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Chautala mum on possible alliance with BSP
BJP to move EC against INLD
INLD leaders tour villages
Authorities cautioned over mid-day meal
Bio-tech farming makes inroads into Haryana
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Forest guards no match to smugglers
Nabard reviews DRIP progress
Couple commit suicide
Bhadana gets bail, accuses CBI of
acting under pressure
Watchmen hold dharna
NRI woman spends
fifth day on footpath
Ailing woman seeks help
3 murdered in Hisar
Thieves decamp with
cash, ornaments
Haryana postings
3 of family die in mishap
Missing labourer’s body found
Students take part in marathon
Air Marshal Tyagi visits Ambala base
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Chautala mum on possible alliance with BSP
Matloda (Panipat), December 14 Mr Chautala did not say anything about the probability of an alliance with the BSP when asked by The Tribune during his visit to Matloda village in Panipat today. He visited the village to lay the foundation stones of two housing colonies being developed by the Haryana Housing Board and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). When asked about the probability of the INLD alliance with the BSP, he said that he had come here to lay the foundation stones for housing colonies and not to talk about Assembly elections. Apparently annoyed with the question for reasons known to him, he further said that the journalists of Panipat and Faridabad always asked wrong questions. (Panipat aur Faridabad ke patarkar to hamesha hi ulte swal pooche). Meanwhile, when contacted, state BSP president Ramji Lal said that whatever be the direction of their leader Mayawati, the state unit would abide by that. He reiterated that not only the ruling INLD but the BJP had also shown interest to have alliance with the BSP for the forthcoming Assembly elections. It is worth mentioning here that Mr Chautala had held a closed-door meeting with the two prominent leaders of the state BSP at PWD Rest House at Panipat on Friday afternoon. Preliminary talks for the alliance were reportedly held during the meeting that lasted several minutes. In charge of the state BSP affairs Narender Kashyap and Mr Ramji Lal were present during the closed-door meeting. However, the sources confirmed the meeting was significant right before the Assembly elections especially when the BJP, the old partner of the INLD, had made its mind not to forge any alliance with the latter for the forthcoming poll. The BSP had organised its state executive meeting on Friday at PWD Rest House to chalk out its programme for the forthcoming Assembly poll. The presidents of all the district units of the BSP were present at the meeting. In the meantime, Mr Chautala came to the rest house at around 2 p.m. and the two BSP leaders went to his room where they talked for several minutes. |
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BJP to move EC against INLD
Jhajjar, December 14 The state BJP president Prof Ganeshi Lal said here today that the Chief Minister was bent upon causing a social split, especially in the rural areas by holding panchayat and local body elections four months ahead of its schedule. “A delegation of the BJP led by former Union Minister Mr I.D. Swami would attend tomorrow’s meeting of various political parties called by the EC at New Delhi. Our delegation would apprise the Commission about the despicable motive behind holding premature elections to the local bodies, which could destabilise the peaceful atmosphere in the state ahead of the crucial Assembly elections,” said Mr Lal, while addressing a press conference here. The BJP chief however made it clear that they were ready for the panchayat elections whenever they are held. Apart from it, the party delegation would also raise the issue of indiscriminate welfare announcements by the government which are clearly meant to lure voters. He reiterated the party had closed all doors for any possibility of striking an alliance with any party for the Assembly poll. On the question of announcing a chief ministerial candidate in advance, the BJP president said the state unit had discussed the issue with the central leaders and the party chief Mr L.K. Advani was likely to make a final decision in this regard soon. Claiming that the party activists and leaders had geared up for the electoral exercise, he said even the process of selecting candidates was at an advanced stage and the party unit would forward its list of ticket aspirants to the party parliamentary board set up for the task. |
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INLD leaders tour villages
Panchkula, December 14 Mr Chaudhary, accompanied by Barwala Block Samiti Chairman, Durga Dutt, Market Committee Chairman, Vajinder Sharma, and INLD Working Committee member, Ravinder
Bataur, toured the villages. They held public meetings in most of the villages, and heard problems of villagers, and asked for suggestions to improve living condition in villages. He informed that Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala will hold a open darbar in Sector 20 here on December 18.
