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| Monday,
October 9, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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PM keen to solve SYL
issue RMS staff ‘neglect’
customers Integration top priority,
says Governor Wanted centrally located
crematorium Making the disabled
able Striving to better women’s
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Dare devil act averts
mishap Concern at drought in south
Haryana Scared of police, Biharis leave town PWD workers to stage
dharnas Arora new Director
of Agriculture Ekta rally flagged off
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PM keen to solve SYL
issue SONEPAT, Oct 8 — Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, MP and President of the Haryana BJP, has advised the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to take an initiative for solving the SYL canal issue with Punjab without any further delay. Talking to mediapersons at Gohana town, 35 km from here yesterday, he said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was keen to get the issue settled so that adequate canal water could be available in Haryana. He disclosed that a ministerial-level meeting between Punjab and Haryana on the issue had already taken place without arriving at any settlement. If Mr Chautala adopted a positive attitude the issue would be settled soon, he said. The BJP leader hoped that given his cordial relations with his Punjab counterpart and the goodwill of the Centre, the issue could be settled without any difficulty. Expressing concern over drought conditions in the southern parts of the state, he urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to provide adequate relief to the people, particularly farmers of the area. Referring to steps taken for improving the image of the party in the rural areas, the BJP leader said that the party has decided to launch a campaign from October 13 to October 21 to mobilise the people in favour of the Vajpayee government at the Centre which, he said, has launched numerous schemes for their welfare. Mr Kataria also refuted allegations of the Opposition parties that the BJP has any hidden agenda and said that the only agenda of the party was to make the country economically sound and militarily powerful. |
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RMS staff ‘neglect’
customers PANIPAT, Oct 8 — Staff of the Railway Mail Service (RMS) has reportedly failed to perform its basic duties as far as public services are concerned. Some complainants alleged that the staff on duty was least bothered to provide services to them. Instead it was reportedly busy in its routine job of sorting out the dak alone. Even the staff on duty from 4 pm to 11 pm, a shift specifically for public dealings which include sale of stamps, registration of articles and speed post services, had an indifferent attitude towards customers resulting in inconvenience to them. If this is the kind of service provided by the RMS staff to their customers, then it should be stopped at once” said an irated customer, who faced a harassing situation on Friday night. The customer Rajesh Kumar went to the RMS office in the evening to book a packet of documents through speed post for Karnal. The clerk on the counter told him that the time for booking was over. He requested the clerk that it was urgent. But the clerk suggested him to use other private courier services as they would be cheaper and faster with assured delivery on the next day at cost of Rs 10 only. Otherwise through the RMS speed post service it would be delivered by Monday only that also on a payment of Rs 30. The customer insisted on sending the packet through speed post only. But the clerk allegedly expressed inability to do the job as supply of stamps had been exhausted. The customer then requested for the complaint book which was not given to him. The customer then called his office and got the stamps through another staff member. Abruptly the clerk at the counter said that he also found the stamps and did the booking at 9.15 p.m. albeit reluctantly. When this correspondent visited the RMS office last evening, the clerk concerned was not available and the in charge, operations, and his staff were busy sorting the mail. The officiating in charge of the office had his day off. The routine staff on duty said registration of articles was not their duty. A separate counter was maintained from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. . However, registration of articles was done from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and speed post time was up to 10.30 p.m. The staff concerned was not available for comments. The RMS staff receives dak from the trains coming on platforms 1, 2/3, 4/5 and the RMS counter is on platform number 1. The dak from the platform numbers 2/3 and 4/5 in mail bags is thrown from one track to another and finally loaded in the trolley for the RMS office resulting in mutilation of articles, coming from all parts of the country. On asking as to why Section 142 was disobeyed by the staff on duty by jumping from one railway track to another four to five times in a day, the staff alleged that absence of a proper pathway from one platform to others, forced them to violate Section 142 daily. People standing in line near the RMS alleged that highhandedness of RMS staff was on the rise. The staff was indifferent to public who was using their services after paying a penalty as late fee but still the services were poor. “ The manner in which the RMS staff was performing its duty at all railway stations in Haryana, needs a thorough probe”, said Vikas Varma, a customer standing there. |
