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| Saturday, August 19, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Drive against power thefts successful Ambala jail
prisoners on fast for 3 days Rural postings: Haryana to act tough 80 lakh subsidy
for new farm technologies Haryana scheme boosts breast feeding INLD man’s rejoinder on land restoration |
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Haryana Tourism gets boost VC takes steps to
check ragging
Emotional reunion
for Chaudhry Chaudhry to be
feted at Pinjore Irregularity in road
laying alleged Governor to visit
KU on Aug 22 Order to computerise
employees’ pay bills
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Drive against power thefts successful CHANDIGARH, Aug 18 — An appeal made by the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) urging people to inform the HVPN about power thefts in their areas have proved to be hugely successful. Since the appeal was made, which in fact figured as part of the HVPN communication to consumers for paying pending power bills in May, Ms Meenakshi Anand Chaudhary, chairperson of HVPN, has been receiving 10 to 15 letters every day from “conscientious” citizens regarding power thefts in their neighbourhoods. To prevent delays, the chairperson reportedly opened the letters herself and instantly ordered an inquiry on the basis of the feedback. A senior HVPN official said so far Rs 15 lakhs had been recovered on the basis of these letters. “Most of the time the information provided in these letters are correct, we never expected that our one-line request seeking information from people will click in this way”, the official said. While rejoicing over the success of this ingenious method, HVPN officials, however, admit that given the power stolen in the state, they had to go a long way to evolve a system fully protected against power theft. Every month 30 to 35 per cent of the available electricity went unaccounted for due to line losses. Even by a conservative estimate, 13 to 15 per cent of this unaccounted electricity was lost due to thefts. In terms of money this stolen electricity accounted for a loss of Rs 200 crore per month to the HVPN an amount which the impoverished organisation could not afford to ignore. Officials say that while checking electricity thefts is an ongoing process, it has been intensified during the last three months. In July 3670 theft cases have been identified and action taken against the perpetrators. 2624 cases were detected in June, while 1719 cases were detected in May. During March and April, a total of 2556 cases were reportedly detected. HVPN officials say that till date penalties amounting to Rs 19.76 crore have been imposed for stealing electricity — of which Rs 3.10 crore was imposed in July, Rs 2.16 crore in June and Rs 1.94 crore in May. A sum of Rs 5.28 crore has been recovered from power thieves so far, they say. In most cases, consumers were found to be stealing electricity, while theft by slum dwellers by resorting to hooking and other methods also took place but such cases were not many. While intensifying its drive to detect power thefts, the HVPN has asked its operation wing, its vigilance wing, and it has also formed special teams to take action against thefts. They have also been asked to take remedial measures against line losses as a result of technical problems. The operation wing is reportedly doing the maximum work in this area and they have been kept under constant pressure to perform, it is learnt. According to HVPN sources, even a suspension order was issued against an employee for failing to reduce line losses in his area. The authorities are now focussing on installation of electronic meters to prevent tampering of meters. While two lakh electronic meters have been installed in the state already, orders have been given for 3.5 lakh more such meters. While ultimately, the Haryana Government wants to set up a bank to make these meters available everywhere. For every fresh installation, electronic meters would be used, officials said. The Tatkal
scheme for giving priority connection to tubewells, under which 11,000 connections have been given so far, may also lead to less electricity thefts, sources here felt. However, the officials are also concerned about line losses due to technical reasons. While the availability of electricity has increased, the distribution infrastructure has not undergone much change. This is resulting in an increase in line losses, the officials said adding that investment is necessary to give a facelift to the distribution network. While the HVPN is reportedly going to purchase more than 10,000 transformers, more such steps are necessary to prevent line losses. |
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Rural postings: Haryana to act tough GURGAON, Aug 18 —The Haryana Government will strictly enforce the rule of five years of mandatory posting of government schoolteachers and doctors in rural areas of the
state. This was announced here today by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Addressing officers of the district, Mr Chautala expressed concern at more teachers and doctors at places like Panchkula and Gurgaon than the prevailing
