Monday, November 27, 2000,
Chandigarh, India





THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
H A R Y A N A

Ruchika case
NHRC notice to Haryana

NEW DELHI, Nov 26 — Expressing displeasure over the continuance of Haryana Director-General of Police S.P.S. Rathore in office after being chargesheeted by the CBI in a molestation case, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the state government asking about the action proposed to be taken in the matter.

Police raids on leaders’ houses continue
Haryana employees hold rally

CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Undeterred by last night’s police swoop on their dharna site in front of 30-Bays building here, the striking Haryana Government employees again held a rally today, which was addressed by leaders mostly from Punjab and the Railways because Haryana leaders remained underground.

Stir against privatisation
ROHTAK, Nov 26 — The state government employees will participate in the nation-wide strike on January 10 next to protest against the policies of privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation being pursued by the Vajpayee government.

HVP to launch awareness drive
ROHTAK, Nov 26 — After analysing causes of defeat of the party in the last Assembly elections and having long deliberations with party leaders the Haryana Vikas Party has decided to reorganise the party from block-level to the state-level.



YOUR TOWN
Ambala
Chandigarh
Faridabad
Hisar
Karnal
Panipat
Rohtak
Sonepat


EARLIER STORIES

 

Water shortage worries farmers
FARIDABAD, Nov 26 — With the sowing of rabi crops already on, farmers of several villages in the district are worried over the “acute shortage” of irrigation water. Some affected farmers have appealed to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to provide relief to them.

CM defends setting up of samitis
HISAR, Nov 26 — The Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, yesterday defended his decision to set up gram vikas samitis, saying that it was aimed at strengthening the cooperative movement.

Martyr’s family gets petrol station
GHARAUNDA (Karnal), Nov 26 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today asked the lawyers in the state not to separate the issue of setting up a high court for Haryana from other inter-state issues pending solution with Punjab.

BJP executive to review ties with INLD
PANIPAT, Nov 26 — The Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party executive meeting here tomorrow is likely to review its relations with the Indian National Lok Dal and the Om Prakash Chautala government in the state in view of the alleged harassment of two former BJP ministers and also formation of the controversial Village Development Committees, party sources here today said.

Task force sought to protect cows
HISAR, Nov 26 — Mr Guman Mal Lodha, a former Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and president of the Jiv-Jantu Kalyan Board, has demanded the setting up of a task force for the protection of cows in the country.

IMA wants say in health matters
AMBALA, Nov 26 — The Haryana branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today demanded that the state government should give representation to the IMA in matters relating to health policies and decisions taken on it.

Cops beat up 2 Army jawans
FARIDABAD, Nov 26 — Two army jawans were injured seriously after they were beaten up by the police near Jutari village, 40 km from here on Friday. The injured ‘jawans were admitted to a government hospital at Palwal by people. The jawans were going to join duty at Poonch (Jammu & Kashmir) after spending leave in their village. The jawans were identified as Kiran Paul and Sudhir.

5 cr earmarked for projects in 3 dists
AMBALA, Nov 26 — The Shivalik Development Board will spend Rs 5 crore on development projects during the current financial year, Mr Chander Singh, Commissioner (Ambala range) and President of the Shivalik Development Agency, said here yesterday.

Farmers asked to unite
HISAR, Nov 26 — Mr Sahib Singh Verma, general secretary of the BJP, and a former Chief Minister of Delhi, has called upon farmers to come together to fight for their rights.

Longest-serving lawyer felicitated
HISAR, Nov 26 — Haryana’s longest-serving lawyer — 101-year-old Mr Mahavir Parsad Jain — was felicitated at a function organised in his honour here last night.

Lawyers to observe strike on Dec 4
SONEPAT, Nov 26 — Lawyers all over the state will observe a one-day strike on December 4 to press their demand for a separate high court for Haryana. A decision to this effect was taken at a state-level convention of the presidents and secretaries of the district and subdivisional bar associations which concluded here last evening.

