 |
| Wednesday, January 10, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
|
Storm brewing in Haryana Cong Centre violates CAT order? Former minister’s arrest stayed 5 IAS men shifted Tau ban gaya chairman BJP-INLD differences sharpen |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power tariff: HVP holds protest Private hospitals still not registered Plastic mugs: orders flouted on trains Haryana sanctions Rs 1 cr for roads Encroachment by ashram demolished Female foeticide on the rise Powerless for 10 days Absorption of retrenched staff sought We will improve the image of the force: SP Chautala ‘victimising’ political opponents 12,000 kg lahan seized Leakage of JBT, OT papers alleged 12 injured as jeeps collide BJP to hold rally at Gohana Adventure festival from Feb 4 Swami: ceasefire has alienated Pak CM: improve viable tourist complexes ‘Ashram served with notices’ Governor stresses equal education 10-year jail term in smuggling case Tributes paid to freedom fighter New scheme on milch animals
|
| Storm brewing in Haryana Cong SONEPAT, Jan 9 — A storm is brewing in the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) as the party is divided into parallel groups, one headed by the HPCC President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and another by Mr Bhajan Lal, former Chief Minister. Mr Birender Singh, former HPCC President, is reported to have lent support to Mr Bhajan Lal to raise the banner of revolt against the state leadership over the nomination of Mr B.S. Hooda as HPCC chief. An indication to this effect was given when supporters of Mr Bhajan Lal and Mr Birender Singh had a secret meeting at the farmhouse of Mr Sujan Singh, a former High Commissioner to the Maldives and a senior Congress leader of Haryana. They also finalised the strategy to make functioning difficult for Mr Hooda. When mediapersons reached the venue none of the leaders was prepared to divulge details of the meeting. Some leaders, however, admitted that the present political situation of the state was discussed. According to informed sources, the Congress leaders criticised the Chautala Government. These leaders also reportedly criticised the HPCC chief for not taking’ Mr Bhajan Lal and Mr Birender Singh into confidence before launching an agitation against the Chautala Government. They said that the party was in the grip of a crisis and it would be better if some alternative to Mr Hooda was explored at this juncture. |
| Centre violates CAT order? CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The Union Ministry of Personnel and Training has appointed nine members of the Haryana Civil Service (HCS) to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) despite a stay order issued by the Chandigarh Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The Bench headed by Justice G.C. Garg, Vice-Chairman, had stayed the appointment of the HCS officers to the IAS on January 1 last when an original application (petition) filed by Mrs Neelam P. Kasni, an HCS officer, came up for hearing. The other member of the Bench was Mr J.L. Negi, Administrative Member. The Bench, which fixed January 16 as the next date of hearing, recorded in its stay order that “at the asking of the court, Mr H.C. Arora, Senior Standing Counsel for the Union of India accepts notice on behalf of respondent 1(Union Government) and respondent no. 2(Union Public Service Commission).” Four days after the CAT stayed the appointments of 10 HCS officers, the Union Ministry of Personnel and Training issued a notification appointing Mr Om Prakash Indora, Mr R.S. Doon, Mr M.S. Sehrawat, Mr O.P. Langayan, Mrs Suparbha Dahiya, Mr Chander Prakash, Mr C.R. Rana, Mr Rajbir Singh and Mr Subash Chandra to the IAS on probation with immediate effect. The notification also allocated them to the Haryana cadre. Interestingly, the notification mentions that the appointments will be subject to the final outcome of the original applications (petitions) filed by Mr M.K. Midha, Mr J.P.S. Sangwan, Mr V.K. Varma and Mr Abhay Singh Yadav before the CAT and the civil appeal filed by the UPSC against Mr Chaman Lal Lakhanpal before the Supreme Court. But it surprisingly omits the case filed by Mrs Kasni before the CAT, which had a direct bearing on the appointments. Mrs Kasni had challenged the recommendations for appointment made by the Departmental Promotions Committee, which met on December 14 and December 15 in Delhi under the chairmanship of Dr Siddaveere Gowda, a member of the UPSC. She had objected to the “arbitrary” constitution of the committee in violation of the stipulations laid down under the IAS (Recruitment by Promotion) Regulations. The regulations say that the Chief Secretary of the state concerned will be the sponsoring authority of the candidates. The other members specified for Haryana are the seniormost Secretary to the government in the Commissioner’s rank, a Financial Commissioner and a Divisional Commissioner. The convention is that the seniormost Financial Commissioner and the Divisional Commissioner are made members of the committee. In the present case, Mrs Kasni alleged, the seniormost Financial Commissioner, Mr K.G. Verma, and the seniormost Secretary in the Commissioner rank, Mrs Promilla Issar, were not invited to attend the meeting. Similarly, only one officer of the Union Government, instead of the stipulated strength of two, attended the meeting. Mrs Kasni also alleged that the committee did not consider the service record of the candidates for the past eight years, the minimum stipulated period. Instead it considered the record of only