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Issue appointment letters
to constables: SC
Dalit leaders’ fast enters 22nd day
Noose tightens around Bhajan faction
Daily power cuts in urban areas from today
Now, Rs 6,300 cr annual plan, says FM
Top sportspersons to get police jobs, says CM
Malik files additional affidavit in high court
Human Rights Panel
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Separate Gurdwara Body
295 students get degrees
SC students to get free school bags
Programme on faculty development
Hansi-Butana Canal
High Court
New grain market by year-end
Rs 16 crore approved
for Rewari
State-level R-Day function at Gurgaon
Man tries to kill wife, booked
Tributes paid to Nanda
Rural lok adalat on Jan 20
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Issue appointment letters
to constables: SC
New Delhi, January 15 In a case which involved an intricate question of law, which the Punjab and Haryana High Court “failed” to apply uniformly, the apex court set aside the Haryana government order quashing their appointments. A Bench of Justices C. K Thakker and Altamas Kabir directed the state government to appoint all the three as constable-drivers the post for which they were selected with effect from the date on which persons lower in merit to them were also appointed. The court though said that they will be entitled to all notional benefits of such continuous appointment, but the salary to them will be paid from prospective effect of the judgement. The apex court said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had erred in applying the definition of “arrest” uniformly in two sets of cases filed by the three constables in giving appointment benefit to one candidate and denied the same to the two others when its two different benches passed separate orders. The intricate question about the arrest of the selected candidates Dinesh Kumar, Lalit Kumar and Bhupinder arose from two sets of appeals, one filed by the Haryana government and the other by the latter two against the High Court’s order. In Dinesh Kumar’s case, the High Court had ordered his appointment while in the case of Lalit Kumar and Bhupinder, it had rejected their petitions. But the fact and circumstances in their cases were identical as when they were charged with criminal cases by the police, they had appeared before the magistrate concerned in their area, who had granted them bail immediately and thus they never had been in police custody. Later the trial courts had acquitted them in all the charges slapped on them. Since a candidate applying for the post of constables had to furnish two-fold information whether he was ever arrested and convicted in any case, these candidates had replied in the negative. The Haryana Government had quashed their appointment later when it was found that they faced criminal charges once before applying for the posts but were acquitted by the court of law. The government accused them of suppressing the information about their arrest, while in case of conviction, the state was satisfied as they were finally exonerated by the court. The apex court said when a person had “voluntarily” surrendered before the court and he was granted bail, it would not amount to “arrest” as this question has been fully settled by a constitution bench of the apex court long back. “Arrest consists in the seizure or touching person’s body with a view to his restraint; words may, however, amount to an arrest if, in the circumstances of the case, they are calculated to bring, and to bring, to a person’s notice that he is under compulsion and he thereafter submits to the compulsion,” the apex court said. |
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Dalit leaders’ fast enters 22nd day
Rohtak, January 15
Putting up on a pavement right in front of the local mini-secretariat, they are braving the harsh winter climate sans any medical or security cover. Their only demand is restoration of the A-B block classification among the Dalits, and they seem determined to fight unto the last to get it fulfilled. Their condition is deteriorating with every passing day, but it has not been able to dampen their spirit. “If some of us perish, others will take our place but the struggle for our rights will continue till the classification is restored,” asserted one of the protesters here today. While his companions nod to this, the woman member is quick to add: “The Haryana government will be responsible in case something untoward happens to anyone of us”. Dalit leader Swadesh Kirad, who is among the fasting members of the Dalit-A Mahapanchayat, Haryana, maintained that a massive rally would be organised here shortly to mount pressure on the state government to restore A and B block classification among the Dalits. It may be pertinent to mention here that the Haryana government had abolished the block classification among the Dalits last year, which triggered a series of widespread protests in the state.