posts. The government, he said, was seized of the matter. Some punitive measures as depriving the erring employees of their benefits was being contemplated, he said. With a view to giving a thrust to agro-related activities and animal husbandry, a committee headed by the Agriculture Minister would soon visit Holland and Israel to conduct a study on the issues. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that the state had registered a 13 per cent rise in the production of the wheat crop. In comparison to 32 lakh tonnes of wheat to the national pool last time, the state had now supplied 45 lakh
tonnes. He highlighted the number of development works undertaken during the rule of the INLD government. These included an increase in the quantity of power and thrust on industrialisation. He directed the officers to accomplish all works promised to the public during his “aap ke sarkar aap ke dwar” programme within two
months. The reason being that he would start the second leg of the programme throughout the state from October 2. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of work done in this regard. The Chief Minister had a hectic schedule during his visit to the district. He laid the foundation stone for a mini secretariat and inaugurated a road named after Rippan Katyal, who was killed by hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane. The visit of the Chief Minister assumes importance as it was the first after the police firing and lathi charge on farmers and the observance of Haryana bandh, the call for which was given by traders on August 9. In fact, the district administration had taken precaution by employing a large number of police personnel at the site of the dharna outside the court. The dharna was in protest against the police action against them on August 7 and also to press the government to find a way to exempt them from recovery of dues owed to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The increased security network was a
precautionary measure as the Chief Minister’s motorcade was to cross the site of the dharna to lay the foundation stone for the mini
secretariat. The leaders of the Kisan Sangarsh Samiti, which is spearheading the farmers’ agitation, said they had planned to a black flag demonstration. They alleged that police personnel forcefully took away their black flags and
badges. They also tore the tent at the site of the dharna. The working president of the samiti, Mr Khazan Singh, who was discharged from a nursing home this morning as he had sustained injury in the farmers-police stand off on August 7, had also reached the spot to take part in the dharna. The leaders of the samiti alleged that the police had used coercive measures to prevent them from holding the dharna. Later, addressing the workers Mr Chautala tried to scotch rumours regarding his health. He alleged that his opponents were spreading canards about his health. He said there would be no irregularities in the proposed recruitment of constables. He urged upon the INLD cadre to enlighten the masses about the development works done by his government. He said there was no police lathi charge on the farmers in Gurgaon. Also, he came down heavily on the Haryana Beopar Mandal which had given the call for Haryana Bandh on August 9. The “so-called leaders of traders are not traders and the state government will never talk to them on issues relating to trade and commerce”, he added. |
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80 lakh subsidy
for new farm technologies CHANDIGARH, Aug 18 — The Haryana Government plans to promote unconventional and progressive methods of farming in horticulture such as greenhouse technology, drip irrigation, low tunnels, shade net houses and bird protection nets. A sum of Rs 80 lakh would be given as subsidy to farmers opting for such technologies. The Agriculture Minister, Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, said these methods would be financially beneficial and comparatively more remunerative to farmers engaged in horticulture. This subsidy would be provided to farmers under a programme to promote plastics in horticulture. Mr Sandhu said drip irrigation activity had proved to be most beneficial in saving water, electricity and manpower. Through this technology, farmers would be able to achieve higher productivity with optimum use of available water. The government had fixed a target of covering about 300 hectares of area under drip irrigation. An area of about 2,250 hectare had already been covered under this scheme so far. The subsidy pattern for installing drip irrigation was 50 per cent of the total cost or a maximum Rs 26,000 per hectare, whichever was less, to farmers belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as well as small and marginal farmers. |
