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April 12, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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All is not quiet in this industrial hub Faridabad, April 11 There are always about a dozen units which remain in the news for the wrong reasons. Perhaps, due to lack of a proper redressal system, the problems aggravate. Workers of an electronics company here are on the warpath these days. The employees’ union has warned that it will be forced to sit on an indefinite dharna and go on a hunger strike if the employees don’t get their wages shortly. These employees had been staging a dharna outside the office of the Deputy Labour Commissioner (DLC) to protest against the alleged harassment and the raw deal meted out to them. Allegedly, 125 workers of the unit have not been given wages for the past four months. The Labour Department has reportedly asked the union to file a claim in the labour court but the union leaders, wary of the tardy process, say the labourers cannot wait for months or maybe years for the dispute to get resolved. Hundreds of workers of other industrial units have also approached the district authorities, alleging that their company managements had failed to release their salaries for the past over two months. A complaint was put up before the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, during the monthly meeting of the district redressal and grievances committee here on April 6. The Chief Minister had asked the district authorities to take requisite action against the owners of a factory who had allegedly retrenched 150 workers in an illegal manner recently. Notwithstanding the claims of the authorities, unrest is not something new to this industrial hub of northern India. Strikes and agitations have been reported from several big and leading manufacturing units in the past few years. It is reported that hundreds of cases of undue harassment and delay in payment of wages, bonus or other benefits are received by the authorities concerned each year Ignorant workers do not know how and whom to approach when there is an infringement of their rights, especially in small and medium scale units where workers are not organised, says Nagesh Singh of the Hind Majdoor Sabha (HMS). He alleged that the present system of redressing the problems faced by industrial workers was not transparent. Another union leader said it was common knowledge that the complaints lodged in the open darbar held by the Deputy Commissioner had been sent back for redressal to the Labour Department officials, who had in the first instance turned away the workers. He said the authorities often do not put pressure on the owners as certain officials had good personal relations with them. According to Mr Subhash Lamba, district president of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh (SKS), Haryana, there were several organisations where the employees were not united and hence exploitation was commonplace. He said certain prominent schools and commercial offices had been exploiting their staff by holding back some of the benefits. |
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Ansal director sentenced to one
year in jail Noida, April 11 Forum Chairman Kartar Singh and members S C Sharma and Ms Vijay Laxmi Sharma gave this ruling on a complaint lodged by J P Garg, who had filed a case against Ansals. The Consumer Forum had on February 4, 2002, ordered the Ansals to hand over the original plot allotted to the complainant. In case it failed to comply with these orders, Ansals were directed to refund the amount deposited by the complainant along with 24 per cent interest and Rs. 10,000 as compensation for mental torture. The Ansals had secured a stay order from the State Consumer Forum against this order on November 26, 2002. The stay was valid till March 30, 2003. But even after this, the Ansals had failed to comply with the court orders. The forum took a serious note when the complainant again raised this matter and passed the aforesaid order sentencing Deepak Ansal to one year in jail. The forum held the company guilty of contempt of court. |
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Jadeja ready for rough and tumble of box office New Delhi, April 11 With his debut film, ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath’, Jadeja has arrived in the film industry. The film, which is nearing completion, recounts the story of a grandmother and her estranged grandson who are reunited by the heroine. Starring Rimpy Gill and Chabi, the film also boasts of Satish Shah and Sushma Seth. The surprise element in the film is hair stylist Silvie in a twin role. Silvie, who plays the role of a brother and sister, is the stand up comedian in the film. Says Jadeja about his venture, “I play Ajay who is the grandson of a rich woman, Sushma Seth. My parents are dead and I develop misunderstandings with Seth. I leave her house but there are people wanting to kill her, so that they can lay hands on her money”. Though there are shades of grey in his character, the hero redeems himself towards the end. The role came Ajay’s way at the time of the cricket ban. “My first consideration was the role and the kind of character I would be playing. In fact, I am more concerned about my image on the cricket field than in films”, says Jadeja. The cricket buff in Jadeja wants him to return to his first love, cricket. “I feel I still have some years of cricket left in me and things seem brighter, especially after the ban”. Jadeja is disappointed that his debut film has been delayed, as also his return to the pavilion. “ I had thought that in six months’ time the film would be complete and I can return to cricket. But it was two years before the court gave its decision and I cannot play till September”, rues Jadeja. Talking about his love for the game, Jadeja says, “I took up a film as I wanted to see how it will fare, but if there were a cricket game on, I would rather be on the cricket field than on the sets shooting. If it were not for cricket, I would not be here”. Jadeja’s co-star Rimpy has won a gold medal in theatrics and is one film old. The movie has been written, produced and directed by V Krishna Kumar who is a well-known name down South. A new cast is sure to give the film a fresh feel, says Kumar. |
