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HUDA ‘favouring’ influential colonisers
Glorifying icons in the political arena
Cong MP ridicules Chautala’s announcements
High-level meeting of Cong leaders today
Sampat takes Bhajan Lal head-on
Lohans’ boycott issue unresolved
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Brahmin families migrate to Kurukshetra over dispute
Sanctioned tubewells to be installed in 1 month
16 confirmed dengue cases in Haryana
2 get life term in murder case
Soldier gets 10-yr jail for raping minor
Man burnt by in-laws, alleges brother
Unsafe bridges open invitation to
mishaps
VC launches BEd course
Yoga camp at college
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HUDA ‘favouring’ influential colonisers
Panchkula, November 2 As many as 2953 residential plots of varying size (1 kanal, 14 marla, 10 marla, 8 marla, 6 marla and four marla) were offered by HUDA in Sector 57, Gurgaon, on February 12, 2004, after the government had approved the price fixed for these plots. The scheme closed on May 12, 2004, and almost 1.70 lakh applications had been received by HUDA, and earnest money to the tune of over Rs 1300 crore was collected. Over the past couple of months, HUDA has earned approximately Rs 40 crore as interest on the earnest money. Senior officials in HUDA inform TNS that some part of the land in this sector was released to three influential colonisers by the government. At the time the scheme was floated by HUDA, almost 40 per cent of the land had been released to colonisers, and another 10 per cent land was released to colonisers after the scheme was floated. During this time, HUDA authorities decided to demarcate the plots in the sector and realised that the total area left was sufficient for carving barely 1250 to 1300 plots. It was then that HUDA authorities decided to re-plan the entire structure. The Town and Country Planning Department reportedly prepared a new plan, wherein the area demarcated for commercial property (over 30 acres) was reduced and utilised for carving residential plots. Objections were then raised by the Finance Department of HUDA (reduction in commercial area meant further losses), and it was decided to utilise the area reserved for Group Housing Societies (GHS) as residential plots. The Town and Country Planning Department then reduced the area reserved for GHS from 60 acre to eight acres. After the layout plan for 2953 plots was ready, it was decided to go ahead with the draw of lots on October 29. However, hours before the draw was scheduled to be held, the top political brass in the state reportedly issued instructions that the draw be cancelled. Though the official reason given for cancellation of draw is that the price fixed by HUDA (between Rs 3780 per sq metre to Rs 4620 per sq metre) was almost three times less than the prevailing market price (Rs 15,000 per sq metre), sources say that the draw was called off to placate another influential coloniser so that land could be released to him. Officials, however, say that even if the earnest money of the applicants (over Rs 1300 crore) along with the interest (approximately Rs 40 crore) was to be refunded to the applicants, HUDA could still earn profit after relaunching the scheme at higher price. Some of the applicants have now approached the court, and sought a stay against HUDA for taking any further action, including refund of earnest money. |
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Glorifying icons in the political arena
Chandigarh, November 2 It was learnt that the Haryana Government has decided to name the Panipat General Hospital after the late Mr Bhim S
Sachchar. The late Mr Sachchar was the first Chief Minister of joint Punjab after India became independent from British rule. A bust of Mr Sachchar would also be set up in the hospital premises, an official said, and added that the bust would be unveiled and the hospital would be named after Mr Sachchar in a function sometime in December. “December 10 is the tentative date for the ceremony. The day being World Human Rights Day, it would be an appropriate occasion for holding the function”, he said. Mr Rajinder
Sachchar, retired Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and son of the late Mr
Sachchar, would attend the function, it was learnt. The official said it was decided to name the hospital after Mr Sachchar when someone related to the late political leader made a request to the Chief Minister to do something to keep Mr Sachchar’s memory alive. Since Mr Sachchar breathed his last at Panipat, it was decided to associate his name with the government hospital at Panipat. While the naming of the hospital after Mr Sachchar is expected to be received well by the numerically strong Punjabi community of Haryana, of late the Haryana CM has also directed his effort to retrieve memories of the late Sir Chhotu Ram, Unionist Party leader, who was Revenue Minister of Punjab in pre-independent India. Sir Chhotu Ram is still revered by the Jat community of Haryana for his deep understanding of agriculture-related issues. Mr Chautala’s interest in Mr Chhotu Ram — his recent trip to Mr Chhotu Ram’s official residence at Lahore and a proposed trip to Pakistan in the middle of this month to bring the departed leader’s personal belongings to Haryana to be kept in a museum at Sir Chhotu Ram’s native village in Rohtak district — has in fact triggered off a controversy with Mr Birender Singh taking exception to Mr Chautala’s interest in Sir Chhotu Ram. Mr Chautala was earlier on a spree of setting up of statues of his late father and naming parks and various institutions of Haryana after the late Mr Devi Lal. The drive attracted wide-spread hostility of his political rivals who alleged that the attempt to glorify deify his father was partially responsible for the ruling party’s humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. |
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Cong MP ridicules Chautala’s announcements
