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Pinky’s family refuses to obey panchayat order
Rivals kill convict on parole
CM caused 600-cr loss to exchequer: Dalal
CM lays stone for extension of
Barsola Minor |
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BJP state-level rally
on Dec 26
Swami Krishnanand joins Congress
Fourteen-day remand for bank officer
Action plan for senior citizens
Illegal construction threatens wildlife
Bill to make Punjabi second language
2 die, 12 hurt in road mishap
Thousands take holy dip
Last date for allowance
pleas extended
Play role in development, anganwadi workers told
Bid to loot FCI godown, Home Guard jawan killed
Girl’s family holds blood camp on marriage eve
Defamation suit against Bitta filed Army-civilian clash: Cong team meets Pranab Cycle
shop gutted by fire
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Pinky’s family refuses to obey panchayat order
Rajpura Bhain (Jind), November 26 In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, the father of the girl, Mr Pratap Singh, categorically stated that they would marry their daughter as decided. “There’s no going back on the decision,” he maintained. He, however, added that they would organise the marriage ceremony at Kaithal. Pinky and her mother, Rampati, asserted that they would not succumb pressure from the panchayat. Pinky said their family respected the social system of Gotra panchayats, but they could not follow this order as it was not reasonable. “Come what may, I have decided to marry the person who has been chosen by my parents and this is final,” said Pinky. Ms Rampati said the marriage was fixed around a year ago and now, all of a sudden, the panchayat ordered them to terminate the proposal. “It is not fair on the part of the panchayat members to impose their will on us,” she observed. Stating that the panchayat had no legal authority to stop them from marrying their daughter, Mr Pratap Singh maintained that, if required, they would move the court in this regard. The girl’s father claimed having the support of his entire family and most of the villagers. He pointed out that the head of the mahapanchayat, Mr Ramdiya of Alewa village, had no moral right of cancelling the marriage as his own niece had been married in Pokri Kheri village in Jind district where several Lohan families were settled. As per an earlier decision of the khap mahapanchayat, no Lohan girl can be married into a village where some Lohan families are setlled. It was on this basis that the proposed marriage of Pinky was being opposed. The khap mahapanchayat has told Mr Pratap Singh to cancel the proposed marriage of his daughter or be prepared to face the consequences. He has been given time till Decembe 5 in this regard. However, Pinky’s father doesn’t seem to be in a mood to attend the panchayat scheduled to be held on December 5. Presently, he is busy preparing himself for a possible social battle he has to fight for his daughter. |
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Rivals kill convict on parole
Ambala, November 26
Rinku, who was coming home on parole, was shot dead at point-blank range in Sikligar mohalla about 9.30 am. Car driver Ashwini, who was accompanying him, was also shot at. The assailants escaped from the area. Old rivalry is suspected to be behind the shooting. The attack took place in a narrow street. Ashwini, who was hit near the groin, ran towards Ambala Sadar police station after the attack. Sonu Gupta, a younger brother of Rinku, has told the police that they had gone to get Rinku from Ambala Central Jail at 8 am. Rinku had been granted parole for four days to attend his sister’s marriage, he said. “We alighted from the vehicle and began to walk towards our house. While I and a friend, Vicky, were walking ahead, Rinku and Ashwini were behind us. Then, we heard some persons using abusive language, followed by gun shots,” he said. Sonu said Rinku was hit on the head and also shot in the stomach, while Ashwini was shot in the groin. “Rinku collapsed on the spot. We saw Bobby, a
history-sheeter, and two others fleeing from the spot,” he said. The police was informed about the incident. Rinku and Ashwini were taken to Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, from where Rinku was rushed to the PGI, Chandigarh, where he was declared brought dead. His body was brought back to Ambala Cantonment this evening. Ashwini was also later shifted to the PGI as a bullet was lodged in his body. In the afternoon, relatives and friends of Ashwini became agitated after money was allegedly demanded for carrying out an operation. The demand was allegedly made by a local chemist in connivance with a doctor. The relatives blocked the Jagadhari road and demanded that the chemist and the doctor must be arrested immediately. They also pelted stones at vehicles, breaking the window panes of two vehicles. The block was, however, lifted soon. The doctor and the chemist were taken away under police protection. The protesters then proceeded to Sadar police station to demand that a case must be registered against them. Rinku had surrendered to the police on July 8 this year. He was allegedly involved in a shooting in Subhash Colony, in which a youth called Bobby was killed. |
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CM caused 600-cr loss to exchequer: Dalal
Chandigarh, November 26 In a memorandum submitted to the Haryana Governor, Dr
