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Chautala
rules out snap poll BJP
MLAs stage walkout INLD
open to pact, but not with Cong INLD,
BSP talk of tie-up PGIMS
drug stock found substandard |
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52
sheep killed by wild animal High
Court
Haryana
staff hold agitation Devi
Lal varsity exams from March 31 BSNL
to increase mobile capacity DC
reviews exam arrangements Language
workshop at Sohan Lal DAV
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Chautala rules out snap poll Chandigarh, February 10 Mr Chautala was intervening in zero hour when Congress MLAs led by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, wanted to know from the Speaker, Mr Satbir Singh Kadian, the fate of a notice given by them to move a resolution seeking dissolution of the House. When Mr Kadian informed the House that the resolution had been disallowed because Rule 171, under which it was moved, required a mandatory notice of 15 days, the Congress MLAs started arguing with him that the notice period could be curtailed by the speaker with the consent of the government. Accusing Mr Chautala of double-speak, Mr Hooda said the Chief Minister had suggested on his own at the meeting of the Business Advisory
Committee (BAC) that the Congress should bring such a resolution and the Treasury Benches would support it. He said now Mr Chautala was backtracking because his party’s alliance with the BJP had broken. Mr Chautala said his government was duty-bound to serve the people for five years. Ridiculing Mr Hooda and state Congress President, Bhajan Lal, he said the Opposition was ignorant of the Constitution as well as the rules. When Mr Hooda wanted to know why he had suggested him to move such a resolution yesterday, the Town and Country Planning Minister, Mr Dhir Pal, quipped: “To test your intelligence.” Mr Chautala added that if the Opposition leaders had any intelligence they would not have followed his advice. Mr Chautala said on the one hand the Congress opposed early Lok Sabha elections and on the other they wanted early Assembly poll. He said the House could be dissolved only under two circumstances — either the government should be unstable or the constitutional machinery should have broken down. In Haryana neither of these conditions prevailed. Mr Bhajan Lal also accused the government of avoiding elections because of the snapping of its ties with the BJP. He said he had advised his colleagues not to trust Mr Chautala. Mr Hooda said he thought being the scion of a respectable family of freedom fighters, Mr Chautala would stand by his word. Mr Kadian did not reply when Mr Hooda wanted to know from him if the notice given by the Congress MLAs was referred to the government for comments. Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, younger son of the Chief Minister, dared the opposition MLAs to resign their seats if they were so keen on early poll and contest byelections along with the Lok Sabha elections. Mr Kadian also assured the opposition members that he would immediately accept their resignations. Mr Jai Prakash Barwala (Cong) immediately wrote down his resignation on a piece of paper and handed it over to Mr Hooda, who turned down his request. |
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BJP MLAs stage walkout Chandigarh, February 10 Three of the six BJP MLAs walked out in protest against the Speaker’s refusal to allow Mr Krishanpal Gurjar, leader of the BJP legislators, to continue with his speech. The remaining three MLAs — Mr Chander Bhatia, Ms Veena Chhibber and Vaid Kapoor Chand — were not in the House when the walkout took place. Talking to reporters Mr Gurjar said the walkout implied that the BJP was now in the Opposition. He claimed since the BJP had never offered support to the Om Prakash Chautala Government in writing, it was not required to intimate in writing withdrawal of support to the government. Participating in the discussion on the Governor’s Address, Mr Gurjar started his speech, saying that it would take months to narrate all misdeeds of the Chautala regime. The law and order situation was deplorable. An unfair procedure was adopted in the recruitment of police Sub-Inspectors. Mr Abhay Chautala, an INLD legislator and younger son of the Chief Minister, said only Mr Gurjar was unhappy while the remaining BJP MLAs were happy with the way the government was treating
them. This was resented to by Mr Sarita Narayan and Mr Kanwar Pal, BJP MLAs. When the Speaker asked Mr Gurjar to wind up his speech, saying that the time allotted to him was over, Mr Bhajan Lal, chief of the HPCC, stood up and urged the Speaker to allow Mr Gurjar to continue. This attracted sarcastic comments from the Speaker as well as from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sampat Singh, who said that Congress and the BJP appeared to have joined hands. As the Speaker insisted on Mr Gurjar winding up his speech, the BJP leader walked out of the House with his two colleagues. Among the Congress legislators who participated in the discussion on the Governor’s Address today included Mr Bhajan Lal, Mr Raghbir Singh Kadiyan, Rao Dan Singh, Mr Dharam Vir, Mr Jai Parkash, Rao