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| Sunday, June 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Hooda
lambasts govt on power Chandra Shekhar flays govt
policies Plea on Nimrana national monument Kataria’s appointment to
strengthen local unit Chaudhry takes over as KU VC
tomorrow Stripping victim discharged Resentment against commercial tax |
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Non-academics on top
posts resented Haryana CM releases book 350 panches elected Pollution board sets up assistance
cell MA English most sought-after
subject 3 women may be on BJP’s
national council CITU wants labour laws enforced Jawan Yudhvir cremated CPM campaign to educate farmers Lure of money lands him in jail Freedom fighter dead
|
Hooda lambasts govt on power CHANDIGARH, June 24- The new taxes introduced by the State Government in Haryana came for sharp criticism today from Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, chief of the Congress party in Haryana. He alleged that the State Government did not have a clear policy for important sectors such as power and education. Mr Hooda, who was addressing a press conference here today, said that while a tax-free Budget for the State was presented in last March, since then a number of new taxes had been introduced. The Local Area Development Tax would drive away the industries from Haryana, Mr Hooda said. He said that while the State Government tried to give the impression that LADT was introduced to help the urban local bodies, the collection from the tax would go to the Excise and Taxation department and therefore it would be the State Government which would have control over the revenue which would be much more than the Rs 65 crore used to be collected through the octroi before it was abolished. The new system of levying of House Tax also was attacked by the Congress chief who said that this would be a heavy burden for common people. He said that the Haryana Government had notified on April 11 that 10 per cent value of land plus cost of building will be the annual value for assessment of house tax. The value of the land would be determined at the market price of the land as on April11,2000 to which the cost of construction of the building would be added and 10 per cent of the total value so determined would be the annual value of the property and 15 per cent of this would be house tax. In this formula the tax payable by the house owners would be 10 times more than the what they were paying , Mr Hooda said and added that if the Congress party came to power in Haryana the old system of house tax (on the rental value of the building and cost of the land) would be re-introduced. The State Government had also introduced a new tax on vehicles plying on hire or kept under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and further a toll on vehicles entering a municipal area was introduced, Mr Hooda said. He added that the State Government also had imposed a fire tax and a sanitation tax, and expressed surprise why no hint regarding these taxes was not given at the time of presentation of the Budget. Mr Hooda also accused the State Government of not having a clear policy regarding the power sector. He said that if cases were being registered against farmers s for non-payment of bills, cases should be filed against the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, also because it was he who had instigated the farmers to not pay their power bills. He said that the accumulated bills of some of the farmers had become so much that it was not possible for them to settle the bills. He suggested that the farmers should be allowed to pay their bills in easy instalments. If the Congress came to power in the State, it would follow the Punjab system for electricity tariff, Mr Hooda said while replying to a question. The HPCC chief lauded the INLD's moves for introduction of computer education in schools and English at the primary level, but he added that first the State Government should put the existing infrastructure of school education in order. For the World Bank -funded primary education programme, staff were being hired on contract who did not do any work, Mr Hooda alleged. He said that some of the schools had already got computers , but not trained staff. Some of the schools do not have proper buildings, lights, libraries, laboratories and such basic necessities, he said. There is also a huge shortage of teachers, Mr Hooda said. He also criticised the State Government move to form committees for resource mobilisation for primary education and said that this should be done through the Panchayati Raj institutions. While alleging that cases were registered against former Congress Minister Anand Singh Dangi to settle political scores, Mr Hooda suggested the CBI might be called to look into the charges against Mr Dangi as well as the disproportionate assets case registered against the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala ,by his brother Mr Pratap Singh. He said that he was keen
on retaining the office of the party chief in the State. In the event of election for the State party
chief's post, he would also throw
his hat in the ring, he underlined. |
Chandra Shekhar flays govt
policies KURUKSHETRA, June 24 — While addressing a press conference at Parakeet, Pipli, 5 km from here yesterday, the former Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar criticised the Union Government for its wrong policies. Mr Shekhar, who was here to check the arrangements for the delegates who will be coming here to attend the two-day SJP national convention scheduled to be held here on June 28 and 29, said the country was passing through a phase of disappointment as the danger on the borders was increasing disappointment and mutual rivalry were prevailing in every section of society and credibility of our country in the international market had decreased. Opposing the autonomy of Kashmir, Mr Chandar Shekhar said Kashmir had already been provided more rights and again providing more rights to Jammu and Kashmir would neither be justified nor would be in the interest of our country. Moreover, a pressure being created on this issue by the National Conference party was also unjustified. He alleged that the central government had bowed before its alliance on every issue which had led to a situation of uncertainty. When asked about its solution, he said the solution would emerge automatically as it emerged after the emergency was imposed in 1975. Mr Shekhar further