A.R. Kidwai, here, Mr Dalal said the market price of the land was Rs 15 crore per acre, while it had been allotted at a rate of Rs 1 crore per acre. He said the land had been allotted to Dr Trehan after ignoring the claim of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which had demanded land in the past for setting up one of its units. Mr Dalal said either the land should have been auctioned because it was commercial land, or the government should have kept its share in the project so that the poor could get medical treatment free of cost. He alleged that in the proposed project, the Chief Minister and his family would be a “benami” partner. He said the
Chautalas, who had been earlier investing in hotel projects, had now moved on to medical institutions. He said Mr Chautala was distributing precious land of the state to the persons of his choice, ignoring the rules of the Haryana Urban Development Authority. |
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CM lays stone for extension of
Barsola Minor
Jind, November 26 Mr Chautala was addressing a gathering at Ghogaria village in this district after laying the foundation stone of the extension work of Barsola Minor near the village. With the completion of this work, 26 villages, including Ghogaria, Rojkhera, Sandeel, Palwa, Genda Khera, Karsindu, Alipura, will get more water for irrigation and drinking purpose. Earlier, while redressing grievances of the villagers falling in Jind Assembly constituency by organising a Khula Darbar under the Sarkar Aapke Dwar programme, Mr Chatuala announced that streets of Harijan Bastis in all villages of the state would be bricklined. Electricity meters would be provided free of cost to those families living below poverty line. Mr Chautala also inaugurated an upgraded 132 KV substation at Kheri Taloda village. As many as 34 villages would be benefited. Mr Chautala also inaugurated Siwaha Minor in the village which was completed at a cost of Rs 34 lakh. With the completion of this minor 1,577 acres would get after for irrigation. Mr Chautala later organised an Open Darbar at Safidon. He also inaugurated 220 KVA substation at Safidon which had been set up at a cost of Rs 19.17 crore. Mr Surinder Singh Barwala former MP, Mr Suraj Bhan Kajal, Chairman, Haryana Finance Commission, Mr Rajiv Sharma DC, Jind, and Mr Manjeet Singh Ahlawat, SP, Jind, were present on this occasion. |
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BJP state-level rally
on Dec 26
Panchkula, November 26 Mr Gian Chand Gupta, state treasurer of the party, said the rally would be attended by senior BJP leaders from the state as well as from the central leadership. “We will present Rs 2.5 lakh to the party leaders. The money will be contributed by the party workers and supporters. This money will be used for the election campaign of the party in the state,” he said, while addressing a press conference today. Mr Gupta said rising prices of essential commodities over the past couple of months was a major cause of concern. “Over the past few months, the price of petrol has increased by Rs 8 and prices of diesel has increased by Rs 6 a litre. LPG prices too have increased, and this has led to black marketing of the cooking gas. This is an indication of tough times ahead for the common man,” he said. He said a rally will be held in Delhi soon on the issue of rising prices. |
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Swami Krishnanand joins Congress
Kharar Alipur (Hisar), November 26 |
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Fourteen-day remand for bank officer
Fatehabad, November 26 R. C. Arora, a former manager of the local branch of the United Commercial Bank was booked by the police under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120 B along with three other bank officers. The police arrested him along with N. L. Bharati, the present incumbent of the post, for defrauding a local firm. Bharati, whose police remand ended yesterday, was also remanded to 14 days judicial custody. Mrs Sushila Rani’s firm in the local grain market had filed a suit for recovery of Rs 6.08 lakh against firm Bhushan Brothers. Partners of Bhushan Brothers had fled from the town in 1998 leaving several of its debtors in the lurch. Mrs Sushila Rani won the suit and the court ordered the attachment and sales of 38 kanals 13 marla land of the firm at Ratia town. But later, the women found that local branch of the United Commercial Bank had sold that land for realisation of its own loan advanced to the firm. The bank claimed that the land was already mortgaged in its favour. The lady lodged a complaint with the police and alleged that the two bank officers in connivance with two other officials of the bank forged the mortgage documents to deprive her of her right over the property. |
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Action plan for senior citizens
