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Haryana Vikas Morcha seeks annulment of poll
Chautala blasts EC move to prepone counting of votes
Chautala’s claim on postal ballots disputed
Sonia wave has hit CM’s balance of mind: Cong
Pay commission or no revenue stamps, Haryana Govt warned
Students walk out of HAU convention
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Shop owner robbed at gunpoint
181 cases of unfair means detected
3 killed in road accidents
Pharma company officials jailed
FROM SCHOOLS
SA Jain College wins poetry recitation contest
Assam Rifles jawan cremated
Sale of land
worries Christians
Woman alleges rape by employer
Court rejects MP’s plea
3 held for murder of student
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Haryana Vikas Morcha seeks annulment of poll
Rohtak, February 19 Talking to TNS, the Haryana Vikas Morcha chief Capt Shamsher Singh Malik said here yesterday that the decision to advance counting of votes by four days had proved that the EC had been acting in an “autocratic manner to influence the outcome of the election” and its decision to hold the Haryana poll in the first phase and schedule counting of votes after the final phase of polling in the three states was not an “administrative necessity”. He said though the decision would provide much relief to the public, but at the same time it had damaged EC’s credibility and made it a laughing stock since no valid reasons had been given for advancing counting. He said throughout the campaign, the functioning of the EC was “casual, irresponsible and aimed at gaining cheap popularity”. The EC failed to prevent the candidates of all political parties from accepting crores of rupees in the form of “currency note garlands”. The people of Haryana had a right to know whether it was not the duty of the observers to check this “corrupt practice”, he added. Capt Malik also pointed out the “paid news items” published by several vernacular dailies during the campaign. The EC observers had failed to check this “evil” unleashed by a section of the media which earned “crores” through this “fraudulent abuse” of media power. He said this was a major lapse on the part of the observers since this practice undermined the democratic process. The Morcha leader said during the time the model code of conduct was in force, the bureaucracy failed to ensure adequate supply of fertilisers because the government could not take action against them. No special girdawri could be conducted in several districts of the state where crops were severely damaged by a freak hailstorm. He sought to know who should be held responsible for these lapses — the commission or the state government. All these issues, he said, had vitiated the poll process and it would only be fair to seek annulment of the entire poll. He questioned the rationale behind conducting the poll in Haryana in the first phase and then keeping the EVMs locked for more than three weeks. He said the EC had no business crippling the state administration for more than three months after the declaration of the poll dates. A democratic government was functioning in the state and it had all right to run the day to day administration in public interest. |
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Chautala blasts EC move to prepone counting of votes
Sirsa, February 19 Coming heavily upon the commission he said it was working in an arbitrary manner while ignoring the right to vote of Army personnel. In reply to a query on the possibility of an alliance, an evasive Mr Chautala said he had not initiated any talks with the BJP. Interestingly, in a television interview telecast yesterday, the younger son of the CM and Rori MLA, Mr Abhay Singh Chautala, had talked of an alliance with the BJP in the state. Commenting on the issue, he said in politics any decision could be taken. Ruling out the popular media talks of the Congress forming the next government, he dismissed the suggestion and asked mediapersons to wait till the results were out. He appealed the various political parties to come ahead on a common platform to consider the “interfering” nature of the EC. Mr Chautala also said the office of Governor was like a white elephant. Criticising the role of the office of Governor, he said the office worked as a puppet in the hands of the Centre Government. |
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Chautala’s claim on postal ballots disputed
Chandigarh, February 19 Mr Chautala called the press conference to criticise the EC for advancing the date of counting of votes in Haryana from February 27 to February 23. The Haryana CM said the advancement of date would deprive Army personnel from Haryana from casting their ballots by post for the Assembly polls. There are about 1.60 lakh Army personnel from Haryana posted
