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Friday,
July 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Haryana to seek waiver of
surcharge INLD bid to get foothold in
UP Mayor’s fate to be decided on July 12 CPM opposes move to hike power
tariff Cellular services by year-end: BSNL |
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Tantrik to be taken to
Jalandhar Rly cops ignore cases of
stone-throwing Workshop on embryo transfer
technology Govt vindictive, says union leaders Encroachments cause traffic hazard Mango mela
from July 7 743 transformers to be installed,
replaced UHBVN’s plan to replace transformers 210 MW power unit
commissioned ‘Make leprosy patients self-dependent’ DC refutes allegation on
demolition 3 granted bail in corruption case 400 kg of poppy husk seized Youths rob shopkeeper
of Rs 80,000 Woman commits suicide
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Haryana to seek waiver of
surcharge Chandigarh, July 5 The working group has been formed by the Centre for examining the report of Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia on arrears accumulated by the state electricity boards in the purchase of power from the CPUs. Official sources here said Haryana was to pay Rs 1100 crore as surcharge for purchasing power which the state wanted to be written off by the Centre. The arrears due to the central units by the state government reportedly came to about Rs 100 crore only as the remaining payment of more than Rs 1000 crore had been converted into bonds. At tomorrow’s meeting the state government would also seek a reduction in the tax rate on income from the bonds, the sources said. The state government apparently has been emboldened by a letter written by Union Power Minister, Mr S.K. Prabhu, to the Haryana Chief Minister, praising “ the significant improvement in revenue collection and power supply” in Haryana. The pat on the back from the centre came despite the state government going slow on the installation of meters in the case of unmetered tubewell connections and generally facing a tough time in its attempt to replace old meters with electronic ones. Officials in the Power Utilities, however, put the blame on the Congress for “instigating” people against the new meters. It is understood that the state government is facing considerable problems in the installation of new meters to get correct readings about the consumption of power. The government had organised demonstrations at Ramgarh, Faridabad, Panchkula, Ambala and some other places to show that the electronic meters and the old meters gave the same readings. The meters were also reportedly given certificates by three different laboratories in Delhi. However, people are still not convinced. The latest reports suggest that in Kurukshetra district consumers are showing resistance to the installation of electronic meters. “ We found that 50 per cent of the old meters were faulty and needed to be changed. If consumers do not want to pay for power, it will lead to enhanced tariff, said an official. The Power Utilities, sources said, had also decided to monitor the power consumption of 40,000 agricultural consumers by the installation of meters in their respective transformers instead of having meters for individual consumers. There are 3.5 lakh unmetered tubewell connections in Haryana. The Power Utilities were supposed to install meters in these cases before December 31. Officials claimed that since it was not possible to install meters in the case of all individual connections before the deadline, it was decided to fix meters in transformers and monitor the energy consumption which would enable the Power Utilities to reduce line losses. “ We are going by the directive of the Centre. The move to install of meters in transformers does not mean that we are apprehensive about resistance from villagers”, a source said. “ It is a mixed bag. It is true that consumers do not want to pay for their power consumption. However, it is consumers themselves who keep us posted about power theft by their neighbours. Ninety per cent of the letters, often sent by registered post by ‘concerned citizens’ provide correct information”, stated an official. Till May this year, 51,411 cases of theft were detected and Rs 18.88 crore was recovered from the defaulters, the official said, adding that many of the cases were detected following letters received from
neighbours. |
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INLD bid to get foothold in
UP Faridabad, July 5 The rallies by Mr Chautala and his party in western UP districts are seen as preparations for the ensuing elections, by the political observers. They claim that the demand of a separate kisan pradesh was being used as the basic plank of getting a ‘foohold’ in the politics of western Uttar Pradesh, which had been largely dominated by Mr Ajit Singh’s Lok Dal. Since Mr Ajit Singh has also raised the demand of creating a ‘harit pradesh’ in the same region, the move by both Mr Chautala and Mr Ajit Singh is seen as only a political strategy to ‘outwit’ each other. Holding of five rallies by Mr Chautala at Niloha (Meerut), Kosikalan Muzaffarnagar, Bullandshahr and at Saharanpur in the past three months has certainly given anxious moments to the Lok Dal headed by Mr Ajit Singh. While some supporters of Mr Ajit Singh might describe the INLD rallies in western UP as no matter of concern, but a section of political experts believe that the move could create a divide among voters of the region in coming elections. While Mr Ajit Singh has also vowed to fight for
