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ASI killed in mob violence
Hooda blames power crisis on winter-rain failure
Recruitment of School Teachers |
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Staff shortage paralyses Kaithal MC
Rural Road Scheme
Rival families vow to end conflict
Helpline for war widows
Seminars mark road safety week
Tribune Impact
67 pc kids administered polio drops
A Muslim woman looks on as her baby is being administered polio drops in Sonepat on Sunday. — PTI
photo
State produces highest wheat per hectare
‘Hooda govt failed on all fronts’
Residents sore over power cuts
2 held for adulterating cement
Parliamentary secretary Dura Ram being felicitated
by villagers in Fatehabad on Sunday. — Photo by Sushil Manav
Bar council member felicitated
Scouts and Guides bag 17 awards
Housing board to hold draw for flats
Hooda to lay stone of traffic park
Ex-sarpanch booked for assault
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ASI killed in mob violence
Jind, January 6 One person was also injured in the incident. The police has arrested six persons allegedly involved in the violence that led to the death of ASI Narender Singh. The body of the deceased has been sent to his paternal Madina village in Rohtak district after the postmortem examination. According to the FIR, after receiving report of clash between two groups over a controversy regarding the possession of a house, a team of police, led by the ASI, was rushed to Balmiki Basti near Ram Rai gate around 10.20 pm yesterday. As the police team was negotiating peace between the two groups, Narender Singh was hit by a brick on his head and he died on the spot. SP J.S. Lamba said the department would recommend his name for bravery award as he lost his life while doing his duty. Meanwhile, a police official claimed, “Had the department taken safety measures like asking him to wear a helmet while dealing with mob violence, he may not have lost his life in such a manner”. It is revealed that the incident took place after the family of Bhagirath objected to the possession of a house by one Hari Madho, who had purchased the building despite opposition by Bhagirath, a kin of the seller. |
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Hooda blames power crisis on winter-rain failure
Rohtak, January 6 Hooda said this after laying the foundation stone of a 132 kv power substation at Industrial Development Complex, to be constructed by the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) at a cost of Rs 10 crore here today. “There has been a significant shortfall in the winter rains in the state during the months of November and December as compared to previous years. This has increased the electricity demand of the agriculture sector,” he said, adding that the state government’s priority was to arrange and supply adequate power as per schedule to tubewells. The Chief Minister disclosed that the government was purchasing electricity at high rates to meet the consumers’ demand and ensure sufficient power to the agriculture sector. Regarding the long-term measures taken by the state government to boost power generation, Hooda asserted that a comprehensive plan had been prepared in this regard. “Work is going on in full swing at the power generation plants at Khedar in Hisar and Jharli in Jhajjar. Simultaneously, the power transmission and distribution system is also being strengthened,” he maintained. Hooda revealed that in the 11th plan period, the government had planned to spend Rs 24,316 crore to strengthen the power sector. The Chief Minister also launched three public utility projects in Rohtak involving an investment of about Rs 49 crore to meet the increasing demand of the people of the town and neighbouring villages. Hooda first laid the foundation stone of a joint bridge over the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) canal and Bhalaut Sub Branch (BSB) of West Yamuna Canal on the outskirts of the town to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicular traffic on National Highway No.10. The 3-lane overbridge will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.61 crore within a period of nine months. He performed the stone-laying ceremony of a railway over-bridge over the Delhi-Bathinda railway line near the MDU campus in the town. The 45-meter wide bridge, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 34.51 crore, will help in diverting the heavy vehicles plying on National Highway No.71A without entering the town. Meanwhile, congratulating the new recruits at Army Recruiting Office, Hooda recalled that soldiers from Haryana had made supreme sacrifices to safeguard the unity and integrity of the nation. Welcoming the Chie Minister, Brig J.S.Mann informed that in the new recruitment for clerical posts in the Army, 30 per cent of the new recruits belonged to Haryana. Amidst his hectic schedule in the town today, Hooda went to greet local Congress MLA Shadi Lal Batra on his birthday. He met the party workers who had assembled in large numbers at the DLF colony park. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda and MLA Anand Singh Dangi were also present on the occasion. The CM also heard public grievances at the local Canal Rest House. He also inaugurated newly constructed Jat Bhawan near HUDA Sector 1. The double-storey building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. |
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Recruitment of School Teachers Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 6 To bring about greater transparency in the recruitment of teachers as also to pick the best among the applicants, the Haryana Education Department had proposed the introduction of a screening test. With about 25,000 vacancies available in schools, the department is hoping to recruit 15,000 teachers through the test. With a requisition of nearly 10,000 teachers already pending with the state staff selection board (SSB), officials maintain that the already laid out procedure would be followed in the recruitment of these teachers but any new recruitment will be made only by way of the test. According to the present system being followed for the recruitment of teachers, the department sends in its requirement. Based on this requirement, the SSB holds interviews and selects the candidates. Sources in the department said under the new system, the department would conduct a test of all candidates applying for the post of teachers. After the test and on the basis of the result, the department would shortlist two or three times the total number of posts available. These names would be forwarded to the SSB which would then hold interviews of these candidates and give out a final list of selected candidates. This way, the department will not only be able to make a fair selection while warding off any unwanted pressures but will also be able to recruit the best teachers from among those available. This is one of the many changes being proposed to raise the standards of teaching and learning in the state. Aiming at a complete overhaul of the existing set up in education, the Chief Minister has already announced observing 2008 as the Year of Education. While a number of other changes are proposed, an expert group will deliberate on incentives which can be offered to encourage the good teachers to continue their profession of teaching as a mission and also to motivate others. Besides, a large number of reforms at the college and university level in addition to school-level teaching will also be introduced. The proposal will now be tabled at the next Cabinet meeting for final approval.