alleged that the central government was misleading the
people by mortgaging our country to multinational
companies by inviting them to start businesses in our
country. The profit-making companies were being sold
instead of deficit-oriented companies, he alleged. Citing
an example, he said Modern Foods Company had been sold at
Rs 120 crore against its actual price of Rs 2000 crore. |
Plea on Nimrana national
monument GURGAON, June 24 — The recently-floated Samrat Prithvi Raj Chauhan Foundation has urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to intervene in the acquisition of Killa Nimrana, the palace where the descendants of emperor Prithvi Raj Chauhan migrated, on the Haryana-Rajasthan border near Rewari district and declare it a national monument. In case the plea of the foundation was not heeded to within six months, it has said that it will lay siege to the premises. The national convenor of the foundation, Capt Vikram Singh, told TNS here today that a memorandum was submitted to Mr Vajpayee yesterday. He expressed the hope that the Centre would acquire the palace and declare it a national monument under a law made by Parliament. This will facilitate protection of the palace under Article 49 relating to the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution. The foundation has also drawn the attention of the Prime Minister about the desecration of the emperor’s burial site at Kandahar in Afghanistan by the locals to avenge the killing of Mahmud Ghori. Capt Vikram Singh, who was here in connection with the mobilisation of the people of south Haryana on the two issues, said the descendants of Prithivi Raj Chauhan had shifted to Killa Nimrana after the emperor was taken as prisoner to Afghanistan by Mahmud Ghori. Rao Shiv Rattan Singh, a prominent Ahir leader of Haryana and a member of the foundation, accompanied Capt. Vikram Singh. The two leaders lamented that the palace had now been converted into a hotel by those who had bought it. They were merchandising the heritage of the country, they said. The foundation has also
urged the Prime Minister to take the initiative to bring
back the mortal remains of the emperor to India. |
MA English most
sought-after subject ROHTAK, June 24 — English seems to be the top favorite subject with the candidates seeking admission in regular post-graduate courses (humanities) (PG) of the Maharshi Dayanand university, if the number of applicants for various courses this year are an indication. Hindi, Music, Public Administration and Sociology are the least preferred subjects in post-graduate classes according to information available on the number of applicants and seats available. Thursday was the last date for the submission of admission forms for these courses. According to university sources the highest number of applications received till the last date had been for English subject whereas 514 applications had been received against 50 seats in M.A. class. On the other hand Hindi department received only 84 applications against 60 seats. In humanities section geography seems to be the second most sought-after course with the varsity receiving 318 forms for 30 seats. History Department got 261 applications for 65 seats. As many as 153 candidates applied for admission in MA (Economics) where 60 seats are available. While MA (pol science) attracted 126 admission forms for 60 seats. The Music Department has got only 24 applications for 20 seats. The course of bachelor in journalism (one year PG course) got 102 applications for 20 seats. Entrance test for these
courses will be held from July 1 to July 5. No such test
will be held for some courses like Music, Defence Studies
and Physical Education. |
Kataria’s appointment to
strengthen local unit AMBALA, June 24 — With the Ambala MP, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria, taking over the reins of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the local BJP cadre here is encouraged by the development. Although not totally unexpected, the appointment of Mr Kataria as the new President of the state BJP has come in as a pleasant surprise for BJP activists. The President of the local unit of the BJP, Dr K. D. Sharma, said the local unit would be strengthened by Mr Kataria taking over as the state unit President. “His advice will now be available to us on a variety of issues. As a matter of fact, we will now be doubly blessed,” he said. He pointed out that northern Haryana was being given representation in the party fora and this had become obvious through the appointment of the Ambala MP, Mr Kataria, as the state unit President. The local BJP spokesman, Mr Shubhadesh Mittal, said the party, specially in Ambala, would grow from strength to strength. “Right now, we do not have confirmation about his programme, but we are planning to give him a grand welcome on becoming the new President of the state unit of the BJP,” he said. A senior RSS activist observed that after a long time, Ambala would be getting political importance which it rightfully deserves. “For some reason, Ambala politicians have not been given the weightage which they deserve. Now that seems to be changing. The change is for the better,” he said. Incidentally, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria may have become the new state unit President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, but the Kataria residence here wore a desolate look in the morning hours. There was no one at the Kataria residence in Tribune Colony, Ambala Cantonment — no hangers-on, no well wishers, no party activists, absolutely no one. When this correspondent went to the Kataria residence, nobody responded to the call bell. A security guard said Mr Kataria was out of town for a few days. “We do not have definite information about when Mr Kataria is going to come back,” he said. The security guard
