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| Tuesday, December 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Will Haryana Chief Secy
get extension? Unicef
to aid 6 towns Naidu to
open Panchayat Bhavan Case
against ex-minister Four killed in two road
mishaps |
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Boy
attacks grandfather BJP seeks
power tariff review Dacoits
decamp with jewellery Power
tariff hike flayed Red
Fort attack victim cremated Eyewitnesses
called to report on mishap HC at
Kurukshetra suggested Haryana
teachers to join stir
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Will Haryana Chief Secy get extension? CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The countdown has begun. With just a week more to go for the retirement of the Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, speculation is rife among bureaucratic circles whether he will get an extension or the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, will like to appoint someone as his successor. Sources close to the Chief Minister say that Mr Chautala is as tightlipped on the issue as he was when he appointed Mr S.Y. Quraishi as his Principal Secretary four months ago. Even officers close to him were taken by surprise because Mr Quraishi was not considered in the reckoning for the most important post in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat by many. Two recent developments have given birth to speculation among Haryana bureaucrats that there is a strong possibility of Mr Vishnu Bhagwan getting an extension for three months. First, the state government constituted a Resource and Economy Committee under the chairmanship of Mr Vishnu Bhagwan in the first week of December. The other members of the committee are Financial Commissioner (Finance), A.N. Mathur, Financial Commissioner (Excise and Taxation) M. Shanker; and Mr Quraishi. The Joint Secretary (Budget), Mr P.K. Das, is the member-secretary of the committee. Second, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan was given the additional charge of the Departments of Industry and Electronics when Mr P.K. Chaudhary, who was the Administrative Secretary of these departments, proceeded on leave last week. It is believed that the Chief Secretary holding additional charge of a department during the period the Administrative Secretary is on leave is rare. Since Mr Chaudhary will return from leave on January 3, three days after Mr Vishnu Bhagwan is scheduled to retire on December 31, bureaucratic circles feel that the fact that he had been given the additional charge of Mr Chaudhary’s departments, may be an indication of the Chief Minister’s mind to give him extension. After the Central Government, acting on the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission, enhanced the retiring age of employees, including the members of the All-India Services like the IAS and the IPS, it amended Financial Rule 56 on May 13, 1998.. The amended rule provides that every government servant shall retire from service with effect from the afternoon of the last day of the month in which he attains the age of 60. However, according to a letter written by the then Cabinet Secretary, Mr Prabhat Kumar, to all Union Government Secretaries on May 4, 2000, the rule also provides for grant of extension in service to a government servant dealing with budget work or working as a full-time member of a committee which is to be wound up within a short period of time (for a period not exceeding three months) and to a specialist in medical or scientific fields up to the age of 62 years if such an extension is in public interest and grounds are recorded in writing. Mr Prabhat Kumar had asserted that the amended rule did not provide for any extension of service beyond the age of 60 years to Central Government servants except in the circumstances specified therein. While bringing the provisions of the amended rule to the notice of the Secretaries, the Cabinet Secretary requested them to follow the provisions of the rule strictly and to ensure that no proposal for grant of extension in service might be forwarded except those covered by the rule. Haryana bureaucratic circles say Mr Vishnu Bhagwan’s case is amply covered by the provision relating to the committees. The Haryana committee, which will suggest measures for the generation of additional resources from non-tax resources and reduction in non-plan expenditure and for optimising productivity in government organisations, has been asked to submit its report within three months(the period provided in the amended Financial Rule 56). Since the Joint Secretary (Budget) is its Member-Secretary, it is obvious that the government wants to make use of the committee’s report while making its Budget for the next financial year. The bureaucratic circles feel that in case Mr Chautala, for reasons best known to him, decides to have a new Chief Secretary, the race is between Mrs Kiran Aggarwal, the senior-most IAS officer of Haryana, and Mr L.M. Goel. While Mrs Aggarwal is on deputation to the Centre, Mr Goel is these days working as Financial Commissioner, (Revenue), a post which once had more glamour than that of a Chief Secretary |
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Unicef to aid 6 towns SONEPAT, Dec 25 — Unicef