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Life convict found hanging in lock-up New Delhi, April 11 The deceased, Ravinder Kumar Malik alias Ravi Malik alias Uma Kant (30) from Orissa, was last convicted in 1995. Recently, he was re-arrested by the South District police in a robbery case in Hauz Khas along with the receiver of the stolen property, Satyanarayan, a resident of Khanpur. The police recovered the stolen property, including money and jewellery worth Rs four lakh, from their possession. Last night, the police, after apprehending Ravinder and Satyanarayan, lodged both of them in the Madangir police station. Today morning, around 6 am with the help of a bed sheet, which was provided to the accused, he hanged himself and committed suicide. His associate, on hearing some sound, got up and found Ravinder hanging from the ceiling. Satyanarayan immediately alerted head constable Rajesh, who was in-charge of security. Ravinder was rushed to the AIIMS, where he was declared brought dead. The doctors, on examination, found “a ligature mark in the anterior upper neck and no other significant visible external injury.” Head constable Rajesh has been placed under suspension and an inquiry has been ordered. |
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ARCHAIC RULES Rohtak, April 11 The university Court has 84 members and out of these 22 members are from colleges. The Academic Council has about 100 members and out of these 41 are from colleges. But interestingly, the Executive Council of the university has a lopsided representation of various stakeholders. Out of its 18 members, it has six teachers from the university teaching departments and one teacher from the university college. The university has 129 affiliated colleges, but there is only one teacher from these colleges in the Executive Council. Why, then, special treatment to the university college? Interestingly, the Dean Academic Affairs, the Dean College Development Council and the Director of Directorate of Distance Education do not find any place in the Executive Council which is the principal executive body of the university, as per section 12 (1) of the University Act. Though the erstwhile Medical College, Rohtak, stands upgraded for the last six years to Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, yet everywhere in the University Act it is referred to as the medical college. This also needs to be changed. Section 9 of the University Act especially needs to be examined in the present-day scenario. The section states: (1) The Governor of Haryana, by virtue of his office, shall be the Chancellor of the University. (2) The Chancellor shall be the head of the University..... But, as is well-known, the chancellor in reality remains helpless in all key matters: whether it is the appointment of vice chancellor or the pro-vice chancellor, or the creation or abolition of post of pro-vice chancellor, or when it comes to giving permission for making appointments in the university, or seeking financial grants from the state. The chancellor’s helplessness was obvious to all in the University Court’s meeting chaired by him on March 22 when some members raised the issue of making at least some appointments, like that of the Finance Officer, the deans of colleges, the librarian, the director, distance education, etc. But the chancellor remained silent. Only the state government has the power to grant permission to make any appointments in the university. In such a situation, it would in reality be in the best interests of the university if the chief minister, by virtue of his office, becomes the chancellor of the university. This raises the question: Why should we have a deceptive system in which the real power vests with the chief minister and the Governor-Chancellor is helpless! |
DTO makes record revenue collection of Rs 2.70 cr Sonepat, April 11 According to a press note released by the Public Relations Department, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, has stated that during 2002-2003 as many as 2,154 vehicles were challaned by officers of the District Transport Office. These included 1,041 challans for maxicabs being run without permits. Besides, 317 vehicles were also impounded during the period. During the year, the office issued 2,135 permits, 1,330 registration certificates, 200 driving licences and renewed 573 old ones. It is specifically highlighted that though the total expenses on office management were hardly Rs 11.70 lakh the revenue income from the office was a record Rs 2,69,37,00. On the other hand, the challaning process of the office has also invited criticism from the vehicle owners who allege that a number of times vehicles, including maxicabs, possessing all required documents besides not violating any rules were also being challaned on some pretext or the other to meet the monthly or annual targets. A number of private vehicle owners, including truck operators, talking to NCR Tribune on condition of anonymity alleged, “Our vehicles are impounded by the police for carrying people to rallies held by the ruling INLD throughout the year. We lose income of at least two days during the course of one rally.” |
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PM appreciates
