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| Sunday, October 29, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Maruti stir List of HPCC members IR-8 rejection triggers suicide CM directs MC chief to quit Artists urged to promote
Haryanvi culture |
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Canal-water thefts on rise in Sonepat Antique coins galore in Haryana NGO’s plea to SC on population policy Vidrohi flays CM over relief Jaundice cases on rise in Sirsa Youth commits suicide Masked robbers loot railway
booking clerk School room gutted 500 cow skins seized, 3 held
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Maruti stir GURGAON, Oct 28 — The former Prime Minister, Mr V.P. Singh, today declared his unequivocal support for the agitating workers of Maruti Udyog Ltd and announced that he would take up their cause with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He was addressing a public meeting organised by the leaders of the Maruti Udyog Employees Union, spearheading the agitation. Mr Singh, justified the demand of the workers for withdrawal of the mandatory provision of their signatures on the Good Conduct Undertaking (GCU) saying that in that case the management too should add it its own list of duties and the rights of its employees. He said the GCU was lopsided and would not inspire confidence among workers. He said vested interests wanted to prolong the agitation but not specify who the vested interests were. He also rubbished the claim of the management that the strike by the workers was illegal and stressed that atrocities against workers with the help of government machinery must stop. The salient feature of the meeting was the presence of MUL workers’ family members, including women. He said he also had the interest of MUL at heart and said MUL was projected as a yardstick for other investors and must be protected. He said his government had tried to legislate an Act in Parliament on labour
participation in management but this could not be done due to the fall of his government. MUL’s management showed no signs of relenting on the mandatory GCU and made it clear that the undertaking was in the backdrop of indiscipline by a section of workers in the factory premises. The move of MUEU to rope in Mr Singh is seen as a desperate measure to keep up the spirit of the agitating workers. There are reports of some workers having signed the GCU and reporting for duties. Many others are understood to be in touch with the management. They are, however, hesitant, to defy the union fearing reprisals. The unnatural death of an apprentice, whose dead body was found in a nullah near a railway crossing here, has caused apprehensions among workers. The apprentice had left the factory premises for a medical check up but did not return. His dead body was found on the third day. Although the Union leaders say that he died in the factory premises, the Railway police investigating the death is yet to solve the riddle. A warning by the general secretary of MUEL, Mr Mathew Abraham, saying” Jo dar gaya wo mar gaya” (One who is afraid, will be finished) has further confused workers. He made the announcement over the public address system immediately after Mr Singh left the venue. The agitationists have spread the area of their activities to the residential colonies of MUL employees with meetings being held in the colonies to mobilise support for the agitation. The management maintained that the company is producing about 900 cars per day. |
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List of HPCC members CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 — The Congress today formally published the list of members of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC). A press note issued by the HPCC office here claimed that 133 out of the 135 members have been elected to the PCC. Supporters of Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the current HPCC chief, are considering that the battle for retaining the president’s office for Mr Hooda is already half won since a majority of PCC members are reportedly of Hooda loyalists. As president of the PCC is chosen by the members, Mr Hooda is believed to be ahead of his rivals in the race for the PCC chief’s post. While the names PCC members from Panipat (urban) and Karnal (urban) DCCs have been withheld. Six former HPCC chiefs have been inducted into the PCC as ex officio members. They are Mr Sultan Singh, Mr Birender Singh, Mr Balbir Pal Shah, MLA, Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala and Mr Dharampal Singh Malik. Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is an MLA too, was also inducted in the PCC as an ex-officio member. Moreover, eight party MLAs have been inducted in the PCC under Article IX
