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| Tuesday, August 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Ties with INLD AMBALA, Aug 7 — The honeymoon between the state unit of the BJP and the Indian National Lok Dal seems to be over and at least for the BJP in Haryana, the relation with its alliance partner has run into rough weather. Agitating farmers
lathicharged GJU awaiting a regular
VC Relaxations in ST-38
scheme Power regulatory
steps introduced Five-hour power
cut in Sonepat Water theft hits
paddy irrigation |
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Pay arrears to cane
growers: samaj Probe sought in
market fee evasion Steering panel to
prepare plan on biodiversity Demonstration by
Cong activists Police recruitment
on Aug 19 Four injured
in blast
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Kataria admits chinks AMBALA, Aug 7 — The honeymoon between the state unit of the BJP and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) seems to be over and at least for the BJP in Haryana, the relation with its alliance partner has run into rough weather. The president of the state unit of the BJP, Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, while talking to mediapersons last night, admitted that the relationship between the BJP had soured. “There is a lack of rapport between us,” he said. “Why was no one from the BJP invited for the celebrations held to mark the completion of one year in office of the Chautala government?,” he questioned. “I was informed late and no proper invitation was extended to me in time. I am from a cadre-based party and it is not acceptable to us,” he said. Mr Kataria said Mr Chautala was not an enemy. “But there are certain principles on which an alliance is based. Our demand is that the way in which Mr Vajpayee behaves with Mr Chautala, Mr Chautala should behave with us in the same manner,” he said. He clarified the BJP MLAs had not been told to stop meeting Mr Chautala. “Mr Chautala is the Chief Minister and it is natural that the MLA concerned will have to approach him on various issues concerning the Assembly constituency.” Mr Kataria said a formal
meeting with Mr Chautala was yet to take place. “I met Mr Chautala informally once. However, I am yet to meet him formally
along with the office-bearers of the state unit,” he said. The BJP state unit president, however, said they would continue to extend support to the INLD. “The relationship between us, to a great extent, depends upon Mr Chautala, who is like a big brother here. Our effort will also be to make the BJP, the number one party in the state.” Regarding the August 9 bandh called by traders in the State, Mr Kataria said the bandh call had been turned into a political issue. “The problems of the business community must be solved and the promises made before the elections must be kept,” he said. “Hum us din, jhanda lekar bahar nahin jayenge,” he replied to a query on whether the BJP would support or oppose the bandh. “Regarding ST-38, let me point out that in our executive meeting, we have not agreed with the imposition of the ST-38,” he added. Mr Kataria said five petrol pumps and two gas agencies would be allotted soon. The five petrol pumps will be located at Panchkula, Saha-Panchkula road, Ambala-Chandigarh road, Ambala-Hisar road and near Nadda Sahib. The two gas agencies will be located at Babyal and Naraingarh. “I have made a demand of four railway lines to the Railway Minister. The railway lines are Yamunanagar to Chandigarh, Yamunanagar to Paonta Sahib, Yamunanagar to Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar to Rohtak. Also a demand for a regular direct train from Chandigarh to Bombay has been made,” he said. On the hike in power tariff in the state, Mr Kataria observed that villagers in Haryana were ready to pay the rates provided the supply of electricity was regular. Mr Kataria said the meetings of the state unit would take place in villages as long as he headed the state unit of the party. “My effort will be to develop a network so that any announcement by the top leaders, including Mr Vajpayee reaches the villages within 24 hours.” |
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Agitating farmers
lathicharged GURGAON, Aug 7 — More than 1,000 farmers led by the Kisan Sangharsh Panchayat clashed with the police today resulting in injuries to about 30 persons from both the
sides. The police had to resort to firing and cane charge to disperse the mob after brickbatting. The trouble started when the district administration did not allow the farmers to go to Rajiv Chowk on the Delhi-Jaipur highway to execute their threat to block the road and stage a dharna. The farmers’ protest was to urge the state government to exempt the recoveries of dues to be paid to the Haryana Urban Development Authority. The Punjab and Haryana High court had reduced the amount of compensation to the farmers whose land had been acquired by the HUDA. Earlier the lower court had increased the amount of compensation. Following the High Court’s order the HUDA has initiated moves to recover the balance amount from the farmers. The Deputy Commissioner and the SP, Gurgaon, Mr A.K. Singh and Mr S. Kapur, in a joint press conference said 10 police personnel had been injured in the incident. Although the district administration claimed that four persons from the mob were
