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Sarpanch booked on fraud charge
Dentist shot dead in Karnal
A crowd gathers outside the residence of the victim, Dr Ashwani Choudhary (inset), in Karnal on Thursday.
— Tribune photo by Ravi Kumar
Haryana to unveil document on its martyrs
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State to unveil its martyrs
Flashback-2007
ADC smells a rat, to order
probe
Anti-polythene drive a big draw
Low-quality material used in toilets for BPL families
Rs 16.74 cr to be spent on Kharkhoda bypass
13 accident-prone points identified
BPL Issue
Zila parishad asks police to vacate rest house
Reforms panel moots changes in British-era norms
Thieves decamp with jewellery, cash
Part-time staff to stage dharna
Man found murdered
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Sarpanch booked on fraud charge
Rewari, December 27 A case under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC has been registered against the accused following a complaint filed by Baba Bayanpuri. Sources said Baba Bayanpuri handed a signed blank cheque to sarpanch Bhagat Singh on July 25 this year and asked him to withdraw Rs 50,000 from his account for renovation of a terrace of the monastery. Consequently Bhagat Singh, along with the cheque in which he had reportedly entered the amount of Rs 50,000 only digitally in the presence of the Baba himself, went to the branch of the Central Bank of India at Kosli, where he shrewdly gathered the information that a huge amount was lying in the Baba’s account, after which he craftily made it a cheque for Rs 7.50 lakh. However, when he presented it to the bank for cash, the concerned bank official told him that such a huge amount was not ready at hand following which he got the cheque transferred to the account of his wife Indravati. Thus, while the sarpanch was able to reportedly spend the amount lavishly on the weddings of his son and daughter, Baba Bayanpuri was completely in the dark about the fraudulent conduct of the sarpanch. However, recently a devotee, who went to the bank to deposit a donated amount of Rs 10,000 in the Baba’s account, informed Baba Bayanpuri that there was only Rs 22,000 in his account. On hearing this, Baba Bayanpuri was completely nonplussed. Later, he made enquiries from the bank that revealed the factual position after which a panchayat was convened on December 18, in which sarpanch Bhagat Singh reportedly admitted that the withdrawn amount of Rs 7.50 lakh had been spent by him on the weddings of his son and daughter, and now he had no money left. Meanwhile, an infuriated villager allegedly sprinkled petrol on Bhagat Singh and made a bid to set him afire after which the panchayat dispersed inconclusively in a huff. Consequently, on a complaint made by Bhagat Singh, the Kosli police registered a case of attempt to murder under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC against accused. The panchayat was again convened on December 23 to settle the matter, but Bhagat Singh did not reportedly turn up even after repeated calls. Eventually, Baba Bayanpuri, along with the village elders went to the Kosli police station and filed a formal complaint against the erring sarpanch yesterday.