Development scheme meeting held
AMBALA, Nov 26 — Mr Chander Singh, Commissioner, Ambala Division, presided over a meeting pertaining to the MP Local Area Development Scheme (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), last evening at Ambala city.
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Ruchika case
NHRC notice to Haryana

NEW DELHI, Nov 26 (PTI) — Expressing displeasure over the continuance of Haryana Director-General of Police S.P.S. Rathore in office after being chargesheeted by the CBI in a molestation case, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the state government asking about the action proposed to be taken in the matter.

Taking a suo motu cognisance of a news item in a national daily, the full commission issued notice to the state Chief Secretary seeking a reply within two weeks indicating whether any action was proposed to be taken by it to divest the DGP of his charge.

The NHRC “required the state government to indicate the action, if any, proposed to be taken by it to divest Mr Rathore of the powers of the state DGP in view of the serious allegation of molestation of a young girl by misuse of his office to prevent justice being done to the victim and the dire consequences of her family, including the alleged suicide by the victim because of that incident, which has now led to the registration of a criminal case against him,” the order said.

The news item on the alleged molestation of a 14-year-old girl, Ruchika, also narrated the harassment caused to her family, including her brother who was picked up six times in 11 months because of the alleged influence of the DGP.

The news item claimed that, “On June 30, 1992, the Haryana Law Department reiterated its opinion that an FIR be registered against the DGP, Rathore, in the Ruchika molestation case. Two months later, the Haryana Police picked up Ruchika’s 14-year-old brother Ashu on a charge of car theft.”

“In the next 11 months, he was picked up five more times and let off each time. The bizarre sequence ended only after Ruchika committed suicide on December 29, 1993. In fact, it is a wonder that the events didn’t claim Ashu’s life as well,” it added.

The news item was put up by the NHRC Joint Secretary before the full commission with the note that, “It is understood that the Supreme Court has already passed orders against the DGP in this case” and that the item was for additional information.

The NHRC, which took a stern view of the case, said in its order “The state government is required to furnish its reply taking into account the significant factor of the likely public perception of the manner of protection of human rights in Haryana because of Mr Rathore’s continuance as DGP of the state.”

Meanwhile, Mr Rathore allegedly intimated Ruchika’s family members to keep quite. He reportedly threatened them with dire consequences, the reports indicated.
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Social bodies seek DGP’s removal
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 26 — Several social organisations have announced a joint agitation to press for removal of Haryana DGP S.S. Rathore who faces molestation charges.

Delegates of the state committees of the Janwadi Mahila Samiti, the Janwadi Naujawan Sabha and the Students Federation of India unanimously passed a resolution in this regard at a meeting here yesterday.

The resolution said the reluctance on the part of the government regarding on its intentions.

The leaders said demonstrations would be held throughout the state on December 7 and warned the agitation would be intensified if the erring police officer was not removed and arrested.
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Police raids on leaders’ houses continue
Haryana employees hold rally
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Undeterred by last night’s police swoop on their dharna site in front of 30-Bays building here, the striking Haryana Government employees again held a rally today, which was addressed by leaders mostly from Punjab and the Railways because Haryana leaders remained underground.

The leaders condemned the police action on peaceful employees engaged in ‘‘kirtan’’ and alleged that the police misbehaved with women employees. Mrs Promila Sharma, whose indefinite fast entered its sixth day today, alleged that her gold bangles weighing about 25 gm were taken away by a Haryana policeman. She alleged that the Chandigarh police had not registered her complaint against the guilty policeman.

On the other hand, the Chandigarh police today registered a case under Sections 147, 149, 186, 323, 332 and 353, IPC, against the striking employees for allegedly assaulting a Haryana police party which had come to 30-Bays building last night. a police spokesman said the party had come to investigate a case registered against the employees at the Sector 19 police station of Panchkula. The case against the Haryana employees has been registered by the Chandigarh police on the statement of Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar of the Panchkula police. He said Sub-Inspector Banta Ram and constable Randhir Singh were injured in the attack.

