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Deadline fixed for canal completion
Vigilance files
corruption case against Chautala
Malaria epidemic in Karnal, Sonepat, Panipat
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High
court
Goldsmith stabbed to death
Punjab police gets
custody of Gurdeep
Surjewala’s hand in poppy husk smuggling alleged
Beware of MC, dog owners will be ‘prosecuted’
Woman succumbs to burns
Three die in mishaps
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Deadline fixed for canal completion
Chandigarh, October 20 The deadline and the monthly work schedule were finalised at a meeting presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here last evening. The meeting was held for reviewing the functioning of the Irrigation Department. Quoting the Irrigation Secretary, Mr Anil Razdan, an official press release issued here today said the proposed channel, costing Rs 259 crore, would connect the Bhakra Main Line with the Hansi branch and carry 2,000 cusec of Haryana’s share of the Ravi-Beas waters. The water is being carried at present by the Bhakra Main Line command due to capacity constraints in the Narwana branch. During the rainy season, the channel would be utilised for Ghaggar and Yamuna waters for the rice crop in Kaithal, Karnal and Jind districts through which the channel would pass. The link channel would enhance canal water supply in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Jind, Hansi subdivision of Hisar district, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Gurgaon, Mewat, Faridabad, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonepat and Panipat districts. It was stated that the land acquisition process had been completed for the entire length of the canal. The land awards would be announced by November 30, 2005, for the entire length and work executed in 57 packages. Tenders had been floated for all works except structures. The design of masonry structures would be finalised by the central design office by October 31 and work would start on the entire length by January 1, 2006. It was also decided to forward to the Central Government Haryana’s ambitious irrigation projects involving an investment of Rs 1,217 crore under the Bharat Nirman Programme. |
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Vigilance files
corruption case against Chautala
Chandigarh, October 20 Official sources from Hisar said an FIR had been registered against Mr Chautala and the then HPSC chairman Mr K. C. Bangar under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. The duo were also booked under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, they said. It was learnt that while filing the FIR against the former Chief Minister and the former Chairman of the HPSC, the bureau acted on the basis of a source report. The bureau was also asked by the government to file a case to carry out further investigation into the revelations contained in the source report. The sources added that the gamut of the Vigilance probe against Mr Chautala and Mr Bangar would include all appointments made by the HPSC during the INLD regime in the state. The appointments under the scanner of the Bureau include the recruitments of Haryana Civil Service officers, college lecturers and drug inspectors, they said. |
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Malaria epidemic in Karnal, Sonepat, Panipat
Panchkula, October 20 During the past three months this year 31, 581 cases of malaria have been reported all over the state. Of these, over 65 per cent cases have been reported from the high malaria risk zone of Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat. Till October 10, the highest number of malaria cases have been reported from Sonepat (7296). As many as 6930 cases have been reported in Panipat and 5968 cases in Karnal. As many as 147 falciparum malaria cases have also been reported this year. Though the number of dengue cases reported in the state so far is only 18 (of a suspected 47 cases), the health authorities claim that it is only because of their aggressive surveillance that spread of dengue fever has been kept under control. As many as 602 suspected dengue cases were reported in 2003, and 240 last year. Over the past three years, the three districts of Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat have been declared as high-risk zones because of their location near the Yamuna river, where mosquito breeding is high. But the number of malaria cases reported have never been as high as this year. The health authorities say that though the vector density in the air is less, the increased number of cases are mainly because patients are not taking complete treatment for malaria, and thus suffer a relapse. Dr Veena Chugh, Director, Malaria, informed TNS that health teams had been pressed into surveillance all over the state. "We have even asked the private practitioners to ensure that the patients take a proper treatment, and not just rely on chloroquine tablet courses. Though malaria cases have been high, we are taking all precautions, including awareness campaigns against allowing water to stagnate in localities and houses, to ensure that the female anopheles population is kept under control," she said. She said this year they had launched the biological control for the anopheles mosquito, by introducing gambusia and guppy fishes in existing water bodies. "This biological control has already been successfully introduced in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. We are now using the existing water bodies for introducing the exotic fish species in most districts. Besides, an intensive surveillance plan will be drawn out for surveillance in the coming non-transmission period (January to June, 2006), so that the malaria incidence is reduced next year," she added. |
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Booming business for dhabawalas
