Hisar, July 25
Tension has gripped Saniana village, nearly 45 km from here, for the diktats of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, Sirsa, regarding granting of proper respect to Guru Granth Sahib.

The sabha members had forcibly taken away five “swaroops” of Guru Granth Sahib from one gurdwara and two sehajdharis’ households of the village in Fatehabad district a few days ago.

The sabha members have even written a letter to the police authorities, stating that the Dera Ekamdas, located in the same village, was also not according due regard to Guru Granth Sahib. They have stated in the letter that proper action would be taken if the gurdwara management did not comply with certain specifications within a stipulated time.

The sabha has stated that apart from having Guru Granth Sahib, the “dera” housed some other places of worship as well, which was against the norms laid down by the Akal Takht.

On the other hand, the president of the Hisar unit of the SAD Mr Sukhsagar Singh, has maintained that forcibly taking away the holy scriptures is contrary to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and the act of the sabha smacks of a conspiracy to create a divide.

“Even if the sabha members feel that due respect is not being paid to the scriptures, they should bring the matter to the notice of the SGPC and the Akal Takht instead of using force”, Mr Sukhsagar Singh said.

The IGP (Hisar Range), Mr Yashpal Singal, asserted that all SPs in the range had been directed to ensure that peaceful atmosphere and communal harmony prevailed in the area. “Nobody would be allowed to take away holy scriptures and strict action as per the law would be taken against any person found guilty of hurting the sentiments of devotees,” he maintained.

Rohtak, July 25
The Maharshi Dayanand University Teachers' Association (MDUTA) has opposed the move to establish private universities in the state.

In a communication addressed to the Chancellor and Haryana Governor the MDUTA chief, Dr Rajinder Chaudhary, pointed out today that social benefits of acquiring higher education were more than the personal benefits that may accrue to an individual acquiring it. Recognising this, even the Centre had reversed its earlier decision and had again put higher education in the category of merit goods. He said in a market driven country like the USA, cost recovery in higher education in public- funded institutions was just about 12 per cent. Hence, higher education had to be publicly funded and managed.

He said cost recovery in Haryana in the eighties was 15 per cent – higher the USA. Since then fees had increased and students were being made to pay for what should have been given by the governments to universities. For instance, MDU received only 20 per cent of its non-plan funding from the government while the rest was covered by fees.

The MDUTA chief said trend needed to be reversed and not strengthened by allowing private universities, thereby further watering down whatever control society and public bodies exercised over private commercial educational institutions. He said teachers were not opposed to entry of non-government institutions with a proven track record and charity as the goal in the field of education.

Pointing out that a bill providing for the establishment of private universities had been pending in Parliament since 1995 and during this period different parties were at the helm of affairs. However, none thought it proper to allow the setting up of private varsities.

Hisar, July 25
With a view to building public opinion against khap panchayats’ extra-legal activities and unwanted interference in personal lives of residents, the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD), Neelokheri, has embarked upon a campaign of holding training programmes and workshops in this regard.

The drive, which has been initiated following directions from the state Financial Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary, Development and Panchayats, Mr Raj Kumar, targets seven districts where the instances and influence of khap panchayat diktats are more pronounced.

Prof Ranbir Singh from the HIRD, who had come to the city in connection with one such workshop, said training programmes had already been held at Kaithal, Jind, Sonepat, Rohtak and Jhajjar. The next destination would be Bhiwani, he added.

The workshops, organised by the district administration concerned, are attended by the DC, members of the local zila parishad and panchayat samiti and village sarpanches. A participatory approach is followed and all interested participants are allowed to express their views.

Prof Ranbir Singh said the campaign was not against the khap panchayats, but it sought to check their extra-legal diktats, violation of human rights, interference in private lives of individuals and obstructing the course of law.

“It is unfortunate that instead of focusing their attention on social reforms, resolving disputes and eradication of evils, many khap panchayats have resorted to unhealthy practices of provoking residents to take law into their hands and revoking or preventing marriages on caste or ‘gotra’ considerations,” maintained the social scientist.