has selected six towns of Haryana, including this district for providing financial assistance to those living below the poverty line during the current financial year. This was stated by Mr Ashok Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chief Executive Officer, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) at the governing body’s meeting here yesterday. He disclosed that the DRDA had spent Rs 76.09 lakh under the Central-sponsored Swaran Jayanti Rural Self-Employment Scheme during 2000-2001. This amount, he said, was against the allocation of Rs 87.66 lakh. He said the Central Government had allocated Rs 69.50 lakh for the execution of this scheme during the next financial year and already released Rs 9.26 lakh as first instalment. The state government would provide Rs 8.69 lakh as the first instalment of its share for the scheme. Mr Yadav said various banks had given Rs 16.80 lakh to the DRDA which would give Rs 71.81 lakh as grant-in-aid to the educated jobless youths for launching self-employment ventures. According to Mr Yadav, the DRDA had sent 819 applications of youths to various banks for giving loans. These banks had sanctioned loans to 430 applicants out of them but rejected 25. Under the Group Loan Scheme, the banks had sanctioned loans to 18 applicants. As many as 308 youths have benefited from it. The DRDA has set a target of 133 self-assistance groups and 39 of them had been formed during the last month. Mr Yadav said that a district computer society had been constituted under the SGSY Infrastructure Scheme and those living below the poverty line would be given free computer training. The society had already set up two training centers at Ganaur and Bahalgarh. A sum of Rs 5.80 lakh had been provided for the scheme. Under the Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna, a sum of Rs 157.54 lakh had been spent in the current financial year. Out of this amount, Rs 126.19 lakh had been spent by the gram panchayats on the development works in their respective villages. As many as 552 development works had already been completed and 54 others are on verge of completion. This scheme had created 71,000 man-days during the period under review. Referring to the Indira Aawas Yojna, the Additional Deputy Commissioner disclosed that a sum of Rs 76.40 lakh out of Rs 121.83 lakh had been spent during the period under review. As many as 382 houses had been built and the work on the remaining houses was in progress. At least 192 houses would be allotted to Dalits whereas the remaining 190 houses be given to other categories of poor. |
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Naidu to open Panchayat Bhavan CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The Union Rural Development Minister, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, will inaugurate the Haryana’s newly constructed Panchayat Bhavan on January 5. This was disclosed by a Haryana Government spokesman after a meeting the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had with the Union Rural Development Minister in Delhi. The Panchayat Bhavan is located on the Madhya Marg. It was constructed at a cost of about Rs 5 crore. He added that the bhavan has a conference room and accommodation facilities. Earlier, the Haryana Chief Minister had detailed discussions with Mr Naidu about various centrally funded schemes being implemented in Haryana. Mr Chautala strongly presented Haryana’s views on the allocation of adequate funds for strengthening of rural roads in the state. Mr Chautala said the Centre should compensate the state for almost Rs 300 crore, raised by the Centre from the residents of Haryana by way of cess on diesel and petrol. He said while the Ministry of Surface Transport had made some provision from the budget for this purpose, the scheme formulated by the Rural Development Ministry should also provide for the strengthening of rural roads constructed in the state earlier. The spokesman said the state government felt that an efficient and developed state like Haryana should be adequately compensated for the massive amount spent on the maintenance of rural roads connecting villages. The official spokesman said more than 8500 beneficiaries were assisted for disbursing an amount of Rs 23.87 crore in the current financial year under the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna. Similarly, more than Rs 18 crore was utilised by the gram panchayats in other schemes. The spokesman added that the state government had constructed more than 6,000 houses for Scheduled Caste families at a cost of Rs 11.29 crore so far.  |
