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Wednesday,
August 29, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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UGC
guidelines not violated: KU List of
HPCC office-bearers soon Infighting slackens Bhajan’s rally
preparations Drop in crime rate: Haryana DGP Govt criticised for anti-trader policies Selection of HERC member puzzles many |
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AMBALA DIARY KALKA DIARY Residents unhappy with Sulabh work Yuva Kisan Samiti’s threat on SYL issue Students resent shortage of staff Farmers
hold demonstration Lecture on reforms in higher education Telecom RSU commissioned 2 held for illegal making of arms Fake driving licences: two arrested
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UGC
guidelines not violated: KU Rohtak, August 28 The Vice-Chancellor, Mr R.S. Chaudhary, told The Tribune that the UGC or the Distance Education Council had not issued any specific instructions or guidelines with regard to running these courses through collaborators. The university had at its own level, prepared an agreement containing terms and conditions which were stringent and in no way would compromise with the standard of education, he said. Mr Chaudhary maintained that before Kurukshetra University entered into collaboration with various institutions, many universities in the country like Indira Gandhi National Open University, Pondicherry University (which is a central university under direct control of the UGC, Sikkim-Manipal University, Utkal University, MD University, Guru Gobind Singh Inderprasth Vishwavidyalaya, New Delhi, etc had already been running their courses through collaborators or study centres without any specific instructions from the UGC or the Distance Education Council. The Vice-Chancellor said Kurukshetra University had in no way compromised with the academic norms for the course delivery, conduct of examination and award of degrees to the successful candidates and thus had not violated any instructions issued by the UGC. The Vice-Chancellor said the collaborators would not be involved in the process of appointment of examiners, conduct of theory and practical examination, evaluation of answersheets and preparation of results. The examination centres would be created by the university independently in the affiliated colleges and recognised institutions. Admit cards and roll number slips would be issued by the university, he said. Mr Chaudhary said the degrees to the students would not be awarded by the collaborators. The collaborators would not be allowed to use the university emblem/seal on any of their documents, advertisements publicity material, etc directly or indirectly. |
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List
of HPCC office-bearers soon New Delhi, August 28 Though there has been an
attempt to strike a balance between the names proposed by various
factions of the state Congress, loyalists of HPCC chief Bhupinder
Singh Hooda have been given adequate share to give him “technical
supremacy.” AICC sources said since it was the HPCC chief who had to
run the show, care had been taken to see that he faced no difficulty
in carrying out his day-to-day work. While preference has been given
to the youth, at least 15 names in the office-bearers’ list are of
those who had not been recommended by any of the two main factions of
the state Congress. Sources said care had been taken to give
recognition to grass-roots party workers, who had contributed to
strengthening the party base. Apart from the office-bearers of the PCC, the Congress President is also likely to approve the list of district presidents, besides appointing disciplinary action committees and panels for weaker sections. In all, about 100 office-bearers are likely to be appointed. Sources said one of the reasons for the delay in the release of lists had been the disagreement among the senior state leaders over the names of district presidents. It had not been easy for the Congress high-command to strike a balance among the ambitions of its state leaders and despite strenuous efforts, differences had not been ironed out, sources added. Before submitting her list to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, General Secretary in charge of Haryana, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, consulted senior state leaders, including Mr Bhajan Lal and Mr Hooda. Both leaders are believed to have given separate lists of their supporters for appointment as office-bearers. AICC
sources said the Congress President was not entirely satisfied with
the list and had been making her own independent assessment. Following
a leakage of the names, a revised list had to be submitted to the
Congress President. |
