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Clerk to be HPSC member on Dec 15
Chautala seeks votes for development
We have faith in judiciary, say ostracised couple
Farmers to meet CM on water cuts
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Conditions ripe for strengthening relations: expert
Mutual efforts can revive
Foundation stone of bus stand laid
CBI to probe disappearance of youths
Meet on women issues
begins
Villagers protest against erratic power supply
PIL filed for quashing amendments
A love story gone sour, laments Anita
Ambala Jaycees office-bearers installed
Ban on sending bricks outside Haryana
Leaf from History
Two women run over,
killed
LJP stages demonstration
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Clerk to be HPSC member on Dec 15
Chandigarh, December 13 Official sources said the Haryana Government had decided to induct Mr Ram Kumar Kashyap, a native of Ambala district, as a member of the HPSC. The 1951 born Mr Kashyap is at present working as a field assistant in the economic and statistical organisation of the state government at Kurukshetra. He is slated to be sworn in as a member of the HPSC on December 15. Mr Kashyap would fill up the member’s post falling vacant following the resignation of Mr M.S. Shastri who quit the HPSC last week. With the induction of Mr Kashyap, the entire HPSC would have a new look as all the other members, including the Chairman of the commission, had resigned on various occasions earlier, paving the way for entry of new members. It is alleged that Mr Chautala is recasting the entire HPSC so that his own people manage the recruitment agency even when he himself may not be in power in the state any more. All the members as well as the Chairman of the new-look HPSC would continue to hold their offices during the tenure of the next government that would take over following the elections slated for early next year. The HPSC had come under cloud during the Chautala-led Government’s tenure following selection of people related to important government functionaries for Haryana Civil Service. Also, on countless other occasions, accusing fingers have been pointed out at the INLD regime for alleged unfair selections for government vacancies. The Opposition also suspect foul play in Mr Chautala’s move to give statutory status to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission by passing a law in the two-day session of the Assembly held in the first week of this month. It is feared that an HPSC like recasting exercise may take place in the HSSC as well. |
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Chautala seeks votes for development
Rewari, December 13 He made this exhortation while addressing a rural gathering soon after laying the foundation stone of a HUDA-planned rural residential sector at Bhairampur Bharangi village, about 12 km. from here, today. Recounting measures taken by his government for the augmentation of the drinking water supply, the generation of additional power, the enhancement of irrigational facilities and the provision of packages of development works to people living in the rural area the Chief Minister asserted that residential sectors in the rural areas were now being developed by HUDA to ensure the availability of all essential civic amenities to them. He again called upon people to ansure, the victing of the INLD at the hustings while leaving the entire responsibility of carrying out development works to him. In a stone-laying spree in Rewari district, the chief minister also laid the foundation stone of a 33 kv sub-station in sector 10 here, a second 33 kv sub-station at Kaluwas village (about 4 km. from Rewari) , a third 33 kv sub-station at Guraora village (about 20 km. from Rewari) and another 132 kv sub-station at Jainabad village, about 25 km from Rewari. The installation of all these four sub-stations will cost over Rs 9 crore. Addressing a largely attended meeting at Jainabad village Mr. Chautala asserted that establishment of several new power-generating units as well as the renovation of other old units had led to massive generation of additional power which, he claimed, would now make Haryana uninterrupted power supply. Flaying the “anti-farmer” policies of the Congress-led UPA government, the Chief Minister said during its on-going tenure of six months the Congress had made life miserable for the farmers, workers and other weaker sections of the society by an indiscriminate hike in the prices of diesel, pesticides, iron, bricks, cement etc. He alleged that the congress had curtailed petrol prices just to benefit the rich while it had inflicted a crushing blow to the peasantry by not fixing the support prices of foodgrains in accordance with the rising cost of inputs. He said the Congress had been following casteist policies. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of a police station as well as a government primary school in Sector 4 here. |
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We have faith in judiciary, say ostracised couple
Jaundhi, December 13 Reacting to a Jaundhi panchayat’s decision of yesterday, which ordered the boycott of the families of Daryao Singh and Kali Ram, grandfather and granduncle, respectively, of Aashish, Darshana said even they did not want to have any relation with the villagers who were opposing their rehabilitation in the village. “We are quite happy in our small family and don’t want to be disturbed by the panchayat or khap leaders”, she said. Darshana made it categorically clear that her family was no longer interested in any khap panchayat, nor would they attend any such panchayat even if invited. She said, “We take recourse in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the court had got us rehabilitated in our ancestral house through the local administration and we have full faith in the judiciary which will protect us from the unnecessary harassment of the khap panchayats”. Aashish Dagar had married Darshana, belonging to Gahlawat gotra six years ago and the couple was expelled from the village for life, four years ago. |