CSIR role in getting patents New Delhi, April 11 Mr Vajpayee, who was addressing a meeting at his residence said “I am happy about the progress of the CSIR towards becoming a real technology powerhouse, its contribution to nation building and higher reputation globally.” He also commended the creditable role played by the CSIR in the domain of intellectual property rights as was evident from the number of US patents granted with the CSIR sharing the number one position as per the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The Minister of HRD and Science and Technology, Prof Murli Manohar Joshi, assured the Prime Minister the CSIR would make all possible efforts to fulfil its mandate and potential. He also highlighted broad achievements like launching of new S&T policy, building strong bridges between traditional knowledge and modern science and enforcing of India’s intellectual rights. Mr Marshelkar, Director-General, CSIR, said the ratification of the annual reports and statements of accounts of the CSIR were the other important items on the agenda of the meeting. |
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON JHAJJAR/BAHADURGARH Jhajjar, April 11 Mr Hooda said the statement of Mr Rathee in defence of the owners of Shyamji Complex revealed he was indirectly involved in the construction of the building. If this was not the case, Mr Hooda maintained, then why was the MLA scared of a CBI inquiry into the sudden collapse of the building. Expressing dissatisfaction over the ongoing administrative inquiry into the incident, the Congress leader held it was a widely acknowledged fact in Bahadurgarh the Chautala government was trying to hush up the matter because a ruling MLA was involved in the deal and the government was trying to shield certain BJP and INLD leaders who were constructing this complex in violation of the prevailing building bylaws. He alleged that five storeys of the building came up by taking advantage of the influence of the local MLA while only two and a half storeys had been sanctioned as per the design passed by the local MC. The construction work had begun even before the plan was passed. The Congress leader alleged a reign of terror prevailed in Bahadurgarh as no one dared to defy the diktats of Mr Rathee. He alleged the local MLA was implicating his political opponents in false cases and an undeclared emergency ihad been imposed on the town. Mr Hooda claimed that if an independent inquiry was conducted into the misdeeds of the MLA during his three and a half years’ tenure more than 100 criminal cases could be filed against him. He alleged that whoever raised his voice against Mr Rathee was either framed in a case or his house was demolished. He said there was no place for such terror tactics in a democracy and the Congress opposed this. |
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District industrial centres a spent force Jhajjar, April 11 The DICs were set up in various districts long ago for helping the industries coming up in their areas and issuing certain licences to them. But today the office of the DIC has no relevance for industrialists and the staff at the office in Bahadurgarh can be seen sulking most of the time. The DIC sources informed that following the abolition of licence and quota system, they are just an advisory body as nowadays no licences are issued to the industrial units from this office. Even registration by the newly established units is not compulsory with the DIC although one can go to the office for any kind of information such as availability of land and labour etc. Apart from being a promotional and supportive body, the DIC also conducts surveys about the industries in its area, figuring out the total number of industries. According to official information, 142 new small-scale industries have come up in the district with a gross investment of Rs 2,065 lakh. With this 1,885 SSIs are operating in the district providing employment to at least 10,000 people. These units manufacture products like PVC pipes television plywood, auto-glass, freezer, medical syringes, telephone instruments, agriculture ornaments and readymade garments. Mr T. R. Bansal, General Manager, DIC at Bahadurgarh, said two new industrial sectors were being developed in Bahadurgarh and Badli. He said the DIC also cooperated with the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) in the acquisition of land. If fact, the land was acquired in the name of the Industries Department itself. The General Manager also said that besides playing a supportive role to the new units they also provide information about the promotional trade fairs and expos organised from time to time to the SSIs so that they could participate in it. However, the primary task of the DICs now was implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojna (PMRY). He said they provided employment opportunities to the unemployed youth under this scheme by granting loans to them. He said 900 applications were received last year for loans for self-employment schemes. As many as 480 applications were scrutinised and loans granted to 330 unemployed persons. |
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Deve Gowda criticises ‘faulty’ policies of NDA Rohtak, April 11 Addressing a state level party workers conference at HUDA complex here today, Mr Deve Gowda alleged that the ‘messiah of farmers’ and the former Deputy Prime Minister, Devi Lal, had unknowingly committed a mistake by entering into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1984. He alleged that the BJP was now exploiting the farmers and the labourers in the country. The JD (S) leader alleged that the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Ajit Singh and the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, were accepting the ‘anti-farmer policies’ of the NDA government to remain in power. He alleged that the condition of farmers and the common man had been deteriorated in the last five years. He said there had been a considerable hike in the prices of wheat, rice, kerosene, petrol, diesel and other essential commodities during the period. He said the announcement regarding waiver of interest on loans to farmers by the central government was a mere ‘eyewash’, as only 20 per cent of the interest had been waived off. He assured that he would always continue to struggle for the welfare of the farming community. |