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Haryana scheme boosts breast feeding CHANDIGARH, Aug 18 — The implementation of Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative (BFHI) by the Haryana Government has led to encouraging breast feeding. A spokesman for the Health Department said they had constituted a state-level taskforce to give certification to those maternity hospitals which had promoted breast feeding. He added that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had approved a project for a non-government organisation, SWACH at Panchkula. To impart training to doctors and staff workshops were organised by SWACH. The District Training Officers and paediatricians would further impart training to gynaecologists and nurses of private and government hospitals of the districts where deliveries were being conducted. At the three-day workshop, organised by SWACH at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, most of the speakers stressed the need to motivate women for adopting the habit of breast feeding so that complete food could be given to children in all respects which strengthened the bonds of love and affection between the mother and the child. They advised mothers not to feed by bottle as it adversely affected the health of the child and created many diseases. |
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INLD man’s rejoinder on land restoration CHANDIGARH, Aug 18 — The General Secretary of the ruling Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Pradeep Chaudhry today joined issue with the RPI legislator, Mr Karan Singh
Dalal, who had alleged that the state government had violated the law by restoring land acquired by HUDA to Mr Chaudhry. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Chaudhry said Mr Dalal
should first ascertain his facts and the legal position before coming out with irresponsible allegations against his political adversaries “just to keep himself in the news”. The INLD leader revealed that part of the land in question was released from acquisition process by the Bansi Lal Government of which Mr Dalal was a minister. If the release of land was illegal then Mr Dalal was an equal party in the illegality committed by the Bansi Lal Government. Mr Chaudhry said should he presume that Mr
Dalal kept silent at that time because he was afraid of losing his ministerial berth. Mr Chaudhry said no illegality had been committed by releasing the land, which was shamlat in nature, to him because under a court order the shamlat land in his village, Devi Nagar, had been mutated in favour of proprietors and not in the name of the panchayat. Mr Chaudhry said when the government had issued a notification to acquire his land near Nadha Sahib gurdwara in 1997, he had filed objections on the ground that a charitable organisation named after his father, the late Mr Roshan Lal, had set up an ashram. The then Land Acquisition Officer had also recommended that at least eight bighas should not be acquired. Then HUDA had released some land in 1998 under Standing Order no. 28. |
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VC takes steps to
check ragging KURUKSHETRA, Aug 18 — To create awareness against ragging, Kurukshetra University Vice-Chancellor, Mr R.S. Chaudhry has set up a 13-member committee to curb this evil in the university and its affiliated colleges. The university notification states that ragging in any form, at any place, on the campus or outside especially in hostels, is strictly prohibited. Anyone reported to be involved in an act of ragging will face strict disciplinary action leading to expulsion from the hostel/or the rolls of the department/college concerned, the notification also indicates. The Vice-Chancellor of the university at a special meeting on the subject, directed the Registrar, Proctor, Chief Warden and various Deans of the university to keep a close vigil on all outside anti-social elements and ensure that they did not enter the university campus. For this purpose, intensive patrolling on the university campus has to be carried out and the students whose entry into the campus has been banned, should not be allowed to enter the campus. To create further awareness to tackle the ongoing ragging incidents, the Vice-Chancellor has directed to Dean Students Welfare/Director, Youth & Cultural Affairs to get posters displayed at the railway station, bus stand and all prominent places in the city besides notice boards of all university teaching departments/hostels/canteens. It has been decided at the meeting that the Chief Security Officer of the university in alliance with the police personnel will make necessary arrangements for patrolling during evening especially on the road. leading to the girl’s hostels, to check that the boys were not allow to stand near the girl’s hostels after the visiting hours were over. The Chief Warden of the University by forming two flying squads — one for girls hostels and other for the boys hostels — has been instructed to carry out the night patrolling. It was also decided that the students shall not be allowed to hold any party on the Campus or outside the Campus. The DSW will also write to the District Administration and the Managing Director Tourism Department and District Manager Tourism not to allow the students to hold any introductory or other parties outside the University Campus for one month. The Chief Security Officer shall also form an anti-ragging squad. This squad will bring to the notice of the University authorities any incident of ragging immediately. This Anti-Ragging Squad will not only keep a close watch on the activities of the students on the University Campus, but also visit Jyotisar, Panchayat Bhawan, Braham Sarovar and other tourist spots and ensure that the students did not indulge in ragging even outside the University Campus. The Director Public Relations of the University shall give adequate publicity to the negative aspects of ragging at least twice during this month when the classes are started so that public awareness and