He said the politicisation of khap panchayats and their misuse by vested interests was responsible for the prevailing situation. “Besides, the inability of the khap panchayat members to adapt themselves to the changing times, weakness of the democratically elected Panchayati Raj institutions and agrarian crisis, coupled with rural unemployment, are also to blame for it,” he observed.

The drive is getting a positive response from the masses, though it had to face some hostility at a few places like Jhajjar. While Prof Ranbir Singh and Dr Narender Singh are providing inputs as resource persons, they are assisted by Dr Chaitali Pal and Ms Vimlesh Rathore of the HIRD.

Prof Ranbir Singh said the strengthening of the democratically elected panchayats, change in people’s attitude and improving the lot of the farming community were key to resolving the issue.

Chandigarh, July 25
Scanty rainfall in Haryana this year is costing Haryana farmers dearly. In order to irrigate their standing paddy, oilseeds and pulses, farmers are being forced to shell out their savings and buy diesel for operating tubewells to save their crops from withering away.

According to the Meteorological Department, Haryana had received only 128.7 mm of rainfall since June 1 till today, which is 25 per cent less than normal. By this time, the state should have received 172.4 mm of rainfall. Officials in the Met Department informed TNS that other than Bhiwani, Rewari and Sirsa, which had received slightly more than normal rainfall, the other 16 districts of the state had so far received 40-60 per cent less than normal rainfall.

Officials say because of the low pressure area developing over the north Bay of Bengal and moving towards Western India instead of North Western part of the country, there has been minimal rainfall in the state during the month of July.

Interestingly, the state revenue records showed that in July alone, rainfall in Karnal, Kurukshetra and Mahendragarh was higher than the rainfall received in these districts in the corresponding period last year. However, the rainfall received in all other districts in this month was far below normal.

This shortfall in rain is affecting the smooth transplantation of Basmati in the districts of Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Panipat. "Though the transplantation of paddy is almost complete, but the crop needs standing water in the fields to mature. If there is no rainfall for another week, the crops will start showing signs of stress," warned B.S. Duggal, Additional Director Agriculture (Extension), Haryana.

Because of a strong irrigation system of Yamuna and Bhakra in the northern part of the state, the scanty rainfall may not causer much harm.

Agriculture department officials say, "However, farmers in the south and south western districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari, Hisar and Jhajjar, where the irrigation network is weak, are suffering. The cost of agricultural inputs in these districts, mainly of diesel, have increased manifold, burning a hole in the farmers' pockets," he said.

Officials in the Agriculture department informed TNS that because of low rainfall, farmers in various parts of the state were still waiting to sow crops in their fields. As a result, paddy had been sown on just 8.05 lakh hectares area as against a target of 10 lakh hectares. Similarly, as against a target of 6.50 lakh hectares for bajra, farmers had sown the crop on four lakh hectares only. In case of oilseeds like til, castor and groundnut, as against a target of 14, 500 hectares, the crop had been sown over 6000 hectares only. 

Rohtak, July 25
All tehsil offices in Haryana will, for all practical purposes, remain closed tomorrow thanks to a meeting convened by Revenue Minister Ajay Yadav at Panchkula.

According to sources the minister has summoned all tehsildars, naib tehsildars and district revenue officers posted anywhere and in any office in the state to discuss land revenue related issues. The meeting will be held from 9 am to 4 pm at Red Bishop Tourist Complex at Panchkula.

Sources said the absence of tehsildars and naib tehsildars from their respective offices in the districts will mean that no sale deeds would be registered tomorrow as both key officers will be away to Panchkula. Hundreds of such deeds are registered in the state daily.

The absence of these officials will also mean that no domicile certificates will be issued to students desirous of seeking admission to various courses and institutions all over Haryana. The number of domicile certificates issued during the admission season runs into several thousands every day.

