The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Rohtak PGI chief’s selection goes sour
Experts’ choice unacceptable to govt; bureaucrats covet post
Jatinder Sharma

Rohtak, July 7
The appointment of the Director, Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences(PGIMS), here appears to have boiled into a controversy.

While the high-powered selection committee, constituted by the government to select a person for the post, has reportedly recommended the name of Dr S.P. Kaushik, a retired Head of the Surgical Gastroenterology Department of the PGI, Chandigarh, for appointment as Director, the proposal has not found favour with the ruling clique in the government.

Sources said efforts were being made to nullify the selection of Dr Kaushik. The person, whom the ruling clique had wanted to be appointed as Director of the PGIMS, was not found acceptable by the experts on the selection committee.

The committee comprising Dr P.K. Dave, Director, AIMS, Dr S.K. Sharma, Director, PGI, Chandigarh, Dr O.N. Nagi, PGI, Dr P.N. Walia and Dr I.C. Pathak, both former Directors of the PGI, Chandigarh, besides, the Chief Secretary, Haryana along with other senior officers of Haryana held a meeting in Haryana Bhavan at Delhi on June 29 to select the candidate.

Besides Dr S.P. Kaushik, others who aspired for the post included Dr H.K. Dass Gupta, a retired surgeon from Bikanar Medical College, Dr H.M. Bose (Calcutta) Dr Moitra (Calcutta), and Dr Gulati from Lady Hardinge Medical Institute, Delhi.

Dr Moitra and Dr Bose did not appear in person. When contacted on telephone by the selection committee, he told them to consider his name on the basis of the bio-data that he had supplied with the application.

Interestingly, Dr H.K. Dass Gupta has been associated with the PGIMS here for the past some time. He was invited as an expert in the selections made to the PGIMS faculty in January 2000 and May 2001 when a person close to the ruling clique was selected.

Needless to say that the government had taken in its own hands the selection of experts for the faculty posts on January 8 after cancelling the selections made by the high powered selection committee on December 1 and 2, last year.

The selection committee had then selected persons to the posts of Dean, Professors, Floating Professors and Lecturers in the PGIMS, and Dental College, Rohtak.

As the government has not yet made up its mind on the appointment of the Director, PGIMS, the bureaucrats appear to have set their eyes on capturing the coveted post.

The committee of experts, comprising of Dr P.K. Dave Director, AIIMS, Dr B.D. Gupta, former Professor and Head, Radiotherapy Department, PGI, Chandigarh, Dr Kusum Verma, Head, Pathology Department, AIIMS, Dr Manchanda, Head Cardiology Department, AIIMS, Dr O.N. Nagi, Head Orthopaedic Department, PGI, Chandigarh, and Dr S.Bhardwaj, Academic Adviser to the National Board of Examination (Medical), has visited the PGIMS here on June 28 to suggest measures for the upgradation of the institute.

The committee, in its report submitted to Mrs Veena Eagleton, Financial Commissioner, and Secretary, Health and Medical Education, has suggested the appointment of selection grade IAS officer along with an officer of equivalent rank from the IRS or allied services to manage the administration and finances of the PGIMS.

The intellectuals here are keenly awaiting the reaction of the political bosses in the government on these suggestions.

Interestingly, the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, had on October 7, 1999, opposed the appointment of retired or near-retirement persons as Director of the PGIMS as the past experience of such appointments had not been very happy.

Such persons have no real commitment to the welfare of the institution, he had then said.

The Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, had them proposed that the upper age limit for the post of Director, PGIMS should be 55 years so that a minimum tenure of three years would be available to him to show his mark on the institution. These proposals were approved by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on October 29, 1999.

The post was filled on a regular basis and Dr S.B.Siwach was appointed Director, PGIMS, after advertisement and proper selection. However, his services were dispensed with on May 15 without assigning any reason.

Like Dr (Brig) Suresh Chander Anand (retd), who has been appointed Principal of Dental College, Rohtak, Dr S.P. Kaushik is also a retired hand.

The High Powered Selection Committee has also not invited applications nor any advertisement was made for the post of Director.

The government has not amended the Haryana Medical Education Service Rules if relaxation in upper age has to be provided by invoking Rule 23. It appears that changes are obviously done depending upon the person to be selected.

The reaction of the faculty to the appointment of posts of the Director, PGIMS, or principal of Dental College has been very terse.