A (E) of the party constitution. These MLAs are: Mr Lachman Dass Arora, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Mr Zakir Hussain, Mr Chandar Mohan, Mr Jai Prakash, Dr J P Sharma, Ch Sher Singh and Ms Anita Yadav. Mr Bhajan Lal, former Chief Minister, made it to the PCC from Panchkula (Panchkula DCC), while Randeep Singh Surjewala, president of the All India Youth Congress, went to the PCC from Jind-Uchana-Narwana MC (Jind DCC). While Mr Chandra Mohan, son of Mr Bhajan Lal, was inducted as a special category member in the PCC, Mr Kuldeep Bishnoi, Mr Bhajan Lal’s youngest son, made it to PCC from Adampur. Following is the DCC-wise list of the PCC members : Panchkula: Tara Singh ex MP (Pinjore), Usha Sharma (Morni), Om Prakash (Raipur Rani), Lachhman Singh, MP (Barwala), Bhajan Lal, former Chief Minister (Panchkula). Ambala (rural):
Phool Chand Mullana (Barara), Gulab Singh (Narainagarh), Naib Kaur (Ambala Rural), Tikka Jagjit Singh (Shahzadpur). Ambala (urban): Kiran Bala Jain (Ambala MC), Narinder Singh Pali (Ambala Cantt). Yamunanagar (rural):
Satpal Kaushik (Bilaspur), Master Ram Singh (Radaur), Bhupal Singh Bhatti (Jagadhari), Ms Raj Bala (Sadhaura), Virsh Bhan (Chachhrauli), Nilay Sahni (Mustafabad). Yamunanagar (urban):
Uggar Saini (Yamunanagar MC). Kurukshetra (DCC): Jagdeep Singh Cheema (Shahbad Rural), Rai Sahib Sharma (Thanesar-Shahabad MC), Ran Singh (Babain), Ram Prakash (Thanesar Rural), Harmohinder Singh Chatha (Pehowa), Panwan Garg (Ladwa). Kaithal DCC:
Randhir Singh Rana (Rajaund), Prem Lata (Kalyat rural), Sudhir Mehata (Kalyat-Pundri-Kaithal MC), Iswar Singh (Guhla), Dharam Pal Singh (Pundri), Vijay Chaudhri (Kaithal rural). Karnal (rural):
Tejinderpal Singh Mann (Gharaunda), Gian Singh Sahota (Nissing), Jain Singh Rana (Nilokheri), Parsanni Devi (Indri), Chiranji Lal Sharma (Karnal Rural), Deep Chand Phuliya (Asandh). Panipat:
Dalbir Singh Juglan (Israna), Krishna Devi (Madluda), Hari Singh Nalwa (Bapauli), Parkash Vir Chauhan (Panipat Rural), Sadhu Ram (Samalkha). Jind:
Rajinder Singh Dalal (Alewa), Surinder Pal (Uchana), Parminder Singh Dhull (Julana), Randeep Singh Surjewala (Jind-Uchana-Narwana MC), Satwinder Singh Rana (Pillukhera), Mange Ram Gupta, MLA, (Jind rural), Tarif Singh (Narwana), Kamal Sharma (Safidon). Rohtak (rural):
Srikrishan Hooda (Rohtak rural), Kartar Devi ( Kalanaur), Ashok Dalal (Lakhanmajra), Anand Singh Dangi (Meham), Paritam Singh Balahara (Sampla). Rohtak (urban):
Kuldip Singh (Rohtak Urban), Chakarvarti Sharma (Rohtak — Jhajjar MC). Jhajjar:
Ramesh Dalal (Bahadurgarh), Mangeram Dhahiya (Jhajjar Rural), Kirparam Punia (Salhawas), Umesh Singh (Matenhail), Om Ahlawat (Beri). Sonepat (rural):
Jatinder Singh Malik, MLA (Ganaur), Ms Krishna Dahiya (Sonepat Rural), Sham Chand (Mundlana), Satpal Singh Chauhan (Rai), Ved Prakash Gehlot (Gohana), Yoginder Dahiya (Khakhauda), Bir Singh (Kathura). Sonepat (urban):
Ashok Sharma. Faridabad (rural): Harender Pal Singh (Palwal Rural), Karamveer Saini (Hodal), Fateh Singh (Hathin), J P Nagar (Palwal Urban), Birender Singh (Hassanpur). Faridabad (urban):
Jagat Singh Nagar (Faridabad NIT), Anand Kaushak (Ballabgarh Rural), Subhash Chaudhri (Ballabgarh urban), Mamta Bhadana (Mewla Maharajpur), Vasudev Saluja (Faridabad urban). Gurgaon (rural):
Krishan Chand Mangla (Farrukh Nagar), Jita Ram Yadav (Pataudi), Rao Dharam Pal,MLA (Sohana), Hameed (Taoru), Raj Dahiya (Gurgaon Rural), Hikmtulla Khan (Ferozepur Jhirka), Khursheed Ahmed (Nuh), Shakrulla Khan (Punhana), Vipin Khanna (Nagina) Gurgaon (urban):
Khazan Singh. Bhiwani (rural): Brahma Nand (Bawani Khera), Jagan Nath (Siwani), Ram Chander Sheoran (Loharu), Ranbir Singh Mahendra (Bhiwani rural), Dharam Vir, MLA (Tosham), Ms Chandrawati (Badhra), Hiranand Arya (Charkhi Dadri I), Hoshiar Singh (Charkhi Dadri II), Rajbir Kaushak (Kairu). Bhiwani (urban):
Banarasi Dass Gupta (Bhiwani Urban). Hisar (rural): Kuldip Bishnoi (Adampur), Dilbagh Sihag(Agroha), Mahendar Narang (Barwala), Dharam Pal Mor (Bass), Surinder Singh Malik (Hansi Rural), Chattar Pal Singh (Hisar I), Ramji Lal (Hisar II), Ajay Chaudhri (Narnaund), Kuljit Singh Ganghas (Uklana). Hisar (urban):
O P Jindal, MLA. Fatehabad: Net Ram (Bhuna), Ms Selja, Secretary AICC (Bhattu Kalan), Arvind Sharma (Fatehabad rural), Jaipal Singh Lalli (Rataia), Paramvir Singh (Tohana), Vinod Bhayana (Hansi-Fatehabad-Tohana MC). Sirsa:
