Rewari, December 5
The families of two Dalit brothers, Ramesh Kumar and Kalu Das, have to abandon their house from Lisan village in the district after being tortured and threatened by some persons in connivance with the police.

The torture came as a sequel to the elopement of a woman and wife of Surender Singh Yadav, with Ajay Kumar, son of Ramesh Kumar of the village on August 29, 2006.

On a complaint lodged by Surender Yadav, the police registered a case against Ajay Kumar, his uncle Kalu Das, his married sister Manju Devi and her husband Rajesh as well as two others.

On August 29, the woman spent the night at Puran Singh Yadav' s tubewell where she was allegedly raped by both Ajay and Puran Yadav.

Subsequently, Ajay took her to Assam where she was repeatedly raped.

Somehow, the woman managed to inform her husband about her whereabouts in Assam. Surender Yadav brought Ajay and his wife to Delhi from where they were taken into custody by a police party on September 10.

The medical examination of the woman confirmed her rape and accused Ajay and Puran were put behind bars.

However, prior to the registration of the FIR, Ramesh, father of the Ajay, was taken on September 2 to the police station at Khol where he was allegedly tortured by the police. Similarly, about 12 persons picked up his younger brother Kalu Das who was taken to the police post at Dahina village near Lisan where he was allegedly tortured brutally by them.

The alleged torturers included Govind Yadav and his brother Attar Singh Yadav, both sons of Puran Singh Yadav, Ganga Ram Yadav, Satbir Yadav, Bobby Prajapat.

Subsequently, threats were also issued to them that they would harm their women and young daughters.

Thus Ramesh Kumar sent his two daughters at Ludhiana while he, along with his wife Sheila Devi, another daughter Lalita and son Vijay, a student of class VI, migrated to Jant village, the parental home of his wife Sheila, near Rewari.

Similarly, his younger brother Kalu Das, along with his wife Mamta Devi and son Zubin (2) , had to take shelter at the parental house of his wife at Berli Kalan village near Jatusana.

Now, these families have virtually been living in exile for the past about three months.

Mrs Manju Devi, who is also an activist of the Haryana Mahila Congress, has sent a written representation to the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Haryana DGP R.S.Dalal and the Chairman of the National SC/ST Commission seeking stringent action against the alleged assault on them.

Meanwhile, the DGP told a press conference here yesterday he had asked the SP to do the needful in this regard.

Chandigarh, December 5
Mr Kuldip Bishnoi, has created a record of sorts. He must be the first legislator to knock the doors of the judiciary to seek nullification of a law in framing of which he was as much a party as the government was.

Mr Bishnoi was a member of the Lok Sabha when the Special Economic Zone(SEZ) Act, 2005, was passed. There is nothing on record to suggest that Mr Bishnoi had either voted against the Bill or had expressed his opposition to its various provisions when it was debated in the House.

Mr Bishnoi's writ petition in the form of a public interest litigation came up for hearing before the Supreme Court yesterday. A Bench comprising Mr Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and Mr Justice D. K. Jain issued notices to the Centre, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, the HSIIDC, Reliance Ventures Limited headed by Mr Mukesh Ambani and the member-Secretary of the National Capital Region Planning Board.

Mr Bishnoi has challenged the Centre's Special Economic Zones Act, 2005; the National Capital Region Planning Board Act, 1985; and the Haryana SEZ Act, 2005.

He contended that according to a report prepared by the Union Finance Ministry, exemptions given to the SEZs would cause a colossal loss of about Rs 1,75,487 crore to the state exchequer.

He has prayed to the court to quash the two SEZ Acts as unconstitutional and also to cancel the deal between Reliance and HSIDC for allottment of about 1700 acres.

The issue of SEZ had been a pet subject with Mr Bishnoi since long to bash his party's own government in Haryana. It is for the first time that Mr Bishnoi has taken on the Union Government. If the Supreme Court accepts his contention and quashes the Acts, it will be as embarrassing for the UPA Government as it would be for the Hooda government.

By taking his pet issue to the Supreme Court, Mr Bishnoi has played his cards well. Though the party may find Mr Bishnoi's action as embarrassing, yet action against him will be difficult because it will not be easy to describe the knocking at the doors of a court in a democratic set-up as an anti-party activity.

It is not for the first time that Mr Bishnoi has taken recourse to law in a bid to embarrass his party's government. A few months ago, Mr Bishnoi had applied for information relating to the SEZ deal amidst much fanfare under the Right to Information Act. It is another matter that after the information was supplied to him by the HSIIDC within the stipulated time, he did not make it public. 

Hisar, December 5
The acting president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), Dr Ram Prakash, has advised the party dissidents to remain in "Lakshmanrekha" or else be responsible for their doings.