Many senior members of the faculty said on condition of anonymity that those who have served the institution with dedication have been ignored.

Haryana fit case for President’s rule: Cong
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, July 7
The Haryana Congress has initiated a move to build up a case for President’s rule in the state.

The President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, was here today to lead the protest march organised by the local unit of his party against the INLD government. He told newsmen, “Haryana, under the misrule of the present government, is an apt case for invoking Article 356 of the Constitution”.

Referring to a demand of major sections of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre for President’s rule in Tamil Nadu, the Congress urged the NDA to send its team in Haryana to convince itself that situation here was “worse”. The NDA could not adopt two standards. Many political opponents of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala have been booked under fabricated cases. The government in Haryana should be dismissed forthwith, he added.

The party has already decided to give a call for “Haryana bandh” in December and “gherao” the “corrupt officers” of the state on August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi.

Earlier, the Congress organised demonstration and took out a protest march in the city before handing over a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon.

The party has drawn the attention of the Governor in the memorandum to the issue of taxes. It alleged that the INLD had made a poll promise that it would do away with all the taxes imposed by the preceding Bansi Lal government. The Bansi Lal government levied some taxes to tide over the state’s economy on account of the loss due to its policy of enforcing prohibition. However, on advent to power, Mr Chautala imposed more taxes under different heads.

The Congress also referred to the state government’s move of replacing the old power meters with electronic ones and forcibly putting the accruing expenditure on the masses. It described the move as whimsical and also alleged that the power tariff was much higher that in Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh.

FSL credibility suspect
Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
A question mark has been put on the credibility of the Forensic Science Laboratory(FSL) of the Haryana Police located in the Madhuban Police Complex in Karnal district following the indictment of a document expert of the laboratory in an inquiry conducted by a senior IPS officer.

The inquiry was ordered last year by the State Home Secretary on a representation given by a Karnal-based journalist, Mr Rishi Pal Arya.

Mr Arya had represented against the opinion given by the document expert verifying his signatures on an agreement purported to have been executed by him leasing out his land to somebody. Mr Arya had denied that he had ever signed the agreement and had alleged that the agreement was false.

A criminal case was registered and his specimen signatures along with other relevant documents were sent to the FSL for an expert opinion. The document expert had given the report that the specimen signatures tallied with those on the agreement.

The inquiry was conducted by the then Commandant, 5th Bn of the Haryana Armed Police, Mr R.C. Jowel, who has since then been promoted as DIG.

Mr Jowel concluded that the opinion of the expert “is unreasonable, unjustified and false....” He went on to say that “the possibility of any consideration cannot be ruled out... for maintenance of high standard of public faith and impartiality in the functioning of the FSL, I suggest that a disciplinary action may be taken against the document expert... for giving misleading report knowingly”.

Though the report was submitted in January last, action on it is yet to be initiated.

When contacted, the Director of the FSL, Dr Bajinder Singh, said ever since he took over as the Director about 18 months ago, several steps had been taken to streamline the functioning of the FSL. He said the report of his staff would largely depend upon the nature of specimens sent to the laboratory by the investigating officers. He maintained that given the extent of the workload, his colleagues were doing an excellent job.

About this particular case, he said he had told the authorities to seek a second opinion from any well-known expert. If that expert declared that the signatures of Mr Arya did not tally with those on the agreement, only then the action should be taken against the expert of the Haryana FSL.

Dr Bajinder Singh said the Director-General of Haryana Police, Mr M.S. Malik, had ordered equipment worth Rs 1.50 crore to upgrade the facilities and the standard of the FSL.

Mehtab Singh’s murder condemned
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
The chief of the Haryana unit of Congress party, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has strongly condemned the brutal daylight murder of Mehtab Singh Chauhan at Ambala.

In a statement here, Mr Hooda said Mr Mehtab Singh was a veteran freedom fighter and the chairman of the Ambala District Freedom Fighters Association. The murder of the 95 year old man demonstrated the poor law and order situation in the state, he said. Mr Hooda also alleged that the district administration did not show respect to the body of Mr Chauhan.

Meanwhile, an official press note, apparently provoked by the sensational murder, said that Haryana Police would launch a special campaign “to come down heavily on criminals and inter-state gangs”.

The communique, quoting Mr M S Malik, DGP, said that special patrolling by senior officers would be carried out round the clock to ensure safety and security of people.

The existing system of community policing would be revitalised, it said.