aversion can be built up against ragging. |
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Haryana Tourism gets boost KARNAL, Aug 18 — In order to boost tourism in the state, the Haryana Tourism Department is engaged in executing numerous projects. As a novel policy, Haryana Tourism was envisaging inviting the private sector into the sphere of tourism promotion by offering incentives for more diversified tourism in the state. According to official information available to TNS, the boosting of tourism activity is a sequel to the arrival of nearly 60 lakh tourists during 1999-2000 in different tourists complexes of Haryana. This provided a fillip to the sagging spirit of tourism which had fallen on bad days during the days of prohibition of the Bansi Lal government. The state tourism was operating 46 tourist resorts where it had 769 room facilities to offer to the tourists. During the last year Haryana Tourism opened a number of new avenues and projects for providing more facilities to tourists. For one, it started the Ethnic India project at Rai where a fast food centre and a motel with 10 guest rooms were opened. Similarly, a new motel was opened at the Tilyar lake resort near Rohtak and a fast food centre was added to it. On these new projects, the Tourism Department incurred an expenditure of Rs 250.42 lakh during the year. Besides new projects, Haryana Tourism also upgraded its present facilities and under took renovation of some tourist resorts. It completed the renovation project at the 17th century Mughal Gardens at Pinjore where the central waterway was relined with blue ceramic tiles. Besides, the fountains were also repaired and clogged water channels were decorated in the original style and design as planned by the Mughal architect Fidai Khan. The plinth of Jal Mahal was renovated and the area thrown open to the public. Similarly, the entrance to the gardens was not only landscaped but beautified also. Extension of the parking area was also done. Besides, Haryana Tourism replaced the waterway supply line at Dabchick resort at Hodal and renovated the parking lot at the Magpie resort at Faridabad. Repairs and renovation work were completed at Shikra tourist resort in Asa Khera. New entries to the fast food centre were completed at Panipat and also at the Kingfisher resort in Ambala. The total expenditure on renovation projects alone came to Rs 129.51 lakh. The Tourism Department has taken up work on new projects. It plans to construct six rooms, a restaurant and a bar at the Ethnic India resort in Rai. Work on the project was progressing at a fast pace. Besides, a bazaar wing is under construction near the entrance of the Pinjore garden. Here, a set of shops are being constructed where the tourists would be able to buy local souvenirs, gifts and fast food. Likewise, a fast food centre was fast coming up at the Blue Bird resort (Hisar). In Pipli on the GT Road, the construction of a shopping arcade at the Parakeet resort was nearing completion. The old restaurant here is being converted into a conference hall and more shops are being constructed there. In view of its proximity to Delhi, the Aravali golf course at Faridabad was being given a new look by expanding trees and greens. At the Magpie resort here, room accommodation was being upgraded. Similarly, a new resort with rooms, a banquet hall, a conference hall and a restaurant were under construction at Bhiwani. The estimated cost of the new projects is Rs 322.71 lakh, according to official sources of Haryana Tourism. Haryana Tourism is also taking up new projects at Jungle Babbler at Dharuhera, Surajkund motel and Sultanpur birds sanctuary. The total cost of these new expansion facilities would be around Rs 157.07 lakh. |
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Ambala jail
prisoners on fast for 3 days AMBALA The prisoners submitted a memorandum to the officers demanding the reduction of period in life imprisonment, release of the prisoners crossing the age of 60, speedy disposal of cases etc. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ram
Niwas, assured the prisoners that their demands would be sent to the authorities concerned as most of then related to the Central Government, state government and the high court. But the prisoners did not call off their agitation and meals were not prepared in the jail even today. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the jail authorities have informed the district courts concerned and the Punjab Haryana High Court that the undertrial prisoners are not attending the court on their due dates and this may create a legal problem later. The jail authorities have been trying to defuse the situation as the agitation may spread to other jails in the state if the situation is not handled properly. There are 2133 prisoners lodged in Ambala Central Jail, out of which 1473 are