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Authorities cautioned over mid-day meal
Balsamand (Hisar), December 14 The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Pankaj Agarwal, who visited the village yesterday, said the food material supplied to the school was found to be okay. Still, samples of foodstuff were taken from the school and sent for laboratory examination. He admitted that there could be some carelessness in preparing food and the school authorities had been asked to be more cautious in future. However, the district administration maintains that the issue had been blown out of proportion by the media. The District Primary Education Officer, Ms Sheela Bhakar, the Hisar CMO, Dr S.K. Nawal, and the District Food Supplies Officer, Mr Ghanshyam, accompanied Mr Agarwal on his visit to the village. On visiting the village today, The Tribune team found that there were some cases of children having taken ill. However, many students whose names have been mentioned in the aforesaid reports were attending their classes. Some villagers alleged that the food being provided at the school was not cooked properly, due to which their children were facing health problems. Several residents of the village alleged that they had been repeatedly complaining to the school authorities in this regard, but to no avail. Dr Neeraj Khatak, Medical Officer in charge of the Primary Health Centre in the village, said around seven-eight of abdomen cases pain cases were coming to the hospital daily. He, however, maintained that seeing the population of the village, the figure was not extraordinary. He said as a preventive measure, the people of the affected locality had been told to get their children examined at the hospital. On the directions of the CMO, the hospital OPD remained opened even on Sunday in view of the situation. The CMO, Dr S.K. Nawal, told The Tribune that Sunita, the only patient admitted at the Civil Hospital, Hisar, was out of danger and her condition was improving. Ms Somvati, an anganwadi worker at the village, told The Tribune that she was being targeted by the administrative officials, who were alleging that she was behind leaking the information to the media. She said she had only given medicine to some affected children and women of the village who had approached her. Sunita, daughter of Balwan of the village, is undergoing treatment at the Hisar Civil Hospital. Her condition is now stable, but her mother has not got any money to spend on her treatment. Sunita’s father is also suffering from some health problem, due to which he is unable to go and see his daughter. Another problem for the family is to decide whether the men should attend the ailing child or go to work to earn livelihood. But the authorities, busy in trying to cover up the matter and save their skin, have no time to spare for the hapless victims of state’s apathy. |
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Bio-tech farming makes inroads into Haryana
Gurgaon, December 14 The experts in bio-tech sector feel that given the human capital of progressive farmers in Haryana and the contiguity of major portion of the state to the national capital, the region has the potential for a successful odyssey to the bio-tech business. A three-day workshop-cum-field visit organised here by “Global Biotech” firm, having its headquarters at Jodhpur, sums up the anxiety of the private sector to reap a rich harvest in the bio-tech field before the market is flushed with competitors. Although the workshop, which was inaugurated today by the local Deputy Commissioner, had majority of the 30 participants from North-East states, the field visits have been localised to the areas of Haryana, where the firm is already active. The areas in the state where the firm is active are Bahadurgarh, Sonepat, Yamunanagar,
Nuh, Jagadri, Palwal-where the farmers have started growing medicinal plants albeit in a small way. According to Dr Anjanni Kumar, Director(R &D), Global Biotech, his firm provides help to the farmers in cultivation, product development and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants. However, the present thrust is on about 15 selected medicinal plants. He said that his firm enters into contract with the farmers and has buy-back arrangement for their products so that they get returns on their investments in time. Mr Sujit
Chakraborty, a functionary of Kee Biogenetics, a subsidiary of Kee Pharma Ltd, however said that although Haryana is a fertile ground for successful experimentation with medicinal and aromatic plants, the farmers are wary lot about the sunshine sector. The farmers need proper socialisation into this new area, he
added. Kee Biogenetics is active in Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajhar, Rewari and Bhiwani, and provides help to the farmers in the form of counselling based on scientific study of soil and climate and helps them market their products globally. Mr Chakraborty feels that although there is some noises in the government circles for boosting up the gamut of issues relating to bio-technology, there appears to be lack of sufficient knowledge in the administration. The experts also feel that another vital cog in the wheel is the processing of the plants. It is the middle and intermediary groups who corner larger margins of profit at the cost of the farmers. The government must develop processing plants in the state involving the farmers to ensure better returns to them. According to experts, the world market for medicinal and aromatic plants is worth about $ 64 billion, Whereas India’s share is only one per cent in the world market, China’s share is 40 per cent. |
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Forest guards no match to smugglers