five years. Alleging material irregularities and illegalities in the promotion process, Mrs Kasni said Mr Indora had already crossed the age of 54 years in 1997 and, therefore, he could not have been considered for promotion. She also claimed that the disciplinary proceedings for major punishment against Mr Rajbir Singh, who is junior to her, were yet to be finalised till the furnishing of information by the state authorities to the UPSC and on the day when the committee met. She contended that his case should have been kept in a sealed cover in terms of the policy guidelines issued by the Union Government on December 8, 1993, after the Supreme Court judgement in the K. V. J. Jankiraman case. Mrs Kasni said major punishment in the form of reduction in rank was inflicted upon Mr Langayan, against whom severe strictures were also passed in an election-related matter. Similarly, she alleged, a serious blemish in the record of Mr Subhash Goel was whitewashed just on the eve of the meeting. Alleging mala fide against the then Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, Mrs Kasni also claimed that she had reasons to believe that she had been superseded at the behest of Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, who was inimical towards her husband, Mr Pradeep Kasni, also an HCS officer, who had failed to “oblige” the former Chief Secretary when he (Mr Kasni) was posted as Secretary of HAFED in exonerating a close relative of Mr Vishnu Bhagwan. She had urged the CAT to quash the recommendations of the promotion committee and direct the official respondents to prepare the select list strictly in accordance with the law and rules. | |
| Former minister’s arrest stayed ROHTAK, Jan 9 — The Special Court Judge, Mr Shiva Sharma, today stayed the arrest of former minister Jagbir Singh Malik and adjourned arguments on his bail application till January 19. Mr Malik, who is also a former Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Haryana, is facing charges under Sections 306/506/34 of the IPC and Sections 8/11/49/1988 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on a complaint lodged by Mrs Prem Lata, widow of Raghubir Singh Dalal, through the Chief Judicial Magistrate. She had complained that her husband, was working as District Khadi and Village Industries Officer and had committed suicide, leaving behind an affidavit. The deceased had alleged that he was humiliated, insulted and slapped by Mr Malik and his associates and was committing suicide. His widow had complained to the Chief Judicial Magistrate that she had approached the government after her husband committed suicide in 1997 for the registeration of a case against the guilty persons but her plea was not heard. Mrs Prem Lata had also alleged that the accused were powerful persons and even the then Chief Minister, the Director General of Police, and other functionaries did not take any action on her complaint. Although the petitioner was present with his counsel in the court, the time adjournment was sought by the public prosecutor on medical grounds. The judge observed “Adjournment is granted in the interest of justice to come up on January 19, 2001, for arguments. Till then, arrest of the accused is stayed. However, the accused shall join the investigation as and when required by a written notice served at least three days in advance”. |
| 5 IAS men shifted CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The Haryana Government today transferred five IAS officers with immediate effect. Ms Promilla Issar, Finance Commissioner and Secretary, Industrial Training and Vocational Education Department and Financial Commissioner for Inquiries-I, has been given the additional charge of Women and Child Development Department in the absence of Ms Deepa Jain Singh, who has proceeded on training. Mr S.K. Maheswari, Commissioner and Secretary, Local Government Department, and Mr Manik B. Sonawane, Commissioner and Secretary, Forests, Mines and Geology Department, will swap their designations. Mr Sajjan Singh, MD of Haryana Warehousing Corporation, will also hold the additional charge of Labour Commissioner following Ms Navraj Sandhu proceeding on training. Mr M.P. Bansal, Joint Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment and Welfare of SC and BC Department will hold the additional charge of MD of Haryana Dairy Development Corporation and Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited in the absence of Ms Navraj Sandhu. | |
| Tau ban gaya chairman CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The bureaucrat apart, it is the rustic Haryanavi politician posted as chairman of the boards and corporations, who has come to occupy the centre-stage and become the cynosure of all eyes in the offices of the Haryana government. An intriguing puzzle, barring the odd exception, the chairman seems an anachronism in a modern office- setting boasting of the latest in technology. Since taking over, the political appointees, on their part, have made absolutely no effort to blend into the new atmosphere or change with the times. Neither has time changed for them. Comfortably seated in the state-of-art multi-storeyed complexes standing tall amidst manicured lawns and blossoming flowers, a door separates them from the world outside—inside their nest they are unaware of the goings-on in the office. A peek in the room takes one to the hookah smoking "tau" of the village seated on the charpoy. The reality is only a shade different and comes with a woollen cap on the head. Dressed in his dhoti-kurta, a shawl thrown over his shoulder, he smokes