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Dentist shot dead in Karnal
Karnal, December 27 Dr Ashwani Choudhary received a fatal bullet injury in the right eye. The criminal had entered the house by breaking a window grill in the front. The postmortem report confirmed that the medico died due to a brain injury caused by a firearm. Meanwhile, the incident created fear among locals. The victim’s house is just a few metres away from the mini-secretariat that houses offices of the deputy commissioner and the SSP and the police post of Sector 13 is also 100 metres away. However, nothing was stolen from the house. Family sources said the deceased and his wife, Dr Rachna, had reached home at about 12.50 am. When Rachna entered the kitchen, the criminal fired a gunshot but missed the aim. Hearing the gunfire, Choudhary rushed to the spot and the criminal fired at him in the right eye, said the police. He was immediately rushed to the trauma centre but later succumbed to the injury. Teams of dog squad and fingerprint experts from Forensic Science Laboratory, Madhuban, have taken samples from the crime spot. It is officially learnt that the police was investigating on several theories including that if it was a
"targeted'' killing. Karnal police chief A.S. Chawala said a .32 mm bore pellet recovered from the spot had been sent for further examination to ascertain the kind of weapon used in the killing. The SSP said normally thieves attack houses in groups but not alone as reported in this case. Secondly, no attempt was made to steal anything from the house. |
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Haryana to unveil document on its martyrs
Chandigarh, December 27 The biographies of these martyrs, many of whom were hung for daring to challenge the British authority, are a part of “Who’s Who of the Martyrs of Haryana”, ready for publication. Initiative of the archives department, the first book about the state’s martyrs seeks to clear the dust on the role of people, who died lusting for freedom. References for this exhaustive document, being published in the 150th year of the First War of Independence, came from Haryana’s public records. A striking finding of the research pertains to Haryanavis transported for life imprisonment beyond sea for trying to dampen the anti-imperialistic fury. “Over 300 Haryanavis were transported beyond sea; many of them came from Panipat and Thanesar. This finding is yet to be recorded, but we have provided biographies of martyrs,” Rajwanti Mann, deputy director at the department today told The Tribune. Among prominent Haryanavis transported beyond sea were leaders of the Wahabi movement of early 1870s. These included Jaffar Thanesari, Abdul Gaffar, Abdul Karim Mohammad and Shafi Lahauri. The movement, though not technically part of the freedom struggle, sought to restore the Muslim rule in India and attracted mass sacrifices from tall leaders of the community. For documentation purpose, martyrs have been segregated into two categories - those who were hanged and those who were transported beyond the sea. Over 1,500 Haryanavis faced execution; biographies of most of them have been prepared for publication, which focuses prominently on the First War of Independence. Close to 2,000 Haryanavis of this era have been listed in the document, who were recently approved for publication by the director, archives J.P. Kaushik. Among others, profiles are those of Waryam Singh of Ambala and Baksha Singh of Sirsa, who were among the 68 Kukas blown up with cannons near Malerkotla; Kashi Ram of Ambala, who was part of Ghadar movement and over 15,000 Haryanavis, who joined the ranks of Indian National Army after having served the British against their wishes. More than 400 such soldiers later attained martyrdom as part of INA. The archives document also features the Peasant Movement. “Participants of this movement were doubly crushed by the Lahore Nawab and the British. Around 35 persons from village Singhani were persecuted,” Mann said. As for the book, it covers the period from the takeover of Haryana territory in 1803 to the attainment of freedom in 1947. It explains how and when the seeds of rebellion were sown. Soon after the takeover of Haryana territory following the Treaty between Daulat Rao Scindia and the British in 1803, the policies of imperialistic exploitation could not be digested by the masses. Soon, by interfering in the private affairs of Nawab Shamsudin Khan of Ferozepur Jhirhka, William Fraser, a resident of Delhi, who was murdered by Karim Khan. For this act, Shamsudin and Karim were hung at Delhi before 18, 000 persons were hanged. This act caused extreme anger and agony, alienating several Indian soldiers serving the company. They then spearheaded the rebellion which turned into popular revolt in which Haryana generously contributed its bit. |
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State to unveil its martyrs