creation of harit pradesh, various political parties in UP, including the BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, have not shown and interest on the issue or demand. According to a section of politicians, the demand could gain ground near the ensuing elections, but at the same time, they also believe it was a fight among two Jat leaders who want to pressurise the BJP leadership for their own political interests. On other hand, leaders of the INLD and the Lok Dal have been alleging ‘gross discrimination’ in the matter of development of the 22 districts of western Uttar Pradesh. They say that the demand of a new state had been quite old but had been kept aside for vested political interests. It is claimed that representation of western UP in administrative services (jobs) and in the Council of Ministers in the state had been poor, in comparison to the population and contribution to development. While it is not known if the demand of a separate state will become an issue, the political developments are likely to produce a keen tussle among various parties and their leaders in the coming Assembly elections there. |
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Mayor’s fate to be decided on July 12 Faridabad, July 5 The tussle between the Mayor and the Senior Deputy Mayor over several issues, including charges of corruption against the latter, which began about two weeks ago, is reported to have resulted in the crisis. The dissidents led by the Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Shiv Charan Lal Sharma, are reported to have the support of a minister. The minister and the Mayor belong to same village in the district but are political rivals. Mr Bhadana had been elected Mayor about one and half years ago. According to political circles, and supporters of the Mayor group, the notification regarding the convening of the special meeting of the house does not guarantee that the authorities will go in for voting on the proposal for the no-confidence move but the final date in this regard can be extended for at least 14 days twice if the authorities are not satisfied with the claim of the dissidents. It is learnt that the move against the Mayor has got the green light from Chandigarh and the involvement of the minister is considered to be a main factor behind it. According to sources close to the corporators who want Mr Bhadana out, the notification for the meeting is indicative of the success of their move. Instructions have been given to hold the voting by a secret ballot. The Commissioner, MCF, has reportedly dispatched the notice of the meeting to all members. While the strength of the house is 25, two seats are vacant. One of the members who had initially signed the memorandum submitted to the Commissioner on June 26 later claimed that he was not supporting the present move. Supporters of the pro-Mayor and anti-Mayor groups have been claiming the support of the Chief Minister and one of his sons but it is learnt that the proceedings against the Mayor were started only after the green light from higher-ups. The ongoing tussle has only resulted in the stalling of the development works. |
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CPM opposes move to hike power
tariff Rohtak, July 5 The state committee of the CPM has filed an objection to the HVPN proposals regarding tariff hike before the regulatory commission. The CPM has taken a strong plea that the establishment expenditure has increased manifold due to the appointment of many non-technical bureaucrats in the aftermath of the restructuring of the state electricity board. The party has, in its objection statement, specifically pointed out alleged irregularities and corrupt practices prevailing in the HVPN. In this regard it has categorically mentioned the purchase of transformers and meters. The CPM said the shady deals could be exposed if an impartial inquiry was held in these purchases. The party said the nigam was still not free from the clutches of bureaucracy and thus continued to be run by its notions. It strongly objected to the total lack of transparency and accountability of the management. The CPM has rejected the HVPN plea of additional financial burden on account of increase in employees’ allowances. The party maintained that due to non-filling of vacancies the overall strength of the employees has in fact gone down drastically. Meanwhile, the All-Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union has, in a resolution adopted by the committee, urged the government and the HVPN management to cancel the transfer orders of its leaders so as to avoid confrontation. The union said though thousands of posts were still lying vacant, the employees had deposited over Rs 243 crore more this year as compared to last year. Despite this, the government has transferred 10 of its prominent leaders to far off places. The union warned that in case the government decided against cancelling the transfer orders, the electricity employees would hold protest meetings in front of the HVPN offices throughout the state from July 16 to 24. The employees would also participate in the nationwide strike on July 25, the call for which has been given by the All-India State Employees Mahasangh. |