our side the state and they have been asked to send their ballots by February 27, Mr Chautala said. Sources in the EC, however, said the number of postal ballots issued to Haryana voters serving in security forces posted elsewhere was not even half of the figure quoted by Mr Chautala to make his point about the fallout of the advancement of the counting date. While Mr Chautala today claimed that there were 1.60 lakh such voters in Haryana, in reality their number was 77,090 only, they said. Describing steps taken by the EC to address the problem of postal ballots, the sources said if the margin between the candidate getting maximum votes and his nearest rival in an Assembly constituency was less than the number of postal ballots still pending with the voters, than the result of that constituency would not be announced immediately. The result will be declared only when adequate number of postal ballots have been received and there is no possibility of further arrival of postal ballots changing the result of the constituency. In case a candidate has a slender margin over his nearest rival and postal ballots assume crucial importance in that constituency, then also the result will be out latest by February 27, the original date of counting of votes, which is also the deadline for receipt of postal ballots. Postal ballots received before February 23 will be counted during the general counting on that day. The sources said two kinds of electors were eligible to cast their votes by postal ballots---security forces personnel hailing from Haryana, who were posted outside the state, and state government employees deployed for election duty at a place away from the constituency where the employee was registered as a voter. People of the first category constituted 77,090 voters but Mr Chautala, for reasons best known to him, said their number was over 1.60 lakh. The consolidated figure of the second category---that is state government employees entitled for casting votes by postal ballots---is not readily available at Chandigarh. But even if the number of such voters is added to the figure of Haryana voters serving outside the state as members of security forces, the total will fall far below the 1.60 lakh mark. It is because the second category of voters seldom applies for casting their votes by post. For instance, over one lakh state government employees were deployed for election duty in the Assembly elections in Haryana in 2000. But only 7543 of them had obtained postal ballots. The scenario, it is believed, is no different in 2005. It may also be noted that less than 20 per cent of the postal ballot holders exercised their right to franchise in 2000. Out of 51,841 service voters in Haryana, only 9462 voters cast their votes by the specified date and 5216 of those votes were found valid. Districts like Bhiwani (7191), Jhajjar (6341), Mahendragarh (4316) and Rewari (4294) had maximum number of service voters. Panchkula, with 211 service voters, had the lowest number. |
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Sonia wave has hit CM’s balance of mind: Cong
Chandigarh, February 19
He said Mr Chautala, who was earlier issuing threats to officers, had now trained his guns on the EC and the Governor because he had realised that he would be defeated badly at the
hustings. Mr Bhajan Lal said Mr Chautala had forgotten all manners expected from a person holding the high office of Chief Minster. The frustration of the INLD leader had reached such a stage that he had lost his balance of mind and had started using improper language against the constitutional offices of the EC and the Governor. He said the people of Haryana knew very well the character of Mr Chautala and his clan. Mr Chautala should control his temper and stop such language. The former Haryana Congress president, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said Mr Chautala had shown his feudal mental makeup by his tirade against the EC. The INLD leader had never believed in democratic norms and traditions. Left to Mr Chautala, he would destroy all democratic institutions like judiciary, the press, the EC and the legislature. He said Mr Chautala had lost his balance of mind after being hit by “Sonia wave” sweeping the state. The Congress MP from Bhiwani, Mr Kuldeep Bishnoi, said Mr Chautala should know that if the EC had not been there, he(Mr Chautala) and his goons would not have allowed a free and peaceful polling in the state. He said the biggest danger to democracy were people like Mr Chautala who had no faith in democratic values and conventions. |
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Pay commission or no revenue stamps,
Ambala, February 19 Talking to mediapersons here today, Ms Meera Datta, said although we were selling the existing stock of revenue stamps, but the stocks were depleting fast. “In some areas, people are already facing shortage of revenue stamps. However, the impasse will only be resolved once the Haryana Government agrees to pay commission to the Department of Posts for selling revenue stamps,” she said. She said they had received orders from the Postal Directorate to stop selling revenue stamps till the issue was not resolved. “Revenue stamps is a treasury job and we are only acting as retailers. While the Punjab Government is paying commission to the Department of Posts, the Haryana Government is refusing to do so,” she said. Ms Meera Datta said they had repeatedly taken up the matter with the Haryana Government but to no avail. “For the last three years, this issue is under the consideration of the Haryana Government. We are charging a uniform rate of 3 per cent commission throughout the country,” she said. She said the Haryana Postal Circle under the auspices of the Haryana Postal Sports Board was going to organise 18th All India Postal Basketball Tournament at War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala Cantt, from February 22 to February 25. Ms Meera Datta said seven teams drawn from different postal circles of the country representing Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana were going to participate in the tournament. “The basketball team of the Haryana Circle has a good record and we had won the 17th All India Postal Basket Ball tournament held at Vadodara,” she said. |
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Students walk out of HAU convention