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Infighting slackens Bhajan’s rally preparations Faridabad, August 28 It is reported that some prominent local leaders and activists owning allegiance to HPCC chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda and former HPCC president Birender Singh stayed away from the workers’ meeting chaired here by Mr Bhajan Lal recently. The meeting was convened to decide upon the venue of the rally. While it was declared that the rally was a party programme. Supporters of the Hooda-Birender group have not shown the inclination to associate themselves with the proposed rally. Mr Birender Singh, during his recent visit to the town, claimed that there was no disunity among party leaders. He is reported to have stated that he would abide by the instructions of the central party leadership on any matter concerning the party’s programme. However, Mr Hooda has kept mum on the subject. Activists of the Hooda-Birender camp claimed that it is only a Bhajan Lal rally. The reported announcement by Mr Bhajan Lal that he and his son Chander Mohan would look after the organising of the rally has demoralised some of his local supporters, who were expecting that they would be entrusted with the responsibility of organising the rally. It is learnt that the announcement has affected the preparations for the rally. However, Mr Dharampal Malik, a former PCC chief considered very close to Mr Bhajan Lal, is camping here to oversee and supervise the preparations. |
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Drop in crime rate: Haryana DGP Karnal, August 28 He complemented the force for keeping crime under check. He said the crime rate in the state was lower till July end in the current year as compared to that in the corresponding period last year. He directed them to carry on day and night patrolling. He also directed them to reduce pendency of cases under their disposal. He advocated community policing and neighbourhood watch scheme. He told them to chalk out a plan for sealing area in which a crime was committed. He lauded the police for increase in number of cases under the local and special law. He said number of murders had decreased from 468 to 451, kidnapping/abduction cases had decreased from 289 to 274, number of robberies fell from 252 to 233, dacoity cases from 65 to 41, burglaries from 2,068 to 1,754 and total theft had declined from 3,740 to 3,504 during the current year. The recovery percentage in dacoity, robbery and total theft stood at 53, 54 and 59, respectively. He said the Haryana police had busted 155 gangs during this period. The DGP said in Ambala Range, injury cases had decreased from 518 to516, motor vehicle thefts from 280 to 270, burglary cases from 458 to 435 and culpable homicide cases had decreased from nine to eight. Registration of cases under local and special laws had increased from 2,017 to 2,637. Cases under Excise Act had increased from 1,177 to 1,239. Gambling Act cases were up from 468 to 830, he said. In Gurgaon Range, number of murders had decreased from 110 to 94, kidnapping/abduction cases fallen from 102 to 87 and dacoity cases reduced to seven from 26. Excise Act cases were up from 1,681 to 1,975, he said. He said there was decrease in crime rate in Hisar Range as murder cases were down from 125 to 104 and kidnappings abduction had decreased from 68 to 41. About 402 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and Arms Act cases were up from 149 to 228, he said. Similarly, in Rohtak Range number of murder cases had fallen from 163 to 158. Robbery cases were down from 99 to 78, he added. |
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Govt criticised for anti-trader policies Jind, August 28 He said the Chautala government had taken several anti-traders decisions and due to this there was resentment among the traders of the state. He called upon the traders not to deposit trade tax and oppose new house tax policy of the government. He said under the new house tax policy, the house tax would increase considerably and it would be very difficult for common people to pay the tax. Mr Garg said after coming to power Mr Chautala addressed a public meeting at Agroha on July 25, 1999, and assured the traders that his government would safeguard their interests. He said Mr Chautala had promised that tax structure would be simplified and octroi abolished. He said the Chautala government had abolished octroi but imposed taxes amounting to Rs 1,000 crore, putting heavy burden on people and traders of the state. Mr Garg claimed that no political party could win elections without the help of traders. He said in the last Assembly elections, Mr Chautala came to power with the support of traders, but he gave no relief to the traders as promised by him before elections. He alleged that traders were being exploited. Mr Garg said the law and order situation in the state was deteriorating and the traders were being looted by criminals. He said power supply position in the state was far from satisfactory. He said people were not getting regular power supply which had affected normal life and business activities in the state. Mr Garg said Haryana Pradesh Beopar Mandal would highlight the problems of traders and launch a struggle in protest against the anti-traders policies of the government. He said for this purpose a campaign would be started soon for creating unity among the traders. |
