The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Charge nominal fee from poor, CM’s advice to lawyers Shiv Sharma Bhiwani, August 20 The Haryana Chief Minsiter has urged the lawyers to charge nominal fee from poor persons and make efforts to get them justice faster so that their faith in judiciary remains intact. He said the government had raised the income limitation for legal aid from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 a year. Addressing lawyers at a function organised by the District Bar Association, Bhiwani, the Chief Minister said advocates played an important role in society and leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Moti Lal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Vithal Bhai Patel, Maulana Azad were advocates. He told efforts were on to modernise the judicial system. A sum of Rs 4.25 lakh had been sanctioned to computerise the courts, and 22,000 persons had benefitted by free legal aid scheme. In response to the demands of Bar Association president Rishi Parmar, Mr Hooda said a provision would be made for reservation in residential plots for advocates in the plots to be alloted by HUDA and a separate residential sector could also be developed in HUDA colonies. The Chief Minister announced to give Rs 5 lakh for Bar library and extension of the hall and Rs 10 lakh for furniture. Tourism Minister Ms Kiran Choudhary said efforts were on to make a separate high court for the state and a resolution in this regard had been passed the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dharmbir Singh also advocated demands of lawyers. Mr Ranvir Mahendra also addressed the lawyers. Earlier, Mr Hooda inaugurated the Arjuna and Dronacharya awardee late Capt Hawa Singh Memorial Boxing and Wrestling Hall at Bhim Stadium. He paid tributes to Capt Hawa Singh also. He said Rs 40 crore would be spent on sports during the current year for constructing stadiums in each block. He said diet money of the players had also been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 100 and number of nurseries increased from 20 to 31. Mr Hooda said Rs 30.75 crore would be used to promote sports in a big way and a modern sports complex constructed on 100 acres besides a sports academy setup at Rohtak. HPCC working president Dr Ram Parkash, Mr Amir Chand Makkar, Somvir Singh, Ramkishan Fouji, Major Nurpinder Singh, all MLA’s, Chairman, Haryana Dairy Development, Mrs Chandrawati, District & Sessions Judge Ramendra Jain, Additional Sessions Judge V.P. Sarohi and J.B. Gupta, Judge of fast track, court, S.K. Garg were also present. Thereafter, the Chief Minister inaugurated a blood donation camp to mark the 64th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. HPCC working president Ram Prakash, CPS Dharmbir Singh, Political Adviser to CM Prof Virender, Tourism Minister Ms Kiran Chaudhary, MLAs Nripender Singh, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, Sombir Singh, Ram Kishan Fauji also spoke on the occasion.
	Shifting of sugar mill opposed Arun Sharma Tribune News Service Matlauda (Panipat), August 20 The farmers of four blocks of the district opposed the proposed shifting of Panipat Sugar Mill to Chhajpur village in Bapoli block here today. In a meeting well attended by the panchayats from the four blocks, it was decided to urge the Chief Minister to reconsider the proposed shifting mill as the move would affect the interests of thousands of farmers from the four blocks of the district. The panchayat of Jatal village from Noltha Block also offered 70 acres of land free of cost to Sugarfed for the purpose. Talking to the Tribune Surender Nandal of Mehrana village said the farmers of Israna, Matlauda, Smalakha and Panipat blocks were not in favour of shifting the mill to any other place of the district as, at present, the mill was centrally located for the farmers from all five blocks of district. However, after the shifting of the mill to Chhajpur, it would be convenient to farmers from Bapoli block and the farmers of neighboring state Uttar Pradesh only as the proposed location was near the border of both the states, added Mr Nanadal. Even if the government finds it necessary to shift the mill from the present location, the panchayats of Jatal, Dahar, Noltha and Balana villages were ready to provide the required land, said Mr Nandal. Om Parkash, another farmer of Shera village, alleged the proposal was aimed at benefitting the villages falling in the Uttar Pradesh as the proposed location was just 10 kilometers away from the border of neighbouring state. Dr R.P. Singh, Commissioner, Sugarfed, Haryana, when contacted claimed that the shifting of the mill would only benefit the farmers as well as government because the machinery of the present mill established in 1956 had become obsolete and the mill was suffering losses for the last many years. To install new mill there would be need for bigger land. Moreover the present location of the mill was near the GT road which aggravated traffic chaos in Panipat. The present cane crushing capacity of the mill was just 1660 tonnes per day (tpd) and to operate economically the capacity of the mill should not be less than 2500 tpd, informed Dr Singh. Moreover, due to proximity of Uttar Pradesh, the mill would get required supply of the cane throughout the season. After the 160-crore mill is installed at Chhaajpur the money spent on it could be recovered after disposing of the prime land under it at present to minimize the financial burdens of modernizing the mill, informed Dr Singh.