Labh Singh (Dabwali), Ranjit Singh (Baragurha, Krishan Kumar Godara (Ellenabad), Jagdish Nehra (Odhan), K V Singh (Nathusrai Chopta), Om Prakash Keharwala (Ranaia), Mohan Lal Daroliya (Sirsa Urban), Vir Bhan Mehta (Sirsa Rural). Mahendragarh: Rao Narendar Singh, MLA (Ateli), Maman Singh (Kanina), Rao Dan Singh, MLA (Mahendragarh), Renu Nagar Poswal (Narnaul), Rati Ram Chaudhri (Nangal Chaudhri). Rewari:
Shakuntala Bhagwaria (Bawal), Rao Inderjit Singh, MLA (Jatusana), Raj Singh Jakhar (Nahar), Subhra Yadav (Khol), Hira Lal (Rewari). |
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IR-8 rejection triggers suicide AMBALA, Oct 28 — A farmer, from a village in Punjab, reportedly committed suicide after failing to sell his paddy in a mandi here. The district administration, however, denied any link between the suicide and paddy and said the farmer was mentally disturbed. Balbir Singh of Mukhmailpur village near the Punjab-Haryana border, committed suicide late last week. He is said to have been disturbed over his inability to sell his paddy at the nearby Naneola anaj mandi. When this correspondent visited Balbir Singh’s residence at Mukhmailpur village, about 30 km from Ambala, there was a pall of gloom over his house. Surinder Singh, an uncle of Balbir Singh, said that Balbir Singh took the extreme step after he failed to find a buyer for his paddy. “He had spoken to me regarding the `jiri’ not being procured and was upset about it,” he said. “Although I was aware of the strain on him, I had no inkling he would take this extreme step. Even after he swallowed poison, he told me `My paddy has not been sold. How am I going to marry off my daughters who are to come of marriageable age’. He was greatly disturbed” he said. Balbir Singh, like many other farmers, had sown the IR-8 coarse variety. “The procurement agencies are not procuring this thicker variety of paddy. There are other farmers like him in the mandi whose produce too has not been sold. He, perhaps, took to heart this fact and committed suicide. Incidentally, his produce is still to be sold,” Surinder said. Balbir Singh’s neighbour too attributed his death to his failure to sell paddy. The brother of Balbir Singh, Balkar Singh, however, said it was not possible to conclusively say that his brother’s suicide was due to his failure to sell paddy. “He may have mentioned paddy procurement to my uncle, but he never spoke to me regarding this.” he said. When asked what could be the reason for his taking the extreme step, Mr Singh said “I don’t know.” Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, D.D. Gautam, claimed that paddy procurement was not the cause of Balbir’s death. “A brother of Balbir Singh, Mr Harnek Singh, has informed me that Balbir was suffering from mental depression since he lost two wives one after the other. This is his third marriage,” he said. Mr Gautam said that according to Harnek Singh, Balbir had been hospitalised for his mental depression in Patiala as well as Ambala. “One of his daughters is physically challenged. The family has sought help from the district administration and looking at the difficult circumstances for Balbir Singh’s family members after his death, we have decided to extend some monetary assistance through the district Red Cross on compassionate grounds,” he said. The secretary of the market committee of Naneola anaj mandi, Mr Mahinder Singh Sidhu, said the coarse variety of paddy sown by Balbir would be procured from today. |
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CM directs MC chief to quit FATEHABAD, Oct 28 —The campaign against the municipal council president, by councillors met with a success when the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, yesterday directed the municipal president, Mr Satya Paul Bansal, to step down. Mr Bansal confirmed today that he would step down by October 31. A majority of the municipal commissioners had been at daggers drawn with Mr Bansal ever since he took over. Mr Sushil Narang, Vice-President of the municipal council, has been leading the dissident members. The dissident members have been complaining, among other things, about Mr Bansal’s attitude. As a majority of the councillors owe allegiance to the ruling INLD, the dissidents wanted to raise their voice at the party level only. The relation between Mr Bansal and the councillors soured even more when Mr Bansal issued a written notice that no councillor was authorised to sit in his chair in his absence. Eighteen out of 19 councillors had issued a press statement, condemning his attitude. The situation, however, went out of hand during an anti-encroachment drive earlier this month when the basement of a shop owned by a local commissioner, Dr Keshav Goswami, was partially demolished. The dissidents alleged that Dr Goswami’s shop was
