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Wednesday,
April 16, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Fatehabad
byelection: Chautala dares Bhajan to field son Unfair
means to improve pass percentage CAT
contempt notice to Haryana Chief Secy Crashes happen, relief never comes Seven
killed, 12 hurt in road mishap |
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Kalam to
open health mela on April 19 KU steps
to check leakage of papers 1 lakh tonnes of wheat reach Karnal markets BKU
indefinite fast to continue Traders threaten fast against VAT Additional
charge for 3 IAS officers Dowry case: women hold demonstration
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Fatehabad byelection: Chautala dares Bhajan to field son Chandigarh, April 15 Mr Chautala, who visited various villages of the Fatehabad constituency today to kick off his party’s campaign, told reporters there that he would challenge Mr Bhajan Lal to field his son, Mr Kuldeep Bishnoi, from the constituency on the Congress ticket. He said the HPCC chief had been challenging him on the floor of the House time and again. The Fatehabad byelection was a god-given opportunity for the Haryana Congress President to keep his word, the Haryana Chief Minister said. Mr Chautala said when he was in the opposition in 1993, he won a byelection to show that he was on his way back to become the Chief Minister. His father, Mr Devi Lal, had also won a byelection to announce his comeback, Mr Chautala said, adding that let Mr Bhajan Lal also field his son if he was nurturing the illusion of becoming the Chief Minister of Haryana again. Mr Chautala, however, refrained from making it clear whether any of his two sons, one an MLA and the other an MP, would join the fray in case Mr Bhajan Lal accepted his challenge. Mr Chautala also ridiculed the Congress for deciding to postpone its “jail bharo andolan” on the SYL construction issue in view of the byelection on May 21. He claimed the programme was deferred because Congress leaders felt that there was inadequate support for the party at the ground level. The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Finance Minister, Sampat Singh, Mr Sushil Indora, MP; and Mr Nishan Singh, MLA, started their visit to the constituency from Dhir and then went to Boswal, Katakheri, Razabad, Bahal Bhambian, Dhani Rampur, Shekhupur Sottar and other adjoining villages, soliciting votes for the party. Mr Chautala is scheduled to campaign in the constituency for four days and cover all 86 villages of the constituency. Meanwhile, a report from Fatehabad said the Haryana Vikas Party was likely to field Mr Prahlad Singh Gilla Khera from the constituency. |
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Unfair means to improve pass percentage Hisar, April 15 The private schools cleverly upstaged their government counterparts by holding the annual examinations for classes for which the state school education board does not conduct the examinations in March itself and launching their new academic sessions on April 1. As against this, government schools begin their new academic sessions in May, thus, giving the private schools a headstart. Private schools also adopted a clever ploy to ensure that students stay in their schools. The managements collected the fee for the April-June quarter in March itself so that parents would not think of shifting their wards to government schools later as government school teachers were planning to launch a campaign for boosting their enrolment after the examinations were over. Privately managed schools earned an additional point by convincing parents that their children would have completed half their syllabus by the time government schools reopen after summer vacation. Though government schools are scheduled to begin the new session from May, serious studies will begin only after summer vacation. Worried that their plans for increasing enrolment were nipped in the bud, government teachers are now actively engaged in helping students copy in their examinations so that failures do not lead to a significant fall in the next higher class. Reports received from different parts of the state indicate that teachers are providing photocopies of relevant pages from help books and guides to their students. In many cases answers are dictated in the examination halls. In one centre in Kaithal district, teachers are reported to have even completed the outline maps in their own handwriting since most students found it difficult to do so. Teachers have set up what are now known as “anti-flying squad squads”. These comprise groups of villagers which are posted on all approaches to the examination centre. The “squads” send warning signals to the examination centres so that incriminating evidence is taken care of by the time the school board squad reaches the centre. In villages covered by mobile phone service, teachers have temporarily provided mobile phones to these “squads” so that warning signals are sent in time. Government school teachers enrolled as members of flying squads by the education board are adopting a tough stance against use of unfair means in private schools, whereas they are turning a blind eye to the goings on in government schools. Private school teachers say they are unable to retaliate since they fear reprisals from the Education Department authorities and the school education board. |
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CAT contempt notice
to Haryana Chief Secy Chandigarh, April 15 The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh Bench, following an application by Mr Kumar, has issued a contempt notice to Mr Mathur, asking him to file his reply by May 26. Mr Kumar had moved the tribunal regarding the state government’s unwillingness to abide by an earlier directive from the CAT on December 16, asking the state government to pay full pay and allowances to him for the period during which he was under suspension with interest of 12 per cent per annum minus the subsistence allowance already drawn by the officer. The tribunal asked the state government to execute its order within one month from the date of receipt of its copy by respondent No. 1(Mr Mathur). The order was sent to the Chief Secretary by the tribunal by registered post on December 26. Mr Kumar told the CAT that even though more than three months had passed since the tribunal pronounced its judgement, the state government had not implemented the order. This was wilful non-compliance of the directions of the tribunal, he said. The CAT order on December 16 was delivered in the wake of another application filed by Mr Kumar challenging the state government’s decision refusing to clear his dues over and above what had been already paid to him during the period of his suspension. The CAT said that Mr Kumar deserved full salary for the period of suspension because neither any charge sheet had