Hisar, November 2 He said foreseeing his party’s defeat in the coming Assembly elections, Mr Chautala was making such announcements. In a press statement issued here today, Mr Bishnoi said the announcements made by the Chief Minister at the Kaithal rally were the result of pressure from the Congress. The Congress leader alleged that the Chief Minister was trying to mislead the employees as the state was bound to follow the Central pattern on hike in dearness allowance. He, however, asserted that the people of the state had made up their mind to oust the Chautala government in the coming elections and such tactics would not have any impact on the poll outcome. |
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High-level meeting of Cong leaders today
Chandigarh, November 2 According to informed sources, the AICC general secretary, Mr Janardhan Dwivedy, has called the Haryana party chief, Mr Bhajan Lal, all former Haryana Congress presidents’, all MPs of the party from the state and the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, to the meeting. The sources say there are two surprise invitees also. Mr Surender Singh, former Secretary-General of the Haryana Vikas Party, which recently merged with the Congress, has also been invited to attend the meeting. Interestingly, Mr Surender Singh, who is a son of the former Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has not yet been given any responsibility in the party organisation. Another surprise invitee is Mr Randeep Surjewala, president of the All-India Youth Congress. Though he belongs to Haryana, he too has no responsibly in the Haryana Congress organisation wing. The meeting has assumed importance amidst reports of the possibility of a change in the leadership of the Haryana Congress.
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Sampat takes Bhajan Lal head-on
Chandigarh, November 2 The Finance Minister, who was reacting to the statement of Mr Bhajan Lal made at a rally of the party in Nathusari Chopta on Sunday last, said that instead of reversing all decisions of the INLD government, it would be in the fitness of things if the Congress leaders of Haryana tried to have the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, withdrawn. He said that every person in the state was offended and pained by this instance of injustice carried out by the Congress Government of Punjab with the active connivance of Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Mr Sampat Singh asked Mr Bhajan Lal whether the Congress would reduce the price of sugarcane back to Rs 95 per quintal, which had been hiked to Rs 110 per quintal by the government led by Mr Om Prakash Chautala. He further asked if the Congress would reduce the amount of old age pension, widow pension and handicapped pension back to Rs 100 per month, which had been first increased to Rs 200 in 1999 and then to Rs 300 per month by the INLD Government. Mr Sampat Singh asked if the Congress would re-introduce octroi and abiana, which had been abolished by Mr Chautala. Would the Congress again introduce the slab system of power tariff to charge Rs 104 per HP as against the decision of the present government to introduce uniform rate of merely Rs 35 per HP for agricultural tubewell connections, Mr Sampat Singh asked. Would the Congress withdraw the decision of the present government to enable the loanees not to pay more than double the amount of their principle amount and restart charging compound interest on loans, he asked. He asked if the Congress would revert thousands of government employees back to daily wage or adhoc status since their services had been regularised by the Chautala Government. He also asked if the Congress would take back the 50 per cent DA that had been sanctioned by the government after it came to power in March, 2000. He questioned whether the Congress would reduce the incentive of Rs 5100 being given under ‘Kanya Daan’ scheme or withdraw the incentive oriented scheme known as ‘DEVIRUPAK’. Mr Sampat Singh said it appeared that Mr Bhajan Lal had lost his mind and was not able to differentiate between the good and the bad. It appeared that Mr Bhajan Lal was getting nervous and not able to digest the success of the present government. Therefore, being an Opposition Leader, he was opposing the decisions of the state government without understanding their merits. He cautioned the people, saying that they should stay away from such leaders who were making irresponsible statements simply to remain in news. |
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Lohans’ boycott issue unresolved
Kaithal, November 2 It is learnt that Lohans wanted that the boycott of Lohan families should end immediately but the Kadiyans wanted that the Lohans should give an assurance that they had no objection to the engagement of a Kadiyan boy with a girl of Lohans . This panchayat was held in Hansu Patti of Jakholi and ex-Sarpanch Balwant Singh presided. Both the sides presented their viewpoints. Mr Ram
Dia, president of Lohan Panchayat, and Mr O.P. Lohan, an HCS officer and some other speakers from their side were of the view that the boycott of Lohan families by the Kadiyans and other residents of village was not justified. They assured that once the boycott call was withdrawn they would consider in Mahapanchayat the demand of Kadiyans not to interfere in the engagement of
Satyajeet, grandson of Mr Mani Ram Kadiyan of Jakholi with Pinki, daughter of Mr Partap Singh Lohan, of Ramra Bhain village of Jind district. On the other hand, Mr Mani Ram Kadiyan was of the view that if panchayats continued to interfere in the matrimonial matters and imposed unreasonable restrictions there would be great difficulty in finding suitable matches for boys and girls . He said members of the community should change their attitude with the changing times. He said such decisions were spoiling the peaceful atmosphere in villages and caused unnecessary tension . He wanted that if Lohans wanted them to withdraw boycott call they should also announce that they would not to interfere in the engagement issue . However the Lohans said they would not take any such decision under pressure and the matter could not be resolved . It is learnt that father of the girl who was also present in this panchayat is reported to have expressed the view that he would follow the line of his gotra . The way the Lohans agreed to consider the demand of Kadiyans and the tone of their representatives gave an indication that they too wanted to adopt a liberal approach on issue.