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Integration top priority,
says Governor SONEPAT, Oct 8 — The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, has emphasised upon the need to strengthen national unity and integrity by organising national integration camps in different parts of the country. The Governor was speaking at the concluding function of a seven-day Women National Integration Camp organised by Gita Vidya Mandir Girls College, Sonepat, under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at Sonepat today. He said national integration instead of other petty issues should be our priority. Babu Parmanand said we should serve our country on priority, the party, the community and the individual should be secondary considerations. We should preserve and maintain the rich cultural heritage of our country, he said. Mrs Shakuntla Gakkhar, Principal of the college, apprised the Governor of the achievements and activities of the college in the field of education, sports and other co-curricular activities. Mr J.K. Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor of MDU, Rohtak, and Mr P.V. Dalal, Co-ordinator of NSS also spoke on the occasion. Brig O.P. Chaudhry, former VC of MDU, Rohtak, Deputy Commissioner Sudhir Rajpal, SP A.S. Chawla, other district officers were also present in the function. The Governor presented commendation certificates and mementos to all 11 Programme Officers of the camp. The campers also presented a cultural programme. |
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Wanted centrally located
crematorium PANIPAT, Oct 8 — The number of cremation grounds here is less as compared to the population of the town which has increased manifold in the past one decade, resulting in heavy load beyond their capacity. Neither the district administration nor the social organisations bother to take care of the situation which the citizens are facing nowadays. Keeping in mind the needs of the city, the provision of an electric crematorium appears a must so that the wood required for cremation can be saved on the one hand and environmental pollution removed on the other. At present, there the cremation ground at Shivpuri under the Assandh road flyover, the HUDA cremation ground, another in ward number II, Krishan Pura tehsil camp cremation ground and urban areas Dalluvia cremation ground are operational. The interesting feature is that all roads leading to these cremation grounds are in a bad state of repair and water stagnates, creating difficulty for the people coming with the bodies. The Shivpuri cremation ground below the Assandh road flyover is hardly able to meet the needs of residents of Model Town but now it proves inadequate for the people coming from other parts of the town also. Another difficulty faced by the residents of Model Town is that after the construction of a flyover people are forced to come along with biers by the road under the railway bridge which is filled with sewage and slush throughout the year. Similar is the case with other cremation grounds. The residents of Model Town have made another cremation ground beyond Assandh Road canal — Swargpuri — but it needs sheds which are not available. To cater to the needs of the city, the Dalluvia cremation ground, which is an old one, has proper amenities for cremation. It is situation at a distance from the city and bad roads prove a big handicap for carrying biers to the ground. The Dalluvia cremation ground is now covered by habitation and to reach the ground people have to move through many lanes and streets. The district administration with the assistance of social organisations should come forward to have a positive approach to solve this problem. Under the prevailing conditions, there is an urgent need of an electric crematorium at a place which would be approachable by the people of Panipat. The road leading the cremation ground should be wide for the benefit of the procession accompanying the bier. The president of the Citizen Council of Panipat said initiative taken by the district administration and social organisations would prove beneficial to the citizens on the one hand and help in conserving forests and removing environmental pollution on the other hand. |
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Making the disabled
able SIRSA: Babli Sharma of Kalanwali (13), a student of the local R.K.J. Welfare Centre for Hearing and Speech Handicapped, is a trained beautician and has now become self-sufficient by working at a leading beauty centre. Similarly, Amandeep (11) a resident of Santnagar village, expertises in cooking while Suman (10), hailing from Mansa, has become an expert in crochet knitting. Amandeep and Suman got training in their trade from this welfare centre. Apart from these, many hearing and speech impaired students are getting education and vocational training at the welfare centre, situated on Rania road in Sirsa. The head of the centre, Ms Sharanjeet Kaur, stated that the centre was going to start a novel project of preparing “papads” for supplying to the market. Woollen items like scarf-cum-mufflers, cushion covers and bed covers, etc prepared by the students would be soon marketed she added. This unique centre which is engaged in providing education to physically disabled children, was started with five students in February, 1985, by the then Governor, S.M.H. Burney. The strength of the centre gradually increased and today 75 students are being trained here. Besides, educating the students up to the primary standard, the centre is imparting vocational training in six other trades such as