Hisar, February 19 Holding the association president and former HPSC chairman, Dr K.C. Banger, responsible for their plight, the students refused to listen to his inaugural address. As soon as he began to deliver his speech, the students started hooting and raising slogans against him not allowing him to speak. The HAU Vice-Chancellor, Mr M.K.Miglani, and the university Registrar, Dr M.S.Kuhad, tried to silence the students, but to no avail. Some senior faculty members, including the Dean Students Welfare, Dr S.S.Bisla, also tried to reason out with the students, but they could not suppress their voice. At last, the students agreed to behave on the condition that one of their representatives would be allowed to express their views. Finally, a former student and present employee of the university, Dr Anil Ahlawat, spoke on behalf of the students. He accused Dr Banger of misguiding the Chief Minister, working against the interests of the educated unemployed in the agriculture sector and indulging in nepotism. The students’ representative also criticised Dr A.L. Chaudhary, chairman of the Livestock Development Board, Haryana, and president of the Veterinary Council of India, who was the chief guest on the occasion, for his move to reduce the strength of the university staff. Following this, Dr Banger delivered his speech, during which he tried to placate the students. Admitting that provision of employment opportunities was of paramount importance to the students, he offered his apologies in case he had done something against students’ interests. He also offered to discuss all relevant issues with the students. However, the students continued to shout “shame, shame” during his speech. Dr Banger also blamed the HAU authorities for the gross indiscipline among the students and even suggested to change the venue for the next meeting of the association. However, the climax came when Dr Chaudhary rose to make his presentation. As soon as he got up, the students refused to listen to him. They raised slogans like “A L Chaudhary go back” and walked out of the auditorium, hooting and whistling. |
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Shop owner robbed at gunpoint
Ambala, February 19 The burglaries have caused concern among the shop owners and they demanded that the police must carry out intensive patrolling at night. The owner of a mobile phone shop, located in the Municipal Council market, was robbed at gunpoint when he was closing his shop and preparing to go home. The incident took place at about 9 pm when Sachin and his relative were about to leave and they had put the mobile phones in a bag. Suddenly, two youths accosted them and they snatched the bag containing 22 mobile phones. When Sachin resisted, one of the youth pointed a gun at him. The youths also took away two gold chains. Thereafter, the two youths ran towards their accomplice who was waiting on a motor cycle. The three of them sped away. While this incident took place last night, thieves broke into two shops located in the same Municipal Council market. The thefts came to light this morning. The thieves broke into Madhu Medical Shop as well as Navyug Enterprises. The thieves broke open the shutter of the shops. They decamped with petty cash kept in the shops. Incidentally, the armed robbery incident at the mobile phone shop comes close on the heels of the armed robbery at Allahabad Bank branch located in Shahpur village. The robbers had decamped with Rs 5.30 lakh. |
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181 cases of unfair means detected
Bhiwani, February 19 The flying squad of the secretary of the board inspected 11 centres in Mahendergarh district today, including Nizampur, Kishan Nagar, Kudiawas, Nangal Dargu and Nangal Chaudhary and detected 24 cases of unfair means in these centres. The secretary announced a reward for six policemen who had contributed remarkably to the conduct of no-outside-interference examination at different examination centres. These include — Jaswant Singh ASI and Kamal Singh, EHC, Head Constable posted at Kariawas examination centre, who would be given Rs 500 each as cash reward; Head Constable Karn Singh, posted at Nizampur centre (Rs 200); Kanwal Singh ASI, posted at Nangal Dargu (Rs 500); and Head Constable Ramesh Kumar and Constable posted at Nangal Chaudhary would be given Rs 200 each. Ratan Singh, a science teacher of Government Secondary School, Chinn Kalia, who is posted as Centre Superintendent at Nizampur examination centre in Mahendergarh district and Prabhati Lal, science teacher, posted at Nangal Chaudhary-3 examination centre will also be given Rs 500 each for their efforts in conducting fair examination. Not even a single case of unfair means was detected at this centre, sources said. A spokesman told that a case of impersonation had also been detected by Mr R.S. Verma, general manager, Haryana Roadways, who had conducted a raid at Government High School, Bodia Khera-1 centre in Fatehabad district and caught Rakesh Kumar who was impersonating as his brother Vinod. He further told that two supervisors — Bhateri Devi, Gurukul Shadipur and Shri Narain Shashtri, Government High School, Devrar, posted at Kila Zafargarh examination centre had been relieved for committing irregularities during examination and letter had been written to the Directorate, Secondary Education, Chandigarh, seeking disciplinary action against them. |
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3 killed in road accidents