his biddi like a chimney. Surrounded by his hangers-on, he basks in the glory of his new-found celebrity status, only to be whisked away by a siren-screaming car within 15-20 minutes of his arrival. Completely at sea about a brewing controversy on tenders, one of the chairmen, perturbed by the arrival of the media in his office, in Haryanavi, rustic to the core, gave a dressing down to the officers for not keeping him “informed”. “Hamen koi kucch batata kyon nahin? Hum phizool betthen hai? Log idhar udhar kar lete hain, chief minister ka naam lekar. Har baat sach nahin hoti. Usko ‘killear’ (used for clear) karenge,’’ he rebuked on the telephone. The office staff in boards and corporations contend that it is merely a recognition of “meritorious’’ services by the government. The added advantage being the perks it comes with — “sirf kothi, car aur honourarium ka sawal hai’’. On the condition of anonymity, the staff informs that the “boss’’ comes in for 15 minutes only, twice a week, sips tea, orders for sweets for his tail-tags, and is out even before the word gets round that he is in. The shrieking siren, whizzing in and out of office like a flash in the pan, is all most staff members associate with the “high command’’. “How can he then know what goes on in the office? Moreover, it is impossible for us to keep him updated on developments in the department. Added to this, is the inevitable showdown between us though the effort is to avoid confrontation since he has sufficient political backing,’’ an officer rues. | |
| BJP-INLD differences sharpen ROHTAK, Jan 9 — The differences between the ruling INLD and its poll ally, the BJP, have sharpened further after the latter launched its mass awakening programme. The programme launched since January 1 by the party is aimed at educating people about the “achievement” of the Vajpayee government at the Centre and also to activate its workers and supporters. Although the pradesh unit does not spare any opportunity in criticising the INLD and holding it responsible for all lapses, the party’s central unit has reportedly advised it to go as slow as the BJP still needs the INLD at the national level. The INLD government is bound to face an uncomfortable situation, if it does not mend its ways and react to the provocations. No relief appears to be given to the agriculture sector as the crisis deepens further. The move by the Agriculture Price Commission to recommend reduction in support price of wheat by Rs 60 per quintal has been severely criticised by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). The BKU on the other hand had alleged that the cost of production has registered a steep hike following enhancement in the prices of agricultural inputs. The state has witnessed distress sale of paddy and to some extent wheat in previous year. The prices of the agricultural commodities have been slashed down below the minimum support price following the lifting of quantitative restrictions in February last year. The state is expected to harvest a bumper crop of wheat in April but the procurement process may not be smooth. The godowns are full with foodgrains and the Centre is slow in removing the stocks to deficient regions. In BJP’s calculations, the graph of the INLD is on the decline and that if the party does not distance itself from the ruling INLD in Haryana, its graph will also simultaneously come down. The party has thus utilised the forum of the “mass awakening” programme to send a vocal message to the people that the BJP is no more aligned with the INLD. The party in a statement issued here yesterday, warned that if the people of the state could vote Mr Chautala to power, they were strong enough to send him back to Chautala village. The party, however, did not elaborate its remarks nor did it mention the background in which these had been said. The party said its workers were against the hike in power rates and were in a mood to launch agitation. The party was silent whether it planned to launch any agitation on this issue. It also planned to hold a workers’ rally at Gohana in February or March next. | |
| Power tariff: HVP holds protest SONEPAT, Jan 9 — Braving the icy winds and inclement weather, a large number of Haryana Vikas Party workers, headed by Mr Rajiv Jain, General Secretary of the state unit of the party, took out a procession here today in protest against the hike in power tariff by the INLD-BJP government in the state. Carrying placards and raising anti-government slogans, they marched through the main bazaars of the city, reached the minisecretariat and held a massive rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Groups of party workers turned up there in tractor-trailers from the rural areas. Addressing the rally, Mr Jain said that, ironically, it was Mr Om Prakash Chautala who promised power and water free of cost just before the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. He alleged that this was one of the biggest frauds committed on the people of the state. The farmers of the state were facing power and water crisis and state government had failed to provide remunerative prices to them for their paddy and other crops, he alleged. He also lambasted the government for its move to form gram vikas samitis and for its new tubewell connection policy, alleging that the ‘sarkar aap ke dwar’ programme had proved to be a hoax. A memorandum was submitted to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner here. HISAR: HVP workers registered their protest against the hike in power tariff by holding a demonstration at the Mini-Secretariat