in his favour from a crowd.



 

INLD ‘will go with’ BJP
Censure motion in LS
From Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA, March 2 — The Indian National Lok Dal will go with the BJP in the Lok Sabha if the censure motion brought against the RSS by the Congress is put to vote under Rule 184.

Stating this here today, the INLD supremo, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, said his party might differ with the BJP on any issue and express reservations at meetings of the National Democratic Alliance, but when it came to voting in Parliament, the INLD would vote along with its NDA partners.

Criticising the Congress for adopting double standards, Mr Chautala said the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was willing to discuss the RSS issue under Rule 193 which does not permit voting but was insisting in the Lok Sabha on a discussion under Rule 184, which provides for voting.

At a meeting of the NDA held in Delhi yesterday, certain NDA partners like the TDP, the MDMK, the INLD and the Samata Party had warned the BJP that it should not take their support for granted on the Opposition-sponsored censure motion against the RSS. After the warning, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, reportedly remarked that he would be morally bound to quit if the censure motion was passed in the Lok Sabha.

The BJP had planned that if a parliamentary resolution criticising the RSS was defeated, the stigma, if any, attached to the organisation would be erased.

Mr Chautala’s statement is a change from the party’s earlier position. The Chief Minister said he would consider his Cabinet "complete" only when the BJP joined it. The Cabinet would be expanded as per the workload on its members. He said Independent MLAs had extended support to his government unconditionally.

Since the INLD represented the interests of farmers, he would press the Centre to withdraw the proposed hike in the prices of urea, he said.

Answering a question on standing disputes between Punjab and Haryana, Mr Chautala said Chandigarh "will continue to be Haryana’s capital". He did not elaborate.

About power sector reforms, he said it would be his government’s endeavour to generate more power for which global tenders had been floated.

He said the first priority of his government would be to make the state free of floods.

Mr Chautala announced he had vacated the Rori Assembly seat and decided to retain the Narwana seat. He said the Congress nominee from Narwana, Mr Randeep Surjewala, had alleged irregularities in the poll process in that constituency and declared his intention to file an election petition against him.Top

 

Haryana Cabinet abolishes 29 MCs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The new Haryana Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has decided to abolish 29 municipal committees (MCs) because they were non-viable, according to an official statement.

The abolished municipal committees are Bawani Khera, Loharu, Siwani, Tosham, Hathin, Hassanpur, Jakhal, Farukhnagar, Haily Mandi, Pataudi, Punhana, Taoru, Narnaund, Uklana Mandi, Beri, Julana, Uchana, Kalayat, Pundri, Indri, Nilokheri, Ateli Mandi, Kanina, Kalanaur, Kharkhoda, Buria, Chhachhrauli, Radaur and Sadhaura.

The statement said these municipal committees were financially weak even when the system of octroi collection was in force. "They were sustained only on the grants of the state government and had failed to even pay the salary of their staff and meet other statutory requirements", it said.

The Cabinet also approved the proposal of the Town and Country Planning Department that the state government should stand guarantee in favour of National Capital Region, Planning Board, for granting a loan of Rs 94.30 crore to HUDA for the development of Sector 24 at Panipat, residential Sectors 9 and 9-A at Bahadurgarh and residential Sector 38 at Gurgaon.

The Cabinet also approved the Haryana Panchyati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2000, to amend Section 3 of the Haryana Panchayati Act of 1994.

It also endorsed the state government to stand guarantee to avail funds of Rs 22.5 crore based on non-fund based limits from the State Bank of Patiala consortium. It also gave ex-post facto approval for Rs 8.90 crore loan by the HVPN from the Power Finance Corporation for the construction of the Shahbad-Panchkula DC line, Rs 9.3 crore to the HVPN for the construction of the Palli-Badshahpur DC line and Rs 11.2 crore for the installation of 409 MVAR shunt capacitor banks in Haryana.

It also approved the state government to stand guarantee in favour of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam for a loan of Rs 13.8 crore from the Rural Electrification Corporation, New Delhi, for financing rural schemes. It also approved Rs 4 crore to the HVPN to implement P-System Improvement OECF-aided scheme.

