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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Panchayats get more fiscal powers Internet dhaba inaugurated Kids vow to boycott crackers Probe sought into
canal water supply Poll roll revision
from Nov 2 |
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Governor honours
social workers Sonepat farmers sell
paddy at Narela Ad hoc appointments affect teaching Bride ‘evaluated’ as
package deal Haryana water for Rajasthan INLD-BJP relations
nosedive Haryana postings, transfers Bijli nigam extends last date 
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Panchayats get more fiscal powers FARIDABAD, Oct 24 — The Chief Minister Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today announced an increase in financial powers of panchayats and a comprehensive plan for the all-round development of the rural areas in the state. Speaking at a Sarkar Aapke Dwar programme at Hathin subdivisional town in the district today, Mr Chautala said his government was committed towards development in all spheres. He said to ensure development in rural areas, his government had decided to enhance the financial powers of panchayats. He said henceforth a sarpanch would have a discretionary power of spending Rs 25,000 instead of Rs 10,000 earlier, while the panchayats would be able to spend Rs 3 lakh instead of Rs 1 lakh on development works. He said meetings of panchayats would be convened from November 15 to December 15 to constitute special committees, which would be competent to supervise and overlook development programmes in villages. He said these committees, having officials and members of panchayats, would ensure that schemes were completed satisfactorily within the stipulated time. He reiterated that the anti-encroachment drive launched by the state government in compliance with the high court order would continue till all illegal constructions were removed. He, however, said panchayats could recover penalties from encroachments which were not “inconvenient” to the residents. He said the panchayats would have to take the Deputy Commissioner concerned into confidence before taking any such action. As many as 64 panchayats of Hathin subdivision were represented at the programme. Mr Chautala also visited the site of a temple which was demolished by HUDA recently in Sector 28 here as part of an anti-encroachment drive. He announced that the disputed plot owned by HUDA would be sold to the Akhand Param Dham Samiti, which owned the temple. He said the samiti would have to pay the price of the plot. A large number of sadhus had been protesting against the demolition and had been demanding to reconstruct it at the same site. Mr Chautala also inaugurated a new railway overbridge constructed at a cost of Rs 24 crore near Bata crossing here. He also laid the foundation stone of a medical centre at Sector 3. |
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Internet dhaba inaugurated NARNAUL, Oct 24 — Mr N.K. Mangla, Chief General Manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, (BSNL), launched his campaign to cover all development blocks with Internet dhabas with the first Internet dhaba franchise in Haryana being inaugurated at Kanina in Mahendragarh district today. The cyber-savvy Deputy Commissioner, Mahendragarh, Mr V. Raja Sekhar, launched the Kanina website http://kanina.8k.com/ at a function organised at the panchayat samiti, Kanina. The District IT Task Force lead by the Deputy Commissioner coordinated the campaign to bring Internet dhabas into the rural areas of the district. The district also boasts of the first village cyber cafe in Haryana at Nangal Chaudhary village which was launched in July this year. Mr Bijender Singh, an unemployed computer literate youth of Unhani village, Kanina block, was selected for the franchise by the task force and recommended to the BSNL, Rewari. The Internet dhaba and computer equipment were provided by Ms Sudesh Dhillon, chair- person, panchayat samiti, Kanina becomes the first block to provide an Internet dhaba in Haryana. The Internet dhaba is providing services such as Internet access and browsing, e-mail, word processing, desk top publishing, computer fax, scanning and OCR services apart from training the rural youth in computers. The Internet dhaba has a single
Pentium-III PC with modem, scanner and a laser printer. The website on Kanina was launched after a presentation on the Internet dhaba by the district task force. The website provides information on people, culture, flora, fauna, development statistics, geographical map and a photo gallery. Mr Mangla said the BSNL would cover all blocks with Internet dhabas. He said apart from rural blocks any unemployed youth setting up an Internet dhaba will be provided free Internet access in rural areas and 1500 hours of access in urban areas. He thanked the task force for its coordination. The Deputy Commissioner said there was a good response towards IT from the rural areas. He said the Net access in the interior was due to the tremendous advances in the rural sector by the Telecommunications department. He said voice telephony and data transfer had become easier due to the laying of optical fibre cables all over the district which had revolutionised the bandwidth availability. Mr Ravi Goel, TDM, Rewari, later explained the scheme of franchising Internet dhabas by the BSNL. Ms Dhillon, while welcoming the guests said women should not lag behind in computer literacy. Mr R.S. Verma, SDM, Mahendragarh, and Darshan Singh, BDPO, Kanina, also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, Mr Mangla inaugurated an upgraded telephone exchange having a capacity of 2000 connections at
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Kids vow to boycott crackers KARNAL, Oct 24 — Students here today adopted a unique method to protest against the rising cracker menace during Divali. Students belonging to Hindu Siksha Samiti, schools took out a procession which culminated at the District Education Officer’s office in protest against the menace of crackers. The students were carrying placards which read “Cracker explosion pollutes the atmosphere” and made deafening noise. The students said a huge amount of money was spent on crackers which caused pollution and served no purpose. The crackers resulted in untimely deaths and fire sometimes, they
