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4 complaints against Chautala to be probed in 3 months
MLAs seek HPSC members’ removal
Kadyan not afraid of being arrested in Pataudi case
Animal trophies adorn Pataudi palace
Dalal: scrap house tax or levy it on basis of rental value
‘Missing’ CET question paper: VC forms probe panel |
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Diarrhoea claims 3 lives
HUDA, Transport Dept lock horns over bus stand site
Ambala to have a mall
2 killed in road mishap
Prisoner dies, probe ordered
Two die as bus collides with Canter
Ambala tanker operators hold dharna
Criminal injured in encounter
2 more robbers nabbed
Man found beheaded
Chunmun Club summer camp
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4 complaints against Chautala to be probed in 3 months
Chandigarh, June 14 Mr Hooda, who was talking to reporters at the press lounge here, said the state government decided to ask the SVB to complete the probes in a time-bound manner as the complaints had been pending for a long time. The complaints were made by Mr Khazan Singh, Mr Jaipal Singh, Mr Pratap Singh Chautala and Mr Ravinder Kumar. All four complaints figured in a statement made in the Assembly today by the Chief Minister in response to a question asked by Congress member Karan Singh Dalal. There are, in fact, two complaints from Mr Khazan Singh, who is the secretary of the HPCC and lives in Gurgaon. In a complaint on October 10, 2004, Mr Khazan Singh alleged that land worth Rs 25 crore was acquired at a cost of Rs 70 lakh by Mr Chautala. In another complaint on January 2, 2004, Mr Khazan Singh alleged the embezzlement of thousands of crores of rupees in a land scam at Gurugram (Gurgaon) by HUDA officials and INLD bosses. It was not clear which of the two complaints is to be probed within three months. Mr Jaipal Singh’s (liquor contractor) complaint, made on September 4, 2003, was about the alleged embezzlement of Rs 65 crore by the previous government in the auction of liquor shops. The complaint of Mr Pratap Singh Chautala, brother of Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was received on April 13, 2004. He accused the latter of acquiring movable and immovable property disproportionate to his known sources of income. The complaint of Mr Ravinder Kumar of the National Mukti Morcha was received on January 27, 2004. It alleged
disobedience of the orders of the Supreme Court in respect of a case involving Eros City Developer Private Ltd. All four complaints were received when Mr Chautala was still the Chief Minister and a probe into the cases had remained pending. The document laid in the Assembly today listed a total of 17 complaints received by the government against the former Chief Minister since 2000. The last complaint on the list related to the Congress “charge sheet” on property allegedly amassed by Mr Chautala and members of his family during INLD rule in the state. The complainant was a Congress MLA, Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, and it was received yesterday. Order on power supply:
Mr Hooda said the state government had given an order that there should be no power cut in the rural areas between 12 noon and 3 p.m. He said the decision was taken to give relief to school students in the rural areas. Already, the rural areas were getting non-stop supply of power from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mr Hooda said the power cut in urban areas would not go beyond one and a half hours daily.
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MLAs seek HPSC members’ removal
Chandigarh, June 14 Several members urged the government to remove the members of the HPSC and also terminate the services of persons recruited by the commission during the previous government’s tenure. In reply, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, Transport and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said the government had already received some complaints about HPSC recruitments and the State Vigilance Bureau had been asked to probe these in a time-bound manner. Congress member Karan Singh Dalal had set the ball rolling on the issue as his starred question on the minimum qualifications needed for becoming an HPSC member figured as the opening question. The written reply furnished by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said no specific qualifications were needed for appointment as a member or the chairman of the HPSC. The Governor appointed the chairman and the members on the recommendation of the Chief Minister. Asking a supplementary question, Mr Dharampal Malik of the Congress said the HPSC had totally lost its autonomy and was under the complete control of the state government when Mr Chautala was the Chief Minister. He said the state government needed to recruit judicial officers but this could not possibly be done unless the HPSC was restructured. Mr Dharambir Gauba, also of the Congress, said one person, who was facing criminal charges, was recruited as an HCS officer during the Chautala regime. Mr R. K. Gautam of the BJP said only INLD workers were given jobs by the HPSC during Mr Chautala’s tenure. Mr Radheshyam Sharma (Independent) said since a huge majority in the Assembly was of the view that the HPSC allegedly did not recruit anyone on merit, the government must take suo motu action against those who had been recruited by the commission. Mr Surjewala said it was not within the power of the state government to remove the incumbent members of the HPSC. He, however, assured Mr Malik that steps would be soon taken to fill the vacancies of judicial officers. He also appealed to the members to submit to the government in writing any complaint that they would like to make about the HPSC. The INLD members, for obvious reasons, kept quiet throughout the period when the discussion on the HPSC was going on. There was, however, one occasion when INLD members were seen smiling at each other. That was when Mr Surjewala told Mr Radheshyam Sharma that the government could act only on specific complaints and asked him why he was cagey about furnishing specific instances of improper recruitment by the HPSC. |