	Ajay Chautala lashes out at Hooda Tribune News Service Karnal, August 20 Rajya Sabha member, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, has alleged large-scale irregularities in purchasing of equipments for the ambitious Edusat programme and statewide fencing of trees. He alleged that no tenders were floated by the government for the projects. In a scathing attack on Chief Minister, Mr Bhunpinder Singh Hooda, Mr Chautala said that the Congress leader had indulged in “loose talk” on the absence of INLD chief, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, from the assembly. The former Chief Minister had gone to the USA for treatment after due permission of the House. Addressing mediapersons, Chautala Junior alleged that the state government had not invited any tenders before purchasing goods worth crores of rupees. He alleged that obsolete equipments were used for the ambitious project of the education department. He further charged the state government with using substandard material for fencing of trees. The national General Secretary of INLD, Mr Chautala said that the state government should answer what procedure was adopted by the Forest Ministry for procuring of barbed wire and poles for the purpose of fencing of trees. The INLD leader also demanded that Mr Hooda should resign on the moral ground after warrants were issued against him in New Delhi. Objecting to the “disturbing” statements charging the INLD supremo of “staying away from the House out of fear”, he said that Mr Hooda had crossed all limits of decency. Taking a dig at the CM, he said that the senior Congress leader had hardly raised any issue in the House during his past three tenures. He said the state government had failed to control criminal activities in the state and cited the example of Rohtak, the hometown of the Chief Minister, where crime graph had risen. He also charged the police with conducting fake encounters to get publicity. Terming the state government as those of “property dealer”, he said that the Congress regime was looking for the benefits of the affluent class only. He said that the SEZ should be shifted to Mewat for the development of the area.
	Factionalism to fore at Cong functions Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Karnal, August 20 Factionalism among the local Congress MLAs came to the fore today as more than seven different programmes were organised by the Congress leaders to mark 62nd birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Out of five Congress MLAs from Karnal, three did not attend any function in the district. Interestingly, none of the local Congress leaders attended the all-religion prayer meeting organised by the district administration at Karan Park. The president of the Karnal district Congress (urban) and the local MLA, Ms Sumita Singh, organised a programme at her residence in which chairman of the MC and her supporters took part. Minister for Cooperation and the MLA from Jundla, Ms Meena Mandal, attended the function organized by the district Congress president (rural), Mr Surender Singh Narwal at Panchayat Bhavan. He also held a public function in memory of late Prime Minister at Kalsara village in Indri. MLAs from Assandh, Nilokheri and Indri did not attend any function in the district. Though a function held at Chaman Garden was well-attended and organized by senior Congress leader, Mr Jai Pal Mann, but none of the MLAs or the district office-bearers attended the function. Supporter of the Bhajan Lal camp and former chairman of the City Congress Committee, Mr Tarlochan Singh, and other local Congress leaders held their own functions to mark the birth anniversary of the late Congress leader.
	Demanding information at all costs Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 20 A silent storm is brewing across the region. And nothing, not even the momentary setback suffered by the right to information movement, seems strong enough to tame it. Proposed amendments apart, citizens are coming forward to demand information and accountability and are winning their battles, though by fits and starts. Where on the one hand are people like Manju, who want to know why she was given more points than she deserved under state government’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) surveys, on the other are students like Narendra, clueless about the result of an interview conducted four months ago. In Chandigarh today to learn the process of filing applications under the Act, both plan to demand information critical to their future. Manju, a resident of Sadhakpur village, near Morni, has been shown to be above poverty line in BPL surveys. She, however, claims her condition was deliberately reported as “good” so that she does not get a yellow ration card meant for BPL families. This card offers facilities like grant to make “pucca” houses, livestock loan and Rs 15,000 fund for daughter’s marriage under the Indira Gandhi Vivah Shagun Yojna. But Manju, who subsists on meager income and lives in a mud house, can’t use these facilities. But she can use the Right to Information (RTI) to know why she was misrepresented as being above poverty line. And she plans to do so, especially after attending today’s session on RTI organised by the Voluntary Health Association of Punjab, Parivartan and Human Rights Law Network. Along with her, many youngsters from Punjab and