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Dalal, Sangwan join Congress Advani desperate to become PM, says Chautala 20 companies of central
forces for poll in Haryana Cong
panel on poll code violations Congress to raise
unemployment issue |
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518 polling booths
for Fatehabad Explanation sought on regularisation of
daily-wage workers
1 dies in mishap Two killed as vehicles collide 10-year jail for smuggling poppy husk
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Dalal, Sangwan join Congress Chandigarh, March 29 Earlier two sitting Independent MLAs, Mr Udhey Bhan and Mr Tejvir Singh, who had been supporting the ruling Indian National Lok Dal, had joined the Congress. Since Mr Dalal and Mr Sangwan had always been opposing the Chautala government, their joining the Congress would have no impact on the stability of the state government. Their entry into the Congress would be a boost to the Bhajan Lal camp. It is widely known that the two were in touch with the former Chief Minister and Haryana Congress President for long. It is also no secret that the anti-Bhajan Lal factions within the party were not very enthusiastic about their entry in the party. If the two MLAs support Mr Bhajan Lal within the party, they will be definitely an asset to him because after a long time, he would get Jat supporters having credibility among the people. Interestingly, according to information received here, Mr Dalal and Mr Sangwan went to the AICC office to formally join the party in the car of Mr Natwar Singh. Barring Mr Bhajan Lal, no other senior Haryana Congress leader was present when the two MLA were admitted. A former MLA, Mr Narain Singh Saini, who was a minister in the Bansi Lal government, also joined the Haryana Congress today. Since the Congress has not so far decided from where Mr Bhajan Lal or his younger son, Kuldeep, would contest the Lok Sabha elections. Bhiwani or Faridabad? Mr Dalal, who is the MLA from Palwal, part of the Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency, would be a help to Mr Bhajan Lal if he or his son contests from there. Similarly, Mr Sangwan, whose constituency falls in Bhiwani, would also be able to get votes for the Congress leader. The BJP was in touch with Mr Dalal and Mr Sangwan. Mr Dalal, who was ditched at the last moment by the BJP during the last assembly elections, was wary. However, he was equally wary of the faction-ridden Congress. He is believed to have told the BJP that he could join it only if the party nominated him from the Faridabad Lok Sabha seat. This was not acceptable to the Haryana BJP, though the high command was believed to be favourably inclined towards Mr Dalal. The state unit prevailed and the party nominated all the sitting MPs. Mr Dalal and Mr Sangwan, who had supported the Congress candidate in the Fatehabad assembly byelection, ultimately decided to cross the threshold of the Congress. |
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Advani desperate to become PM, says Chautala Fatehabad, March 29 Addressing an election meeting at Bhattu Kalan in this district today in support of INLD nominee for Sirsa parliamentary constituency Dr Sushil Indora, Mr Chautala alleged that the Union Home Minister was so desperate to grab the post of Prime Minister that he may even hob nob with any political party, including the Congress, for this purpose. He said the remarks of Mr Advani at Palwal, where he allegedly asked the people to vote for the Congress in case they did not like the BJP, should be seen in that light. Mr Chautala castigated the BJP by saying that the saffron party had never kept its word with anyone. He said the BJP could never come to power in Haryana on its own and the only time it had contested the elections on its own in 1991, it had managed to win only two Assembly seats. He said the BJP had always stabbed, the party, with whose support it came to power in Haryana, in the back. He said he had always tried to honour the “dharma” of alliance with the BJP but its leaders had always let him down. He gave the example of Fatehabad bypoll, where, he alleged, the BJP had supported the Congress candidate. The Chief Minister ridiculed the Congress and said its national president Sonia Gandhi had shown disrespect to Haryana as she kept on waiving at the crowd from her vehicle and did not get down. He said Ms Gandhi did not know the culture and ethos of Haryana and the State Congress leaders had tried to befool their leader through the roadshow because they had no courage to organise a rally in the state. Speaking on this occasion the Haryana Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh, said the Opposition in Haryana was devoid of poll issues and added that the opposition parties were trying to get cheap publicity through false propaganda. Earlier, the Chief Minister addressed an election meeting at Jawahar Chowk in Fatehabad town on Sunday evening. He said the INLD was poised to win all 10 seats in the poll. He appealed to the people to vote for the INLD nominee so that his government could work with added vigour after the elections. He clarified that there was no plan to hold Assembly poll along with the parliamentary poll in the state and said if someone was not happy with the functioning of any of his party members then he would make amendments after the elections. Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, an INLD MP from Bhiwani, said the alleged “feel good factor” of the BJP was nowhere to be seen and added that the saffron party had only worked for the benefit of those who lived in the comfort of the air-conditioners. |
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20 companies of central
