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| Monday, February
5, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Illegal mining case:
hearing on March
2 Bhajan
gets Sonia’s nod for rally Sonepat
violence: 27 students arrested Verender
Singh’s son joins politics Cultural
shows begin at Surajkund |
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More money
for modernising police Villagers,
labourers clash over possession of plots Quake jolts plywood units in
Yamunanagar 2 escape
on fake bail orders Rise in
rail mishap deaths in Rohtak Tubewell
corpn staff to stage dharna City college on top
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Illegal mining case: hearing on March
2 CHANDIGARH, Feb 4 — In the writ petition alleging illegal mining in the Badkhal Area of Faridabad district, Mr B.D. Dhalia, Financial Commissioner and Secretary Home, Haryana, in his report submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that clean chit has been given to Mr Kartar Singh Badhana, a Cabinet Minister of Haryana. In the writ petition filed by Mr Subhash Sharma, a journalist of Faridabad, a Division Bench of the high court comprising Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice N.K. Sud on the request of Advocate General Haryana, had appointed Mr Dhalia as inquiry officer to go into the allegations of illegal mining. Earlier the high court has appointed Mr R.S. Bains, as local Commissioner to inquire into the allegations that illegal mining is being done in Khasra No. 15 of Ankhir and in Khasra No. 46 of revenue estate of Anangpur, which adjoined the revenue estate the leasehold area of Mr Ram Kishan. After the report submitted by Mr Bains allegedly finding truth in the allegation levelled against Mr Badhana, the Haryana Government offered to get the matter inquired by a senior officer of the government. In compliance with the order of the high court of December 8, 2000, Mr Dhalia visited the site on December 30 last along with Director, Mines and Geology, and other officers of the department. It is stated in the report that Ram Kumar Naib Tehsildar, along with Kanungo and halqa patwari, when asked to
identify Khasra No. 15 of revenue estate of Ankhir villa and Khasra No 46 of Anangpur he showed his inability to do so immediately on the plea that they can delineate these Khasra Nos on the land after making measurements. Being hilly terrain, it will take at least 20 to 25 days time to accomplish this job. On the spot Mr Ram Kishan (Partner of M/s Ram Kishan Purni Devi, mining lessee of certain area in Badkhal village) another respondent in the petition, is stated to have told Mr Dhalia that the pit in which they are at present doing the extraction of silica/ordinary sand fall in Khasra No 1, 2 and 3 of Badkhal revenue estate and not in Khasra No 15 of Angkhir and 46 of Anangpur village. Mr P.L. Sharma Assistant, Mining Engineer, pointed out that these pillar, shown by Mr Ram Kishan, have recently been erected and does not reflect the boundary of lease hold area. The petitioner Mr Subhash Sharma, reiterated before the inquiry officer that he filed the writ petition to highlight the evasion of royalty by the lessees. He also alleged that mining was being done in Khasra No 15 without any mining lease by Mr Badhana and M/s Ram Kishan Purni Devi, Mr Badhana is stated to have told the officer that the petition is a counter blast to the defamation suit filed by him against the petitioner. About Mr Badhana, the official inquiry officer stated that he could not find any evidence to link him with mining operations being carried out by M/s Ram Kishan Purni Devi. Allegations made against him are based only on
conjecture and surmises, concludes the report. Arguments on the two separate reports will take place on March 2, 2001. |
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Bhajan gets Sonia’s
nod for rally ROHTAK, Feb 4 — The Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, has okayed the anti-government rally to be organised by former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal on March 4 at Bhiwani. Mr Bhajan Lal yesterday apprised Mrs Gandhi about the political situation prevailing in the state. He reportedly told her that because of the style of functioning of the INLD government, people had alienated themselves from it, both in the urban and rural areas. After getting the green signal for the rally from her, Mr Lal got another shot in the arm when former PCC Chief Birender Singh also extended support for the rally. Both these leaders have convened a joint meeting of their confidants in Delhi on February 9. The supporters of Mr Bhajan Lal here were jubiliant over the turn of events. Former ministers Subhash Batra and Krishna Murti Hooda, both staunch supporters of Mr Bhajan Lal, claimed that their leader had turned tables on the Bhupinder Singh Hooda group by getting the approval of Mrs Gandhi for the rally. Mr Bhajan Lal has named the proposed rally as “Haryana Bachao rally”. But some prominant pradesh Congress leaders have suggested that the PCC President should also be invited to the rally so that a message goes to the people that the Congress leaders were united. They want the rally to be named as “Ekta rally”. This move, however, has not been approved by close confidants of Mr Bhajan Lal. They rather argued for holding the rally at Hisar, the place initially announced by the former Chief Minister. The issue is likely to be discussed at the meeting on February 9. |
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Sonepat violence: 27