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Chautala accused of imposing censorship Sonepat, April 11 He cited the examples of some journalists whose services were terminated by newspaper owners tantamount to pressure exerted by Mr Chautala. He alleged the Chief Minister had adopted a vindictive attitude towards certain mediapersons. Mr Surjewala also condemned the arrest of Mr Naresh Bhardwaj, a senior correspondent of Kaithal, who, he said, had reported the forced migration of Dalits from Harsola village in the Pai assembly constituency of Kaithal district which is represented by Mr Rampal Majra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, in the Chautala government. He also condemned the alleged murder of a Sirsa-based journalist, Chhatrapati, for reporting about a dera in Sirsa district and alleged that the real culprits were not touched and a bogus challan had been sent to the court of law. Mr Surjewala also appealed to the management of various national dailies not to terminate the services of mediapersons on Mr Chautala’s orders who, he alleged, had become a dictator and was engaged in crushing the voice of his political opponents. |
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Excess production depresses potato prices in Sonepat Sonepat, April 11 The selling prices of potato remained confined to around Rs 125 per bag in the wholesale market and between Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg in the retail market during most of the season. The farmers were facing dearth of buyers for their product even in the mandis. The president of ‘INLD Beopar Mandal’, Mr Virender, and Ramji Dass Chug, a leading commission agent of the mandi, have attributed this trend to the increase in production and halt of exports this year. They said that following the assurance from the Union Agriculture Minister that if the potato production increased substantially, the government would arrange for its export, there was an increase in potato cultivation not only in Sonepat but in almost all the districts of the state. The situation has reached such a state that the potatoes were rotting in the fields, as cold store owners were reluctant to buy their produce. In Sonepat district, the area under potato cultivation increased from 899 hectares in 1998-99 to 1,090 hectares during 2002-2003 and the production also registered an increase of more than 6,600 tonnes. The tomato growers have also suffered with the same problems this season and have reportedly not been able to recover the in-puts and labour costs. Tomato prices have also remained at the lowest during the entire season. |
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Quota for SC/STs in residential plots Noida, April 11 This decision was taken in its 114th board meeting, which also approved a special housing scheme for the non-resident Indians. Apart from this, Noida has decided to allow setting up of farm houses in Noida by amending the Agricultural Use Rules 1991, and allow for rebate in water connection charges as well as in monthly water rentals. The board meeting also passed the 2003-2004 annual budget of the Noida Authority. According to Dr Om Prakash, CEO, Noida Authority, a total of 17 proposals were put up in the board meeting. The most important item among these was pertaining to the introduction of reservation for SC and ST candidates in allotment of plots and flats in its residential schemes. Though the state administration had issued orders about implementing the reservation quota a few years ago, the same could not be acted upon due to some technical problems, he said. The Noida Authority will, henceforth, earmark 18 per cent for Scheduled Castes and 3 per cent for Scheduled Tribes in all its future allotments of plots and flats in its residential schemes, Dr Om Prakash said. The CEO said the setting up of Information Technology City, NEPZ, International Airport, Medical City and Biotech City would open up opportunities for attracting NRI investments. Keeping this in view, the Noida Authority has decided to come up with a residential scheme for NRIs, which has been approved by the board, Dr Om Prakash said. |
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Insurance cover for
unorganised labourers Noida, April 11 According to the Deputy Commissioner, Labour, Mr K.K.Purvar, the Labour Department collected a revenue of over Rs 21.23 lakh during the last financial year. In the previous year, the department had collected Rs 8.55 lakh as revenue. He said Rs 4.79 lakh had been collected for renewing the licences of 158 shops. The Deputy Commissioner, Labour, said his department had resolved 68 per cent of the disputes. He said out of the total of 755 disputes, some 666 had been settled, of which, 164 were pending for a long time. Regarding the insurance plan, Mr Purvar said that 6,500 shops have been included in the scheme and the department is to extend its benefits to the labourers from the unorganised sector, including daily wagers and contract labourers. |
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SPEAKING OUT/ DO YOU HAVE A GROUSE? This is with reference to the report ‘Only a financial analyst can shed light on MDU’s bottom line’ (NCR Tribune, March 30), wherein it is stated: “The university does not have a full-fledged finance officer and the post is being held by a deputy registrar. And mystery shrouds the conversion of deficit into surplus. Experts in financial matters believe that the expenses might have been shown on the higher side by the university in the estimates.”