PTI adds: The Haryana Cabinet approved the implementation of uniform floor rates as per the decision taken by the Centre. Whereas other states had implemented these floor rates from January 1, 2000, in case of the states going for the elections, these were deferred till the elections were over. The implementation of uniform floor rates would be advantageous to traders because the diversion of trade from Haryana to adjoining states, specifically Delhi, and Chandigarh due to lower tax rates would be minimised.

The Cabinet decided to continue exemption on fertilisers, pesticides and weedicides as it was felt that these were vital inputs for farmers and should be at zero floor rate for which the matter would be taken up with the Government of India. In respect of diesel it was decided that the present rate of tax at 10 per cent would not be enhanced because Chandigarh and Punjab had lower tax rates.Top

 

12-year hunt for power connection
By Rajinder Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Mr Gurdev Singh, a farmer of Sukhanand village in Moga district, has been paying the price of a blunder committed by the Punjab State Electricity Board 12 years ago. What is still worse is that the board has so far not rectified the blunder, even though it conceded its fault as far back as 1993.

Enthused by a special scheme announced by the Punjab Government for releasing tubewell connections on a priority basis, Mr Gurdev Singh applied for a tubewell connection in 1988 and deposited the necessary earnest money with his application (receipt No 506, book No 011547 dated May 31, 1988). After completing the necessary formalities, he started waiting for the release of the connection. However, he did not hear anything from the board for a number of years.

To his dismay, he learnt in 1993 that the power connection he had applied for had been given to Mr Pritam Singh, a resident of Tharaj village in Moga district. What is baffling is that there is no similarity in the names of Mr Gurdev Singh and Mr Pritam Singh. Both hail from different villages. While the former belong to Sukhanand village, the latter hails from Tharaj village. How, then, the board officials gave the tubewell connection applied for by Mr Gurdev Singh to Mr Pritam Singh is anybody’s guess.

When Mr Gurdev Singh came to know of the mischief played by the board officials, he made all efforts to get it rectified. To begin with, he called on all officials of the board from the Junior Engineer to the Chief Engineer and urged them to shift the power connection from the tubewell of Mr Pritam Singh to his tubewell.

Since none of the board officials entertained his request, he called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Power Minister, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka. Mr Maluka issued a letter to the Superintending Engineer expressing his shock over the way Mr Gurdev Singh had been harassed by the board officials. He asked the Superintending Engineer to get an enquiry conducted into the allegations levelled by Mr Gurdev Singh.

The first enquiry was conducted by the SDO of Bhakta Bhai Sub Division of the board. In his finding he confirmed that the allegations levelled by Mr Gurdev Singh were correct.

The second enquiry was conducted by the Assistant Executive Engineer (Operation). In his report he stated: ‘‘This connection had been released by Junior Engineer Gurlal Singh. He is responsible for the lapse. The connection given to Mr Pritam Singh should be immediately shifted to the tubewell of Mr Gurdev Singh’’.

He also asked another Junior Engineer, Mr Kikar Singh, to shift the connection to the tubewell of Mr Gurdev Singh.

In the meantime, even Mr Pritam Singh gave an affidavit that the board officials had erroneously given him a tubewell connection. It ought to have been released to Mr Gurdev Singh. He added that he had no objection if this connection was shifted to the tubewell of Mr Gurdev Singh.

Notwithstanding the intervention by the Power Minister and the specific orders issued by the Executive Engineer to Junior Engineer Kikar Singh and the affidavit filed by Mr Pritam Singh, the power connection was not shifted. Mr Gurdev Singh continued to operate his tubewell with diesel pump.

The grouse of Mr Gurdev Singh is that farmers in Punjab are given free power for agricultural purposes. However, he had to cough up huge amount on buying diesel.

Disappointed by the callous attitude of the board officials, Mr Gurdev Singh has now filed a case before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Moga seeking directions to the board officials to shift the power connection from the tubewell of Mr Pritam Singh to his tubewell and pay him a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for causing him huge loss and inflicting harassment on him.

