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Saturday,
August 24, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Ravi Kant Sharma suspended Hooda elected CLP leader Defeat Pak designs: Chautala AIEEE rank-holders in dilemma Ex-councillor’s bail plea dismissed We need moral support, says martyr’s father |
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Principals ask V-C to review
decision ‘Conditional access system beneficial’ L.M. Goyal to
go to Centre Haryana DGP for night patrolling
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Ravi Kant Sharma suspended Chandigarh, August 23 Official sources say action against Mr Sharma, who was I.G., Prisons, till August 14, has been taken for being absent from duty. Mr Sharma, who had proceeded on casual leave for five days after it became clear that his arrest by the Delhi police was imminent in the murder case. After the expiry of his leave on August 12, he did not report for duty nor did he apply for an
extention of leave. Two days later, the state government posted Mr Laik Ram Dabas in place of Mr Sharma, who was not given any posting. The first indication of the government getting tough with Mr Sharma came yesterday when Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala said in Karnal that the absconding IG should surrender before the law. Mr Chautala’s Karnal statement was in sharp contrast to what he had said at a press conference here on August 14. At that time Mr Chautala had maintained that the government would act against Mr Sharma only after his arrest by the Delhi police. |
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Hooda elected CLP leader Chandigarh, August 23 Mr Hooda’s election today was without any hurdle, notwithstanding the fact in the past three weeks the HCLP meeting was adjourned twice. As soon as the meeting started, which was convened by the Deputy Leader of the HCLP, Capt Ajay Yadav, Mr Hooda asked the 19 MLAs, who were present, whether anyone of them wanted to contest the elections. All MLAs said they had no such plans and they would abide by the decision of the AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The presence of AICC General Secretary Mohsina Kidwai perhaps killed any adventurism on the part of the MLAs belonging to the Bhajan Lal camp. On August 16, the CLP meeting was postponed by the Haryana Congress President, Mr Bhajan Lal, on the plea that certain MLAs had conveyed to him that an opportunity to contest the elections should also be provided to them. However, he had not disclosed the names of such MLAs. He had also taken the plea that since no AICC observer was present, the CLP could not meet to elect its leader. According to informed sources, the high command had taken a serious view of Mr Bhajan Lal’s action and conveyed its displeasure to him. The sources say Mrs Gandhi specifically asked Mrs Kidwai to visit Chandigarh and preside over the CLP meeting in which Mr Hooda was to be formally elected as its leader. After the meeting Mr Bhajan Lal admitted that it was his fault that information to the high command about the August 16 meeting could not be sent in time. It may be recalled that the high command had ordered Mr Bhajan Lal and Mr Hooda on July 31 to swap their places as the CLP Leader and the party President with immediate effect. Absentee MLA, Lachhman Dass Arora is away to Amarnath. A copy of the resolution adopted by the CLP, electing Mr Hooda as its leader, was delivered to the Secretary, Vidhan Sabha, in the afternoon. The CLP also requested Speaker Satbir Singh Kadian to recognise Mr Hooda as the Leader of the Opposition. Earlier, Mr Kadian had rejected Mr Hooda’s request in this regard, saying that he had not been formally elected as the CLP leader. Mr Hooda has convened a meeting of the CLP for August 27 to chalk out the party strategy for the Vidhan Sabha session scheduled to open on September 2. |
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Defeat Pak designs: Chautala Yamunanagar, August 23 The Chief Minister was addressing a religious congregation at Dera Sant here Pura on the occasion of the 24th death anniversary of Brahm Giani Sant Nischal Singh. Recalling the contribution of Sunt Nischal Singh, Mr Chautala said he was a great philosopher and social reformer, committed to the upliftment of ending society and the caste system. He established a number of educational and charitable institutions, besides setting up the Bhai Kanhiya Trust. The Chief Minister appealed to the youth to emulate great saints like Sant Nischal Singh. A siropa and a sword were presented to the Chief Minister by the dera management. Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a community centre-cum-commercial complex at Gobindpuri. He said the complex would be completed by March. Mr Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Chairman, Planning Board, Mr Banta Ram, chairman, Haryana Sugar Federation, Mr Balwant Singh, Dr M.C. Gambhir, Dr B.L. Saini and Mr Kanwarpal Singh, all MLAs, Mr Manik Sonewane, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Development, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Vijayender Kumar, and the SP, Mr M.S. Ahlawat, were also present.