He was talking to media persons here yesterday. On being asked about disciplinary action against the dissidents, he maintained that the party high command would take the "right action at the right time".

Responding to a query on the distribution of canal water, he maintained that the present regime had ensured its just distribution unlike the reign of the previous government when there were a few "prosperity islands" in the state.

Dr Ram Prakash, however, evaded a reply on the issue of completion of the SYL canal in view of the Congress government in Punjab opposing the project tooth and nail. He kept on citing the Presidential reference to the Supreme Court regarding the matter.

On being asked about the delay in the appointment of a regular chief for the state party unit, he said he was neither an aspirant nor hopeful of getting the post. "Main is pad ka na to daavedaar hoon, na hi umeedvar," the acting chief said, though he hastened to add that he was a committed soldier of the party high command.

Hisar, December 5
The volunteers, who had donated blood on the birth anniversary of late Congress leader Surender Singh, were honoured by his daughter Shruti Chaudhary at a function here today.

Apart from boosting morale of supporters of the late leader, this solemn ceremony also marked modest beginning of Shruti’s political career. Having campaigned for her father as well as mother in Assembly elections, this granddaughter of legendary Haryana leader Bansi Lal has got strong political foundation.

Daughter of Haryana Minister of State for Tourism and Forests, Ms Kiran Chaudhary, Shruti showed her grooming by asserting that she would strive to get a more meaningful role for youth leaders of the Congress.

From the reception she got she seems to play a long and impressive innings in the state politics. Shruti was taken in a cavalcade of cars to the Congress Bhavan here, where she presented blood donation cards to the volunteers.

Shruti asked her late father’s supporters not to be disheartened. “I will try my level best to get you full respect in the party...and let me assure you, no party worker would be ignored,” said an emotional Shruti.

Later, she told The Tribune, she was overwhelmed by the affection and support of people, especially young party cadres. “I will travel in the state to know feelings of the party sympathisers...I want to express my gratitude for the love and blessings of the people of Haryana on our family,” she asserted.

To a question, Shruti said as of now, she had no political ambition and just wanted to help her mother in her political journey. She, however, added she would always be available for any duty assigned to her by the Congress high command.

Fatehabad, December 5
Owing to the indifferent attitude of the authorities, the ultrasound machine installed at the local General Hospital has been non-functional for the past 34 months and no effort is being made to get it repaired.

The issue came to light when a local resident, Mr Manoj Kumar Aggarwal, sought information regarding the machine from the hospital under the Right to Information Act. The information provided by the authorities points towards the lackadaisical attitude of the hospital authorities.

Mr Aggarwal, who has been taking cudgels against the high-handed and indifferent attitude of the authorities toward the general public in the past too, sought information from the hospital authorities regarding the ultrasound machine.

The information provided by the authorities revealed that the ultrasound machine was installed in the hospital on September 28, 1999, and had not been in working condition since February 27, 2004.

The information provided by the hospital authorities revealed that even during the period when the ultrasound machine was in working condition, there was no radiologist in the hospital and the one deputed from the General Hospital Hisar conducted the tests. The information revealed that earlier the hospital authorities had a contract with M/s Philips Medical Systems India Limited for the repair of this machine, but now there was no contract with any firm. To a question whether any request had been made to the company for the repair of the machine, the hospital replied that a request was made on November 29.

Interestingly, Mr Aggarwal had given his application under the Right to Information Act on November 29. He was provided with the requisite information on December 4.

Nilokheri (Karnal), December 5
Stressing on the optimum use of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Secretary of Haryana State Information Commission (SIC), Dr Abhay Singh Yadav said information seekers in the state have mainly to know the status of disciplinary action and property related issues.

Admitting the state agencies were not equipped to practise the RTI, Dr Yadav hoped the government would soon provide manpower for the implementation of the Act.

He favoured proper documentation of records for a quick disposal of any query.

At the one-day workshop on the RTI at the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HRID), here today, Dr Yadav asked officials to speed up work. Officials from state PR department, PRIs, academicians and journalists were present on the occasion.

He also urged the officials to change mindset and pass on the information to the applicants without delay.

He disclosed there was a plan to publish a directory of all the Public Information Officers (PIOs) and assistant public information officers (APIOs). It will be distributed up to all panchayats.

Prof B. K. Kuthiala, chairman of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Kurukshetra University focused on the role of the RTI. He appealed the reporters to use the RTI for newsgathering and said that the Act left no room for sting operations.

He said in the changing scenario of dissemination of information, officials and politicians should take an oath of transparency instead of secrecy. 

Chandigarh, December 5
The INLD Rajya Sabha member, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, has been appointed secretary-general of the Haryana unit of the party, while the former Finance Minister and the “intellectual face” of the party, Prof Sampat Singh, will be the chairman of the policy committee.