Chandigarh, December 27 The biographies of these martyrs, many of whom were hung for daring to challenge the British authority, are a part of “Who’s Who of the Martyrs of Haryana”, ready for publication. Initiative of the archives department, the first book about the state’s martyrs seeks to clear the dust on the role of people, who died lusting for freedom. References for this exhaustive document, being published in the 150th year of the First War of Independence, came from Haryana’s public records. A striking finding of the research pertains to Haryanavis transported for life imprisonment beyond sea for trying to dampen the anti-imperialistic fury. “Over 300 Haryanavis were transported beyond sea; many of them came from Panipat and Thanesar. This finding is yet to be recorded, but we have provided biographies of martyrs,” Rajwanti Mann, deputy director at the department today told The Tribune. Among prominent Haryanavis transported beyond sea were leaders of the Wahabi movement of early 1870s. These included Jaffar Thanesari, Abdul Gaffar, Abdul Karim Mohammad and Shafi Lahauri. The movement, though not technically part of the freedom struggle, sought to restore the Muslim rule in India and attracted mass sacrifices from tall leaders of the community. For documentation purpose, martyrs have been segregated into two categories - those who were hanged and those who were transported beyond the sea. Over 1,500 Haryanavis faced execution; biographies of most of them have been prepared for publication, which focuses prominently on the First War of Independence. Close to 2,000 Haryanavis of this era have been listed in the document, who were recently approved for publication by the director, archives J.P. Kaushik. Among others, profiles are those of Waryam Singh of Ambala and Baksha Singh of Sirsa, who were among the 68 Kukas blown up with cannons near Malerkotla; Kashi Ram of Ambala, who was part of Ghadar movement and over 15,000 Haryanavis, who joined the ranks of Indian National Army after having served the British against their wishes. More than 400 such soldiers later attained martyrdom as part of INA. The archives document also features the Peasant Movement. “Participants of this movement were doubly crushed by the Lahore Nawab and the British. Around 35 persons from village Singhani were persecuted,” Mann said. As for the book, it covers the period from the takeover of Haryana territory in 1803 to the attainment of freedom in 1947. It explains how and when the seeds of rebellion were sown. Soon, by interfering in the private affairs of Nawab Shamsudin Khan of Ferozepur Jhirhka, William Fraser, a resident of Delhi, who was murdered by Karim Khan. For this act, Shamsudin and Karim were hung at Delhi before 18, 000 persons were hung.
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Real estate was at centre stage
Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 27 The year 2007, which is now drawing to a close, saw an unprecedented number of people dreaming and scheming to become rich by selling land whose price has skyrocketed in the state. It has become a habit with Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to announce relief for various sections of people and try to make an impression on beneficiaries. The recent announcement to waive house tax is one such step that can be recalled in this connection. The announcement of giving free of cost 100 sq yards of plots to below poverty line (BPL) families, however, has created difficulties as the soaring price of land has got a huge number of unwanted people getting interested in the scheme. The government is now trying to wriggle out of the logjam by saying only poor dalits will be given the plots. The scheme, it is believed by followers of Hooda, will further cement the Congress party’s bond with the Dalits. While question still remains about effective implementation of the promise, the announcement brought to the fore the extent of the craving for real estate ownership among ordinary people. In some areas of the state, land has always been a precious possession and disposing a piece of land has always given the owner handsome cash in return. In the Hooda era, the idea has got very widely disseminated and has found an unprecedented number of adherents. The government propaganda on this front is on the expected line of industry supposedly coming to the state and the consequent increase in employment opportunities. It is, however, a fact that companies known for making residential buildings are one of the most important driving force behind the real estate boom in the state. The floor rate policy introduced by the Chief Minister for determining the price of land gave a boost to the land prices in the state. Invariably, the phenomenon has a flip side also. As a result of the increase in the land price, it has become hard to come by any offer of giving land free of cost for setting up of any institution urgently needed by the public. Hooda, though, is still able to ride on the crest of the dream of “real estate riches”. He has not resorted to arm-twisting of any section of the population and the police in his regime, other than the infamous assault on labourers in Gurgaon in 2005, have shown restraint when it came to handling agitations involving a large number of people. While the dream of owning valuable real estate is likely to remain a dream only for most of its seekers, the thrust on English education of children and vocational training of young people are among the steps that are directed at enabling the residents exploit the opportunities thrown up by India’s integration with the global economy. Hooda, certainly, is not going to change his track next year or the year after that. These are also going to be a mixture of sops and talks. The CM must be readying his plans for some grand sops to woo the voters for the Lok Sabha elections and subsequently for the elections of the state Assembly. He will also like to showcase some power sector projects to endear himself to the masses.