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Noose tightens around Bhajan faction
Chandigarh, January 15 While the step to suspend Bhajan Lal and his associates instead of expelling them from the party despite the former Chief Minister floating a new party gives the impression of the Congress keeping open a path of reconciliation with the disgruntled MLAs, Sharma says it has been done to avoid any legal wrangle coming in the way of the disqualification of the MLAs from the assembly. Three Congress MLAs loyal to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have moved separate applications to Speaker of the assembly Raghubir Singh Kadian seeking the disqualification from the house of Bhajan Lal, Dharampal Malik and Rakesh Kamboj for floating the Haryana Janhit Congress. The Speaker, after receiving the complaints, gave notice to Bhajan Lal and his two associates. The notices were sent by registered post with acknowledgement cards. The acknowledgement card sent to Rakesh Kamboj came back to the sender unsigned. The two remaining cards did not come. However, the letters did not come back to the sender either which could only mean that they were received at the addresses to which they were sent. Not taking any chances, the Speaker has arranged the notices to be handed over at the residences of the MLAs today personally by the SDMs of the area. The notices will have to be replied to within seven days. The petitions seeking the disqualification from the assembly of the trio have been backed up with newspaper clippings as well as video CDs of the announcement regarding the formation of the Haryana Janhit Congress by Bhajan Lal, his son Kuldeep Bishnoi and their associates, including Malik and Kamboj. In view of the mass of evidence on the formation of the new party by the disgruntled MLAs, there is little chance of their escaping disqualification from the assembly. Disqualification from the assembly will lead to byelections to the three seats, which will be declared vacant by the Speaker. Unless Bhajan Lal and company does something to scuttle the disqualification move, they will have to face byelections, something they will rather like to avoid at this juncture. Since disqualification from the assembly will imply that they are no more members of the party, the Congress does not see any need for expelling them from the party. This is, according to the HPCC working president, how the story of the rebellion of Bhajan Lal, Malik and Kamboj will unfold . While Bhajan Lal is in the USA right now, Dharam Pal Malik, too, has gone outside the state. Rakesh Kamboj, their junior partner who is here, said the Congress step to suspend them was uncalled-for. “Nobody has become a member of the Janhit Congress as yet”, he said. He added that they would decide their next course of action after Bhajan Lal returned from the USA on January 18.
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Daily power cuts in urban areas from today
Chandigarh, January 15 A spokesman for the nigam said on an average, power supply would not be available in urban and mixed-urban feeders for seven and a half hours daily during the different time slots. He, however, gave an assurance that the period of unavailability would not exceed two hours in one go. He said shortage of power was being faced due to a sharp increase in the demand of electricity in all sectors and less availability of water in reservoirs of hydropower-generating stations. The frequency of northern grid had been around 49 htz against the normal frequency level of 50 htz per second. He appealed the consumers to make optimum use of electricity and bear with the situation. The spokesman said electricity supply to industrial and independent industrial feeders would be curtailed during 5.30 am to 8 am and 6 pm to 10 pm. The nigam has already decided to stop power supply to all type of furnaces from 5 am to 9 pm till further order. It has been decided to supply power to the public water works and agricultural tubewells in two groups. The first group in Karnal, Panipat, Ambala and Panchkula districts will be fed from midnight to 5 am and the second group from 10 am to 3 pm. The first group of tubewell consumers in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Sonepat and Yamunanagar districts will be fed from 12.30 am to 5.30 am and the second group will be fed from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm. The first group of tubewell consumers in Jind, Rohtak and Jhajjar districts will be fed from 11 pm to 4 am and the second group from 12 noon to 5 pm. The nigam would ensure at least one-hour power supply to each group in morning and evening to the public waterworks daily.
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Now, Rs 6,300 cr annual plan, says FM
Yamunanagar, January 15 He said this shortly after presiding over the convocation of Hindu Girls College here. The finance minister said the increase in the plan allocation reflected the accelerated pace of development. The plan of the current financial year was Rs 5,300 crore. On being asked about the power crisis in the state, he said the government was committed to improve the power situation in the state. The previous governments did not pay adequate attention towards generating additional electricity, which was causing difficulties now. He said the present government would complete the generation of 5,500 MW of electricity and also try to be a participatory in the proposed 400 MW Kishau Dam hydel project. He said the government had signed agreements with the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to purchase electricity for the state. On the suspension of Bhajan Lal, Rakesh Kamboj and Dharam Malik, he said it was the right decision at the right time. He said these leaders were themselves responsible for their suspension due to their anti-party activities.