undertrials. The jail has a capacity of 1,000 prisoners while almost double the number have been accommodated there. |
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Chaudhry to be
feted at Pinjore Chandigarh, Aug 18 — Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Haryana Chief Minister, will throw a dinner at Pinjore Garden in honour of the Fijian leader, Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, when the latter comes to Chandigarh on August 23. A cultural programme will also be organised at Pinjore on that day. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, as well as all the ministers of the Punjab and Haryana Governments and other VVIPs based at Chandigarh are being invited for the dinner and the cultural programme. During his stay at Chandigarh, Mr Chaudhry will also pay a formal visit to the Punjab Chief Minister, sources here said. |
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Irregularity in road
laying alleged PANIPAT, Aug 18 — Irregularity of lakhs of rupees due to collusion between contractor and PWD officials in connection with construction of link road between Bandh village and Israna has come to light. It is alleged that during last one year due to construction and damaging of this link road a number of times, the contractor in collusion with an engineer has not only cheated the state government of lakhs of rupees but also the village development fund has been used up to a large extent. Villagers of Bandh stated that last year with the sanction of state government this link road 1.250 km area was to be constructed and was to be widened up to 18 feet. It is alleged that after the sanction at first the contractor started the work very later after acceptance of tender and later on after earth work, gave up the job. It is further alleged that the executive engineer not only violated specifications during earth work but also submitted many fake bills and obtained payment thereof. Villagers at the spot demanded vigilance inquiry into the matter as the alleged culprits now were busy hushing up the case and have started putting stone on the earth work. A departmental officer when questioned about it admitted delay but promised swift completion of the job according to specifications, expressing his ignorance about the alleged financial mess-up. On the other hand a villager, Mr Mauji Ram, stated that during rains it has become a problem for them and for students to return to their village with tractors and bullock- carts which had to wade through two-foot deep slush. Mr Mauji Ram added that villagers after great effort could get sanction for pucca and wide link road but the contractor and the officials have started minting money which must be inquired
into. |
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Encroachers don’t spare even GT Road PANIPAT: Due to negligence of PWD officials, service lanes on both sides of the GT Road, which were remodified by former Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Garg to streamline traffic, have been encroached on by transporters and truck owners. In the absence of any preventive action, traffic gets jammed, causing inconvenience to the general public. PWD officials clear service lanes once a month and on that day alone are petty shopkeepers, rehriwallahs, thelewalas shifted. But the officials never attempt to clear permanent encroachments by VIPs. Service lanes are encroached on en masse by transport companies and showroom owners and the former are even running open garages where trucks are parked for repair and loading. These are never touched by the department, alleged a shopkeeper affected by the encroachment. Handloom showroom owners to attract customers display their items after encroaching on service lanes. Pedestrians are particularly distressed at encroachments in front of the Civil Hospital, Bus Stand and Nagar Parishad office. Whatever little space is left in service lanes, it is encroached on by shop employees or customers, who park their vehicles there obstructing traffic. A hotel owner has constructed a car parking lot on a service lane. PWD officials and district administration have never cared to remove these encroachments. |
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Emotional reunion
for Chaudhry