injured, the number was more than 20. The injuries were not serious and several injured persons were discharged from hospitals after first aid. The police has rounded up about 12 persons and a number of them have been booked under Sections 147,148,323,332,353,188 and 341 of the IPC. As a preventive measure the district administration had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code on all roads connected with national highway in the Gurgaon Subdivision. Earlier, the district authorities had detained the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mr Mahender Singh Tikait, who arrived here to take part in the farmers’ agitation. About 400 personnel, including commandos were deputed at various places in Gurgaon. Personnel from the adjoining districts were also requisitioned. Prominent among those who reached the spot were senior Congress
leaders, including Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rao Inderjit Singh, Rao Dharam Pal and Mr Dharmveer Gabba. After the clash the farmers held an emergency meeting in Kisan Bhavan and decided to organise a public meeting on September 7, if their demand was not accepted by the state government. The call for the meeting was given by Mr Hooda. The agitating farmers and the police clashed three times. The first clash took place when the police, in riot gear stopped the farmers from proceeding towards the Rajiv Chowk on the highway. At this some persons started pelting stones and the police personnel retaliated. As the situation got out of control, the police lobbed four rounds of teargas shells and charged with water canon. Undeterred the farmers retreated to make another sally at the personnel. The police then resorted to lathi charge and finally fired plastic bullets. The district police chief said two rounds of plastic bullets were fired. The second clash was triggered when some of the leaders were addressing a gathering near Rajiv Chowk amidst tight security and some persons from the crowd threw stones on the personnel. The third round took place in the vicinity of Jharsa Chowk. Among those injured was Mr Khazan Singh, working president of the Kisan Sangharsh Panchayat. After the incident, leaders of the kisan panchayat as well as the prominent political leaders who had come to support the farmers, courted mass arrest after staging protest march against the high handedness of the police. Earlier, while addressing the farmers Mr Hooda criticised the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and said he had come to power by making false promises. The INLD government was doing exactly the opposite after coming to power. He said Congress would raise the issue in the Haryana Assembly in its coming
session. He demanded judicial probe into the incident. Rao Inderjit Singh called upon the farmers to continue the agitation in a peaceful manner. Mr Khazan Singh alleged that Mr Gehlot and his family members were instrumental in the high-handedness of the
police. The leaders of the Panchayat alleged that thousands of farmers on way to Rajiv Chowk were stopped by the police. They further alleged that the Deputy Commissioner and the SP had visited the villages and tried to dissuade the farmers from taking part in the agitation. They alleged that the supporters of the INLD had indulged in stone throwing to sabotage the agitation of the farmers today. |
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GJU awaiting a regular
VC ROHTAK, Aug 7 — Although the affiliating character of Guru Jambheshwar University has been restored, the government has yet to decide on the appointment of a regular Vice-Chancellor. Even the post of the pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university, that came into existence on November 1, 1995 is also lying vacant. Dr K.C. Bangar, who was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor about 10 months ago has resigned on August 2 to take over as chairman of the Haryana Public Service Commission. The government had not appointed any regular Vice-Chancellor since October 20, 1998, the day the three-year term of Dr K.L. Johar expired. Since then the post had been held on an ad hoc basis either by the Commissioner, Hisar Division, or the pro-Vice-Chancellor. This time again, Mr Bhagwati Prasad, Commissioner, Hisar Division, has been given the additional charge of the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University following the resignation of Dr K.C. Bangar on August 2. The Executive Council of the university at its meeting held on July 20 last had nominated two members on the search committee, which the government had decided to constitute for selecting the Vice-Chancellor. The meeting was then presided over by Dr K.C. Bangar, who was reportedly keen to be elevated to the post of the Vice-Chancellor. He was, it is learnt, not aware of the fact that the government was contemplating appointing him chairman of the HPSC. Although at least four persons are in the fray for this coveted post, Dr Tarsem Lal, an IAS officer of the Haryana cadre who retired in 1997, is considered as the favourite. Immediately after his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board by the then Bansi Lal government but he had reportedly resigned following