Narinder Singh and Mr Sher Singh. Mr Bhajan Lal said it was evident from the Governor’s face when he was reading out his Address that he was only fulfilling his constitutional obligation. “ At heart the Governor knew that a lot of things figuring in the Address are not true. That is why he did not readout the whole speech”, Mr Bhajan Lal said. While opposing the motion moved by Mr Nafe Singh Rathi and Mr Ram Kumar Saini (both INLD) on the Governor’s Address, Mr Bhajan Lal said the law and order situation in the state was appalling as the government was releasing hardened murderers from prisons on compassionate grounds. He alleged that the present government was neck-deep in corruption. A commission and a board, which were supposed to act as independent agencies for recruitment in state government vacancies, were giving jobs in lieu of money, the former Chief Minister alleged. Mr Jai Parkash, a former union minister, said the government had decided to procure bajra by official agencies to bolster its electoral prospects in Rajasthan. Mr Sampat Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, responded to the Congress MLA, saying that the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress Government of Rajasthan was not purchasing bajra in Rajasthan and farmers from Rajasthan had to sell their bajra in Haryana mandis. Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a Congress MLA and the Leader of the Opposition, alleged INLD functionaries had bought bajra in Rajasthan at a cheaper price and later sold it on profit in mandis of Haryana. Mr Raghbir Kadiyan alleged the government had indulged in corruption during the auction of liquor shops and mines. The Chief Minister was not in the House for most time today as he left soon after zero hour to attend a programme at Karnal. Mr Karan Singh Dalal also staged a walkout. |
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INLD open to pact, but not with Cong Yamunanagar, February 10 Mr Chautala said his party had parted ways with the BJP because the state unit of the BJP did not play a constructive role of an ally in Haryana despite the INLD extending unconditional support to the Vajpayee government. He said his party was open to an alliance, but not with the Congress. He said there was no alternative to the INLD in Haryana, adding that the party would contest elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Bihar. Mr Chautala said there was a possibility of a third front emerging during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Highlighting the constructive policies and programmes of his party, Mr Chautala said his party workers had set a world record in blood donation, which would be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Later, Mr Chautala laid the foundation stone of Ch Devi Lal College of Ayurveda at Bhagwangarh village, which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 8.10 crore. |
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INLD, BSP talk of tie-up Gurgaon, February 10 The BSP is said to have put forward a demand for three Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. The BSP leader, Ms Mayawati, is said to have put forward the demand when the Congress chief Mrs Sonia Gandhi, recently met her at the latter’s residence in the national capital. The three seats demanded by the BSP are the two reserved constituencies of Ambala and
Sirsa, and Faridabad. Mrs Gandhi, however, is said to have made no commitment to the BSP. Congress circles feel that in case an alliance between the Congress and the BSP is forged at the national level the party (Congress) could part with only one of the reserved
seats, most probably the Ambala seat. According to sources, with regard to the INLD and the BSP, so far the central leadership of the BSP has not been involved. The BSP and INLD Haryana units are in touch. Although the
BSP, as an organisation, does not have a strong presence in the state, the chunk of Scheduled Caste votes is by no means negligible in the all the 10 parliamentary constituencies. In a close fight their votes have a potential to make a difference in results. |
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PGIMS drug stock found substandard Rohtak, February 10 It is learnt that the PGIMS purchased about 90,000 injections of Paritox-1000 (sterile cefotaxime sodium IP) between March and June last year worth about Rs 14 lakh. A sample of the drug taken on June 6 last year was sent to the Government Analyst, Haryana, which informed the District Drug Inspector on January 20 that the sample had been found to be of substandard quality as defined in the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940. The officer in charge of the Central Drug Store of the PGIMS circulated a letter to all heads of departments and unit heads on January 29 that unused stocks should be immediately sent to the store. Generally when a drug sample is taken, its use is stopped untill the receipt of the report. However, in this case the drug continued to be used on patients till the report was sent. According to sources, the PGIMS authorities placed further orders for 62,000 injections worth Rs 9.92 lakh with the same firm on January 1 even before the report was received. They said the firm should have been blacklisted and asked to replace the entire stock. This has not been done so far. However, the Director of the PGIMS, Major Gen Virender Singh (retd), said the drug was purchased on rate contract through the Director of Supplies and Disposals. The directorate had been informed about the sample analysis and the firm would be penalised by that department. Regarding purchase of a fresh batch of injections last month, he said if necessary, the order would be cancelled. Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, spokesperson for the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, has demanded a CBI probe into the purchase and subsequent handling of the case. He said the supply of substandard drugs was a serious issue which needed to be looked into at the highest level. |
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52 sheep killed by
wild animal Ambala, February 10 The attack by the wild animals comes close on the heels of a panther being sighted in Naraingarh and a fatal attack on a villager by a wild boar. The sheep were found dead this morning. The flock was owned by Mr Inder Ram of village Bichli Dhamauli. Mr Inder Ram has told the officials that he had seen the sheep at midnight and they were fine. When he woke up at 5 am, he found that 52 sheep and 2 goats had been killed. Mr Inder Ram owned 110 sheep and 5 goats. A postmortem was conducted by a veterinarian, who suspected that the sheep had been killed by a wild animal. It is believed that hyenas could have attacked the flock. Wildlife experts have been requisitioned and the footprints found near the incident spot are going to be sent to Dehradun for further analysis. It may be recalled that less than a fortnight back, a wild boar claimed the life of a villager even as another villager was seriously injured. Joginder Singh, a resident of Banoundi village, was killed after he was attacked by a wild boar. Joginder Singh had gone towards his fields. Suddenly, the labourers working in the field heard his frantic shrieks. Apparently, he was attacked by a wild boar which was hiding in the nearby field. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital but he breathed his last. In an hour's time, another villager from a nearby village was attacked by a wild boar. The second incident took place barely one-and-a-half kilometre away from Banoundi village. The other villager escaped with injuries. Anil Kumar, a resident of Baragarh, was passing near a sugarcane field when a wild boar attacked him. He was attacked at about 5 pm. Anil Kumar managed to escape with injuries due to the presence of his dog. Since Anil Kumar's dog was accompanying him, the dog retaliated against the wild boar. |
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High Court Chandigarh, February 10 In his petition, Mr Dalal had claimed that he, along with his family, was facing threats due to political reasons. The former minister had also claimed that he and his family were also implicated in a false case. Geeta Grewal case on Feb 16 The High Court on Tuesday fixed February 16 as the next date of hearing on a petition filed by Dr Geeta Grewal — daughter-in-law of Haryana Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. She was seeking directions for setting aside an order passed by Panchkula’s Additional District and Sessions Judge whereby the arrest of her in-laws was stayed in an alleged dowry demand case. Blaming the in-laws for levelling false allegations against her, the petitioner had submitted that the two, after obtaining stay orders, were constantly threatening her and her father to withdraw the complaint. She had added that they were trying to cover up their own misdeeds by giving concocted
versions. |
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Haryana staff hold agitation Chandigarh, February 10 Mr Khara Singh president of the state unit and Mr R.C. Jagga, general secretary addressed the gathering. It was pointed out that the Haryana Government had responded to the agitation and called a delegation to the residence of the Chief Minister yesterday. Mr M.L. Sehgal, a senior leader, said among many other demands the government has assured to merge 50 per cent of Dearness Allowance in the basic pay. The JAC welcomed the government acceptance of the demands. It was, however, said that the demands for action on certain other issues will continue unabated. These include recruitment, privatisation and the official challenge imposed against the strike by employees. A national-level agitation is scheduled for February 24. |
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Devi Lal varsity exams from March 31 Hisar, February 10 Mr P.K. Dass, Vice-Chancellor of the university and Commissioner, Hisar range, said here today that the datesheet would be issued after the announcement of schedule for the parliamentary elections. He was addressing a meeting of principals of colleges of Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani and Jind districts at Dayanand Postgraduate College here. The practical examinations would start on March 11. He said the student with less than 20 per cent aggregate score in their house tests and less than 60 per cent attendance should not be allowed to take the examinations. |