here. Mr Attar Singh Saini, former minister and senior leader of the party alleged that the state government was exploiting people by raising power tariffs. It had put a heavy burden on farmers. The former minister alleged that officials of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam were terrorising consumers in the garb of checking power theft. They were imposing heavy fines on the consumers without any fault. SIRSA: Workers of the Haryana Vikas Party took out a procession on Tuesday in protest against the recent hike in power tariff. Addressing workers at the local Hathi Park, the President of party district unit, Mr Prahlad Singh Gillankhera, criticised the Chautala Government for its anti-people policies and alleged that the government was losing mass support and running away from the accountability for the increase in power tariff and instead blamed Bansi Lal for this. He demanded a white paper on the power situation. | |
| Private hospitals still not registered SIRSA, Jan 9 — Several nursing homes and private hospitals are yet to get themselves registered with the state Pollution Control Board in spite of the deadline of December 31, 2000, imposed by the Haryana Government vide gazette notification dated September 3, 2000. According to the notification, it had become imperative for the private medical practitioners to get their clinics registered with the Board for being the producing agencies of bio-medical wastes. Thereby, they were made accountable for the disposal of the wastes to control the spread of infectious diseases. In the wake of this, the local Private Practitioners Association (PPA) had requested the administration to allow them the use of the incinerator installed in the local government hospital for which they had offered to bear the requisite expenses. Though this request was acceded to by the local Health authorities, the matter of transportation of bio-medical wastes to the place concerned is yet to be sorted out. The Chairman of the Municipal Council, Mr Padam Jain, has only assured the PPA members to provide a sweeper for the purpose, but has not taken the responsibility for its transportation for which the PPA has to make their own arrangements. However, the private doctors feel that this attitude of the council is a synonym of the shirking of the responsibility of maintaining hygiene in the city. Dr M.R. Bansal, president of the PPA, said the association had set an example by making a sincere effort to manage and handle dangerous bio-medical wastes on its own. | |
| Plastic mugs: orders flouted on trains PANIPAT, Jan 9 — Rail passengers are resentful of the ‘indifferent’ attitude of the Railway Catering Department, which has increased the rates of tea and coffee from Rs 2 to Rs 3 and Rs 3 to Rs 4, respectively, throughout the country. The other instructions issued by the department include the use of thermocol glasses instead of plastic mugs. These directives had to be implemented by stationary vendors at railway stations and pantry car units attached with running trains with effect from October 1, 2000. Passengers allege that in pantry cars attached with different express trains, the prescribed norms are being flouted. As a result, items banned by the Railways have appeared in pantry cars and are also being sold by vendors at Delhi, New Delhi, Sonepat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Rajpura, Ludhiana and other railway stations. It is further alleged that even the staff at the headquarters at Baroda House and Railway Board, New Delhi, are supplied tea and coffee in banned plastic containers and they have not taken any action against the violators. Passengers also allege that the quality of eatables being supplied in pantry cars is substandard. Recently, a woman railway officer of the Anti-Fraud Department pulled up the Manager of the Paschim Express pantry car for the poor quality of tea provided by him. When the manager, who is also a secretary of the Railway Staff Union, was questioned about the use of banned plastic mugs, he replied that the rail authorities provided these supplies. If some times the supplies were not provided by the authorities, then the required items were purchased from the open market. On why banned items were purchased from the market, flouting instruction of the authorities, he did not give any comment. | |
| Haryana sanctions Rs 1 cr for roads SONEPAT, Jan 9 — The Haryana Government has sanctioned an additional amount of Rs 1 crore for the construction and repair of roads in the district which would be spent during the current financial year. This was stated by Mr D.S. Dhesi, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, while reviewing the ongoing development works under various schemes in the district at a meeting of the district officials here on Sunday. Mr Sudhir Rajpal, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ashok Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Rukmani Garg, Civil Surgeon and officials of the PWD (B and R) and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board participated in it. Mr Dhesi directed the officials to implement all schemes announced by the Chief Minister at his open darbars held under “Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar” programmes during the past few months. He said steps should be taken to transport all the persons injured in road accidents on the national highway No. 1 and other state highways to nearby hospitals for providing medical assistance. | |
