H A R Y A N A

Yuva Kisan Samiti to continue stir for water
Ambala, August 31
The Haryana Yuva Kisan Sangharsh Samiti will continue struggle for equitable distribution of water to the southern part of Haryana. Talking to reporters here yesterday the President of the Samiti Mr Naresh Yadav said that attitude of successive governments and the scarcity of water in that area had been fuelling the demand for a separate statehood for southern Haryana.

Excise officials beaten up Faridabad, August 31 Some Excise officials including two Excise and Taxation Officers, (ETOs), were “locked” up in a godown and allegedly beaten up by a transporter and his supporters during a raid conducted by the officials here yesterday.

Chautala on inauguration spree
Sonepat, August 31
The initiation of development activities in the Gohana constituency of the district by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, proves that the state is steadily treading the path of progress and prosperity as envisioned by the late Chaudhary Devi Lal.

‘Rajiv chowk’ name board restored
Gurgaon, August 31
Apprehending backlash from the public and the possibility of the Congress capitalising on it, the administration has intervened to restore the name boards of a former Prime Minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi, on a chowk on the National Highway Number 8 (also known as the Jaipur highway). The Congress government in the state had named the chowk after Rajiv Gandhi in 1992-93.

YC body to check factionalism
Chandigarh, August 31
The Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress (HPYC) has formed a 94-member body after four and a half years in a bid ‘’to steer the state unit clear of factionalism.’’

European help for a healthy Ambala
Ambala, August 31
Major health sector reforms with the monetary assistance of the European Commission are all set to hit Ambala soon. Ambala is one of the 22 districts of India identified by the European Commission where major reforms in the health sector are to be made over five years. The other two districts of Haryana that have been identified are Yamunanagar and Karnal.

IN FOCUS
Facelift adds to confusion
Kalka
A face-lift given to Gandhi Chowk at Kalka, has made it more chaotic. The structure constructed in the chowk has made the roads narrower, particularly the one leading to the railway station. Traffic jams have become more frequent. Buses coming from Parwanoo have very little space to turn towards the railway station and often these buses become a hazard for pedestrians.

Tarun Tejpal to be honoured
Ambala, August 31
The convenor of the Haryana Sangharsh Samiti, Mr Om Prakash Malik, said Mr Tarun Tejpal, chief executive of the tehelka.com and his associates will be honoured at a public reception at Ambala Cantonment.

Immolation bid by postal employee
Ambala, August 31
An inquiry has been initiated to probe into an attempt made by a postal assistant to immolate himself at the main post office, Ambala Cantt.

BSF to recruit 183 constables
Ambala, August 31
Border Security Force is going to recruit constables, (general duty) for 183 vacant posts and applications have been invited from eligible youths of Haryana.

Woman commits suicide
Jind, August 31
One woman committed suicide and another two were injured in separate incidents in the district. According to the reports received here today, Bimla Devi of Harnam Singh village allegedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance. The cause of the suicide could not be ascertained.

• Commission agent shot

• Bandh observed over murder

Yuva Kisan Samiti to continue stir for water
Our Correspondent

Ambala, August 31
The Haryana Yuva Kisan Sangharsh Samiti will continue struggle for equitable distribution of water to the southern part of Haryana. Talking to reporters here yesterday the President of the Samiti Mr Naresh Yadav said that attitude of successive governments and the scarcity of water in that area had been fuelling the demand for a separate statehood for southern Haryana.

Mr Yadav said that the SYL canal was the lifeline for the people of southern Haryana. The ruling parties in the state had vested interests in perpetuating water crisis because politicians from the other parts of the state had been at the Centre of the power. They knew that adequate share of water to south Haryana would make the area prosperous and politically empowered.

He said that the Supreme Court had directed Haryana and Punjab to settle the waters issue amicably. But the Chief Minister of Haryana had not been taking up the issue as Assembly election in Punjab is approaching soon and being a friend of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Chautala had been toning down the issue. He said the Chief Ministers of two states met the Prime Minister in connection with the support price for paddy several times but did not discuss the SYL issue even once.

