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| Saturday, July 14, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Surplus power by 2003:
CM Centre ‘did not fully comprehend’ WTO
pact 14 Haryana civic bodies to be
reconstituted Summit an exercise in futility: war
veterans Arms licence racket gets
murkier 1.91 lakh looted from bank at
gunpoint |
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Drive to nab bail jumpers Warrants for arrest of
scribe issued Hooda backs Rohtak traders Bonded labourer case: remand for landowner Attack on lecturer: culprit’s arrest
sought Roadways staff protest against police
inaction Jailbreak case: constable held HIGH COURT Sessions Judge’s bail
extended 2 killed in road
mishap Subdivisions to have Bar complexes Phone bill deposit
date relaxed Meter-replacement drive opposed Additional charge Date for diploma courses extended Plantation drive launched Soldier’s statue unveiled
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Surplus power by 2003:
CM Yamunanagar, July 13 Mr Chautala said he was confident that Haryana would be able to supply power to other states, if required. He said a global tender of 800 mw coal-based power plant of Yamunanagar thermal had already been floated and a MoU of 500 mw gas-based power plant here had already been signed with the Government of India. He said similar power plants would be established in Faridabad and Hisar. He further said the seventh and eighth unit of Panipat thermal plant would also start very soon whereas the Panipat refinery would produce 360 mw. Mr Chautala said the main emphasis of the government were to provide round-the-clock power to the people of the state. While replying to a question about the installation of electronic meters, Mr Chautala said the main use of these meters was to detect power theft and minimise line losses. He said at present the line losses were 41 per cent. He said if the line losses were decreased by 15 per cent, then the cost of the power would be much less. He said the department would install 3.5 lakh meters whereas 1.2 lakh meters had already been installed. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to deposit the electricity bills regularly. Mr Chautala said the government had already launched “road and traffic sense scheme” in the state to minimise road accidents. He said now there would be separate police posts, at a distance of 30 km, on every national highway, besides telephone and first-aid facilities. The Chief Minister said in the past two years, at least 69 large-scale industries of international standard and 4000 small-scale industries had been set up. He said it would bring investment in the state to more than Rs 3000 crore. He said the INLD was a national party and it would spread its wings in the entire country. Later, Mr Chautala inaugurated a dispensary in HUDA, Sector-17, Jagadhri. The building had been constructed at a cost of Rs 37.50 lakh by HUDA. For strengthening health services, the government had allotted Rs 953 lakh for the construction of the Health Department building under the state plan, he said. |
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Centre ‘did not fully comprehend’ WTO
pact Chandigarh, July 13 Even the Government of India did not fully comprehend the WTO agreement on agricultural products at the time of accepting it. This startling revelation was made here today by Mr R C A Jain, Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture, while speaking at a seminar on challenges and opportunities of the WTO, organised jointly by the Haryana Government’s Agriculture Department, the Union Agriculture Ministry and the Union Commerce Ministry. Answering questions from participants in the seminar, held at Haryana Nivas, Mr Jain went on to say that the “expressions and nomenclature” in the agreement were such that the developed countries retained their right of heavily subsidising the agricultural sector at home. Consequently, Indian wheat was not able to get access to the markets of the developed countries. Mr Jain and Mr Rajeev Mehta, Additional Statistical Adviser, Government of India, said Indian representatives were focusing on this disparity at the periodic meetings of the WTO countries. However, sorting out the issue, if it could be done, would take at least three to four years, they said, adding that it took eight years to reach a consensus on the policies formulated at the Uruguay meeting. However, rice produced in India was still able to compete in the international market as the commodity was primarily produced in South East Asian countries and not in Europe or the USA, Mr Jain said. The Agriculture Ministry official said the government should further support the agricultural sector and subsidies should be allowed in a manner acceptable to the WTO. During the course of the discussion it emerged that while the WTO regime was not offering any opportunity to Indian peasants, it was not threatening their livelihood either. The domestic market of wheat, protected by the imposition of 50 per cent customs duty, still belonged to the Indian producers. Speaking at the seminar, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, advocated that whatever was produced in the country should not be allowed to be imported. If such products had to be imported, a heavy duty of up to 350 per cent should be imposed on these in the larger interest of domestic producers, he stated. While the diversification of crops, growing of more vegetables, flowers, etc, and manufacturing of processed foods were good ideas, the country did not have adequate infrastructure for handling such products, Mr Chautala said. Mr Peter Augustine, a representative of the Union Commerce Ministry, said since the 1990s, India was gradually allowing the entry of various listed foreign products into the country. Various quarters raised the alarm when entry was allowed to “sensitive” items such as agricultural products, he said. The WTO was a more democratic organisation than the IMF or the World Bank and India should try to take advantage of this international trade regulating body, he said. Mr L.M. Goyal, Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr S.Y. Quraishi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Naseem Ahmed, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Department, Mr Rajeev Arora, Director, Agriculture and chief of the state government’s WTO cell, and some well-to-do farmers were among those who attended the seminar.