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Top sportspersons to get police jobs, says CM
Kiloi (Rohtak), January 15 He said the state government had introduced a number of schemes, including the direct enrolment of sportspersons in the police and other government departments and the giving of cash awards on the basis of their performance. The Chief Minister said the state government had also launched a campaign for the construction of sports stadiums in 152 villages of the state. The aim was to promote sports activities in the rural areas. He was addressing the prize distribution function of the 24th Dr Ram Dhan memorial tournaments here. Urging the youth to take keen interest in sports activities , Hooda said the spirit of sportsmanship not only created the feeling of cooperation and goodwill but also helped shape a successful career. Paying tributes to Dr Ram Dhan for developing different high-yielding varieties of wheat, rice and other foodgrains and making the country self-sufficient in foodgrain production, the Chief Minister pointed out that the agricultural scientist was honoured by the Pakistan government in 1961 for this outstanding contribution in this field. “Dr Ram Dhan was not only an agricultural scientist but also a renowned educationist and known for social service,” he added. On the occasion, the Chief Minister gave away the prizes. Chief parliamentary secretary Dharambir Singh also gave prizes to a number of youths of Kiloi village for their outstanding performance in different sports activities. |
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Malik files additional affidavit in high court
Chandigarh, January 15 The matter came up for further hearing before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia. Acting on a petition challenging the action of the Haryana government in promoting an inspector as DSP, who was earlier declared a proclaimed offender following his alleged involvement in a reported gang rape case of a minor, the High Court had earlier granted Malik four week’s time to file a reply into the matter. The case against inspector Phul Kumar and seven others was registered by the Ambala police on June 9, 2001. A PIL was filed by Sunil Juneja of Ambala for action against those responsible for the reinstatement and promotion of the inspector.
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Anupam Gupta appointed amicus curiae
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 15 The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, also asked the state counsel to file its affidavit in the mater through the High Court Registry. Coming down heavily on the state for submitting that it had adequate mechanism to deal with the complaints and grievances related to human rights violation and does not require a state human rights commission, the HC had earlier directed the state to file a detailed affidavit explaining its ‘adequate mechanism’. The state, in its reply, had initially submitted that the government considered the matter and in view of existing adequate mechanism to deal with the grievances of the people it decided there was no need to set up a separate state human rights commission. The petition was filed by Peoples Union for Civil Liberties. The Bench had ruled: Although it is the domain of the state to say that for certain reasons at a particular stage it is not in a position to have a state human rights commission, but to say that there is adequate mechanism available to deal with the grievance of people under existing administrative hierarchy is against the spirit of international treaties...which stress up on the protection of human rights. As to which authority should deal with the grievances with regard to human rights raised by citizen and whether such a mechanism available with the state is adequate or inadequate, it cannot be adjudged by the same authority against whom such grievances are raised and such matters are open to scrutiny of court.
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Panel to submit report in budget session
Tribune News Service
Yamunanagar, January 15 Animal husbanday and cooperative agriculture minister and chairman of the committee H.S. Chattha said this while addressing a press conference here today. He said the committee had invited affidavits from the members of the Sikh community to file their opinion on the issue and thousands of affidavits were received in favour of the separate Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee. Refusing to divulge the contents of the report, he said it was almost final and the decision was up to the state government. Chatha said a market was being developed at Kundli in Sonepat district, which would be the biggest of its kind in Asia and people from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would also benefit from it. He claimed the market would make the people of the state more prosperous. On the question of suspension of Bhajan Lal, Rakesh Kamboj and Dharam Pal Singh Malik from the Congress, Chatha said discipline in the party was more important than individuals and no one was above the party. The suspensions would not affect the party, he claimed. Parliamentary secretary Dr Krishna Pandit while speaking on the occasion said Hooda-led government had fulfilled all the election manifesto promises and added new dimensions to the welfare of people by promising to give 100 square yards plots to Dalits. Earlier, the minister administered oath of office to the newly elected chairman of Yamunanagar market committee Zile Singh.
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295 students get degrees
Yamunanagar, January 15 Haryana finance minister Birender Singh said women played a very important role in the society. The Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government had taken several steps for the education of the girl child in the state. He congratulated the college management for providing better education to women. College principal Dr Ujjwal Sharma read out the annual progress report and said the college not only provided education to its students but also inculcated Indian values and culture in them. She said a centre of Indira Gandhi Open University would start functioning on the college premises from the next academic session. At least 270 students got bachelor’s degree and 25 got postgraduate degrees. Students presented a cultural programme on the occasion.
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SC students to get free school bags
Chandigarh, January 15 Education minister Mange Ram Gupta today said an amount of Rs 7.05 crore has been earmarked for the purpose under a scheme for the current annual plan 2007-08. Out of 7.05 lakh students belonging to Scheduled Castes, 4.98 lakh students from classes I to V and 2.07 lakh students from classes VI to VIII would benefit from the scheme, he said. Under a separate scheme, a sum of Rs 300 would be given to each girl student from classes I to V. Girls studying in classes VI to VIII would get Rs 500 each, he said. A total outlay of Rs 11.98 crore has been approved for this scheme and nearly 3.5 lakh girls would benefit from it, the minister said. Mange added that the government would give scholarship of excellence to such Scheduled Castes students who excel in academic and extra-curriculum activities.