differences with the political bosses. Other aspirants for the post reportedly
include Dr R.K. Chauhan, Joint Secretary in the University Grants Commission, and Mr Ram Phal, Director, B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Social Sciences, Mhow (MP). The name of a scientist in the CCS Haryana
Agricultural University also figures among the aspirants. Dr Chauhan reportedly hails from Bhiwani district. The Haryana Governor-cum-Chancellor of the university, Babu Parmanand, has not yet named his nominee for the search committee. The nominees of the Executive Council are Dr H.K. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University, and Brig O.P. Chaudhary (Retd.) former Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. The academicians in Guru Jambheshwar University believe that after attaining its new character, the university must get a Vice-Chancellor who should strengthen its technical character besides solving the financial porblems of the university. |
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Relaxations in ST-38
scheme CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — In the face of loud protest by traders of the state over the introduction of transit challans (ST-38), the Haryana Government today announced a number of relaxations in the implementation of the scheme. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, also announced an enhancement of Rs 50 lakh in the upper limit of the self-assessment scheme for sales tax assessees. Mr Chautala announced that henceforth traders having an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore would be eligible for self-assessment. Earlier this limit was Rs 50 lakh. Following a report by a nine-member committee of traders headed by the chairman of the ruling INLD Beopar Cell, Mr Niranjan Lal Bansal, submitted to Mr Chautala yesterday, the government today removed almost all major irritants pointed out by various trade bodies in the transit challan scheme. The government has decided to dispense with the provision of imposing a penalty if any transit challan or the passbook of the challans is lost. Earlier the provision envisaged a penalty of Rs 2,500 on the loss of a passbook. The government has also further simplified the procedure to be followed in case of loss of the passbook or challan forms. Earlier the loss had to be publicised in two newspapers. An FIR was to be also lodged. Now the trader concerned would simply inform the department about the loss. Mr Chautala also accepted the recommendation of the committee that the transporter’s stamp on the challan would not be mandatory if the bill or the challan form was attached to the ST-38 form. The columns have also been reduced from seven to four. The government has also allowed traders to fax the ST-38 form to the seller in case of emergency purchase. They would have to furnish details of such purchase and the number of the ST form to the department through fax, e-mail or in writing. Removing another irritant, Mr Chautala said if any trader of Haryana had sent the transit challans to a trader outside the state for purchasing goods and subsequently a dispute arose and the transaction did not materialise, the trader could ask the department to cancel such forms. Goods having different bills could be transported on one form provided the consignment was meant for the same party. The details of the bills should be written on the reverse of the form. Mr Chautala also announced the abolition of sales tax on shoes costing up to Rs 100. He also gave an assurance that the demand of halwais for lumpsum tax would be considered sympathetically. The notification regarding oil cake (khal) would be effective from March 4 instead of March 20. Asserting that his government had given more concessions to the trading community in one year than they had got during the past decade, Mr Chautala extended an “open offer” to each and every trade union or association to give any suggestion to simplify the tax structure in the state. The ruling party is hopeful that with the removal of the irritants the call for the Haryana bandh for August 9 may not evoke any appreciable response. Its hopes have received a boost following the reported failure of the Congress-sponsored “rasta roko agitation” in Gurgaon. Mr Chautala said the bandh call, too, would fail to evoke any response. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Haryana BJP Legislature Party, Mr Krishan Pal Gujjar, has welcomed the concessions announced by the Chief Minister. But he said that since the Executive Committee of the party had demanded the scrapping of the transit challan scheme, the BJP was morally bound not to oppose any bandh observed by traders. |
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Power regulatory