Rewari, February 19 In another road accident, Laxman Singh, conductor of a truck (HR 36-B -2920) died on the spot when another truck (HR 47 A- 1533) collided with their truck on National Highway No, 8 near Malpura village, 15 km from here, on Wednesday. The driver absconded. The police have registered cases of rash and negligent driving against both the truck drivers. |
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Pharma company officials jailed
Fatehabad, February 19 Mr Rajinder Herna, Drugs Inspector, had taken samples of the glucose injection from a local retailer in 1990. The sample was found to be unfit for human use during testing in the laboratory. Mr Herna filed an FIR against the company's Managing Director Rajesh Mittal, Analyst Pardeep Sharma, besides retailer and a Sirsa-based wholesaler. Chief Judicial Magistrate S.K. Garg yesterday found both officials guilty of offences under various provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and sent them to jail. |
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From Schools Tribune Reporters
Ambala, February 19 The school Principal every student participated said in the programme. The programme began with “Navkar Mantra”. A dance performance by tiny-tots was received well by the audience. An item, `Gurukul’, was presented in which the holistic type of education being imparted by the school was showcased. A play on traffic rules and a musical play for tsunami victims were the highlights of the programme. Also, the annual day of Darshan Academy, Ambala Cantonment, was held here today. Dr Jai Dev, chairman, Engineering College, Mithapur, was the chief guest, while Mr Mohan Verma was the guest of honour. The president of the Darshan Education Foundation, Mr Ashwani Kumar Sachdeva, presided over the function. The students who were awarded Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj scholarships include Simran Sahni, Jasmeet Kaur, Harmanpreet, Amit, Rahul, Surbhi Nagar, Shankey and Samriti. The programme began with a “shabd” followed by Punjabi and solo dances. Thereafter, the ceremonial lamp was lit by the chief guest. “Saraswati Vandana was performed by the students. The programme included nursery rhymes, couple dance, English song, Haryanvi dance, puppet show, spiritual song, patriotic group song, Punjabi skit, English skit and patriotic dance.
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SA Jain College wins poetry recitation contest
Ambala, February 19 The shield was won by the team of SA Jain College, Ambala City, comprising Satwinder Kaur and Amarpreet Kaur. Sandeep Singh of Government Berjindra College, Faridkot, won the first prize, Satwinder Kaur of Arya College, Shahbad, won the second prize while Amanpreet Kaur of SA Jain College, Ambala City, won the third prize. Prizes for self-composed poetry was awarded to Sandeep Singh of Government Berjindra College, Faridkot and Ms Manu Lakhotra of Government College, Ambala Cantt. A special prize was awarded by one of the judges to Davinder Bibi Puria of Government College, Ambala Cantt. Noted writer Mr Swadesh Deepak, who was the chief guest, said poetry revealed sorrows and happiness of man. He said poetry was our inner strength and it was not a child’s play to write poetry. |
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Assam Rifles jawan cremated
Jind, February
19 His
body was brought to Lalit Khera village for cremation today. As the news
of his death spread a large number of people from Lalit Khera and its
surrounding villages assembled at the cremation ground to pay tributes
to the martyr. Mr Karambir, elder brother of Dhan Singh, lit the
funeral pyre. Dhan Singh (22) had joined Assam Rifles about three years
ago. He got his first appointment at Dimapur in Nagaland. At present he
was posted in Manipur. He was married to Sudesh about 11 months ago. |
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Sale of land
worries Christians
Ambala, February 19 Dr Sadiq said the officials there were concerned at the development. “Bishop Karam Masih of Delhi Diocese is going to visit Ambala on February 23 to personally take stock of the situation,” he said. “Employees in Ambala and the Christian community are shocked over the manner in which the land of mission compound was fraudulently sold off,” he said. Dr Sadiq said that they had approached the Superintendent of Police, Ambala, over the matter. “We want strict action against the guilty,” he added.
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Woman alleges rape by employer
Yamunanagar, February 19 She said the owner of the shop Satpal and another man, Lal Chand, both residents of Sabapur village, raped her for three months and threatened to kill her if she opened her mouth. Later she was asked to leave the job. |
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Court rejects MP’s plea
Hisar, February 19 At present, Mr Jai Prakash is on bail in a case of dacoity registered against him at the Barwala police station around one-and-a-half years ago. Owing to his failure to appear in the court during the trial, non-bailable warrants had been issued against him. |
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3 held for murder of student
Sonepat, February 19 According to the police, the arrested youths had been identified as Ashok of Jawahar Nagar, Sandeep of Vikash Nagar and Arun of Kakroi road, Sonepat. However, the main culprit Ravi Kant of Dabarpur village was still at large and the police has launched a hunt to apprehend him.
— PTI |
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Boy killed in mishap
Panipat, February 19 |
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