The Forum has issued notice to the respondent board and its officials.Top

 

Court summons 2 Railway officers
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, March 2 — The Judicial Magistrate (Ist class), Ambala, Mr J.S. Dhanjal, has summoned two senior officers of the Indian Railways, including the Chairman of the Railway Board, following a complaint filed by Mr Jasjit Singh, a Class I Railway Officer, earlier posted as Senior Divisional Safety Officer in Ambala Railway Division, under Section 3 (I) (X) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for March 21.

According to the prosecution, Mr Jasjit Singh has stated in the complaint, that during his tenure as Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, he detected five cases of fraud in which some officials of the division and some private persons were reportedly involved.

He stated that since he belonged to Scheduled Caste community, he had to face humiliation at the hands of some senior officers. Also, the persons allegedly involved in the fraud cases engineered false and frivolous complaints against him which were later found false in by a vigilance enquiry, he added.

He alleged that he was pressurised not to pursue the case. When he did not yield to the pressure, the officer concerned transferred him from the commercial branch to the safety.Top

 

NFL employees flay privatisation move
Tribune News Service

PANIPAT, March 2 — The joint action committee (JAC) of the employees of National Fertiliser Limited (NFL) today said the Centre's decision to disinvest a majority equity 51 per cent in NFL, a public sector unit, indicated that the government had mala fide intentions.

Talking to mediapersons here, chairman of the Federation of Officers Association and a member of the JAC, Mr. M.N. Ansari, said it was a matter of grave concern that equities of all loss making public sector units, which were referred to the BIFR by the Union Government for their revival, had not yet been disinvested while a profit-making organisation like NFL had been targeted.

Mr Ansari said companies like Madras Fertilisers Limited (MFL) and Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilisers Limited (RCF) were at a higher ranking in comparison to NFL in the list of companies to be disinvested, still the disinvestment of NFL was being taken place earlier than them.

General Secretary of the National Fertiliser Employees Union (NFEU) R.S. Saini said since the NFL plants were strategically located in agricultural belts any private buyer would benefit immensely by taking over them. This was the reason why NFL and not organisations like MFL or RCF were being privatised. Listing out the profit earned by NFL over the years, Mr Ansari said the PSU achieved a net profit of about Rs 111 crore in 1992-93, Rs 389.11 crore in 1993-94, Rs 121.93 crore in 1994-95 and Rs 54.06 crore in 1995-96. It recorded a profit of Rs 11.20 crore in 1996-97 even when the organisation was plagued by the urea scam and erratic supply of raw material. In 1997-98, NFL earned a net profit of Rs 189.01 crore and in 1998-99 its profit was 41.15 crore. Besides, the company had to recover an amount of Rs 700 crore from the market, he said.

Mr Ansari said that the reasons being given by the government for its privatisation was that the money realised by the sale of 51 per cent equity would be utilised to revive sick fertiliser PSUs like Hindustan Fertilisers Corporation (HFC) and the Fertiliser Corporation of India (FCI). However, it was an illogical experiment which would prove ruinous.

The JAC will convene a meeting at the Panipat unit on March 3.

The JAC leaders are also trying to seek the support of Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to build pressure on the Centre, Mr Ansari added.Top

 

Resentment among Congressmen
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, March 2 — Resentment prevails among Congressmen against the State High Command’s decision to contest the forthcoming elections to Civic Bodies on April 2 not on the party’s symbol all over Haryana.

A decision to this effect was taken at Chandigarh yesterday at the Local Bodies Election Committee under the Presidentship of Chowdhary Sultan Singh. This later was confirmed by the State High Command, according to Mr B.R.Ojha, President of the Faridabad DCC (Urban).

Earlier Mr Bhupinder Singh , Haryana Congress Chief, had directed the district units to contest the election on the party symbol. Two days later he authorised the units to decide themselves whether they wanted to jump into the fray on the party basis or not.

The latest directive has come as a shock to the rank and file of the Congress after the party lost all six Vidhan Sabha seats in the district recently concluded election.

