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Cong promoting militancy: Badal
Animal activists seek CBI probe
Haryana to have new-look bus stands
Sacked personnel stage protest demonstration
Woman commits suicide
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NOCs of petrol stations cancelled
Haryana seeks industrial sops in HP border areas Haryana to fill 11,341 posts of teacher 10-yr RI in case of attempted murder Industrial security force recruit dies after suicide bid Birender happy on Budget eve Placement meeting evokes good response 2 bombs found
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Cong promoting militancy: Badal
Hisar, June 8 “On the contrary, the Congress itself is promoting militancy in Punjab while we are being targeted by militants,” Mr Badal said, alleging that the Congress had always followed the policy of divide and rule. He was in the city to lay the foundation of Guru Nanak Bhavan near Nagori Gate here. The former Chief Minister, who was accompanied by the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, also held deliberations with some local leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) at the PWD Rest House here. In response to a question, Mr Badal said the cases registered against him by the Capt Amarinder Singh government were baseless. “Numerous inquiry teams have been probing the charges against us in the country as well as abroad for the past three years. However, no concrete evidence has been found,” he maintained. The SAD chief opposed the demand for a separate gurdwara committee for Haryana, stating that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) did not belong to a particular state and had representatives from all parts of the country. Bibi Jagir Kaur also opposed the demand of setting up a separate SGPC for Haryana. She alleged that the Congress was misleading the people by giving wrong information. The SGPC was directly managing the affairs of only seven gurdwaras in Haryana, she claimed. Bibi Jagir Kaur maintained that the SGPC was opening two high schools, a college and a medical college at different places in Haryana, apart from renovating several gurdwaras in the state. Both Mr Badal and Bibi Jagir Kaur reiterated their resolve to raise a memorial to the victims of Operation
Bluestar.
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Animal activists seek CBI probe
Chandigarh, June 8 Delhi-based Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has in its possession a post mortem report of the female black buck, allegedly hunted down by Pataudi and his accomplices in Jhajjar five days ago. This report prepared under the aegis of the Central Zoo Authority, is separate from the one which the Haryana Police got conducted in Jhajjar after the incident. WTI officials say they will use this report after the police have filed charge sheets in the case. “We want to see what evidence the police brings on record. If there are discrepancies, we will move in with our evidence,” Mr Ashok Kumar of the WTI told The Tribune today. Meanwhile, Bishnois in Haryana is highly perturbed over the incident and its serious fallout. Hanuman Prasad Bishnoi, All-India President of the Akhil Bharatiya Jeevranksha Bishnoi Sabha, when contacted, said, “We will be satisfied if the arrests are made. If not, we will launch a massive campaign to ensure that the guilty are brought to book. We have also been told some portions of the black buck, like bones, have been hidden somewhere else. We are trying to find out where.” Meanwhile, the People for Animals (PFA) has demanded a high level CBI probe into the alleged killing of the animals by Pataudi and his accomplices. The representation was sent today to the Prime Minister. Dr Sandeep Jain, a former member, Animal Welfare Board of India and Ludhiana PFA chairperson said, “The black buck was purposely buried to destroy evidence. When our activist Naresh Kadiyan exhumed the body and got an independent post-mortem examination done, he was booked by the police. The police role is dubious. Hence, the representation. We want the case to be taken away from state police.”Even SC Lawyer Raj Panjwani who has fought several cases against poachers said no case was made out against Kadiyan. “When the police buried the animal, it also surrendered its right over the animal. Legally speaking, Kadiyan’s action of exhuming the animal was not criminal.” On the subject of Haryana police’s role in the case, a highly placed Haryana Forest Department officer went to the extent of saying that the poaching case against Pataudi and six others needed no further evidence for prosecution of the accused. “The accused were caught red handed with search lights, guns, carcasses. One of them has a past record in hunting. What more does the police need?”
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Haryana to have new-look bus stands
Panchkula, June 8 The Transport Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, said he was aiming at a complete makeover of the bus stand and introduce luxury buses on various routes in the state. “We are introducing luxury buses on various routes- Panchkula-Delhi, Panchkula-Gurgaon, Panchkula-Sirsa and Sirsa to Delhi. We are in the process of examining the financial viability of running these luxury coaches,” he said. He was interacting with mediapersons during a visit to the township this morning. He informed that a low cost transport facility between Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali was on the anvil. “The modalities are being worked out with the Chandigarh Administration and Punjab Government,” he said. Mr Surjewala also said that the Transport Department was planning to set up mini malls near major bus stands in the state. “Internet Service Providers (ISP) have been contacted for setting up Internet cafes in the state. Better arrangements for passengers — like locker rooms, sitting arrangements and “raen baseras” are also being planned. Public utility like toilets will also get a facelift, by involving private sector,” he added. The Transport Minister said new buses would ply to cater to the religious tourism circuit under the kilometre scheme. To begin with a bus from Panchkula to Katra (Vaishno Devi shrine) is being started, which will later cater to other religious destinations. He said 500 new buses were being added to the fleet of existing 3500 buses in the state. “The idea is to replace the old buses with new ones. We will thus have the youngest fleet of buses in the state, at par with Bangalore Transport services,” he said.