Condemning the last night’s police action, the leaders of the Haryana General Category and Backward Class Employees Welfare Organisation, which is spearheading the agitation, have again challenged the version of the government that the employees had withdrawn their strike on November 22 unconditionally and no talks were held with them.

The leaders, including the organisation president, Mr Des Raj Lamba, Mr Pratap Singh Sangwan and Mr N.K. Sharma, said they were informed by the under secretary (general), Mr Shiv Kumar Lowe, on November 22 that he had talked to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr S.Y. Quraishi, and it had been agreed that while the employees would withdraw their strike unconditionally, he would simultaneously sign the file concerning the reversion of certain Scheduled Castes employees under the Supreme Court judgement in the Ajit Singh Janjua case.

Mr Lamba said it was only after this assurance that he along with his four colleagues went to the Haryana Civil Secretariat at 10 in the night. Mr Quraishi, he said, was accompanied by two Additional Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister, Mr D.S. Dhesi and Mr Sanjeev Kaushal, in the presence of whom Mr Quraishi signed the file and the employees gave the withdrawal letter.

He said if his version was wrong, let Mr Quraishi issue a personal statement denying it.

He said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the maintenance of the status quo till November 27 only in case of two employees, who were the petitioners.

Mr Lamba said the government had extended the court order to all departments. Expressing surprise over the government action, the employees leader said it was strange that the government had not acted on the Supreme Court order of February 25 last that its judgement in the Janjua case should be implemented within four months.

Meanwhile, police raids on the houses of leaders of the employees continued today also. In Panchkula’s Sector 11 government residential colony, the police raided the house of Mr Vinod Jain, who is underground, and allegedly misbehaved with members of his family. However, the raiding party had to beat a hasty retreat when other residents of the colony gathered there and protested against the raid.

Some resentment is brewing in the lower police ranks over the manner in which the raids are being conducted.

Sources in the Panchkula police say that six employees who were picked up from outside 30-Bays building last night had been formally arrested under Sections 323, 353, 506, 34 and 120-B of the IPC and Section 7 of the Essential Services Maintenance Act. However, the staff allege that nearby 20 employees were picked up by the Haryana police last night. The six arrested employees have been remanded in judicial custody till December 8.

The arrested employees are Mr Ram Niwas (ITI); Mr Gajender Singh and Mr Ram Dhari, both of the Agriculture Department; Mr Anoop Singh (Press branch); Mr Daya Nand (Record branch); and Mr Rajinder Singh (Rural Development Department).
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Stir against privatisation
From Jatinder Sharma

ROHTAK, Nov 26 — The state government employees will participate in the nation-wide strike on January 10 next to protest against the policies of privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation being pursued by the Vajpayee government.

The strike call has been given by the All India State Government Employees Association to oppose economic policies of the Centre.

The rally of the state government employees held here today under the banner of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh, Haryana, endorsed the decision taken by their All India leadership and criticised the state government also for toeing the same policies.

The state government employees came to participate in large number from almost every district of Haryana. Women employees, who also came in large numbers were more enthusiastic participants.

The rally through a resolution announced that the power workers would join the all India powermen’s strike on December 12 to protest against the Power Bill-2000 which is likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament. On the same day, the rest of the employees will form a ‘human chain’ to express solidarity with the power-men.

The policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, the rally said, have threatened the existence of many departments. This would ultimately adversely affect the employment opportunities in the public sector besides hampering the public utility services.

In another resolution, the rally had held the state government responsible for the agitation by a section of employees at Chandigarh on the issue of reservation in promotions. They accused the government of resorting to repressive measures than taking the affected persons into confidence and explaining them legal position with regard to the issue.

The government, thus, allowed the agitation to escalate on caste lines, the resolution said. The rally urged the employees to maintain unity among its ranks and not to fall prey of caste provocations which ultimately serve the interests of state government and the top bureaucracy.

The resolution cautioned the employees to beware of the casteist slogans which would hamper the cause of defending common interests like security of service which was under serious threat.

