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Cong opposes proposed appointment of
Lok Ayukta
Bogus voters being enrolled: Bhajan
BJP to go it alone: Ganeshi
Nepotism in Haryana politics to be BJP’s poll issue
Commercial fishing in Yamuna banned
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Rural sectors to be developed in 116 villages
NFL to produce neem-coated urea
Jaundice epidemic looms large in Kaithal
8th Light Cavalry celebrates
Raising Day
Haryana Day function at Kaithal
31 junior engineers face reversion
Poets regale audience at mela
Mystery over deaths
of 2 women
3 more murder suspects held
Youth shot at, injured
2 boys, 2 girls arrested
DSPs to get increments
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Cong opposes proposed appointment of Lok Ayukta Chandigarh, October 23 In a letter written to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, the officiating leader of the Congress Legislature Party, the main opposition party in the Vidhan Sabha, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, has objected to the procedure adopted by the government for the appointment of Justice Kapoor. He has not written anything against the Judge, who has been working as the Chairman of the Tribunal in the Town and Country Planning Department for the past five years. Mr Chautala had earlier written to Capt Yadav regarding the proposed appointment of Justice Kapoor. In his letter, copies of which have been sent to the Governor, Dr
A.R. Kidwai, and the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice B.K. Roy, Capt Yadav quoted several judgements of the Supreme Court to underscore that Mr Chautala’s letter to him did not amount to “effective consultation” with the Leader of the Opposition. He said as per the Haryana Lok Ayukta Act and the practice followed by the other states, the Leader of the Opposition, should have been personally consulted and a panel of names should have been considered for the appointment. He said Mr Chautala had not held any personal discussion with him and had written to him only about one person. He said Mr Chautala’s letter “is more in the form of intimation and the same does not meet the statutory requirement of ‘consultation’.” When the then Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, had written to the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr Chautala, about the appointment of Justice
I.P. Vasishth, the INLD leader had also opposed the move. However, Justice Vasishth was appointed the Lok Pal. When Mr Chautala came to power, he abrogated the Lok Pal Act, resulting in the removal of Justice Vasishth from the post, without payment of any compensation for the unexpired period of his tenure. Capt Yadav quoted a Supreme Court judgement to say “...it will not and cannot be a performance of duty if no consultation is made and even if made, is only in formal compliance with the provisions. In either case, the order is not made in compliance with the provisions of the Act.” To further strengthen his argument, Capt Yadav, who had consulted several legal brains of the Congress before writing the letter, quoted a Privy Counsel judgement, which said : “Consultation connotes exchange of ideas, information and views, in which each side has a full opportunity of contributing to such an exchange, it is not a one-way process but a two-way process....The requirement of consultation is never to be taken perfunctorily or as a mere formality. ” Pointing out that the Lok Ayukta was a public office, Capt Yadav said there should have been a panel of names, along with their
bio-datas for effective consultation.
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Bogus voters being enrolled: Bhajan
Chandigarh, October 23 The President of the Haryana Congress, Mr Bhajan Lal, told newspersons here that residents of Punjab and Rajasthan were being enrolled as voters in Haryana at the behest of the ruling INLD. He said as per his information around 15,000 bogus voters were being enrolled in each Assembly constituency in view of the next Assembly elections. He said though as per the procedure, draft rolls were to be published and objections were to be invited, no notice was being taken of the objections. Accusing the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, of undertaking foreign visits for pleasure, Mr Bhajan Lal said Mr Chautala’s foreign visits had attracted neither any industrial project nor any investment. He demanded for the publication of a White Paper on Mr Chautala’s foreign visits. He said the Congress committee, which had been constituted under the chairmanship of the former party president, Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, had completed its inquiry into the misdeeds of the Chautala government and would shortly submit its report. The Congress on coming to power could order an inquiry into the allegations contained in the report. Besides, if any person filed any affidavit against the Chautala family, the Congress government would get it investigated. Mr Bhajan Lal said the Chautala government had announced the formation of a separate district for Mewat during the fag end of its tenure to get political mileage. He also accused Mr Chautala of pressurising panchayats to sell their land to developers on rates much below the market price. Mr Bhajan Lal asserted that he was taken into confidence by the Congress high command before the merger of the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) with his party. He said the Secretary-General of the HVP, Mr Surender Singh, had sought his blessings one week before the merger was announced. He said he had met the HVP President, Mr Bansi Lal, at the residence of a common friend. Mr Surender Singh and his supporters would participate in the proposed Congress rally to be held in the Darba Kalan constituency of Sirsa district on October 31. He said the party ticket would be given on the basis of merit alone. A person’s loyalty to the party and his reputation would be given due consideration. The party would also consider the contribution of Mr Karan Singh Dalal and Mr Jagjit Singh Sangwan, MLAs from Palwal and Dadri, respectively, at the time of the ticket distribution. Both had joined the Congress before the Lok Sabha elections.