been issued to him nor any criminal case was pending against him in any court. Even the Government of India considered his suspension to be arbitrary and uncalled for. Mr Kumar, now Principal Director of the Haryana Irrigation Research and Management Institute, Kurukshetra, was the Deputy Commissioner, of Rohtak in 1998 when late Mr Devi Lal lost the Lok Sabha elections to Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda from the constituency by a margin of around 400 votes. The INLD’s request for recounting of votes was turned down by Mr Kumar. After Mr Chautala became the Chief Minister of Haryana in July, 1999, Mr Kumar was put under suspension on January 19, 2000, citing his alleged involvement in bungling of funds meant for road repair in Rohtak. |
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Crashes
happen, relief never comes
Ambala, April 15 Notwithstanding the tall claims of the Air Force authorities and the district administration, the victims and the kin of the deceased are still nursing their wounds and waiting for relief. Even as all formalities with regard to compensation were completed on paper soon after the crash, five months down the line, the affected families are still homeless. A visit to the area revealed the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned. Udai Raj (35), who had sustained 70 per cent burn injuries in the mishap, is finding it hard to make both ends meet in the absence of adequate relief from the Air Force authorities. He has lost his job and is under a debt of over Rs 50,000. The Air Force authorities gave a meagre Rs 8,000 when he was admitted to the PGI and Rs 20,000 in two installments for rebuilding the two rooms that were destroyed then. His wife, Manju, was given a job by the Air Force in February this year, but was relieved on March 31. Udai Raj said: “We have not been able to build our destroyed rooms as the money given has been spent on my treatment.” The Air Force authorities then had not only promised a job to at least one member of each affected family, but also assured that the claim amount covering the cost of their damaged houses and belongings would be given to them. But all this is yet to come. Another injured Ramesh, who had sustained 45 per cent burns, received a sum of Rs 8,000 from the Air Force authorities. “We are asked to go back whenever we try to get in touch with the authorities for relief purposes,” he lamented. He even had to discontinue the studies of his children. Murari Lal, who lost seven members of his family, including two daughters, a son-in-law and three granddaughters, is a broken man today. His house was completely destroyed in the crash and he continues to stay in a rented accommodation. The government had given him an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each for the deceased and another Rs 40,000 for their cremations. He has been able to build only a part of his house from the Rs 1.25 lakh that he got in advance from them, even as he awaits a relief of Rs 2.5 lakh from the Air Force authorities. Sunaina, who lost her 80-year-old mother-in-law, also awaits compensation for rebuilding the damaged house. Looking at the track record of the promised relief, it does not appear that any different scenario will emerge for those seriously injured in the recent crash. While the district administration has given Rs 10,000 each to Swaranjit Kaur and Roshni Devi, undergoing treatment in Chandigarh, as immediate relief, the Air Force authorities had handed over cheques for Rs 8,000 each to six of the injured. Gobind Singh, one of the victims whose house was devastated when the MiG-21 crashed into it soon after takeoff on April 7, is yet to get any compensation. While two of his family members sustained injuries, his belongings worth Rs 1.25 lakh were gutted. While minor repairs of the houses have been undertaken by the milk plant management, his house is yet to be reconstructed. Though he has been put up in the rest house, any other relief in the form of free ration etc. has not been provided. A senior Air Force official when contacted said while an interim relief of Rs 8,000 had been given to the injured of the MiG 21 crash, the compensation amount duly endorsed by the district administration had been received by them and would be given after necessary formalities. With regard to the previous IAF Jaguar crash, he said besides the interim relief they had tried to locally help the injured with medical aid and jobs. The final compensation claims, Rs 3.5 lakh in one case and Rs 2.5 lakh in another, would be given after all procedural formalities were completed. A sum of Rs 4 lakh had been spent at the local level. He said jobs were given to some members of the affected families, including two women. However, their services were only temporarily discontinued in the end of March to get fresh grants approved in the new financial year. Youngsters were still working on daily wages.
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Seven killed, 12 hurt
in road mishap Hisar, April 15 The jeep was on its way from Rohtak to Singhwa village in the district when it met with an accident last night, they said, adding the vehicle’s driver tried to avert collision with a Matador and probably lost control over it. Four persons are believed to have died on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries in Rohtak Medical College. Four of the victims were identified as jeep driver Narender of Singhwa village (Hisar), Kuldeep, Amit and Rajesh, all residents of Madanhei village in this district.