The rally, through another resolution regretted that there was no channel to discuss and redress the problems of employees as the bi-partite committee between the government and employees had not been restored. The resolution urged the government to constitute the bipartite committee at the earliest.

Opposing the policy of retrenchment being followed by the state government, the rally demanded regularisation of the services of daily wage and temporary workers and payment of revised pay scales to employees of various corporations and boards who have been denied this benefit since January 1, 1996.

The rally further demanded payment of bonus to all employees without income restrictions and removal of anomalies in recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission. It stressed for hike in the Income-Tax exemptions and lifting ban on new recruitments and creation of more posts according to work-load.

It demanded immediate reinstatement of dismissed and retrenched employees of the Tourism and Power sector, Veterinary Department and the Hansi Spinning Mills besides the employees of Confed and dissolved Municipal Committees.

The rally, in another resolution demanded the registration of criminal case against Haryana DGP, S.P.S. Rathore under Section 306 of the IPC also and his suspension and removal from the highest post. It further criticised the Centre for recent hike in prices of petroleum products and withdrawing subsidy on items sold through the Public Distribution System.
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HVP to launch awareness drive
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 26 — After analysing causes of defeat of the party in the last Assembly elections and having long deliberations with party leaders the Haryana Vikas Party has decided to reorganise the party from block-level to the state-level.

Stating this at a press conference here today, Mr Surender Singh, secretary-general of the party and a son of former Chief Minister and party chief, Bansi Lal said the party would launch mass contact programme from Rohtak on November 28. Mr Bansi Lal is scheduled to address a state executive committee meeting here on November 28.

Charging the Chautala government with wasting huge amount on organising “government at your doorstep” programme Mr Surender Singh said the programme had been aimed at gaining popularity and not at solving problems of people. He said he along with party activists would carry out door-to-door campaign to know attitude of the people towards the party and apprise them of the “anti-people” policies of the government.

Ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the Congress the HVP leader said the party was firm on going not for electoral alliance with any political party in future. He said the party had lost faith in the concept of coalition after the “bitter” experience with the BJP which left them in the lurch after nearly three-and-a-half year coalition and joined the Indian National Lok Dal to form government.

He said youth wing of the party would launch membership campaign in the state from January 1 to January 31 and the wing would be reconstituted by January 31 next.

Objecting to the constitution of the Gram Vikas Samitis by the government he said the step had put an end to the relevance of gram panchayats. He alleged the step was intended to create factions in the villages and it would affect the panchayati raj system.

Announcing the manifesto much before the elections the HVP leader said the party would simplify the house tax system in towns, abolish the newly imposed power development tax on unauthorised localities, withdraw form ST 38, four per cent entry tax on traders and Sales Tax on halwais and bakery owners. Besides, he said residential plots would be allotted to dalits and people belonging to economically weaker sections in the villages from panchayat land and pending tubewell connections would be released immediately.
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Water shortage worries farmers
From Bijendra Ahlawat

FARIDABAD, Nov 26 — With the sowing of rabi crops already on, farmers of several villages in the district are worried over the “acute shortage” of irrigation water. Some affected farmers have appealed to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to provide relief to them.

According to reports, farmers of Katesara, Ghori, Chaant, Dadota and several other villages in the Hathin, Hodal and Palwal subdivisions have expressed displeasure over the situation and the local authorities’ “failure” to tackle the problem.

Several panchayats and their representatives had highlighted this problem during the sarkar aapke dwar programme presided over by Mr Chautala at Palwal town recently. They had stated that irrigation water had not been reaching various tail-ends of the canals in the district.

Mr Chautala had directed the Superintending Engineer (Irrigation) to take necessary measures to ensure adequate water. Mehar Chand, Yadram and Ram Prasad of Katesara and Dadota villages claimed that the Rampur distributary had gone “dry” for the past several days and “drought-like situation” was prevailing in the region.

Similarly, farmers of the Hathin region had also complained of water shortage in the Gonchhi drain. The affected farmers have claimed that despite their complaints, the authorities concerned have “failed” to provide any relief so far. They said crops worth several lakhs had been damaged last year due to the water shortage.

