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| Sunday, May 14, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Candidates
"taken for a ride" BJP unit unsure, divided Boxer working as mazdoor 8 die as shed gives way
UP link bridge on Yamuna soon |
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Animal board for Haryana
soon Drive against encroachments Water crisis grips Rohtak Sampat Singh’s brother hurt
in attack 47 lakh allocated for Yamunanagar
dist Vora to address rally at Sirsa Traders lose business due to poor
power One held in murder case 1 killed, 16 hurt in mishaps Car taken away at gunpoint
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Candidates "taken for a
ride" CHANDIGARH , May 13 — The former Chief Minister and President of the Haryana Vikas Party, Mr Bansi Lal, today accused the Chautala Government of taking about 1.5 lakh candidates who appeared in the JBT entrance test last year for a ride. In a statement issued here, Mr Bansi Lal said it was highly improper for the government to cancel the result only because its "favourites" failed to get selected on merit. Even if any irregularity had been committed in the conduct of the test, the government could have taken action against the guilty but had no justification in cancelling the result in toto. Instead of playing with the future of innocent candidates, the Chautala Government should immediately declare the result which had already been tabulated. This, he said, would save one year of the students as well as bridge the shortage of JBT teachers. Mr Bansi Lal said by imposing the local area development tax in lieu of octroi, the state government had vindicated his stand. He said it had been his stand that unless alternative means of income were identified, it was not possible to abolish octroi. Mr Chautala, he alleged, by abolishing octroi took the people as well as the BJP for a ride. After collecting their votes by "fraud", Mr Chautala had imposed the new tax which would affect the entire state and not the municipal areas alone. Though Mr Chautala abolished octroi, he did not allow the BJP to take the credit for it. Urging the state
government to reconsider the issue of the local area
development tax, Mr Bansi Lal said if the government went
ahead with its decision, industry in Haryana would be
left with no alternative but to shift to other states. |
BJP unit unsure, divided GURGAON, May 13 — The Haryana unit of the ruling BJP is caught in a cleft stick on whether to launch an agitation against the Indian National Lok Dal government of Mr Om Prakash Chautala. At the prodding of the national general secretary and in charge of Haryana affairs, Mr Narender Modi, a decision was taken to submit a protest memorandum to Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on law and order, faulty distribution of power, rise in power tariff etc. Notwithstanding the decision a number of party leaders seem uncertain. According to sources, Mr Modi, who was present at the meeting, "taunted" state BJP leaders on the occasion and posed the rhetorical question of whether there was life in the state unit. When none of them responded he suggested they should submit a memorandum against the state government. If the INLD, an ally of the BJP, could criticise the Centre’s decision to hike the prices of kerosene oil, urea and liquid fuel gas the BJP was well within its right to pick holes in his government, he said. But according to observers, there is a sense of despondency in the BJP unit after the last assembly elections in the state. The state unit of the BJP is of the firm view that the INLD pulled a fast one at its nominees and even played a direct role in the defeat of more than a dozen of them. But the party is unsure about its approach, especially as Mr Chautala allegedly has the tacit support of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. So if it is to launch an agitation it is not sure as to what extent it can go. The reported dejection is now beginning to show with party leaders working at cross purpose in a number of districts. So much so that a state functionary of the party, Mr Manohar Lal suggested at the meeting attended by Mr Narender Modi that state organisational election, slated to be completed by June end, be avoided in some of the districts where there were differences to avoid embarrassing moments. Recently, the
differences came to the fore in Gurgaon, where the entire
district unit was dissolved and a committee constituted
to oversee organisational works. |
8 die as shed gives way AMBALA, May 13 — Eight persons, including two women, were killed in the storm near Dhanana village, 25 km from here, last evening. According to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hari Singh Ahlawat, the persons had taken shelter under a shed of a factory during the storm when the shed gave way and fell down over the persons, crushing them to death. The dead included five men, two women and a child. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, Mr Ram Niwas, announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 10,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased. The dead were identified as Parmeshwar, Surender, Mahesh, Shri Pal, Harmesh, Boni and Savitri. According to the police the persons were employed in a brick-kiln adjoining Dhanana village close to the Ambala-Naraingarh road. According to information, as many as 11 kiln labourers took shelter in the shed. According to police information, three persons were admitted to the Naraingarh Civil Hospital with injuries. The post-mortem of the
bodies was conducted in the Naraingarh Civil Hospital
today. Later the bodies were handed over to the
relatives. It is learnt that most of the persons belonged
to Bihar and had come to Haryana for job. |
UP link bridge on Yamuna
soon YAMUNANAGAR: the bridge being built on the UP border near Kalanaur (Haryana), is in its final phase of completion. The Haryana Government allocated Rs 5,07,35,000 for it and a like amount was given by the UP Govt, whereas the Centre contributed Rs 4.5 crore. The total cost of the project is Rs 15 crore. Construction was started on March 21, 1997 after a long struggle after the Centre’s sanction on September 28, 1993. The 475-metre-long bridge with a width of 7.5 m has already reached its final stage, while on the UP portion even an approach road has been built. Road construction on the Haryana portion is proceeding at a slow speed. If work had been carried on faster, the bridge might have been opened last December. When this reporter visited the site, he saw stone and roller work going on at a fast pace. There is a possibility of the bridge opening in abut three weeks. According to sources, instructions had been issued by the UP Governor, Mr Suraj Bhan, who belongs to Mehalawali village in Yamunanagar district, to complete the bridge in June last year. It is gathered that about 400 workers, including four Assistant Engineers, one deputy manager, one project manager along with six junior engineers, are working round-the-clock to meet the deadline. Owing to rain last October, work on the bridge was delayed by two months as claimed by UP State Bridge Corporation officials. The old bridge was built in 1856 by the North-Western Railway and acquired by the then United Provinces Government. In 1996, Rs 75 lakh was spent on the repair of the old bridge. The old bridge was never properly maintained. It also did not have lights nor railings. Thousands of vehicles
use this bridge daily but nobody has bothered about its
upkeep. At long last the bridge is about to be thrown
open to traffic. |
Animal board for Haryana soon KURUKSHETRA, May 13 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today announced the constitution of the Animal Development Board for the promotion of dairy development and for taking care of domestic animals of the farmers. He was here to flag off a relief train to Gujarat. The Chief Minister also addressed a gathering after inaugurating a milk chilling centre and milk bar of the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation at Sanwala, village 10 km from here. The chilling centre has a capacity to handle 20,000 litres of milk per day and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. With the inauguration of this centre the number of chilling centers in the state has gone up to 17. Mr Chautala said the Animal Development Board would award those farmers, who, by rearing Murrah buffalos, would help in saving this buffalo breed from vanishing. The state government would also compensate half of the loss incurred by the farmers in case the animal dies and the remaining would be borne by the animal insurance company, he added. Mr Chautala said the government and the people of Haryana had made elaborate arrangements of drinking water and cattle fodder at various places in the state for those farmers who had shifted their cattle from drought-hit states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. He said his government was keen on promoting dairy farming, floriculture and horticulture keeping in view the increasing pressure on the agricultural land. Similarly, stress would be laid on the implementation of vocational education under the new education policy so that the unemployed youth after completing education, should start their own work, he added. He announced that a new agricultural policy was being framed for protecting the interests of the farmers. He revealed that a delegation of farmers would soon be sent to Israel to study the latest techniques in dairy farming and floriculture so that they could start it here. The Cooperative Minister, Mr K.S. Bhadana, said steps would be taken to make Haryana a leading milk-producing state in the country. He hoped that with this step more employment avenues would be created for the youth. The Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Cooperation, Mr M.K. Miglani, urged the milk producers of the state to bring maximum quantity of milk to the various centres of the federation to get the best price for their produce. He informed that the milk producers were getting Rs 5.5 crore additional amount this year due to increase of procurement price. He said two milk plants
of Rohtak and Ballabgarh had got ISO-9002 and IS 1500
certificate. |
Drive against encroachments KAITHAL, May 13 — The administration launched a massive anti-encroachment drive in the town here today. The drive was led by the DSP, Mr Narender Singh, and the SDP, Mr Amir Singh. It was started from outside the main bus stand and was carried on to Chhatrawas Road and Jind road. The temporary unauthorised structures erected by shopkeepers outside their shops were removed by the municipal staff and labourers under the supervision of Mr Dharamvir Bawa, Secretary, Municipal Council. Many hoardings and signboards put up illegally, some of which were obstructing traffic, were removed. Interestingly, the administration faced no resistance form the shopkeepers and after the launching of this campaign, some shopkeepers were themselves seen removing the encroachments. Later, some parts of the town were cleared of the encroachments. The residents of the town in general appreciated this move but said this should be extended to other parts of the town, as many parts of the municipal and improvement trust land in Aggarsain Market, Super Market, Railway Road, Mal Godam Road, Kabootar Chowk and new subzi mandi area was still under illegal occupation. Many residents demanded that the government should institute an inquiry against a civic and PWD official who had allegedly been conniving with encroachers and turned a blind eye when government property worth crores was being encroach upon. On the other hand, the
Health Department authorities today took samples of
various eatables, soft drinks and juices after receiving
complaints of adulteration and reports of sale of
substandard eatables by shopkeepers. Even some reports
were received that water melon and papaya were being
injected with sweetened mixtures to increase their sales. |
Anti-encroachment drive
undertaken NARNAUL, May 13 — A massive anti-encroachment drive has been undertaken by the district administration, the Nagar Parishad and PWD (B and R) officials in this town. Encroachment removal squads headed by Dr J.K. Abhir, administrator of the Nagar Parishad and the City Magistrate, Narnaul, had launched the first phase of the drive. Enquiries reveal that in some cases the offenders themselves removed their illegal structures, tin sheds and old ‘chabutras’. The drive was a success and encroachments were removed in the Pul Bazaar, Mahavir Chowk, Singhana Road, Rewari Road, opposite the Civil Hospital and in the New Mandi area. However, shopkeepers and
other affected persons say that the "land
mafia" should not be spared, otherwise there will be
a revolt against the demolitions. They allege that the
permanent structures constructed by persons having
political patronage are hardly touched by the demolition
squads. According to the Nagar Parishad’s
Administrator, Dr J.K. Abhir, during the second phase,
permanent illegal structures will be removed. However, he
said, keeping in view the rehabilitation of the affected
persons, their interests would definitely be taken into
consideration. He said a survey was going on about
encroachments over government lands and it would be
completed this week. After that, the removal of such
encroachments would be undertaken. Constructions on both
sides of the roads would also be taken up. Pavements
would also be constructed on both sides of the Rewari and
Singhana roads and Mahendragarh roads. |
Boxer working as mazdoor AMBALA, May 13 — Sports brings glory to only a fortunate few, the rest languish after fleeting moments of fame. Mr Prem Lal Sharma, who says that he is a national-level boxing official, is working as a mazdoor and barely managing to make both ends meet. Life is proving to be one big bout for Mr Sharma who has been running from pillar to post for getting promotion on the basis of his achievements. He is today working as a mazdoor with the Military Engineering Service (MES). Mr Sharma, who claims to have introduced boxing in Ambala, told the Chandigarh Tribune, "Ours is a joint family. My family members, including my two children, are dependent on my pay. It becomes difficult to make both ends meet. "I have not formally learnt boxing. I picked up the nuances of the game from the pugilists of 8 Para unit. They taught me boxing when I was a young boy. Since then I have represented Haryana in various boxing meets, including national championships. In 1980, my career as a pugilist came to an end after my eardrum was injured during a fight. After that, I took to coaching." With pride in his voice, he said that servicemen are the best boxers. "I have coached pugilists of 9 Deccan Horse, 16 Engineers, 414 Engineers, 68 Armd Regiment, 24 Medium Regiment, Ist Field Regiment, 65 Engineers, 129 AD Medium Regiment and 138 Medium Regiment. I have also coached Air Force pugilists," he said. "I joined the Military Engineering Service in 1987 and since then I have been trying to get an out-of-turn promotion. I have demanded that I should either be appointed as master craftsman or charge electrician. However, my pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears," he laments. According to a DO written by Maj-Gen S. S. Karki, PVSM, ADG Engineer (Pers) on June 17, 1997, "I take this opportunity to write this DO in respect of Mr Prem Sharma, employed with GE (AF) Ambala as mazdoor. The individual is a very good sportsman and at present giving coaching in boxing in Haryana. He has represented Haryana state and India in boxing." "I feel that such an outstanding sportsman must be awarded by accelerated promotion to boost up their morale to bring further laurels for the department and inspire others. Though as per existing instructions relating to appointment of meritorious sportsmen, there is no provision for giving them out of turn promotion as such I would request your goodself if a case is taken up for special consideration for giving out of turn promotion for this deserving cause," the DO states. Mr Sharma feels that sportsmen in the country are not given due recognition. "What is the point for earning laurels if ultimately there is no concrete recognition? There cannot be worse commentary on the state of Indian sports than my plight. I am a boxing official and I am forced to work as a mazdoor." Although life has nearly
'KOed' him, Mr Sharma is soldiering on in the hope that
one day he will get his due. "Earlier I used to
fight opponents, now I am having a boxing bout with the
system which does not take note of hard work and sweat
put in by a sportsperson," he regrets. |
47 lakh allocated for
Yamunanagar dist YAMUNANAGAR, May 13 — The Haryana Government has earmarked Rs 47 lakh for various development works in the district under "decentralised planning" for 1999-2000. The amount has been allocated to all BDPOs and Municipal Councils, Yamunanagar and Jagadhri to implement various developmental works in their concerned rural and urban areas of the district. This was stated by Mr
Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Vice-Chairman of
district. Planning and Development Board, here yesterday
at a press conference. He said the total allocation under
the scheme was to be spent on the schemes formulated on
non-recurring expenditure while 25 per cent of the funds
was to be allocated for Scheduled Castes. He said
priority would be given to slum areas. He added that the
development schemes in the rural areas would include the
construction of school building, harijan chaupals,
pavement of streets and retaining walls, etc. In urban
areas the scheme would relate for the improvement of
slums, pavement of streets, roads, water supply,
sewerage, drainage and street lighting at Harijan Basti. |
Water crisis grips Rohtak ROHTAK, May 13 — Several colonies of the town are in grip of severe water crisis these days because of inadequate supply of potable water. Residents of the affected areas which included Indira Colony, Gopalpura, Kripal Nagar, Shyam Colony, Kartarpura, Garhi Mohalla, Khokrkot, Tej Colony, Fatehpuri, Hanuman Colony, Kabir Colony, Krishna Colony and Jind road localities. They met the district authorities in this connection and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate relief measures to the Deputy Commissioner yesterday. The residents were led by activists of the Jan Sangharsh Manch, Haryana. The DC has reportedly asked the Public Health officials to immediately take some action. It is that while several colonies have the water supply pipes, the pressure is very low as a result. Several houses do not get drinking water regularly. In many parts residents have to depend on underground water. Several ailments and diseases have been reported among children because of the consumption of underground water. According to Ms Sujata of the Jan Sangarsh Manch, a survey of some colonies, including Gopalpura had found that & large number of kids had developed or had been affected by disorders affecting their eyes, teeth and skin. It is learnt that while population in several colonies had almost doubled in the past 15 years, the authorities have failed to lay pipelines or to provide other basic facilities like sewerage, roads and street lights. A large number of women and children have to walk long distances to get water. Complaints of
contaminated water have surfaced in the town in large
numbers. The district administration has claimed to have
taken measures to check and prevent supply of
"contaminated" water. |
Sampat Singh’s brother hurt in attack FATEHABAD, May 13 (PTI) — Some unknown persons attacked Haryana Finance Minister Sampat Singh’s brother, Mr Ranveer Singh, at his residence in Bhattu Kalan and caused serious injuries on his private parts last night, the police said here today. Mr Ranveer Singh was brought to the local Civil Hospital and later was referred to Hisar for CT scan. The reason behind the attack was yet not known, the police said adding that they had registered a case in this connection. However, the attackers
are still at large. |
Vora to address rally at
Sirsa CHANDIGARH, May 13 — Mr Motilal Vora, general secretary, All-India Congress Committee and in charge of Haryana will address a rally at Sirsa on May 17 in connection with the Congress’s campaign for the Rori byelection. Mr Bhupinder Singh
Hooda, MLA and President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress
Committee, and other state party leaders will also
address the rally, an HPCC press note said. |
Traders lose business due to
poor power AMBALA, May 13 — The Ambala Cantonment Traders Federation has expressed concern over the frequent breakdowns and low voltage of electricity. “There is no timing for the breakdown and people are not aware when the power supply is going to be restored. The Ambala scientific instruments industry is the worst sufferer of the breakdown and low voltage”, a press note said. The owners of the units
are suffering financial loss and their production has
also suffered. A lot of export orders are cancelled
because they are unable to fulfill their commitment to
supply the goods in time, it added. |
One held in murder case JIND, May 13 — Dharam Singh of Butani village in the district allegedly stabbed to death his brother Nahar Singh and attacked Shakuntla, wife of Nahar Singh, according to a report received here today. A case has been registered under Sections 302, 307 and 452 of the IPC and arrested Dharma Singh. Meanwhile, the police
has arrested three robbers who had looted 30 boxes of
liquor on gun point from a liquor vend at Jajwan village
in the district on May 3. Mr Rajpal Singh, Superintendent
of Police, said the robbers had been identified as Ram
Niwas, Sewa Singh and Ajmer Singh of Kolu village. |
1 killed, 16 hurt in
mishaps JIND, May 13 — One person was killed and 16 others injured in two separate road accidents in different parts of the district yesterday. According to a report, a woman, Hardevi, was killed after she was knocked down by a car on the Jind-Narwana road. In another accident on the Jind-Kaithal road, 10 km from here, 16 persons were injured when an over-crowded Jeep in which they were travelling dashed against a tree. The condition of five was stated to be serious. According to a report, the accident occurred when the driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle while overtaking another vehicle. A case has been
registered. |
1 killed in accident HISAR, May 13 — One person was killed and another injured when their motor cycle collided with a truck near Balsamand, village 15 km from here, today. The victim was
identified as Satish of Dhiranwas village of the
district. A case has been registered. |
Car taken away at gunpoint ROHTAK, May 13 — Two youths allegedly took away a Maruti car near here today. Mr Naresh Saini stated in the FIR that two persons hired his Maruti car from the local Sukhpura Chowk in the morning. He alleged they took away the vehicle at gunpoint near Rithal. The police has registered a case. Meanwhile, six persons
arrested in connection with theft of cars were today
remanded in police custody till May 16. The car thieves,
comprising four students of Baba Mastnath College of
Engineering were arrested by the police yesterday. The
police had recovered three stolen Maruti vehicles from
their possession. |
Jeep forcibly taken away HISAR, May 13 — Two
unidentified persons forcibly took away a Jeep near here
forcibly. According to police sources here today, two
persons hired a Jeep from Adampur Mandi taxi stand for
Talanwali village. When they reached near Hisar, they
told the driver to get out and took away the Jeep. |
HPCC delegation to meet
Governor CHANDIGARH, May 13
— A delegation of the Haryana Pradesh Congress
Committee (HPCC), led by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda. MLA
and President of the HPCC, will meet the Governor of
Haryana on May 16 and submit a memorandum, opposing the
recent Central decision to hike the prices of urea and
the essential commodities, an HPCC press note said. |
Prospectus being sold on black
market HISAR, May 13 — Dr K.C. Banger, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University, said here today that legal action would be initiated against those persons or institutions who were found selling university prospectus on the black market. He stated that it had
come to the notice of the university authorities that the
prospectus and application form for the entrance test
examination of medical, dental, ayurvedic and engineering
classes were being sold over and above the prescribed
rate of Rs 500 in Karnal and Kurukshetra districts. |
Chain-snatchers held AMBALA, May 13 — The Ambala police has claimed to have busted a gang of chain snatchers in Ambala Cantt, said to be involved in a dozen chain snatching incidents.The Superintendent of Police, Mr Navdeep Singh Virk, said three youths identified as Mohit, Sanjeev and Akshay were arrested in this regard and nine gold chains, costing Rs 80,000, were recovered from their possession. He said one month ago the accused were arrested in a chain snatching case but later they were released on bail by the court. According to police
information, the accused have admitted their involvement
in 10 chain snatching cases. |
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