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| Saturday, April 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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BJP confused, Cong set for action Panchayat to discuss Dangi case
tomorrow Ultra-modern township
To lodge FIR, get stationery first Centre has cleared power project:
MPs |
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S.D. College graduates
get degrees Residents demand civic amenities Clash in prison, five injured Denial on molasses "Review move on schools to
panchayats" Holding of Khalsa March hailed
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BJP confused, Cong set for
action GURGAON, April 14 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has convened its general body meeting in Chandigarh on April 18 to finetune its strategy for agitation against some of the decisions of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre and the BJP in the state is caught in a cleft stick with regard to its political responses. According to the Vice President of the HPCC, Mr Rao Dharam Pal, the party will focus on some of the "anti-people" decisions of the Vajpayee government, which is supported by the ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in the state. The decisions of the NDA government include withdrawal of subsidies on fertilisers and increase in the LPG price and, its policy on the Public Distribution System(PDS). Also,the HPCC will take stock of the functioning of the state government. The dominant view in the Congress circles is that the ruling INLD should be pulled up on several issues, including law and order and the construction of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) project. According to sources, there is a debate within the Congress on the timing of launching an agitation against the Haryana government. While one school is of the firm view that the government should be taken head-on immediately,the other feels that the party should gradually build up the pressure at the state level. Those who subscribe to the third line of thinking are optimistic that the relationship between the INLD and its ally, the BJP, will deteriorate after some time. Hence, the Congress should attack the government when it becomes more vulnerable. Nonetheless, the preponderant view is that the Congress leaders should take up issues at the local level, right away. However, majority of the senior Congress leaders, including the state president of party, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, are of the firm view that since the INLD is a part of the NDA government, it should be exposed, especially on the issues relating to farmers and commoners who have been allegedly affected by some of the decisions of the Union Government. On the other side of the spectrum, there is confusion in the BJP, the second largest group after the Congress in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. The party has taken a policy decision not to be part of the INLD government. The confusion stems from the state units’ inability to decide whether or not to criticise the government on vital issues. At a meeting of the senior party functionaries held on April 5, almost all the leaders present advocated going alone in the state. In effect, they wanted dissociation from the INLD. The BJP leaders are of the firm view that the INLD leadership was instrumental in the defeat of about a dozen of the party candidates in the previous Assembly elections. According to sources,
the Central leadership of the BJP has directed to the
state unit of the party not to raise controversial issues
against the state government on account of the
INLD’s support to the Vajpayee government. The
Central leadership has directed that the state unit
should concentrate on strengthening the organisation. It
is in this context that the state leaders have organised
district level meetings at Rewari, Narnaul
(Mahendergarh), Rothak, Sirsa and Hisar. It plans to hold
meetings in all districts of the state. |
Panchayat to discuss Dangi case
tomorrow ROHTAK, April 14 — The registration of a case of corruption against a former Haryana Minister and Congress leader, Mr Anand Singh Dangi, has started generating heat among the resident of the Meham Chaubisi area here. The supporters of Mr Dangi in the 24 villages, comprising the two main Chaubisi panchayats have convened a meeting at Meham Chabutra on April 16 to discuss the issue. The Meham Chaubisi Sarvakhap Panchayat headed by Chaudhary Ram Sarup of Madina village, who is believed to be a supporter of Mr Dangi and opposed to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala has decided to discuss the issue of registration of case against Mr Dangi at Meham on Sunday. Supporters of Mr Dangi and activists of the Congress party have described the case as ‘politically motivated’ and aimed at ‘harassing’ Mr Dangi and his family. Mr Ram Sarup has accused the Chief Minister of using improper means to harass his political opponents. He said if the case was not withdrawn unconditionally the panchayat would launch an agitation. The panchayat has also sent invitations to the Haryana Pradesh Congress chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Mr Nirmal Singh, Mr Jaiprakash, Dr Raghbir Singh Kadian (MLAs) and District (rural) Congress Committee President, Prof Virender Singh, among others. However, the other ‘panchayat’ of Chaubisi, headed by Mr Surat Singh, has decided to keep silent. Mr Surat Singh claimed that the ‘Chaubisi’ panchayat headed by him was a non-political organisation and it had nothing to do with the ‘case’ registered against Mr Dangi. About the meeting called by the panchayat headed by Mr Ram Sarup, Mr Surat Singh alleged that it was a political organisation, raised by some political leaders. The issue seems to have charged the political atmosphere of the Meham Chaubisi area. The Chaubisi Sarvakhap