It also added that data analysis of crime under various heads like crime against person, property, etc., was being carried out at the police headquarters. Performance chart of each range and headquarters has been prepared. Supervisory officers would be asked to explain their performance regarding administration, detection of crime, public dealing and police welfare, the note said.

Freedom fighter cremated
Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 7
Freedom fighter Mehtab Singh Chauhan was cremated today in Dukheri village.

A condolence meeting was held at the Civil Hospital, Ambala City complex, by Congress leaders, including district Congress president, Mr Balwant Gupta and former Haryana minister, Mr Phool Chand Mullana. Mr Balwant Gupta said that proper honour had not been given to the freedom fighter. “The district administration should have made suitable arrangements befitting a freedom fighter,” he said.

The Congress leaders protested when the body was being taken in a tractor-trolley as rainfall had started. Police officials then arranged for a vehicle for carrying the body to Dukheri village. The body was cremated in the afternoon. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mahinder Kumar, SDM, Mr M.K. Ahuja and secretary of Zila Sainik Board, Capt Narwal (retd) and vice-president of the Board, Lt-Col Bali (retd) were present at the cremation. A number of villagers had turned up at the cremation. They demanded that the local school should be named after Mehtab Singh Chauhan.

Passengers pay for dhaba owner-bus driver nexus
R.D. Sapra

Sonepat, July 7
The nexus between roadside dhaba owners and Haryana Roadways staff continues to thrive adding to the frustration of the helpless passengers, particularly those on the national highways passing through the state.

Staff members and dhaba owners strike a deal whereby drivers and the conductors are offered free meals in return for bringing passengers who are charged more for eatables.

Usually, these dhabas are located at deserted places where no other mode of conveyance or shop is available.

The frustration compounds as these unofficial halts are prolonged for usually long time causing delays and inconvenience to the passengers.

In many cases, rates have been fixed. A long route driver is paid Rs 50 or more and a free meal with liquor. Short route bus drivers are paid Rs 20 or more and a free non-vegetarian or vegetarian meal.

The conductors are given only free food. Some dhaba owners offer more money.

A survey conducted by this correspondents has revealed that even contractors at the main bus stands also offer free meals to drivers and conductors in order to prolong the halts for longer period.

This helps these stall owners to sell more. Usually, sub-standard food is provided at these dhabas but the passengers are made to shell out more money.

While the transport authorities are deaf to the complaints of the passengers, the Health Department authorities never bother to check the quality of the foodstuffs sold there.

As the cops keep looking the other way, poor passengers are being looted without any fear. At many places, dhaba owners have also installed skill games without proper permission from the authorities concerned.

Meanwhile, a large number of roadside hotels, restaurants and dhabas on the National Highway No. 1 particularly near the Murthal Chowk, are having roaring business as they charge exorbitant rates for eatables from customers.

Though travellers often complain that the eatables and milk production adultrated but the owners do not pay any heed.

The owners of these establishments serve liquor and beer to the customers on demand though they do not have any licence for its sale.

Officials of the Excise Department and the police do not take any action against them, as they are said to be in league with them and allegedly get monthly commission from them.

Many a times, samples of foodstuffs are taken by officials of the Health Department and had been found adulterated.

Some of the owners had been prosecute and sentenced in the past.

Most of the owners of these establishments have encroached upon the public land in front of their hotels, dhabas and restaurants but the authorities of the PWD (B&R) have utterly failed to get the land vacated in spite of the directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) has been suffering a huge financial loss on account of power theft by most of the owners of these establishments but officials concerned have failed to check the menace.

It is alleged some officials of the UHBVN are in league with them and getting monthly ‘nazrana’ from them.

Meanwhile, the Residents Welfare Association today urged the state government and the UHBVN to order a probe and punish the owners of dhabas and officials of the UHBVN who are found responsible for power theft.