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Farmers to meet CM on water cuts
Yamunanagar, December 13 This was decided at a ‘kisan panchyat’ of the farmers from 42 villages held at the New Grain Market, Khezrabad, here today. On December 8, the farmers of the Block had forced opened the gates of the two channels for releasing water. Addressing the farmers, state general secretary, BJP and MLA, Mr Kanwar Pal said the BJP MLAs had already resigned from the Assembly on the issue of the SYL and are ready to make any sacrifice for the waters of the Yamuna. Congress leaders Mr Jagbir Singh and Mr Arjun Singh assured the farmers that the party was with them on the issue of Yamuna waters. The farmers of the block lay claim to the regular supply because in 1872, when the canal was dug, the then residents of the area had not taken compensation for the land, which was acquired for the canal. In return, the British had put the area under a special category with provision of daily water supply. The farmers say tube wells could not be bored in the area because of the land conditions and the fields must be irrigated at least twice a week. |
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Conditions ripe for strengthening relations: expert
Kurukshetra, December 13 Prof Kaushik said the conditions were ripe for strengthening Indo-Pak relationship. He said the leadership as well as the general public on both sides was now realising that there was a need to make efforts for attaining peace. Though this was not an easy task, it was imperative, he added. Prof Kaushik emphasised that the emerging trends of mutual understanding and cooperation should be encouraged and the exchange of artistes, sportspersons and intellectuals should continue to strengthen friendly ties. Prof R.S. Yadav of the Department of Political Science, Kurukshetra University, said though scholars had difference of opinion on various issues, the conclusion of these deliberations could be summed up as: “First of all India and Pakistan should differentiate between core and non-core issues. If core issues were difficult to settle, at least beginning should be made to settle non-core issues.” It was agreed that change in mindset was required in the context of regional and global milieu. While considering their bilateral ties the role of external factor could not be ruled out. Similarly a serious concern was needed on the issue of nuclear proliferation between the two countries. However, there was hundred per cent unanimity among experts that there was an urgency to boost economic and cultural ties between the two nations. But all this was not so simple. It could be realised only if peace culture was developed, he added. Dr V.K. Aggarwal, Dean, Academic Affairs, gave the presidential speech and Prof Leela Yadava of the Department of Political Science, Kurukshetra University, presented a vote of thanks. Fifty participants from 14 Indian universities and four research institutes participated in the seminar. As many as 22 |
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Mutual efforts can revive
Kurukshetra, December 13 He started his career as a film hero in 1975 and his very first film ‘Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat’ was a superhit. The film was shown continuously for 18 years in a cinema hall in Beijing in China. His other hit films include “Vadhera”, “Zidh”, “Babul Bir”, “Rangila”, “Sarkata Insaan”. At present, his serial ‘Neela Asmaan’ is being aired on PTV. Expressing concern over the downfall of Punjabi film industry in India, especially in Punjab, he said it could be revived with mutual cooperation. He said, “We can even produce Punjabi films jointly irrespective of the geographical divide”. The governments of both the countries should take steps to bridge the gap between Punjabi art and culture of East and West Punjab”. In reply to a question Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din said both countries could learn a lot from each other and improve the quality of films. “We are proud of our talented producers and directors who can provide services to the Indian Punjabi film industry and in exchange we can import the advanced technology that has been lacking in Pakistan even after over 50 years of independence”, he said. He disclosed that the Pakistani film industry was facing financial problems for the past couple of decades but recently up to Rs 3 crore had been spent on a single film indicating that there was a scope for the import of advanced technology to improve the technical quality of films. “The Indian technology used to produce films is much more advanced and that knowledge can be utilised to improve the standard of Pakistani film industry”, said Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din. He said the exchange of technology, art and talent would help to improve social relations between the people of the neighbouring nations and would reduce the bitterness that has weakened the cultural bond of people on both the sides of the border. With the peace process picking up pace in both the countries, the subject matter of the films had also changed thus depicting positive side of relation between people, he added. |
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Foundation stone of bus stand laid
Ambala, December 13 He said that old buses were being upgraded and 240 more buses will be upgraded in the current year. He stated in 1999-2000 earning was Rs 27.96 crore, it had gone up to Rs 117 crore in 2003-04. Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij said that Chautala government had fulfilled a 25-year-old demand by making the Rai Market and Randhawa Market shops free hold. |