These appointments were announced by the president of the Haryana INLD, Mr Ashok Arora, here today. The former state INLD president, Mr Sher Singh Barshami, will chair the disciplinary committee.

Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Mr Mohammed Iliyas, Ms Kanta Devi and Mr Vasudev Sharma, all former ministers, former MLA Balwant Mayna, Mr Satbir Verma and Mr Ram Bhagat Gupta have been appointed vice-presidents.

Mr Ramesh Rana and Mr Ram Kumar Saini, both former MLAs, Ms Santosh Yadav, former member of the Haryana Public Service Commission, Mr Nafe Singh (Jundla), Mr Sunder Lal Sethi, former chairman of the Rohtak Municipal Committee, Mr Ashok Sherwal (Ambala) and Mr Ram Chander Jangra (Jind) will be the general secretaries.

Mr Lila Ram Gujjar and Mr Makhan Singh, both former MLAs, a former Jind Zila Parishad president, Mrs Sumitra, a Gurgaon Municipal Councillor, Mr Dharambir Bagodia, Dr Ashok Kashyap (Karnal), Mr Assa Singh Labanna, former DSP, and Mr Kartar Singh Saini (Jind) have been appointed secretaries.

The former Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Ram Pal Majra will be the organising secretary. Mr Pardeep Chaudhary and Mr Raj Kumar Ridhau will continue as spokesperson and publicity secretary, respectively. Mr Dharampal Gupta (Karnal) will be the cashier, while Mr Nachchattar Singh Rori will be the office secretary. 

Kurukshetra, December 5
The Additional District Judge, Ms Sarita Gupta, has issued a notice for contempt of court against 12 persons, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Dhand police station in this district, Mr Sunder Singh, and the Naib Tehsildar of Thanesar, Mr Des Raj Goyal. The court has fixed February 6,2007, as the next date of hearing in the case on the petition, which has been filed by Mr Baldhir Singh, a resident of this district.

The petitioner alleged that the 12 respondents in the case had violated an order of the court after hatching a conspiracy by which status quo had been ordered regarding the alienation of a piece of land worth Rs 2 crore.

The petitioner submitted that vide an order passed by Ms Gupta in an arbitration case, the parties had been directed to maintain status quo with regard to the alienation of the land in dispute.

The order was in existence when the land in dispute was alienated vide two sale deeds which were got registered at the office of the Naib Tehsildar, Thanesar, on May 11,2006.

The petitioner further alleged that a conspiracy had been hatched to alienate the said piece of land and one of the conspirators was the SHO of the Dhand police station.

He alleged that the SHO had called him and others to the police station under some pretext and later arrested them on the basis of a false FIR with a view to helping the respondents, Mr Jalbir Singh, Ms Rajvati and Mr Nafe Singh Dadupur, in alienating the piece of land in question.

The petitioner submitted that the sale deed had been registered on May 11,2006, the same day on which he had been arrested by the SHO, which shows his connivance in the matter.

The petitioner also alleged that the owner of the land in dispute, late Amar Singh, who was his father, was not even in a fit state of mind at the time of the alleged execution of the sale deed.

The petitioner has prayed to the court for the cancellation of the sale deed and enforcement of the injuction order passed by the court.

Kurukshetra, December 5
At a state-level conference of the Revenue Patwar and Kanungo Association, Haryana here today, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced incentives for Patwaris and Kanungos, like raise in the rent Patwarkhanas, stationery allowance, five opportunities for appearing in departmental examination for promotion from patwari to kanungo and provision of furniture in all 2691 patwar circles of the State.

Mr Hooda, declared an increase in the rent of patwarkhanas from Rs 10 at present to Rs 300 per month in urban areas and Rs 200 in rural areas. Facility of payment of rent would be admissible only in those areas where the patwar circles did not have own buildings. Stationery allowance has been raised from Rs 25 to Rs 100 a per month.

The Chief Minister said all Deputy Commissioners had been instructed to clear their TA bills expeditiously. On the enhancement of salary of kanungos Mr Hooda said this would be considered and the issue of assured career progression (ACP) examined and a decision taken soon. Out of total 2691 patwar circles in the state, 1385 had own buildings and for the remaining would also be constructed and furniture provided in offices of all patwar circles he added.

Terming patwaris and kanungos representatives of the government, like chowkidar, panch and sarpanch, Mr Hooda exhorted them to make Haryana number one state in the country. Patwaris and kanungos raised hands to assure the Chief Minister to make Haryana as the most developed state.

Revenue and Irrigation Minister, Ajay Yadav said the revenue records of the state would be available on a website soon. He said funds had been provided for the computerisation of land records. The department had so far collected Rs 900 crore as stamp fee against the target of Rs 1800 crore during the current year. He asked patwaris and kanungos to help the poor and needy.