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BJP to go it alone: Ganeshi
Narnaund (Hisar), October 23 The state BJP chief said the main contest of the party would be with the Congress in the Assembly poll. Regarding the schemes announced by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, he remarked that before the exams, weak students resorted to all sorts of unfair means. Earlier,
he flagged off the “jan chetna rally” organised by Mr Ram Kumar
Gautam, a member of the national council of the BJP. Mr Lal told
mediapersons that the party would organise rallies at Gurgaon,
Fatehabad, Kurukshetra and Rewari. |
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Nepotism in Haryana politics to be BJP’s poll issue
Panipat, October 23 Mr Jangra said nepotism was prevalent in almost every political party except the BJP. While the ruling INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala’s sons Ajay and Abhay were playing an active role in the state politics, Congress leaders Bhajan Lal, Shamsher Singh Surjewala and Bansi Lal’s sons Kuldip
Bishnoi, Randeep Surjewala and Surender Singh, respectively, were also doing so, he added. The BJP Vice-President claimed that his party believed in collective leadership and that was why no family member of any BJP politician was active in Haryana politics. Nepotism in state politics was the biggest hurdle in proper development, he added. Mr Jangra said besides nepotism, issues regarding the SYL, law and order, corruption and lack of basic facilities would also be raised in the elections. Reiterating that the BJP would not forge an alliance with the ruling INLD, Mr Jangra said his party would field candidates on all 90 seats in the Assembly elections for the first time. Panipat district BJP president Jyotika Saxena was also present at the press conference. |
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Commercial fishing in Yamuna banned
Sonepat, October 23 Giving this information here today, a spokesman of the Fisheries Department said in Haryana, the prawn farming was fast picking up and it was the only state, which was given subsidy for the promotion of prawn culture. He said the project of fresh water prawn farming had been initiated in 12 districts of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Sonepat, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Hisar and Jind. The department not only provided technical knowhow to farmers for undertaking prawn farming in fresh water, but also took them on a study tour to Andhra Pradesh so as to acquaint them with the practices being adopted there. An area of 70.06 hectares had already been brought under fresh water prawn farming as against the target of 100 hectares of fresh water area by the end of the next financial year. He further said two other projects to develop water-logged areas into aquaculture estates and utilisation of saline water for fish or prawn culture were also being implemented with the assistance from the Union Agriculture Ministry. Under the project for utilisation of saline water, 23.2 hectares of water area was brought under fish or prawn culture by providing benefit to the farmers in the districts of Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Sirsa. Under both projects, assistance was provided to the farmers at a rate of Rs 2.30 lakh per hectare, which included Rs 2 lakh for the development of the area and Rs 30,000 for inputs. As it was a new technology, the sites were identified by scientists and soil and water were also analysed by experts before using them for prawn culture. The seeds of prawn were procured from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The spokesman said an area of 8,760 hectares was under fish culture during the past financial year and 39.133 tonnes of fish was produced . As many as 8,120 fish farmers were benefited by imparting training and providing incentives. In all, 17,660 persons were engaged in fish farming last year. He informed that the department was producing and supplying fish seed of six varieties of fish, out of which three were of Indian origin, that is, catla, rohu and mrigal, whereas three others were exotic varieties, including silver carp, grass carp and common carp. The department provided about 22 crore fish seed of these varieties for stocking in village ponds every year and this year fish seed had been stocked in 7400 hectares of village ponds. The panchayats were earning a revenue of Rs 5 crore as lease money every year by leasing fish culture rights of these ponds. |
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Rural sectors to be developed in 116 villages
Rewari, October 23 Only the villagers will be provided residential plots in the rural sector, which will be developed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The Chief Minister said in the first phase, rural sectors would be developed in 116 villages, one each in the 116 development Blocks throughout the state. He said the main objective behind the rural sectors was to provide civic amenities on a par with the urban sectors and simultaneously to foster planned development in villages to cope with the residential requirements. The Chief Minister also informed that a new project for construction of mass latrines for women in villages was on the anvil. He explained that under the project, as many as ten flush latrines would be constructed on a 3-4 kanal piece of land and women safai karamcharis would be employed for their upkeep. |
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NFL to produce neem-coated urea