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Sacked personnel stage protest demonstration
Hisar, June 8 The Sarv Karamchari Sangh as well as the Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh have condemned the move of the government. Mr R.C. Jagga, general secretary of the sangh, has urged the government to reconsider its decision. He maintained that the HSISF personnel could not be held responsible for some procedural flaw on the part of the previous Chautala regime. “The jawans, who had been appointed after clearing the interview and physical examination, should not have been sacked in this manner,” he asserted. Mr M.L. Sehgal, general secretary of the mahasangh, has also criticised the retrenchment policy of the Haryana Government. He observed that seeing the gravity of the situation, the Chief Minister should reconsider this decision. However, the blockade was lifted after the intervention of senior police officials, including the Hisar Range IGP, Mr Mahender Lal, and the SSP, Mr A.S.Chawla. The sacked personnel said they were being made the scapegoat in the political tussle in the state. They resolved to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court to challenge the move of the government. They also decided to submit a memorandum to the Union Government in this regard. ROHTAK: The Haryana CPM has criticised the dismissal of 3,500 recruits of the HSISF as a “retrograde” step. In a statement issued here today, CPM state secretary Inderjit said the decision was “illogical and inappropriate” as it went against the pre-poll announcements made by the Congress that it would provide jobs to unemployed youths. He said these recruits could easily have been absorbed in the Haryana police and the Haryana Armed Police as they fulfilled all the requirements for these two forces. Besides, the training was also identical. Agreeing that there were large-scale irregularities during the Chautala regime, he said the new government should not punish the youths for the mistakes of the previous government. The Haryana unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has also deplored the dismissals. In a statement its secretary Satvir Singh demanded that all the sacked recruits should be absorbed in the state police.
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Woman commits suicide
Panipat, June 8 The police booked her in-laws for abetting her to commit suicide, whereas her father Suraj Bhan of Bhiwani Road, Rohtak, alleged that her in-laws had hanged the body from the ceiling fan after killing her. According to information, Sunita had been married to Krishan of Samalkha on November 22, 1999. Her father alleged that her in-laws had been harassing her and demanding more dowry. The police sources said that an FIR under sections 304-B and 498-A of IPC, was filed against Sunita’s brother-in-law Naresh, father-in-law Raj Pal and mother-in-law Kela Devi in this regard.
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NOCs of petrol stations cancelled
Chandigarh, June 8 The district administration, sources here said, today cancelled the no-objection certificates (NOCs) given to three petrol stations for not conforming to the safety norms. While one station was situated near an explosives godown, two others were in the most crowded areas of Kaithal town. Earlier, on June 6, the authorities suspended the NOCs issued to 15 petrol stations in Kaithal district for not abiding by the statutory rules. It is worth noting that 16 (15 suspended and one cancelled) NOCs were issued by the district administration within a period of just 19 days (February 24 to March 14, 2005) at the fag end of the tenure of the Chautala regime. Never in the history of Kaithal have such a large number NOCs been issued in such a short span of time. In fact, only 28 NOCs were issued in the district during the four years from 2001. One of the NOCs cancelled by the authorities today was for a petrol station of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). It is located at Kaithal on the Kaithal-Karnal road. An inquiry, which was started following the receipt of a complaint, found that the area behind the site was residential and the area abutting the main Karnal road was fully commercial. Within 200 metres of the road is a girls’ college, a senior secondary school and a number of offices, including the district secretariat. The traffic density on the road is the highest in Kaithal. Any accident at the site involving the petrol station could lead to the loss of thousands of lives. Moreover, the site, measuring 560.72 sq yd, was not even half of the minimum area needed for setting up a petrol station. It was also noted that the petrol station had started functioning without the change in land use permission and the completion certificate from the Municipal Council, Kaithal. In view of these deficiencies, the district administration took action against the BPCL, Baholi, Panipat, under Rule 149 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002. The NOC of another petrol station was cancelled by the authorities today when it was found that there was a godown of explosive materials located barely 60 ft from it. This petrol station of Essar Oil Ltd is located at the Khanauri road bypass at Kaithal in an area earmarked as prohibited for construction. The NOC for the construction of the petrol station was issued by the district administration on September 14, 2004. The authorities have also asked the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department to explain why his department allowed unauthorised construction at a prohibited site. The NOC for the third retail outlet, also of Essar Oil Ltd, was cancelled as it was located near the grain market at the junction of Chandana Road and Model Town. Thousands of people visit the market at the time of procurement of grain. The area is also one of the most densely populated residential localities in the town. The petrol station also does not have the minimum stipulated land for this purpose and suffers from other deficiencies as well. Fifteen retail outlets, whose NOCs were suspended, were mostly found guilty of not obtaining the requisite permission from the Union Government for the use of forest land, not obtaining the completion certificate from the National Highway Authority of India, setting up a petrol station in the green belt and not obtaining the completion certificate from the District Town Planner. Mr H.S. Malik, Joint Secretary, Urban Development, was the Deputy Commissioner of Kaithal when the NOCs in question were issued by the administration. Asked about the cancellation and suspension of NOCs, Mr Malik claimed that an NOC was issued by the Deputy Commissioner as the first step for obtaining other certificates by a company for setting up a petrol station. “Therefore, the DC cannot be held responsible for issuing an NOC to a company which sets up a petrol station without completing all formalities”, he said. He also claimed that an NOC issued by him could not be withdrawn or suspended by a person having the same designation as his. “If my decision regarding an NOC has to be reviewed, it has to be done by the Divisional Commissioner or the Home Secretary”, he said. On the question of issuing 16 NOCs within a period of 19 days, Mr Malik retorted that there was no law saying that only a certain number of NOCs could be issued in a given period.