| Encroachment by ashram demolished FARIDABAD, Jan 9 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) officials here demolished a few constructions of the Siddhata Ashram on the Bhadkhal-Surajkund road yesterday to recover 6.75 acres of land allegedly encroached on recently by the ashram. The ashram officials have denied any encroachment and condemned HUDA action. The land is reported to be worth several crores. The ashram headed by Swami Sudarshan Acharya attracts lakh of devotees and pilgrims every year. The swami and some of his prominent followers have been away to attend Kumbh Mela at Varanasi. The HUDA authorities accompanied by heavy police force started demolition of the outer (boundary) wall, goshala yagyashala and dharamshala buildings, built allegedly on the encroached land yesterday and the drive continued up to 4 p.m. The police earlier had closed the road from both ends to stop visitors to the ashram. This caused traffic jam and heavy rush on the road to the Bhadkhal complex and the adjoining Mathura road (national highway). While the ashram inmates claimed that no prior notice was issued, the HUDA officials stated that notices about the encroachment had been served earlier. But the ashram ‘failed’ to vacate the land belonging to HUDA. According to a HUDA official, the authorities had allotted only 16 kanals and eight marlas to the ashram for the temple, but the ashram allegedly encroached upon land totalling 6.75 acres in recent years ignoring the fact that the land was owned by HUDA. He said the ashram inmates got built a goshala, a dharamshala and a yagyashala besides constructing a boundary wall on land measuring 4 acres, adding that an additional 2 acres were again encroached on for parking purpose. The ashram inmates also encroached on another 0.75 acre for construction of the main gate. Admitting that ashram had applied for the purchase of additional (more) land from HUDA. He said while it was pending, the ashram officials constructed the above structures illegally. But according to ashram inmates, HUDA claims were baseless and aimed at defaming the ashram. The inmates also alleged that the police not only lathichared the protesting sadhus but also fired into the air to disperse the crowd. They also claimed that over 100 persons, including some women got injured in the incident and the police also used tear gas shells. But the police and HUDA officials have denied the charges of using cane charge and injuring the inmates. They said the demolition took place peacefully and no harm was done either to the inmates. |
| Female foeticide on the rise AMBALA, Jan 9 — Even after the enforcement of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, which came into existence in 1996, the practice of the determination of sex of the foetus through test has been continuing in most of the districts in Haryana, leading to female foeticide. Besides cities, rural areas are also coming under the grip of this evil. The president of the Haryana unit of the Indian Medical Association, Dr D.S. Jaspal, said the association had launched a campaign against this inhuman and unethical practice. He said, “Female foeticide is contributing to gender imbalance. In India, the number of females has dropped from 972 per 1000 males in the 1901 census to 927 in 1991. It’s projected to come down further in the new millennium.” According to information collected from several nursing homes and civil hospitals, around 100 pregnant women go in for foeticide after the detection of female foetus in Haryana everyday. This has been causing a serious decrease in the female population in the state. The Census Department has also indicated rapid decrease in the number of females in the state. An employee of a centre having ultrasound facilities has disclosed that not only pregnant women of urban areas, but even illiterate women from rural areas come for the sex determination of the foetus. According to information, after detection of female foetus, around 8 to 10 women go in for abortion in Ambala district everyday. Under the PNDT Act, the determination of sex of the foetus is not allowed under any circumstances, except if the doctor suspects possibilities of chromosomal abnormalities, genetic metabolic disorder, sex-linked genetic disorder, haemoglobinopathics or congenital abnormalities in the pregnant woman. The determination can only be done at the centres registered with the government under the PNDT Act. According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, abortion can be undertaken if the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion, formed in good faith, that the continuance of the pregnancy will involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman or there is a risk that if the child is born, it will suffer from physical or mental abnormalities. It is also treated legal where pregnancy is alleged by the pregnant woman to have been caused by rape or where any pregnancy occurs as a result of failure of any device or method used by any married woman or her husband for the purpose of limiting the number of children, provided pregnancy does not exceed twenty weeks. Pregnancy of a woman who has not attained the age of 18 years or who having attained this age, is a lunatic, shall be terminated, except with the consent of her guardian. The abortion is conducted in most of the nursing homes in the cities and even by untrained dais and nurses in the villages. The Act has made it mandatory that no termination of pregnancy shall be made other than in a hospital maintained by the government or the private hospitals approved by the competent authorities for the purpose of medical termination of pregnancy. Some centres with ultrasound facilities charge Rs 300 to 500 for detecting the sex of foetus. These do not supply the written test report to the patients in this regard and disclose the result of the foetus verbally. It is clearly mentioned in the Act that no person conducting the test shall communicate to the pregnant woman or the relatives the sex of the foetus, but several centres do not take care of it. Around Rs 1,500 to 2,000 is charged by the dais and untrained nurses for terminating the female foetus in their private centres. A few nursing homes charge much higher. The Act has made a provision of punishment and penalties for the doctors violating the Act. However, the Health Department has never bothered to do anything in this direction. | |