The shortage of power supply in rural areas is reportedly adding to the farmers’ woes.

According to farmers, despite an assurance by Mr Chautala, the power supply position has not improved.

The district authorities while admitting having received similar complaints, claimed that necessary directions were issued to get the problem solved.

They said the supply of water to the Hathin region would start by Monday.
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CM defends setting up of samitis
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 26 — The Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, yesterday defended his decision to set up gram vikas samitis, saying that it was aimed at strengthening the cooperative movement.

Speaking at the state-level Cooperative Day function here, he claimed that the samitis would in no way undermine the democratically elected panchayats as these would function under the chairmanship of the respective sarpanches. The samitis would also include representatives of the Scheduled Castes and the Backward Classes. A woman panch would also be included in these panels.

Describing the samitis as an extension of the joint family system, he said these samitis would ensure speedier execution of development projects. Besides, because of constant monitoring, there would be substantial savings in costs. He said he was confident that the samitis would promote fellow feeling among the villagers.

The Chief Minister lashed out at the Opposition which had been criticising the decision. He said the parties were in the habit of criticising every decision without going into the merits. Describing the criticism as the frustration of these parties, Mr Chautala said it only highlighted the failure of the Opposition to garner public support.

Elaborating on the cooperative movement in the state, he said credit facilities to the farmers in 1966 were limited to Rs 9 crore. The figure had gone up to Rs 2700 now because of the cooperatives.

The Cooperation Minister, Mr Kartar Singh Bhadana, sought the cooperation of the masses in implementing welfare schemes in the state.
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Martyr’s family gets petrol station
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

GHARAUNDA (Karnal), Nov 26 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today asked the lawyers in the state not to separate the issue of setting up a high court for Haryana from other inter-state issues pending solution with Punjab.

Replying to questions by mediapersons on the demand raised by the District Bar Association of Haryana, Mr Chautala said the raising of such a demand would weaken the case of Haryana on other issues. In fact, all pending inter-state disputes should be solved simultaneously.

The Chief Minister was here to inaugurate the Shaheed Gulab Singh petrol station allotted to the family of the late Kargil martyr by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Gulab Singh of Ballah village near here, was killed during Operation Vijay on June 21, 1999.

Mr Chautala disclosed that 34 petrol stations and 19 gas agencies would be allotted to Kargil martyrs belonging to Haryana by the IOC. He said 24 petrol stations and 12 LPG dealerships had already been given by the corporation in Haryana. Work on five other petrol stations was on.

Mr Chautala said the nation should provide full protection to the families of those who had laid down their lives for the country.

The Chief Minister garlanded the portrait of the martyr and honoured his parents by presenting them with shawls on the occasion. Documents of ownership of the allotment were also handed over by Mr Badal to Mr Nand Ram and Mehra Devi, parents of the martyr.

Mr A.K. Malhotra, General Manager of the Panipat Refinery, welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed the steps the corporation was taking for the speedy raising of infrastructure and allotment to the martyrs.

Mr I.D. Swami, Union Minister of State for Home, who was also scheduled to come could not attend the function.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr Romesh Rana, MLA (Gharaunda), Mr Dharamvir, Commissioner for Food and Supplies, and Mr Devender Singh, Deputy Commissioner (Karnal).
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BJP executive to review ties with INLD

PANIPAT, Nov 26 (UNI) — The Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party executive meeting here tomorrow is likely to review its relations with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Om Prakash Chautala government in the state in view of the alleged harassment of two former BJP ministers and also formation of the controversial Village Development Committees, party sources here today said.

The hawks in the state BJP including leader of the Legislature Party Krishan Pal Gujjar, are already pressing for withdrawal of the party support to the one-year-old INLD government on a number of issues.

The party leadership is perturbed over the framing of “false” cases against former Excise Minister Ganeshi Lal. Mr Gujjar has also been booked in a number of cases which, the party sources say, are “false” and concocted and aimed only to humiliate Mr Gujjar.