Kadyan not afraid of being arrested in Pataudi case
Chandigarh, June 14 But, today, he himself is wanted by the police for his role, controversial some might say, in the digging of the carcasses of the animals allegedly killed by Pataudi and his accomplices and taking them to the Delhi zoo for a post-mortem examination. Meet, Mr Naresh Kumar Kadyan, Chairman of the Haryana chapter of the People for Animals. Though he claims to be on the run, evading the police who, he adds, is working overtime to arrest him, Mr Kadyan turns up in the most convenient of the places. If some days ago, he was photographed at a Panchkula police station, today he was present at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where hearing of Pataudi’s pre-arrest bail plea was taking place. “I may be arrested anytime. But, I am not worried. Whatever the police may say, the truth is that they are under intense public pressure,” he told The Tribune. Incidentally, Mr Kadyan had also moved the High Court for anticipatory bail. Some objection in the petition led to the withdrawal of the same and he is still to file a fresh writ. Claiming that he is being pressured into getting off the case, Mr Kadyan says he has also been offered huge sums of money. “But, I told them to do whatever they could. I will see to it that this case reaches its logical conclusion,” he asserts. He maintains that he was forced to intervene in the matter as the matter was likely to be hushed up. “Within days, the black buck would have been replaced with a blue bull. Tell me, why were the accused not arrested immediately after the recovery of the carcasses? Why wasn’t a post-mortem examination got done?” he asks. Mr Kadyan also alleges that Mr Pataudi and his friends have been regularly coming to Haryana on a shooting expedition. “If they (wildlife authorities) visit his house in New Delhi, they will find many animal trophies,” he alleges. But, didn’t he take the law into is own hands by “stealing government property” and obstructing government duty? “Whose crime is bigger, mine or theirs? I did what had to be done and I don’t repent,” he says.
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Animal trophies adorn Pataudi palace
Panchkula, June 14 Wildlife officials in the state say he is in possession of over 52 animal trophies — most being of protected species of deer. While 40 trophies have been registered with the Forest Department, 12 of these trophies are unaccounted for. Sources say as to how these animal trophies were procured by him, will now be verified. The Haryana Police, accompanied by wildlife officials, had recently raided Ibrahim Palace and found animal trophies displayed on the walls of his house. Officials say after the Government of India made it mandatory that all
wildlife trophies, animal skins, products made from protected animals etc., be declared with the Wildlife wing, Mr Patuadi had declared most of his trophies, claiming that these were inherited and certificates of possession were later issued to him. However, he could not establish the ownership and source of 12 of these trophies, though he had declared these trophies to the Wildlife wing of the Forest Department. Mr Naresh
Kadian, wildlife activist who brought to the fore the poaching case of black buck — a Schedule I animal — by Mr Pataudi and seven others, demanded that the antecedents of these trophies should be checked. “These trophies could have been procured as a result of his passion for hunting,” he alleged. Mr Kadian said based on his complaints, the Chief Wildlife Warden
(CWW), Haryana, had started conducting an inquiry into the episode today. The Divisional Wildlife Warden, Rohtak, District Wildlife Warden, Jhajjar, Inspector Wildlife, Jhajjar , and the veterinary Inspector who conducted the post mortem of the black buck and hares recovered from Mr Pataudi and his accomplices today appeared before the
CWW. |
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Dalal: scrap house tax or levy it on basis of rental value
Chandigarh, June 14 Participating in the discussion on the Haryana Budget, Mr Dalal said the Congress had promised in its manifesto before the Assembly elections that house tax in the urban areas would be imposed on the basis of the rental value of the property. He said if the civic bodies agreed, octroi in the state could be reintroduced if house tax was abolished. The abolition of octroi, he said, had not helped the common man much because traders had not passed on the benefits to the consumers. He said the autonomy of the universities should be restored and only academicians should be appointed Vice-Chancellors. Agricultural implements and pesticides should be kept free from VAT. The government should introduce a Bill to abolish “abiana” in the state. Alleged encroachment by family members of the former Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, on land belonging to the power utilities in Sirsa should be removed. Posts of Financial Commissioner and DGP should be reduced. A water management committee of experts should be constituted to suggest how canal water should be distributed among various regions of the state. Crops should be diversified. Mr Balwan