Chandigarh, July 13 The committees are Bhawani Khera and Siwani in Bhiwani district, Haily Mandi, Pataudi and Taoru in Gurgaon district, Narnaund in Hisar district, Beri in Jhajjar district, Kalayat and Pundri in Kaithal district, Nilokheri and Indri in Karnal district, Kalanaur in Rohtak district, Kharkhauda in Sonepat district and Uchana in Jind district. The cabinet also approved a proposal of the Public Works Department (B&R) to sign an agreement regarding loans of Rs 144 crore and Rs 150 crore in two phases from HUDCO for improving major district roads in the state. The HUDCO has given a rebate of 0.25 per cent per annum on the loan. The Cabinet exempted the units of the Khadi and Village Industries Corporation and the Khadi and Village Industries Board from the payment of sales tax from January 1, 1988 to March 31, 1992. Eleven such units had represented to the government sending exemption from sales tax as was done in the case of Khadi Ashram, Panipat. These units would get benefit of Rs 23.05 lakh. The Cabinet also decided that the state government would stand guarantee in favour of central cooperative banks for cash credit limit against pledge of sugar hypothecation limit. The state government would also stand guarantee for cooperative sugar mills of Panipat, Rohtak, Sonepat, Meham, Kaithal and Bhuna for Rs 171 crore in 2000-2001. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to the state government to stand guarantee for the Haryana Power Generation Corporation to obtain a loan of Rs 46.98 crore from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC). It also approved the state government to stand guarantee for the HVPN to obtain a loan of Rs 31 crore from the PFC to set up a 220 KV sub-station at Cheeka and other works. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for Rs 14 crore loan from the PFC by the HVPN for strengthening transmission network in the command area of 220 KV sub-station at Sonepat. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to a proposal of the HVPN to obtain Rs 50 crore short-term loan from the Oriental Bank of Commerce, Chandigarh to clear outstanding dues. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the renewal-cum-enhancement in working capital facilities of the HVPN. The Cabinet also approved a proposal of Prohibition, Excise and Taxation Department to transfer a piece of land measuring 1100 square yards at the rate of Rs 15000 per square yard situated in Civil Lines, Gurgaon, to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the Revenue Department to sell land measuring more than three acres in Kurukshetra district and building and land of old tehsil office, Yamunanagar, measuring more than 10 kanals, to HUDA and the Improvement Trust, Jagadhari, respectively, for commercial purpose. Both HUDA and the Jagadhari Trust would be charged at the rate of Rs 600 per square yard. The Service Rules framed for the superintendents of subordinate offices of the Agriculture Department were also approved by the Cabinet. These rules have been framed on the basis of the Model Service Rules. |
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Summit an exercise in futility: war
veterans Ambala, July 13 War widows and war veterans are of the opinion that the summit could yet again be an exercise in futility since similar efforts in the past had also failed to generate the desired result of bringing peace. They said it was time to take a tough stand and without relenting, India must ensure that the talks at Agra summit does not eventually meet the same fate as the earlier attempts. Mrs Lajwanti, whose husband died in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, said she was not hopeful of any positive outcome of the summit. Her husband, gunner Ajmer Singh, was killed in the Khemkaran Sector. “It is not likely to be a useful effort and may even end up being like the Delhi-Lahore bus diplomacy which was followed by the Kargil intrusions,” she added. Flt Lt K.C. Sharma (retd), Shaurya Chakra, said the summit might not bear the desired results. “On earlier occasions too, peace talks have been held but they have come to a nought,” he said. “In this case, General Musharraf is an Army man and it is no secret how he has become the President of Pakistan. So, I doubt the fruitfulness of the summit,” he added. In 1970-71, Flt Lt K.C. Sharma, was posted near Dibrugarh in Assam in the 105 Helicopter Unit. He had sustained injuries while trying to douse a fire in a hanger. “I must stress that relations between neighbours must be cordial and if this is actually an initial start for a peace process, then it is welcome step,” he said. Lt Ram Lal Mohan (retd), Sena Medal, said there was a pressing need to ensure that at least Pakistan-sponsored terrorism be brought to an end. “It is still not clear whether Kashmir is on the agenda of the Agra summit or not. What is on Musharraf’s mind is a debatable issue,” he said. He said there was already tremendous international pressure. “Whether the summit will generate the desired result is a difficult query to answer, especially in light of the fact that similar attempts in the past had failed,” he said.