Chandigarh, November 26 An official spokesman said the facilities to be provided under the Action Plan would be in addition to those already being provided to the senior citizens in the State. While giving details of the plan, the spokesman said it included financial security, health care, nutrition, shelter, welfare, and protecting life and property. Regarding financial security, he said old age pension would be continued and its amount would be enhanced from time to time. Also, a ‘State Welfare Fund for Older Persons’ would be set up. The pre-retirement counselling programmes would be promoted and conducted in collaboration with the Haryana Institute of Public Administration and other such institutions. Awareness campaigns would be launched so that old parents, who were unable to maintain themselves, did not face acute neglect. He said health care needs of older persons would be given high priority. Separate counters would be opened for older persons in hospitals and these would function on specified days at convenient timings. Mobile health services and ambulance services would be provided for older persons and medical and paramedical staff engaged in primary and secondary health care services would be imparted training for rendering health care to elderly patients. Setting up of a separate welfare fund to provide free treatment and medicines to the poor elderly patients by getting donations and grants would be considered. He said shelter being the basic human need, 2 per cent of the houses or plots would be earmarked for allotment to older persons under housing scheme for urban and rural lower income groups. They would be provided easy access to loans for purchase of house and conducting major repairs. Group housing of older persons having common service facilities for meals, common room and rest rooms would be encouraged. He said welfare services would be provided on priority bases to the poor, disabled, infirm and those without family support. He said the policy would consider institutional care as the last resort when personal circumstances were such that stay in old age homes had become absolutely necessary. The NGOs would be given financial assistance for construction and maintenance of old age homes. While referring to the protection of life and property, he said that there had been instances when the old persons had become soft targets for criminal elements. Therefore, the Police Department would keep a friendly vigil on elderly persons and old persons living alone, especially in urban areas. He said the Action Plan would also cover other areas for the benefit of the senior citizens. Preference would be given to the older persons in reservation of seats in local public transport. Separate queues and counters would be made functional for the senior citizens in treasury offices, which would be equipped with sitting arrangements for them. |
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Illegal construction threatens wildlife
Panchkula, November 26. This is adversely affecting wildlife in the areas. Most of the “development” activities in 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Haryana have been undertaken by the Forest Department during the past one year. Now, the Wildlife wing of the Forest Department has asked all divisional forest officers in the state to ensure that construction works in all protected areas in the state are stopped. All construction activities, including the construction of low-height or sub-surface dams and other soil conservation works; walls to divide the area of natural water bodies; construction of small buildings like nature centres; and efforts to achieve targets by planting saplings along natural water bodies disturbs the avi- fauna and other wildlife and is in violation of the provisions of the Wildlife Act. The Supreme Court, too, has banned all such construction in the protected areas, and such works, if they are to be undertaken, have to get a prior approval from the Central Empowered Committee constituted by the apex court. There are 10 protected areas in the state — the Birshikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, the Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bir Bara Ban Jind Wildlife Sanctuary, the Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, the Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, the Abushahar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sultanpur National Park, the Kalesar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary. The worst case scenario is at the Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, near Jhajjar, which has been home to a number of rare local and migratory birds. This is a huge water body, well protected from all sides having an area of 1017 acres. Last year, the sanctuary was trifurcated by constructing two parallel bunds within the sanctuary. The habitat of wildlife in the sanctuary has been damaged and diverted to afforestation activities. About 125 acres of this water body has been brought under cultivation of herbal plants and shrubs, and another 250 acres has been brought under fruit plant cultivation, leaving just 600 acres of water body for the avi-fauna and wildlife. A metalled road on the peripheral bundh of the sanctuary, running of a forest nursery and planting of jatropa are other activities causing disturbance to the habitat here. Sources say the construction of dams and plantation on the forest land for achieving targets in the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary are being done without the prior permission of the competent authority (Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court). A number of sub-surface and water harvesting dams have been constructed in this national park and wildlife sanctuary, and it is proposed to construct more of these dams, especially under the Kandi project. The poor management of the Sultanpur National Park (silting of the Sultanpur Lake), and, drying up of Khaparwas sanctuary are also a cause of concern. No construction activity is being undertaken in Birshikargah, Chhilchhila, Nahar, Khaparwas and Abubshahar by Forest department. At a meeting of Wildlife Inspectors held last week, the issue of illegal construction works being undertaken in the protected areas was discussed. It was decided that reports on works being taken up in these national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and their management be prepared so that the matter could be taken up at a higher level and the construction work stopped. |