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AIEEE rank-holders in dilemma Karnal, August 23 A large number of students from other states are finding it tough because of a directive to the engineering institutes in Haryana by the government vide its memorandum dated August 16. The Haryana Self-Financing Managements Association of engineering colleges may take a legal recourse. Investigations reveal that about 1,200 seats were to be filled through the AIEEE conducted by the CBSE. About 15 per cent of seats were allotted to various engineering institutes in Haryana. The CCB of the Ministry of Human Resources Development conducted an entrance test for counselling for engineering colleges on May 19 and the result was declared on June 25. The first counselling was held from July 5 to July 7. As per documentary evidence, rank-holders from 1 to 50,000 were invited for counselling on the above dates. The first list was from the CCB on July 19 and the second on August 10. The students were asked to approach the institutes allotted to them between August 10 and August 14 for admission. Only about 15 per cent of students joined various colleges during this period. Many of them were from far off states and found it inconvenient to study in Haryana. It was after this that the CCB issued another directive on August 6 by which the AIEEE rank-holders were permitted to approach the institutes of their choice and seek admission there. The institutes were told if “some vacant seats were left out of the Central quota after August 14, the institutes can admit candidates from amongst the rank-holders.” Even the information brochure issued by the CCB said the list of vacant seats would be reported to it by August 14 and after that the AIEEE rank-holders who could not get admission “may directly seek admission in the institute of their choice where such seats were vacant.” Principals of engineering colleges said between 60 per cent and 75 per cent of the seats allocated to Haryana were filled by August 16. A large number of students had paid their fee and other dues. However, the government woke up and issued a new directive to the colleges which stipulated that “all vacant seats after August 14 will be filled by the CCB through the National Institute of Technology (Kurukshetra).” It further said those admitted by the colleges after August 16 would not be “registered with the affiliating
unversities.” All engineering colleges had informed the CCB and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) about the factual position of the vacant seats after admissions made on August 16. It is reported that the NIT issued a notification for counselling of vacant seats which appeared in The Tribune on August 20, asking the rank-holders from 1 to 50,000 to appear on September 2 and September 4. The counselling for these ranks had already been done by the CBSE. As per the government directive and the NIT notification, the vacant seats are to be filled again. The students can’t understand why they should appear for counselling again when they had already sought admissions as per the directives of the CBSE.
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Ex-councillor’s bail plea dismissed Ambala, August 23 The former municipal councillor and general secretary of the District Congress Committee, Mr Harish Shashan, his wife, Ms Pravesh Shashan, Mr Arun Shashan and Mr Ashok Shashan against whom the police had registered a case had filed an anticipatory bail plea on August 10. Rejecting the bail application, the judge directed the police to serve at least four days’ advance notice to Ms Pravesh Shashan if it needed to arrest her. Ms Shashan is a Congress councillor of the Ambala Municipal Council these days. The hearing on the regular bail application filed in this court will come up for hearing on August 26.
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We need moral support, says martyr’s father Ambala, August 23 Mr Yash Pal Ahuja, father of Major Amit Ahuja who laid down his life on August 22, 2002, said just by handing over money, the grief of losing a child could not be overcome. “Neither money nor material comfort can bring back my son,” he said. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune recently Mr Yash Pal Ahuja observed that although they had received financial assistance following his son’s death, “the moral support has been woefully lacking.” He said they had applied for a petrol station under the discreationary quota last year. “The process is painfully slow and we are yet to see tangible results,” he said. “It is a shame that there is a scam in petrol station allotment, when deserving people like us have to wait endlessly,” Mr Ahuja said. The anger and hurt in his voice was palpable. “I want to know, how many politicians have sent their children to the Army. We don’t want money but we want to lead a life of dignity. Even if all the material comforts in the world are given to me, it will not bring back my son. At least, the Central Government can ensure that what is rightfully ours is given to us,” he said. A trust, which has been formed to keep alive the name of Major Amit Ahuja who attained martyrdom near the Indo-Pak Line of Control, was doing yeoman’s service. About a year back, Major Amit Ahuja was killed when a shell exploded in his bunker in Gurez sector and after his untimely death, Shaheed Major Amit Ahuja Charitable Trust was established to render welfare service. Mr Ahuja stated that the trust was formed so that good work could be done in the memory of his son. “We are already running welfare schemes. There is scholarship scheme for students and we want to assist war widows and dependents of Army personnel,” he said. “A park has been developed in Urban Estate, Ambala city,” he said. He said 20 students were being granted scholarship at DAV College, Ambala city, of which Major Ahuja was an alumnus, Major Ahuja had studied B.Sc (Computer Science) and passed out in 1996. “Incidentally, my son studied in the same college from which I had passed out,” he said. “The park has been developed in the memory of Major Ahuja through community effort. The park has been adopted by the trust,” he said. “A conference hall in DAV College has been named after my son,” he said. With tears in his eyes, Mr Yash Pal Ahuja, recalled his son’s passing out from the IMA and his Army career. “Major Ahuja passed out from Indian Military Academy on June 13, 1998. He was always interested in joining Infantry,” he said. Major Ahuja went on to join 2 Dogra. His unit was sent to the Line of Control and was commander of the advance party. Mr Yash Pal Ahuja said he had been receiving regular calls from
Gurez. “We are planning to have a rolling trophy in the memory of Major Ahuja at the Army School,” he said. He observed that the Army authorities should assist in paperwork following an Army person’s death. “I was swamped with paperwork. Even though I have done my
postgraduation, it was very confusing. There were several mistakes and several times, it used to be exasperating. I would request the Army authorities to depute some person who was efficient in paperwork so that family members did not face problems,” he said.