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Cellular services by year-end: BSNL Ambala, July 5 Talking to newspersons, Mr G. Jethwani said a 43,000-lines-would be provided for the purpose during the year. The BSNL has commissioned 2000-line capacity WLL exchange at Gurgaon. It has been planned to provide WLL services with a capacity of 1000 lines each at Faridabad and Panipat by the end of the financial year. Besides this, the WLL system for rural areas having a capacity of 3,500 lines capacity will be installed in Rohtak SSA, “Mr Jethwani said. He said a total of 19,000 connections would be provided during the year. “The tariff for fixed WLL connection has been reduced to same as that of the ordinary fixed line phone,” he stated. Mr Jethwani said it was planned to provide reliable media to all telephone exchanges in the state by March, 2002. “The progress in this direction is satisfactory so far, and only 38 exchanges are yet to be covered under this. The STD services are available at all exchanges of the Haryana Telecom circle, except 17 working on overhead media in Hisar SSA,” he said. He pointed out that the Haryana telecom circle had provided telecom facilities in all inhabited villages. He observed that the BSNL was making efforts to popularise ISDN services in Haryana. “Recently the tariffs for the ISDN services have been reduced. The monthly rental has been reduced to Rs 500 per month and no rental will be charged from the subscribers/organisations already having two telephones with a minimum average billing of Rs 10,000 per month,” he added. Mr Jethwani said the intelligent network services (IN) are available in most of the big towns and cities in Haryana through six IN exchanges working at Ambala, Panipat, Rohtak, Hisar, Faridabad and Gurgaon. These exchanges provide facility for making local/STD ISD calls through pre-paid cards even from telephones not having STD services. The revenue earned by the Haryana telecom circle from the sale of IN cards last year was Rs 1.38 crore. He stated that complaint booking system was being computerised. It has been decided to introduce this system in all exchanges having a capacity of more than 1000 lines. “A special tool-free number 1094 has been opened where the people can register their grievances, if these are not sorted out at SSA/district level, he said.” “Arrangements have been made with 60 branches of nationalised banks throughout Haryana for collection of telephone bills through cash and cheque in addition to the existing arrangements at district offices, post offices, DTOs and CTO,” he added. |
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Tantrik to be taken to
Jalandhar Hisar, July 5 A local couple had lodged an FIR against the tantrik a few days ago following which the tantrik was sent to police custody from the local jail where he is serving a sentence in a similar case. He was produced before Mr L.N. Jindal, Chief Judicial Magistrate, today who extended the police remand of tantrik Prem Singh by three days to enable the police to take him to Jalandhar for bringing back the child from the judge. It is learnt that the six-year-old child is studying in Apeejay School, Jalandhar. The couple claiming to be the real parents of the child had lodged a complaint with the police a few days ago alleging that the tantrik, who was recently imprisoned in a similar case, had deprived them of their child six years ago. The couple — Balraj Singh and Sunita Devi — claimed that they were devotees of the tantrik. After the birth of a male child they took him to the tantrik to seek his blessings. He reportedly told them that the child was an evil genie who would spell disaster for the family. They alleged that the tantrik took custody of their child in order to “free him of evil spirits”. When they went to him the following day, the tantrik told them that the genie had turned into ash. The tantrik also told them not to disclose the incident to anyone for five years otherwise the genie would kill them. The couple suspected foul play after the tantrik was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment a few weeks ago in a similar case. The couple — Gulshan Kumar and Kamlesh — who had received the child also sentenced to jail for three years while the real parents of the child were given custody of the child after a court battle that lasted seven years. After the judgement, Balraj Singh and Sunita gathered courage and lodged an FIR following which the police arrested the tantrik’s brother and his accomplice. Both confessed that the tantrik had given the child to a judge in Punjab. A commotion was created in the court complex today when the police brought the tantrik to the court for the hearing. The child’s mother, Sunita, suddenly started beating up the tantrik with her chappal. She hurled abuses and curses at him even during the hearing. |