targeted at the instance of Mr Bansal. The municipal president also earned the wrath of INLD MLA Leela Krishan Chowdhary who said shopkeepers should have been asked to pay penalty for illegal construction instead of demolishing their shops. Sixteen councillors met the Chief Minister during his visit here on October 22 and complained against the “autocratic” attitude of Mr Bansal. Sources said Mr Chautala inquired from Mr Bansal about the committee matters when the latter went to his farmhouse to wish him Divali. Some dissident councillors and local INLD leaders were present on the occasion. When Mr Bansal confirmed that a majority of the councillors were against him and offered excuses, Mr Chautala reportedly asked him to step down before the dissidents brought forth a no-confidence motion against him. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Bansal confirmed that he had decided to resign after directions from the Chief Minister. |
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Artists urged to promote
Haryanvi culture KURUKSHETRA, Oct 28 — Mr Ashok Kumar Arora, Transport Minister, Haryana, called upon the youth artists of the state to work hard for protecting the identity of Haryanvi culture and attain excellence at the national and international levels. He assured full cooperation and help from the state government in this direction. Mr Arora expressed these views while inaugurating a three-day Haryana Day state-level festival at the university senate hall here today. On the occasion, the chief guest said a separate academy to promote Haryana culture was being started in the state very shortly. He said the state government was thinking of starting a separate TV channel to exhibit state art and culture. Mr Arora expressed his concern that in spite of doing hard work, the artists of Haryana had not been able to establish themselves as compared to the artists in other parts of the country. The Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Mr R.S. Chaudhry highlighted the role played by Kurukshetra University in promoting art and culture in the state. Mr Chaudhry said that about 800 artists from all over the state would take part in this three-day state-level festival. Mr Anoop Lather, Director, Youth and Cultural Affairs of the university, said during the festival Haryana speech competition, bhajans, Haryanvi orchestra, raagni, group songs, mimicry competition, etc would be organised. Mr Lather added that eminent artists like Mr Ramphal Chahal, Mr R.S. Vats, Mr Kamlesh Bharti and Mr Dariao Singh Malik would act as judges during the festival. |
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Canal-water thefts on rise in Sonepat SONEPAT, Oct 28 — The authorities of the Irrigation Department have been worried over the increasing cases of canal water thefts and non-registration of FIRs against the erring farmers by the police in the district. According to official sources, the erratic power supply in the rural areas and the scanty rainfall during the monsoons this year have led to the increase in the demand of canal water in the district. Many farmers alleged that all canals, minors and distributaries did not run to their full capacities during the rotation period and the authorities concerned have failed to take effective steps to increase the supply and check the incidence of canal water thefts by certain farmers. They also stated that the sowing operations of the Rabi crops have been badly hit on account of shortage of canal water and erratic power supply in the rural areas. Meanwhile, informed sources have revealed that at least 600 cases relating to canal-water thefts have been reported to the police in Gohana subdivision alone but the police are reluctant to register such cases or take action against the erring persons. It is reported that the farmers carrying lathis and other weapons sit on the embankments of the canals and irrigate their fields by stealing water without any fear of the authorities. Officials of the Gohana Water Service Division did not dare to take any action against such farmers it is alleged. Farmers fed by Bhainswal Kalan Minor, Katwal Minor, Farmana Minor, Guhna Minor, Bichpari Minor and the distributary No. 9 are reported to be stealing canal water on a massive scale. On one occasion, some farmers assaulted a junior engineer when he intercepted the farmers stealing canal water