beautician, tailoring and cutting, embroidery, cooking, knitting and painting. The centre is planning to start two other vocational courses in computers and electrical Ms Sharanjeet Kaur states that even at the primary level, the vocational training to students has been very effective as the students join the centre at a higher age. After receiving primary education from this centre, the students are sent to Gurgaon and Hisar for higher studies. A number of students, whose foundations were laid here, are now well settled in life. Some are working in Maruti Udyog as electricians, welders and mechanics, while others earn their livelihood independently. The students in the centre are kept busy round-the-clock so that they do not sit idle and create a nuisance. Ms Sharanjeet Kaur said the students helped in preparing food for hostellers. To inculcate the habit of responsibility in senior students, each of them had been deputed to take care of three kindergarten students. The seniors help younger students in performing day-to-day activities and in doing their homework. She pointed out that a speech therapist was badly needed because the teachers at the centre faced a communication problem with students. As a result, the teachers had to put in more efforts in understanding the problems of inmates. She said the centre was getting full cooperation from the local administration and the people. Disabled students need acceptance from society and not sympathy, she stressed. |
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Striving to better women’s
lot FATEHABAD: The Sahaytarth Mahila Samiti set up by some philanthropist women here has been doing yeoman service for women’s uplift in society. The samiti has helped several poor parents by marrying off their daughters, besides settling several cases of marital discord. The samiti has always risen to the occasion, whenever there is a calamity or need for help. The samiti was set up here during the Kargil war to provide financial help to the widows of martyrs. Headed by Mrs Usha Dahiya, a municipal councillor, of collected donations from the public to help the families of Kargil martyrs. The samiti organised rallies by school students and its members went from door to door to collect donations. It provided financial help to Kargil widows, besides contributing to the Chief Minister’s Kargil Relief Fund. The samiti again came forward with help in cash and kind when Orissa was hit by flood or when Gujarat and Rajasthan were hit by drought. The samiti has also been providing financial help to poor parents who find it hard to marry off their daughters. The members not only arrange for the marriage feast but also offer household gifts to the newly weds. Many such girls have benefited. The welfare body has also been striving hard to better the lot of women. Its members have resolved many cases of marital discord through counselling. It also provides books, uniforms and woollen clothes to deserving girl students. Talking to this correspondent, the samiti president, Mrs Usha Dahiya, said the samiti’s aim was to provide help to women in distress. She said she first conceived the idea of providing financial assistance and moral strength to families of Kargil martyrs, when three jawans of this district fell to enemy bullets last year. Some local women interested in social service like Mrs Veena Bhayana, Mrs Nazi Munjal, Mrs Suvarsha Mehta and Mrs Usha Gera joined her efforts and the organisation was set up. After the end of the Kargil war, the members of the samiti decided not to dismantle the organisation and the scope of the samiti was widened to include the general welfare of women. |
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Dare devil act averts
mishap ROHTAK, Oct 8 — A major mishap was averted due to the timely action of the driver of a petrol tanker when the vehicle caught fire while unloading petrol at a local filling station last night. He drove the burning vehicle to the nearby HUDA complex ground. He drove on the vehicle while it was still spilling petrol on the road. Consequently, the fire followed the vehicle till the HUDA complex presenting a horrible scene. People of the area were terrified as there are four petrol stations within the 100 metres stretch. According to information, a petrol tanker caught fire at the Kalra filling station located at outer Quilla Road last night. The fire engulfed the office of the filling station and a scooter parked there in a few seconds. Assessing the gravity of situation driver of the tanker, Suresh asked the cleaner, Roshan to close the valves of the tanker immediately. However, the cleaner could not close the valves completely in a hurry. Both of them drove the vehicle to the HUDA complex. Soon the fire brigade reached the site and extinguished the fire. A group of frightened people gathered near the filling station and blocked the road for about half-an-hour. They demanded shifting of these filling stations to outer areas. They argued that mishap at any one of these filling stations could involve all filling stations located in close proximity to each other. They also added that the filling stations were located in the furniture market and the area was densely populated. The agitated people blocked the outer Quilla Road for nearly eight hours today in support of their demand. |
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Concern at drought in south
