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SYL: Farmers pin hopes on Hooda
Cracks in Bhajan camp
Hooda appoints 3
aides
Hooda’s supporter attacked
BJP seeks action against corrupt politicians
Govt directive to recruitment panels
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Hawa Singh is Haryana AG
Karnal hub of commercial activity
Green cover under threat
INTACH chief for law on areas around monuments
Bhima Devi temple’s glory to be restored
An NRI on mission to help physically challenged
Fasting prisoner hospitalised
2 killed in cylinder blast
Seven injured as jeep overturns
Braille expert Nand Lal dead
Legal aid week observed
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SYL: Farmers pin hopes on Hooda
Panipat, March 6 Several farmers of villages of Panipat and Sonepat districts expressed their hopes that being a Jat, Mr Hooda would definitely bring water through the SYL. “The foremost demand of the farmers from the Hooda government is to get water through the SYL and we are hopeful that he would make every effort to get the canal completed,” said Sukhbir Singh of Naulatha in Panipat. Similar were the views of Ranbir Singh Malik of Khanpur Kalan village of Gohana in Sonepat. All eight “rajbahas” (mini canals) of Gohana remained dry during the six-year rule of the Chautala government, he alleged. Ram Dass of Atawala village in Panipat expressed concern over the decreasing level of groundwater to more than 60 feet in Atwala and surrounding villages. Hari Kishan of Kavi village of Panipat said underground water in several parts of Sonepat and Panipat districts was unfit for irrigation. Deep Chand Deswal of Dariyapur village in Panipat feels that Mr Hooda may not be able to get the canal completed as it was a political issue in Punjab and Haryana. Dhoop Singh of Gangana village in Gohana was hopeful that Mr Hooda would waive the loans of farmers taken from cooperative banks as had been done by Devi Lal during his tenure as Chief Minister. Jaswant Singh of Atawala village said the government should waive the interest on the pending electricity bills of the farmers. Hari Kishan of Kavi village expressed hope that the new Chief Minister would put pressure on the Centre to increase the MSP of different crops. |
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Cracks in Bhajan camp
Chandigarh, March 6 These MLAs had abstained from the meeting of the CLP at which Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda was elected its leader in Delhi on March 4. According to informed sources, Mr Phool Chand Mullana, Mr Lachhman Dass Arora and Mr Dharambir
Gauba, all former ministers; Ms Raj Rani Poonam, Mrs Sumita Singh, Mr Dillu Ram and Mr Jai Singh Rana, all Congress MLAs and Mr
Habib-ur-Rehman, Independent MLA, told Mr Hooda that they were not allowed to come to the CLP meeting by supporters of Mr Bhajan Lal from his residence. They reportedly assured Mr Hooda that they had full faith in the leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi as well as in his leadership. The sources say that the MLAs expressed resentment against Mr Bhajan Lal, who, they reportedly alleged, betrayed them. They said while Mr Bhajan Lal told them not to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Hooda, he (Mr Bhajan Lal) himself attended the Raj Bhawan function. The MLAs were also reportedly angry with Mr Bhajan Lal for demanding the status of Deputy Chief Minister for his son and not pleading their case for Cabinet berths. Mr Hooda, the sources say, assured the MLAs that he would not discriminate against them. |
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Hooda appoints 3
aides
Chandigarh, March 6 A keen golfer, Mr Tayal is in race for the presidentship of the Chandigarh Golf Club. At present, he was Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Education and Languages Department. He has experience of various departments like Town and Country Planning, Industries and Finance. Mr B.D. Dhalia has been relieved as the Principal Secretary of Chief Minister. Dr K.V. Singh, who had been Senior Vice-President of the Haryana Congress, will be the Officer-on-Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister. Dr Singh was the OSD to Mr Devi Lal when he was the Chief Minister. He is distantly related to the Devi Lal clan. Dr Singh twice contested the Assembly elections unsuccessfully from the Darba Kalan constituency against the INLD candidates. This time also he was a strong contender for the Congress ticket from that constituency. He is a close associate of the Union Minister of State for Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ms Selja. Mr Sunder Pal, an old associate of Mr Hooda will be his Media Advisor. He is a popular with the Chandigarh and Haryana-based mediapersons. Mr P.V. Rathee, IPS, will be the new I.G., CID, in place of Mr K. Selvaraj, whose posting order will be issued later. Mr Rathee was S.P., Karnal, when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab and had spilled over to Haryana. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Chief Secretary, Mr Sunil Ahuja, will continue in his post till his superannuation in June next. |
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Hooda’s supporter attacked
Sirsa, March 6 Police sources said the assailants belonged to a rival faction of Mr Hooda, who got agitated over the appointment of Mr Hooda as the new Chief Minister. Assailants, who were four in number, attacked Mr Labh Singh with swords. He was admitted to a private nursing home in Dabwali and stated to be out of danger. |
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BJP seeks action against corrupt politicians
Panipat, March 6 Talking to mediapersons here yesterday Prof Ganeshi Lal reminded Mr Hooda that the Congress leaders had handed over a charge sheet to the Governor a few months ago in which they had levelled allegations against the then CM and his family members of indulging in corrupt practices. Now the Congress had come to power, he expressed the hope that he would definitely take appropriate action against the corrupt politicians. Mr Ganeshi Lal also expressed the hope that Mr Hooda would try to get water from the SYL canal as the Congress was in power at the Centre and in both the states of Punjab and Haryana. |