Haryana want to exercise their right to information. Narender and Simple Verma, MA (psychology) pass outs from Punjabi University, Patiala, are among them. On April 12 they, along with 35 candidates, took walk-in interviews organised by Punjab State AIDS Control Society in Chandigarh. The society had advertised jobs to fill 25 posts of counsellors. Narender says: “They took attested copies of our originals and told us they would call us for a full interview later. Four months have passed but we have not heard from them. Who knows we might have been appointed on papers?” All 35 candidates will demand the required information under the RTI Act. For this, they will be assisted by Ajit Tomar, who has used the Act proactively in Haryana to nail officers who have been misusing village panchayat development funds. On applications he filed against six Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) in Bhiwani and Mahendragarh, departmental enquiries have been initiated. An FIR was also registered in one case pertaining to misappropriation of Rs 1.25 lakh by a BDPO in block- 2 of Charkhi Dadri (Bhiwani). Tomar explains, “This fund came under Swaran Jayanti Gramin Rozgar Yojana. Due to lack of quorum in the panchayat, the BDPO concerned sought the authority to use these funds for village development. He, however, siphoned off the money without authority. I used the RTI to seek details of the panchayat’s account from the bank concerned. No funds had been used for gram panchayat. The officer was in the dock. An FIR was registered but he was not suspended.” Tomar has now filed another application under the RTI Act to know the rules that govern officers booked under the IPC. In four other such cases he is pursuing, departmental inquiries against erring officials have been completed. Punitive action is, however, awaited. And it better come soon as Tomar has already evoked the law and demanded details of the inquiries conducted against the BDPOs who have misappropriated panchayat funds.
	1 lakh youths to get govt jobs: Birender Tribune News Service Sirsa, August 20 Nearly one lakh youths would be provided government jobs in the state during the current financial year. This was stated by the Haryana Finance Minister, Mr Birender Singh, while addressing newsmen here today. He said that out of these, 20,000 jobs would be provided in the power corporation, besides appointing 10,000 police constables and 4,000 Class IV employees in the Education Department. Mr Birender Singh informed that the posts lying vacant in all government departments would be filled. The government had already initiated the process for the appointment of 15,000 teachers, he added. In response to a query, the Finance Minister asserted that there was no shortage of funds for recruitment and the state government was committed to providing suitable employment to the youth. Regarding the response to the Foreign Placement Bureau, the minister said that so far, around 1,500 youths had submitted their applications with the bureau. He maintained that the setting up of special economic zones in the state would provide employment opportunities to nearly 10 lakh youths. Mr Birender Singh claimed that the state revenue had nearly doubled after the Congress government took over the reins of the state. As compared to the revenue of Rs 3,600 crore during the previous regime, the revenue was about 7,000 crore at present. He further stated that the fiscal growth rate of the state had touched the figure of 8.6, which was the highest in the country. The agricultural growth rate had also increased from 1.8 per cent to 3.9 per cent in the past two years.
	Test for ayurveda post leaves candidates fuming Yoginder Gupta Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 20 A test by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) at Panchkula today left candidates fuming and fretting. The test was conducted to screen candidates for the posts of Ayurveda Medical Officer. About 2,000 candidates appeared in the test held at eight centres set up at Satlej Public School, Sector 4; Government College, Sector 1; Bhavan Vidyalya, Sector 15; and D.C. Model School, Sector 7. The main grievance of several candidates, who approached The Tribune to highlight their plight, was the medium of the examination. A candidate from Kaithal, Dr Ram Bhagat Verma, said the medium of instruction in all ayurveda medical colleges of Haryana was Hindi and Sanskrit. The question paper set by the HSSC was in English and the medium of examination was also English. Speaking for the other candidates also, Dr Verma said even the Sanskrit shalokas were written in the Roman script. He said however carefully and intelligently one might have written, it was not always possible to write Sanskrit in the Roman script. Even a slight difference in pronunciation, which was bound to crop up when written in the Roman script, could change the meaning of Sanskrit words. The candidates said in the past the question paper for such tests used to be in both English and Hindi. They also said 200 very lengthy questions were set. These were to be answered in two hours, a near impossible task, they said. The candidates lost much of the allotted time in trying to make sense of the Sanskrit words written in the Roman script. Their demand was that the test should be conducted again. The Chairman of the commission, Brig N.L. Poonia (retd), or any other functionary of the HSSC, was not available for comments.