| Powerless for 10 days BHIWANI, Jan 9 — Residents of Gopalwas village are facing power disruption for the past 10 days on account of outstanding electricity bills. According to reports, the main electric transformer at the village got damaged nearly 14 days ago, but the authorities have refused to replace it until the consumers pay their outstanding bills which amount to over Rs 7 lakh. The situation in the village is grim as power shortage has also hit water supply. Villagers allege that the department had not deducted the amount of paid bills from its outstanding list. They claim that the outstanding amount was only Rs 4 lakh. They have urged to the authorities and the government not to punish the entire village for the fault of a few defaulters. Meanwhile, residents of Tigrana village too have been complaining of acute shortage of power. The villagers have threatened to block the Bhiwani-Jind road if the power supply is not restored. | |
| Absorption of retrenched staff sought FARIDABAD, Jan 9 — The Sarva Karamchari Sangh (SKS), Haryana, has criticised the move to retrench employees of various state government departments. The Sangh has demanded the immediate absorption of “surplus” and retrenched staff in other departments. In a statement here yesterday, a spokesperson of the Sangh said a “fear psychosis” had been prevailing among the state government staff amidst the ongoing “retrenchment campaign” of the authorities. He claimed that over 2,600 employees had been “sent home” abruptly without any solid reason or re-absorption in other departments. He said the retrenched staff and those facing it included 311 employees of Confed, 1,200 from Spinning Mill, Hansi, 694 of Haryana Minerals, 580 of Municipal Corporation, Faridabad, 294 of Hafed, Housefed and Handloom Apex and 200 of the Animal Husbandry Department. The state government had already “axed” the services of about 2,400 employees of various departments, including 1,700 of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam. | |
| We will improve the image of the force: SP AMBALA, Jan 9 — Police records, which are crucial in tracking down criminals, are going to be improved in the district. The new Superintendent of Police, Mr Sandeep Khirwar, told The Tribune that besides keeping a strong check on crime, his priority will be to improve the police records which are useful in solving cases. “The data base is going to be improved,” he said. Mr Khirwar has taken charge from Mr K K Mishra, who had a brief stint lasting less than two months. Mr Mishra had succeeded Mr Navdeep Singh Virk. The new SP said that he will continue the efforts launched by Mr Mishra for improving the image of the force and having a public-friendly image. “I am keen that there should be significant improvement in the public-police relations,” he said. Mr Khirwar said that efforts are already on to increase the number of vehicles available with the district police so that more effective policing can take place. “Organised crime is definitely going to be checked. Crimes like gambling, distillation of illicit liquor and immoral trafficking are going to be significantly brought down,” he said. “I am going to personally review the major cases. Besides myself, others colleagues are going to take a fresh look at the old cases so that we can solve,” he said. Mr Khirwar stated that patrolling, routine and surprise nakabandis are going to be laid stress upon. “We are trying to reduce the response time of the PCRs so that they can reach the spot faster,” he said. Regarding traffic, the SP stated regular traffic checking is in progress which will help in preventing accidents. “There are two ways of ensuring smooth flow of traffic. One is through generating awareness, and the other is through challaning offenders,” he said. He pointed out that the number of accidents is also going to come down following the construction of overbridges in congested areas. “The overbridge near the railway station/bus stand, Ambala Cantonment, will help in bringing down the accidents at that spot. In a similar manner, the other overbridge under construction will also help in bringing down the accidents,” he said. We will also be working in close coordination with the newly opened traffic wing in Mohra. “From December 30 to January 4, we challaned about 800 motorists. On December 30, 207 vehicles were challaned, on December 31, 258 were challaned, on January 1, 29 were challaned, on January 2, 161 were challaned, on January 3, 90 were challaned and on January 4, 161 motorists were challaned,” he said. Mr Khirwar stressed that he will be trying for the overall improvement in policing. “Our effort is to optimise within our resources,” he added. | |