	CM wants to make Haryana flood-free Our Correspondent Jind, July 7 Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala said 3000 mw electricity would be produced in the state during the next three years making Haryana self-sufficient in power. He said the state government had signed an agreement with the Union Government for establishing three gas power plants of 500 MW capacity each. He said the state government would get 360 MW power from the Panipat refinery. Mr Chautala was speaking at Kalwa village in this district after laying the foundation stone of Kalwa-Kinana drain 25 km from here, today. The drain would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 9.9. crore and would drain out flood water of 15 villages of the Pillukhera and Julana blocks. Referring to the power shortage in the area, he said there would be no such shortage with in the next two or three days as the sixth unit of the Panipat Thermal Power Plant had started functioning. He said his government was determined to make Haryana a flood-free state. For this purpose, drains had been desilted and ring bunds constructed in the rural areas. Earlier, presiding over the inaugural function of a judicial complex at Safidon in this district, Mr Chautala said recently the government had constructed a number of judicial complexes at different places at a cost of Rs 10.57 crore. He said these complexes would soon be constructed at Rohtak, Dadri, Karnal and Ambala at a cost of Rs 20.6 crores. Lauding the role of lok adalats he said people were getting quick justice at the lok adalats. Mr Justice K.C. Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court inaugurated the judicial complex at Safidon. Later, Mr Chautala presided over a District Grievances Redressal Committee function and redressed complaints.
	Roadways staff block traffic Our Correspondent Fatehabad, July 7 Agitated at the beating up of a Punjab Roadways driver by henchmen of a private bus service operator and inept handling of the situation by the local police, roadways employees blocked traffic on the national highway here today. The blockade continued for almost four hours and was lifted only when senior police officers assured action against the guilty. According to reports, the driver of a Punjab Roadways Muktsar depot bus picked a row with the driver of a private bus on July 5, 2001, over parking. When the Roadways bus reached here at about 9.30 am today, the driver of the private bus came to the bus stand with a dozen musclemen. They allegedly beat up driver Harbax Singh who received knife injuries on his right hand. The situation deteriorated when the city SHO arrived at the scene. The SHO allegedly behaved rudely with the Roadways employees and used abusive language. He warned of dire consequences in case the blockade was not lifted. This aggravated the situation and the roadways workers declared this would be done only after the SHO apologised for his behaviour and cases were registered against the private bus operator and his men. The blockade continued for about four hours as both sides stuck to their stands. The situation was defused when senior police officers arrived at the scene and apologised on behalf of the SHO. They also assured the workers that cases would be registered against the erring bus operator.
	Ruchika case adjourned Tribune News Service Ambala, July 7 A special Magistrate for CBI cases in Haryana, Mr J.S. Dhanjal, today adjourned the Ruchika molestation case till July 24. A former Director General of Police, Haryana, Mr S.P.S. Rathore and Madhu and Anand Prakash were present in court. The Central Bureau of Investigation on June 2 filed a reply to the application filed by the former Director General of Police, Haryana, Mr Rathore under Section 91 in the Ruchika molestation case. The CBI in its reply stated “the applicant accused has not mentioned in both the applications moved under Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as to what for the accused wants this honourable court to issue summons to the CBI for the production of the documents mentioned in the application in the court. It is incumbent on the accused to specifically mention the purpose for which the documents mentioned therein are required by him.” The CBI had filed a charge sheet in the Ruchika molestation case against Mr Rathore in this court in November last. The CBI had also filed an application with the court for condoning the delay in filing the challan in the court. On December 5, the court condoned the delay in the chargesheeting and took cognisance of the charges against the then DGP.
	‘Hen-pecked’ villagers see flies return Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service Barwala, July 7 It’s a vicious fly-cycle that is taking its toll on the sanitary conditions in Barwala and the poultry farm owners are likely to face the music. Sadly, so are the hens in their coops since it will mean additional doses of medicine in their feed. After having brought down the number of flies to less than 20 per cent in an area where flies abounded till about three months back, the district administration is forced to tackle the problem yet again, this time the monsoon wrecking havoc with the improved conditions. Contributing to the growing number of flies is the fact that the poultry farm owners have stopped mixing the prescribed medicine in the feed of the hens. Over a month having lapsed, the absence of medicine in the feed coupled with the rains had brought the “buzz” of the flies back into the lives of the villagers. “The flies just vanished from our lives ever since the poultry farm owners began administering the dose to the hens. We almost felt we had been transported to another world and life became much cleaner and easier. However, good things don’t last forever and the flies are beginning to grow and torment us,’’ Raj Gopal, a 65-year-old villager, explains. Another villager, Dhani Ram, adds, “After the administration cleaned up the entire area and persuaded poultry farm owners to put medicine in the feed of birds, we heaved a sigh of relief. Today, as the number of flies is beginning to grow, we are keeping our fingers crossed that the farm owners will come to our rescue again.’’ However, the farm owners are not entirely to blame. They claim that continuous administration of medicine in the feed of the birds will have a bearing on their business, a loss they can hardly make up for. Justifying the discontinuation of medicine, Mr Jagdish Kumar, a poultry farmer, explains, “We were supposed to give a 42-day dose in the first phase of the campaign to eradicate flies. After this, it is necessary to give a gap of a couple of months before the second cycle of dose begins. Unluckily, this coincided with the monsoon and created a problem which has resulted in an increased number of flies.’’ Speaking on behalf of the poultry farm association, he added that the fly-menace was discussed at their meeting held recently where the members decided to begin the second phase of medicine from July 12 instead of the first week of August. “It will take seven to 10 days before the medicine begins to show results. In public interest, we have decided to begin the second round early though it will affect the birds and the eggs. We might give a longer break in the third round,’’ Mr Kumar stated.