near Katwal village but he along with a policeman had to flee in a bid to save themselves.
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Antique coins galore in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 — In August this year the Haryana Police arrested one Gian Singh at Indri in Karnal district and recovered 49 gold coins from him. The initial reports suggested that coins were of the Greco-Roman origin, though, later research showed the coins to be of the late Kushana period. Earlier, 150 coins (of the same hoard) were recovered from Gian Singh’s brother Chander Prakash. The two brothers were working at a brick kiln in Fatehabad. They were digging earth when they struck upon the cache of coins which they tried to appropriate, but were unsuccessful. However, sure enough not all those who come across ancient coins, and sell them off, get caught. “The coins which finally come to the State Archaeology Department or Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may only be a fraction of what has been already pilfered by people”, said Mr Devendra Handa, an expert on numismatics. The Kushana gold coins, which are stated to be the oldest gold coins issued by an Indian dynasty, contain about 90 per cent gold. The gold coins issued during the Gupta period are stated to be of still better quality having as much as 95 to 96 per cent of gold. A cache of the gold coins of Gupta age was found at a site near Bhiwani before India became independent. Some 83 coins found at that site were subsequently sent as exhibits to the Lahore museum. Since then the coins of the Gupta period have not been found in Haryana. The state, has many archaeological sites. In September this year some 431 gold coins of the time of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah (1719-48 A.D.) were recovered from labourers near Karnal who found the coins in course of digging for some construction work. In 1982, an earthen pot containing 178 copper coins was found buried in the field of a government office at Hisar. The coins, round in shape with a female figure on one side and a male figure carrying a spear on the other, appeared to be 1500 years old, a report published in these columns said. In 1983, 60 antique silver coins, reportedly bearing Greek or Roman carvings, were recovered near Jagadhari. Fortythree coins of Yaudheyas, who ruled this region in the 3rd and 4th century A.D., were recovered from a field at Bishan village in Rohtak district in the nineties. Mr Handa had also recovered the earliest Indian coins from near Jagadhari. Made of silver, these coins which had only a seal on them on one side, but no inscription, were found in an ancient mound at Sugh near Shahajadpur village. According to Mr Handa, Sugh is believed to be on the Pataliputra -Taxila route and there are number of important sites on this route. While gold coins were melted and converted into gold by unscrupulous finders, the copper and the silver coins too fetch good price for their antique value. Though, given the number of historical sites in the state it is virtually impossible for the Archaeology Department or any other state agency to guard these sites, say experts here. In Sirsa district alone 1500 sites were reportedly found in the course of a survey done in the eighties. Many of these sites were razed to give place to new constructions. |
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NGO’s plea to SC on population policy HISAR, Oct 28 — A local NGO, the “Save earth save humanity movement” (SESHM), has sent a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India asking the apex court to issue notice to the Centre to make the National Population Policy effective. The SESHM is working for population control. Mr Devendra Uppal, its president, said here today that the organisation had requested the court to treat the memorandum as public interest litigation and direct the Centreto reveal the steps taken to curb population. The memorandum said that the number of people without a roof was fast increasing. Crores of children were undernourished. The per capita consumption of food was declining. National leaders and the government should wake up to the situation, it added. Life expectancy was increasing every year. The issue should not be left to the “irresponsible” leaders. It was time the Supreme Court intervened, it added. |