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Rly cops ignore cases of
stone-throwing Panipat, July 5 According to information, children of the jhugi jhopri cluster adjacent to railway tracks throw stones lying on railway tracks at the passengers, injuring them at times. A number of daily commuters today alleged that Mohinder and Jatinder Pal Singh had been hit by stones last month between Subzi Mandi and Narela in the Delhi area and between Samalkha and Panipat in Haryana. Each time a complaint was lodged with the Railway Police, but no action taken. A passenger of the Malwa Express complained that one of the passengers in her compartment was hit in his head near Panipat, causing a deep wound and bleeding. The compartment passengers provided first aid of their own by burning a cloth and putting the ash in the wound. He was later taken to a private hospital in Panipat. Another victim, Satender Singh travelling in the local Jind-Panipat-Rohtak train from Panipat, was hit by children of the Azad Nagar slum near NFL colony, a week back. The victims of these incidents as well as commuters have condemned the apathy shown by the RPF and GRP in the matter. They threatened to report the matter to the Railway Minister. A member of the DURCC committee in Panipat, Mr B.C. Varma, said that he would raise this issue in the next meeting of his committee. |
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Workshop on embryo transfer
technology Karnal, July 5 He said the embryo transfer technology provided an opportunity to exploit the genetic potential of prime dame and prime sire simultaneously, thereby, increasing the pace of genetic progress. The application of the technology, therefore, was highly desirable in production of AI bulls from the best proven parents. Dr U.C. Sharma, National Coordinator, Mission Mode Project, hinted that though the rate of genetic improvement in dairy cattle was about 2.5 per cent following conventional breeding methods, yet it could be further increased 3 to 4 times by use of the embryo transfer technology. Dr V.S. Raina, Principal Investigator and in charge, Artificial Breeding Complex, informed that the project was originally meant for overall objectives of identification of genetically superior germplasm and establishment of the elite herd, establishment of germplasm bank for proliferation of superior germplasm and improvement through genetic techniques for improving productivity of dairy herds in India. Reviewing the progress of the project, Dr V.S. Raina said so far more than 100 embryos had been collected from donor cows and sheep of outstanding genetic merit and transferred to
recipients. Embryos of outstanding genetic merit were also being preserved for long-term storage for faster increase in the number of high-yielding animals. |
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Govt vindictive, says union leaders Rohtak, July 5 The union threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if the transfer orders were not withdrawn immediately. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the high-powered committee of the union under the presidentship of Mr Pratap Singh today. He said the committee had resolved that the power employees all over the state would wear black badges and hold gate meeting in their offices from July 16 to July 24 if their demand of withdrawal of transfers was not accepted by the government. He warned that the agitation would be intensified in the first week of August in case the demand was not accepted by then. He announced that nearly 20,000 members of the union would participate in the nation-wide strike proposed to be observed on July 25. The call for the strike was given by the Akhil Bharatiya Rajya Karamchari Maha Sangh in protest against the anti-employee and anti-farmer policies of the government. |
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Encroachments cause traffic hazard Ambala, July 5 In Sadar Bazar several shopkeepers display their goods outside their shops on roads. Some of the shopkeepers have put up stalls of Chinese items in front of their shops which covers five to six feet area of the road. A few weeks back the district administration started a drive against the encroachments but could not continue it for long. Encroachments also exist in a few bazars of the cantonment. The main markets of the city like Sarafa Bazar, Patel Road and Wholesale Cloth Market also face similar problems. Since there is no convenient arrangement for parking neither at cantonment nor at the city, people generally park their two-wheelers and even four-wheelers on the road which disrupts the normal traffic. A few parking places have been made in the city and cantonment but these are not being utilised by the people as those have not been built at proper places. The chairman of Main Sadar Bazar Association, Mr Brij Goel, is of the view that the administration should provide parking facilities close to markets. The parking being provided at a distant place from the main road cannot be useful for the vehicle owners. Moreover, the safety risk is also considered. The president of Ambala Trader Federation, Mr N.C. Jain, says that the administration should review the entire arrangements of parking in practical manners. |