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ADC smells a rat, to order
probe Sushil Manav
Fatehabad, December 27 As in the case of the midday meal scheme, the demand for funds under the ICDS scheme suddenly came down to less than half of previous months’ demands after the additional deputy commissioner demanded statement of account for the money released by his office to project officer, ICDS, Asha Setia. The cut in demand is so gross that ADC C.G. Rajnikanthan has decided to probe the matter to find out the possibility of misappropriation of government money in the past. Earlier, the demand for food grains under the midday meal scheme had decreased from 1,600 quintals to 625 quintals when the ADC demanded complete records of food grains supplied, consumed and lying unconsumed in various schools of the district. Under the ICDS scheme, supplement nutrition is provided to small children, adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers at anganwadis set up in various villages. The government provides supplement nutrition worth Rs 3 per day to children and Rs 5 per day to adolescent girls and mothers. A sum of about Rs 2 lakh per day is spent at 704 anganwadi centres in Fatehabad district. According to the procedure, the project officer, ICDS, places a demand for funds with the ADC on quarterly basis, who in turn releases payment accordingly. The project officer demanded Rs 1.53 crore for the period from October to December, which was released by the ADC. Rajnikanthan got suspicious of the process as he was not convinced about the fact that almost a similar amount of Rs 2 per day (barring holidays) was being spent for a long time while it might not be possible for every child, adolescent girl and mother to visit anganwadi centre everyday without break. He directed the project officer of the ICDS to prepare a complete statement of the funds received and consumed on day-to-day basis with the number of beneficiaries and also closing balance lying in bank accounts of the anganwadis. Last time, while issuing grant for funds, he made it clear that no further funds would be released unless he received a report on monthly basis. The move yielded astonishing results. Asha Setia, who submitted reports for the months of October and November to the ADC today, has placed a demand for Rs 25 lakh for the month of January, which is less than half the demand of Rs 1.53 crore for a quarter (Rs 51 lakh per month) from October to December. The report submitted showed that a sum of Rs 78.90 lakh had been consumed in the district under the ICDS scheme in October and November and a sum of Rs 74.50 lakh was still lying unutilised in accounts of anganwadis. This is sharp in contrast to the amount of Rs 50 to Rs 55 lakh being spent every month under the scheme. Rajnikanthan told The Tribune that looking into the fact that Rs 74.5 lakh were still lying in the accounts of anganwadis, not much funds were required till the end of January. But since the money had been disproportionately distributed among anganwadis, he might have to release Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh. He said he would look into matter in detail to ensure that there was proportionate distribution of funds among all anganwadis of the district in future.
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Anti-polythene drive a big draw
Karnal, December 27 The drive received tremendous response from the people, and NGOs even distributed 30,000 jute bags to discourage the use of polythene. As many as 108 villages and all towns of the district have been covered under this programme. The initiator of this campaign, Malik, claimed that 30 per cent decline had been registered in the use of polythene bags due to this campaign in the district. The campaign had been proving very useful in creating awareness in the public regarding eliminating the use of polythene bags and maintaining the ecological balance. It would also minimise the danger of floods, he added. The deputy commissioner informed that the names of 153 panchayats of the district had been recommended for “Nirmal Purskar” to the Government of India. He further informed that this drive would also be continued in the second successive year. He further said in order to create awareness regarding polythene, a short documentary film entitled “Polythene Hataao, Paryavaran Bachao: Ek Paryaas” had been showing in the district. Besides this, plays would also be organised on this subject. Inspired by the ongoing ‘polythene removal drive’ sarpanches, panches, NGOs and educational institutes decided to clean all villages and towns of district. Malik said the drive proved to be very successful in the district because of the participation of people and various field agencies. He hoped that by adopting the habit of cleanliness, the people could get a healthy environment, which would keep them away from various diseases. He said the drive would ensure maintenance of a proper standard of sanitation and cleanliness by field agencies with proper supervision at ground level. It requires a team effort by the people, educational institutes, officers of various department and safai karamcharis in the future also, he added. |
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Low-quality material used in toilets for BPL families