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Arms licence racket gets
murkier Jhajjar, July 13 The racket, which was busted recently by the district police with the arrest of Paramjit Singh, owner of Bahadurgarh Gun House, involved procurement of arms licences from Ferozepore district in Punjab by giving fake addresses. Earlier, 31 such arms licences were detected during preliminary investigations, but further inquiries revealed that more than 67 licences were issued. Out of these 48 were issued on addresses at
Zira, 12 at Jalalabad, four at Abohar and three at Ferozepore. The district police on Wednesday sent the details of all these licences to the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, for verification on the suspicion that these licences might have been procured by giving fake addresses and documents. The district police has also registered cases against the holders of these licences under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. The main accused, Paramjit Singh, who operated the racket explained the modus operandi saying that he used to charge Rs 20,000 to 22,000 from an applicant and send his papers to his accomplice at Ferozepore who would be paid Rs 5000 to 10,000. But prior attestation from a politician was a pre-condition for every applicant. The rest was done by his accomplice in Ferozepore — from filling the address and its police verification to the issuance of the licence and its delivery to the person concerned. Apart from charging money for the service, Paramjit Singh said all persons getting such licences were made to purchase arms from his shop at much higher prices. The illegal operation continued until he fired in the air when the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was in the town on June 16. Rajesh, an accused in two murder cases, also told the police during interrogation that he had procured a gun licence from Paramjit Singh. The involvement of some senior police and administration officials and politicians of Punjab is not ruled out. The involvement of some sarpanches and municipal councillors at Ferozepore has already been confirmed. Police sources said some licences in the all-India category had also been issued from the District Magistrate’s office at Ferozepore which would be issued by only the Home Secretary of a state. The police seized one such licence from a criminal Surendra, son of dreaded gangstar
Brahm, who was killed in an encounter with the Delhi Police recently. The sources said many gun houses selling arms in Punjab and Haryana were also involved in this clandestine and illegal exercise. |
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1.91 lakh looted from bank at
gunpoint Rohtak, July 13 The police has reportedly laid seize of Pakasma village where the robbers are believed to have taken refuge. The information was given by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Resham Singh, while talking to this correspondent. Mr Resham Singh said the rapid action force (RAF), which was created yesterday, had also been deployed to apprehend the culprits. He said two persons had been taken in custody for interrogation. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Attar Singh Ahlawat, had also been camping at Pakasma village, according to information here. He had launched combing operations in the village. The incident took place when the cashier of the Punjab National Bank, situated on the Rohtak-Delhi national highway, was reportedly taking the cash out of the strong room. The armed guard employed by the bank for security purpose was on leave. According to Mr Ahlawat, two robbers entered the bank and fired a shot in the air. After collecting money from the counter, the culprits reportedly escaped in the Maruti Zen which was parked outside the bank building. Mr Ahlawat said no time was wasted in putting up nakas on the roads leading out of the town. Mr Resham Singh said when the police launched the chase, two robbers got down the vehicle at Pakasma village. The other, too, are suspected to be hiding in the village. |