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State now eyes another airport project: Surjewala
Chandigarh, January 6 State power minister Randeep Singh Surjewala yesterday disclosed that the next target of the Haryana government would be to get approval for setting up another international airport in the NCR which was a more suited destination compared to Noida where an international airport was being planned. Surjewala said the matter had already been taken up by the state government in view the growing need of air passengers. He pointed out that reports showed that in the next five years there would be 17.9 per cent increase in aircraft movement, 22 per cent in passenger traffic, 7.9 per cent in cargo and that the present airports would saturate in 2016. “This would be the next milestone achieved by the present government in the development of the state, as the Prime Minister has given positive signals for the same,” he maintained. Complimenting the Punjab Government for recognising Haryana’s claim without a fuss in the setting up of the Chandigarh airport, he suggested that all long-pending issues, including the SYL canal, boundary disputes and
Hansi-Bhutana link canal, would be resolved mutually and in the same spirit. He said the Haryana Chief Minister had shown firmness of resolve to protect state’s interest in the all-important creation of special purpose vehicle for the Chandigarh airport project. He said the state government had earlier taken up the matter with the centre. The union ministry of civil aviation was offered two options. “One option was that in case the defence and civil airports could not be set up at one place, Haryana was ready to part land in Panchkula or Naraingarh for an international airport. The second proposal was if the airport was to be set up at the same place, then 51 per cent share would be of union government and remaining 49 per cent would be shared equally by Haryana and Punjab,” he maintained. Surjewala said now the additional land required for the Chandigarh airport would be valued and all three partners would pay their respective shares. With staking its right over the Chandigarh airport, Haryana had been able to decisively affirm its claim not only on Chandigarh but also on its territory and water, he added. Later, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Surjewala, thanked UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and union civil aviation minister Praful Patel for extending their support in ensuring that Haryana gets its rightful share. |
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Staff shortage paralyses Kaithal MC
Kaithal, January 6 Several times some persons from other civic bodies were given additional charge but no permanent person was appointed on these posts. As a result, the functioning of this local body has been adversely affected. The post of building inspector has been lying vacant since 2001. Since then the charge has remained with a draftsman or junior engineer. The post of draftsman too had fallen vacant about four months ago but now one has been posted in his place. Similarly, the post of secretary had been lying vacant for the past more than a year. When executive officer is on leave or unavailable, important documents like birth and death certificates are issued after being signed by some junior functionaries, who are not competent to sign such documents. The posts of chief sanitary inspector and sanitary inspector have remained vacant at one time or the other during the past few years. Now, for the past more than a year, the post of sanitary has been lying vacant. Residents of the town have been complaining of poor sanitary conditions, but there is no change in the scenario. The post of clerk in sanitary branch has been lying vacant and a peon has been given the charge of this post. Interestingly, the boundary limits of the municipal council have increased following the inclusion of some rural areas in its jurisdiction. There is no permanent superintendent to look after the affairs of the tax branch but on some occasions inspectors of this branch handle this work or someone working in neighbouring towns get the dual charge. The post of accountant has been lying vacant for the past about eight months. The record keeper retired long back and a peon has been performing clerical functions. The posts of rent clerk and librarian have been lying vacant since long. Interestingly, a number of functionaries continue to hold the dual charge of some posts and some of them remain overburdened but state government officials seem to have to no time to streamline the functioning of this civic body. |
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‘Very good’ ranking for state
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 6 While stating this here today, Haryana PWD (B&R) minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav said in respect of implementation of PMGSY phase VII projects as many as 108 roads had been sanctioned under the scheme and the tenders for 74 roads had already been received and the work had been awarded. Tender process was on for the remaining roads. Yadav said the department had implemented e-tendering system for procuring all contracts under PMGSY phase-VII to smoothen the process of inviting tenders. He said a sum of Rs 70 crore would be given by the government to meet the excess cost of phase V and VI works. The works on phase V and VI were near completion and the union ministry of rural development had commended the performance of the state government on these works. He said Haryana was the best performing state as far as PMGSY was concerned and it had achieved first position in utilisation of funds under the scheme. The minister maintained that the only other state that had been clubbed with Haryana in ‘very good’ category is Rajasthan. He clarified that in respect of achievement of physical and financial targets, Haryana’s performance was rated better than Rajasthan.