forces for poll in Haryana Chandigarh, March 29 The EC has allotted only 20 companies of paramilitary forces to the state for deployment during the Lok Sabha poll. The allotment will shock the opposition parties who have been demanding a heavy deployment of central forces in the state in view of Mrs Krishna Malik’s proposed candidature from Sonepat constituency as the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) nominee. Those who had demanded that the Sonepat seat should be entirely looked after by central forces during poll include Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. The central forces allotted to the state were said to be much less than the state government had asked for from the EC. However, the paltry number of central forces to be deployed in the state at the time of the elections is now being flaunted by the state police to claim that the EC has rightly thought that the police will function in an unbiased manner in Haryana. It is learnt that the 20 companies being deployed in Haryana for the elections will comprise 10 companies each of the CRPF and the CISF. Police officials here added that 38,000 personnel of the Haryana police would also be deployed to ensure peaceful election. They added that the total number of polling booths in Haryana was 12,555. There are 5576 premises with only one booth each, 2517 with two booths, 510 premises with three booths, 81 with four booths, 17 premises with five booths and only one premise with seven polling booths. The officials said that premises having more than one booth would not require much additional force than what would be required for manning a single booth-premise. A source added that the EC would take cognisance of Mrs Krishna Malik’s candidature when she would finally remain the only candidate of the INLD for Sonepat after the process of filing and withdrawal of nomination papers would come to an end in April. He said once it would become clear that Mrs Malik would contest the elections as the candidate of the INLD, the EC might initiate fresh steps regarding management of the law and order. As far as the posting of promotee officers at important positions of SPs of districts is concerned, it is not an issue at all in Haryana even though in neighbouring Punjab, the IPS Officers Association has protested against the similar action. In Haryana, 11 out of 19 districts are having SPs who have been promoted from the state services. There is at least one Haryana SP who had began his career as Sub-Inspector of police. A police officer of Haryana said there was no worthwhile association of IPS officers in the state. |
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Cong
panel on poll code violations Rohtak,
March 29 The 10-member committee headed by senior party leader Capt Chattar Singh will collect documentary evidence of alleged violations of the poll code by the INLD and the BJP. The cases of violations will be taken up with the EC and it will be urged to take action. Alleging
that state government vehicles are a part of Haryana Chief Minister Om
Prakash Chautala’s motorcade whenever he visits the district to
address election meetings, it has asked the district administration to
ensure that no official vehicle accompanies the Chief Minister during
his election tours. He also demanded the removal of paintings on the
walls of some government departments in favour of the BJP. — PTI |
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Congress to raise
unemployment issue Ambala, March 29 Talking to mediapersons here today, Congress media in charge for the Ambala Lok Sabha seat Pradeep Chauhan said unemployment was a serious issue. “The Chautala government has worsened the situation by retrenching HSMITC employees,” he said. Dr Chauhan said 3,970 employees were suddenly retrenched in 2002. “Family members of the employees are facing acute hardships, however, the Chautala government has not paid heed to their woes,” he said. He said the HSMITC was responsible for bringing green revolution in the state. “The department had also saved lives and property during floods in Rohtak and other areas in 1988. Even though it had done good work, it was closed down. The government said it was facing losses. “Did the losses take place suddenly. The losses took place due to the faulty policy of Devi Lal,” he added. Dr Chauhan said the department comprised a technical employees, who could have been adjusted in other departments. “But, they are being forced to sit at home. The department has property worth crores of rupees besides expensive equipment in stores,” he said. He said a large number of employees had been retrenched in the state. “The Bansi Lal government and the Chautala government have stopped recruitment, which led to more than 50,000 posts elapsing. In some departments like the Electricity Department, there is a requirement for 15,000 employees but the posts have not been filled up. There were irregularities in some of the posts which were filled,” he said. Dr Chauhan said Mr Om Prakash Chautala had been making hollow promises. “Even the BJP-led NDA government under Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee has let down the people by not providing employment,” he said. He said in Haryana, industries were shifting out of the state and some had already shut down, leading to a rise in unemployment. |
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518 polling booths
for Fatehabad Fatehabad, March 29 A total of 518 booths had been set up in the district and 2,280 polling officers would be appointed. As per the instructions of the Chief Election Commissioner, 50 per cent of the polling staff would be drawn from this district. Training in the use of EVMs would also be imparted at the local Patwar Bhavan on March 31. |