Party leaders who did not want to be identified said that it seemed the Congress had already accepted its defeat in the April 2 election to the Faridabad Municipal Corporation and Municipal Committees and Councils. The decision has demoralised them.

On the other hand Bharatiya Janata Party leadership had already decided to contest the elections on its symbol. Reports which could not yet be confirmed say that the ruling Indian National Lok Dal will also contest the election on its symbol without entering into an alliance with any other party. It had an understanding with the BJP in the Vidhan Sabha election.Top

 

Firm asked to pay farmer Rs 15,000
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, March 2 — The district Consumer  Forum has directed a Narwana-based pesticide dealer to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000 to Mr Om Parkash, a farmer of Kheri Sherkhan village, on account of supply of poor quality pesticide, causing damage to two acres of cotton crop. The farmer had alleged that he had purchased Indosulphan and sprayed it on his standing cotton crop. But after few hours he discovered that the crop had been badly damaged. He brought this to the notice of the firm concerned and filed a case before the forum.

The forum appointed a commission of probe under an SDO of the Agriculture Department which came to the conclusion that the crop had been damaged as a result of the sprayed pesticide.

Though the consumer had demanded a compensation of Rs 64,000 for damage his crop and a further compensation of Rs 30,000 for causing harassment, the forum directed the pesticide dealer to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000 to the aggrieved farmer within 30 days.

In another case, the forum directed the proprietor of Singla Hardware and Machinery Store, Kaithal, to immediately replace a defective tubewell engine or return the money Rs 10,500 to a plaintiff with interest at the rate of 13 per cent since June 21, 1998.

The order was passed following a complaint by a farmer that the firm had supplied him an engine which was defective.Top

 

Haryana panchayat poll dates changed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The State Election Commission, Haryana, has decided to hold panchayat elections in the state in two phases on March 12 and March 16 instead of March 22 and March 29 notified earlier.

A press note issued here today by the State Election Office, said that polling on March 12 (Sunday) would be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and polling in the second phase, on March 16 would also be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The press note said that the earlier schedule of panchayat elections had to be cancelled because of non-availability of school buildings due to the ongoing annual examination of schools.

The press note said that on March 12 (first phase), elections will be held in the following blocks: Ambala, Barara, Badhra, Bhawani Khera, Bhiwani, Dadri-I, Panipat, Israna, Kalanaur, Lakhan Majra, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Jind, Julana, Alewa, Radaur, Sadhaura, Mustafabad, Guhla at Cheeka and Kalayat, Fatehabad, Tohana, Ladwa, Thanesar, Karnal, Nissing at Chirao, Assandh, Sonipat, Mundlana, Kathura, Farukha Nagar, Sohna, Pataudi, Taoru, Ballabhgarh, Hodel, Faridabad, Ateli Nangal, Kanina, Rewari, Khol at Rewari, Hansi-I, Hisar-I, Barwala, Naraund, Dabwali, Baragudha and Ellenabad.

In the second phase polling would take place at Naraingarh, Shahzadpur, Kairu, Loharu, Dadri-II, Tosham, Siwani, Bapauli, Samalakha, Madlauda, Rohtak, Meham, Sampla, Sahlawas, Mathenhail, Beri, Uchana, Safidon, Pillukhera, Narwana, Bilaspur, Jagadhari, Chhachhrauli, Pundri, Kaithal, Rajaund, Bhattu Kalan, Ratia, Bhuma, Shahbad, Babain, Pehowa, Indri, Gharaunda, Nilokheri, Rai, Kharkhoda, Ganaur, Gohana, Gurgaon, Nuh, Nagina, Ferozepur Jhirka, Punhana, Hassanpur, Hathin, Palwal, Mahendragarh, Narnaul, Nangal Chaudhry, Bawal, Nahar, Jatsuna, Hisar-II, Adampur, Agroha, Uklana, Hansi-II, Sirsa, Nathusari Chopta, Rania, Odhan, Morni, Raipur Rani, Pinjore, and Barwala blocks.