added. FARIDABAD: Parents of two children residing in Sector 16 here claimed that their daughter and son aged about 12 and 8 have agreed to their suggestion of not bursting crackers on Divali this year. A class five students of a public school in Sector 14, said he was aware of the problem of pollution and would try to burnt very few crackers. He said his parents had promised to buy him another gift. Some of the district officials and intellectuals have also shown interest in such a move. The city Magistrate, Mr S.S. Dalal, has reportedly decided to hold a meeting of children of his locality and some persons known to him. Mr Dalal said he had contacted some parents in this connection. He said he had also persuaded his children not to burst crackers on Divali. A voluntary organisation here proposes issue hand bill on Divali about dangers and first aid for burn victims. |
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Probe sought into
canal water supply SONEPAT, Oct 24 — Residents of several villages in Gohana subdivision of the district today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, to order a high-level probe into the complaints of the farmers relating to inadequate and erratic supply of canal water during the rotation period and the unavailability of the canal water at their tail-end fields. In a press note, they alleged that the officials of the Gohana Water Service Division had been misutilising the public funds meant for desilting of the canals, distributaries and minors in the area. The probe would likely to expose the misdeeds of the officials, they point out. The residents also demanded immediate transfer of the officials concerned to ensure an impartial inquiry. Meanwhile, representatives of various farmers organisations have also demanded a similar probe and said that the farmers were facing an acute shortage of canal water which was hampering the sowing operations of rabi crops in this subdivision. In a joint press note, they demanded a action against the SDO (Vigilance) who has allegedly failed to check the misuse of public funds by certain officials of the Gohana Water Service Division. |
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CM to hold open
darbar today YAMUNANAGAR, Oct 24 — Under the second phase of the Sarkar Aapke Dwar programme, the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, will preside over an open darbar at Mukand Lal National College, Radaur, tomorrow. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajeev Sharma, said here today that the Chief Minister would redress grievances on the people of Radaur block. |
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Poll roll revision
from Nov 2 KAITHAL, Oct 24 — As per the directions of the Election Commission, summary revision of electoral rolls in Kaithal, Pundri, Guhla, Pai and Kalayat assembly segments would be undertaken from November 2 to November 30. This was stated by the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mahavir Singh, here today. He said the revision of electoral rolls of all assembly constituencies was to be done and draft publication of electoral rolls would be made on November 2. After that claims and objections could be filed upto November 30. The Deputy Commissioner said electoral rolls would be available at all publication centres, including at all polling stations, for inspection of the public. Any voter whose name did not figure in the electoral rolls could submit his claim, objection and correction in the prescribed forms No. 6, 7 and 8 to the electoral registration officer or designated officer concerned. The prescribed forms can be had from the designated officers, EROs and District Election Officer free of cost. Hand-written or photostat forms can also be used. |
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Governor honours
social workers PANIPAT, Oct. 24 — The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, today honoured 21 social workers by presenting them with mementos and shawls at a function organised here by the Sarv Dharam Ekta Mission. Addressing the audience, the Governor exhorted voluntary organisations to come forward to serve the poor. He said according to a survey conducted by the Central government, about 5000 non-functional organisations were collecting money in the name of grants. The Governor urged people to follow a religion which worked for the unity and welfare of humanity and established a reign of peace. The organisers of the function honoured the Governor and his wife by presenting them with a shawl and a memento on behalf of the mission. The Governor also released a poster to mark UNO Day which falls today. Earlier, the Governor distributed 30 tricycles to disabled, 30 sewing machines to widows and destitute women, 10 hearing-aids and five artificial limbs to the handicapped on behalf of the District Red Cross Society, Panipat, at a function organised at the local Community Centre. The Governor also attended a blood donation camp organised by the society. |
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Sonepat farmers sell
paddy at Narela SONEPAT, Oct 24 — Many local farmers are reportedly taking their paddy and other crops to the nearby Narela mandi in Delhi for getting remunerative prices for their produce, following the “slow purchase and rejection of paddy on flimsy grounds” by officials of procurement agencies in the local foodgrain market and other markets in the district. According to many farmers, the harvesting season of paddy is in full swing and the arrival of paddy and other kharif crops has already started in mandis of the district. The farmers are, however, perturbed over the slow procurement of paddy and other crops by official agencies. Several farmers have alleged that private traders and owners of rice shellers are forcing them to sell their paddy at a price chosen by the latter and the authorities concerned have failed to check it. Meanwhile, leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and other farmers’ organisations today expressed concern over the alleged indifferent attitude of the state government and procurement agencies towards the farmers and warned that if the agencies failed to buy paddy and other crops from them, they would launch an agitation. They urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to direct the official agencies to buy the paddy marketed by the growers at the support price fixed by the government.