Book MLA for insulting Tricolour: BJP
Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 20
The BJP and Vikas Parishad submitted separate applications at the Sadar police station this evening, demanding registration of an FIR against Ambala Cantt MLA Devender Bansal over hoardings which insulted National Flag.

However, Mr Bansal denied that the hoardings had been put up by him. He said he had always shown respect to the flag.

Former BJP MP Ratan Lal Kataria demanded that a case should be registered against the MLA under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Mr Kataria said the hoardings had photographs of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Haryana Chief Minister. “Also, the MLA can be seen in the hoardings and he is wearing shoes,” he said.

Vikas Parishad Chairman and former MLA Anil Vij said an FIR must be lodged against Mr Bansal and action should also be taken against the printer of the hoardings, the writers and those people who put up the hoardings.

However, Mr Bansal said he was not aware about who put up the hoardings and who removed them. “The hoardings were neither put up with my knowledge nor consent,” he said.

“The opposition parties are claiming that the hoardings were put up on August 15. Why did they wait for five days to rake the issue. I suspect that this incident to be politically motivated,” he claimed.

Youth shot by criminal
Our Correspondent

Rewari, August 20
Budh Ram ( 24 ) was shot when he tried to overpower a fleeing criminal Dalbir, wanted by the Kasaula police in an attempt to murder case, at Asalwas village, about 10 km from here,last evening.

Soon after Dalbir, who climbed the roof of a house in the village, was nabbed by the Kasaula police with the help of the villagers. The villagers also helped the police to apprehend his other accomplice Vinod, a resident of Bakhapur village near Asalwas.

On a tip off the Kasaula police raided Bakhapur where Dalbir had come to meet Vinod.Both fled on a motor cycle towards Asalwas where they had to abandon the vehicle after it abruptly slipped and fell down following which they barged into Budh Ram’s house to escape the police.

Meanwhile the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Chander Prakash, today lauded the courage and bravery shown by the deceased and said a relief of Rs. 3 lakh , including Rs. 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, would soon be given to next of kin of the deceased . Besides all possible help for the education of his daughter would be provided while the case of his wife for a government job would also be forwarded to the state government, he added.

Seminar on English literature
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, August 20
Prof Bhim S. Dahiya, Director, Dr Sarup Singh Chair, and former Vice-Chancellor, Kurukshetra University, traced the history of the concept of hero in Western Literature from the days of Homer to Huxley at a seminar here last evening.

Professor Dahiya said there was a time when hero in literature was either a king, a prince, a general or someone from the elite class. But with the passage of time the concept of hero changed.

Professor Dahiya observed that in every work of art there existed an overt or implied criticism of life.

In his brief communication, Prof R.W. Desai, a scholar in English and guest of honour, referred to his association with Dr Sarup Singh, a renowned teacher and scholar of English. Setting up the Chair in his name was a befitting tribute to him, he added.

Prof R.P. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, G.J. University, Hisar, delivered his presidential address.

Two dowry deaths
Our Correspondent

Rewari, August 20
The death of a young woman and the alleged murder of another young woman by her in-laws have been reported from different villages of the district. Suman Yadav, wife of Bhagirath Yadav, after being subjected to torture for more dowry allegedly by her in-laws, reportedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Kharkara village on Wednesday.

In the incident, Rekha Sharma, wife of Om Prakash Sharma, was allegedly beaten up and administered poison by her in-laws at Suma Khera village near Jatusana on Tuesday.

Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas

Ambala, August 20
Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas was observed here today. Deputy Commissioner O.P. Langyan said national unity must be strengthened. The DCC, Ambala City, Youth Congress and the Lions Club organised a blood donation camp to mark the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. Marathons were also organised in which about 800 students from different schools participated. TNS