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Govt directive to recruitment panels
Chandigarh, March 6 These commissions were packed with Mr Chautala’s men a couple of months before his party’s defeat in the Assembly elections. He made the sitting members, whose tenure was yet to be completed, to resign and appointed such persons who could remain members for six years. According to informed sources, the government has written to the commissions not to hold any interview or conduct tests for any post for which requisition might have been sent to them by the previous government. The government has also written to the commissions that if any interviews and tests have been conducted, no results should be declared. Sources say instructions have also been issued to various governments to seek adjournment in those court cases which might have been filed by candidates selected by the two commissions for various posts. |
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Hawa Singh is Haryana AG
Chandigarh, March 6 He will replace Mr Ashok Aggarwal, AG in the Om Prakash Chautala regime. Mr Hooda is expected to take charge tomorrow. This will be the third time that Mr Hooda will be holding the post of AG, Haryana. He was AG earlier from June 20, 1987, to December 1, 1987, and May 13, 1996, to July 23, 1999, both times when Bansi Lal was the Chief Minister. |
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Karnal hub of commercial activity
Karnal, March 6
New sectors and markets are likely to be developed by real estate barons from Delhi and Noida.
McDonald’s and Dominos are catering to local tastes even as visitors come to Karna Lake or Atal Park and playing golf. The golf course is being developed by the Tourism Department. Work on long-delayed overbridges on the National Highway is likely to begin in the next financial year. Situated on the National Highway, Karnal has the advantage of a clean environment in the absence of any polluting industries. The land is most fertile leading to economic prosperity of the farming community. It has also turned out to be a major educational centre as there are over 100 schools, an engineering college, many PG colleges, a flying club and a deemed university of dairy sciences. The only desire of the local people is a medical college on the pattern of PGIMR, Chandigarh. Major car manufacturers have their outlets here. |
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Green cover under threat
Sirsa, March 6 A study done by the Director, Census Operations, reveals that more than 31 per cent population in the state is still using conventional fuels, including firewood. Officials in the Forest Department have expressed concern over the issue. “With a mere 4 per cent forest cover, excessive use of firewood can bring eco-imbalance in the state, said an official. Officials say failure of state agencies to encourage people to use LPG has led to the situation. Lack of awareness and education is being cited as another factor. A survey indicates that Panchkula and Faridabad districts have more LPG and kerosene users due to a higher level of education. In Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kaithal and Mahendergrah districts, firewood, is more in use. Officials say the use of firewood, crop residue and other conventional fuels leads to health problems. According to a report, in the household sector, 62 per cent Haryana womenfolk suffer acute pulmonary health problems due to traditional high smoke-emitting fuels. Experts said smokeless ovens, solar stoves, bio-gas or LPG should be promoted in rural areas to provide safety to womenfolk and conserve the precious green cover in the state. |
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INTACH chief for law on areas around monuments
Pinjore, March 6 “INTACH has already drafted a legislation for checking construction activity and haphazard growth around these monuments. Some states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi have adopted this legislation, while the Urban Development Department, Punjab, has modified its building by- laws to keep a check on construction activity. Across the country, local bodies in various cities, too, are formulating their own rules to protect historical sites,” he says. INTACH is a non-government organisation, which was set up almost 20 years ago, and former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was its first Chairman. This NGO was established for the conservation of thousands of monuments across the country, which had not been taken up by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The latter is involved in conservation of about 5000 monuments, while INTACH is now involved with conservation of 65,000 monuments, in 153 cities across 23 states. This NGO has made a detailed documentation of 1200 monuments in Delhi alone, by giving details of what exists at the sites, their history and what kind of conservation work is being carried out or planned for these sites. INTACH has also set up restoration laboratories at 10 places in the country, which are manned by experts. In Punjab, INTACH is involved in documentation of sites and monuments at Patiala, Kapurthala and Amritsar. In Paragpur in Himachal Pradesh, INTACH is involved in conservation of havelis in the village. The local panchayat of Paragpur is involved in the conservation work, after an MoU was signed with the panchayat, said Mr Misra. Mr Misra was here to see the excavation site of the ancient Bhima Devi temple, and prepare a project report for the conservation and restoration of the temple. This ancient Panchayatan temple, excavated by the state Archaeological Department in 1974, and bowlis — small water bodies that are inter-connected — are in a state of neglect. Mr Misra said experts from INTACH would be deputed here later this month to see how conservation work can be taken up, after the documentation of the various sites at Pinjore. Mr Misra, a former Tourism Secretary and pioneer of the Surajkund Crafts Mela in Haryana, said he had realised that conservation alone could not be successful. “We thus devised a wider plan — of incorporating awareness for conservation of heritage in children by setting up heritage clubs in schools, and including socio-economic activities for locals while doing conservation work” he said. “The success of conservation work at Raghurajpur in Orissa and Paragpur in Himachal Pradesh is a case in point. In Raghurajpur, we have used the potential of local mural artists, created a portfolio for them and sent it to various heritage hotels so that they get work. We have also set up an amphitheatre for the numerous Odissi dancers of the village, which is also the birthplace of eminent dancer, Kelucharan Mohapatra,” he said. |