Since the public has not been informed in advance, thousands of applicants, who will come to tehsil offices for the purpose after spending rail and bus fares will have to go back empty handed and return the next day to get their certificates.

Tehsildars also attest legal documents required by the public for various purposes.

Members of the public will, therefore, have to throng the offices of other senior officers to get attestations. Most senior officers are reluctant to spare time for such jobs.

Tehsildars are also executive magistrates and often have to be deployed for law and order duty. Since all of them will be at Panchkula tomorrow, the deputy commissioners will have to look for alternatives if an emergency arises.

The sources said the meeting was scheduled earlier for Sunday but was put off for certain reasons. It has now been postponed to Wednesday disregarding public interest. Interestingly, the meeting could easily have been held on Friday, Saturday or Sunday next, all three days being holidays.

Karnal, July 25
Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju has said that there is no security threat to India from the Pakistan’s new nuclear installation at Khushab.

Talking to this correspondent at Sainik School, Kunjpura, here this morning, he said Indian intelligence agencies were well aware of the activities being undertaken by the Pakistan Government.

He said the country was well equipped to tackle any situation in the subcontinent. Ruling out any threat perception, he said India should focus on strengthening its own nuclear programmes instead of worrying about others’ advancements. He said any country was free to do anything within its territorial limits.

He claimed the intelligence agencies of India were well aware of all activities in the entire South Asian region that could affect the national security.

Meanwhile, he urged the students of Sanik School, Kunjpura, to join the armed forces to keep up the tradition of the school. He was here as a chief guest of the 46th founder’s day of the school.

Lauding the school, he said 16 students of the school had joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) last year. He appreciated the management of the school for maintaining discipline on the campus that brought them the prestigious Raksha Mantri Award for seven years.

He announced the opening of two digital labs there. He also assured to provide horses to reintroduce horse riding on the school campus.

He also gave away prizes to students and decorated the cadets with ranks. Cadet Hardeep Kadiyan was declared “best all-rounder” for 2005-06.

School Principal Gp Capt Suresh Kumar presented mementoes to Mr Raju, Lieut-Gen (Dr) D.D.S. Sandhu, DGOS, and Mr Deepinder Hooda, Rohtak MP.

Fatehabad, July 25
Mystery shrouds the death of two sisters at Khumbar village in this district. Five other members of their family were hospitalised with complaints of vomiting and loose motion. Doctors suspect it a case of poisoning.

Jyoti (3), daughter of Satnam Singh of the village, died after brief illness on July 20. After her death, Satnam Singh, his wife Kiran Kaur, sister Pammi and father Mukand Lal were hospitalised at Rattia and Fatehabad with complaints of nausea. Satnam Singh was later referred to Agroha Medical College in serious condition.

Today, Jyoti’s elder sister Ramandeep (6) also died after brief illness. Her death has shaken the villagers.

A team of the Health Department led by the Civil Surgeon, Dr Love Dutta, visited the village and took blood samples of the family members. Dr Dutta said that Satnam Singh was suffering from falciparum malaria as well as blood urea.

The other members of the family were okay and had been relieved from the hospital. He said the death of the two girls created suspicion and hence he had reported the matter to the police.

He said it was certain that the two girls had died of poisoning but who poisoned them was yet to be ascertained.

Rewari, July 25
With the arrest of Dinesh Kumar, Lila Ram, Rakesh Kumar and Mahender Singh, all villages of the Khetri region of Rajasthan, the police claims to have solved the murder of the driver of a Scorpio vehicle, Vinod Kumar, a resident of Khatavali village, near Dharuhera. His body had been found at a place near Rohi Bilwa village, near Khetri town, in June.

The suspects were today produced in a Khetri court, which remanded them in police custody till July 28.

The police seized the Scorpio vehicle, which the accused had hired to travel from Dharuhera to Khetri.