students arrested SONEPAT, Feb 4 — The police here has arrested 27 students of the local government Industrial Training Institute
(ITI) since yesterday in connection with the incidents of violence during the past two days after the death of a student who was crushed to death by a Haryana Roadways bus near the railway overbridge here. According to official sources, the police has been deployed to apprehend those students, who were indulged in violence. So far, the district administration and the police have identified 30 students of the ITI in this regard. The sources added that the Haryana Roadways depot here has suffered a loss of about Rs 15 lakh during these incidents and a report in this connection has been sent to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the State Transport Department. Though the situation in the city has returned to normal, but panic still persists among residents, particularly the shopkeepers of the city. On the other hand, the district administration and the police have been on the alert. Meanwhile, Mr Kishan Singh
Sangwan, BJP MP, and Mr Rajiv Jain, General Secretary of the Haryana Vikas Party, condemned the incidents and blamed the district and the police authorities for these incidents. Had they taken
precautionary steps after the death of the student the situation could be averted, they added. They also condemned the incident of assault on a journalist by the gunman of the DC and alleged that the law and order situation in the state had collapsed. |
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Verender Singh’s son joins politics HISAR, Feb 4 — Another politician son made his debut in politics today when Dr Ajay Singh organised a rally at Narnaund near here. His father, Mr Verender Singh, a senior Congress leader and a former minister, had died of a heart attack a few months ago. He had represented the Narnaund assembly segment for several terms, initially as a close associate of a former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Devi Lal, and later as a Congress leader. The rally was addressed by former Union Minister and AICC General Secretary, Ms Shelja, Congress legislator, Mr Jai Parkash, senior Congress leader, Dr K.V. Singh, and a former minister, Mrs Shakuntala Bhagwaria. Ms Shelja came down heavily on the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and the BJP-led alliance at the Centre, accusing them of exploiting farmers for political reasons. She alleged that both the INLD and the BJP had come to power in Haryana and the Centre by making false promises to the farmers. But once in power, both parties had forsaken the farming community, she claimed. She said Mr Chautala had not raised a single issue concerning farmers with the Centre. Paddy growers suffered huge losses and the INLD government remained a silent spectator. Likewise, no effort was being made by the Chautala regime to force the Centre to hike the minimum support price of wheat. The Congress leader said the Centre had hatched a conspiracy to further lower the MSP for wheat by buying the silence of its allies like the INLD on the issue. She warned that wheat would meet the same fate as paddy in the coming months since the Vajpayee government would protect the interests of the business community at the cost of the farmers. She alleged that development activity in Haryana had come to a standstill after the Chautala government came to power. The “Chautala trio” (Mr Chautala and his two sons) were merely laying foundation stones all over the State although no funds had been sanctioned for any of the projects. Dr Ajay Singh, who runs a nursing home here promised his father’s supporters that he would carry forward the tasks left unfinished by him. He claimed the Congress remained the only hope for Haryana or, for that matter, the entire country since the regional parties had proved that they lacked a national perspective. Besides, he said, corruption was more prevalent in states ruled by regional parties. He said in keeping with his late father’s wishes, he would devote his entire time now to public service. |
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Cultural shows begin at Surajkund FARIDABAD, Feb 4 — The Surajkund Crafts Mela, which started on a low key, seems to have picked up momentum, with large crowds thronging the venue on the fourth day today. The cultural programmes, including songs and dances, which were held in abeyance on the first two days, have begun, enlivening the scenario. According to mela officials, today being a holiday, attracted the largest number of visitors so far. The authorities, who were apprehensive that the Gujarat earthquake would cast a shadow on the mela, today appeared relieved. Over one lakh persons, including official pass holders, reportedly visited the mela today. The rush is expected to increase. Besides the 350-odd stalls of the artisans and weavers from various states, the folk troupes and traditional dancers are also attracting crowds. The renowned Siddhi dancers from Gujarat are a major draw. Despite a huge loss of life and property in Gujarat the 40-odd artistes and dancers from the state are not allowing the tragedy to affect their performances. Donation boxes have been put up at various spots at the mela venue. It is reported that about nine lakh tickets were sold yesterday. The number was expected to be around 12 lakh today. Goa being the theme state this year, its artistes and other participants are attracting a good crowd. Besides traditional handicrafts, Goan food is a big attraction. The music of Goa is played throughout the day. An artificial ‘seashore’ has become a favourite spot for clicking photographs. A constant vigil is being maintained by the police and security personnel. Some persons, including a woman, were nabbed by the police while attempting to steal some articles. |