Singh (INLD) said the deficit of Rs 51 crore shown in the Budget would go up because the Finance Minister, Mr Birender Singh, had not suggested from where he would meet the increased non-Plan expenditure. Mr Arjun
Singh (BSP) said roads were in bad shape but still the government was collecting toll at many places. He said while the ruling party had stopped collecting funds for holding rallies, government officers were still collecting funds illegally from the public. |
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‘Missing’ CET question paper: VC forms probe panel Sirsa, June 14 The Tribune on Monday highlighted an incident where an unused question paper was reported missing from CDLU, an entrance examination Center from custody of the supervising team. Mr Fuliya who also holds charge of the VC of CDLU ruled out the the possibility to question paper being “leaked’’. He said it went “missing’’ from the custody of the university staff and the person responsible for it would not be spared. After first meeting of the academic council (AC), the VC said that the university had increased the seat for students seat LL B from 60 to 80 seats from the coming academic session. Keeping in view of demand of the law course among students. He said the university would also offer research work in all subjects. From the new session, the university would open PhD in all subjects on the campus. Though the university has decided not to introduce any new course, students may study new courses at Government National PG College, the University College. Bachelor degrees in mass communication, tourism and food science and technology would be offered from the new session. The VC said that university had framed committees on the issues pertain to the merger of the Government National PG College. The committees would resolve issues of the fee structure and other administrative matters.
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Diarrhoea claims 3 lives
Faridabad, June 14 Though the health authorities have rushed medical teams to the affected places, the supply of contaminated water and sale of unhygienic ice-candies is said to be the main reason behind the outbreak. At least 30 persons suffering from the disease reported at the Civil Hospital here today. The first victim of diarrhoea was a five-year-old boy, Rahul, who died after a bout of vomiting and dysentery on Sunday last at Shahpur Kalan village in the Ballabhgarh subdivision of the district. On the same day another boy, Rishab (4), son of Dayaram, a resident of Sotai village, also died of the same symptoms. Another resident of this village, Ramchander (58), also became the victim of the disease yesterday. The district health authorities claim to have information of two deaths only. It is reported that a large number of villagers at Shahpur and Sotai had developed diarrhoea symptoms after they consumed ice-candies sold by a vender on Friday and Saturday last. As these villages do not have a government dispensary, majority of the sick persons approached the quacks. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr R.C. Aggarwal, said a two-member team of doctors and an ambulance had been rushed to the villages and conducted house to house search and gave medicines to the affected persons. Some of the patients had been admitted to the hospital. Mr Aggarwal admitted that at least 18 persons hailing from Sotai village had been given drip in the past three days and a constant watch was being kept. It is learnt that around 50 persons had been receiving medical help at Shahpur Kalan and Sotai villages. The sale of eatables kept in open and the ice-candies had been banned in the district during the season, he added. The CMO said senior medical officers had been asked to take a strict action against the violators. The authorities concerned had also been asked the civic body to check the leakage of water supply pipes in the city and nearby areas, he claimed. |
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HUDA, Transport Dept lock horns over bus stand site
Karnal, June 14 Estimated to cost Rs 5 crore the project already been delayed for over two years likely to face another set-back with HUDA’s decision to retain this prime land for commercial auctioning even as the State Transport Department after prior consultation with HUDA during the previous government had already wanted the project be completed by the end of March, 2004. A senior HUDA official revealed that they had requested the state Transport Department to shift their plan to Sector 4 where it was ready to hand over the land. Since, the identified land of 10 acres near the mini-secretariat has high commercial value it would not be an economically viable deal for HUDA, added the official. Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Karnal Girish Arora on the directions of Mr Shyamal Mishra District Magistrate, summoned the Estate Officer of HUDA and the General Manager Haryana Roadways, to discuss the issue. Later, they all visited the proposed site near the minisecretariat and the one recommended by HUDA near Sector 4 in the town. General Manager of Haryana Roadways Karnal district Satpal Singh said Sector 4 would be a far off place for the residents of the city, therefore, it would not be appropriate to shift the bus stand at that place. The SDM was also of a similar view. The existing bus stand on the old GT road at Karnal has become very congested and posed problem of traffic management in the city. A team of senior officials of the Transport Department had earlier recommended that a modern bus stand on European pattern should be constructed on the national highway near the minisecretariat, which is an approachable site from all corners of the town.