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Drive to nab bail jumpers Bhiwani, July 13 This was stated by Mr M.S. Malik, Director-General of Police, Haryana, after presiding over a meeting of the Hisar range police officers here today. He said a patrolling programme was started by him yesterday from Rohtak. He directed the police officers to chalk out a district and subdivision scaling plan to nab the criminals immediately after committing crime. Mr Malik directed the police officers to encourage the public to provide entry gates in their colonies and making provisions for security arrangements of their areas. The police could help them by providing Home Guards for security duty on nominal charges. He said he had already approached HUDA authorities in this connection. He also laid stress on popularising community policing and neighbourhood watch scheme. He said to strengthen the beat system, a patrolling vehicle under the charge of a DSP would be deployed. He said the police communication network was also being strengthened and all teleprinters would be replaced with computer networking. |
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Warrants for arrest of
scribe issued Kaithal, July 13 The warrant was issued following the failure of the accused to appear in the court on July 11 in a case registered against under Section 307 of the IPC. According to police sources, Pardeep had allegedly sent some news report in the name of another local journalist, Surinder Thukral, which was found to be incorrect. Following this, a case was registered against him on April 4, 2000, under FIR no 145. The sources said the police was also investigating a case registered against the accused under Section 457/380 of the IPC at the city police station here on January 15. |
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Hooda backs Rohtak traders Chandigarh, July 13 In a statement issued here today, Mr Hooda said it was strange that the police had always been caught napping whenever there was any criminal incident. He said citizens had a right to lead a peaceful life and the government was duty-bound to provide them security and safety. Demanding immediate action to nab the criminals responsible for Rohtak incidents, Mr Hooda said the Chautala government had failed to maintain law and order in the state. The Congress leader said the Rohtak incidents were not isolated. Such incidents had rocked several towns like Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Faridabad. |
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Bonded labourer case: remand for landowner Fatehabad, July 13 Rano Devi, wife of a Dalit farm labourer, Bachan Singh, had approached the SDM, Rattia, Mr S.K. Setia, on July 9 and prayed to get her husband freed from landowners Sukhdev Singh and his brother Baldev Singh. The SDM had deployed a Tehsildar for the purpose. The Tehsildar, accompanied by a police party, raided the field of the accused on the same day and rescued Bachan Singh. The landowners had kept the labourer in their custody with his hands and legs chained to prevent him from running. Following the SP, Mr Hanif Qureshi, had ordered an investigation into the case by a DSP. The DSP, Mr Shiv Charan, in his inquiry found that Baldev Singh had been bedridden for the last few years and had no role in the detention. The police had arrested Sukhdev Singh under the Abolition of Bonded Labour Act and Prevention of Cruelties upon Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. |
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Attack on lecturer: culprit’s arrest
sought Rohtak, July 13 The association urged the university authorities as well as the district administration to lodge an FIR and ensure the arrest of the culprit to restore the sense of security in the teaching community. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the association held here today. Divulging details of the incident, Mr Inder
Jit, secretary of the association, said Mr Rajesh Parmar, a lecturer in Physics at the local University College, had recently caught a student using unfair means during a university examination. The student, along with his accomplices, attacked the teacher just as he came out of the college. He was rescued by some other students and college teachers and was admitted to the PGI. He said the association would stage a protest dharna in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office on July 17.