Panchayat has ‘played’ quite a significant role
in political and non-political developments in the area
until a decade ago. Mr Devi Lal, a former Deputy Prime
Minister, had also acknowledged the panchayats’
supported and role in electing him as an MLA from this
constituency more than once. |
Case against Dangi decried CHANDIGARH, April 14 — Congress MLAs today condemned the Chautala Government for registering a case against Mr Anand Singh Dangi for allegedly distributing 1405 acres to 94 families in 1994-95 when Mr Dangi was the Revenue Minister of Haryana. In a statement here,
HPCC chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Mr Ajay Singh Yadav,
Mr Raghbir Singh Kadyan and Mr Shadi Lal Batra also
expressed resentment against the Haryana
Government’s decision to withdraw the security cover
provided to Mr Dangi. They warned Chief Minister Om
Parkash Chautala against his alleged vindictive attitude
towards his opponents. |
To lodge FIR, get
stationery first HISAR, April 14 — Charity may begin at home for the lesser mortals, but for the poor cops it begins in the thanas. They have to "pool resources" to buy stationery for routine official work since the stationery supplied by the government is grossly inadequate. Police sources say that the official stationery sent to the thanas, where most of the voluminous paper work is done, is restricted to paper for filing first information reports and ‘zimnies’ — the investigation and case progress reports. The rest of the stationery comes from "unofficial sources". While some officials posted in the police stations maintain that they buy their requirement out of their own pockets per force, others said they " pooled resources" to meet the day to day demands. However, inquiries reveal that the most popular method of collecting stationery is to direct complainants and other sundry visitors to the thanas to bring a few papers or a packet of ball-point pens before they can narrate their tales of woe. A thana munshi (the clerk of the police station) explained on condition of anonymity that while there was a sufficient supply of official stationery for filing FIRs, they were perennially short of plain-paper, registers, carbon paper and pens. He said four copies of each FIR were prepared on government supplied paper. Once copy is given to the complainant. Of the remaining three, one is retained in the thana, one is sent to the SP and the third to the magistrate concerned. Since FIRs can not be written on any other paper, the use of this paper was limited to writing FIRs. However, ‘zimny’ writing consumes a lot of paper because investigations can go on for long. At the beginning of the year, there is no shortage of such paper. But supply exhausts soon as this being the only kind of paper available, it is prone to misuse. This paper is put to use by wireless operators for recording messages. Besides, preparing "road certificates" or simply "road" in police parlance consumes a lot of this type of paper. The sources say as soon as this supply is exhausted , they have to perforce get the ‘zimny’ performa xeroxed from the market for which they did not have any funds at their disposal. Likewise, the thana munshis are required to maintain dozens of registers for maintaining various records. The official supply being negligible, they had to "procure" registers from their "own resources". "How on earth can official stationery be used for a so called "unofficial" report which is never entered in the despatch or receipt registers", countered a DSP when asked about the reasons for " procurement" of stationery. A senior police officer said most of the departmental stationery was earmarked for the offices of the SPs, DSPs and other officers. However, he vehemently
denied that complainants and visitors were asked to bring
in stationery. At the same time he failed to explain why
poorly paid cops would buy it from their own pockets. |
S.D. College graduates get
degrees AMBALA, April 14 — Students should have faith in God, lead a life of self-discipline, pursue knowledge and live for others, Swami Pitamberanand, Secretary, Rama Krishna Mission, Chandigarh, said while delivering the annual convocation address of Sanatan Dharma (Lahore) College, Ambala cantonment. In all, 590 graduates were conferred degrees in arts, commerce, science and home science by the college Principal, Dr Desh Bandhu. In his report underlining the achievements of the college, Dr Desh Bandhu informed that the college was a pioneer in the field of academics, sports and cultural activities in the region. Three teachers of the college — Dr A. K. Tandon, Dr Sushil Kansal and Dr Rajinder Rana — were honoured for having received their Ph.D. degrees in the disciplines of commerce, English and electronics, respectively. The girls outnumbered
boys as 344 girls were conferred degrees as compared to
246 boys. While 399 arts graduates were conferred
degrees, 66 commerce and 125 science graduates were
conferred degrees. |