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Explanation sought on regularisation of Hisar, March 29 These employees belonging of C and D categories of the Hisar Circle were regularised through orders on 12.03.2004. After these orders, the process of medical examination of these employees started at the local Civil Hospital two days ago, but it was discontinued immediately after the explanation was sought. The Engineer-in-Chief asked Mr Khosla to clarify why he had issued orders regularising the services of these employees when the formal approval had not yet been received by him from the government. The communication said the issue of regularisation of daily-wage workers was discussed and certain clarifications were still being sought from the government. It added that this issue had been discussed with the Financial Commissioner and it was decided to seek an explanation from the officer concerned. After this, the Engineer-in-Chief had also ordered the Superintending Engineers of Ambala, Karnal, Sonepat, Gurgaon, Sirsa, Faridabad, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Rewari circles not to issue any orders regarding the regularisation of daily-wage workers. He had asked them to wait for final approval from the government before issuing such orders. Mr Khosla said he had issued the orders according to rules and guidelines circulated by the Chief Secretary. He had issued these orders as he wanted to complete the process before the final approval to avoid any delay. He had submitted his reply to the higher authorities, he added. |
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FROM SCHOOLS Ambala, March 29 Mr Alok Joshi, Mr Kulbhushan Windlas, Mr Mohammed Akil, Mr Sudhir Windlas, Mr Yashpal Singhal, Mr Ravi Azad, Mr Sultan Singh, Mr MS Ahlawat and Mr A.D. Gandhi were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Malik said a strong foundation was needed at the school-level so that students could become achievers. “No development can take place without education. There is a need to lay stress on technical education. Nobody can prevent a student from achieving his or her goal, if there is determination. Students must have a burning desire to achieve their aim,” he said. Dr Malik said the Haryana Government would give an award of Rs 1 crore to gold medallists at the Athens Olympics. “For the first time, seven wrestlers have qualified for the Olympics and this time our wrestlers will win medals,” he said. The Principal of the school, Ms Sujata Maleyvar, said the school, which was spread over 2 acres, was a venture of the Shri Balajee Educational Society. “The school is well equipped as per needs of the current education system. Well-ventilated classrooms, a huge playground, toys, games facilities and a ball pool are some of the attractions,” she said. The English medium school will provide education from nursery to Class V. A class will be added every year. “The playway method and the latest technology will be used for imparting education,” Ms Maleyvar said. KHARAR A cultural programme was presented by students of Diamond Public School, Mundi Kharar, at its annual prize distribution function here yesterday. The function started with a shabad. Later, students presented items like giddha, bhangra, songs and skits. A fancy dress show and an exhibition were also organised. Mr J.S. Rahi, Deputy Director, Punjab School Education Board, was the chief guest on the occasion. Students who excelled in academics, sports and other activities were given prizes. PANCHKULA Activities like painting, craft work, dance, creative cooking, etiquettes and manners and roller skating were organised during the five-day spring camp, organised by Satluj Public School, Sector 4. Principal of the school Krit Serai informed that Khushman and Arsh Dean were adjudged best campers among girls and boys, respectively. Ishavbir bagged the best dancer award while Abhishek was awarded with the best artist trophy. The best roller skater awards were given to Rohit Malik and Sidharth Malik while Aman Dudeja and Paritosh Malhotra were adjudged the best cook and the best student in etiquettes and manners, respectively. |
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1 dies in mishap Ambala, March 29 According to information, Surender along with his wife, Ritu, and a relative, Vimla, was going toward Chandigarh. When he was close to the Punjab Haryana border, a tractor-trailer hit his scooter. Vimla died on the spot while Surender and his wife sustained serious injuries. The injured were admitted to the local civil hospital.
OC |
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Two killed as vehicles collide Rohtak, March 29 The driver of the Sumo, Ramesh Kumar, died on the spot while the other deceased had not been identified so far. The police registered a case against the truck driver for rash and negligent driving. |
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10-year jail for smuggling poppy husk Kaithal, March 29 The Guhla police arrested Nirmal Singh of Daban Kheri village in 2003 from Cheeka area while he was carrying 70 kg poppy husk. Additional Sessions Judge Manjeet Singh awarded the sentence on Saturday.
— UNI |
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INLD leader Vakila dead Hisar, March 29 Mr Vakila (47) was admitted to a private hospital at Hansi in the morning after he complained of pain in his chest. — OC |
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A clarification In reference to the news item published on March 19 “HSEB shifts 3 centres, books 175 students for copying,”
Mr Rakesh Gupta, secretary of the Haryana State Education Board, has clarified that it was Mr Ranjit Singh of Government High School,
Kotra, who had been relieved of charge for dereliction of duty and not Mr Ram Pal of Government Senior Secondary School,
Kangthali, as mentioned in the report. In fact he had been selected for a cash award of Rs 500 for his efforts to check copying. |
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