stated that a few persons had turned up yesterday and
today, but nobody had turned up at the Kataria residence
in the morning. When asked why nobody was picking up the
phone, the security guard said the phone was kept in a
room which was locked. “The family members of Mr
Kataria have gone with him and people may come when Mr
Kataria is back,” he helpfully offered. |
Chaudhry takes over as KU VC
tomorrow CHANDIGARH, June 24 — Mr R.S. Chaudhry, Chairman of the Haryana State Planning Board, will take over as the Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University on June 26. There had been a suspense about Mr Chaudhry’s assignment in the university. A retired bureaucrat, Mr Chaudhry had shown no hurry in taking over as the Vice-Chancellor though his appointment was made about two weeks ago. It is believed that Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has asked Mr Chaudhry to continue with an important assignment given to him as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board. Mr Chaudhry is currently engaged in identifying encroached or "forgotten" government land in the state. Already the committee headed by Mr Chaudhry has identified about 5,000 acres of government land lying unutilised in the five districts of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Panchkula. The committee is yet to visit 14 districts. Mr Chautala wants that a "land bank" should be established in the state so that whenever land has to be acquired for a public purpose, the government land lying unutilised should be used. Even in the conference
of DCs and SPs Mr Chautala had directed the officers to
give priority to the process of identifying government
land lying unused |
Resentment against commercial tax ROHTAK, June 24 — Small shopkeepers and traders who have been issued ‘notices’ for the recently imposed ‘Commercial Tax’ on the state government ‘burnt’ the notices in front of the Municipal Council’s office. The decision of the state government to impose Commercial Tax on ‘small’ shopkeepers and rehri owners has sparked resentment among the business community all over the state. Some of the shopkeepers had also ‘burnt down’ these notices in protest in the town recently. The district BJP president, Mr Munish Grover, has ‘asked’ the local shopkeepers not to pay the newly introduced tax. The state BJP leadership has also ‘hinted’at its ‘unhappiness’ over the Chautala government’s decision to impose such a tax. The party’s new chief, Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, avoided ‘direct criticism’ of the state government, but asked it to exercise ‘restrain’ and take into confidence the state BJP before taking any decision concerning the interests of the people. The president and
general secretary of the Small Shopkeepers Association
(Futkar Dukandaar Sabha), Mr S.S. Pasrija and Mr Krishan
Lal Kataria, described the ‘new taxes’ as a
major injustice to the people and said they would launch
a major agitation in the state. |
Non-academics on top posts
resented KARNAL, June 24 — Two university and college teachers’ associations have protested the appointment of non-academicians as vice-chancellors and registrars of universities in Haryana. Mr Shamsher Singh, president of the Haryana College Teachers Association, in a statement here today said in order to maintain the dignity of the universities and academic standards, only top academicians should be appointed as vice-chancellors. He expressed resentment against the policy of the Chautala government to appoint non-academicians on top posts. He maintained that by appointing non-academicians on top posts the state government was encroaching upon the autonomy of the universities in Haryana. Furthermore, it also spoiled the academic atmosphere on the campuses. Reacting sharply to the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University for a three-year term, which violated the provisions of the university calendar, he demanded that the appointment should be reviewed. While the university calendar stipulates that a Vice-Chancellor should not exceed 65 years of age while completing his term, the newly appointed V.C. Mr R.S. Chaudhary, would complete 65 years before his term expires. Meanwhile, Kurukshetra
University Teachers Association leaders charged the
government with neglecting. The interests of teachers in
universties during the past five years. |
Haryana CM releases book CHANDIGARH, June 24 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, today said that policies and programmes of his government were aimed at taking the state to new heights. Releasing a book titled "Haryana on Road to Modernisation", co-authored by Mr L.C. Gupta and Mr M.C. Gupta, former Chief Secretaries of Haryana, at a function Mr Chautala said his government was giving greater stress on floriculture, dairy development and vegetable growth so as to help the farmers improve their economic status. The book had been dedicated to the people of Haryana. Those present on the occasion included, Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr S.D. Bhambri, former Chief Secretary of Haryana, and now the General Manager of The Tribune group of newspapers, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor and senior officers of the state administration. The Chief Minister said his government’s new industrial policy had shown encouraging results. Apart from NRIs, investors from countries like Japan and Australia had shown keen interest to invest in Haryana. He added that in the Manesar Industrial Estate alone Rs 3,000 crore had been invested. Mr L.C Gupta and Mr M.C.