He said that the Chief Minister of Punjab Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had already announced that not even a drop of water would be given to Haryana. He said that it was contempt of court for which the Punjab government should be proceeded against. He said if Punjab did not offer to Haryana its due share of water the Samiti would not allow any vehicle from Punjab to pass through Haryana.

Mr Yadav said the waters issue could be settled only now as the BJP government was at the centre was supported by the ruling parties of Haryana and Punjab, also the BJP is the supporting party to the INLD in Haryana and the Akali Dal in Punjab.

He said that the MPs from Haryana had not even taken up the SYL issue in Parliament. He said that it was matter of shame that the issue of the SYL and southern Haryana was raised by several MPs from Bihar and other states in Parliament recently. He demanded that the MLAs and MPs from southern Haryana should resign as they had failed to raise the issue in Assembly and Parliament.

Mr Yadav said that around 400 villages in southern Haryana had not been getting drinking water. Water level is falling there. The ground water has dipped to more than 1000 feet at some places. Recently the Ground Water Authority decided to notify major parts of Gurgaon city to control the situation. He appealed to all political parties of the state to use political influence to settled the SYL issue especially in the interest of southern part of the state.

Excise officials beaten up
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 31
Some Excise officials including two Excise and Taxation Officers, (ETOs), were “locked” up in a godown and allegedly beaten up by a transporter and his supporters during a raid conducted by the officials here yesterday.

According to a report, the Excise officials had gone to check the godown of the transporter on an information regarding the evasion of the sales tax. About 25 to 30 persons led by the transporter reached the spot after the officials demanded to check the godown. The manager of the godown reportedly told them that any check could be conducted in the presence of the owner.

According to a complaint lodged by the ETOs, the persons physically assaulted them and locked them up in a room in the godown. One of the officials who had a cellphone contacted the police which rescued the officials.

A case has been registered under Sections 148, 149, 353, 186 and 506 of the IPC. Sales Tax officials have sought a strict action against the culprits.

Chautala on inauguration spree
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, August 31
The initiation of development activities in the Gohana constituency of the district by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, proves that the state is steadily treading the path of progress and prosperity as envisioned by the late Chaudhary Devi Lal.

The development works include laying of the foundation stones of water works at Gudha and Kohla villages besides inauguration of new buildings of the Civil Hospital and the Sainik Rest House at Gohana and the inauguration of Yamuna Action Plan at Gudha village.

While addressing a large crowd at Gohana, the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment for providing all basic facilities to the people of the state and eradicating corruption at all levels.

He emphasised that his government had taken a decision to provide 70 litres of drinking water per capita per day to the people. Wherever required new pipe lines, water works and boosting stations would be set up for ensuring sufficient water availability in all villages of the state.

Regarding supply of irrigation water, Mr Chautala said a sum of Rs 12 crore had been paid to the Punjab Government for carrying out repair works in the Bhakra Canal. The government was also constructing new minors and watercourses.

Referring to the power situation in the state, he said adequate power would be provided at concessional rates to the consumers. During the past two years. 499 kv additional power had been generated in the state, he added.

Regarding strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions, he said they had been given additional financial powers and the Gram Vikas Samitis had been constituted for executing developmental works in the villages.The Chief Minister also sanctioned widening and repair of the roads from Gohana to Sonepat via Khanpur, Gohana to Julana and Gohana to Meham.

While inaugurating the Sainik Rest House at Gohana he said his government had a great regard for the defence personnel. The government had implemented a number of welfare schemes for their benefit and had allocated a sum of Rs 10 crore in the current budget for this purpose, he added.

‘Rajiv chowk’ name board restored
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, August 31
Apprehending backlash from the public and the possibility of the Congress capitalising on it, the administration has intervened to restore the name boards of a former Prime Minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi, on a chowk on the National Highway Number 8 (also known as the Jaipur highway). The Congress government in the state had named the chowk after Rajiv Gandhi in 1992-93.