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Ambala to have a mall
Ambala, June 14 `Galaxy World Mall’, which is going to open in Ambala City, is expected to set a new retailing trend. The Mall is being constructed with an impressive facade. Talking to mediapersons, chairman of Ganpati Shopping Mall Pvt Ltd Mr J.C. Bansal and Director Vinod Goel said that the shopping mall was being constructed on the pattern of metropolitan cities. Mr Bansal said that the Mall was going to have all modern features. “People will get a lot of variety under one roof at competitive prices. Additionally, there will be eateries and entertainment facilities,” he said. He said that Galaxy World Mall was going to be first shopping mall of its kind in the area. The mall was being constructed in Sector-7, HUDA in Ambala City. The mall would have five stories, including a twin basement. The lower basement will have adequate facility of vehicle parking. Mr Bansal said, the first floor, would have multiplex while on another floor there would be food court. “Adequate arrangements from security point of view shall be made as there will be a 24-hour watch through CCTV on entire security arrangement. In case of power failure, there will be a provision for 100 per cent back up,” he said. Mr Vinod Goel said that there would be capsule lift and escalators. “The customer will have a good choice for eating out. There will be quality restaurants, cafe, ice-cream parlor, bakery and confectionary counter. It will be a good place for arranging different parties,” he said. “Galaxy World Mall will have good entertainment facility. Three cinema halls are being constructed. Besides, there will be amusement centre, kids zone, musical fountain and games world. In the lower basement, vehicle parking and electricity station will be provided. In the upper basement, showrooms are being constructed,” he said. He said that on ground floor, restaurant, zevar bazar, garment bazar, gift gallery, electronics bazar, entertainment gallery and ATM facility would be available. On the first floor, besides food court, a variety of goods will be available in 25 shops. On the second floor, cinema multiplex and restaurant bars shall be provided. |
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2 killed in road mishap
Sonepat, June 14 According to police sources, the deceased have been identified as Jai Kishan (35), a truck driver and resident of Bihar, and Kapil Devi (29) of Fatehpur. The injured truck driver, Ashwani, was rushed to the local Civil Hospital, where he was given first-aid and referred to the PGIMS, Rohtak, in a serious condition. A case has been registered under Sections 304-A, 279 and 337, IPC. However, no arrest has been made so far. The ill-fated truck was on its way from Yamunanagar to Delhi. According to another report, at least six persons, including a woman and four members of family, were injured when the car in which they were travelling overturned on the Sonepat-Narela road near Shafiabad village, 8 km from here, today. The injured include Mr Sultan of Gohana town, his wife Sharmeela and two sons Shubham and Rishath. It is learnt that the car overturned when its driver tried to save a cyclist.
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Prisoner dies, probe ordered
Kurukshetra, June 14 According to Mr Harish Ranga, Superintendent of Jail, the deceased has been identified as Babu Ram (55) of Kaula village who was lodged in the jail for the past two months. He said Babu Ram was first arrested in 1997 for allegedly smuggling liquor but was released on bail after a year. Since the charges framed against him were still under trial and he was supposed to appear in the court on every date of hearing but he stopped appearing in the court following which he was declared a proclaimed offender. On April 19 he was again nabbed by the police and produced before the court that sent him in judicial custody. The jail official said on Sunday night he complained of pain in the chest. The medical official of the jail was immediately called for treatment but he referred the inmate to the Civil Hospital. The postmortem examination of the body was conducted by a panel of three officials, said Mr A.B. Lohia, Subdivisional Magistrate of Kurukshetra. However, the report was still awaited. The body of Babu Ram had been handed over to the family members. |
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Two die as bus collides with Canter
Panipat, June 14 The Canter was parked in the middle of the road at the Babarpur Mandi. The bus was coming from Ambala and it rammed into the Canter at 4 am as the driver of the bus reportedly could not see it due to darkness. While the driver of the bus, Gurmel Singh of Una died on the spot, the conductor, Yoginder Pal, succumbed to his injuries at Bhim Sen Sachar Civil Hospital. The injured were include Salamudin, his wife Raakhi Begum, their daughter, Shabnam of Anma village of Una district. Kashmira, Darshana Devi, Khanna, Aarti, V.S. Rana, Kasak, Ved Bhushan, Gurmal and Basinand. The injured were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment. One of the injured, Mr Salamudin, alleged that they were not properly treated at the hospital and even didn’t provide a glass of water despite several requests. Meanwhile, Delhi-based manager of the Himachal roadways, Mr Parkash Chand, visited the hospital. |
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Ambala tanker operators hold dharna