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Ad hoc appointments affect teaching KARNAL, Oct 24 — Ad hocism in the appointments of principals of colleges and lecturers in Haryana has adversely affected the educational standard in the colleges. Colleges which, hitherto, were known for their academic excellence, are showing poor reports. The net affect of ad hocism has been rising indiscipline among students and teachers in the colleges. In a number of colleges, officiating principals have been working, the teaching, of course, has also been suffering. Many colleges affiliated to the Kurukshetra and Maharshi Dayanand universities are without regular principals. In some cases, regular principals have not been appointed for a number of years. In the university, there is a post of Dean of Colleges which ensures the effective implementation of the teaching in the colleges. But unfortunately, even the Director of Higher Education and the Dean of Colleges of Kurukshetra University had not been able to ensure speedy appointments of regular principals. The Tribune found that officiating principals were working in Gandhi Adarsh College, Samalkha, IB College, Panipat, Khalsa College, Karnal, MLN College, Radaur, I.B. College, Ladwa, Arya Girls College, Ambala Cantonment, DAV College, Pehowa, DAV College, Sadhaura, B.R. Janta College, Kaul (all affiliated to Kurukshetra University) and Vaish College, Bhiwani (affiliated to MDU, Rohtak). A number of teachers interviewed by TNS said that as there were no regular principals in these colleges, there was every apprehension of rise in indiscipline. Further more, as an officiating principal does not have total control over the teaching staff as he would not like to sour his relations with his colleagues, the teaching standards in these colleges naturally suffer. The teachers look up to the principal as the fountainhead of the institution, but lack of such an arrangement discourages them to discuss their various problems with the officiating principal. The teachers also opined that indecision prevailed in a number of cases of these colleges as the officiating principals showed little interest to solve thorny problems. The officiating principals also act under the pressure of the management. As the managements are always keen that colleges should be run as per their whims and fancy, the officiating principals become easy scapegoats for this purpose. Officiating principals in a number of cases were also not able to initiate action against some erring teachers. Another problem which has affected the colleges is the growing tendency among the managements to appoint lecturers and other teaching staff on ad hoc basis. It has been observed that in a number of colleges postgraduate teachers were appointed on a very low salary on ad hoc basis for six months, such teachers, ordinarily, do not devote themselves vigorously to the studies as they are always apprehensive of termination of services. In such a situation neither they could imbibe discipline among the students nor they could ensure their regular attendance and proper study. The managements on the other hand feel that appointment of such teachers always help the cause of education as these teachers work under constant pressure but they admit that ad hoc is not good for the cause of education. |
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Bride ‘evaluated’ as
package deal KURUKSHETRA, Oct 24 — The dowry custom existed in almost 85 per cent of all marriage (95 per cent in some regions of Uttar Pradesh) irrespective of caste, community, economic and region consideration. This was observed during a research study conducted by Kurukshetra University’s Women’s Studies Research Centre on the ‘status of dowry’ in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Delhi and Chandigarh. According to the centre’s Director, Dr Reicha Tanwar, the study was undertaken by the centre on directions of the National Commission for Women and the University Grants Commission. She said the study revealed that one of the major reasons ascribed to the prevalence of dowry system was that parents were compelled by society’s dictates to marry their daughters by a given age and within an appropriate caste and class. Such an exaggerated compulsion artificially hikes up the value of the groom. It was also observed that incidents of dowry are less frequent and less severe when the woman is employed. It was indicated by a majority of the respondents that dowry given in marriage was an indirect inheritance of movable property by the daughter. The desire to become rich overnight and to acquire the luxuries of life also prompted negotiations in the name of dowry. Many respondents felt that while viewing a match for marriage, a bride was evaluated not as an individual but as a ‘package deal’, in which dowry was an important ingredient. It was also observed that dowry was considered an integral and institutionalised part of the marriage system. But, the phenomenon of dowry, however, reflects a change in the custom whereby the presentation of gifts has no longer remained a voluntary process. Often the bride’s family is coerced into providing dowry. Also gifts are evaluated in terms of their total cash value. Its amount is determined after negotiation between the bride and bridegroom’s family which settles the amount on the basis of its own socio-economic status. It was seen that better status fetches larger amount of dowry. It was acknowledged by all respondents that the bride’s family either reluctantly or eagerly complies with the ‘gift demands’ primarily because of the stigma attached to keeping the girl in the parental house beyond the marriageable age. Dr Tanwar said that the research team observed that having daughters in a family is viewed as a curse and for the girls, it means a subordinate position in the family and society. Inadequate dowry or the failure to meet the demands of bridegroom’s family often causes humiliation and trauma. In fact, it can be concluded that there is a shift in the system of dowry from a customary ritual to a modern socio-cultural evil. In fact, the dowry system cannot be viewed as a fast disappearing remnant of traditional society, but, rather as a still expanding, deep rooted custom in modern society.