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Selection of HERC member puzzles many Chandigarh, August 28 The induction of Colonel Raghbir Singh as HERC member has left many people puzzled about the criteria adopted for his selection. His personal details, supplied during the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan, said that the retired Lieutenant Colonel, a native of Chillar Dadhi village in Bhiwani district, was commissioned as an officer in the JK Light Infantry in June, 1970. An alumnus of the IMA, Dehra Dun, he had participated in various training programmes including attending courses at Infantry School, Mhow, College of Combat, Mhow, the MCTE, Mhow, and Infantry Training College, Pune. The 57-year-old retired Army officer lives at Charkhi Dadri in Bhiwani district. A search committee headed by Mr R. S. Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, reportedly considered various names and finally picked the retired Lieutenant-Colonel for induction into the HERC. Evidently the newly inducted member has no experience in dealing with power-related issues which led critics of the government to question his selection. Talking to TNS today, official sources said the guidelines for the constitution of the HERC specified that of the three members, one should be an engineer, one should come from the field of accounts and the third member should be an administrator. Mr Raghbir Singh falls in the category of an administrator leading to his induction into the HERC. Mr Ramesh Chandra, who has been elevated to the post of Chairman of the HERC following the expiry of the term of Mr V.S. Ailawadi on August 16, comes from the Indian Audit and Accounts Service. Mr K.S. Chaube, the other Member, is an engineer. The sources argued that being a native of Haryana, Colonel Raghbir Singh was familiar with the power consumption scene in Haryana including the devious methods used here for the theft of power. This knowledge of his would come handy for the commission while taking various important decisions, the sources said. Mr Ramesh Chandra, who retired as Deputy Auditor-General, worked in UP and Bihar as well as in Delhi when he was in service. Mr Chaube, who was with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), also reportedly does not have much first-hand knowledge about Haryana. Mr Ailawadi, a retired IAS officer, had worked in Haryana. His exit made it imperative for someone knowledgeable about Haryana to fill the vacant slot in the HERC and Colonel Raghbir Singh was found suitable for the job, the sources said. |
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AMBALA DIARY Ambala Despite their handicaps, the students were
enthusiastic and cheerfully presented the song and dance items prepared by them. The students did need some help from their teacher who stood behind them, but the lively cheer and spirit with which they performed at the show was commendable. The parents of a girl who participated in a dance were so pleased with the performance of their daughter that they kept pointing at her to those around them as the dance progressed.
*** The Rotary Club of Ambala held a talk on how to control the problem of stray cattle and garbage in Ambala Cantonment. The local MLA, Mr Anil Vij who delivered the talk at Rukmani Devi Memorial Hall said that Rotarians and others should come forward and take interest in improving civic conditions. He emphasised the need for reactivating cattle shelters. To tackle the menace of non-biodegradable polythene, he said it was necessary to start a public movement to persuade the people to avoid using polythene bags which were the main reason for the clogging of drains.
*** Some persons look forward retirement as a period of rest when they can spend their time as they like. But there are others who want to make a constructive contribution to society, particularly to the organisation which they have served for long years. This mindset of making oneself useful to others was
obvious at the state level function held by the Haryana Retired Police Officers Welfare Association at Panchayat Bhavan in Ambala. These retired police officers were more than keen to make themselves useful to society in general and the police force in particular. Some of the suggestion made at the function were to utilise their services in solving crime, or to hold regular classes for policemen so that they can benefit from their experience.
*** The men in olive green have a tough personality. However, their soft side became apparent when the mortal remains of Major Amit Ahuja, who laid down his life in Kashmir, reached his home in Ambala City. A large number of civilians were present, and so were soldiers. The Commander of the Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Sub Area, Brig N.D. Prasad, walked up to the father of Maj Ahuja and spoke to him with empathy and understanding. Mr Ahuja regained his composure. What Brig Prasad said must have been said by scores of others but the words of a senior Army officer to the martyr’s father made a significant difference.
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KALKA DIARY Kalka *** The Municipal Committee of Kalka is facing a number of problems and is under pressure for providing sanitation in the municipal areas. The government is not permitting it to employ more safai karamcharis although the municipal limits have been extended many times since 1968 and the number of safai karamcharis has remained the same. At present, there are 45 safai karamcharis on the rolls of the municipal committee. The population of the town has grown from about 10,000 to 40,000 since 1968 and the number of houses and colonies has also increased.
*** The menace of stray cattle, pigs and dogs is increasing in Kalka. Stray cattle squat on the streets of the town and even on the National Highway which runs through the town. Most of the houses in the town do not have cattle sheds and the owners let loose the cattle in the streets. The residents of this town also complain about the nuisance created by stray dogs and pigs. Groups of piglets following mother pigs is a common sight in the streets of Kalka.