	28 taken ill in Bihta village Tribune News Service Ambala, July 7 About 200 persons have reportedly been taken ill due to stomach ailment in Bihta village in Barara. The district administration has, however, stated that only 28 persons had fallen ill. The cases were reported from a locality in Bihta village, which is situated about 40 km from here. While there were few cases yesterday morning, the number began to rise as the day progressed. Unofficial figures put the total number of cases at around 200. Deputy Commissioner D.D. Gautam led a team of officials, including the Civil Surgeon, to the village to assess the situation. He said that only 28 cases of diarrhoea and vomiting had been reported so far. “Water samples from the area have been taken and sent for analysis. The report will be available after 48 hours,” he said. Mr Gautam said that except for two patients, all patients were discharged after being given treatment. “We have already distributed chlorine tablets and ORS packets in the affected village,” he said. “Arrangements for adequate medicines have been made,” he added. He pointed out that the cases were reported from only a particular area. “It is a localised incident,” he said. Preliminary assessment by officials has revealed that a possible reason for the cases being reported from a particular area could be a leather unit in the village. The officials are not ruling out the possibility of the discharge from the unit contaminating the water in the area. A relative of a patient admitted to a private hospital said that earlier the villagers had brought the problem of lack of potable water to the notice of the authorities concerned but nothing had been done. A doctor said that diarrhoea and vomiting might be due to ingestion of contaminated water.
	Training programme for ‘green’ trainers inaugurated Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 The Commissioner and Secretary of the Haryana Environment Department, Mr D.S. Dhesi, today inaugurated the first state level training programme jointly organised by the Haryana Environment Department in tandem with the Environment Society of India for master trainers under the newly formed National Green Corporation. A press note issued by the society said these 389 master trainers two from each district, were selected from the teachers who volunteered to train the other teachers. Under this scheme 100 schools have been selected in each district. In each school eco clubs consisting of a teacher and 50 students from class V to XII have been started. Mr Dhesi said a lecture would be delivered on a particular environment related topic on every Saturday in each school. The eco club members would carry out action-based programme, such as free plantation drives, care of plants, cleanliness drive etc in and around the school. District-level monitoring committees have been raised in all districts under the chairmanship of the respective deputy commissioners for this purpose. Mr Dhesi said the teachers must set priorities for urban and rural areas on the basis of different problems and needs. Mr Banarsi Dass, Principal Chief Conservator Forests, Haryana, stressed the need to have traditional plants in and around schools. Mr R.D. Shoekand, Director of Secondary Education, Haryana, advised the teachers to carry out the work with full dedication for making this programme a success, while Mr H.S. Bains, Chairman of the Haryana State Pollution Control Control Board, said the board had already allocated Rs 19 lakh towards the successful implementation of this scheme.
	HCTU expresses gratitude Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 A delegation of the Haryana College Teachers Union (HCTU) led by its President, Prof Shamsher Singh, today met the Commissioner of Higher Education and expressed gratitude to the Haryana Government for implementing all demands of the HCTU. The demands included regular services, pension scheme, new UGC pay scales, total service benefit and permanent service security to teachers working in aided non-government colleges through the newly devised policy of shifting the surplus teachers to other colleges with vacant posts in aided non-government colleges of Haryana. Prof Shamsher Singh also requested the Commissioner to start disbursing DA on the newly implemented pension to retired and retiring teachers. He added that the Commissioner assured him of positive action in this regard at the earliest. He claimed that the Commissioner also assured that the teachers in aided non-government colleges would get their salaries uninterruptedly as the Haryana Government had allotted funds for the salaries in advance.
	Haryana transfers four IAS officers Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 The Haryana Government has issued posting and transfer orders of four IAS officers. Mr G. Madhavan, Financial Commissioner & Secretary, Technical Education Department, has been brought back as Financial Commissioner & Secretary, Health (including Medical Education) Department in place of Ms Veena Eagleton. Ms Eagleton has been appointed Financial Commissioner & Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment and Welfare of SCs & BCs Departments vice Mr Bhagwati Prasad. Mr Prasad has been made Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Food and Supplies Department relieving Mr Dharam Vir. Mr Dharam Vir, who has been made Commissioner and Secretary of the Technical Education Department, will retain his post as Commissioner and Secretary, Information Technology Department.
	3 lakh ransom sought from rehriwallah Our Correspondent Karnal, July 7 A gang of criminals who abducted 13-year-old Sonu on July 4 has demanded a ransom of Rs 3 lakh from the parents of the boy. A relative of Sonu said the boy’s mother received a telephonic message from the abductors to arrange s 3 lakh if they wanted Sony’s safe return. Sonu was the son of a rehriwalla who sells “jalebis”. It was on July 4 that Sonu left his house at about 2 p.m. to look after the rehri of his father as both his parents were out of station. However, he did not return home. Sonu’s father came to know that his son was missing on July 5. He informed the police but it did not write any report and instead wanted that an affidavit about the missing boy and a photograph. It was today that the parents of the boy had come to know that their son had been abducted. They have informed the police.