The state BJP leadership is also opposed to the formation of the Village Development Committees (VDCs). It feels these bodies will erode the importance of gram panchayats formed under constitutional provisions. Several state BJP leaders, including its Organising Secretary, Mr Manohar Lal have expressed displeasure over the formation of the VDCs saying these would only create factionalism and groupism in villages.
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Task force sought to protect cows
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 26 — Mr Guman Mal Lodha, a former Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and president of the Jiv-Jantu Kalyan Board, has demanded the setting up of a task force for the protection of cows in the country.

Addressing a press conference at Hansi near here last evening, he said he had also held a meeting with the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, on this issue.

Mr Lodha stressed the need for constituting a separate cow safety board in Haryana. He said that he had met the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, in this regard recently.

He said the butchering of cows was on the increase. He said the administrative machinery should take the initiative to check cow slaughter.

He said that providing protection to cows was an important part of our ancient Indian culture. He said the board had sanctioned Rs 45 lakh for the development of Goshalas in the state.

Later at a meeting with the local officials, he asked them to implement strictly the law relating to cruelty against animals.

Mr Manmohan Singh Ahluwalia, member of the board, Mr Ram Bhagat Sharma, MLA, and Mr Naresh Narwal, SDM, were also present on the occasion.
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IMA wants say in health matters

AMBALA, Nov 26 (UNI) — The Haryana branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today demanded that the state government should give representation to the IMA in matters relating to health policies and decisions taken on it.

This demand was made by the Rohtak PGI Director-Principal, Dr Sri Bhagwan Siwach, while inaugurating a state-level IMA conference at the Panchayat Bhavan here.

He said experts from the Health Department or the IMA should have representation in the policy-making and policy implementation bodies of the state government.

Dr Siwach was also of the view that of late several patients getting treatment from medical practitioners had gone to consumer protection forums against doctors reportedly under the influence of unscrupulous elements and the doctors had to face an awkward situation although they did their best to treat the patients. He said there should be a member from the medical profession in the consumers forum.

He was in favour of a strict policy for the quality control of drugs and medicines manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. He said the government should have some agency which should have control on the quality of drugs and medicines and should match the medicines imported from foreign countries.

Earlier, the Haryana IMA newly elected president, Dr D.S. Jaspal said a legal cell would be set up for the protection of the rights of IMA members who had to face an ugly situation for want of legal aid in consumer forums.
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Cops beat up 2 Army jawans
From Our Correspondent

FARIDABAD, Nov 26 — Two army jawans were injured seriously after they were beaten up by the police near Jutari village, 40 km from here on Friday. The injured ‘jawans were admitted to a government hospital at Palwal by people. The jawans were going to join duty at Poonch (Jammu & Kashmir) after spending leave in their village. The jawans were identified as Kiran Paul and Sudhir.

According to information, trouble arose when policemen travelling in the same bus asked the Army jawans to vacate the bus seat for them. On refusal to vacate the seat for policemen, they were beaten up by the police.

The incident was reported to the police. No arrest has been made so far.
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5 cr earmarked for projects in 3 dists
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Nov 26 — The Shivalik Development Board will spend Rs 5 crore on development projects during the current financial year, Mr Chander Singh, Commissioner (Ambala range) and President of the Shivalik Development Agency, said here yesterday.

The board was constituted for the development of 10 blocks of Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula Districts. The Chief Minister is the Chairman of the board. The agency was constituted to implement the proposals of the board. MLAs of Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts and senior officers of these districts are members of the agency.

Mr Chander Singh said Rs 1.5 crore had already been received from the government while the remaining amount would be received by March 31. He said Rs 2.9 crore would be used for the construction of roads in rural as well urban areas. Rupees 70 lakh would be spent on watershed management.

An amount of Rs 53.4 lakh would also be used to construct primary health centres at Kot and Kheri village and Rs 30 lakh would be spent on drinking water projects in Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula.
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Farmers asked to unite
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 26 — Mr Sahib Singh Verma, general secretary of the BJP, and a former Chief Minister of Delhi, has called upon farmers to come together to fight for their rights.