If so, please write to us. We have a full half page every week reserved just for you. The letters should be clearly marked, Speaking out, NCR Tribune, The committee on ‘Model Act for Universities’ had opined that with the expansion of university work and activities, honorary treasurer independently elected by the court (senate) or the executive council (syndicate) was not a satisfactory arrangement. Therefore, this committee recommended that treasurer of finance officer should be a full-time salaried officer appointed by the syndicate. The officer should be designated as finance officer, rather than treasurer. Dr P. B. Gajendragadkar Committee on Governance of Universities (1971) endorsed the above recommendations of the Model Act Committee. The committee says, “The finance officer and the registrar have same status and come under same scale of pay and the finance officer is responsible directly to the pro-vice-chancellor or vice-chancellor.” The finance officer is a full-time salaried officer and is appointed by the executive council on the recommendations of selection committee in the universities of Haryana, excluding agricultural university. In agricultural university, the board of management is empowered to do so. Finance is like a life-blood of the university organisation. It must be properly managed. Financial administration is concerned with the planning, organising controlling and budgeting of the finance. Financial administration is a specialised function. It can be performed effectively only by a professional person. Unfortunately, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) and several other Indian universities do not follow the practice of appointing qualified financial experts, like Charted Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS) or Indian Cost Work Accountant (ICWA) etc. But in our universities, generally the financial officer is appointed on deputation from the state government or the assistant or deputy registrar is asked to officiate as finance officer for years together. The deputationist has the experience but lacks the ability of optimally utilising the rare resources. Mr O. P. Malik, an accounts officer in Haryana State Government, was appointed as the first Comptroller of MDU. Mr Som Raj Sharma and Mr H. C. Gupta, accounts officers in the state government were also appointed as chief accounts officers of MDU. For the last ten years, MDU has been appointing deputy registrar to officiate as Finance Officer. The present finance officer (FO) of MDU had joined the university as stenographer and remained several years as personal assistant in the university. Designation of personal assistant to the registrar or VC is an equivalent to superintendent post, whereas private secretary to the VC stands equivalent to assistant registrar. Predecessor of the present FO had joined as superintendent in the university. By virtue of seniority he got the promotion as assistant registrar and thereafter as deputy registrar. The present FO is competent one but cannot be equated to be an experienced holder of accounts wing. As per the latest recommendations of UGC, “The finance officers in the universities will be given the same pay scale as applicable to the registrars”. Pay scales for registrar or finance officer or controller of examinations and librarian is Rs 1400-450-20900-500-22400, whereas the pay scale for the posts of deputy registrar, deputy finance officer and deputy controller of examinations and deputy librarian is Rs 12000-420-18300. Without going into the detail, it is suggested that the post should be filled through open advertisement mentioning the qualifications as follows: Chartered Accountant Om Parkash
Wadhwa,
Education for each and all A new academic session is around the corner. From Montessary to 10+2, children seek admission to preparatory, primary, secondary and senior secondary schools. And in this, parents face the daunting task. To seek admission for their wards is not at all an easy task. Parents want good schools for their children. They get frustrated to listen to the percentage of marks the schools have already set for admission in different faculties. Parents are turned down either on the pretext that their wards have flopped in the entrance test or the formers have failed to cough out a significant amount of donation. Apart from this, such schools tend to think that only rich parents can provide education to their children. Those children who are creamy layers can study steadily. If this is the trend of the so-called educational management, what is the relevance of ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ (Education for each and all). I think in this way we are violating the constitution of India. India