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More money for modernising police ROHTAK, Feb 4 — Union Minister of State for Home Affairs I.D. Swami today said that the Union Government had increased the annual budget earmarked for modernisation of the police in the states from Rs 200 crore per annum to Rs 1,000 crore per annum. In an interview to The Tribune here today Mr Swami said the amount would be given to the states in the form of matching grants and be utilised for the purchase of latest telecommunication equipment,
sophisticated weaponry and faster vehicles for the police. He said although several states could not fully utilise such grants, Haryana had been an exception. However, he ruled out the possibility of seeking assistance from other countries in the matter of technology for modernisation of the police and claimed that the nation was self-dependent in this regard. Mr Swami, who is also the BJP MP from Karnal, described the ‘strained’ relations of the BJP with the ruling Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana as ‘inherent difficulties’ of coalition politics and hoped the matter would be resolved soon though negotiations. Describing the law and order situation in the state as better than certain other states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, he said a scope for improvement was always there. Commenting on relief package for the state the BJP leader said the Vajpayee-led government never ignored Haryana in the matter of financial assistance. He said although Punjab received the paddy package somewhat earlier, farmers of Haryana were also not made to wait for long. Supporting the view that the states, which successfully curbed the insurgency and terrorism, should be awarded in the form of financial assistance, Mr Swami said the Home Ministry was considering to provide ‘peace bonus’ to such states. Describing the removal of 1600 cops by an order of the Supreme Court as ‘unfortunate’ Mr Swami admitted that corruption in the matter of recruitments was an open secret in the states. However, he said only the state government was concerned with it and suggested that it should adopt some remedial measures. He said a team of high
officials led by the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani recently visited Britain, France, Israel etc for observing their technology to tackle the infiltration. He said a strategy was being chalked out with the help of gathered information. Talking about the achievements of the National
democratic alliance government, he said the government had decided to allocate 60 per cent of the financial grant released from Centre to states on rural development. He claimed the government had been striving hard to
implement it strictly for the last two financial years. |
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Villagers, labourers clash over possession of plots FATEHABAD, Feb 4 — Tension prevails at Hamjapur village in this district over the possession of 56 plots in the village. Some residents of the village claim to be owners of these plots while some land labourers also claim that these plots had been allotted to them by the government. Both parties are at daggers drawn over this issue. The administration has sent the police force to the village to avoid any unpleasant situation. The local residents yesterday allegedly demolished the huts of the labourers from this land which led to a clash between the two groups. But a timely intervention by the administration saved the situation to take an ugly turn. Allegation and counter-allegation were being levelled by both the parties. Some 56 land labourers of this village had been agitating for the possession of these plots for the last one month. They were saying that the government had allotted these plots to them but certain influential villagers were not giving the possession of these plots to them. They had been holding dharna outside the D.C.’s office since January 1 this year over this issue and the dharna had continued for almost a month. The labourers had met the Haryana Transport Minister, Mr Ashok Arora, during the district grievances committee meeting last month and the minister had asked the district administration to restore the possession of plots to the labourers. The local residents moved court and obtained order of status quo on the issue. |
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Quake jolts plywood units in
Yamunanagar YAMUNANAGAR, Feb 4 — The Gujarat earthquake has severely affected Yamunanagar-Jagadhri plywood industries. Yamunanagar has became the central point as far as plywood industry is concerned because the raw material is available here in plenty. But the earthquake has jolted hundreds of plywood manufacturers as 25 to 30 per cent of their business was dependent on Gujarat. Mr Vipan Talwar, Chairman, the Yamunanagar Plywood Industries Association said there were about 150 industrial units in Yamunanagar district with a turnover Rs 100 crore of timber and timber products. After the earthquake in the Bhuj and Ahmedabad areas most of the industrialists had reduced the production to 50 per cent. Mr Sushil Goel, a plywood manufacturer, said all orders had which he begged from Ahmedabad been cancelled. Another plywood manufacturer Sandeep Jindal said he had closed one of his press and reduced the