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Bhima Devi temple’s glory to be restored
Pinjore, March 6 The newly constituted Chandigarh region chapter of the Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) hopes to create awareness about the historical and mythological importance of the town. The Chairman of the NGO, Mr S.K. Misra, today visited the historical sites here, and assured that restoration work here would be taken up soon. The Haryana Governor, Dr A.R. Kidwai, also visited the sites here and appreciated the efforts being made by INTACH to conserve the sites. Students of Chandigarh College of Arts also visited the site and made paintings of the sculptures lying here. The Governor appreciated the paintings, and also visited the site museum being constructed here. The temple was excavated by the State Archaeological department in 1974, and was built during the regime of King Ramdev, between ninth century to 12th century. Today, wild grass and algae have engulfed most of the stone excavations of the temple. The column of stones, which were supposedly part of this temple’s outer wall, lie scattered around the excavated padsthana of the temple. Nearby, are the bowlis — water bodies believed to be constructed by the Pandavas, while they were in exile here, which lie in a state of neglect. These “bowlis”, at Dhara Mandal here, have been reduced to puddles of slush, with the waste of the town being thrown here. It is believed that there are 365 “bowlis” in and around this historic town. Each of these is inter-connected, which ensures that they never get flooded. The Dhara Mandal here — which includes a mosque, a temple and a gurudwara located in close vicinity — is also one of the historic sites here. Mr Jagdeep Singh Cheema, life member of INTACH, recommended that the tickets to the Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore, should include a trip to these historic sites so as to popularize these among tourists. Mr V.K. Kapoor, former ADGP, Haryana and Convener of INTACH, said that visitors were unaware about these heritage sites and steps should be taken to exploit their tourism potential. The Chief Secretary, Haryana, Mr Sunil Ahuja, Financial Commissioner, Tourism, Mr Bhaskar Chatterjee, and Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Ms Neelam P. Kasni, were also present on the occasion. |
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An NRI on mission to help physically challenged
Ambala, March 6 He established the Lala Durga Charan Charitable Artificial Limb Centre at the Mahavir Dal Hospital, Ambala Cantt. The centre was set up to provide artificial limbs to the physically challenged free of cost. It is being run in collaboration with a well known Jaipur-based organisation, Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang
Sahyata Samiti. Mr Aggarwal is a media-shy person, who is not even keen to be photographed. During his last visit to Ambala, Mr Aggarwal had said, “I want that only our effort is given prominence since that would help other physically challenged persons to benefit from our work”. Mr P.C. Jain, who helps in organising medical camps for the physically challenged through the Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, said that they were now holding a series of medical camps in Ambala, Saharanpur and Kalka. Patients were checked up and given medicines free of cost at the camp. The aid material like callipers were prepared by trained technicians who specially came from Jaipur for the camps. |
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Fasting prisoner hospitalised
Sonepat, March 6 According to a report, Vijay was discharged from the hospital after a few hours of treatment. He was sent to the district jail again. Vijay told reporters that while he and his family members were undergoing imprisonment, thieves broke open the locks of his house and ransacked it. He sent a complaint to the SP through officials of the District Jail for sealing his house and registering a case of theft, but to no avail. This forced him to go on fast in the jail. Meanwhile, jail officials said that Vijay had ended his fast by taking a glass of juice. His condition was said to be stable now. |
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2 killed in cylinder blast
Hisar, March 6 The incident occurred when Navin, along with some labourers, was joining ammonia gas cylinders with a pipeline, the police said, adding all the affected people had been hospitalised and were stated to be out of danger. Many people near the ice factory started vomiting and felt irritation in the eyes after inhailing the gas. As many as 15 head of cattle in a dairy farm near the factory also died in the incident due to the affect of the gas. However, the gas leakage was controlled by the fire brigade.
— PTI |
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Seven injured as jeep overturns
Sonepat, March 6 Residents of the village rushed to the site and rushed to the injured to hospital. The condition of one of them is reported to be serious and he has been referred to the PGIMS, Rohtak. According to another report, four persons were injured when their car was hit by a Canter on the Sonepart-Meerut state road near Palri Kalan village, about 20 km from here, today. The car was on its way to Delhi. |
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Braille expert Nand Lal dead
Ambala, March 6 The cassettes were for the visually challenged school and college students on different
subjects. Nand Lal Sharma had retired as the Principal of SD Senior Secondary School. He was also associated with the SD Institute for the Blind. |
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Legal aid week observed
Jind, March 6 |
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