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Bill to make Punjabi second language
Chandigarh, November 26 Though the present Government notified Punjabi as the second language, yet the order is not backed by any legislation. The Congress Government in Delhi has already made Punjabi the second language. In neighbouring Himachal, the Congress government has already decided to introduce Punjabi as an elective subject from Class VI onwards. The Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular of Uttaranchal, especially from Terrai area, are also demanding introduction of Punjabi as second language in the new State. Since Haryana has the second largest population of Sikhs after Punjab, there has been a constant demand for making Punjabi as the second language. At one stage, even Tamil was granted the status of second language in Haryana.. “Punjabi is not only the language of Sikhs but also of Punjabis, most of whom had made Haryana as their home after Partition in 1947. From 1947 till 1966, Punjabi was taught in all schools of undivided Punjab. But after the reorganisation of the States in 1966, teaching of Punjabi was abruptly discontinued not only in Haryana but also in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Since then Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular had been agitating for making Punjabi as the natural second language of both Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. “The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has agreed to bring a Bill on making Punjabi as second language during the coming session to be held from November 30,” says Mr Tarlochan Singh,a Rajya Sabha member from the State. “Once the order is backed by a legislation, Punjabi would become secure and its teaching would be introduced in all schools, colleges and universities of the State,” he adds. “I have talked to Mr Chautala and he has agreed to consider sympathetically to introduce Punjabi as a subject in the newly set up Ch Devi Lal University at Sirsa. Sirsa, Jind and the nearby areas has a large Punjabi speaking population,” says Mr Tarlochan Singh hoping that the Punjabi as second language Bill would have support of all political parties of the State. The introduction of this Bill is being viewed yet another step to appease the Punjabi community of the State which wields big influence not only in mainline districts and towns like Ambala, Karnal, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Jind and Sirsa but also in several other towns also. |
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2 die, 12 hurt in road mishap
Sonepat, November, 26 According to a report, the jeep was carrying 35-40 passengers and its driver lost his control and it dashed against tree. On hearing the caries of passengers, a large number of people arrived on the spot and they succeeded in bringing out the passengers from the jeep. All injured persons were rushed to private hospitals at Narela (Delhi) where two of them succumbed to their injuries. One of them was identified as Sahaba Singh (60) of Karla village and another Daleep Singh of Nahra village. Two seriously injured persons, including Mangla Ram (28), were referred to the hospitals in Delhi. The injured included Ram Phal (55) of Mandora village, Satbir (40), Jagbir (50), Chand (45) of Mandora village, Harish Chander (55) of Nahra village, Surinder (27) of Mandora village, Ranbir (50) Mandora village, Gaurav (19) of Nahra village and Kuldeep (19) of Khanpur village. According to another report at least five persons were injured in three different accidents occurred on the G.T. Road near Murthal, Rasoi and Rai villages in this district today. Two of the injured were identified as Rakesh and Dinesh of Samalkha. They were going on their motorcycle for witnesing the trade fair in Pragati Maidan. |
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Thousands take holy dip
Kapal Mochan (Yamunanagar), November 26 The timing of the mela this year was said to be good as it was being held after the sowing season of wheat ended in Punjab. The weather also remained pleasant during the mela days. The administration had hoped that the number of pilgrims reaching here to take a holy dip would touch one million but about seven lakh people reached here. The mela, which was declared a state affair, also turned out to be a “non-profit” venture this time. There was no allocated budget for the same, said sources. Last year, the then Union Minister of Tourism, Mr Jagmohan, had given Rs 10 lakh for the mela. The money was used to construct platforms around the two holy sarovars – Kapal Mochan and Rin Mochan. The abolition of the toll on the second day of the mela caused an estimated loss of Rs 7 lakh to the state exchequer. The tehbazari (rent from kiosks and shops) from the mela was also halved as compared to last year. The reason behind the fall in the tehbazari is being attributed to the high ground rent. |
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Last date for allowance
pleas extended