Ambala, June 14 The local tanker operators sat on a dharna outside the main gate of the IOC terminal. They blocked the J&K tankers from entering the terminal for oil supply. They raised slogans against the J&K tanker operators. The trouble started this morning when J&K tanker operators arrived at the IOC terminal to collect
petroleum supplies for Leh. Members of the Ambala Tanker Operators Association blocked their way and demanded that they should be given priority in tanker utilisation for the Leh route. The Ambala tanker operators then held a demonstration. The police was informed about the incident and a posse of police personnel reached the spot. The police used mild force to clear the way for the J&K tankers. The J&K tankers were able to fill up under police presence. The Ambala tanker operators has strongly condemned the use of police force. They said their just demands were not being met by the officials concerned. They said a number of tankers of the local operators were lying idle as the tanker operators of J&K were being given preference. They said this year the Leh route was opened a month late. The supply to Leh for Army stocking of supplies for winter takes place from May to September. The Ambala operators said this was a short period of time in which their tankers can be fully utilised. Members of the J&K Petroleum Tankers Association said a tender for three years was given from 2003 to 2005 in which 240 tankers of J&K and 149 tankers of Ambala were going to be used. They said a fresh tender for 150 tankers was allegedly causing the Ambala tanker operators to protest against them. |
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Criminal injured in encounter
Jhajjar, June 14 According to police sources, three criminals, who had shot dead three persons during the panchayat poll in Mandothi village on April 3, were travelling on a motor cycle. A police party spotted them between Talao and Gwalison villages. The police asked them to surrender, but the accused opened fire on the police. The police exchanged fire while chasing the criminals, in which one of the them, identified as Sanjeev, a resident of Mandothi village, was injured. Two others, Baloo and Sonu escaped towards Delhi. A 9 mm pistol, two magazines and eight cartridges were also recovered from the injured criminal. The police has registered a case in this connection.
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2 more robbers nabbed
Panipat, June 14 The robbers, Ravi and Ram Kumar, belong to different villages falling under Gohana sub-division of Sonepat district. They confessed their involvement in a number of other crimes including a murder during their preliminary interrogation. The police had already arrested Jaiveer and Sandeep of Mohamadpur, in connection with the robbery on Friday itself. |
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Man found beheaded
Karnal, June 14 As per the details available, the deceased was identified as Ranjit Singh, a son of Piara Singh, a resident of Janni village . He was sleeping in the open as usual. The family members in the morning found beheaded. The police has registered an FIR under Section 302, IPC, against unidentified persons.
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Chunmun Club summer camp
Ambala, June 14 Mr Ashok Sharma, co-ordinator of the camp, said the main objective was to provide an opportunity to the children to exhibit their talent. During the camp, students are being taught various innovative skills like dramatics, public speaking and dance. Quiz competition, both inter-school and intra-school, have also been organised. Mr Sharma said they aimed at giving a boost to the confidence of young girls. “We have taken our students to visit The Tribune office and we have also met various famous personalities like Priyanka Chopra and Arjun
Rampal,” he said, adding. “A lot of activities involving students and parents have been organised like fruit decoration and mehndi competition”. He further stated that at the end of
the camp, a cultural function would be organised.
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Supply of two ration shops cancelled
Sonepat, June 14 |
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Farmers’ protest
Yamunanagar, June 14 Farmers from other villages also held similar protests at the Radaur powerhouse. |
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Blood donors honoured
Ambala, June 14 The president of the club Mr Rajinder Garg, who had donated blood for 123 times, said that blood donation was the biggest donation as there was no substitute for it. He asked the members of the club to inspire the new donors for this noble cause. Mr Krishan Saini, secretary of the club, has donated blood for 64 times. The club have a large enrolment of blood donors who donate their blood to the needy and poor patients. Appreciating the role of the president of the club Mr Saini said that that Mr Garg had motivated over a thousand persons to be blood donors.
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Six hurt as car hits tree
Ambala, June 14 The incident took place near Mithapur village. A Santro car driver lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a Safeda tree on the roadside. The injured are residents of Pathankot. The injured have been identified as Ginny, Manju, Sukhwinder, Rajesh, Sarabjeet and Cherry. While four persons were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, two passengers were discharged after being given first aid.
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