steps introduced HISAR, Aug 7 — The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has imposed power regulatory measures in its operational area comprising Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Mahendergarh, Rewari, Faridabad and Gurgaon districts, it was officially stated here today. According to the new regulatory measures all industrial feeders and industry on independent feeders would be switched off daily from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. All operation circles of the nigam would regulate load on urban and mixed urban feeders on a rational basis from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily depending upon the system frequency. The rural areas would get three-phase power supply for eight to nine hours daily in two groups. Group I would get supply from midnight to 7 a.m. In addition, these areas would get power from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the supply of drinking water. Group II would get three-phase supply from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. For drinking water supply this area would be given power from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The non-working group would be given two-phase power supply from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for lighting and domestic purposes. The spokesman said the situation was likely to improve in two to three days after the faulty generating units were brought back on bars. |
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Five-hour power
cut in Sonepat SONEPAT, Aug 7 — Several residential colonies including Arya Nagar, Dev Nagar, Jain Bagh Colony, Vikas Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Bus Adda, were plunged into darkness following a major power breakdown yesterday. According to residents, the power breakdown occurred around 9 p.m. and the supply was restored at 2 a.m. The cause of the breakdown was not immediately known. A large number of residents held demonstrations in front of various power houses against erratic power supply. They dispersed only when they were assured about the regular power supply. According to some residents, the areas in and around the general bus stand, Kot Mohalla and adjoining localities are the worst hit as the supply is cut daily between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. They also alleged that the officials of the UHBVN were indifferent to their complaints in this regard. They demanded a high-level probe into this. Though the UHBVN has lifted all restrictions on the power supply in the urban and rural areas, loadsheddings continue daily. The supply is switched off many times during the day and restored after one or two hours. The officials maintain that this is necessary due to overloading in the power-distribution system. However, many consumers alleged that unannounced power cuts had become a routine in the urban and rural areas while the bulk power was being diverted to some selected industries by certain officials. |
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Water theft hits
paddy irrigation SONEPAT, Aug 7 — Farmers in the tail-end villages of Gohana subdivision have not been receiving their due share of irrigation water for the past few months due to erratic canal water supply and the alleged theft of irrigation water. According to a report reaching here, irrigation of the paddy crop had been worst hit by the shortage of canal water. Certain farmers who do not have alternative means of irrigation have been compelled to plough their fields and do the planting all over again. According to sources, although adequate canal water was available in villages falling under the Sonepat and the Rai water services divisions, villages in the Gohana subdivision were the worst hit. Many farmers in these villages, enjoying political patronage, were indulging in large-scale theft of canal water, thanks to the failure of the authorities concerned to check them. Expressing concern over the inadequate supply of irrigation water, several sarpanches, panches, members of block samities and the zila parishad said farmers were ready to pay the revenue for their share of water, but the government should ensure adequate and regular supply of canal water. |
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Pay arrears to cane
growers: samaj CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — The Haryana Krishak Samaj has urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to intervene to secure the payment of arrears to cane growers. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister the general secretary of the samaj, Mr Sat Pal Kaushik, said sugar mills in the state, particularly in the private sector, had to still pay crores of rupees to the cane growers despite the fact that the crushing season ended several months ago. Reminding the Chief Minister that while announcing the cane price he had declared that the growers would be paid within 14 days of the supply, Mr Kaushik said the declaration remained unfulfilled. He said the Yamunanagar sugar mill should be asked to pay the arrears of about Rs 20 crore along with interest. He also demanded that uninterrupted power supply of 12 hours should be ensured to the agricultural sector in view of poor rainfall in the past few days. He also demanded that the interest rate charged by the cooperative sector banks should be reduced to 11.5 per cent on the pattern of the nationalised banks. |