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Haryana water for Rajasthan CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — Has Haryana, fields of which are thirsty for want of waters of the Sutlej which is unable to reach the state in the absence of the SYL canal, been generous enough to allot 800 cusecs of water to Rajasthan at the cost of its farmers in the districts of Faridabad and Gurgaon? Yes, Mr Karan Singh Dalal, Convener of the Haryana Nirman Morcha and the lone RPI MLA of the State, alleges. Talking to newsmen here today Mr Dalal said before the Chief Minister left for his foreign visit, the Chautala Government signed an agreement with Rajasthan regarding the supply of 800 cusecs of water to that state, in which, Mr Dalal said, the Chautala clan entertained political ambitions. Alleging that the agreement had been signed on the sly by the Chautala Government, Mr Dalal said had the Rajasthan Irrigation Minister, Mrs Kamla Beniwal, not spilled the beans, the INLD leadership, which had “connived” with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to deprive Haryana of its share in the Sutlej-Ravi waters, would have kept the people of the state in the dark on the issue of water to the desert state. Under the agreement, Haryana will release 500 cusecs of water in the Bharatpur canal and 300 cusecs in the Bharatpur feeder in spite of the fact that even drinking water is not available in many villages of Rewari, Gurgaon and Faridabad districts. Mr Dalal said before making the precious gift of water to Rajasthan, the Chautala Government should have taken the elected representatives of the people into confidence. The Manch would educate the people of the affected districts about the disadvantage to which they had been put by the Chautala family merely to nurse its political ambitions. Mr Dalal said the Morcha would also put pressure on the INLD MLAs elected from these districts to ask their leader to abrogate the agreement. He said if need be, the activists of the Morcha would construct bandhs to obstruct the flow of water to Rajasthan. He said if Mr Chautala was keen to oblige Rajasthan, he could supply the water from Sirsa district. Mr Dalal also demanded that the President of the Haryana Olympic Association, Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, should be removed from his post because he allegedly insulted the national flag during a dinner hosted by him(Mr Chautala) on a luxury cruise ship in Sydney. The RPI MLA said it was highly objectionable that the tricolour was hoisted on scantily-clad women entertainers. Demanding an inquiry into the source of funds used for hosting what he described as lavish parties, Mr Dalal said time had come when the former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Devi Lal, should intervene in the interest of the state.” In fact Mr Devi Lal should not only pull the ears of his son Chief Minister but should rather pull his leg and make either Prof Sampat Singh, Mr Dhirpal Singh or Dr M.L. Ranga the Chief Minister,” said Mr
Dalal. |
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INLD-BJP relations
nosedive CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — INLD-Haryana BJP relations nosedived today when a senior functionary of the BJP launched a tirade against the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and demanded an inquiry into the assets acquired by the latter’s family. The allegations against the Chief Minister were levelled at a press conference by none other than the Leader of the Haryana BJP Legislature group, Mr Krishan Pal Gujjar, who was recently served with a notice by the Haryana State Vigilance Bureau accusing him of acquiring assets beyond the known sources of his income. Except the BJP MLA from Faridabad, Mr Chander Bhatia, all party MLAs were present at the press conference. Denying the allegations levelled against him by the Vigilance Bureau, Mr Gujjar said he was open to an inquiry by an independent and neutral agency. If the allegations were proved correct, he would quit politics. Otherwise, he said, Mr Chautala should resign. Mr Gujjar dared the bureau to give the numbers of the house which it had alleged he owned in Chandigarh and Panchkula. He alleged that large-scale irregularities had been committed in the recent recruitment of constables. The government should issue a White Paper giving details of, among other things, the domicile of the selected candidates. Alleging that Mr Chautala and the Leader of Opposition, Mr Bhajan Lal, were hand in glove, Mr Gujjar said whereas the INLD leader was harassing BJP leaders, he had done nothing against the former Chief Minister. The BJP leader said he had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, through the party in charge of Haryana, Mr Narendra Modi, so that the senior leaders could be apprised of the activities of Mr Chautala. He said he would also request Mr Advani to order an inquiry into the assets of the Chautala family.