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CBI to probe disappearance of youths
Rohtak, December 13 The CBI probe had been ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a petition filed by Ms Naresh Rani, wife of one of the missing youths, Naresh. While Naresh was a truck driver the other missing youth, Azad, was the cleaner. Both were employed on a truck which was found parked near Rewari two years ago. The meeting decided to contact the Chandigarh office of the CBI to offer its help in tracing the missing youths. It decried the failure of the police to solve the case and hoped that the CBI would unravel the mystery behind their disappearance. Significantly, the state had initially refused to hand over the case to the CBI. A special team was set up to investigate the case but it failed to make any headway. Ultimately the police stated in the court that it had no objection to the CBI investigating it. The court thereafter ordered the probe. The CBI has been asked to submit its report in six months. |
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Meet on women issues
begins
Hisar, December 13 Mr K.S. Bhoria, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Haryana, inaugurated the conference. Mr M.K. Miglani, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presided over the inaugural session of the conference. Dr Savita Singal, Dean, IC College of Home Science and co-organiser of the conference, welcomed the guests. Addressing the participants, Mr Bhoria said globalisation had provided a good opportunity for the agriculture sector. While delivering the presidential address, Mr Miglani stressed the need of a policy which could make globalisation a boon for the women. He lamented that though women were playing an active role in farming, they had a little say in decision-making. Dr Vandana Shiva, Director of Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, spoke on the impact of the WTO on women in agriculture. Earlier, Dr Lydia Potts of the University of Oldenburg, Germany, a co-organiser of the conference, said issues like women’s contribution to the national economy, women entrepreneurship, impact of globalisation, food security and sustainability would be discussed during the conference. |
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Villagers protest against erratic power supply
Jhajjar, December 13 According to Mr Rajvir Singh, member of the Panchayat Samiti who led the dharna, residents of Jharli, Mohanbari, Khanpur Khurd, Jhaswa and Goriya gathered at the 132-KV substation at about 11 am and sit on dharna for three hours. They also handed over a memorandum of their demand to the power officials present at the station, seeking restoration of proper power supply to their villages. The villagers threatened to resort to drastic measures if their demand was not met immediately. |
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PIL filed for quashing amendments
Chandigarh, December 13 A petition in public interest has been filed seeking quashing of the amendments in the Act, passed by the Haryana Assembly on December 1. The amendments received the assent of the Haryana Governor on December 7. Governor Dr A.R Kidwai had on November 26 returned the Bills, previously passed by the House in September, for reconsideration. But, the Assembly, where the ruling Indian National Lok Dal has a majority, again passed the Bills without taking notice of the views expressed by the Governor. The Congress as well as other opposition parties had opposed the Bills. In their petition, Mr Harbhajan Singh Rana, a social activist of Panchkula, and others have sought quashing of the amendments, saying that they are anti-people and have been passed with mala fide intentions. He has also said that Pointing out that the Bills were re-passed without considering the objections raised by the Governor, the petitioners have said that it is aimed at dividing people with an eye on the forthcoming Haryana Assembly polls. Assembly elections in Haryana are to be held before February-end, while the term of the present panchayat members ends in April.
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A love story gone sour, laments Anita
Ambala, December 13 “He wrote to me regularly for one year before we got married in 1991,” she added. For the fourth consecutive day today, officials made efforts to ensure that Ms Bajwa did not continue to sit on the footpath. She was reluctant to move from the footpath even though the police and local residents kept requesting her to end the impasse. She said she was planning to leave for Rishikesh on Friday. “I will continue my efforts till I get justice,” she said. She rued that the streetlights on the stretch of road where she has been protesting had been turned off at the behest of the Bajwa family. However, a member of the Bajwa family said Ms Bajwa was levelling allegations that did not have any merit. “How can we possibly switch off streetlights?” he queried. He said: “Instead of her, we are the ones who are suffering. This morning, we were shocked to see a lock on the gate, which she had put. The children could not go to school as a result of that. The police had to come and open the lock.” “If she has any grievance, she can take judicial recourse. But sitting on the footpath is no solution to any grievance,” he added. The local police, which had gone to sort out the matter, found itself at sea as Ms Bajwa could not speak in Hindi and the policemen could not converse in English. They had to take the help of a mediator to get their message across to Ms Bajwa. Mr Shaukat Masih Bhatty, state president of the Christian Front, said he and other Congress women activists would sit on a dharna from tomorrow if the issue was not resolved. “We will approach the Human Rights Commission over the matter,” he said.