Panches and sarpanches of gram panchayats and members of panchayat samitis and Zila Parishads would be elected through these polls, the press statement said.Top

 

Haryana Budget session from March 9
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha will commence on March 9.

A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting held here today.

The session will begin with the Governor’s Address after the newly elected members of the Vidhan Sabha are administered the oath and a new Speaker and a Deputy Speaker are elected.Top

 

Voters' complaint to DC
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, March 2 — Resentment prevails among voters in rural areas over the holding of panchayati raj institutions election, on the basis of electoral rolls of 1990.

They have lodged their protest to the Deputy Commissioner complaining that a large number of people who became eligible voters after 1990 would be deprived of voting in the elections scheduled to be held on March 22.

It has been pointed out in the complaint that the last panchayati raj elections were held in 1994 on the basis of electoral rolls of 1990. Now again the same electoral rolls are being used for the coming elections. Though new electoral rolls have been prepared and used in assembly elections of 1996, and 2000 and parliamentary elections of 1998 and 1999.

In the letter to the Deputy Commissioner Mr Ramehswar Chauhan and others of Bichhpuri village have demanded that the coming panchayati raj elections should be held on the basis of electoral rolls used in the assembly elections.Top

 

End unemployment problem: Hooda
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, March 2 — A former Haryana Minister, Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, to take immediate and effective steps for solving the unemployment problem and improving the law and order situation in the state.

In a signed press statement issued here, he said that unemployment was on the increase and the Bansi Lal Government had 'failed' during its three-and-a-half year rule to solve the problem. As a result, a large number of jobless educated youth had diverted their energy to smuggling liquor.

Hailing the landslide victory of the INLD-BJP alliance in the state, Mr Hooda hoped that the government would give top priority to solving the power and water crisis in the state. He urged the Chief Minister to allocate more funds for improving the supply of electricity and drinking water both in rural and urban areas of the state.

He alleged that nepotism and large-scale bungling in the distribution of Congress ticket had led to the victory of seven rebel party MLAs whereas the Official Congress candidates had been placed third or fourth in their respective constituencies.Top

 

INLD anti-farmer, says Nehra
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, March 2 — Former Haryana minister and a senior Congress leader, Mr Jagdish Nehra has alleged that the Indian National Lok Dal pretend to be well wisher of farmers but is safeguarding the interests of industrialists. Mr Nehra, who lost the recently concluded assembly election from Bhattu Kalan to Mr Sampat Singh of the INLD, was on a tour of the Bhattu Kalan assembly constituency today.

Addressing public meeting in Badopal, Kharakheri, Bhoda Hoshnak, Khasa Mahajan, Khasa Dhani, Khairampur, Sarangpur, Chindhar, Bhana, Bhoda Bishnoian and Bhattu villages, Mr Nehra alleged that the real face of the INLD had been exposed after the Budget.

Mr Nehra alleged that the INLD and the BJP had been ignoring the interests of the farmers. The Central Government had increased the rates of urea and DAP fertilisers immediately after the elections. He said even after the parliamentary poll the government had increased the prices of diesel and added that the anti-farmer face the INLD and the BJP had now been exposed.Top

 

3 jail escapees arrested
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, March 2 — Three of the four hardcore undertrials criminals who escaped from the local Central Jail on the evening of February 27, have been arrested by the police in Rajasthan, the police said today.

Mr Sohan Lal, Superintendent of the Police said they were arrested from Nohar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. An accomplice who helped them in the escaped had also been arrested.

Suresh, alias Hankla, president of Budane in Narnaund tehsil of Hisar district, Narender and Surender, both from Delhi, imprisoned on charges of murder and dacoity were nabbed when they were planning to commit a burglary. Rahul, alias Pintu, of (Delhi) who escaped along with them from jail, is still at large.

All four had managed to climb over the high wall of the prison with the help of a rope thrown across by some jeep-borne accomplice from the outside.

Meanwhile, three wardens of Central Jail has been suspended for negligence of duty in connection with the escape. Those suspended were Mr Devi Lal, Mr Jawa Singh and Mr Mahipal Singh.