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Bijli nigam extends last date CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — On the persistent demand of farmers, the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam
( UHBVN) today extended the last date for submitting applications for a new tubewell connection under the Own Your Transformer Scheme till October 31. A spokesman for the nigam said the necessary instructions had already been issued to all field officers in this regard. The scheme had been introduced for applicants who had already submitted their applications for the release of tubewell connections till June 30 last. He said under the scheme the entire cost of releasing the connection would be borne by the applicant. The transformer would be provided by the nigam. Its replacement and maintenance would be the liability of the applicant. |
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Haryana postings, transfers CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — The Haryana Government today transferred 10 IAS officers. Mr Chander Singh, Commissioner, Ambala Division, and Principal, RTI, Ambala, has been posted as Commissioner and Secretary, Irrigation Department, in place of Ms Urvashi Gulati. Ms Gulati will be the new Commissioner of Ambala Division and the Principal of the RTI, Ambala. Ms Keshni Anand Arora, Special Secretary, Industry Department, and Director of Institutional Finance and Credit Control as well as Director of Supplies and Disposal, was relieved from the post of Special Secretary, Industry Department. Mr Sarban Singh, OSD, Manpower Planning, has been posted as Director and Special Secretary, Environment, against a vacant post. Mr S.S. Dhillon, MD, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Director, Tourism, and Director and Special Secretary, Hospitality, has been posted as Registrar of Cooperative Societies, in place of Mr Vijai Vardhan. Mr Vardhan will take over as MD of the Tourism Corporation, Director, Tourism, Director and Joint Secretary, Hospitality, Secretary of the Rajya Sainik Board and Director and Joint Secretary, Archives and Archaeology. Mr Ram Niwas, OSD, Land Use Board and Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, and Estate Officer for the Management of Government Land in the Excised Area, Ambala Cantt., has been posted as Joint Secretary, Industry Department. Mr J.P.S. Sangwan, Joint Secretary, Archives and Archaeology, has been posted as OSD, Land Use Board. Mr Sandeep Garg, Joint Secretary, General Administration Department, has been posted as OSD, Manpower Planning. Mr D D Gautam, Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chief Executive Officer, District Rural Development Agency, Panchkula, and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, and Estate Officer for the Management of Government Land in the Excised Area, Ambala
Cantt. |
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PDS goods sold
at a premium SONEPAT, Oct 24 — There are reports that commodities sold under the Public Distribution System (PDS) are sold at a premium in the district. Complaints made to the authorities concerned go unheeded. Some members of the Fair Price Shop Owners Association while admitting the sale of rationed goods at a premium blamed it on the short supply of those goods to them and the number of bogus ration card. Meanwhile, the Residents Welfare Association today urged the government to order a high-level probe into complaints about the maldistribution of levy sugar and kerosene under the PDS in the district. |
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Salaries to be given
on Oct 31 CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — The Haryana Government today decided to disburse on October 31 pay for the month of October to its employees and pensions to those who are drawing these from the state government treasuries because of a gazetted holiday falling on November 1 on account of Haryana Day. |
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HUDA to allot sites to
religious trusts CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) today invited applications from registered social institutions, religious trusts and societies for the allotment of sites in different sectors at Faridabad. The Chief Administrator, HUDA, Mr N.C. Wadhwa, said the interested organisations could send their completed application forms to the Administrator, HUDA, Faridabad, up to October 31. He said land would be allotted on a 99-year leasehold basis to these organisations. Land for religious sites would be allotted at the rate of Rs 284 per sq yard while land for social and charitable institutions would be given at the rate of Rs 945 per sq yard. |
Diploma engineers hold rally AMBALA, Oct 24 — The Diploma Engineers Association, Haryana, today organised a rally to press for the acceptance of its various demands. Engineers from Ambala, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Panchkula participated in the rally and threatened “if their just demands are not met, they will be forced to undertake tough struggle for their dues.” The speakers claimed that there was a growing feeling of insecurity among the engineers and the successive pay commissions have failed to redress their grievances.
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Chautala calls
on Vajpayee CHANDIGARH, Oct 24 (UNI) — Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala called on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at latter’s residence this evening to enquire about his health. An official spokesman said in Chandigarh tonight that Mr Chautala was closetted with Mr Vajpayee for half-an-hour. |
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