Panipat, October 23 This was stated in a press note issued by the Panipat unit of the NFL here yesterday. Presently, neem-coated urea is being produced only at the Panipat and Bathinda plants of the NFL. The press note further stated that the NFL had presented a dividend cheque of Rs 24.91 crore to the Central Government in respect of the shares held by it. The company in its 30th annual general meeting had approved a dividend of Rs 25.51 crore to its shareholders. Mr P.S. Grewal, Chairman and Managing Director, NFL, presented a dividend cheque representing the government’s share to the Union Chemicals, Fertilisers and Steel Minister, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, on Wednesday. The Secretary, Fertilisers, Mr S.N.P.N. Sinha, top officials of the ministry and the NFL were present on the occasion. The NFL is a Mini Ratna category I company and has consistently been making profits since its inception. It has paid a cumulative dividend of Rs 669.47 crore to the government till date against a paid-up equity of Rs 490.58 crore. |
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Jaundice epidemic looms large in Kaithal
Kaithal, October 23 As jaundice is considered to be water-borne disease, the residents here apprehend that it can be due to the poor quality of drinking water of the canal-based water supply scheme supplied by the Public Health Department. This water supply scheme has been completed at a cost of Rs 14.75 crore and was inaugurated by the Chief Minister three months ago. However, when contacted the officials concerned maintained that every precaution was being taken to ensure supply of quality water. Most of the patients affected by the disease are taking treatment from private doctors. The number provided by private physicians have confirmed that a large number of patients of the disease continue to approach them for treatment daily. Some of the physicians have also expressed the view that if the situation does not improve, it may take the form of an epidemic. However, according to hospital sources, only a few persons with the symptoms of jaundice have come to the Civil Hospital. The doctors have diagnosed it viral hepatitis. According to some affected patients, initially they caught fever which was followed by a loss of appetite and then the detection of jaundice virus symptoms in the blood test. When contacted the CMO, Dr N.K Dhawan, said a team of doctors had been constituted to visit the affected localities and ascertain the cause of the outbreak of jaundice He said some samples of the drinking water had been taken and sent to a laboratory at Karnal. He added that chlorine tablets had been distributed in certain areas to mix in water tanks and people had been advised to take boiled drinking water as a precautionary measure. According to reports, a few cases of jaundice were reported from the Govind Nagar locality and these were considered to be routine nature. But gradually, residents of many other localities became victim of the disease. As most of them had contacted private physicians, the health authorities did not get wind of the outbreak of the disease in a big way. Deputy Commissioner H.S. Malik said he had directed the district health authorities to take immediate steps to control the situation and provide medical facility to the affected people. |
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8th Light Cavalry celebrates
Raising Day
Ambala, October 23 Addressing serving and retired officers at a special Sainik Sammelan, Colonel of the Regiment. Lieut-Gen Daljit Singh, said that that the occasion presented a unique opportunity for the present generation of soldiers to meet their predecessors. Recalling the unit's glorious history, General Daljit exhorted the troops to strive for professional excellence and maintain the unit's tradition. Raised on October 23, 1787, as the Fifth Madras Native Cavalry, it later became 26th King George's Own Light In 1940 it bid farewell to horses and was re-equipped with tanks. With 13 Battle Honours and several gallantry awards to its credit, the unit has seen action in theatres of war in Europe, the Middle East as well as South Asia. In 1962 it re-wrote the history of mechanised warfare when it drove its tanks to the dizzy heights of 14,000 feet up the Nathu La road. It also took part in crucial tank operations at Khemkaran and Chicken's Neck sectors during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. In 1976, the regiment was presented the Guidon by late President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. About 35 retired officers and 150 troops who had served with the unit attended the re-union, organised after a gap of 17 years. "Though reunions are normally organised once in five years, operational commitments and field tenures prevented such events being
organised," the unit's Commandant, Col Neeraj Suri said. "It is just like coming home," Major-Gen Narender
Singh (retd), one of the unit's oldest surviving officers, remarked. "We served and fought for the regiment, have deep affiliations with it and fond memories to recall," he added. Commissioned in 1942, he retired about 30 years ago. Present on the occasion were three generations of officers in the same