*** The residents of Gurbax Colony of Kalka near Upper Mohalla are sore about the civic amenities, erratic supply of electricity and voltage fluctuation. They say that the voltage is so low that sometimes candle light becomes more effective than an electric bulb. The municipal committee has also not provided a sewerage line to this mohalla. The residents complained to the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula in an Open Darbar held in Kalka recently. The Deputy Commissioner had promised to look into the problems of the mohalla and they are waiting for some action in this regard. The residents have also demanded that a transformer should be installed in their mohalla to stabilise the electricity supply. |
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Residents unhappy with Sulabh work Faridabad, August 28 As a result cases of water-borne diseases have been on the rise, and protests over short supply of potable water have become common here. The list of critics of the performance of Sulabh International, a voluntary organisation who had been awarded contract of cleanliness works in HUDA sectors and some of nearby villages, on July 12, has been growing up. Several resident welfare organisations and local residents have also complained that though almost one-and-a-half months have passed since the contract was signed, no cleanliness work has been done. According to corporation sources, the voluntary body had indicated that it would deploy over 700 safai workers and would start complaint centres in all sectors, but it is reported that a very less number of safai workers have been deployed. Moreover, its staff lacked the required infrastructure. The work of handing over the cleanliness was launched with much fanfare with Local Bodies Minister Subhash Goel presiding over the function. Another feature about the contract that has surfaced is continuos attack on Sulabh workers allegedly by workers of the corporation who had been retrenched. It is learnt that the retrenched employees do not want the Sulabh experiment to succeed. The corporation had agreed to pay Rs 25 lakh a month to Sulabh for the project. But since 350 safai employees have been reinducted, after the high court’s order, the corporation authorities are in a ‘fix’ over the situation. The corporation is facing acute financial crunch as it has not been able to recover several of its dues and taxes running into several crores. The Mayor Office here has also become a protest spot for the residents who do not get proper supply of potable water. Women of various colonies have lodged their protest in the past few days. Health officials hold the unhygienic conditions and supply of contaminated water as main cause of incidents of diarrhoea and water-borne diseases. At least three persons, including two children, have died at local civil hospital in the past 10 days, according to hospital sources. |
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Yuva Kisan Samiti’s threat on SYL issue Rewari, August 28 Addressing a press conference here today, he said the samiti also had the support of MP Pappu Yadav, a leader of the Bharatiya Samyukta Loktantrik Party, who had raised the SYL issue in Parliament on August 24. Mr Yadav condemned the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala for not reacting to Mr Badal’s statement that not a drop of water would be allowed to blow from Punjab. |
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Students resent shortage of staff Hisar, August 28 Addressing the protesters, Mr Ramesh Kumar, a member of the Zila Parishad, alleged that though the state government had upgraded the high school at Rajli village to plus two level two years ago, there was no teacher for these classes. He said the post of headmaster of Rajli Girls School had been vacant for the past five years. The Education Department had not taken any step to fill the post despite repeated requests, he alleged. He said many posts of teacher were lying vacant in the schools at Sarsod and Bichpari Bugana villages. |
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Farmers
hold demonstration Sirsa, August 28 Addressing a public gathering at the local Gandhi Chowk earlier, Mr Bhadu said due to spurious pesticides and scarcity of irrigation water, their cotton crop had been damaged. Mr Bhadu urged the Union Agriculture Minister to make arrangements for sprinkling pesticides through helicopters to save the remaining crop. He warned that if the government did not heed their demands, the morcha would launch an anti-government campaign. |
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Lecture on reforms in higher education Kurukshetra, August 28 Prof R.P. Hooda of the Commerce Department of the university, in his lecture indicated that the universities were likely to face a serious paucity of public resource allocations. He said the adoption of a global approach towards higher education was expected to make more funds available for the universities. |
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Telecom RSU commissioned Kaithal, August 28 This is an extension of Kaithal C-DoT MBM exchange. Similarly another 1000-lines R.S.U was commissioned at Thol today. All these exchanges will now have the facilities like, morning alarm, dynamic lock, detail billing and call transfer, which were available in the ISM exchanges only, Mr Dawra said. |
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2 held for illegal making of arms Hisar, August 28 According to the police they had a licence for repairing arms but they got involved in manufacturing pistols and selling these to criminals. During interrogation they revealed that they had sold many pistols to criminals of nearby villages. After this the police launched a campaign to arrest those criminals and recover arms. The police said, they sold arms for Rs 5,000 to 15,000. |
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Fake driving licences: two arrested Faridabad, August 28 According to police sources, the suspects, residing in Sector 28 here, had been allegedly involved in the work for the past several months. Two fake licences, some stamps and other documents were seized from their house after a raid. The suspects who are reported to be brothers were produced in the local court today which sent them to 14-day judicial custody. |
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Electric wire worth
Rs 70,000 stolen Jhajjar, August 28 |
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Kadian to visit Australia Chandigarh, August 28 |
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