BAHUJAMALPUR, Aug 18 (PTI) — It was an emotional reunion, tinged with relief as also anguish, when deposed Prime Minister of Fiji Mahendra Pal Chaudhry touched the feet of his great grand uncle Pihari Chaudhry during his visit to the ancestral village. Relief was there because he is now free from the captivity of armed rebels who toppled Chaudhry’s government and sad because the son of the soil has been deprived of his rightful mantle. “I had great plans for our village. I had planned to visit the village in November but unexpectedly I was forcibly removed from my post and I am here seeking help from the country of my ancestors,” said an overwhelmed Chaudhry, moved by the warm welcome and solidarity shown to him yesterday by the village of his forefathers. Chaudhry, however, did not visit his ancestors’ home but a house nearby “because he needs better amenities, said Arya Samaj leader Ishwar Singh, who coordinated Chaudhry’s visit to his native village. Chaudhry’s 70-year-old distant cousin Khem Chand said. “We are proud that one of our boys has gone out of the country and made it to the top. He told us he is waging a war which he said he would win and would come back in better circumstances.” Referring to the presence of Haryana Chief Minister at the village during the visit, Ishwar Singh said “Our Chief Minister is showing respect to one of our boys by accompanying him to this remote village. He has promised us that the government would work towards developing Bahujamalpur into a model village and that itself is a reward for us and a result of the visit.” |
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Governor to visit
KU on Aug 22 KURUKSHETRA, Aug 18 — The Haryana Governor and Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Babu Parmanand, will visit the university on August 22. Mr R.S. Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor disclosed that during his first visit to the university, the Chancellor would lay the foundation stone for the teaching block for the Directorate of Correspondence Courses. He said there was a long-pending demand for the block for the personal contact programme (PCP). The three-storey building would be built at an estimated cost of Rs 3.23 crore. The building would have an entrance lobby, five lecture theatres, a students’ centre, two tutorial rooms, an office-cum-reception, the director’s office and other amenities. The block would also have a library with the facility of a deposit room. There would be provision for an
open-air-theater. The Chancellor would also lay the foundation stone for a hostel for students of the Scheduled Castes at an estimated cost of Rs 85 lakh. The hostel was being constructed under a special scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students of the weaker sections of society. During his visit, the Governor would also inaugurate a painting exhibition being organised by the department of Fine Arts. |
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Order to computerise
employees’ pay bills CHANDIGARH, Aug 18 — The Haryana Government today directed all its Heads of Department to computerise pay bills of their employees from this month onwards and ensure timely rendition of accounts to the office of Accountant-General (A & E). The decision was taken by the government keeping in view the directions by the CAG to the A-G, to update computerised enumeration of the state government employees on the basis of vouchers pertaining to pay and allowances. The Drawing and Disbursing Officers of all departments have been directed to prepare bills and present at the treasuries complete in all respect classified separately under plan and non-plan with details of name, designation, pay scales, basic pay, gross pay, classification of post under technical and non-technical categories along with absentee statement indicating the number of employees whose pay has been not drawn. They have also been directed to give the description of posts as well as the sanctioned number of posts. The purpose of this information is to have a distinct idea of group-wise number of employees in each department. They have also been asked that pay and allowance vouchers pertaining to group ‘D’ officials as well as police constables be accompanied with full detail of employees from the records available with them. |
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ASI crushed
to death SONEPAT, Aug 18 — Mr Randhir Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector, was crushed to death when a truck fell on him on the GT Road near Qumashpur village, about 12 km from here last night. According to a report, the ASI was checking the vehicles passing through the road when the driver of the truck applied brakes for taking a turn as a result which the vehicle turned turtle and fell on the ASI who died on the spot. The police has registered a case against the driver and further investigations are in progress. Mr Randhir Singh was a resident of Madina village and the body has been sent for the cremation. |
One killed in
accident AMBALA,
Aug 18 — A motorcyclist was killed in an accident in Ambala Cantonment today afternoon. The incident took place when the
motorcyclist,
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Gop Mariya’s bail
application rejected FATEHABAD, Aug 18 — The Judicial Magistrate, Ms Neeraja
Kulwant, today rejected the bail application of Gop Mariya, brother of a former Haryana Minister, Mr Vinod
Mariya, in Rs 4 crore excise scam case. He has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. The counsel for the accused had pleaded that his client be granted bail in view of his ill health. |
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