is a welfare country. It should represent democratic form of administration at every level. But we tend to behave autocratically getting absolutely oblivious of the rich dividends democracy pays. Our culture is rich. There are instances of our education being free from all kinds of prejudices or discrimination of caste, colour and creed. If there were any stray examples of discrimination of any kind, they were never taken lightly. They were always looked down upon. The historic examples are sparkling. The teachers of yore could well accommodate the rival brothers of Pandu and Kuru in their Ashram schools. Similarly, Lord Krishma as a school going child, could well adjust with poor boy Sudama in Sandipan’s ashram. Let us take a leaf from the past and enrich our age-old culture. Ujjal Pal Singh,
Really, it’s not fair It is unjust that over 50 employees of the Panipat subdivision under the Delhi Division of Northern Railway were retrenched because they were surplus. They were retrenched because of modernisation of the division. In my opinion, they could have been adjusted in the other relevant departments of the railways rather than being relieved from their jobs. In fact, these employees must not be retrenched and be Subhash C. Taneja,
Stop aping the West With the advent of summer, our designers come out in the open with fashion shows. While hosting such shows, the designers imitate western ideas. Our neo-rich generation, too, is copying the West in every walk of life, discarding Indian culture, customs, festivals, dress and outfits. Most of the foreigners come to India to get a feel of the spiritual and cultural splendour that this country offers, but are dismayed to see us and our younger generation aping the West in dress, language, outfits and food habits etc. In India, they like to wear traditional Indian dresses such as saree, salwar kameez, Rajasthani choli-ghagra, dhoties, sherwanies etc and take the same with them for their friends and relatives. Let our neo-rich generation realise that our traditional outfits are better, because they take into account the heat of the summer and its effects on our skin. Looking beautiful in summer with traditional outfits is far better than showing contours of our body in western outfits. O. P. Sharma,
Learn from DDA gate A few days back, IAS officers posted in senior positions in the DDA were found to be in the shadow of corruption. The Indian Administrative Services examination is one of the toughest exams in the country. And the lucky ones have really studied hard with discipline and sincerity. How then can their sincere and hard work bend towards corruption? Is this lust for money, or is our system propelling them in the wrong direction? If the society and the system are at fault, then we must check ourselves. But, if the bureaucrats are at fault, then they must be punished, so that the IAS and IRS aspirants don’t make the same mistake. The harsh action against corrupt officials will guide the younger generation and help them realise their moral responsibilities; that they are in the job to serve the people and not to rob them. They are drawing handsome salaries and enjoying all kinds of facilities. They must know that they are in the Indian Administrative Services, not in the Indian robber services. Saurabh
Duggal,
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Truck rams into rickshaw, man killed Sonepat, April 11 According to a report, the truck driver tried to escape immediately after the accident but was caught by the shopkeepers. The driver was beaten up by the shopkeepers before he was handed over to the police. According to another report, one person was killed and 12 others sustained injuries, two of them seriously when a truck rammed into a private bus on the G T Road near Easoi village, about 15 km from here yesterday. The bus was on its way from Ludhiana (Punjab) to Delhi. The body of the victim has not been identified so far. Two of the injured persons namely Babu Ram Gupta and Gurnam Singh were sent to a trauma centre at Delhi for further treatment. The injured persons were identified as
Surjeet, Des Raj Gurnam Singh, Kamlesh Rai, Gopal Samrawat (all from Ludhiana), Pawan Kumar (from Delhi), Mohammad and Vinod (from Faridabad), Babu (from Bihar), Ashish (from Pathankot), and Mohammad Abdullah.
Rally by NCP The youth wing of the Nationalist Congress Party has decided to organise a state-level rally on April 14 at Gharaunda (Karnal district) against the anti-people policies of the Indian National Lok Dal
(INLD) government, headed by Om Parkash Chautala. According to a report, the leaders of the party would highlight the misdeeds of the Chautala government and its failure to fulfil the demands of the people.