Addressing a public meeting organised on the birth anniversary of the late Sir Chhotu Ram at Ladwa village near here on Saturday night, he said that farmers of the country were facing many problems.

He alleged that all previous governments at the Centre had ignored the farming community since Independence. He asked farmers to forget their differences to sort out their vital problems. He warned them that they would not get their due without uniting. Mr Verma assured that he would raise their demands before the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, as well as other party fora.

Mr Udai Chand, president of the Chhotu Ram Kisan Sangharsh Manch, handed over a memorandum relating to farmers’ demands to Mr Verma.

Mr Puran Singh Dabra, MLA, and many other farmer leaders were also present on the occasion.
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Longest-serving lawyer felicitated
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 26 — Haryana’s longest-serving lawyer — 101-year-old Mr Mahavir Parsad Jain — was felicitated at a function organised in his honour here last night.

The Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, who presided over the function said Mr Jain’s lifestyle would serve as an example for younger generation. He said Mr Jain who was still practising at the local courts had shown how an individual could change the face of society by setting new standards in personal lifestyle, professional integrity and philanthropy.

Recalling his contribution, the Chief Minister said Haryana in general and Hisar in particular was indebted to Mr Jain for his services to the society and the legal profession.

Mr Chautala who also inaugurated Rs 20 lakh new library of the local F. C. College on this occasion said the college was the oldest women’s educational institution in Haryana and Mr Jain had devoted a lifetime to the development of the college. He also lauded his services to Churamani Hospital and other institutions whose managing bodies are headed by the centenarian lawyer.

Mr Chautala disclosed that considering the role libraries could play in creating social awareness, his father, former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Devi Lal had given Rs 2.2 crore out of his MPs local area development fund for setting up a library in memory of the Kargil martyrs.

Mr Chautala released the Mahavir Parsad Jain Abhinandan Granth written by Mr Jai Kumar Jain.
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Lawyers to observe strike on Dec 4
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Nov 26 — Lawyers all over the state will observe a one-day strike on December 4 to press their demand for a separate high court for Haryana. A decision to this effect was taken at a state-level convention of the presidents and secretaries of the district and subdivisional bar associations which concluded here last evening. Mr B.K. Kaushik, president of the Sonepat District Bar Association, presided over it.

By a unanimously resolution, the meeting urged the central government to set up a separate high court for Haryana as had been done after the creation of three new states — Chhatisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand. This would not only help in speedy disposal of cases but would also provide more avenues to the practicing advocates to get appointed as judge of the high court, the resolution added.

The meeting decided to send the copies of the resolution and the memorandum to the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the state government, requesting them to accept this just and legitimate demand of the lawyers of Haryana. 
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Development scheme meeting held
Tribune News Service

AMBALA, Nov 26 — Mr Chander Singh, Commissioner, Ambala Division, presided over a meeting pertaining to the MP Local Area Development Scheme (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), last evening at Ambala city.

He said that the scheme was launched in 1993 for undertaking small development works of durable nature in their respective constituencies. The Commissioner said that Rs one crore was received during 1997-98 to execute the work recommended by Mr Aman Kumar Nagra for disbursement to different executing agencies, a press note said.

The share of Ambala district was Rs 59.44 lakh, out of which Rs 58.05 lakh was released and utilised to complete 73 works sanctioned by the MP. Out of these, 67 projects were completed, four projects are under progress and the remaining two projects could not be started as the earth work was not done by the Panchayat.

The Commissioner said that Rs 2 crore were received during 1998-99, out of which Rs 119.72 lakh was the share of Ambala district which was released to different executive agencies on the recommendations of Mr Ratan Lal Kataria.

He said that under MP Local Area Development Scheme (Rajya Sabha), Rs 1 crore was received during 1998-99 and Rs 99.49 lakh were released to different executing agencies on the recommendation of Mr Swaraj Kaushal, MP. 
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