PTI |
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Kalam to open health mela on April 19 Yamunanagar, April 15 This will be Dr Kalam’s first visit here after assuming office. Deputy Commissioner Vijender Kumar said yesterday that it was aimed at generating health awareness among the people. The mela would have components, including complete physical check -up especially eye, ENT, dental and abdomen. Basic medicines will be supplied free of cost for complete treatment, he added. He said family welfare, counseling for Reproductive Track Infections (RTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), prevention of blindness, rehabilitation of disabled cancer, leprosy and TB control, nutrition, ill-effects of smoking, personal hygiene environmental hygiene and diabetes control would also be taken up. |
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KU steps to check
leakage of papers Jind, April 15 Dr Chawla said that the culprits behind the leakage of question papers would be brought to book and punished. Regarding secrecy of the question papers, he said that the university had made special arrangements in this matter. Now the question papers would be packed in special tamper-proof envelopes. Personnel from the university would accompany the packets of question papers to the examination centres and would direct the centre superintendents to open the packets in their presence, he said. Dr Chawla said that his primary concern was the welfare of the students of Haryana. He said that he had withdrawn some of the decisions taken earlier by the university which went against the interests of the student community, particularly the girl students. He said that he was committed to making Kurukshetra University one of the top university of India. Earlier, office-bearers of the two Rotary Clubs welcomed Dr Chawla. |
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1 lakh tonnes of wheat reach Karnal markets Karnal, April 15 Mr
R.S. Doon, Deputy Commissioner, who visited 16 markets and purchase centres out of a total of 23 functioning in the district, told The Tribune that so far one lakh tonnes of wheat had arrived in Karnal grain markets. This was the result of a bumper crop. He stated that 11 markets were visited by the ADC yesterday to ensure that all the wheat coming to the mandis was purchased and lifted every day. Mr Doon has constituted teams of IAS officers working in the district for daily tour of all the markets. |
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BKU indefinite fast to continue Kaithal, April 15 At the meeting strong resentment was expressed over the indifferent attitude of the state government. Mr Maan also expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Mr Jia Lal, general secretary, Kaithal, Mr Pale Ram Gaur, president, Guhla, and Mr Partap Singh Balu, who had been on fast since March 16. |
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Traders threaten fast against VAT Kurukshetra, April 15 Addressing the protesters, the Haryana Beopar
Mandal, district organiser, Mr Fateh Chand Gandhi, said the Haryana Government was bent upon burdening the traders with taxes. Mr Vipin
Goel, Mr Pawan Goel and Mr Roshan Kwatra were unanimously declared elected as president, vice-president and secretary, respectively of the New Bazaar Shopkeepers Association, a meeting held at Aggarwal Dharmshala on Tuesday. Earlier, member of the Chhota Bazaar Shopkeepers Association also held demonstration in protest against the implementation of Value Added Tax in the state at Chhota Bazaar Chowk here. They procession also held a and raised anti-government slogans. Mrs Neena Sharma, Mr Rajender Walia and Mr Fateh Chand Gandhi, who were leading the procession, took a pledge to continue organising demonstrations and even to start fast till the state government withdrew VAT. |
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Additional
charge for 3 IAS officers Chandigarh, April 15 Ms Keshni Anand Arora, already holding charge as Director, Supplies and Disposal, Director and Special Secretary, Institutional Finance and Credit Control and MD of HARTRON, was given additional charge as Director, Industries and Mines and Geology. Mr Hardeep Kumar was posted as Special Secretary, Finance Department, in place of Mr S.K. Saxena, whose posting orders would be issued later. Mr Avtar Singh was posted as MD of the Haryana Warehousing Corporation against a vacant post. Mr Rajbir Singh, Director and Joint secretary, Secondary Education, was given additional charge as the State Project Director, Prathamik Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad. |
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Dowry case: women hold demonstration Kurukshetra, April 15 The demonstrating women alleged that the police was shielding the culprits. The victim’s father, Mr Subhash Chand told reporters that his daughter, Rinkal was married Pushpendra, of Sector 7, Urban Estate here on March 6, 1996. He alleged that her in-laws started harassing her for not bringing sufficient dowry and he was compelled to pay Rs 2 lakh by cheque and Rs 50,000 in cash in August, 2001. Mr Subhash Chand further alleged that even after that the in-laws concerned did not stop his daughter’s harassment allegedly tried to set her on fire on April 5, 2003. But she escaped from their clutches and reached her parents, he added. He added that after this, they complained to the police and a case under Sections 498 A, 406 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the husband, Pushpendra, father-in-law, Nand Lal, mother-in-law, Pushpa and sister-in-law, Uma. Mrs Sona Devi told reporters that only the victim’s husband was arrested, and released on bail later and the police was putting off the arrest of remaining culprits. |
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Devi Bhagwati
Mela ends Shahabad, April 15 |
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