In the eye of the storm is the Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and local MLA, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot. The Congress has publicly alleged that Mr Gehlot was behind the move to remove the name boards of Rajiv Gandhi which were replaced by the name boards of the Hero Honda firm.

The Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon, Mr A.K. Singh, told TNS today that the administration had directed the Hero Honda group to restore the four sodium light name boards (sign boards), which read “Rajiv Gandhi Chowk” at the roundabouts. He further said the Hero Honda did not seek the administration’s permission to remove the name boards. He said there was no question of rechristening the chowk as the state government had named it after Mr Rajiv Gandhi.

According to him, Hero Honda was authorised only to maintain the chowk. As a matter of policy the administration has authorised different firms to maintain various junctions and crossings in the city.

Reacting to the version of the Deputy Commissioner, a member of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), Mr Khazan Singh, said the administration must explain the circumstances under which the name boards of Rajiv Gandhi were replaced. He said the guilty should be booked under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act,1981 and Sections 370 (relating to theft) and 201 (relating to removal and tampering with evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and under the law relating to defamation.

The Congress made the incident an issue. It sent a memorandum to the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, the Governor of Haryana, The All-India Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the President HPCC, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the District President of the Congress and former minister, Mr Khurshid Ahmed.

The memorandum urged the Governor to order a probe into the incident.

The memorandum directly named Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot and alleged collusion of the district administration in installation of the name boards of Hero Honda.

The Congress had alleged business links of Mr Gehlot’s family and the Hero Honda firm. Its leaders allege that Mr Gehlot’s family has vendorship of the firm at Behrampur, near here.

Following the incident, the district unit of the Congress and the HPCC adopted resolutions condemning the act. The general house meeting of the HPCC asked the district administration and the Hero Honda firm to restore the name board of Rajiv Gandhi by October 2,failing which the Congress would launch a direct action against them.

YC body to check factionalism
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31
The Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress (HPYC) has formed a 94-member body after four and a half years in a bid ‘’to steer the state unit clear of factionalism.’’

The HPYC president, Mr Satwinder Singh Sandhu, while announcing the list here today, said: ‘’The list of office-bearers including 38 district heads, was cleared by the Indian Youth Congress President, Mr Randip Surjewala, this morning.’’

He said representatives from major castes, communities and regions had been included in the list. Among 10 party vice-presidents, the youth body has accommodated three Jats, two OBCs and Rajputs each, one each representing Sikhs, Brahmins and Aggarwals.

Out of the 38 district chiefs, rural and urban inclusive, eight Jats, six Punjabis and five OBCs, have been given representation.

The youth body has 21 general secretaries, 18 secretaries and 14 organising secretaries, a spokesman and a permanent office secretary. Mr Sandhu said the office-bearers had been picked up on the basis of merit after completing the enrolment of members after a gap of 23 years.

European help for a healthy Ambala
Rahul Das
Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 31
Major health sector reforms with the monetary assistance of the European Commission are all set to hit Ambala soon.

Ambala is one of the 22 districts of India identified by the European Commission where major reforms in the health sector are to be made over five years. The other two districts of Haryana that have been identified are Yamunanagar and Karnal.

The European Commission is extending this financial help to improve the condition of primary health centres, community health centres and civil hospitals of the district.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, Mr D.D. Gautam, said this monetary assistance was going to bring about significant reforms in the health sector. He also said a meeting to discuss the final modalities of the project was going to be held soon.

An exhaustive action plan prepared by the district health authorities has been approved by the European Commission with certain changes. There are 16 components in this plan that covers a broad spectrum of health reforms.

The European Commission has reportedly stressed the need for involving people at the grass-root level. The components of the plan include decentralisation, construction, repair and strengthening of X-ray, laboratory, neo-natal, obstetrics and casualty services. There is going to be an involvement of public-sector health institutions as well in the training of personnel and strengthening of village sub-centres.

Rs 1.55 crore has been earmarked for the first year of the plan to bring about significant changes in the health sector here. Out of this Rs 50 lakh has already been released. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Kaushik, and the District Health Officer and nodal officer, Dr Umesh Lamba, are giving the idea a practical shape.