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Rival families vow to end conflict
Jhajjar, January 6 A panchayat of Sidipur 17, a conglomerate of 17 villages, was organised in the village today, which was presided over by a septuagenarian khap leader Shri Chand Mann. About 300 representatives of various khaps attended the meeting that lasted for over two hours. The panchayat had been making efforts for a long time to restore peace between these two families as many other families were facing the difficulties due to the violence. Sources said about 20 households had left the village after the clashes fearing that they could be targeted. Besides a number of youths are facing criminal cases and have been declared wanted by the police. It all begun on Diwali in 1999 when heated arguments were exchanged between Braham, son of Man Singh, then sarpanch of the village, and one Randhir Singh, who belonged to prominent nambardar family, regarding overflow of street water. Irked over the incident, the sarpanch group shot dead two persons of the rival family a few days later. The nambardar family retaliated by making a murderous attack on Ramesh, brother of Braham, who figured among the accused in the double murder case. Ramesh succumbed to his injuries after a few days. Since then 10 persons from both sides had fallen prey to bullets and several families had been ruined. The last murder took place in January 2004, but still the fear of more violence was looming large over both camps. Two prominent people from both factions, Maha Singh from Sarpanch group and Balwan Singh from Nambardar camp took vows not to resort to any kind of violence in future. They also decided to work for the return of the displaced families. About 20 youths from both groups were also called in the meeting. |
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Helpline for war widows
Rewari, January 6 The newly established office of the helpline service was inaugurated by former union minister and chief patron of the
RLSS, Col Ram Singh, at the Rezang La War Memorial here recently. This helpline will be free of cost. Naresh Chauhan, general secretary of the
RLSS, said there were about 500 war widows and over 2,500 other dependants of martyrs in south Haryana comprising Rewari, Mahendragarh and Gurgaon districts. He added that the RLSS had received inputs which suggested that these war widows and others had been feeling handicapped in expeditious redressal of their grievances owing to the prolonged absence of regular secretaries in these zila sainik boards. He said the secretary of the Zila Sainik Board, Faridabad, had been holding additional charge of the other three boards as well for a pretty long time, which was proving detrimental to the pragmatic functioning of these boards. As regards the helpline service office, he said war widows and others could either submit the applications pertaining to their problems in person at the above office on Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm or they could convey the same on telephone numbers 9215564877 and 9254364877. The office would then sort out their problems with the authorities concerned following which the factual position would be made available to them within 14 days. |
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Seminars mark road safety week
Chandigarh, January 6 State transport minister Mange Ram Gupta said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda would be the chief guest on the closing ceremony. The minister said the transport department had drawn up a list of activities that were being conducted in a befitting manner in coordination with other departments, agencies and district authorities. Banners, posters and pamphlets had been put up at all bus stands and depots and road safety seminars and programmes were also being organised to motivate the public as well as roadways staff about the safety of life. Gupta said the department would honour those drivers who had successfully carried out their duty without any accident. Programmes for the drivers had also been chalked out wherein the eyesight of all drivers was being checked during the week, besides checks being conducted in coordination with the district authorities on all major highways to book drivers indulging in over speeding or drunken driving. |
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Police wakes up to parking woes on NH-1
Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service
Panipat, January 6 At least four shrines, including Shani temples at Kohanbd and Umri and mazaars at Uncha Samana and Shahbad, have been identified for the project where a large number of devotees visit mainly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The district police heads have also been asked to rope in the various shrine managements to ensure safe parking and clean surroundings around the shrines. According to sources V.N Rai, the ADGP and head of the Haryana police academy, Madhuban, too had objected to the unauthorised parking on the GT Road at a mazaar near the police complex. Rai had reportedly complained to NH police that the academy police jawans had to face difficulty in boarding roadways buses as these were unable to halt at the designated bus stop due to the crowded stretch. AIG Rajpal Singh, who is also the nodal officer for traffic regulation in the state, informed TNS today that the SPs had been directed to adopt the concept of community policing. He said it was indeed a serious matter as there was a possible threat to motorists and pedestrians due to haphazard parking on the NH-1. He clarified that it was the sole duty of those managing any institution including shrines, to provide safe parking without hindering the smooth flow of the traffic.