The Gurgaon police, which studied the record of calls made from the mobile phone of the deceased, had provided important clues to the Khetri police in the case.

Prior to his departure from Dharuhera, Vinod had made a call from his cellphone informing his brother Dinesh about his travel to Khetri.

Panchkula, July 25
The Chandigarh unit of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGCI) in collaboration with the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industries (HCCI), Panchkula, Chapter, organized a workshop for the entrepreneurs trading in export business, here last evening.

The entrepreneurs were made aware of various motivating schemes introduced by the ECGCI.

The traders were also told that the ECGCI has been taking guarantee for the losses being suffered by them in case any insurgency or war-like situations.

Moreover, the losses, being faced by the entrepreneurs associated with the corporation by way of getting policies, would be borne by the ECGCI.

While elaborating the schemes of the ECGCI, Mr Rohit Pandey, Deputy General Manager of the corporation, the ECGCI had been bearing 90 per cent of the total losses suffered (if any) by any of the associated export trader in such cases.

He claimed that over 13147 traders had been associated with the corporation.

The corporation made payments of Rs 390 crores as claims by the affected traders during 2005-06.

Mr Satish Gupta, president of the HCCI, Panchkula chapter, announced to issue a certificate of origin for the exporters free of cost and appealed the industrialists and traders to avail the facility and benefits of the scheme introduced by the corporation.

3 ration depots cancelled
Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 25
Deputy Commissioner O.P. Langyan today stated in a press note that three ration depots had been cancelled last month after irregularities were detected.

He said the Food and Civil Supplies Department had carried out checks at different ration depots.

Three ration depots were cancelled in June, he said.

He added that 150 ration depots had been examined during the current financial year.

Out of these, 30 ration depots had been cancelled, he said.

Engineering counselling withheld
Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 25
The second counselling of BE/BTech/BArch for Haryana engineering colleges has been withheld following discrepancies.

Several students, who had scored well in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), did not get seat in their desired colleges even though students who had scored lower than them in the merit had secured seat in the second counselling.

For instance, Brihad, a resident of Ambala Cantt, was placed 12,4285 in the AIEEE list. He did not get the desired seat in Ambala Engineering College at Mithapur. But a student who was lower than him in merit had secured a seat through second counselling.

Complaints were forwarded from Ambala to the authorities concerned. Later in the day, it was learnt that the second counselling was withheld.

The withheld announcement on the official website states: “The result of second counselling of BE/BTech/ BArch withheld till further schedule. Students are advised not to report to the allotted institutions till next instructions. Colleges are directed not to make reporting as a result of second counselling. Further schedule shall be changed accordingly.”

Army rescuers of Prince honoured
Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 25
Army officers and personnel who rescued five-year-old Prince from a deep borewell in Kurukshetra were honoured in Ambala cantonment yesterday.

Army Commander, Western Command, Lieut-Gen Daljit Singh was present on the occasion. The officers and personnel were handed over GOC-in-C commendation cards.

Those who were honoured include Lieut-Col Avinash Kumar Das, Capt Pankaj Upadhyay, N/Sub Jagat Narain, Subedar Omkar Singh, crane operator GS Mana, Havaldar KK Das, Havaldar PD Joshi and L/Naik Naresh.

An Army officer said in the afternoon of July 22, they received a communication from the civil administration seeking assistance in taking out a child who had fallen into a deep bore well. He said immediately an officer was sent to the site to take stock of the situation and to send a message regarding the equipments necessary for carrying out the rescue operation.

Thereafter, a team headed by Lieut-Col AK Das reached the site in Haldaheri village. The team set to work in rescuing the child. The rescue operation was a challenging task and care had to be taken to ensure that no harm came to the child.

The Army team worked steadily with due caution. While digging a tunnel from the abandoned well to the deep borewell, a problem of earth caving in was faced. To tide over the problem, a drum was shaped and it was lowered into the well. After a 31-hour-long-Army coordinated operation, Prince was rescued.