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Vidrohi flays CM over relief SONEPAT, Oct 28 — The president of the Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U), Mr Ved Parkash Vidrohi, today criticised Mr Om Prakash Chautala for not taking steps to provide relief to the farmers of southern districts of the state, who have been affected by the drought-like conditions for the past few months. In a statement issued to the Press here, he said Mr Chautala, before going on the tour of some foreign countries, had admitted that the farmers of the southern districts had been facing hardships but no relief had been provided to them so far. He alleged that there was an acute shortage of power and if adequate power supply was not ensured for running the tubewells, the sowings of the rabi crops would be affected. Mr Vidrohi alleged discrimination in the supply of canal water and power and said the farmers of Sirsa district were getting round-the-clock power and water supplies whereas farmers of other districts were not getting these facilities. |
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Jaundice cases on rise in Sirsa SIRSA, Oct 28 — Several areas in the district, are in the grip of jaundice. According to official sources more than 200 cases of hepatitis-A have been reported during the past 15 days. In spite of preventive efforts of the Health Department the number of cases is rising. Supply of contaminated water is said to be the main reason behind it. Many areas of the city, including Anaj Mandi, Mohalla Thehar, Sanjay Colony, RSD Colony etc, are facing a grave situation. Thought the results of water samples are negative, sources confirm that most of the cases of jaundice reported are of the water-borne type.
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Youth commits suicide FATEHABAD, Oct 28 — Rameshwar (22), a resident of village Kharaiti Khera in the district, allegedly committed suicide by burning himself yesterday. According to reports, Rameshwar married 14 months back. His wife had gone to her parents’ home for a few days. Rameshwar reportedly sprinkled kerosene on his body last night and set himself ablaze. He was taken to the local General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries this morning. |
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Masked robbers loot railway
booking clerk ROHTAK, Oct 28 — Four masked robbers reportedly took away cash from a booking clerk at gun-point near the Ismaila railway station last evening. According to police sources, four robbers forcibly entered the ticket counter and snatched nearly Rs 5,000 from the booking clerk. They locked the clerk in a room and escaped. The railway police has registered a case. In a separate incident, the police today registered a case against persons of Adarsh Nagar locality on the charge of damaging government property. The Chief Estate Officer of the PGIMS said in a complaint that the said persons had damaged the boundary wall of the PGI, separating it from Adarsh Nagar, last night. A part of the wall even collapsed. The PGI authorities alleged that some residents of Adarsh Nagar intentionally damaged the wall. The residents, however, claimed that the wall collapsed on its own as sub standard material was used in its construction. |
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School room gutted FATEHABAD, Oct 28 — Store room of the local Senior Secondary Model School was gutted last night. The sports room was also damaged partially. According to the Director of the school, Mr D.P. Mutsudi, the fire was controlled by the members of watchman’s family and the peon whose residence is on the campus. Important record of the school has been damaged in the fire. Some furniture has also been burnt. The school management has lodged an FIR as it suspected foul play because electricians ruled out the possibility of an electric short-circuit. |
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500 cow skins seized, 3 held FARIDABAD, Oct 28 — The police arrested three persons near Badkhal Lake and seized about 500 cow skins from them today. They were allegedly taking these skins to Delhi for sale. The arrested
persons are identified as Neeraj, Hamida and Ali Mohammed. Mr Ranbir Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, said this was the first time that the police had recovered such a big number of cow skins. |
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