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Roadways staff protest against police
inaction Yamunanagar, July 13 Two employees of Haryana Roadways were injured yesterday during a joint checking by General Manager, Haryana Roadways, and district transport officials against the illegal plying of the maxicab operators at Sadhaura. The two were later shifted to the local Civil Hospital at Jagadhri. A large number of vehicles were stranded in the scorching heat for two hours. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mrs Renu Fuliya, Deputy Superintendent of Police (H/Q), Mr Ashok Kumar and Mr Narinder Singh, General Manager of Haryana Roadways of Yamunanagar depot, reached the bypass chowk to pacify the employees. The jam was lifted on the assurance that accused would be arrested within 24 hours. The agitating employees also demanded action against the SHO, Sadhaura, for not taking timely action. |
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Roadways workers stage dharna Sonepat, July 13 |
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Jailbreak case: constable held Hisar, July 13 Ramphal, resident of Pokheri Khera village of Jind district, was brought to the Narnaund police station on Wednesday in connection with a case registered against him. According to the police, Ramphal broke the ventilator of the toilet at the police station and escaped. He was arrested last month for alleged involvement in several cases of dacoities and looting in Rohtak, Jind, Delhi, Hisar, Meham, Sonepat and Panipat districts. Police parties have been sent to various places in Hisar and other areas to apprehend him.
PTI |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, July 13 Challenging the orders, the petitioner had earlier stated that the same were illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional and against the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act. Going into the background, the petitioner had added that the lock out was declared as the company was left with no other alternative due to the precarious financial position and the adamant attitude of the workers. The order issued on the Governor’s behalf had prohibited the lock out as the “dispute between the workers and the management had been sent for adjudication to the Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court at Faridabad”. |
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Sessions Judge’s bail
extended Hisar, July 13 The court had fixed July 13 for arguments on the bail application but their counsel could not appear in the court due to some other engagement. The court fixed July 18 for the next hearing. A local couple, Mr Balraj Singh and Mrs Sunita Devi, had filed a complaint against a “tantrik” Prem Dass, his brother Jagdish and three associates, alleging that they had allegedly sold their one-month-old son to some childless couple. According to the couple, the “tantrik” had taken the child from them saying that it would be harmful for their family. After this, the police had arrested his brother and an associate, Dinesh. During the interrogation, they told the police that the “tantrik” had handed over the child to a Judge. The “tantrik” had been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment last month in a similar case. He is at present loged in the local Central Jail. |
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2 killed in road
mishap Panipat, July 13 According to information, Rohtash of Assan village was travelling on his motor cycle along with his nephew Mangat Ram and 10-year-old daughter Gita, when the bus going to Safidon hit his motor cycle near Khukhrana village. In the accident, Rohtash died on the spot and Mangat Ram and Gita were seriously injured. Soon after, the three were brought to the local Civil Hospital where Rohtash was declared as brought dead. Mangat Ram was referred to PGI, Rohtak, but he, too, later succumbed to his injuries. A large number of residents of Assan village reached the Civil Hospital demanded action against the bus driver. Yamunanagar, July 13 Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, while addressing the members of Bar association of Jagadhri here today assured that he would meet the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and urged him to set up sessions division in a district as demanded by the advocates. He instructed the Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar, to find a suitable place near the judicial complex for a consumer forum.
Kalka, July 13 He said earlier subscribers had to go to Ambala for depositing their bills after expiry of the due date. But during these 10 days subscribers would not be allowed to deposit their bills in cash in post offices, but they would have to deposit it at counters in the exchange office through bank drafts. He also said that caller ID facility would be started at Kalka exchange soon. Rs 50 per month would be charged for this facility. |
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Meter-replacement drive opposed Kurukshetra, July 13 When the UHVPN authorities reached the Gaushala Bazar shopkeepers pulled down shutters and opposed the replacement of meters arguing that the new electronic meters moved faster. On a call, local residents, including some political, social and religious leaders, reached the Gaushala Bazar, and held a demonstration against the replacement drive.
Chandigarh, July 13 Mr D.P.S. Nagal, Joint Secretary, Power, and the Director, Power Reforms, has been given the additional charge of the Joint Secretary, Industries, during the training period of Mr Sant Kumar. Date for diploma courses extended Chandigarh, July 13 A spokesman for the department said here today that the date of counselling would be intimated through the press later. |
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Plantation drive launched Chandigarh, July 13 The Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr Subhash Goyal, said at least 1.79 lakh saplings would be planted in the urban areas. Soldier’s statue unveiled Rewari, July 13 Paying tributes to the martyrs, Mr Chautala announced that Government Middle School of the village would be upgraded from the next session. |
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