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Mango mela
from July 7 Chandigarh, July 5 They said that the annual feature would be inaugurated by Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Agriculture Minister of Haryana, at Pinjore, near Chandigarh. The Chief Secretary, Mr L.M. Goyal, would be the chief guest at the closing and prize distribution ceremony. A special attraction of the exhibition would be cultural programme presented by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamsala, on July 8. Mr Thakur said the objective of the fair was to encourage the farmers to take up mango cultivation. Different varieties of mango including daseheri, chousa, bombay green, amrapali, malika, malda, sipya and shahpasand would be displayed in the festival. Various products derived from the ‘king of fruits’ would also be displayed in the mela, he said. Mr Thakur also said that from this year the prize money for the winners had been increased in all categories. The competition would be open to individuals, institutions and universities. For general public the mela would open at 9 a.m. on July 8. The officials said that rangoli and painting competition would be organised for the children. There would also be joy rides and other festivities. |
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743 transformers to be installed,
replaced Yamunanager, July 5 Mr O.P. Bansal, Superintending Engineer, said here today seven lengthy and over-loaded feeders of 11 kv capacity would be rehabilitated with financial assistance from the Rural Electrification Corporation and Nabard. Two 11 kv feeders Gundiana and Gadhola — would be bifurcated under the state plan for which a sum of Rs 16 lakh had been sanctioned. To reduce the number of trippings and breakdowns, 78-km service lines, 60-km high tension lines and 30-km low tension lines would be replaced/erected in the district. He said the existing capacity of the 66 kv substations at Mustafabad and Bilaspur would be augmented at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The nigam had fixed a target of releasing 12,000 domestic and non-domestic and 650 new industrial connections and 850 tubewell connections. He said 11 kv feeders at Dhanoura, Bakana, Harnoul and Malikpur had been refurbished. The nigam had laid 171 km lines at different levels at a cost Rs 382.7 lakh to reduce technical faults, tripping and breakdowns, he added. |
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UHBVN’s plan to replace transformers Chandigarh, July 5 Stating this here today, a spokesman of the nigam said the seven 11 KV feeders would be rehabilitated with the financial assistance from the Rural Electrification Corporation and Nabard at a cost of Rs 115 lakh. He said two 11 KV feeders namely Gundiana and Gadhola would be bifurcated for which Rs 16 lakh had been sanctioned. He said to reduce number of trippings and breakdowns 78-km-long service lines, 60-km-long high-tension and 30-km-long low-tension lines would be replaced in the district. |
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210 MW power unit
commissioned Chandigarh, July 5 Announcing this here today, the Chairperson of the Haryana Power Utilities, Mrs Meenaxi Anand Chaudhry, said the state government had also decided to set up two additional units of 250 MW each at Panipat, increasing the installed capacity of the thermal station from 860 MW to 1360 MW. Mrs Chaudhry said the sixth unit was synchronised with the grid on March 31 and coal-fired on June 29. It started regular generation of power from today after successful testing and commissioning of various equipments. The unit has been set up at a massive investment of Rs 952 crore. With the additional availability of power, it would now be possible to meet the entire demand of the agriculture sector during the current paddy season as well as to provide more power to the industrial sector, she said. |
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‘Make leprosy patients self-dependent’ Chandigarh, July 5 The Governor voiced these sentiments at a meeting of the Executive Committees of the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh and the Haryana Welfare Society for Hearing and Speech Handicapped held here today for passing the budget estimates of the bodies for 2001-2002. During the meeting budget estimates of Rs 47 lakh of the sangh and Rs 3.26 crore of the society were approved. The Governor lauded the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, Mr Devender Singh, for completing construction work on the new high school building of Mata Parkash Kaur Welfare Centre for Hearing and Speech Handicapped at Shakha Ground, Karnal, which was built in record time with the help of public donations. Later, the Governor presented a trophy to the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the Sirsa centre, Mr Ankur Gupta, for raising the maximum funds for the welfare of the hearing impaired. |