Sentenced to life imprisonment The Additional Sessions Judge of Sonepat, Mr R K
Bishnoi, has sentenced Narinder of Rohna village to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000, under Section 302 IPC (murder). According to the prosecution, the Kharkhauda police had arrested him in a case of murder. Meanwhile, the Judge has rejected the bail application of one Satpal of Titauli village, who was arrested by the Rai police on the violation of the NDPS Act.
Youth stabbed near CRA
College Naveen, a youth of Khanda village sustained knife injuries when he was allegedly attacked with knives by some unidentified youths near the CRA College here. According to report, the injured was rushed to the local civil hospital. The police have registered the case against the car-borne youths and launched a hunt for them. It is stated that the youth was going in his car when the driver of another car made an attempt to overtake him but this resulted in the collision. This led to a serious quarrel.
In-laws in the dock A housewife, Mrs
Sudesh, has filed a complaint in the court of Mr Sudhir Jeewan, a civil judge of Ganaur against her husband Yashpal and other members of the in-laws’ family alleging harassment for not bringing sufficient dowry. According to a report, Mrs Sudesh has also stated that she had been living in the house of her parents at Guhna village for the past few months as she was forced to leave the house of her in-laws.
Mass copying in exams Use of unfair means continues in the on-going annual examinations being conducted by the Board of School Education Haryana in Sonepat district and elsewhere in the state. According to a report, the officials of the flying squad visited an examination centre in the Vivekanand Girls Senior Secondary School, Sonepat, yesterday and found the examinees indulging in copying on a mass-scale. The officials took a serious note and relieved as many as six duty supervisors namely Mr Ram Chander, Ms Sunita, Ms
Mam Kaur, Mr Dilbagh Singh, Ms Yogeshwari and Mr Krishan Kumar from duty. The officials also lodged an FIR with the police against three persons namely Anil
Dabarpur, Narinder and Harinder, who, they alleged, had ‘created a scene’ and smashed windows and furniture of the in the examination centre. According to another report, a similar scene was also witnessed at an examination centre set up in the Parveen Shikhsha Sadan in this city.
Free eye camp The Hindu Manch of Sonepat is organising a free eye operation camp on April 17 on the premises of the Vijay Public School in Sikka Colony area of this district. According to a report, noted eye surgeons from the St. Stephens Hospital, Delhi, Dr Pran Nath Seth and Dr Krishan would conduct the operations of the patients suffering from eye diseases. |
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NCR
BRIEFS Ghaziabad, April 11 Youths arrested Three youths, under Mussori police station, have been arrested under the Goonda Act. They were identified as Zahid, resident of Shakarpura Khinra, Faryad of Nahal and Devinder of
village Galand Mussori. The three have been charged with indulging in unlawful activities. Prizes for investors As many as 9, 700 prizes are up for grabs for the persons investing in the small savings in Haryana during the financial year 2003-04. According to an official press note, first draw for the persons depositing a minimum of Rs 5,000 between April 1 and September 30, 2003 will be held in December, 2003. Similarly, the second draw for the persons investing in the small savings between October 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004 will be held in June next year. The deposited amount will be exempt from income tax. This year the authorities has fixed a target of Rs 124 crore for the Panipat district. Meanwhile, May 20 has been fixed as the last date for depositing application forms for the Chaudhary Devi Lal Kisan Prize to be given to the farmers for outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture. While the cash award for the state-level prize will be Rs 1 lakh, the district-level prize would carry an amount of Rs 25,000 each. The forms can be had from the office of the Deputy Director (Agriculture), Panipat, by April 21. Two youths killed Faridabad: Two youths were killed and a young woman was seriously injured when a motorcycle collided with a tractor-trolley near Chhainsa village of Ballabgarh subdivision. The tractor driver fled the spot soon after the accident. According to reports, the victims, identified as Anup Kumar (20), resident of Lahdoli village, and his friend Vishnu (21) of Bahbalpur village were going on a motorcycle along with Anup’s wife Seema, towards Chhainsa village when a tractor-trolley laden with sand hit them. While the youths were killed on the spot, the woman, reported to be pregnant, got injured. She has been admitted to a hospital. In another incident, a woman and her two-year-old daughter were run over by a train near Rasulpur crossing in Palwal subdivision. The victims could not be identified. The police have arrested two members of a family of Almpur village in a case of dowry death after one Vijay Singh of Hodal lodged a complaint that his daughter had been done to death for not meeting the dowry demands. |
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DELHI
DIGEST New Delhi, April 11 Fireman killed Sanjay Kumar Saxena, a fire man posted at the Vigyan Bhawan, was hit by a vehicle near the National Museum last evening. He was admitted to RML Hospital by the PCR van, where he was declared brought dead.