Hooda announces pre-poll programme
Our Correspondent

Yamunanagar, July 7
The Haryana Congress has announced a four-phase programme in the run-up to the ensuing Assembly poll.

Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress on his tour of the district here yesterday said if the Congress comes to power in Haryana, unemployed youth would be provided jobs. He further assured that round-the-clock and cheap power would be provided to the people of the state.

Mr Hooda while addressing village meetings at Bhubka, Mehra and Bendi assured that education would be provided to all girls and poor students.

Polluted water: 12 hit by diarrhoea
Our Correspondent

Sirsa, July 7
Diarrhoea has claimed one life and nearly 12 persons are reported to be suffering from it in Kalanwali in the district. According to the reports received yesterday a four-year-old girl in the family of Mam Raj in Ward No. 3 of Kalanwali in the district died of diarrhoea while three other members of the family are still suffering from it.

More than six persons are also reported to be suffering from it in another lane of the locality. A private medical practitioner of the area said that there had been complaints of supply of polluted water and the Public Health Department was informed of it but with no results. Death of the girl stressed the Health Department into action and a team of doctors headed by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr R.C. Chaudhary visited the affected area and examined the patients. They also distributed medicines among the people and educated them in the methods of prevention of this disease. According to Dr Chaudhary a team of the Public Health Department was checking leakage in the water pipeline connections.

It is notable that primary health centre at Kalanwali had taken 12 samples of drinking water and all of them had failed. After this instructions were given to the departments concerned for chlorination which apparently had been flouted. There have also been reports of the supply of untreated drinking water in Rania of the district. it is reported that the chlorination machine available there had been sent to Sirsa a few weeks ago when diarrhoea spread in the local Mela Ground locality.

Diarrhoea cases on the rise
Our Correspondent

Bhiwani, July 7
Diarrhoea cases are reportedly increasing in the district. According to information, four children were admitted to the civil hospital for the treatment of diarrhoea on Friday.

Several children are suffering from diarrhoea at Palwas village and a child Munni Devi, fell victim to the disease last week. Elder sister of Munni, Mungal (20), also suffered from diarrhoea and was brought to the civil hospital but discharged after treatment.

Other four patients are Anup (one) son of Ram Niwas, Monisha (five months) daughter of Krishan and Pooja (two) daughter of Balwan of Bhiwani. According to a fresh report, diarrhoea has spread in Golpura village since the past one week. One woman has succumbed to the ailment and has been identified as Chameli Devi (60), wife of Kanhaya Lal.

According to information, she was admitted to a private nursing home on Friday. Chameli Devi had been suffering from vomitting and dysentry for the last three days. Munni (25) and Manju (15) of the same village are admitted to another private nursing home. Both are suffering from vomitting and dysentry for the last four days. There are reportedly 25 patients of diarrhoea and most of them are being treated in the village.