Residents demand civic amenities ROHTAK, April 14 — The residents of Saini Anandpura and Indira Colony localities of ward 1, largest ward in the town in terms of area, are sore over the ‘apathy’ of district administration towards their long-standing problems. During a visit to these localities this correspondent found that the residents are devoid of the basic facilities, including potable water, sewerage and street light. Besides, the insanitary conditions, uneven roads and erratic power supply have added to their woes. The dirty water from the houses accumulates in a pond in Indira Colony creating an ideal dwelling place for mosquitoes. Insecticides are rarely sprayed in the pond. Mr Rajbir Saini, General Secretary, District Congress Committee has made repeated appeals to the authorities. He said Indira Colony was set up by the Indira Improvement Trust nearly 25 years ago. He informed that the trust had promised to provide piped water, sewerage, roads and other facilities to the people. He claimed the residents had been paying house tax regularly, but no facilities were given to them. Mr Ram Kumar Saini of Saini Anandpura said the people had to depend on underground water which was not hygienic. He said the underground water in the colony had been contaminated as almost all the people had made ketch septic tanks. The continuous seepage of sewage from these tanks had polluted the underground water, he added. He informed nearly three persons in the locality were suffering from jaundice. The disease might spread if no preventive measures were adopted against it. Mr Rajbir Saini has
announced that he would soon file a public interest
litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this
connection. |
Ultra-modern township GURGAON: The industrial model township (IMT) at Manesar, a few kilometres from here, is poised for major growth over the next couple of months. Stating this here, the Managing Director of the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC), Dr Harbaksh Singh, said that the township will have ultra-modern facilities. The IMT which covers a total area of 1749 acres, is planned to house industrial, commercial, institutional and residential colonies. Of this 1300 acres have been earmarked for industrial houses, 256 acres for commercial and institutional establishments and 193 acres for housing colonies. Provision has been made for an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), schools, hospitals, police post, club, golf course, an auditorium for exhibition, training institutes and a helipad. The residential zone is separated from the industrial zone by the national highway and which will have a 50-metre-wide green belt on both sides. A flyover is also proposed to link the residential and industrial zones. Unlike other industrial estates developed by the HSIDC so far, the basic infrastructure work at the IMT was being carried out and serviced by reputed organisations and contractors, with the overall progress being supervised and monitored by HSIDC staff as well as a consultant engaged for the purpose. The road development work is being undertaken by Som Dutt Builders, public health works like water supply, sewerage are being looked after by Dodsal Ltd and the electrical infrastructure is being laid out by BSES Ltd. The electrical power supply is expected to be drawn from Badshahpur and managed through the township’s own electrical sub-station, construction of which has already begun. Dr Harbaksh Singh said the Haryana Government had conceived of an industrial township back in 1989-90 when a feasibility study had been carried out to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). At the time, "poor quality infrastructure" was identified as the major hurdle for increased FDI in the country. Further, it was said that "quality of life" was also an important factor in attracting foreign investment in industry. Following this study, a survey identified four possible sites which could be developed to create an industrial township of international standards. Two of these were near Bangalore, one at NOIDA and one at Menesar. That was how the Haryana Government decided to develop the IMT at Manesar, first with Japanese assistance and later — when the original plan did not materialise — of its own. As on date there are about 10 large industrial units at various stages of construction, trial and commercial production at the IMT. These include Denso (Haryana), NTF (India), Jamna NHK, Norkool India, Kalyani Brakes, Honda Motors & Scooters and the Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI). Dr Harbaksh Singh disclosed that "due to the immense efforts put in by the HSIDC, some of the new units that are expected to commence work soon at the IMT include Baxter, Mitsubishi, Jay Yushin and FCC Rico." Further he disclosed that the corporation was planning to provide a railway container depot and air cargo services at the IMT for the benefit of companies involved in import and export of goods. Already, the HSIDC has been granted authority to sanction and approve building plans of industrial units so that they may be able to commence commercial production at the earliest without having to liase with numerous government departments. Once the substation at the IMT is in place, the corporation will also be approving electricity connections of industrialists, without the need to approach the state electricity board. In the last three months, three foreign ambassadors — from Japan, Korea and the Netherlands — have visited the IMT to see the progress made and encourage foreign investment in the area. Dr Harbhaksh Singh asserted that very soon the IMT would become the destination of every prestigious organisation. He claimed that the new industrial policy notified in November last had already set the tone for increased industrial investment in the State. Specifically, fiscal
incentives like the 20 per cent rebate on land cost that
would be available to entrepreneurs setting up their
units within the stipulated time frame of three years
after offer of possession of plot, and relaxation in the
policy governing transfers and leasing of industrial
plots are bound to attract increased investment very