Jail Superintendent R.S. Ahlawat told reporters that Nambardar Jagat Singh was also placed under suspension.Top

 

Haryana announces new excise policy

CHANDIGARH, March 2 (UNI) — The Haryana Government today approved a new excise policy for the year 2000-2001, aimed at curbing the smuggling of illicit liquor from other states.

The policy was approved at a Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala here this evening.

The quota of liquor has been increased by 15 per cent, where as the number of vends was not increased.

It was observed by the Cabinet that with this new policy, excise revenue would substantially increase. The increase in revenue during 1999-2000 was 21 per cent over 1998-99.

The structure of excise duty as well as import and export fee on liquor and spirit has remained by and large unchanged. Auctions are due to commence from March 11 and would be over by March 17.Top

 

Diagnosis of impotence improved
From Hitender Rao

PANIPAT, March 2 — The advent of penile doppler study, a mechanism operating on ultrasound technique, has now facilitated a correct diagnosis of impotence. Dr Ajit Saxena, a senior consultant urologist and andochrologist at the Apollo hospital, New Delhi at a Continued Medical Education(CME) programme jointly organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Apollo Hospital.

Dr Saxena said in a study conducted by him and Dr. KK Kapoor, about 100 patients with erectile dysfunction showed a distinct pattern due to problem of blood flow. Such patients who till now were being labelled as suffering from some psychological disorder can now be treated properly, he said.

There should be a threefold increase in basal flow velocity to produce a normal erection. Dr. Saxena said that the problem of impotency can be divided into two era : before and after the arrival of viagra. " The topic is such a taboo in our society that most of us would not even like to talk against it. Even in the West, about 40 per cent of the men above the age of 50 suffer from some kind of impotence but only 10 per cent see to doctors. But after the coming of Viagra a new awareness has come,'' he said.

Dr. Saxena was of the opinion that stress and cardio-vascular disease were the main causes of impotence. He said that its treatment can be classified into four categories : the oral therapy ( use of viagara), self injection of vasoactive substance, use of vacuum device and surgery. He said that viagara was not commonly available and has its side effects. It can lead to uncontrolled erection also which can damage the penis and it cannot be taken by heart patients. The self injection and use of vacuumdevice can induce erection for a particular period. The use of implants has proved to be very effective although the imported implants are expensive.

Speaking on " Chronic renal failure '', senior nephrologist, Dr. Manoj Singhal, also of the Apollo hospital said that prolonged uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension were the main reasons behind chronic renal failure. Dr. Singhal said that first prominent symptoms of a renal failure was passing of proteins in the urine, sudden rise in the blood pressure and swelling of feet. He suggested that the best way to avoid chronic kidney failure was to control diabetes and hypertension.

Dr Singhal said that there was a severe knowledge deficit about renal disease in the country. People, though, were aware of dangers of hypertension and cardiac disease but majority thinks that kidney disease is something you think about when you develop back pain. He said that there was need for more screening programmes for detecting renal disease and a greater emphasis on educating the people. Dr Singhal said that dialysis and transplant were the only two ways to treat a patient of chronic renal failure though patients of acute renal failure induced due to some toxin or loss of blood or dehydration can be treated with medicines.Top

 

All set for middle, matric exams
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, March 2 — All arrangements have been completed by the Board of School Education Haryana for the conduct of the matric, senior secondary (academic and vocational) and middle annual examinations 2000. The matric and senior secondary examinations are commencing from March 7 and the middle examinations from March 24.

Stating this the board Secretary, Mr Jagdish K. Sihag, told mediapersons here today that the board was resolved to check copying in these examinations and the board had taken effective steps to maintain reliability and sanctity of these examinations. He said the board had started an anti-copying campaign and for this an anti-copying campaign forum had been constituted.

He said in the matric examinations 2,87,000 candidates would appear at 1365 centres, in the senior secondary examinations (academic and vocational) 1,70,932 candidates would appear at 707 centres and in the middle examinations 3,70,000 candidates would appear at 1480 centres.