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Case against ex-minister ROHTAK, Dec 25 — The Rohtak police has registered a case against Jagbir Singh Malik, the chairman of the Haryana Khadi Board and a former minister on the charge of forcing an employee of the board to commit suicide. The case has been registered following the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rohtak. Raghbir Singh Dalal, posted at Gohana, committed suicide by consuming poison on July 25, 1997. He had charged the then chairman along with certain other officials of the board with harassing him frequently in the suicide note, according to police sources. Mrs Prem Lata, wife of the deceased had requested the court to take suitable action against the officials responsible for the death of her husband. Following the directions of the court the police registered a case against Jagir Singh Malik and others under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC. The complainant had alleged that Jagjit Singh, then secretary, Satbir Singh, DEO, Jagbir Singh and Yashpal Goyal, BEO created such circumstances which compelled her husband to take the extreme step. When contacted, Jagbir Singh Malik expressed ignorance about the matter. He admitted that an employee of the board had committed suicide during in his tenure who had been convicted by a court in a corruption case and had been trying for his transfer. He described the registration of case as politically motivated. The State Vigilance Bureau has already registered a case against Mr Malik for committing several irregularities in the sale of fertilisers under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Panipat. He is on bail in that case. |
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Four killed in two road mishaps ROHTAK, Dec 25 — Four persons were killed in two road accidents in the district today. Three persons were killed and two seriously injured when their car and a private bus collided near Nandal village. While Shakti and Amit died on the spot, Dev Dutt succumbed to his injuries at the PGIMS Rohtak. The victims were residents of Nandal village. Rajbir, driver of the bus, was taken into custody. In another incident, a Bihari youth was run over and killed by a vehicle near Meham on NH-10 today. Chingari died on the spot when the vehicle hit him, the police said. A case has been registered under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC. In yet another incident, a car (HR-12D-1900 was reportedly stolen from Dev Colony here. In the FIR, Narender, owner of the car, said the car was taken away while it was parked outside his house last night. |
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Where people in a hurry risk their
lives AMBALA, Dec 25 — A railway level crossing in the heart of the city not only creates traffic problems but also constitutes a threat to the life of the residents of Ambala City. According to one estimate, about half a dozen persons including school children lose their lives every year at this crossing. This level crossing is situated close to the wholesale cloth market on Railway Road. It is the shortest route to the civil courts and the offices of the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the SDM and other government offices. Pedestrians and the two-wheeler owners prefer this route to the civil courts instead of making a detour of about three kilometres via Aggarsen Chowk bridge. The crossing lies close to the railway station and the gate is generally closed before the arrival of a train and is kept closed till its departure. People in a hurry risk their lives trying to cross the track. Several superfast trains do no stop at Ambala City so those cross this point at high speed. There are about half a dozen colonies and two HUDA sectors located across the railway track. Hundreds of students from these localities have to cross the railway line at least twice a day. Last year two students were crushed by a superfast train at this railway crossing. The residents of the city have been demanding an overbridge at this site. Several memorandums have been sent to the Railway authorities including the Railway Ministry but nothing has been done in this regard. |
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Boy attacks grandfather BHIWANI, Dec 25 — A boy injured his grandfather with a lathi at Sui village yesterday. Satpal Singh, the grandson, had reportedly stolen some articles. When his grandfather Sultan Singh (55) scolded Satpal, the boy attacked him. In another incident, at least 5 persons attacked Jasbir (43), son of Sohan Singh, Manveer Singh and Shanti Devi, wife of Manveer Singh, and injured them seriously. Manveer alleged that five persons, namely Satender, Devender, Dharmbir, Niraj and Pankaj entered their house and attacked them with iron rods and lathis. The injured have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital and a case has been registered. In a separate case, the police arrested Purushottam of Bapora village in connection with the murder of his wife Bhateri (22) and six-month daughter Poonam. Reportedly, Purushottam had earlier attempted to murder his wife by pouring kerosene over her body. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC. |
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BJP seeks power tariff review SIRSA, Dec 25 — The BJP today urged the state government to review the proposed hike in electricity tariff. The District General Secretary of the party, Mr Jaimal Singh, said here today that the farmers and labourers who are already over burdened due to the hike in security deposit and electricity meter rate required for new connections would not be able to bear it. Moreover, electricity rates are already high in comparison to those of other states thus it was undesirable to hike it further, he added. While deliberating on the party’s “Jan Jagran” programme Mr Jaimal Singh said that a padyatra would start from Talwara Khurd village of the district on the border of the Rajasthan on January 1. It would be flagged off by senior leader of the party and ex-minister Ram Bilas Sharma. |