regiment. Lieut-Col Anop Singh had joined the regiment in 1943, followed, in 1971, by his son, Col Jaidev Singh Rathore, who later commanded it. Now his grandson, Lt Aditya Singh Rathore has been commissioned into it. "It is a feeling of immense pride," Colonel Rathore said. "To have played in the unit as a kid and later assuming the responsibility to command it and now seeing one's own son go through the same motions of life is a rare opportunity for any one," he said. A first day cover and an information brochure were also released by General Daljit on the occasion. Other events included a pagal gymkhana, barakhana, motorcycle display by dare-devil riders, band concert and
a re-union dinner. |
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Haryana Day function at Kaithal
Kaithal, October 23 Giving this information to mediapersons here today, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr H.S. Malik, said welcome gates would be erected at different entry points of the district and the town would be beautifully decorated. Preparations were underway to make the “day” a memorable one. The function would be held at the new bus stand site on the Karnal-Ambala road bypass. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, would preside over the function. Some national-level leaders were also expected to be present. |
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31 junior engineers face reversion
Yamunanagar, October 23 The government may create new posts as some of the reverted persons will otherwise become surplus. There are only 25 vacancies of SDOs in the department. A written examination of the eligible candidates will be held on November 5. The 31 persons (27 Junior Engineers and four draftsmen) were promoted as SDOs on a 'stopgap' arrangement, said a senior official. There are 118 posts of SDO in the department, out of which 59 are filled by direct selection and remaining are filled through promotions. Three posts in the direct quota were already filled and 31 were filled by means of promotion. The remaining 25 seats are vacant. Once the promoted SDOs are reverted, some of them (between 9 and 12) will become surplus. |
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Poets regale audience at mela
Karnal, October 23 Hundreds of local people and visitors attended the sammelan. Seven poets — Rajesh Chaten, Mohinder Ajnabi, Mohinder Sharma, Gajender Solanki, Rakesh Soni, Dr Soni Sogi and Ms Madhu Mohini Uppadhay — regaled the audience with their witty poems. This event was part of the National Crafts Mela organised in Karnal. Gajender Solanki narrated poems on George Bush’s autocracy and Saddam’s valour to face the mighty American and British power. He even did not spare the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and declared Pakistan in well-versed axiom as the son-in-law of the USA. Mohinder Ajnabi jested on national leaders for their weaknesses and deteriorating ethics of politics. In one of his jokes he said, “A teacher asked students in the class to make the future tense of ‘Lalu ne chara khaya’. One of the students stood up and said, ‘Lalu ab dudh dega’. Immediately another student replied, ‘Lalu ab gobar bhi karega’. Most of the poets except Mohinder Sharma and Ms Madhu Mohini Upadhaya chipped in to make references to the current political scenario in the country. |
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Mystery over deaths
of 2 women
Ambala , October 23 The police suspects that someone might have strangled her and threw the body in an abandoned place. Minor injuries were found on the hand and nose of the deceased. Her clothes were torn. Jiyoti was a married but had been living alone in a rented house in Housing Board Colony and she used to visit Lalru. The police handed over the body to her relatives after a post-mortem examination. The police registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC in this regard. In another incident the police registered a dowry death case against three members of a family of Tundla village close to Ambala City. According to police a newly married woman Uma Devi was found dead at her in-laws house in mysterious condition. The father of the deceased Ashok Kumar alleged that her daughter was murdered. The police registered a case under Section 304 of the IPC and started the investigation.
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3 more murder suspects held
Sonepat, October 23 According to a report, the number of arrests made in this connection has now risen to six. Two women suspects are still at large. Dilbagh was allegedly murdered on October 10 by his close relatives, Dariya and Sube, along with other members of the family following a dispute over a plot.
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Youth shot at, injured
Hisar, October 23 There was some monetary dispute between Vikram and Subhash of Padao. A local financier, Mr Ram Avtar, had called them in his office to reach a compromise. While they were trying to strike a deal at the financier’s office, an unidentified youth wearing a track suit entered the office and shot at Vikram. Following this, the assailant fled the scene with his accomplice, who was waiting outside on a motor cycle. |
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2 boys, 2 girls arrested
Ambala, October 23 According to information the police received an information that two young pairs have taken a room on rent in a hotel. The police raided the hotel and nabbed them. The boys belong to Ambala Cantonment.
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DSPs to get increments
Chandigarh, October 23 This was stated here today by the Director-General of the Haryana Police, Dr M.S. Malik. One advance increment would also be given to the DSPs who are the recipients of the Police Medals for meritorious services.
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