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Brahmin families migrate to
Kurukshetra, November 2 The long-standing dispute is over the land belonging to the
Nirankari Math in the village. The last recognised mahant of the math, Baba Rattan Dass, supporters of Mr Sadhu Ram, who professes to be the sitting mahant of the math, say, designated their leader as his heir. However, Mr Hari Singh, a representative of the dominant community in the village, the Jats, alleges that Sadhu Ram “usurped” the math land. He says the Mandir Sudhar Sabha of the village moved the court about a decade ago against Sadhu Ram. The Civil Judge, Junior Division, Kurukshetra, Mr R.S. Dhanda, accepted the plea of the sabha. In an appeal filed by Sadhu Ram, the Additional District Judge, Dr B.B. Parsoon, modified the lower court’s
judgment to the extent that “if Bhek (general body) of the Dera
Nirankari appoints any mahant to manage the dera and its properties as per its custom and rituals, he would take over the management of the dera and its properties without any hindrance....” Supporters of Sadhu Ram interpret the court
judgment to claim that the sabha has no right to control the math land. Only a mahant appointed by the “Bhek” of their sect could take over its control and till then Sadhu Ram could not be evicted. However, the first signs of trouble appeared on October 11 and the matter went to the police, which called both parties to the police station on October 18. Next day, Mr Hari Singh says, an agreement was reached between the two parties, according to which Sadhu Ram was to vacate the land before October 28. Meanwhile, the sabha reportedly approached Baba Bachan Singh, in charge of Punjab and Haryana affairs of the sect, who resides in Patiala. Mr Hari Singh, claims that Baba Bachan Singh appointed Baba Megh Dass of Mundri village as the new mahant of Kirmich Dera. He alleges that instead of vacating the disputed land on October 28, Sadhu Ram and his family brought their supporters in three vehicles to the village. He admits that the sabha supporters damaged one of the vehicles and forced its occupants to leave the village. However, Sadhu Ram denies it. He says his relatives had come to meet him but the sabha supporters attacked them, following which he along with four other families shifted to Kurukshetra. He also alleges that three of his supporters, including one woman, had to be admitted to the hospital. An FIR was lodged in Kurukshetra police station. He also claims that Mahamandleshwar Sant Hans Dass, head of the sect, came from
Hardwar to Kurukshetra on October 29 and recognised him as the mahant of the Kirmich Dera. He alleges that the sabha supporters attacked members of the Brahmin and other non-Jat families on October 31, following which eight more families took shelter in Kurukshetra. Meanwhile, the sabha supporters came here yesterday as well as today to take the migrant families back to the village. However, no agreement could be reached because the sabha supporters insisted that while Sadhu Ram and his family would not be allowed to go back to the math land, the others were welcome to stay in the village peacefully. The Brahmins did not agree to this condition. The president of the Haryana Brahmin Sabha, Mr Puran Chand Bhardwaj, has convened a meeting of the community here on November 7, to discuss the next course of action. Senior officers of the district, who remained busy for the past two days with the visits of VVIPs. are yet to intervene. A delegation of the Brahmins submitted a memorandum to the city magistrate today. Meanwhile, the Mahamandleshwar is likely to visit Kurukshetra again on November 4. The dispute may be resolved if he either categorically recognises Sadhu Ram as the mahant or appoints a new mahant. Old-timers say the genesis of the dispute lies in a mango tree. They say when the tree fell several years ago, its wood was demanded by an activist of the sabha. When Sadhu Ram refused to oblige him, the sabha activist allegedly threatened him that he would be evicted from the land itself. |
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Sanctioned tubewells to be installed in 1 month
Yamunanagar, November 2 This was announced by the Chief Minister Mr Om Prakash Chautala, while addressing the fifth phase of Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar programme of the Chhachhrouli assembly constituency today. A total of 224 panchayats communicated their problems to the Chief Minister. He also announced that ‘branch level’ schools would be opened in those villages where there were no schools. There are branch-level schools in the state but only in those villages where there are about 300 students. Mr Chautala again reiterated that repair work of all government buildings, schools and roads would be completed by December 31. |
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16 confirmed dengue cases in Haryana
Panipat, November 2 Mr Khosla said that these cases of dengue had been confirmed by the NICD, New Delhi, after examination of the patients. Out of these 16 dengue cases, two patients belonged to Panipat, he added. At the same time, he admitted that cases of viral fever had been reported from several parts of the state. Adequate steps were being taken to get rid of these diseases at the earliest, he added. |
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2 get life term in murder case
Yamunanagar, November 2 On June 5, 2000, the two, along with others, had entered the house of Surinder Singh in Chopra Garden to commit a theft. While they were ransacking the house, Surinder Singh woke up and raised the alarm. Other family members also woke up. The goons attacked the family members with sharpedged weapons and rods. Surinder Singh, his wife, Devi, and sister-in-law, Rani, were seriously injured. However, Surinder Singh succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. The goons had fled.