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Bureaucrat shows the way
Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 6 But Rajesh Khullar, a Haryana bureaucrat, talks about the fifth mode of HIV infection and shows how to avoid it. It’s for this simple reason that his fictional account of HIV -- its meaning, dynamics and implications -- is making waves in the social domain, where myths and misconceptions about HIV abound. “Most of the available literature talks big and hovers around the surface. It doesn’t touch people at the human level. I deal with HIV on the top scientific level down to pedestrian, where people need to know not just the fact that condoms can prevent infections, but that they are no good if they have been kept in the rear pockets where wear and tear damages them,” says Khullar, whose book “Viral Match” sets the HIV record straight. One, it breaks free of the drab routine of doling out technical jargon and usual stuff on HIV -- what it is, how it differs from AIDS, how it is passed, et al. The author changes tack and asks if the youths know anything about small technicalities that get buried in big talk. “I tell things which NACO literature does not; things that clear of dust on HIV and on how discrimination against HIV positive people exists even when the country is batting for a law to prevent it,” says Khullar, on his first visit to Chandigarh after the release of the book by the Indian cricket team at Bangalore recently. All of 280 pages, the thriller simplifies HIV for a common man. Interestingly, it also mentions the “denialist movement”, which says no such thing as HIV exists. There is another group of researchers the book brings alive. “These people believe that HIV exists but doesn’t cause AIDS. I discuss HIV at a global level,” says the author. At one point, he creates an HIV counsellor who seems out of the world. At another, he describes the conflicts in a man-wife relationship after the two, at their individual levels, discover they are carrying the virus. Both presume they have got it from the other until truth shakes them out of their wits.
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67 pc kids administered polio drops
Chandigarh, January 6 While stating this, Haryana health minister Kartar Devi said during the three-day campaign about 40 lakh children would be covered and house-to-house activities would also carried out to administer polio vaccine to the left out children. The minister said as many as 15,840 booths had been set up at locations convenient to people for the successful implementation of the IPPI round and about 64,000 vaccinators drawn from health officials, volunteers, anganwari workers and the ASHA had been engaged to make this drive a success. She said special attention was being given to slums, far-flung areas, isolated hutments, brick-kilns and floating and migrating population. About 3,200 supervisors had been overseeing the functioning of the vaccination teams, who would ensure that no child was left out. Nodal officers from the state headquarters and independent monitors from Pt B.D.S. Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, also monitored the campaign to ensure quality of services and complete coverage. The minister urged the people to get their children immunised on January 7 and 8 if they had been left out in today’s drive.
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State produces highest wheat per hectare
Chandigarh, January 6 A spokesman of the agriculture department said this had been possible due to the hardwork of the farmers and the facilities of improved seeds, pesticides, power and water made available by the government. He said Haryana has set the highest ever target of 104.85 lakh tonnes of foodgrain production during the rabi season 2007-08 as against the production of 102.67 lakh tonnes during the last season. This includes 102 lakh tonnes of wheat, which is also a highest ever in the state. He stated that during the past five years the agriculture annual production rate was 2.09 per cent while it was 2.2 per cent of Punjab and 2.3 per cent of all India level. Similarly, the growth rate of the state was 10.5 per cent during 2006-07 while it was 4.9 per cent of Punjab and it was 9.2 per cent at national level. He said 65 per cent population of the state was based on agriculture and the contribution of GDP of agriculture sector was 26 per cent.
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‘Hooda govt failed on all fronts’
Rewari, January 6 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said the construction of Rs 350-crore Hansi Butana Link Canal without the prior concurrence of the Punjab and Rajasthan governments as well as the Bhakra Beas Management Board was a preposterous act of the state government. Stating that the matter was now under the consideration of the apex court, he wanted to know that if the sought for proposition failed to materialise, then who would be responsible for the fabulous amount spent on the construction of the link canal. He said mismanagement of generation and distribution of power had made life miserable for people of state. |
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Residents sore over power cuts
Sirsa, January 6 People in urban areas have been facing 14 to 18 hours of power cuts and villagers about 19 to 20 hours. Shop owners and residents using power generators rued that it was very expensive and also leads to pollution. Residents’ protest demanding smooth power supply has become a routine affair here. Recently, villagers in Rania area protested aggressively against officials at a power substation to express their anguish. Villagers said the government should make sure that at least basic amenities like power be made available to people on priority basis. Sources in the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) said the shortage of power was attributed to low power generation from the hydro power station. Less inflow of water due to less melting of glacier in catchment areas was the reason behind the low power generation. Sharp rise in power consumption had also led to an increase in the gap between power availability and required.