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Haryana seeks industrial sops in HP border areas Panchkula, June 8 This was stated by the Transport Minister and working President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala. He was talking to mediapersons after presiding over a meeting of the District Grievances Committee here today. Mr Surjewala agreed that industry in the state, located in areas adjoining Himachal, was facing stiff competition on account of tax holidays and other incentives being given to industry in Himachal. “We have urged the Union Government to grant the same concessions to industry in Haryana, along the border with Himachal. The topography in both Baddi- Barotiwala-Parwanoo belt and Panchkula belt is same, so concessions may be accorded here,” he said. He added that the state government had already declared four blocks of Panchkula- Barwala,
Raipur Rani, Morni and Pinjore as industrially-backward areas and announced special
concessions for the same. He added that after Gurgaon, the state government had shifted its focus to develop Panchkula as the new Information Technology hub in the state. An IT park, spread over 250 acres of land would soon come up across the Ghaggar river in Panchkula. The IT department had seen three sites - in Sectors 22, 23 and 32 and the process for finalisation of the site was on. Earlier, while presiding over he District Grievance Committee meeting, Mr Surjewala took serious note of child marriage of two sisters in Tibbi village near Barwala. But the administration had reported that while the younger 11-year-old sister had been engaged to a 13-year-old boy, and the marriage had taken place of the other sister who was 17-year-old with a 19-year-old boy. Mr Surjewala asked the police and administration to ensure that the younger children did not get married. He asked them to launch an awareness drive against child marriages. The Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry was pulled up for a complaint made by residents of Madanwala village, who claimed that their cattle was dying as no veterinary doctor had been visiting the village. The Minister asked the Deputy Director to visit the village regularly. Mr Ram Kishen, MLA from Naraingarh, complained that the power supply to Garhi Kotahan village in Raipur Rani was erratic. He said that last week the power supply was disrupted for 50 hours. The Executive Engineer of the area was asked to ensure regular supply. As many as 13 complaints were received in the meeting and 10 complaints were redressed on the spot. The minister also said that the District Grievance Committee would now meet twice a month as compared to once in each month. |
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Haryana to fill 11,341 posts of teacher Chandigarh, June 8 Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced here today that the remuneration for contractual teachers, including Hindi and Punjabi teachers, would be about Rs.9000, including D.A, per month and honorarium for the guest faculty would be Rs. 50 per period and there would be at least three periods daily. The PTI/drawing teachers would be given a consolidated salary of Rs. 7000 per month. The honorarium for guest faculty would be Rs.45 per period. A Master would be paid Rs 9000 consolidated. per month and the honorarium for guest faculty on period basis would be Rs. 55 per period for at least three periods daily. In the case of School Lecturers, they would get Rs. 10,000 per month and Rs. 80 per period as honorarium for the guest faculty. Mr Hooda said earlier the teachers were recruited through the Haryana Public Service Commission or the Haryana Staff Selection Board. Since the board and commission took a very long time to send their recommendations, the vacancies could not be filled on time. The Education Minister, Mr Phool Chand Mullana, said the contractual and guest faculty teachers would be recruited in accordance with the criteria laid down for each category . He said that the Principal/Headmaster of the concerned school had been authorised to assess the short fall of teachers. |
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10-yr RI in case of attempted murder Kaithal, June 8 The case of the prosecution was that Mahabir fired a shot at Suresh with a pistol due to some financial dispute. The court has also directed that out of the fine amount, Rs 5,000 will be paid to Suresh for medical expenses and Rs 5,000 will be used for meeting the legal expenses of the prosecution. The court also declined bail to co-accused Sandeep in the shooting incident which took place in the court of Ms Bimlesh Tanwar, here a few months back. The accused Sandeep, along with Surender, Umesh, Balwant and Udaiveer, entered the court. Udaiveer, who was wearing the dress of an advocate, fired at Surender, another accused who was being produced in the court. The accused had fled from the court and was later arrested by the police. The Additional Sessions Judge, Ms Neelima Shangla, after hearing arguments in detail, held that the shooting in a courtroom was a very serious offence and hence declined to give concession of bail to Sandeep who was booked under Sections 307, 34 and 120-B, IPC. |