Gupta highlighted issues raised in their book,
particularly in the field of education and agriculture. |
Stripping victim discharged REWARI, June 24 — Ms Kamla Devi, a victim of alleged stripping and kicking, has been discharged from the local Civil Hospital. When she complained of abdominal pain after the incident she was admitted to the Civil Hospital here by her husband Virender Singh Yadav on the night of June 21. As she was pregnant and complained persistently about pain, an ultrasound examination was done at a private hospital here. She was discharged from the hospital yesterday after the ultrasound report was found "normal". The blow allegedly given to her by her assailant in the abdomen had done no harm to the foetus. Kamla Devi is resting at her home in Jonawas. Meanwhile Yudhveer and his sister-in-law Veena Devi, wife of Umed Singh, who are both accused in the Jonawas episode, have been released on bail by Mr G.S. Kotla, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rewari. Following a complaint lodged by Mr Yadav, the Dharuhera police had registered a case under Sections 323, 354, 356 and 34 of the IPC against Yudhveer and Veena Devi. Both suspects were
arrested by the police yesterday they were produced
before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate who
granted bail to both of them. |
3 women may be on
BJP’s national council ROHTAK, June 24 — The President of the Haryana BJP, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria, has recommended names of three women members of the party from Haryana for nomination as members of the National Council of the party to the party president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre. Mr Gulshan Bhatia, state
office secretary of the party, said those recommended for
nomination are — Ms Shakuntala Raj (Jind), Dr Sudha
Yadav, M.P., from Mahendragarh, and Ms Usha Ahlawat
(Jhajjar). |
Jawan Yudhvir cremated ROHTAK, June 24 — Jawan Yudhvir Singh (36) of the 194 battalion of the BSF was cremated with full military honours at Garhi Balam village in Kalanaur subdivision yesterday. The body was brought to his native village at 8.30 p.m. and was cremated at 9.30 p.m. yesterday. Yudhvir, the only son in the family, is survived by his wife Asha Devi (28), two sons — Deepak (13) and Vivek (10) and a daughter Deepika (8). Mr Ramesh Chander, ASI in BSF, who accompanied the body, said that in a joint operation the Jawans of the Army and the BSF surrounded nearly 50 infiltrators hiding on a hill near Gulmarg in Srinagar on June 22. He said Yudhvir was injured in the firing and died along with two other jawans. Mr Fateh Singh, a retired armyman and father of the deceased, said Yudhvir joined the BSF in 1986. He said the family as well as the whole village was proud of the "son of the soil". A unit of the BSF and the Haryana police reversed its arms as a mark of respect. Mr Harpal Singh Malik,
ADC, Rohtak, paid tributes on behalf of the Haryana
Government. |
CPM campaign to educate
farmers HISAR, June 24 — Haryana units of the Khet Mazdoor Union and the Kisan Sabha affiliated to the CPM have decided to launch a campaign to educate farmers about the impending threat to their interests because of the lifting of restrictions on the import of milk and dairy products by the Centre. Mr Inderjit Singh, state secretary of the CPM, said here today that he had convened a meeting of the leaders of the two organisations at Rohtak on July 1 to chalk out details of the campaign. He said the NDA government was following anti-farmer and anti-poor policies which threatened the very existence of the farming community. The CPM leader said the withdrawal of subsidies on agricultural inputs had also slowed down the growth of the agricultural economy which would prove suicidal for the country. He criticised the INLD
government for hiking the rates of canal water by 33 per
cent. The imposition of trade tax, local area development
tax and revision of house tax rates had made cost of
living in the state the highest in the country. |
Lure of money lands him in
jail HISAR, June 24 — A man wanting to get rich overnight by seeking ransom from a local businessman landed in police custody yesterday. According to the police, a local readymade garment seller was getting frequent late-night phone calls threatening to abduct his son if he was not paid a ransom of Rs 2 lakh. When the calls became regular he attached a call tracer to his phone and noted the number. The businessman agreed to pay the ransom at a shop in the Purani Mandi. At the appointed time he reached the place along with a friend and just as the caller came to collect the money the duo overpowered him and handed him over to the police. The youth has been