The process of establishing swasthya kalyan samitis under the 'project', is nearing completion. The samitis will have an executive body and a governing body. While the money will be allotted to the executive body, the final authority for its utilisation will be given to the governing body. In Ambala, there are going to be 21 executive bodies with the smallest bodies of eight persons each at the primary health centre level. There will be three governing bodies, with two at the subdivisional level and one at the district level.

10 teachers to be honoured
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31
The Haryana Government will honour 10 teachers for their meritorious services in the field of education during 2000-2001.

An official release, quoting the Minister of State for Education, Mr Bahadur Singh, said the selected teachers would be honoured by the Governor, Babu Parmanand, at a function to be held at Raj Bhavan here on September 5 on the occasion of Teachers Day.

The teachers are Mr Jai Kumar Singh, Head Teacher, Government Primary School, Darva in Yamunanagar district, Mr Dhanpat Singh Jain, Lecturer, Economics, Government Senior Secondary School, Dhobi in Hisar district, Mr Nathi Ram, Lecturer, History, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Jagadhri, Yamunanagar, Mr Nafe Singh, Sanskrit teacher, Government High School, Tehsil Camp, Panipat, Mr Sudershan Sharma, Lecturer, English, Government Senior Model School, Sewan, Kaithal, Mrs Neelam Girdhar, Lecturer, History, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Kurukshetra, Mrs Krishna Sharma, Principal, Senior Secondary School, Lakhanmajra, Rohtak, Mr Rajpal, Art teacher, Government Senior Secondary School, Muana, Jind, Mr Hawa Singh Yadav, Headmaster, Government High School, Mirzapur, Hisar, and Mr Dharamvir Singh, PTI, Government Senior Secondary School, Chichrana, Sonepat.

IN FOCUS
Facelift adds to confusion
M.M. Bhandari

Kalka
A face-lift given to Gandhi Chowk at Kalka, has made it more chaotic. The structure constructed in the chowk has made the roads narrower, particularly the one leading to the railway station. Traffic jams have become more frequent. Buses coming from Parwanoo have very little space to turn towards the railway station and often these buses become a hazard for pedestrians.

Residents who buy cars but cannot drive these to their houses through the narrow streets, have to leave the cars on the main road. Such vehicles parked on the road add to the traffic problem.

Traffic jams, particularly in the morning and evening hours, have become routine and a motorist on the highway to Shimla should thank his lucky stars if he is able to pass through the town without getting caught in a snarl. Sometimes it takes more than an hour to clear this bottleneck.

In the absence of a proper bus stand, buses on way to Shimla or Chandigarh, stop in the main bazar known as Gandhi Chowk. A new bus stand has been constructed at a site about one kilometre away, but buses continue to drop and pick up passengers at Gandhi Chowk. Passengers also prefer to wait for the buses here, avoiding the extra kilometre involved. On both sides of the road are seen scores of people waiting for buses. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are parked in the area in the absence of a regular taxi or auto-rickshaw stand. These vehicles are often parked in front of shops which is resented by the shopkeepers.

The narrow stretch of the highway which passes through the town is made narrower by shopkeepers who display their wares on the road in front of their shops.

SDO booked on court’s direction
Our Correspondent

Karnal, August 31
The police has registered a case against Mr Rajiv Anand, SDO (HVPN), posted at a local division on a complaint of the president of the Small Grain Roller Mills Association. The case was registered on the direction of a Judicial Magistrate yesterday where the president of the association had filed a criminal petition.

The association president is learnt to have filed the complaint in a court after his failure to persuade the police to act against the said SDO. The association president had complained to the police that the SDO had allegedly threatened to kill him.

However, inquiries made by this correspondent revealed a different background. It has been found that the association and the SDO had been at loggerheads over a tussle related to heavy fines imposed by the SDO on the grain mill owners.