Haryana SONEPAT, Oct 8 — The President of the Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U), Mr Ved Parkash Vidrohi, demanded the publication of a White Paper on ongoing development works under the ‘Sarkaar Aap ke Dwaar’ programme in different parts of the state and a high-level probe into the public complaints about alleged irregularities and malpractices in the execution of these works by officials entrusted with to the job. In a press statement issued here, he said the Chief Minister had launched the second phase of ‘Sarkaar Aap ke Dwaar’ programme on Gandhi Jayanti but the previous promises made by Mr Chautala for development and other activities had remained unfulfilled so far. He expressed concern over drought-like conditions in the southern parts of the state and said that 90 per cent of the crop had been damaged on account of scanty rainfall in Rewari, Mohindergarh, Gurgaon, Jhajjar and Bhiwani districts as well as in the Mewat region. The prices of fodder, he said, have shot up to Rs 225 per quintal and the farmers were facing a difficult situation in the area. |
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Scared of police, Biharis leave town SIRSA, Oct 8 — Many labourers from Bihar are leaving the town as the police has become extra strict with them. Some policemen had allegedly lathicharged several rickshawpullers at the railway station some time back. At least 100 rickshaws were also impounded. According to sources a section of Bihari labourers who were forced to work without wages for construction of a police post recently had complained to the Superintendent of Police. However, theft have been registered against some Biharis. Kailash of Kherpur was arrested recently when he stole a TV set purchased by a resident of local B Block. In another case a Bihari domestic help in a house in the local Inderpuri Mohalla stole gold jewellery and some rickshawpullers looted a passenger. |
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PWD workers to stage
dharnas SONEPAT, Oct 8 — The All-Haryana PWD Mechanical Karamchari Union, affiliated to the Haryana Karamchari Maha Sangh, today announced its decision to intensify its agitation in protest against the non-acceptance of its long-standing demands. Mr Ved Yyas Arya, general secretary of the state unit of the union, told mediapersons here today that the union would hold dharnas in front of the offices of the Chief Engineer, PWD (B&R) on October 17, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department, on October 18 and the Chief Engineer, Public Health Department all at Chandigarh on October 19 next to press the demands of the employees. He warned that if the 42-point charter of demands was not accepted, the union would launch a gherao of the officers and their offices. |
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Arora new Director
of Agriculture CHANDIGARH, Oct 8 — The Haryana Government tonight transferred its Director of Agriculture, Mr Sarban Singh, who has been sent as Officer-on-Special Duty, Manpower Planning, an insignificent post. Mr Rajeev Arora, who was earlier Joint Secretary, Home-I, will take over from Mr Sarban Singh. Mr Arora will also be the Adviser, Civil Aviation. Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Special Secretary, Industries, Director, Supplies and Disposal, and Director, Institutional Finance and Credit, has been given the additional charge of the post of Director, Industries, in the absence of Mr S.N. Roy, who has gone to Mussorie for training. Mr Maha Singh, Special Secretary, Revenue and Director, Consolidation, will now be the Special Secretary, Rehabilitation-cum-Chief Settlement Commissioner in addition to his present duties. Mr Sandeep Garg, Administrator, HUDA, Panchkula, becomes the Joint Secretary, General Administration. Mr Garg’s place will be taken by Mr Shrikant Walgad. Mr J.P. Kaushik, Joint Secretary, Secretary Establishment, becomes Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chief Executive Officer, DRDA, Kaithal, in place of Mr Shyamal Misra, who goes as Deputy Secretary, Home-I. Mr Pushp Raj Singh, on return from deputation with the Government of India, becomes ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Fatehabad.
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Ekta rally flagged off SONEPAT, Oct 8 — Hardeep Singh Doon, DSP (headquarters), flagged off a Rashtriya Ekta rally, sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, here yesterday. Hundreds of girl students from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh took part in the rally led by Mrs Shakuntala Gakhar, Principal of GVM Girls College and coordinator of the week-long Rashtriya Ekta Shivir. Carrying placards and raising patriotic slogans, the students marched through the main bazaars of the city and reached the mini-secretariat where they were received by Mr A.S. Chawla, SP, who gave away prizes to the participants. |
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Computer snag snaps
Sonepat’s STD link SONEPAT, Oct 8 — Sonepat a fast-growing industrial city and district headquarters in Haryana remained cut off from the rest of the country and abroad almost throughout the day yesterday following the sudden collapse of the telephone system on account of a major fault in its computers. |
Teacher booked
in rape case FATEHABAD, Oct 8 — The police has booked a school teacher and one other person for allegedly raping a maid. No arrest has been made so far in this regard.
The victim worked at the house of Mahabir Singh. The teacher reportedly called her yesterday to wash clothes. When she went to the room to take the clothes, he reportedly closed the door from outside. An unidentified person who was waiting in the room, raped the woman.
The police has registered a case under Sections 376 and 120, IPC. |
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