The police had registered a case under Sections 394, 395, 396 and 469 of the IPC.
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Soldier gets 10-yr jail for raping minor
Hisar, November 2 The court of Dr Amarnath Minocha found the soldier guilty of raping the minor on October 30. Today, the court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 2,500 on him. |
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Man burnt by in-laws, alleges brother
Hisar, November 2 He alleged that there, Darshan’s in-laws burnt him, following which he was taken to the Civil Hospital at Sirsa. However, he was referred to Hisar for treatment. Rajender said Darshan was married around nine years ago and has two children. Due to some dispute Darshan’s wife was living with her parents. |
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Unsafe bridges open invitation to
mishaps
Panipat, November 2 This correspondent visited a number of bridges in the area and found as many as three bridges unsafe for traffic. They include the bridge on the Panipat-Safidon road, Jatal road bridge, both on the old Delhi branch canal, and another bridge situated on Hulana minor between the collapsed flyover and the railway crossing. While the Panipat-Safidon and Jatal road bridges are looked after by the Irrigation Department, the Hulana minor bridge comes under the jurisdiction of B&R (National Highway) Department. When contacted, SE, Irrigation,
Construction, Mr Gian Singh Chodhury, admitted that the Panipat-Safidon and Jatal road bridges had been put in the unsafe
category by the department and claimed that they would be remodelled by May 31 next year. Similarly, the
SDO, B&R National Highway, Mr Rajpal Singh, said the bridge on the Hulana minor was not safe for traffic. He said an estimate for its remodelling had been sent and it would be reconstructed as early as possible. Mr Chodhury said work on remodelling of the Theri bridge, which had also been put in the unsafe category was in progress and thereafter remodelling of Panipat-Safidon and Jatal road bridges would be done. He said the target of their remodelling was May 31 next. Interestingly, after the collapse of the bridge on Panipat-Rohtak National Highway, traffic was partially diverted to these unsafe bridges on Jatal road and Panipat-Safidon road. Further, thousands of vehicles daily pass on the Panipat-Safidon road bridge on the way to Asandh, Jind and other areas. The foundation of the piers of these bridges is apparently weak as soil beneath had eroded due to water released in the old Delhi branch canal on October 11 for testing. No water had been released for several years in the canal. Mr Sube Singh, an aged resident of the area, told The Tribune that the sides of the canal had been cemented after the Chief Minister’s visit on May 4 last year but no attention had been paid to strengthening the foundation of the piers. When contacted, the ADC, Mr Wazir Singh said the district administration would order an inquiry into the unsafe bridges to avoid any mishap. |
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VC launches BEd course
Rohtak, November 2 The institute is the third organisation in the country to run the course for which it is affiliated to the MDU. The other two institutions running this course are in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The course curriculum produces qualified teachers for schools for mentally challenged children. At present, the country is facing an acute shortage of such trained teachers. As such jobs for the students are guaranteed immediately after passing out. The Shravan institute has 20 seats for this course. It has recruited a highly qualified faculty. Besides, the MDU has offered the services of its teachers as guest faculty. There are plans to start the MEd course in this discipline from the next academic session. The BEd course is self-financed. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dhanker said there was an urgent need for creating awareness about mentally and physically challenged persons. These unfortunate persons were not getting the attention from society which they deserved. He said these persons could be easily settled in life with help from society but for that some attitudinal changes were necessary. Mr Ashok Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, who is the force behind this project, said the institute had been set up at a cost of Rs 1.11 crore. |
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Yamunanagar, November 2