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BSNL to increase mobile capacity Hisar, February 10 Mr Anil Kumar Nagpal, Chief General Manager of the Haryana Circle, said here yesterday that BSNL had issued 1.56 lakh mobile connections in the state against a capacity of 1.28 lakh. Due to overloading, users were facing problems in connectivity. To improve the situation, BSNL would raise its capacity from 1.28 lakh to 2.28 lakh in the next month. Mr Nagpal said though the Nigam had 30,000 new SIM cards, these could not be issued due to this problem. There was no proposal to increase the rates of STD calls on mobiles in near future, he added. |
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DC reviews exam arrangements Rohtak, February 10 Addressing a meeting of police officials and employees of the education department here, he said all concerned would have to make personal efforts to check the menace. He said all photocopying shops around the examination centres would be closed during the examinations and police parties would be deployed at the centres by rotation. Additional personnel would be provided at sensitive centres, he added. |
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Language
workshop at Sohan Lal DAV Ambala, February 10 Addressing students on his maiden visit to the college, Dr Chawla said teacher trainees should not only learn to spread education but also the power of motivation. He said that determination and hard work were keys to success. The workshop on effective communication in English was presided over by Ms Sheetal Sharma, Director (Public Schools), DAV College Management Committee, and Dr P. Bedi, Principal, MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, was the guest of honour. Dr Neelam Luthra was the key facilitator and resource person. About 14 teachers from different DAV schools participated in the workshop. The Principal of the college, Dr D.P. Asija said the college had received A plus grading by NAAC. He presented a detailed report of the college, including programmes and activities of different departments and achievements of students and teachers. |
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Students block road Rohtak, February 10 The teacher is reported to have objected to some outsiders loitering around on the campus. The protesters demanded the arrest of those responsible for the assault. They submitted a memorandum to the SDM in this connection. |
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Cop, wife robbed Rohtak, February 10 According to Rakesh, who is posted at Gurgaon, said he was returning in a car from Jassia village with his wife, brother-in-law and two others when their car was overtaken by four youths in a
Maruti car. They were armed with pistols and swords and robbed the constable and his wife of cash and valuables. His brother-in-law was injured in the attack. The police has registered a case but no arrests have been made. |
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Villagers detain
cops, block traffic Rohtak, February 10 According to reports, the team accompanied by the police had raided a premises where it suspected that some villagers were brewing hooch. The villagers detained four policemen for over two hours and blocked traffic on the national highway. The situation normalised after the SDM intervened. No injuries have been reported. Several bottles of illicit liquor were reported to have been seized. |
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10-year RI for smugglers Hisar, February 10 According to the prosecution, a police team, on a tip off, had nabbed Bansi Lal of Sadalpur village and his companion Krishan Kumar of Jakhod Khera village and recovered 28 bags of poppy husk they were carrying which two years ago. The police had also recovered a pistol form Bansi Lal. |
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Proclaimed offender arrested Sirsa, February 10 According to information by the district police chief here today, the branch manager of the bank had lodged a complaint with the police in July 1989 that Gager Singh along with another person had asked him to encash the cheque received as loan. While the manager was clearing the cheque, he enquired why the applicant’s name was different. The person concerned could not give a convincing reply. A complaint was then registered with the police.
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Two killed in road accident Sirsa, February 10 According to information, Subodh Kumar of Ganganagar (Rajasthan) was going to Delhi when his car collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction. Subodh Kumar and his muneem died on the spot while the car driver was seriously injured. He was taken to the local Civil Hospital where his condition is stated to be critical. The bodies were handed over to their families after an autopsy. The police has registered a case.
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Kisan
mela from March 2 Hisar, February 10 |
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Noisy scenes in Vidhan Sabha