Probe sought in
market fee evasion SONEPAT, Aug 7 — Representatives of various farmers’ organisations and the Retailers Welfare Association today sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, demanding a high-level probe into the complaints about the evasion of the market fee by unscrupulous arhtiyas of fruit and vegetable markets of Sonepat, Ashok Nagar (kutche quarters), Murthal and Kharkhauda in this district. The memorandum alleged that several truckloads of vegetables and fruits were being imported daily and the traders were selling the same without making entries in their registers, thereby evading the market fee. It also alleged that certain officials of the market committee were in league with these arhtiyas and were receiving huge money as ‘nazrana’ regularly from them. In return, these officials showed less arrivals and sale of vegetables and fruits in their registers. Meanwhile, a scam concerning the non-recovery of market fee from several wholesale arhtiyas has come to light. It is reported that market fee amounting to several thousands of rupees was outstanding against some arhtiyas who had allegedly connived with certain officials of the market committee. It is also reported that two employees of the market committee had been shifted from the fruit and vegetable market of Sonepat who refused to deliver fruit and vegetables at the residence of certain officials free of cost. |
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Steering panel to
prepare plan on biodiversity CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — The Haryana Government today decided to set up a state steering committee under the chairmanship of the Commissioner and Secretary, Environment, for the preparation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The World Wide Fund for Nature, Chandigarh, is the nodal agency for Haryana for drawing up state-level plans, which will be under the steering committee. The NBSAP will be prepared under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The NBSAP envisages assessment and stocktaking of biodiversity-related information at the state level, including the distribution of endemic and endangered species and site-specific threats and pressures. The key features of this project include an emphasis on decentralised state-level planning and the use of inter-disciplinary working groups to
involve all sectors concerned with biodiversity conservation. |
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Demonstration by
Cong activists ROHTAK, Aug 7 — Several activists of the Congress led by Dr Raghuvir Singh Kadian, MLA from Beri constituency, staged a demonstration against the “anti-people” policies of the government at Dighal village in Jhajjar today. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner to be forwarded to the Governor. The Congress leader alleged that most roads in the area were in a bad shape. He said the Chief Minister had given an assurance that all roads would be repaired by the end of May, but nothing had been done about it. He said people, especially students, had been affected due to the erratic power supply to villages. He said there was also an acute shortage of piped water. People were forced to fetch water from far off places. He said there was a drought-like situation in several villages of the area due to inadequate rains. |
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Police recruitment
on Aug 19 AMBALA The total vacancies available for district Ambala are 80, general being 40, SC-A 6, SC-B 6, BC-A 10, BC-B 6,
ex-servicemen general 3, SC 4, BC-A 4 and BC-B 2, it was said in a press note. The candidate should not be less than 18 years or more than 27 years of age as on Aug 1, 2000. Relaxation of five years in age will be given in case of the SC/ST/BC candidates. The minimum education qualification for recruitment is matriculation from a recognised board/university recognised by Haryana Education Board, Bhiwani. However, for the SC/ST/BC category, the minimum education qualification is
up to the middle level. All candidates, who qualify the physical efficiency test shall be
interviewed by the selection board to judge their suitability for recruitment as constables. |
Four injured in blast HISAR, Aug (UNI) — Four persons, including two women,
sustained burn injuries following a powerful blast in a crackers
factory at Hansi town, about 30 km from here, today. According to reports reaching here, the blast was reportedly caused due to short-circuit in the factory around 1100 hrs. The injured were identified as Sat Narain, Ajay, Krishna Devi and Ginna Devi. All
the injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital at Hansi where
condition of Sat Narain and Ajay was stated to be critical. They have
suffered more than 70 per cent burns. |
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