Yamunanagar, December 14 The guards who patrol the jungle on foot or their own two-wheelers do not have firearms to challenge smugglers who are often armed with weapons, said sources. The guards do not get any travelling allowance. As per reports smugglers after khair trees often carry the wood in trucks and cross over to UP via the Yamuna, which flows like a seasonal rivulet during most part of the year. The part of the jungle falling in the Chhachchroli area has been divided into four parts having 15 beats with one guard in each beat. Similarly there are 17 beats in four blocks of the forest falling in the Kalesar area of the district. It is the wireless sets (about 42) with the Forest Department, which helps the guards and officials perform their duties. The forest department has erected “nakkas” on several entry points to the jungle but all gates on the “nakkas” are broken and smugglers allegedly take their trucks inside the jungle to carry khair wood. It is pertinent to mention here that the jungles are a ‘no-entry zone’. As per reports smugglers take the help of people living in villages situated along the forest. The locals are a great help to the smugglers, as they know all routes to the jungle. The Forest Department has blacklisted some of the villages. Lack of coordination among the forest officials of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and UP is only helping the smugglers. Officials of the four states hold regular meetings but no joint drive has been undertaken in the recent past to check smuggling or poaching in the jungle. As per sources, after felling khair trees smugglers cross over to UP via the Yamuna. Similarly, smugglers from UP enter Haryana. The Forest Department of Haryana has on several occasions seized trucks with khair wood from the forest area falling in UP. An official in the Forest Department claimed that smugglers were more active in the areas falling in UP and Himachal Pradesh. He said some time ago, the UP Government had suspended some Forest Range Officers and issued showcause notices to district forest officials. He also claimed that khair wood seized during the past few months were felled from forests of Himachal and UP and not Haryana. District Forest Official Jagmohan Sharma admitted that the department did not have sufficient weapons to fight the smugglers. Mr Sharma, however, claimed that the department had been able to a check smuggling. He said that a proposal for procurement of weapons was sent to the department but no action had been taken so far. |
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Nabard reviews DRIP progress
Chandigarh, December 14 During the discussions, ground-level experiences and problems being faced in implementing the project were discussed. Nabard has been implementing programmes like rural entrepreneurship development programmes in DRIP districts. Inaugurating the meet, Mr
A.P. Deo, Officer in-charge at regional office, said the results of the project had been quite encouraging with regard to setting up of units, credit disbursement as well as employment generation. DRIP is an integrated area-based project for development of rural non-farm sector through credit intensification process in collaboration with various project partners — the state government, banks, NGOs and developmental agencies.
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Couple commit suicide
Yamunanagar, December 14 The police has arrested the two brothers-in-law for abetting suicide under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC. The incident took place in Singhpura village in Chhachhrouli block. As per police sources, the couple, Rajinder Kumar and Lajwanti did not have good relationship and had frequent altercations. Yesterday, the couple again had an argument during which Rajinder allegedly beat his wife. Later, he left his home to attend a marriage. In the meantime, Lajwanti told her two brothers — Aman and Randhir — about the incident. When Rajinder returned home at around 7 pm yesterday, Aman and Randhir were waiting for him at his residence. The two started questioning him about his behaviour with their sister. Lajwanti too joined the altercation. According to sources Rajinder felt insulted after being questioned by his brothers-in-law and allegedly consumed poison. Lajwanti and her brothers rushed Rajinder to a hospital but he died on the way. The three started back for their village with the body. Meanwhile, Rajinder’s relatives got to know about the incident. They along with some villagers too started for the hospital on a tractor-trailer. By then, Lajwanti (along with her brothers) had reached the village with the body of her husband. Rajinder’s relatives and some villagers accompanying them thrashed Lajwanti’s brothers alleging that they had killed Rajinder. The two were handed over to the police. While, the doctors were performing post-mortem on the body at the Civil Hospital, Jagadhri, at around 1 pm today, Lajwanti went to a house of a neighbour and hanged herself from a ceiling fan and died. After post-mortem, the two bodies were handed over to the family of Rajinder Kumar. As per reports, Rajinder was cremated in the village and family members of Lajwanti took her body to her native village Subodh in Karnal district for cremation. |
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Bhadana gets bail, accuses CBI of
acting under pressure