Fatehabad, December 27 According to reports, as many as 20,000 toilet seats were purchased by the six block development and panchayat officers (BDPOs) of the district at a rate ranging between Rs 290 to Rs 350 per seat for installing in toilets at the residences of the BPL people in villages. However, some families complained that the seats and the pipes used in their toilets were of inferior quality. Additional deputy commissioner C. G. Rajnikanthan, who looks after the campaign in the district, found that the seats purchased by the BDPOs were of local manufacturers, while those of Hindware, an ISI certified company, were available in market for Rs 252 only. The ADC has directed the assistant project officers (APOs) working under him in the campaign to purchase Hindware seats only. He has also begun an inquiry to find out why inferior-quality seats were purchased when a good quality seats were available in the market at a lesser price. According to sources, the government provided a sum of Rs 1,200 per unit for construction of sanitary toilets for the BPL families. Meanwhile, Nirmaljit Kaur, chairperson of the Panchayat Samiti, Ratia, has alleged that funds had been misappropriated by the Panchayat Department in the implementation of the TSC scheme among the BPL families in Ratia block of the district. Talking to mediapersons here today, Nirmaljit Kaur alleged that while the government provided Rs 1,200 per unit for the construction of toilets for BPL families, amount ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per unit had been spent in her block. She alleged that some BPL families of her block had been provided a toilet seat only and had been asked to bear the cost of construction of toilets by themselves. She said she had demanded a thorough inquiry into the misappropriation of government funds by those running the campaign in her block. The ADC, when contacted, informed that an inquiry had already been initiated against the then block development and panchayat officer, Balbir Singh of Ratia, in this regard. He said the officer had since then been transferred by the government from Ratia. He further informed that prima facie allegations of misappropriation of funds against him had been found correct. |
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Rs 16.74 cr to be spent on Kharkhoda bypass
Sonepat, December 27 Speaking on the occasion, Ram Chandaran said the bypass for which Haryana government spent around Rs 7 crore for acquisition of land would be of 9 m width and of 5.50 km length. It would connect Gopalpur road, Sahadurgarh road, Sampla road, Matindu road, Rohtak road, Sonepat road and Thana Kalan road. He disclosed that the Central government had planned to spend Rs 1,500 crore on various development projects in NCR areas during the 11th Five Year Plan, and construction of Gurgaon Metro would be completed by 2010. He also suggested that the state government should formulate plan for the development of the areas adjoining the NCR and asked the administration authorities to ensure that quality-works was completed on time. Deepender Hooda assured the people that Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonepat would be developed on the pattern of Gurgoan and Faridabad, and Chief Minister Hooda had submitted number of development proposals for NCR areas. “I also have invited Prime Minister’s attention towards new development plans for this region,” he added. Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, member secretary of the NCR Planning Board P. D. Sudhakar, Rohat MLA Sukhbir Farmana, DCC (rural) president Jitender Malik MLA, commissioner and secretary PWD (B&R) Haryana K. K. Jalan and deputy commissioner DPS Nagal were present on the occasion.
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13 accident-prone points identified Aarti Kapur Tribune News Service
Gurgaon, December 27 Sources in the traffic police informed that after the survey it was found that at these points the load of the traffic during night hours was very heavy. The points identified include Shanker Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, South City, Rajeev Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, Sector 29 red lights, Chakkerpur red light, Nathurpur, Bristol, Genpact, R D city, Kenhai Chowk and Z-cross Chowk. Official further informed that a decision had been taken to post two to four traffic constables according the load of the traffic at these points. On the IFFCO Chowk four cops would be posted while on the Hero Honda Chowk three cops would man the traffic. He said all the 13 points had been divided in two zones, which would be supervised by two zonal officers. Joint commissioner of police Manjeet S. Alhawat stated that with the increase in traffic in Gurgaon, there was need to take concrete measures to smoothen the traffic in the city. He said by appointing cops on these points, the drunken drivers and those with over speeding at night would be challaned. He said the cops would also help to streamline the movement of the traffic during jam hours in the city. Alhawat said soon the lady traffic constables would also be seen on the city roads to manage and control the traffic in Gurgaon. After the implementation of this plan, there is likelihood of improvement in the movement of traffic in the town. Official said there were around 300 traffic constables who were at present managing the traffic in Gurgaon.