| Chautala ‘victimising’ political opponents FARIDABAD, Jan 9 — Senior Congress leader and a former Union Minister Mrs Margret Alva and Indian Youth Congress president Randip Surjewala has criticised the functioning style of the Chautala government in Haryana. Speaking as guest of honour at a function organised by the Youth Congress to observe “Balidaan (sacrifice) Divas” of late Raja Nahar Singh at Ballabhgarh town, today, these leaders described the political and socio-conditions in the state as worse. Mr Randip Surjewala in his address said that the move of the Chautala government to form “Gram Vikas Samitis” (GVS) was an attempt not only to impose an ‘extra consitutional order’, but he said this had vitiated the political atmosphere as infighting and enmity among villagers had grown. Alleging that the Chief Minister was bent upon on registering ‘false’ cases against his political opponents, he said such a rule did not last long. Earlier supporters and activists of the Youth Congress ‘staged’ a ‘welcome’ at Badarpur border and led these leaders to the programme site. |
| 12,000 kg lahan seized HISAR, Jan 9 — The police has seized 12,000 kg of lahan from nearby Pirawali village. In a press note issued here today, a police spokesman said that a police team had raided the village yesterday. The police seized 10,000 kg lahan from Bhagwan Singh’s house while 2,000 kg lahan was seized from the three other houses of the village. Bhagwan Singh, however, managed to escape. Cases have been registered against three persons under the NDPS Act in this regard. The police has arrested Ramphal of nearby Kapro village under the Arms Act and seized a country made pistol and two cartridges from him. The spokesman said the police had also seized more than 100 bottles of illicit liquor from different persons during a special drive against smuggling. The police had registered cases against Daleep Singh, Satyan, Ranbeer, Raj Kumar, Sushil, Bharat Singh and Ram Singh in this regard. Meanwhile, the police arrested Bhola Singh of Mansa in Punjab from the local railway station last evening and recovered 4 kg poppy husk from him. |
| Leakage of JBT, OT papers alleged REWARI, Jan 9 — Mr Kanwar Singh Yadav, former president of the district unit of the Haryana government School Teachers Union has urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Chautala, to order the cancellation of the recently held JBT-cum-OT admission tests because of the alleged paper leakage. He said that copies of the solved question paper were freely sold in Bhiwani, Hisar and Sirsa district on December 29 prior to the test which was held on December 31. He said a copy of the solved question paper was also received at Narnaul in the morning on December 31. The same was published in the Haryana edition of an important national Hindi daily on January 1 and it was found to tally with the original question paper which was supplied to the candidates at their examination centres. Mr Yadav also demanded an inquiry into the paper leakage. | |
| 12 injured as jeeps collide BHIWANI, Jan 9 (PTI) — Two jeeps collided, injuring 12 persons, including two women, on the Jhojhu-Satnali road near Dagroli village in Dadri subdivision of the district yesterday, the police said. The condition of one of the injured is serious and he has been referred to PGI, Rohtak. The drivers of both jeeps were among the injured. The police said while one jeep was going to Satnali, the other was coming from there. |
| BJP to hold rally at Gohana Chandigarh, Jan 9 — A rally being organised by the Haryana unit of the BJP at Gohana on April 12 is expected to be a show of strength by the saffron party. The rally will be addressed by Mr Arun Jaitley, Union Law Minister, Mr Ramdas Aggarwal, Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan who is also in charge of the BJP’s Haryana unit, Mr Shivraj Singh Chauhan, MP and all-India president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, as well as other party leaders. A BJP spokesman said marches by supporters were being organised by the party from Kaleswar, Nangal Chaudhary, Ellenabad, Kalka and Hodal. All five marches would converge at the rally at Gohana, the spokesman said. |
| Adventure festival from Feb 4 CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The seventh National Adventure Festival will be organised by the National Adventure Club of India from February 4 to 11 in Chandigarh. The Haryana Sports and Youth Welfare Department has invited entries from youth of the state for the festival. Two boys each in the 17-26 age group from Narnaul, Rewari, Bhiwani, Sonepat and Karnal districts can participate in the festival. Similarly, two girls each from Ambala, Hisar, Faridabad, Sonepat and Kurukshetra districts can take part in it. The entries should reach the honorary general secretary, National Adventure Club, Sector 17, Chandigarh, by January 10. |
| Swami: ceasefire has alienated Pak FATEHABAD, Jan 9 — The Union Minister of State for Home, Mr I.D. Swami, yesterday said the unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir announced by the Prime Minister did not mean that the security agencies had loosened their grip over the militants. Mr Swami was speaking to mediapersons at the residence of local municipal commissioner Ms Durgesh Arora. He said the announcement of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir was a decision that demanded a lot of courage. To a question, Mr Swami said the Union Government was equally concerned about extremist activities in the North East and was willing to talk to anyone provided the talks were within the Constitution. |