Ambala, October 20 Flouting rules laid down by the parent department, buses of Haryana Roadways are making unauthorised halts at dhabas along the GT Road, especially at Samana Bahu between Pipli and Karnal. These dhabas are giving the two Haryana Tourism complexes, en route to Delhi, a run for their money. Besides, they are not only hoodwinking officials by this detour but also making quick bucks through commissions by bringing in business for the dhabas. Well aware that the move could spell trouble for the drivers, these stoppages at the dabhas are made on the sly. It’s an “undercover operation” usually made early in the morning or late at night when the buses won’t get noticed. The attraction for the staff, the driver and conductor in this case, comes from free meals served to them at these dhabas where they are treated like royalty and can order just about anything. It also entitles them to a “substantial” commission for bringing in business for the dhaba owners. One such dhaba owner admits, “We would starve if all buses were to stop only at the tourist complexes. A commission is a small amount to pay for attracting a busload of business for us. We can’t run our establishments wholly and solely on individual passersby. While buses of other roadways make halts at our dhabas, buses of Haryana Roadways hardly ever stop during daytime since it could land the staff in soup.” The department, on its part, has laid down in the rules that no stoppages are to be made at private dhabas. “If Haryana Roadways buses are plying within the state, they are authorised to stop at the tourist complexes or the bus stands only. The staff has a separate kitchen and is served food free of cost. We carry out surprise checks and punish the guilty by imposing a fine of Rs 100 each on the driver and
conductor or chargesheeting them,” says the Commissioner, Transport, Mr D.S. Deshi. This mechanism of surprise checks, it seems, is not effective enough to dissuade the errant staff. Sources said that the department itself had received complaints about the unauthorised stoppages being made at Samana Bahu. Following the complaints, a team of inspectors was deputed in plain clothes around the area. A few days later the vigil fizzled out and business at these dhabas continues to “prosper” at the cost of tourist complexes. “Earlier, there was a slight problem because tourist complexes were open only during day. We approached the Tourism Department to make these operational at night time as well which was done. However, our buses continue to stop at the dhabas at night,” Mr Deshi admitted. The Transport Department doesn’t seem to have an action plan in place to check this aberration and seems equally disinterested. |
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No threat to life
Our High Court Correspondent
Chandigarh, October 20 In its reply to the plea of Mr Abhey Chautala, seeking directions to the Haryana Government to provide security to him as he is facing threat to his life, the government has claimed that the persons from whom he claims to be facing threat to his life are actually close to him. After hearing counsel for both the sides, the Bench of Mr Justice N.K. Sud and Mr Justice Virender Singh adjourned the matter to November 21. Auction process The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the finalisation of the auction process of sites for a multiplex, a shopping mall and a hotel in Phase VIII B, Industrial Focal Point, Mohali. The auction of the sites, owned by Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Limited (PSIEC) was held yesterday. Taking up the petition filed by Mr Roshan Singh of Mohali, seeking directions to the respondents to finalise the auction process only as per the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Act, 1995 and the Punjab Urban Town Planning Act, the Bench of Chief Justice Mr Justice D.K. Jain and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta also issued notice of motion for October 26. Contempt petition Mr Justice M.M. Kumar has given more time to the Chief Secretary, Haryana, Mr G. Madhavan, to file his reply to the contempt petition filed against him. Sometime back, the court had issued notice to him, asking him to explain why contempt of court proceedings not be initiated against him. The notice was issued on an application moved by Mr Naresh Kadyan of Rohtak, seeking action against the Chief Secretary for not implementing the February 25 order of the High Court directing the Haryana Government to appoint a Lok Pal for the state within six months. A Division Bench headed by Mr Justice H.S. Bedi had passed this order on the PIL filed by Mr Kadyan. During hearing, the government had informed the court that the process for appointment of the Lok Pal had already been initiated. However, in his application for contempt proceedings against the Chief Secretary, Mr Kadyan has stated that till date nobody has been appointed the Lok Pal. |
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Goldsmith stabbed to death
Jhajjar, October 20 Police sources said the body of Jai Kumar was recovered from near an embankment in Dhaur village. The body bore a deep cut in the throat and had stab marks around the neck. He was reportedly killed by a friend hailing from a Rohtak village along with some accomplices, last night. They then buried the body. Some residents of the village who had gone for a morning walk on the embankment noticed bloodstains. They got suspicious and called the police. The SP, Mr K.K. Rao, said a team of the district police had raided the hideouts of the accused and his accomplices. He said though the name of Rakesh figured in the FIR, some more persons could be booked later. The police sources said the two were in love with a girl of Dhaur village. This had reportedly created differences between them. |
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Punjab police gets
custody of Gurdeep
Kurukshetra, October 20 Mr Sanjay Kumar, SP, said on the order of the court, Gurdeep Singh was handed over to the Kharar police in Punjab on the latter’s request saying that many cases of looting and RDX were pending against him with the Kharar police. The SP said the Chandigarh police also had tried for the police remand of Gurdeep Singh alias Rana regarding the Burail Jail break case, in which, he was the main accused, but the Punjab police told the court that five criminal cases were pending against him in Punjab and therefore, he was handed over to the Punjab police on the court’s order. Gurdeep Singh alias Rana, had helped Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Devi Singh to escape from Burail jail on January 21, 2004, while during interrogation by the police here during his last three-day remand, Gurdeep Singh had admitted committing of various crimes. |
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Surjewala’s hand in poppy husk smuggling alleged
Hisar, October 20 Talking to The Tribune, Mr Surjewala asserted that the allegations were baseless and concocted, adding that he would sue the INLD leader who had tarnished his image. Addressing a press conference today, INLD leader and former minister Subhash Goel alleged that on September 1, a team of the Vigilance Bureau from Chandigarh intercepted a Canter loaded with poppy husk near the Haryana-Punjab border on the Narwana-Patiala road. A brother of Mr Surjewala’s security official was in the Canter, he added. The Vigilance team handed over the canter and the accused to the in charge of the Garhi police post. Mr Goel alleged that the in charge of the police post, who is reportedly a cousin of the Haryana Transport Minister, showed that only 112 kg of poppy husk was seized.