Hisar, November 26 The filled application forms can be submitted at the same office on any day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. by November 30, according to an official press statement issued here yesterday. The employment office would remain opened for the purpose even on holidays. YAMUNANAGAR: All the eligible persons for unemployment allowance in the district would get the allowance on December 1. Special teams have been constituted which would visit different places for distribution of the allowance. According to an official release, as on November 1 there were 21,531 matriculates and 4,904 graduates, postgraduates and diploma holders in the district. The administration had distributed 3,500 unemployment forms but only 747 persons have submitted the forms. A meeting of the patwaris would be held on November 20 at the tehsil level for disbursement of the allowances at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries in villages and towns, said the DC Mr Vijayender Singh. |
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Play role in development, anganwadi workers told
Fatehabad, November 26 The Deputy Commissioner was addressing a training camp organised under the ‘Children and Women Development’ programme. Representatives of the Panchayati Raj organisations and women organisations attended the camp. The camp was organised jointly by the Education Department, the Health Department and the Integrated Child and Women Health Department. Dr Naresh Goyal, District Health Officer, Ms Asha Setia, Programme Officer, Integrated Child Health Scheme, Ms Mamata Thukral, District Child Welfare Programme and Mr Sriram Jakhar, District Education Officer, Fatehabad, were present in the camp. Mr Sehrawat urged the officials to work collectively to improve the lives of rural people. He urged them to work for the successful implementation of welfare schemes like mid-day meal and old-age pension scheme in the villages. |
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Bid to loot FCI godown, Home Guard jawan killed
Hisar, November 26 The dacoits entered the FCI godown and started throwing wheat bags out of it. On being challenged by the security personnel, they attacked them with lathis and sharp-edged weapons. In the ensuing fight, five Home Guards jawans were injured. One of them, Kulwant (40) of Badesara village, later succumbed to his injuries. A case has been registered. |
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Girl’s family holds blood camp on marriage eve
Sirsa, November 26
The camp was held at the local Khajanchian Di Dharamsala, which was also the venue for the ladies sangeet. Yukti, bride to-be, who is a regular blood donor is the brain behind the idea. On simple marriage invitation cards was a slip on the top requesting the invitees to donate blood as mark of blessings for the bride to-be. “We wanted to do something remarkable on our beloved daughter’s marriage and thus she came with the idea,’’ said her father, Mr Narinder Bihani. As per their guess, the friends and relatives welcomed the idea and showed their eagerness to donate blood. The camp was conducted by the Shiv Shakti Blood Donors’ Council, an agency running a blood bank in the town. |
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Defamation suit against Bitta filed Ambala November
26 Mr
Shandilaya stated in the complaint that Mr Bitta had written a letter to
the DGP, Haryana, in July 2004 in which he had alleged that
the complainant had been using a red light atop his vehicle and
getting the accommodation in the Circuit House on his name. He
said Mr Bitta had further alleged in the letter that he had been
acquiring the pilot vehicle and police escort in his name. He said the
allegation levelled against him by Mr Bitta were deliberately
communicated to higher police officers to defame him. He said the
Ambala police had investigated the allegations and found those false and
baseless. Mr Shandilaya said in the complaint that Mr Bitta, who was
enjoying Z-plus security and having good relations with Mr Amar Singh,
General Secretary of the Samajwadi Party, could eliminate him in Uttar
Pradesh. He said Mr Bitta by writing a false letter to police officers
and circulating the same to the media had defamed him. The complaint
will come for hearing in the court on December 6, Mr Shandilaya said.
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Army-civilian clash: Cong team meets Pranab Ambala, November 26 The Congress leaders demanded that “action must be taken against the guilty Army officials”. They demanded that suitable compensation should be paid to the injured and the fencing by the Army should be removed till the matter was amicably settled by the government. Mr Jain said Mr Mukherjee gave a patient hearing to the delegation members and assured them that the matter would be looked into. Ms Selja, in a communique addressed to Mr Mukherjee, stated, “Brigadier Malhi had met us in Ambala Cantt on November 24 in the evening in this regard and discussed the matter. I asked him to stop the fencing immediately. I also told him that I would take up the matter with you in this regard. He had agreed that he would stop the fencing work forthwith.” An emergency meeting of the Ambala Cantt Congress unit was held last night. The leaders condemned the incident and expressed shock over the “high-handedness” by the Army personnel.
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Cycle shop gutted by fire Ambala, November 26 Two fire engines of Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment could
control the fire only after two hours. The cause of the fire could not
be ascertained so far. The owner of the shop Mr Amar Nath, said that he
got an electric shock when he opened the shutter of the shop. The
police personnel of police post No. 2 and the people of the locality
helped the fire brigade officials to control the fire.
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