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2 held for adulterating cement
Rewari, January 6 A case of criminal breach of trust by carrier, dishonest retention of stolen property and cheating under Sections 407, 411, 419, 420 of the IPC as well as under the Essential Commodities Act has been registered against them. They were produced before the duty magistrate here on Saturday and were sent in judicial custody. Sources said the brothers, who worked with the company’s trailer as driver and conductor, had brought loose cement from Vikram Cement Factory at Khor in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, which was to be transported to Noida in Uttar Pradesh. However, en route to Noida, they took the trailer to Odhi village, where they allegedly withdrew a sizeable portion of the cement and then made a bid to mix some ash like substance in the remaining cement.
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CM to announce ‘bonanza of projects’
Our Correspondent
Fatehabad, January 6 Dura Ram was addressing a series of meetings at several villages of Fatehabad assembly constituency today. He has been touring various villages of Fatehabad to mobilise support for the rally. The Congress MLA said the Hooda government had taken several steps for the welfare of people during its present term and Haryana had fast surpassed other states in the matter of development. Dura Ram said the Chief Minister did not believe in regional discrimination so far as development was concerned and gave due importance to all districts of the state. He invited people to participate in large numbers in the upcoming rally. Tek Chand Midha, president of the Beopar Mandal, Fatehabad, Sunil Chaudhary, block president of the Congress, and several local leaders of the Congress were present on this occasion.
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Bar council member felicitated
Rewari, January 6 He is the younger brother of the world-renowned two-time Mount Everest conqueror Santosh Yadav. A rousing reception was accorded to Minderjeet Yadav by advocates of Rewari, Mahendergarh and Gurgaon districts and by prominent functionaries of various organisations and other distinguished citizens at a felicitation samaroh organised by the Zila Parishad chairman Satish Yadav here today. INLD leaders and former ministers Prof. Sampat Singh and Dr M.L Ranga extended their good wishes to Yadav. His elder sister Santosh Yadav was also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Yadav expressed his gratitude to advocates of the Ahirwal region for their massive support.
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Scouts and Guides bag 17 awards
Chandigarh, January 6 Khandelwal said the artistically built state gates were the centre of attraction and won the first position. The exhibition, depicting the history of development of scouting in Haryana, was also adjudged the best in the jamboree. He further added that Haryana contingent was appreciated for its impressive folk-dance performance, haryanvi cuisine in food plaza, display of pioneering projects, pageant show and for camp fire. |
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Housing board to hold draw for flats
Chandigarh, January 6 Giving this information here today, a spokesman of the board said the draw at Sonepat would be held at Site, Sector 23, whereas the draw at Bhiwani would be held at Community Centre HUDA, Sector 13, Bhiwani, and the draw of Dharuhera would be held in front of HUDA Shopping centre Sector 6, Dharuhera. He said the registration for these doubled storeyed flats was done from July 2 to August 10, 2007. The details of all registered applicants showing complete particulars had been published on the website of Housing Board Haryana, www.hbh.nic.in.
— PTI |
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Hooda to lay stone of traffic park
Panipat, January 6 Panipat deputy commissioner Mahender Kumar here yesterday said the S.D. Education Society would develop and maintain the theme park on an area measuring about 2 acres. HUDA would provide the land near SD Public School. Sources said the upcoming park would be the first in the GT road belt. The park would be equipped with complete instructional material on road safety. The administration was planning to raise it as a guidance park for new motorists.
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Ex-sarpanch booked for assault
Sirsa, January 6 The victim, Mukesh Bansal, has alleged that he was beaten up and threatened to vacate his land near Begu road by the assailants. Bansal, who was admitted to the local civil hospital, also alleged that his some articles, including a mobile phone, were also looted by the attackers. The police has registered a case under Sections 148, 149, 323, 506, 380 and 452 of the IPC. |
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HIV Awareness
About 67 per cent children between the age of 0 and 5 years were administered polio drops under the National Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation round which was held in the state today.
While stating this, Haryana health minister Kartar Devi said during the three-day campaign about 40 lakh children would be covered and house-to-house activities would also carried out to administer polio vaccine to the left out children.
Vikas Rally on January 12