He said four control rooms had been set up at Bhiwani, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Kurukshetra to monitor the conduct of examinations.

Mr Sihag said all personnel deputed on the examination duty were appointed through computers using random system on the basis of seniority and teaching experience.

He said to check outside disturbance Section-144 Cr PC would be promulgated around 200 metres of the examination centres.

He said in order to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations, an awareness programme against the evil practice of copying was initiated. Top

 

Lance Naik cremated with honours
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, March 2 — Body of Lance Naik Om Prakash Singh, today reached his Khandsa village, near here, from Jammu and Kashmir amidst slogans in his favour from a crowd.

Mortal remains of Mr Om Prakash, member of the 39 Mountain Division Signal Regiment, was cremated with full state and military honours.

The 24-year hero was posted signal man at Bodal post in the Rajouri sector. According to Capt R.S. Minhas, who accompanied the body, he succumbed to his injuries received during heavy firing from across the border on February 28. He died 25 minutes after receiving the injuries.

Mr Vedpal Singh, uncle of the deceased said that Mr Om Prakash had joined the Army four years ago. He was also part of the Indian forces’ operation in the Kargil conflict.

Mr Bir Singh, father of the hero, said that he was proud of the supreme sacrifice of his son for safeguarding the country.

Mr Om Prakash is survived by wife and a three-year-old son.

In memory of Mr Om Prakash the state government has decided to name the road passing through his village after him.

Among others who were part of the last journey of Mr Om Prakash were the Congress MLAs, Rao Dharam Pal and Mr Daan Singh.Top

 

CM gives up Rori seat

KURUKSHETRA, March 2 (UNI) — Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has resigned from the Rori assembly seat and retained the Narwana seat.

This was stated by Mr Chautala while talking to mediapersons today.

Mr Chautala was elected both from Narwana and Rori to the 10th Vidhan Sabha during the recent Assembly poll.Top

 

Sangh observes demands day
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, March 2 — On a call given by the Akhil Bharatiya Rajya Karamchari Mahasangh, the district unit of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh observed demands day here today.

Mr Sarbat Singh Poonia, president of the district unit of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh, presided over the proceedings held in the local municipal committee premises. The sangh leaders resolved that hundreds of employees from here would reach New Delhi on March 9 to participate in the gherao of Parliament on the call given by the Mahasangh.

Mr Poonam Chand Ratti, senior vice-president of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh also addressed the agitating employees. Speakers denounced the move to review the constitution and alleged that the move was aimed at amending the labour laws thereby denying the labour class their rights.Top

 

Mill employee shot
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, March 2 — An employee of the Bhuna Cooperative Sugar Mills in this district was shot dead by another employee of the mill today morning.

The victim, Mr Surinder Singh, a resident of Dholu in this district was posted as a helper in the mills. He was standing near the colony gate of the mill in the morning when Amar Singh, a driver of the mill shot him dead. Old enmity is said to be the reason behind the crime.

The police has registered a case.Top

 

Kidnapped boy rescued
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, March 2 — A kidnapped boy, a drop out of Class XII of Government High School, was rescued by the police and the five persons were arrested in this connection in the district.

According to information received today, a 17-year-old Sanjay had dropped out of school two months back. When he was coming to the school yesterday, five persons in a jeep kidnapped him. Some boys who saw the incident reported the matter to the Principal who informed the police. The police sealed the city and recovered the boy near Kherakan on the Dabwali road and arrested the abductors.Top

 

Father kills stepson
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, March 2 — An inhuman act of violence came into light as a father is reported to have strangled his six-year-old stepson to death.

According to the information received today, an orchestra girl, Jyoti had a son from her marriage with an orchestra artiste Kamal. After getting separated from him she came to Dabwali and married another orchestra artiste Rinku Manchanda of Abohar who allegedly exploited her for money and forced her to forsake her son.

He strangled the six-year-old child to death apparently for wetting the bed. The police has arrested Rinku.Top

Home | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial |
|
Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight |
50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations |
|
119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail |