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| Saturday, May 20, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Congress for CRPF in Rori One dead as truck crashes into
crossing
Gloom in Chaudhary’s village |
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Mob ransacks police post,
frees accused Kargil martyr’s mother gets
gas agency Neelgai devour crops;
farmers’ hands tied by law Marketing board to construct roads ASI roughed up, locked BJP unhappy with Chautala over
English MP raises SYLcanal issue Station with narrow, broad gauge
lines Water-supply scheme nearing
completion Census work inspected 7 years’ RI for dowry death New course introduced
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Down sizing govt-III CHANDIGARH, May 19 — Even as the expenditure on account of salaries, wages and pensions constitutes, according to the Finance Minister, about 50 per cent of the total expenditure of the Haryana Government, downsizing of the administration is not on its agenda. Sources say that the government is more concerned about the loss making corporations. A proposal to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of a minister, to look into the problem and suggest remedies, is under consideration, the sources say. One of the broad guidelines, which is expected to be given to this committee, is the merger of two or more corporations which have almost similar functions. "For instance the Haryana State Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation and the Haryana State Small Industries and Export Corporation can be merged and the expenditure on them may be curtailed", the source said. The sources said that even the Bansi Lal-led Government was worried about the losses suffered by the corporations and constituted a committee under the Home Minister Mr Maniram Godara for addressing the problem and if possible, pave the way for privatisation of certain corporations. The present State Government, however, would think in terms of privatisation only as the last resort, the sources said. Government functionaries were of the opinion that the expenditure on account of salaries and wages of government servants was heavy but nevertheless, its share as against the total government expenditure was less compared to many other states. The number of persons employed by the State Government on March 31, 1999, was 2.58 lakh, which is about 8,000 more than the corresponding figure in 1995. According to data available with the State Government, the number of educated unemployed persons (non technical) in the state on December 31, 1999, was more than 5 lakh including about 12,000 PhD, MPhil and MA degree holders. More than 40,000 engineering personnel, including 1,664 graduate engineers, and more than 6000 medical and health personnel, among whom are 348 allopathic doctors, are also registered as job seekers in the employment exchanges in Haryana. The number of unemployed teaching personnel is more than 52,000, while the number of unemployed agricultural graduate and post-graduate and veterinary science graduates and post-graduate is about 750. Citing these figures, government sources said there was no ban on recruitment in Haryana, even though the Finance Minister Mr Sampat Singh did say in his budget speech that government recruitment would be stopped so that the state’s financial health could improve. Government sources, claimed that the ban was implemented only with regard to the daily wage and ad hoc workers. " We are giving appointment to teachers and will also create other vacancies", the sources said. Though, the increase in expenditure on account of wages and salaries and pensions in 1998-99 showed an increase of more than 60 per cent over 1997-98 due to revision of pay scales, the government functionaries feel that the expenditure is manageable. " Whenever there is a surplus of workers in any department, they will be re-adjusted through a cell headed by the Chief Secretary", the sources said and added that surplus employees of municipalities and the MITC had already been adjusted. While the government
does seem worried about the loss making corporations, the
proposed move for merger of similar corporations is also
likely to face problems from within the government. This
was evident when a proposal for merger of the Housing
Board with HUDA was shot down by the Town and Country
Planning Minister, Mr Dhirpal Singh. |
Congress for CRPF in Rori CHANDIGARH, May 19 — The Haryana Congress has urged the Election Commission to post the Central Reserve Police Force in the Rori Assembly constituency from where Mr Abhay Singh Chautala, younger son of the State Chief Minister, is contesting the byelection scheduled for May 26. In a letter written to the commission, the party president, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also demanded that the election should be held under the supervision of the Central observers. He alleged that not only the Haryana police but also Punjab police also were threatening the voters of Rori. Congress workers, he alleged, were being kidnapped and taken to Punjab where they were being told that either they should support the INLD candidate or they would be implicated in false cases. Mr Hooda said whenever byelections had been held under the chief ministership of Mr Chautala, the democracy had been murdered. He cited the instances of Meham and Darba Kalan byelections in the early nineties. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the INLD, Mr Pradeep Chaudhry, has said that the Congress seems to have accepted its defeat in the Rori byelection because the party not only fielded a less known candidate but its leaders also were issuing irresponsible press statements out of frustration instead of campaigning in the area. Mr Chaudhry said that instead of issuing irresponsible statements Mr Hooda should visit the constituency and seek votes. It would reveal how much popularity he was enjoying. No other senior party leader like Mr Bhajan Lal or Ms Selja has so far been to Rori. He said it was shameful
that the all-India General Secretary of the Congress, Mr
Moti Lal Vora, Mr Hooda, Mr Bhajan Lal and other leaders
held a close door meeting at Sirsa recently instead of
visiting the constituency. |
One dead as truck crashes
into crossing KALKA, May 19 — A truck crashed into the Kalka — Pinjore railway crossing today, leaving one person dead. According to a Railway employee who was on the duty at this crossing, two trucks coming at a high speed towards the crossing from the Kalka side were trying to overtake each other. The driver of the truck HR - 03 - GA - 0279 lost control and the vehicle crashed into the railing along the railway line. The Jodhpur Express, was stopped about 200 metres from the accident site. Senior officials, including the Assistant Mechanical Engineer, Permanent Way Inspector, Kalka, and Permanent Way Inspector, Chandigarh, along with the Railway Police and Dr Negi, Medical Superintendent of Railways at Kalka, reached the spot immediately. There were about 50 passengers there at the time. The officials made arrangements to send them to Kalka by bus. The employee said that the truck was carrying bajri and 6 labourers. One of them fell down at impact and died on the spot. The deceased was Nek Singh (20) of Badayun (UP). His body was brought to Kalka Hospital for post mortem and was later handed over to his relatives. The railway traffic was also hit due to the damage to the track. Ekta Express and Amritsar-Kalka Express which were scheduled to arrive at Kalka after the Jodhpur Express, were stopped. The track was cleared at about 12.30 p.m. and all the traffic restored. Meanwhile, the Railway
Police has registered a case under Sections 279, 304-A
and 427 of IPC against the driver of the truck who fled
from the scene. |
Gloom in Chaudhary’s
village ROHTAK, May 19 — The news that Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhary has been taken hostage following a coup d’etat in the South Pacific nation, has cast gloom over his native village, Bahu-Jamalpur. When Mr Chaudhary took office as Prime Minister of Fiji on May 19 last year, residents of Bahu-Jamalpur celebrated the occasion like Diwali. The villagers burst crackers and distributed sweets after they learnt that a "son" of their village had become Prime Minister of Fiji. The villagers were shocked when they learnt this morning that Mr Chaudhary has been taken hostage along with seven other ministers and his government has been overthrown by some armed men. "We never expected that our joy would be so shortlived", said Risaldar (Retd) Daryao Singh of Bahu-Jamalpur. Nafe Singh, son of Tara Chand, and Hazari, son of Lalji, who claim to be uncle of Mr Chaudhary, learnt about the coup d’etat at the neighbouring Bahu-Akbarpur village where they had gone in connection with some work. "We did not believe the news", they told The Tribune correspondent who visited the village to know their reaction. "We were waiting for Mahendra Chaudhary’s visit to his native village", Risaldar Daryao Singh said. The villagers had thought that his visit might bring in some development to the otherwise neglected village, he added. When newsmen visited Bahu-Jamalpur, over a dozen elderly persons were discussing the developments in Fiji over a hookah. Their faces presented a gloomy look and it appeared as if they were in mourning. They enquired of the journalists and the latest developments in the South Pacific nation, and whether Mr Chaudhary was safe. According to reports, the coup was led by a Fijian businessman, George Speight, son of an opposition lawmaker who issued a statement claiming that he had taken control of Fiji. Agency reports quoting Speight said that the Fijian Constitution has been set aside and the coup leaders have also revoked the powers of President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Tension has been building for months, agency reports said, in Fiji between minority ethnic Indians, who make up about 44 per cent of the Island nation’s 8.22 lakh people, and the majority Fijians, who account for 51 per cent. Fijian nationals accuse
Mr Chaudhary, an ethnic Indian, of pushing through
policies favouring Indians, including controversial
attempts to persuade Fijian landowners to renew expiring
leases on farmland held by thousands of ethnic Indian
tenants at the core of his political support. The attack
came on the first anniversary of Chaudhary’s Indian
dominated government. |
Mob ransacks police post,
frees accused HISAR, May 19 — A mob ransacked a police post at Balsamand village near hear last evening and freed an accused Subhash held in police custody there. Three policemen were injured in the attack. They are: Assistant Sub-Inspector of police Jaiveer Singh, Havildar Om Parkash and Constable Dharamvir. They have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. According to reports received here the police had nabbed Subhash of Deva village in connection with a firing incident that had taken place a few days ago in Chaudhrywas village. Angered by the police action, some supporters of the accused armed with revolvers, guns and sticks descended on the police post in the evening demanding release of the accused. On refusal of the policemen on duty to do so, the mob attacked the post. The policemen on duty locked themselves inside but the mob fired several rounds at them and managed to break open the doors. The mob damaged a motorcycle and a wireless set too before taking away the accused. The miscreants also stoned the post heavily. It is learnt that the police vehicle in which the accused was to be taken to Hisar was out of order. Sensing an opportunity, the mob attacked the policemen. Bullet marks were seen on the doors and the walls of the police post. Police reinforcements were rushed from here but the mob had dispersed before their arrival at the post. It is learnt that one of the accused put a revolver at the temple of the ASI and pulled the trigger. Luckily, the revolver did not fire. However, the ASI was hit with the butt resulting in injuries to him. The police has
registered a case under Sections 307, 148, 149, 395, 397,
332, 224 and 232 of the IPC. Several persons have been
arrested in this connection. They include Mr Jaivir
Singh, a close relative of Haryana Finance Minister
Sampat Singh. Two police parties have been despatched to
apprehend the accused and those responsible for the
attack on the police post. |
Kargil martyr’s mother
gets gas agency AMBALA, May 19 — The mother of army man Manjit Singh who attained martyrdom during Kargil has been allotted a gas agency by the Central Government in Barara. At the Zila Sainik Board meeting here today, the Deputy Commissioner Ambala, Mr Ram Niwas, said that efforts were being made to provide a gas agency to the next of kin of army man Pawan Kumar, a resident of Gadoli village, who laid down his life in Kargil operation. Mr Niwas said that the administration is extending help to the family members of those armymen who died while fighting to defend the nation’s territorial integrity. There is also a plan to set up a ‘smarak’ at Indra Chowk in their memory, a press note said. A piece of land is being earmarked for a building in Barara for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their family members as mobile CSD canteen and mobile hospital is a regular feature, he said. The CSD canteen mobile van goes to Barara once a week while the mobile hospital visits every fortnight. The Deputy Commissioner said that a recruitment drive by the army will take place at Kurukshetra from July 18 to 21 and a mini-pension adalat will be held for solving the pension problems of ex-servicemen in July. The Zila Sainik Board secretary, Capt V.S. Narwal, said that for period January, 2000, to April 30, 2000, a sum of Rs 4.5 lakh had been spent for the welfare of ex-servicemen. While ex-servicemen who are more than 60 years old and not drawing pension were provided Rs 1.56 lakh, 212 widows of servicemen who were not drawing pension were given Rs 1.27 lakh. He said that through the
Zila Sainik Board, Rs 16,200 was given to 27 physically
challenged ex-servicemen and Rs 43,300 spent on the
marriage of 20 girls of ex-servicemen. A sum of Rs 25,000
was given to the widows of ex-servicemen. Seventy eight
ex-servicemen were listed for employment, with two
ex-servicemen getting employment, with two ex-servicemen
getting employment and the loan for self-employment was
sanctioned for 54 ex-servicemen. |
Neelgai devour crops;
farmers’ hands tied by law AMBALA, May 19 — When the natural forest cover is denuded, wild animals come in conflict with humans. This is what is happening here with the farmers being at their wit’s end over neelgai which regularly destroys their crops. Roaming herds of neelgai eat standing crop and saplings planted by the farmers. With neelgai being a protected animal, the farmers do not know how to tackle the menace. Mr Jasdev Singh, a farmer of Durala village, said that he has already left farming of ‘makki’ which is a favourite of the neelgai. “The animals have eaten urad, makki and wheat. They have even not spared the tender sugarcane shoots. Even ‘mirchi’ which is avoided by many animals is eaten by the neelgai,” he lamented. He pointed out that night vigil does not help as the neelgai are not scared. “They cannot be seen during the day. During night, they become active. All our efforts have failed to deter the neelgai,” he said. Another villager stated that the number of neelgai in the region has been steadily increasing. The villagers say, “Our hands are tied behind as the authorities do not permit us to shoot neelgai. So we cannot take action even if they destroy our crop right in front of our eyes. It is a frustrating situation.” According to the Conservator of Forest, Mr R.K. Sapra, neelgai is a protected animal. “Neelgai is a Schedule I animal. Causing harm to it is a punishable offence, he said. Wildlife experts state that the neelgai population would not have increased to such a large extent if their natural predator, the wolf, would not have been shot dead. “In the 1950s, there had been a campaign in which wolves were killed in the region. Those killing the wolves were also honoured, said an expert. “The second reason is that with forest area becoming denuded, neelgai do not have any place to look for food. So they ravage the crops of the farmers,” he added According to a Wildlife Institute of India study on neelgai, “Among other things, the suggestions for keeping away neelgai from crops included cleaning up the faeces of neelgai as they have a tendency of returning to the spot where their faeces are. So if the faeces are not there, they will move on,” he said. He stated that the village panchayat must pass a resolution regarding the matter. “It should then get in touch with the DFO, who will take action, he said. Incidentally, at “Markanda Baba Ka Mandir” in Mullana, a neelgai is being looked after by the priest. When this correspondent visited the temple, the neelgai was resting in the temple complex. The younger brother of the priest said that the neelgai was brought to the temple when it was a baby. “It is six months old now. The neelgai stays here with us. It has not seen its mother and we look after it,” he said. People were offering it green vegetables. The Conservator of
Forest, Mr R.K. Sapra, when told about the neelgai kept
in the temple, said that it was illegal. |
Marketing board to construct roads SONEPAT, May 19 — The Haryana Government has taken various measures to speed up the work of development schemes and other projects announced by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, during his tour in connection with the "sarkaar aap ke dwaar" programme launched in the state. This was stated by Mr D.S. Dhesi, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, while addressing a meeting of the district officials here yesterday. Mr Dhesi while reviewing the progress of on-going development activities in the district, including the construction and repairs of the roads, control on air and water pollution, improving of drinking water supply and sewerage facilities, directed the officials of various government agencies to complete the works by June 30. He also asked the Civil Surgeon to conduct surprise raids on the private hospitals and nursing homes and prevent the re-use of disposal syringes. Mr D.S. Kapur, S.E. Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Boards, disclosed that the board would construct roads at a cost of Rs 12.75 crore. The work on 110 km long was in progress at a cost of Rs 8 crore and it would be completed in next two weeks. The board, he said, would also undertake repair work of 165 km long roads. The work on 29 km long roads had been completed. The board had allocated Rs 6.63 lakh for the repair of 100 km long roads by the end of June 30. Mr S.K. Bansal, S.E, PWD
(B&R) disclosed that the department would construct
732 km long roads and out of these, 561 km long roads
would be constructed with the financial assistance of
HUDCO. |
ASI roughed up, locked HISAR, May 19 — Virender Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, was roughed up and locked in a room of the zila parishad hall after some miscreants made an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap a member of the local block samiti here this morning. Mrs Chandro, member of the samiti, and a resident of Gorchi village, had come along with other members to elect its chairman. However, the election was postponed as the presiding officer was stated to be on leave. Just as the members were leaving, some miscreants allegedly tried to abduct her. However, she managed to run towards the car of a former Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal, who took her away with him. Later, the miscreants turned their anger towards the Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI), who was standing near Mr Bhajan Lal’s car and roughed him up in the presence of the SHO and about 25 other police officials. The ASI took shelter in one of the rooms which was locked by the miscreants. He was freed on intervention of Mr Puran Singh, INLD MLA, who arrived at the scene later. Meanwhile, Mr Ajit
Litani and Mrs Anita Malik were today unanimously elected
as chairman and vice-chairpersons of the local zila
parishad. Their names had been finalised at a meeting
held yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr Ajay Singh
Chautala, MP. |
BJP unhappy with Chautala
over English CHANDIGARH, May 19 — The Chautala Government’s proposal to make English a compulsory subject from class one has not been liked by its coalition partner, the BJP. The president of the Haryana BJP, Mr Om Prakash Gover, told The Tribune on the telephone that a meeting of the BJP MLAs would be held here on May 24. The meeting would discuss various issues like imposition of taxes in the urban areas and introduction of English in schools from class one. The party is also opposed to the imposition of the Local Area Development Tax. The BJP MLAs will meet the Chief Minister and express their views on these issues. It is interesting, in
the election manifestos released during the Assembly
elections, the two parties had taken contradictory stand
on English. While the INLD had stated categorically that
it would introduce English as a subject in schools from
class one, the BJP had opposed it. |
MP raises SYL canal issue AMBALA, May 19 — The MP from Ambala, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria, yesterday, said he had raised the SYL-canal issue in the recent Parliament session through a question on Delhi seeking water from Haryana. Talking to newspersons, Mr Kataria said, “When Delhi is thirsty, they look towards Haryana, but, now Haryana is thirsty and the issue of the SYL canal is still to be resolved.” He said in the Parliament, he had also said Ambala had less gas agencies compared to the other districts. “There is a waiting list of 17,000 gas connections in the Ambala district,” he said. Mr Kataria said, “The government has admitted that population has increased around the petrol depot in Ambala Cantonment.” Regarding the Saha Growth Centre issue, he said the Centre had already issued Rs 10 crore for the project. “The Centre has stated that it will give funds for the centre, but, infrastructure has to be set up by the state government,” he said. On taxes being imposed,
Mr Kataria said the state unit party President, Mr
Grover, had met the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash
Chautala, to deliberate on the matter. “Taxes are
needed to increase revenue so that the civic conditions
can be improved,” he said. |
Station with narrow, broad gauge
lines KALKA, May 19 — Kalka railway station, the meeting place of the narrow gauge and the broad gauge rail lines, has its distinct identity in northern India. Before Independence the English had developed this station as a resting place before starting the journey to Shimla. From here begins the journey on the narrow gauge line, which after passing through a number of mountains and tunnels ends at Shimla. It is often seen that tourists after reaching here feel excited on seeing the narrow gauge trains which are also called toy trains. Almost all the trains to Shimla have been suitably timed with broad-gauge trains coming to Kalka from Ganganagar, Howrah, Amritsar, Bathinda etc. The Railway Board has provided De Luxe Express trains and the Himalayan chair car for rich travellers and second class compartments for the poor passengers. The first train from here for Shimla starts its journey at 4 a.m. and the second, which is an express train, leaves for Shimla at 5.30. This fast train covers the distance up to Shimla in 4 hours and 40 minutes. After this trains leave at 6.10 a.m. 8.30 a.m. and 12.05 noon. The last train leaves at 12.35 p.m. For newly married couples there is a compartment which has four cabins. Each cabins, which consists of two berths, provides complete privacy. The fare for each cabin is Rs 750 which includes catering. Besides, there are two rail cars, including the de luxe one. According to the Assistant Station Master, Mr Om Parkash Sardana, if need arises a special holiday train is also introduced. The railway authorities try to provide basic facilities at the station. Besides, the authorities
also provide packed lunch, dinner, breakfast at
reasonable rates. Tourists prefer to take food from here.
Waiters also serve these packets in trains also.
|
Water-supply scheme nearing
completion KAITHAL, May 19 — Work on the Rs 14 crore canal-based water supply scheme to provide potable water to the residents of the town is in full swing and a sum of Rs 5 crore has already been spent on this project. This was stated by Dr Mahavir Singh, Deputy Commissioner, here yesterday. He said the scheme was started as the underground water was saline. He further stated that the construction work of three water tanks, filtration plants, the water-carrying channel was also going on. The project was likely to be completed by March, 2001. Giving details of other ongoing works to improve the drinking water supply in rural areas of the district, the Deputy Commissioner said the repair work of the old water pipeline at Ramgarh village in Kalayat tehsil had been completed and a proposal to lay down a new pipeline at a cost of Rs 68.25 lakh had been cleared. Work on the water supply
schemes from Kalayat to Kheri Lamba and Kalayat to
Kolekhan has been completed, he added. |
Census work inspected AMBALA, May 19 — The Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner, Mr J.K. Bantia, yesterday visited Ambala and inspected the work of census going on in the district. The Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, Mr Ram Niwas, inaugurated the work of filling the forms for census at the camp office of the Commissioner, Ambala Division. Mr Bantia along with other officials personally checked the census work being done by enumerators. They checked the census work of three enumerators of different blocks in the district, a release said. Mr J.K. Bantia said the main aim to get the information from every household regarding their belongings in details was to know the standard of their living. It is a totally confidential document which will not be given to any other department except census. This information is needed for planning purposes only, he said. The Director, Census,
Haryana, Mr Sunil Gulati, said the Haryana government had
requested all village panchayats in the state that they
should prepare a map of their villages and to project
them on the entry of their respective villages and also
added that every house in the village will be numbered by
2001. |
7 years’ RI for dowry
death FARIDABAD, May 19 — Mr P.L. Goyal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, today sentenced Tahir to undergo seven years imprisonment for causing the dowry death of Afroz, his wife. According to prosecution, Afroz was married to Tahir in 1998. Tahir and his mother Nafisa used to harass Afroz to bring Rs 10,000 in cash from her parents. Fed up with the ill-treatment Afroz burnt herself on April 6 this year. Mr Goyal believed the
prosecution version and held Tahir guilty of the offence
of dowry death. He, however, acquitted Nafisa by giving
her the benefit of the doubt. He also observed that the
offences of dowry death had to be treated with
seriousness as these were on an alarming increase in
society. |
New course introduced ROHTAK, May 19 (FOC) — Maharshi Dayanand University college has, in an effort to keep pace with changing social and scientific environment, has introduced a new course ‘Bachelor of Information Science’ from this year. This is the only college in Haryana to have introduced this course. Dr Preet Singh, Registrar, Maharshi Dayanand University, said the course had been started to enable students of the region to explore lucrative career in the fast expanding field of information science, computers and related areas. He said the entrance
test for the course would be held on June 25 here. |
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