production as there was no pending order. He said the Ahmedabad market has been crushed and in Delhi there was already uncertainty of plying of industries. The entire industralists are concerned about the latest development. Mr Anand Jain of S.A. Timber Trade said even farmers would also be affected because there would be no buyer of their raw material i.e. eucalyptus and poplar, which is used in plywood. Mr M.S. Sawhney, an industrialist said most of the wood product i.e. plywood, block board and core veneer were being sold to Ahmedabad market. More over the payments outstanding could also be in jeopardy which would have severe impact on hundreds of industrial units which generate employment for thousands of youths. |
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2 escape on fake bail orders GURGAON, Feb 4 — The escape of two hard-core criminals from police custody here on account of fake bail orders purportedly issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court has alarmed the police. The police, which was allegedly tipped-of about the two escapes, was informed that six others would also be released on forged documents. The district police chief, Mr Kuldip Singh Siag, said today that when verifications of all bail orders of the high court were conducted they were found to be forged. Consequently, the execution of the bail orders for the release of the six criminals were stopped. The two criminals, Paramjit of Kharra village, Punjab, and Ajit Singh of Mitrau village, Delhi, who have escaped and the other six, were standing trials for over 18 crimes like lootings, dacoities and murders. It may be mentioned here that they were individually standing trials in various courts. What caused suspicion in the minds of the police was the fact that before the release of the criminals the judiciary (according to the forged documents) had not asked for the relevant files from the police. The same court (according to the forged documents) had also granted the bail orders for a number of cases on the same date. According to the police chief, several teams have been constituted to investigate the entire case. |
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Rise in rail mishap deaths in Rohtak ROHTAK, Feb 4 — The alarming rise in the number of accidental deaths in the jurisdiction of the local Government Railway Police (GRP), has worried the authorities. According to official sources, the year 2000 has witnessed nearly 38 per cent increase in such deaths against the previous year. As many as 88 persons were reported to be killed in different incidents in the GRP area in 1999 which rose to 121 in 2000. The sources revealed that 84 persons were killed in train accidents, 28 committed suicide by jumping before the train, 8 died of natural deaths and one was
murdered in the GRP area last year. Those killed include 105 men and 16 women out of whom only 73 persons could be identified. During last year the Railway police recovered 64 bottles of English wine, 10 bottles of countrymade liquor, 1,080 liquor pouches 5.5 kg of poppy husk and 2 kg of charas. Majority of rail accidents took place at the unmanned level-crossings. With a view to check the rise in the number of such incidents the authorities are reportedly planning to depute employees at the maximum number of such “deadly” crossings. |
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Tubewell corpn staff
to stage dharna KAITHAL, Feb 4 — The Haryana State Minor Irrigation Tubewell Corporation Workers Union has expressed resentment over the delay in acceptance of their demands. At a joint action committee meeting presided over by Mr Bharat Singh Beniwal, state convener, here yesterday, the government was criticised for not implementing the recommendations of the 5th Pay Commission and other demands. The union has decided to organise dharnas on February 5 and 7 at district headquarters. Addressing the meeting, Mr Beniwal, state convener, and other office-bearers took to task Mr Om Prakash Chautala for not fulfilling their demands on priority. |
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City college on top AMBALA, Feb 4 — Chandigarh’s Dev Samaj College of Education for women won running trophies in skill-in-teaching,
preparation-of-teaching-aids-and-blackboard-writing and sketching competitions in an inter-college meet in Sohan Lal College of Education here. As many as 15 colleges of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh participated in the meet. Jagadhari’s Hindu Girls College won the running trophy for flower arrangement. Sonia Madan of the local Sohan Lal DAV College stood first in skill-in-teaching competition. In the teaching-of-science contest, Gurinder Jeet of the same college was declared first. In the social science teaching category Ruchika Duggal of the GHGH College of Education, Sidhwan Khurd, stood first. Sanjeev of Rohtak’s CR College of Education won the first position in the prepared-teaching-aids competition. In the flower arrangement competition, Sonia Madan of the local Sohan Lal College of Education got the first position. In the blackboard-writing and sketching competition, Anu of Chandigarh’s Dev Samaj College of Education was declared first, while Sudha Gupta of Karnal’s DAV College won the first prize in alpna competition. Sunita of Chandigarh’s Dev Samaj College of Education won the first prize in the
rangoli competition. |
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