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Dacoits decamp with jewellery SONEPAT, Dec 25 — A group of seven armed dacoits are reported to have looted the house of Mr Mange Ram on the GT road near Ganaur town, about 20 km from here last night. According to the preliminary reports, the dacoits entered the house after scaling the wall and attacked the family members, while they were fast asleep. The dacoits are reported to have also pushed the family members in a room where they looted the women folk of their gold jewellery. Besides, they also managed to get the keys of the safe and decamped with the cash. The owner of the house informed the police about the incident. Meanwhile, Mr Paramjit Singh Ahlawat, SP, said the police has registered a case and launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits. |
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Power tariff hike flayed KAITHAL, Dec 25 — The state government’s decision to increase the power tariff has come in for flak from several groups. Mr Goon Parkash, president, BKU (Ambala division), in a statement issued here today, said the increase in the power tariff was unjustified. Along with the increase in prices of diesel and fertilisers, this step had added to the woes of the farmers. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the hike. Mr Mukesh Jain, president, district Youth Congress, Kaithal, called the government’s decision as an “anti-people” step. Mr Surinder Bansal, general secretary of the district unit of the HVP, also criticised the hike and said his party would soon launch an agitation if it was not withdrawn. |
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Hike in power
tariff flayed ROHTAK, Dec 25 — The power tariff hike announc0ed by the state government has met with widespread criticism from various social and political organisations. The Congress, the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP), the CPI, the CPM, and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) have expressed solidarity in launching a statewide agitation against the move. Mr Surender Singh, secretary-general, HVP, said today that the party would stage demonstrations at the district level against the move and submit memoranda to the Governor through respective Deputy Commissioner on January 9. Mr Shadi Lal Batra, MLA and president of the District Congress Committee (Urban), alleged that the Chautala government had cheated the people by announcing the hike. The CPI and the CPM have decided to observe a “protest week” from January 3 to 10 in this regard. |
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Red Fort attack
victim cremated BHIWANI, Dec 25 (PTI) — Naik Ashok Punia of the 7th Rajputana Rifles, one of the three persons who were killed in the tenorrist attack on the Red Fort in Delhi on December 22, was cremated with full military and state honours yesterday at his village Gokulpura in the district. Naik Ashok Punia confronted the terrorists in a seriously injured condition until he succumbed to his injuries. When his body was brought to Gokulpura at about 11 a.m. yesterday, thousands gathered to pay their last respects to the martyr. Naik Punia’s eight-year-old son Vikram lit the funeral pyre. |
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Eyewitnesses called
to report on mishap BHIWANI, Dec 25 — The SDM Bhiwani, Mr Yogesh Chander Bhardwaj, has said that anybody who was present at the site of the accident in which a clerk was killed may appear in his office to give statements on December 27. It may be recalled that the Deputy Commissioner has appointed the SDM to enquire into the case. Dhanraj Kaushal, a clerk at the local telegraph office, was injured when a patrolling police jeep collided with his scooter. He died on way to the PGMC, Rohtak. Dr Rohtash, a friend of the deceased, registered an FIR in which he stated that two policemen were responsible for Kaushal’s death. Later, jeep driver Makhan Singh and Sepoy Suresh Kumar were arrested and suspended by the SP. Mr Bhardwaj clarified that only two persons had been suspended instead of three as reported by some newspapers. |
HC at Kurukshetra
suggested YAMUNANAGAR, Dec 25 — Kurukshetra is the ideal place for setting up a separate high court for Haryana. Former Union Law Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj while talking to newsmen at Kalesar village near here, last evening informed that during his tenure as a minister, it was almost decided to have a high court at Kurukshetra. He also pleaded for a solution to the Sutlej-Yamuna link canal and Chandigarh issues which are hanging fire since long. Mr Bhardwaj was at Kalesar to attend the ‘Sarv Dharm sammelan’. |
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Haryana teachers to join stir BHIWANI, Dec 25 — School teachers of Haryana have decided to participate in the nationwide strike on January 10 in protest against the privatisation, commercialisation and communalisation of education. This was stated by Mr Vazir Singh, Secretary, Schoolteachers Federation of India. The federation has called a meeting of its national executives in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh, on December 29 and 30. |
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Where people in a hurry risk their
lives