Haryana Agriculture Minister, Harmohinder Singh Chattha also asked patwaris and kanungos to improve functioning.

The function was held after a gap of 22 years. Association President, Devender Yadav and Vice-President, Arvind Yadav lauded the policies of the government.

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has formulated a policy to reserve plots for lawyers so as to facilitate them in constructing their houses.

Yamunanagar, December 5
The Haryana Chief Minister inaugurated three-day Inter-Zonal youth festival at DAV College here this evening. More than 1,500 students from 56 colleges of all seven zones of the state are participating in the festival.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda reached the college two hours late. Speaking to packed auditorium of the college Mr Hooda said during college days he too, had participated in youth festivals. He said items on contemporary problems should be performed at such festivals.

Mr Hooda spoke the schemes started by his government for girl child and women’s education. He lauded DAV institutions’ role in education and announced Rs 10 lakh grant for the construction of a common room in the college.

Dr Sushma Arya, Principal of the college, informed cultural items under 26 categories would be organised in the festival.

On day one of the festival 400 students participated in 11 events. Kurukshetra University Vice-Chancellor R.P. Hooda was also present.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated a party office in Radaur and called upon workers to propagate policies and programmes of the government. Mr Raj Pal Kharkali, Radaur president of the party, played a role in the establishment of the office.

He said efforts were on to provide adequate power and drinking water to people.

Dr Ram Prakash, working President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, claimed corruption had been eradicated in the government working and government jobs were being provided on merit. Parliamentary Secretary Dr Krishna Pandit and Jagadhri MLA Subash Chaudhary, were also present in Radaur.

Panchkula, December 5
The Haryana Government will spend Rs 50 lakh on conservation, maintenance and breeding of endangered species of vultures in Haryana as against Rs 34 lakh spent during the last financial year.

The Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Forests Mr H.C. Disodia, informed this while presiding over a meeting of the governing body constituted for overseeing the implementation of the Vulture Conservation Programme in the state in Pinjore here today.

He said the government would take steps to boost conservation and breeding of the endangered species of vultures at the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Pinjore.

Mr Disodia said 116 vultures were being kept at the Pinjore centre. However, only two eggs had been laid during the last breeding season and these had not hatched so far. An action plan for 2006-07 would be prepared by a committee of experts under the chairmanship of the Chief Wildlife Warden.

The population of white backed, long billed and slender billed were on the decline over the past about 15 years and at present these species were on the verge of extinction. It was believed that the vultures were dying because of some virus but in 2004 it was detected that the veterinary drug, declofenac, was the prime cause of the death of these vultures.

Mr Disodia revealed that the vulture programme was launched in 2001 when a Vulture Care Centre was established in Pinjore by the Bombay Natural History Society in collaboration with the Haryana Forests Department. After the detection of the cause of the mortality among the vultures, the emphasis of the programme had been shifted to their conservation and breeding.

Mr J.P.L. Srivasatva, Principal, Chief Conservator of Forests, said the Government of India was being approached for the inclusion of the programme in the eleventh Five Year Plan.

Dr Asad Rahmani, Director, Bombay Natural History Society, Ms Jamima Perry Jones, National Birds of Prey Trust, UK, Mr Chris Bowden of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, UK, and Mr Nick Lindsay, Zoological Society of London, were also present at the meeting.

Rewari, December 5
Two persons were killed and four injured, three of them seriously, when a welding gas cylinder exploded while being unloaded from a vehicle at a shop at the Circular road here today.

The blast was so powerful that the bodies of the deceased were blown to pieces.

The deceased have been identified as Dharam Raj of Naya Gaon and Ved Prakash of Rewari.

The injured, Hazari Lal and Hans Raj, both residents of Bikaner village near here, Desh Raj, a resident of Alwar district and driver of the vehicle, and Jai Singh of Muradabad city of Uttar Pradesh, have been hospitalised here.

The police has booked the company owner Ved Prakash for gross negligence under Section 304-A of the IPC.

Barring Jai Singh, who is a customer, all others were engaged in unloading cylinders.

Meanwhile, Nitin Kumar Yadav, ADC, has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased and a finacial assistance of Rs 25,000 each to the seriously injured on behalf of the Haryana Government.

Bhiwani, December 5
The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam imposed fine of Rs 1.42 crore on 1183 consumers found stealing power last month. A spokesman said a special checking campaign had been launched in the district to stop power theft. He said the Nigam officials inspected meters of 13,922 consumers till last month which included1151 domestic, 1447 industrial and 1424 tubewell consumers.

During inspection, he said, 2275 meters were found faulty. The Nigam also replaced 1240 faulty meters with electronic meters. He said a case had been registered against 126 consumers.