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Ambala Jaycees office-bearers installed
Ambala, December 13 The executive members are secretary Jagdeep Sodhi, vice-presidents —Mr Inderpal Jindal, Mr Rishi Raj, Dr Rajeev Gupta, Mr Rishabh Bhardwaj, treasurer Mr Vishal Kaushik, joint secretary Mr Vikas Verma and Mr Krishan Goel. The board members are Mr Arvind Manchanda, Mr Mandeep Bhatia, Mr Ravi Oberoi, Mr Rajeev Oberoi, Mr Ashwin Bansal, Mr Sameer Ahuja, Mr Mohit Mangal, Mr Vikas Banga, Mr Manoj Jain, Mr Manish Gupta, Mr Vishal Uppal and Mr Rajan Khera. Past president Mr AD Gandhi was the chief guest. Ten new members were inducted in the Ambala Jaycees. Ms Rozy Bhatia was appointed chairperson of Jett wing and Ms Pooja Oberoi as secretary of the wing. Mr Vivek Jain gave away the awards to the members for their contribution. Twentyfive past presidents of the Chapter were also honoured. |
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Ban on sending bricks outside Haryana
Panipat, December 13 The DC has issued this order under Section 11 of the Haryana Control of Bricks Supply Orders, 1972, and the same is applicable with immediate effect. According to the Brick-Kiln Owner Association, as much as 50,000 bricks were supplied daily to Delhi from Panipat alone. |
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Circuit House has unique architecture
Rahul Das Tribune News Service Ambala: Circuit House in the cantonment has a legacy connected with the Prime Minister of India, Ms Indira Gandhi. On the day, she was assasinated, she and other senior government officials were scheduled to have lunch at the Circuit House in Ambala Cantt. Mr Hazara Singh, the caretaker of the Circuit House, said the preparations had been completed for a large number of officials. “Then, the news of the assassination of Ms Indira Gandhi was received”. The Circuit House building has a unique architecture and the complex is spread over more than 25 acre of land. It is perhaps the only building compound which has a large rain water drain passing through and a small bridge has been constructed within the compound. There are elements of Mughal architecture, specially in the pillars. Three distinct levels can be spotted in the building and it has been so designed to make the rooms airy and ample light is present. It is also one of the few very old buildings which has a flight of narrow stairs leading upto the roof. An interesting aspect of the Circuit House was the kitchen, which earlier was located away from the main building. “A wiremesh tunnel had been formed so that food could be taken from the kitchen to the dining room without any foreign material falling into the food,” he said. “Also, there used to horse stables along the circuit house. The stables were later demolished and parks have now been developed so for beautification,” Mr Hazara Singh said. The Circuit House has four suites, a spacious dining hall and a large drawing room. The suite no.1 and 2 can only be occupied by the President, the Prime Minister, union ministers, Governor, or very senior Army or Air Force officers. A special permission of the Chief Secretary of Haryana is required to occupie these two suites. The other two suites can be occupied through permission by the Commissioner, Ambala range. Even state ministers are not supposed to occupy the suites in the Circuit House. In case it is learnt that a very senior dignitary is arriving then even the occupied suites have to be vacated. Mr Hazara Singh pointed out that important state functions like the Governor’s At Home is held at the Circuit House. The Senior Vice-President of the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr N.C. Jain, said that a number of important persons, including Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi have stayed in the Circuit House. “Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru had driven an indigenously built car at the Circuit House,” he said. Mr Jain said Circuit House was the most important official building in the Ambala Commissionerate which used to stretch upto Shimla in the Raj era.
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Two women run over,
killed
Jhajjar, December 13 When they were crossing the rail line, they could not spot a goods train coming from Delhi side due to fog. The train run over the old women who died on the spot. |
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LJP stages demonstration
Hisar, December 13 A delegation of the LJP, led by Mr Anil Sihag, vice-president of the state unit of the party, also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balbir Singh Malik, in favour of their demands.
— TNS |
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