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DC refutes allegation on
demolition Sonepat, July 5 Talking to mediapersons here, he said it was false propaganda by some colonisers and property dealers, who were apprehending action against them for setting up unauthorised colonies and violating the rules framed by the state government for sale of land in the controlled area. He said the entire Sonepat-Murthal road and its adjoining land on either side had been
encroached upon. The Deputy Commissioner further said the district administration gave notices to the
encroachers to voluntarily remove their illegal encroachments but they did not remove the same nor did they act positively to bring their illegal construction within the ambit of law. Hence the district administration had no alternative but to remove all kinds of illegal constructions and
encroachments on the public and the panchayat land. |
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3 granted bail in corruption case Bhiwani, July 5 It is alleged that they were disbursing less salary and getting signatures for full salary. It is learnt that employees of the Haryana PWD Public Health Department lodged a complaint in this connection with the police and had to approach court. The employees filed a writ against executive engineers Anil Gupta and N.K. Chaudhary and SDO S.S. Lohan on September 16 last year. It was alleged that the said officers got signatures on the receipt of Rs 1,282 but gave only Rs 920 as salary. The practice had been continuing for the past three years. Anyone who raised a voice against it was given the threat of transfer. All these 8 employees are posted as keymen. A case had been registered under Sections 324, 323, 120-B and 506,
IPC. |
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400 kg of poppy husk seized Sirsa, July 5 Two persons, identified as Jagjit of Jogewala village and Harbans of Rori were loading sacks of poppy husk on the car. The police also seized eight sacks of poppy husk from a nearby room and recovered Rs 30,000 in cash from Darshan Singh of Raghuana village in whose custody the bags were kept. The three accused have been arrested under NDPS Act. In a special drive against narcotics smuggling the police has registered 27 cases under the NDPS Act |
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Youths rob shopkeeper
of Rs 80,000 Faridabad, July 5 The incident took place at about 11.30 a.m. near a gurdwara in the NIT area when Mr Anil Gupta, running an electronics shop, stopped his scooter in front of the shop of his father-in-law. While he was talking to his relatives, four youths who came on a motor cycle and a scooter broke open the storebox of his scooter and fled with the cash. Some residents chased them but they escaped. This is the second such incident in the past two day. An
amount of Rs 50,000 was reportedly stolen in the same manner from Sector 21 here yesterday. Meanwhile, four cars have reportedly been stolen in the past four days. |
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Woman commits suicide Faridabad, July 5 Mrs Raj (30), a widow and wife of one Chanderpal of the local Dabua Colony, committed suicide by consuming sulphas tablets in her house yesterday. She is survived by three minor children. Two teenaged boys also attempted suicide by consuming pesticide at two places. Mahender, 16-year-old son of Dharamvir of Dangola village, after failing in matriculation examination tried to end his life by taking a poisonous substance. He has been admitted in a serious condition to the local Civil Hospital. An 18-year-old, Sonu (Bhupender), of Dabua Colony was also admitted to the Civil Hospital after a similar attempt by him. He is an ITI student. Meanwhile, an unidentified expectant woman, died under mysterious circumstances at Khambi village of the Hassanpur area. She was reportedly hit on the stomach by a person over a quarrel among children. No case has been registered so far. |
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Woman killed by in-laws Jhajjar, July 5 The maternal uncle of the deceased reported that her husband and in-laws continuously harassed her and killed her on Saturday last. She was the daughter of Harish
Chander, resident of the Sehari village in Sonepat district. |
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SDM tours flood-prone
areas Kalka, July 5 The SDM also toured areas along Sukhna nadi near Ram Bag, Khatik Mohalla, Rajjipur, Rampur Seori, Kaushalya Nadi and Mallah bridge with another team of officials. |
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Date extended Chandigarh, July 5 A spokesman of the department said here today the date for counselling would be intimated later. |
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Legal literacy
campaign Chandigarh, July 5 Stating this here today, Executive Chairman of the authority, Mr V.K. Bali, said the campaign would cover remote rural areas as well as urban slums. Panchayats, social organisations and law students would be roped in for the campaign, he said. |
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