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Principals
ask V-C to review decision Ambala, August 23 The deputation included college Principals, Dr Desh Bandhu, Mr K.K. Sirohi, Mrs R.K. Sharma, Dr Raj Kumar, Dr Ramesh Kumar and Mr Subhash Sharma. The deputation sought the intervention of the Vice-Chancellor for the review of a decision taken recently by the university in connection with the teaching of subjects and papers in the faculty of commerce. “The decision had meant a change in the existing norms under which all papers in the Department of Commerce were not required to be taught by commerce lecturers only whereas earlier some of the papers were being shared by lecturers in economics as well,” a press statement said. The principals observed that the decision had acquired overtones of apprehension amongst the teachers of economics on the ground that the shift in the prevalent practice would consequently decrease the workload in economics which could further lead to their being rendered surplus. The Vice-Chancellor assured the deputationists that the decision would be looked at afresh keeping in view the best interests of all concerned, the statement said. Among the other issues which were raised included suitable amendments in the self-financing scheme of the university and the abolition of entrance tests for post-graduate courses such as MCA and MSc software being taught in the affiliated colleges.
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‘Conditional
access system beneficial’ Ambala, August 23 Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, Ms Swaraj said these days all channels were being received on cable TV. “A viewer does not have a choice. The viewer does not get only what it wants,” she said. She said the television networks had a bouquet of channels. “The viewer has to opt for that bouquet even if one wants to watch a particular channel being offered by the network,” she said. “We want that the cost of each channel should be mentioned by the network in the bouquet of channels. It should depend on the viewer whether it wants one channel or the complete bouquet,” she said. Ms Swaraj, who had come to Ambala for Raksha
Bandhan, said there would be regulation by choice. “For instance, if a person does not want that the children should watch a particular channel, then the person may not opt for that channel,” she said. Regarding complaints of Doordarshan channel not being ‘clear’ on cable TV, Ms Swaraj said the viewer could file a complaint with the police. “The cable TV operators may not put the channel on the primary band which leads to the DD channel not being clear,” she observed. “The viewer can file a complaint and action will be initiated against the cable TV operator,” she said. She said officers, including the District Magistrate and the SP had been authorised to take action on such complaints. “Doordarshan continues to have the maximum reach in the country,” she stressed.
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L.M. Goyal to
go to Centre Chandigarh, August 23 An official press note added that Mr Ankur Gupta, Director and Joint Secretary, Rural Development, Haryana, had been given additional charge as Director and Joint Secretary, Information Technology Department, during the leave period of Ms Shashi Bala Gulati. |
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Haryana
DGP for night patrolling Chandigarh, August 23 Mr Malik, who was presiding over a meeting of those officers here today, asked them to carry out night patrolling to check the activities of criminals and anti-social elements. The field officers who attended the meeting included SPs of districts and IGPs of the police ranges. |
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Teacher
shot dead
Yamunanagar, August 23 Naresh, who was teaching at a private school Jagadhri workshop, used to go to Farakhpur to teach students. Someone informed his family that he was lying on the road in a critical condition. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead. The motive of the murder is not known. A case has been registered. |
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UHBVN decision Chandigarh, August 23 The cash collection centres would remain open on August 24 and 31 which were otherwise holidays in the state. |
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