Tarun Tejpal to be honoured
Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 31
The convenor of the Haryana Sangharsh Samiti, Mr Om Prakash Malik, said Mr Tarun Tejpal, chief executive of the tehelka.com and his associates will be honoured at a public reception at Ambala Cantonment.

Mr Malik said the tehelka team has done a commendable job by exposing the politicians, bureaucrats and the defence personnel. Mr Malik said a hue and cry was being raised by some political parties against the revelation of the true picture by the tehelka team. “This hue and cry is most unwanted and instead of blaming the technique adopted by the tehelka team, their bold performance in highlighting the corruption prevailing among the high ups should be appreciated,” a release said.

Immolation bid by postal employee
Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 31
An inquiry has been initiated to probe into an attempt made by a postal assistant to immolate himself at the main post office, Ambala Cantt.

The incident took place on August 28 when the postal assistant walked up to a senior postal official and doused himself with kerosene. He then tried to set himself on fire by lighting a matchstick. The postal assistant claimed that he was overloaded with work.

Other postal employees on duty had to intervene to prevent the postal assistant from setting himself on fire by forcibly taking away the matchstick from him.

The Chief Post Master General, Haryana Circle, Mr T.R. Sharma, said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. “We have taken a serious note of the incident,” he said.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Senior Superintendent of Posts, Mr N.K. Sharma.

It may be mentioned that a few months back, a postal employee had tried to commit suicide in Hisar.

Sex education for school students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31
The Haryana Government has decided to soon introduce sex and family health education for Class IX and XI students in Sirsa, Rewari, Kurukshetra and Panchkula districts.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Health, Dr M. L. Ranga, after presiding over a meeting convened to implement the Family Health and Life Skills Programme being funded by the National AIDS Control Society.

The programme would be implemented in other districts in a phased manner, Dr Ranga said.

He said the programme was being implemented to develop a positive attitude towards sexuality and related problems and diseases.

BSF to recruit 183 constables
Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 31
Border Security Force is going to recruit constables, (general duty) for 183 vacant posts and applications have been invited from eligible youths of Haryana.

Out of these 109 posts are for general category, 38 for Scheduled Castes one for Scheduled Tribe and 35 for OBCs, a release said.

Candidate in the age group between 18 and 23 years are eligible for the general category posts. The eligible candidates, who fulfil educational and physical conditions, can apply to Commandant, 25 Bn, BSF, Chawla Camp, New Delhi by September 10 along with a postal order or demand draft for Rs 20.

Centres for settling marital disputes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31
The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HSLSA) will establish counselling and conciliation centres in all districts and subdivisional headquarters of the state for settling marital disputes.

While stating this, Mr R.S. Virk, member-secretary of the HSLSA, urged retired civil, police and Army officers as well as doctors, college and university lecturers and other public-spirited citizens above the age of 60 years for empanelment at the centres.

Woman commits suicide
Our Correspondent

Jind, August 31
One woman committed suicide and another two were injured in separate incidents in the district.

According to the reports received here today, Bimla Devi of Harnam Singh village allegedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance. The cause of the suicide could not be ascertained.

In another incident, a married woman of Dalamwala village received burn injuries under mysterious circumstances. She was rushed to the local General Hospital where doctors referred her to the Medical College Hospital, Rohtak. A girl of the town was injured when the cooker in which she was cooking meal suddenly burnt. She has been admitted to the local General Hospital.

Commission agent shot
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, August 31
A commission agent was shot here yesterday. Om Parkash (57), partner of M/s Om Parkash Ved Parkash C/Agents, was sitting in front of his shop at New Mandi here. At 8 p.m. two persons came to the shop. One of them shot Om Parkash from point blank range. Two bullets fired by the assailant killed him on the spot. The assailants were chased by some commission agents and labourers, but they managed to escape.

Bandh observed over murder
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, August 31
A bandh was observed in the town here today in protest against the killing of a local commission agent in the New Anaj Mandi last night, by two armed assailants. The victim, Om Parkash (51), was shot dead at point blank range at about 8 p.m. at his shop. A case has been registered under Sections 302, 504 and 34IPC, and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.