Customs Department to keep offices open The Customs Department has agreed to keep its offices open during the Ramnavmi holidays. In order to meet the exporters demand during the Ramnavmi holidays, Mr R. S. Sidhu, Commissioner of Customs (Air Cargo), Delhi Airport, has agreed to keep the office open to clear the export consignments. Sidhu said that on April 12 and 14, the staff will be working in full strength and on remaining days with skeleton staff. All export shipment will get the necessary customs clearance. The decision comes after Mr S. P. Aggarwal, president, Delhi Exporters Association (DEA), had requested the Customs Department to keep its office open so that they could fulfill the terms of their contracts.
100 MVA transformer inaugurated The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, on Thursday inaugurated the second 100 MVA transformer at the 220 KV substation in Naraina. The commissioning of this transformer would strengthen the power system in Ridge Valley, Riwari Line, Khyber Line, Kirby Place, Inderpuri, Naraina, Delhi Cantonment, Sadar Bazar, Nangal Raya, Mansarovar Garden, Kirti Nagar, Todapur, Kailashpuri, Brar Square and Gopi Nath Bazar.
Booty in fake Mont Blanc goods New Delhi: With the arrest of a trader in M-Block market in Greater Kailash – 1, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the City Police today claimed to have busted a racket of counterfeit goods. The counterfeit goods carried world famous logos — Cartier, Mont Blanc, Star Device and Piaget.
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Celebrations at Gurdwara
Majnu ka Tilla New Delhi, April 11 He said a congregation would be held at the gurdwara, which would start early in the morning with the recitation of Nitnem and Sukhmani Sahib. Famous ragi jathas from all over the country will participate with Shabad Kirtan. Bhai Amrik Singh Jakhmi will perform the Shabad Kirtan with Asa di Vaar. Giani Sahib Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, will revive the memory of the devotees about the creation of the “order of the Khalsa” by Guru Gobind Singh on the Baisakhi day of 1699. |
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New DTC bus route inaugurated New Delhi: The Delhi Transport Minister, Mr Ajay Maken, inaugurated a new DTC bus route on Friday between Rajouri Garden and Anand Vihar (Vivekanand Inter State Bus Terminus). The Minister said the first trip of this service would start at 6.30 am, and the last trip at 8.40 pm, from Rajouri Garden. From Anand Vihar, the first trip would be at 8.10 am and the last at 10.10 pm. The buses would ply at a frequency of 50 minutes from both ends. They would touch Raja Garden, Moti Nagar, West Patel Nagar, Telephone Exchange, Pusa Road, Panchkuian Road, Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road, Mandi House, ITO, Reniwal, Mother Dairy, Balco Apartments and Hasanpur Depot.
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Proposal to link Samalkha with Panipat-Shamli-Hardwar highway Panipat: The Public Works Department (PWD)(B&R) has sent a project proposal for construction of a 16-feet wide road to directly connect Samalkha with Panipat-Shamli-Hardwar National Highway at village Sanoli, about 12 kilometers from here. Samalkha is a sub-divisional headquarter of the district on the G.T. Road. According to information, the metalloid road, which will be around 22 km in length, is to be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojna at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. After the construction, vehicles moving from Delhi towards Hardwar need not go to Panipat.
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Saree dealers up in arms against new sales tax New Delhi, April 11 The protest was aimed against at the newly imposed 12 per cent tax on saree which has been now categorized as a “readymade garment”, as against the earlier policy where it was treated as a ‘fabric,’ which was free of sales tax. The saree dealers were also agitated because the tax is to be applicable from the year 2001-2002. Mr Rakesh Rastogi, vice-president, Saree Dealers Sangharsh Association, said, “it is also a fact that no sales tax on sarees is levied in any other state in India. Why should Delhi saree dealers be treated any differently.” |
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