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Industrial security force recruit dies after suicide bid Madhuban (Karnal), June 8 At least four women trainee constables had allegedly tried to commit suicide against the Cabinet decision. Hundreds of sacked trainee constables, mostly women, of the industrial security force staged a protest against the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, by blocking the traffic on the New Delhi-Ambala national highway, near Karnal, for deciding to terminate their services. Mukesh Rani, a resident of Darodi village in Jind district, was pulled out of the deep waters of the canal near the State Police Training Academy here by divers of the Haryana Police. She was removed to a private hospital in an unconscious state. Doctors of the hospital tried their best to save the life of the girl but she did not recover. Medical officials said her condition worsened with water entering her body after she jumped into the canal. She did not regain consciousness. She died in the wee hours today. Her body was brought to the Civil Hospital here for post mortem. The police had initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC into the incident. Meanwhile, senior police officials at the State Police Training Academy here sent all trainees on five days’ forced leave late last evening. All trainees were asked to leave the academy after they protested against the Hooda government. Since the government orders pertaining to the termination of services had not reached the police academy, the trainees were sent on forced leave. |
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Birender happy on Budget eve Chandigarh, June 8 Despite several constraints, it was due to the good financial management of the state resources by Prof Sampat Singh as Finance Minister in the Chautala Government, that Haryana was able to achieve several targets fixed by the 11th Finance Commission. Among the physical financial reforms target fixed by the commission were the uniform floor rate of sales tax, abolition of sales tax incentives for the industry and imposition of value added tax. As a result the 12th Finance Commission has raised the share of Haryana in the Central taxes and grants to 1.075 per cent from .944 per cent recommended by the 11th Commission. Haryana had implemented the uniform floor rate of sales tax in 2002-03, except in case of fertilisers on which the state did not impose any tax against the agreed rate of 4 per cent. Similarly, it abolished sales tax incentives to the industry in the same year. It was the first state to implement VAT from April 1, 2003. However, the state introduced the slab of 10 per cent, which was not there in the scheme of things agreed to by all the states. It will be a challenge before Mr Birender Singh to abolish this slab because many items covered under it would move to the next higher slab of 12.5 per cent. The commission had also recommended that revenue deficit should be reduced to 0 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) by 2005. Prof Sampat Singh brought down the revenue deficit from 3.53 per cent in 1998-99 to .27 per cent in 2004-05. The 12th Finance Commission has now extended this deadline to 2008-09. The 11th commission had recommended that physical deficit should be reduced to 2.5 per cent of the GSDP by 2005. Haryana was able to bring it down from 5.3 per cent 1998-99 to 1.2 per cent in 2004-05. Haryana was also able to contain interest payments to 15 per cent of the revenue receipts in 2004-05, which stood at 23.5 per cent in 1999-2000. The state was also able to contain the growth in salaries, including pension, to 5.6 per cent of the revenue receipts against the commission’s recommendation of 5 per cent. It will be revealed only tomorrow how Mr Birender Singh continues the good work started by his predecessor. |
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Placement meeting evokes good response Gurgaon, June 8 At least 400 ITI-trained youths in various trades responded to the call for participation in the meet. A good number of them were from outside Gurgaon district, especially from various parts of south Haryana. The Deputy Commissioner here ,Mr Sudhir Rajpal, who is directly behind the exercise, said the administration would organise such meets every fortnight. As many as 16 medium-scale industrial units in the took part in the event. Mr V. P.Bajaj,Chairman cum- Managing Director of Bajaj Motors, whose firm took part in the meet, said that his firm shortlisted 40 youths and they had been called for written examination . Various department like the office of the DRDA, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, the District Industry Centre(DIC), the Department of Labour and Employment took part in the meet. There was a good response from the industry side. A report cited one garment -related unit asking the administration to provide 50 women who would be trained and given placements by it and another asking eligible youths from a particular trade. |
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2 bombs found Ambala, June 8 Some boys noticed the bombs lying in the fields. They informed the village chowkidar who informed villagers. The police personnel cordoned off the area. Later, a bomb disposal squad checked it. The bombs are said to be in a dilapidated state. These are believed to be more than two-decade-old. |
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Factory looted Sonepat, June 8 |
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