Ambala, December 14 Mr Bhadana, who was asked by Special Judge for CBI cases M. M. Sharma to appear before him today, had earlier applied for the anticipatory bail . However, his counsels Mr Ajay Jain and Jaivir Yadav withdrew the anticipatory bail application in the morning today and filed a regular bail application During the arguments on the bail application, the counsel of Mr Bhadana said his client had been falsely implicated in the case. He had cooperated fully with the CBI during the investigation of the case. The CBI had nothing to recover from him. Moreover, there was no apprehension of his absconding since all evidence was documentary and he could not influence the witnesses, he added. The counsel for Mr Bhadana had further argued that Mr Bhadana had taken the recourse to legal remedy for the grant of lease of mines situated in Ishq mandi area in Faridabad and it was not possible for his client to commit theft . Opposing the bail application, the CBI Senior Public Prosecutor Mr R. L. Negi said the accused had caused a great loss to the state exchequer and he was likely to influence the witnesses if he was granted bail . The Judge, after hearing the arguments of both sides, granted bail to Mr Bhadana and asked him to furnish the bail bond of Rs one lakh with one surety of the like amount. The CBI had filed chargesheet against Mr Badhana and four others under Section 379 IPC, Section 21, of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 and Sections 13(1) (d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 last month on the allegations of illegal mining in Faridabad . Mr Bhadana said he had complete faith in the judiciary. Replying to a question, he said he would campaign in the coming Assembly elections in Haryana for the BJP. He said he had not decided whether he would contest the coming Assembly elections or not. He said he would expose the persons who had hatched a conspiracy against him. |
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Watchmen hold dharna
Hisar, December 14 The protesting watchmen alleged that they had to work for around 16 hours everyday, while they got a salary of Rs 400 only per month. The union leaders said they had approached the state government a number of times, but their pleas were not heard. The watchmen demanded that they be considered government employees, their minimum wages fixed, they be granted ration cards and provided houses under the Indira Avas Yojana. |
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NRI woman spends
fifth day on footpath
Ambala, December 14 A police official said that Lt Col (Retd) Bajwa had agreed to provide a room, toilet and kitchen to Mrs Bajwa. Mrs Bajwa is planning to leave for Rishikesh on Friday. Mr Shaukat Masih Bhatty, state president of the Christian Front, said that they would sit on a dharna if Mrs Bajwa was not given her due rights. "We have already approached the police officer's concerned but nothing concrete has emerged," he said. |
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Ailing woman seeks help
Ambala, December 14 She said currently she was undergoing treatment at the PGI, Chandigarh, where doctors had said both her kidneys had failed. She said Rs 3.75 lakh would have to be spent on her treatment. The Deputy Commissioner has appealed philanthropists and social organisations to provide assistance through the Red Cross Society. A receipt will be given for the money deposited with the Red Cross Society and it will be exempted from tax. |
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3 murdered in Hisar
Hisar, December 14 Sunil, a resident of Hansi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the township last night. The police has registered a case. According to the police the murder is the outcome inter-gang rivalry. Another youth of Kheri Jalab village, Ved Pal, was shot dead by car-borne assailants last night. The assailants fled after the attack. The police has registered a case. |
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Thieves decamp with
cash, ornaments
Fatehabad, December 14 Thieves entered his house situated in the local Sunder Nagar Colony and stole Rs 30,000 cash and gold ornaments weighing 15 tolas by breaking open the lock of the almirah. The police has registered a case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC. |
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Haryana postings
Chandigarh, December 14 The government has given additional charge of Joint Secretary, Planning Department, to Mr R.P. Bhardwaj, Joint Secretary, Industries and Mines and Geology and Power Departments and Director, Power Reforms. |
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3 of family die in mishap Ambala, December 14 The deceased have been identified as Kanta Rani, (60), Kamal, (25) and five year old Prince. The injured include Puran Prakash, Madhu Bala, Rakesh Kumar and two-year-old Tanya. The condition of Puran Prakash is stated to be serious and he has been referred to the PGI Chandigarh. The rest of the family members have been admitted at MM Medical College,
Mullana.
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Missing labourer’s body found
Yamunanagar, December 14 As per police sources, Hari Krishan (18) had gone to purchase vegetables on Saturday evening but did not return home. The body has been sent to the PGI, Rohtak, for a post-mortem examination. |
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Students take part in marathon
Ambala, Deceber 14 Principal Anima Jain said in the senior category, Sukhvinder stood first, Dinesh second and Vikas third. While in the junior category, Puneet was first, Nitesh second and Anshul third. About 150 students participated. |
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Air Marshal Tyagi visits Ambala base
Ambala, December 14 Air Marshal Tyagi was accompanied by Mrs Vandana Tyagi, President AFWWA (Regional). Air Commodore LK Malhotra, Air Officer Commanding, AF Station Ambala received them. Air Marshal Tyagi interacted with the Air Force personnel and urged them to maintain vigil. |
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