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Fresh survey likely to be over by Jan 6
Tribune News Service
Jind, December 27 The fresh survey in this regard, which was launched a week back, is likely to be over by January 6 in the district. There had been about 43,000 BPL families in the district as per the last survey. Local authorities have deputed several teams of officials under the direct supervision of the additional deputy commissioner to re-conduct the survey and examine all complaints lodged by the people. Besides holding meetings with elected representatives, the teams had been visiting houses of poor and Dalit families, claimed a senior official. He said though a majority of people were in favour of declaring the names of beneficiaries, which were to be included in the list, it was not possible technically and such a move could lead to clashes among villagers. Villagers had been assured that no genuine case would be left out and elected representatives had been asked to furnish names and details of persons who had been left out in the previous list. Deputy commissioner Yudhvir Singh said the work in this connection was likely to be completed by the end of the first week of January. He said he had been monitoring the developments made the officials concerned. Going by the development, the total number of BPL beneficiaries in the district was expected to touch 60,000 this time, sources claimed. The total population in the district is over 11 lakh. Leaders of the Haryana Janhit Congress party organised a protest march and demonstration in the city here yesterday demanding a CBI inquiry into the BPL ‘scam’ and action against those involved in it. A memorandum was submitted to the President and Governor via district authorities.
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Zila parishad asks police to vacate rest house
Yamunanagar, December 27 The zila parishad, at its house meeting today, passed a resolution and asked the police to vacate the rest house located on the National Highway No. 73. The zila parishad till date had been renting offices for itself. At present, the zila parishad office is located on the second floor in building near Sant Nishcal Singh Public School on the national highway in Yamunanagar. The parishad pays Rs 2,335 as rent for the office. Zila parishad chairman Shyam Sunder Batra said the zila parishad will construct a new office for itself at the rest house. “The house passed a resolution and it will be sent to the director of the panchyat department,” said Batra. The police department had taken the rest house from the parishad for setting up a DSP house, but later used it as a police station. |
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Reforms panel moots changes in British-era norms
New Delhi, December 27 The ARC headed by MLA Karan Singh Dalal, interacted with divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners of Gurgaon and Rohtak today to seek suggestions for streamlining the administration and making common man’s interface with it a pleasant experience. The four-member ARC, which had its first meeting in Chandigarh, said it would address specific issues and also give an interim report. The first report, on improving PDS system and ridding it of corruption, is likely to be submitted in February. Dalal said it had received suggestions from the deputy commissioners to focus more on public-oriented duties and less on routine work. He said the commission was studying the Accountability Act of Jammu and Kashmir and was likely to make a similar recommendations for Haryana. |
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Thieves decamp with jewellery, cash
Yamunanagar, December 27 The theft was noticed when the family returned home this morning. The thieves had searched the entire house for valuables. Thieves also struck the house of Harish Nagpal located at Chhoti Line here and took away valuables. The police has registered two cases of theft. |
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Part-time staff to stage dharna
Bhiwani, December 27 He told that prior to this agitation, a delegation of the sangh would meet education minister Mange Ram Gupta at his Jind residence on December 29 and urge to accept their demands. Bimlesh said the government had adopted apathetic attitude towards regularising their services. The state government was recruiting persons in education department whereas hundreds of part-time employees were awaiting for their services to be regularised. |
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Man found murdered
Bhiwani, December 27 According to a report, the deceased, identified as Shiv Kumar of the local Halu Bazar area, had gone to a factory on duty last night, but three car-borne persons left him with injuries at the chowk. Rakesh, a relative of the deceased, said Kumar had entered into an altercation with a contractor of the factory and the contractor and his associates allegedly beat him up, and later threw him out from the car. The victim was rushed to a private nursing home, where doctors referred him to the civil hospital, but he died on the way to hospital.
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Agrawal is IG
Chandigarh, December 27 |
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Karnal, December 27