— TNS |
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Beware of MC, dog owners will be ‘prosecuted’
Ambala, October 20 Notices have already been issued to dog owners to deposit the licence fee. The notices have caused considerable resentment amongst dog lovers who are of the opinion that the MC is trying to find new ways to tax the common people. The MC Executive Officer, Mr K. K. Jain, said there was a Haryana Government notification regarding the licence fee of Rs 500 for pet dogs. “We have issued notices to dog owners to submit the fee,” he said. A dog owner, who has received a notice, said it was an unfortunate development. “I do not understand why we are being targetted by the Haryana Government. I tried to reason with MC officials who failed to give a satisfactory response regarding stray dog,” he said. “Only those people who are taking proper care of their dogs have been chosen by the government for this licence fee and it has washed its hands off stray dogs which regularly bite passersby,” he said. The dog owner said there seemed to be excessive eagerness on the part of the MC officials to implement the notification in the town. “Is the government keen to fill its coffers from the dog licence fee,” he queried. He stated that keeping dogs was not a luxury, rather it is a necessity for safety as well as companionship. The MC president, Ms Neelam Sharma, said the dog owners had expressed strong resentment over the licence fee. “Since the matter has to be taken up with the government, I will be apprising the Ambala Cantt MLA, Mr Devender Bansal over it,” she said. Mr Om Parkash Malik, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee legal cell vice-chairman, demanded that the government should not impose the licence fee on keeping dogs. He made this demand through a letter to Mr Lachman Das Arora, Minister for Local Bodies, Haryana. Mr Malik said imposition of the fee was an unjustified move. “Keeping a dog is a necessity in view of the theft cases. If a person keeps dog for safety of his dwelling the government should encourage such person and not impose a licence fee,” he added.
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Woman succumbs to burns
Kaithal, October 20 The victim had given birth to a dead child in the PGI last week after she was admitted there. Mr Sat Parkash Ranga, SP said that the police had arrested husband Rajesh, Khajano Devi mother-in law, Vidya Devi, sister-in-law and Baldev elder brother of Rajesh under Sections 304-B and 34 of the IPC. Deceased Bohti Devi was allegedly tortured by her in-laws for dowry and her husband asked her to bring a motor cycle from her parents. On October 12 her husband reportedly poured kerosene on her and set her afire. A relative of victim got her admitted to hospital in a serious condition here and her statement was recorded by duty Magistrate and later she was referred to the PGI Rohtak. |
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Three die in mishaps
Fatehabad, October 20 Ishwar, a conductor of the Haryana Roadways bus posted at Tohana in this district and going to his residence on his scooter after completing his duties last night. His scooter hit a stationary truck outside an eatery at Tohana. He was injured critically and succumbed to his injuries in today morning. In another incident, three youths Anil, Dharamveer and Sunil were going to their village Jandli from Bhuna last night on a motorcycle, when a stray animal hit their bike. Anil died on the spot while the two others were injured. Dharmveer is stated to be serious. In the third incident, the body of Durga Parsad, a local resident, was found near the FCI godowns in the morning today. He was an alcoholic and had left his house in drunken condition on October 18.
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Rs 9 crore released for civic body
Chandigarh, October 20 While stating this here, he said the amount was released as a Divali gift to the employees of the corporation numbering around 4,500, who had not been given their salary for quite some time. |
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Four die in accident
Kaithal October 20
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More levy sugar for beneficiaries
Chandigarh, October 20
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