| CM: improve viable tourist complexes Chandigarh, Jan 9 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has asked the state tourism corporation to prepare a comprehensive plan to improve viable tourist complexes. Mr Chautala said this while presiding over a meeting of the corporation here today. He was informed that of the total of 46 tourist complexes in state, only 20 were earning profit. The corporation, however, recorded a turnover of Rs 27.64 crore during November and December as against Rs 21.08 crore during the corresponding period, last year, the Chief Minister was informed. Mr Chautala was also informed that Haryana’s tableau on Surajkund Crafts mela would figure in the Republic Day parade after a gap of six years. The Chief Minister would also to inaugurate the fortnight-long Surajkund Crafts Mela, being organised on the theme of Goa on February 1. | |
| ‘Ashram served with notices’ FARIDABAD, Jan 9 — Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) officials have claimed that unauthorised structures built by the Siddhata Ashram on the Bhadkhal Surajkund road were demolished after ashram inmates failed to clear up the encroached land despite several notices. In a press note issued here today, HUDA officials claimed that 27003 square feet of HUDA land had been occupied by the ashram. The land was meant for a nursery school, water works and roads. Disputing the claim of ashram inmates that no prior notice was served, the HUDA authorities said while a notice was served on April 7, 1999, under provision of Section 18 (1) of the HUDA land Acquisition Act, notices were again send on October 12, last year, and January 5, this year. A notification was issued on September 7, 1992, under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition (Rules) Act, about the possession of the land. |
| Governor stresses equal education BHIWANI, Jan 9 — Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand has emphasised the need for equal education to children in villages and cities. He said Gandhiji had said real India lay in the villages and hence the upliftment of real India was possible only through proper education. The Governor was speaking on the occasion of the annual function of Halwasia Vidya Vihar. He said India had a glorious past and was famous for its universities of taxila and Nalanda in the field of education. He lauded the achievements of Halwasia Vidya Vihar in the academic and other fields and asked its trust to open more institutions. The Governor also released a book “Ram Krishna Vilom” on the occasion. The First Lady of the state, Mrs Sudesh Kumari, and the Governor gave away prizes to the meritorious students in studies, sports and cultural activities. Earlier, Babu Parmanand laid the foundation stone of Halwasia Academy of Information Technology and Science to be built at a cost of Rs 60 lakh on the premises of the school. Students presented cultural items. |
10-year jail term in smuggling case HISAR, Jan 9 — The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr P.C. Goyal, has sentenced Narender Kumar of nearby Agroha village to a 10-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the charge of smuggling opium. According to the prosecution, he was carrying 2 kg of opium when the police nabbed him near Agroha two years ago. |
| Tributes paid to freedom fighter YAMUNANAGAR, Jan 9 — The Kriya ceremony of the noted freedom fighter Mr Dharampal Bantra, who died on January 6 was held here today. He was the younger brother of revolutionary writer Yashpal. The brothers were close associates of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He was send to the Borstle jail for three-and-half years because of his participation in freedom movement and in the Lahore conspiracy case. He was kept in a cell close to that of Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh used to call him “Chottey”. He later worked in a sugar mill of a revolutionary named Sherwani. He also looked after the work of Hindustan Republic Socialist Army and helped members of the Army in manufacturing ammunition. After Independence he shifted here as Chief Engineer in a sugar mill. He is survived by three sons and four daughters. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajiv Sharma, today paid homage to him on behalf of the Haryana Government. Dr K.L. Johar, former Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University also spoke on the occasion. | |
| New scheme on milch animals CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The Haryana Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank today started a new scheme for the promotion of high-breed milch animals in the three districts of Karnal, Hisar and Kurukshetra. The Cooperation Minister, Mr Kartar Singh Bhadana, said under the scheme farmers with five acres of land would be advanced Rs 6.47 lakh for the purchase of 20 buffaloes and one buffalo-bull or 20 cows and one cow-bull. They would also be imparted 10 days’ free training at the NDRI, Karnal. The bank would also give subsidy to the farmers. He said the bank would also advance a loan of Rs 2 lakh to fish breeders who had a two-and-a-half-acre pond for fish farming. The farmers would also be given subsidy. |
| Graft case against official CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau today claimed to have caught red-handed Shiv Kumar Sharma, reader of the Naib Tehsildar, Mustfabad, in Ambala district, while allegedly taking illegal gratification of Rs 500 from Mr Prem Chand of Sharan village in Yamunanagar district in connection with two cases pending before the Naib Tehsildar. A case has been registered. | |
 | | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