soon, he added. |
Clash in prison, five injured ROHTAK, April 14 — Nearly five inmates of the district jail here were injured, one of them seriously, in a clash that took place between two groups of prisoners last evening. The police has booked at least seven of them in this connection. According to police sources, the inmates used sticks, broken pieces of utensils and crude type of articles in the clash. While sources in the jail claim that some of the prisoners possess items like rods and other sharp type of things but the jail authorities, however, deny that the prisoners have access to any weapon or arms inside the jail complex. It is learnt that the several of the inmates have been divided into groups and the clash took place after one of the group tried to get hold on things inside the jail. The injured inmates have been identified as Dharmavir, Prahalad, Satish and Rajesh. One of the injured was discharged after the first aid from the hospital, but at least three others are reported to be admitted to PGIMS Hospital here. It is reported that as the jail is overcrowded such types of clashes or quarrels have become common in the past few years. The police has
registered a case against Sanjay, Suresh, Naresh, Khusi
Ram, Dinesh, Sanjay and Sunil under Sections 148, 149,
323 and 324 of the IPC. |
Denial on molasses CHANDIGARH, April 14—The suspended Managing Director of Bhuna Cooperative Sugar Mills in Fatehabad district, Mr Vimal Chandra, has denied that molasses was sold by the mill at rates far below the market rates. Mr Chandra, who was recently suspended by the Haryana Government, said in a message faxed to The Tribune that the government order had not stated any reason for his suspension.He said a joint tender for the sale of molasses from all 10 sugar mills in the cooperative sector was floated by Haryana Sugarfed. As per records, no tenders were received by six mills. The Kaithal and Panipat mills received the highest tenders for Rs 110 per quintal. For Shahabad, it was Rs 132 per quintal and for Bhuna, the highest bid was for Rs 130 per quintal. Mr Chandra said the private sugar mills of Yamunanagar, Indri and Naraingarh sold molasses in February for Rs 128 per quintal and Rs 130 per quintal. "So the insinuation of any foul play in the sale of molasses is misplaced", he added.He said the molasses was sold by not the Managing Director but a committee comprising five directors and five officers. The decision to sell the molasses was unanimous. Moreover, he said, only
seven days’ capacity to store molasses was left.
After this, the molasses would have flowed into the open
fields, which was a cognisable offence under the Central
Excise Act. |
Centre has cleared power
project: MPs YAMUNANAGAR, April 14 — The much-awaited Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant (YSTPP) has been cleared by the centre, claim two members of Parliament. Mr Kailasho Saini of the INLD who represents the Kurukshetra constituency and Mr Ratan Lal Katari of the BJP from the Ambala constituency said here yesterday the Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant had been hanging fire for the past 15 years. As much as 1140 acres had already been acquired for the purpose. Initially work on the plant was undertaken by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). It spent about Rs 5 crore on it. The inauguration of the
thermal plant was done by Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then
Prime Minister, on March, 1993. |
"Review move on schools to
panchayats" ROHTAK, April 14 — The Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Bachao Committee has demanded immediate withdrawal of the move of state government on handing over the management of government primary schools to panchayats. The state unit of the committee today met Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala during his Rohtak visit and submitted a memorandum to him. Mr Om Prakash, secretary of the committee, appealed to the Chief Minister to have extensive discussion with educationists, teachers, students, parents of the students and people’s representatives before finalising the new education policy. He said, earlier, also, efforts were made to hand over the management of government primary schools to panchayats during the tenure of then Education Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, but, he claimed the efforts could not materialise due to widespread criticism. The committee suggested
that the English language should be taught as a subject
from the class I onwards in government schools but the
medium education should be Hindi. It demanded a check on
the commercialisation of education, allocation of 25 per
cent of Budget to education, ban on donation and
capitation fee at the time of admission, setting up of
another medical college in the state and lifting of ban
on recruitments. |
Holding of Khalsa March hailed YAMUNANAGAR, April 14 — The other state in the country should also celebrate the Khalsa tercentenary. Mr Tirlochan Singh, Vice-Chairman, Minorities Commission, while talking to The Tribune here last evening appreciated the initiative taken by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, for celebrating the Khalsa tercentenary and organising the six days Khalsa March in different parts of Haryana, which was concluded here yesterday. He said that all the functions of Sikhs and Hindus should be celebrated together by all communities. He urged other states to
follow the example shown by Mr Chautala and bring about
reforms for the minorities. He hailed the renaming of
women’s Engineering College, after Guru Gobind Singh
at Yamunanagar. |
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