identified as Naveen Kumar, who runs an audio cassette
shop here. A case has been registered. |
350 panches elected CHANDIGARH, June 24 — For the panchayat bye-election tomorrow for 519 wards 350 candidates for Panches have been elected unopposed.While no nomination papers were received for panches in 18 wards . This was stated in a press release issued by Mr T D Jogpal, State Election Commissioner of Haryana. The press note said polling would be held for panches in134 wards as areas of 12 wards of Tikampur Awadhpuri of Gurgaon block had been included in the municipal limits of Gurgaon and wardbandi of the remaining four wards would have to be made afresh. The press note added that out of offices of Sarpanch of 26 gram panchayats, five candidates had been elected unopposed. Similarly, 20 candidates were elected unopposed for 47 panchayat samiti wards. However, no candidate for five zila parishads was elected unopposed and elections for them would be held as per the schedule, the press note stated. All necessary
arrangements for these bye-elections have been made, Mr
Jogpal informed. |
Pollution board sets up assistance
cell PANIPAT, June 24 — Mr H.S Bains, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, met industrialists here recently and listened to the difficulties faced by them. Assuring them the board would not harass owners of non-polluting industries he said the board had set up an assistance cell to provide information on the subject and it would also be spreading awareness about the issue. The Chairman said Panipat was known as the worst-polluted town of Haryana and appealed to the industrialist of cooperate with the board to rid the town of pollution, which was causing slow poisoning to the residents. The steps taken to streamline the consent management system were explained. He expressed concern that a large number of units, even those making good profits, had not put up effluent treatment plants and had not even applied for consent thereby affecting the sub-soil water. The Chairman offered to give time to set up ETPs in case the units came forward with their plans. The board, he said, would take action against non-complying units. He gave the industrialists time up to June 30 to come forward with their proposals. The representatives of
the Indian Oil Corporation and Nestle (India) offered to
help in creating awareness about checking pollution in
the town. |
CITU wants labour laws
enforced SONEPAT, June 24 — Mr S.N. Solanki, President of the Haryana Committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today urged the state government for strict enforcement of labour laws and the Factories Act in the units of the state. In a memorandum to the Deputy Labour Commissioner, Haryana, he expressed grave concern over the alleged violating of the labour laws and the Factories act and exploitation of workers by the owners and managements of industrial units and demanded stern action against them. He strongly condemned the state government for withdrawing powers of the Labour Inspectors relating to of industrial units inspection and said that this was the main cause of workers plight. Mr Solanki alleged that owners of the textile and rubber units resorted to contract system in violation of the labour laws and the state government and the Labour Department had failed to check managements of these units from violating the labour laws. He warned that the CITU would not tolerate the violation of labour laws and the Factories Act and continue its struggle to get justice. He said that he had sent a list of the units exploiting workers by introducing contract system. The CITU also urged the
state government to take stern action against the
managements of the units which were not paying salary
according to the Minimum Wages Act. He also demanded the
fixation of the minimum wages at Rs 3,500 in view of the
price-rise. |
Freedom fighter dead SIRSA, June 24 — A veteran freedom fighter, social worker and a Sarvodaya leader, Sitaram Bagla, passed away yesterday. He was cremated today.
The veteran leader was undergoing treatment in a private
nursing home after undergoing an orthopaedic surgery. His
cremation was attended by a large number of people from
all walks of life. Bagla was associated with the various
social welfare projects for which he was honoured by the
state and the district administration. |
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