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Programme on faculty development
Yamunanagar, January 15 The programme has been sponsored by AICTE at the Maharaja Aggrasen Institute of Management and Technology (MAIMT), Jagadhri. |
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SC to hear case today
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 15 The apex court has already stayed the puncturing of the Bhakra main line canal in the territory of Haryana on the basis of a prayer made by Punjab. In the suit, Punjab has been contending that Haryana had constructed the Hansi-Butana Canal without prior clearance from the Government of India, even though the same was mandatory. Also, Haryana did not take prior concurrence of Punjab or Rajasthan as required in accordance with the Agreement of 1959. Punjab has been arguing that the diversion of water from Bhakra main line canal by puncturing it in Haryana’s territory will affect the supply. It has been further contended that the project suffered from serious technical infirmities, which would endanger large tracts of land and villages in Patiala district, apart from causing environmental and ecological imbalance. It has also been argued that Haryana spent more than Rs 300 crore without prior approval or consent from the parties. As such, Haryana should be restrained from proceeding further with the digging of the channel, and construction of embankment under the project named “Hansi branch, Butana branch multi-purpose channel project”. Directions have also been sought for dismantling the embankment already constructed with further injunction restraining Union of India from granting clearance to the project as the same is covered by Article 13 of the Agreement of 1959.
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Anupam Gupta appointed amicus curiae
Human Rights Panel in Haryana Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 15 The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, also asked the state counsel to file its affidavit in the mater through the High Court Registry. Coming down heavily on the state for submitting that it had adequate mechanism to deal with the complaints and grievances related to human rights violation and does not require a state human rights commission, the HC had earlier directed the state to file a detailed affidavit explaining its ‘adequate mechanism’. The state, in its reply, had initially submitted that the government considered the matter and in view of existing adequate mechanism to deal with the grievances of the people it decided there was no need to set up a separate state human rights commission. The petition was filed by Peoples Union for Civil Liberties. The Bench had ruled: Although it is the domain of the state to say that for certain reasons at a particular stage it is not in a position to have a state human rights commission, but to say that there is adequate mechanism available to deal with the grievance of people under existing administrative hierarchy is against the spirit of international treaties...which stress up on the protection of human rights. As to which authority should deal with the grievances with regard to human rights raised by citizen and whether such a mechanism available with the state is adequate or inadequate, it cannot be adjudged by the same authority against whom such grievances are raised and such matters are open to scrutiny of court.
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CJ refers IPS officer’s case to another Bench
Chandigarh, January 15 The high court had earlier taken note of Dhonchak’s letter seeking a CBI probe into the allegations of forgery and fraud against Ahlawat during his tenure as SP, Rewari, along with other police officials. Taking up the letter, Chief Justice Vijender Jain had directed that the matter be taken up on the judicial side, and the letter be treated as a writ petition. Dhonchak was then posted as additional CJM at Rewari and is now posted as joint registrar (rules)-cum-OSD to the high court. Issuing the directions, the Chief Justice had observed that the there was merit in the application and it be treated as a civil writ petition. Going into the background of the matter, Dhonchak’s letter had mentioned that during his tenure in Rewari he had launched prosecution in cases against Ahlawat. In a bid to browbeat the complainant, Ahlawat got the investigations reopened into an FIR allegedly involving Dhanchok’s brother, against whom a case under the Essential Commodities Act was registered in May 1998. It was ordered to be cancelled by the then Gurgaon DIG. The letter added that Ahlawat got bogus official records prepared by fabricating “zimnies”. Later, in collusion with the then SHO, Rewari, and another, he projected that Dhonchak launched prosecution against Ahlawat as a counter blast to the reopening of investigation against his brother.
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Ex-DGP Malik files addl affidavit
In an additional affidavit to the High Court, Haryana’s former police chief Mohinder Singh Malik has maintained that inspector Phul Kumar of the Ambala police was promoted on the basis of the record presented to him. There was nothing on record to show the inspector was a tainted officer.
The matter came up for further hearing before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia. Acting on a petition challenging the action of the Haryana government in promoting an inspector as DSP, who was earlier declared a proclaimed offender following his alleged involvement in a reported gang rape case of a minor, the High Court had earlier granted Malik four week’s time to file a reply into the matter. |
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New grain market by year-end
Karnal, January 15 The market will be completed by the end of the year, deputy commissioner B.S. Malik said here. The market would be built at a cost of Rs 18 crore and would comprise of 4 platforms, 7 common sheds and a rest house for farmers, in addition to 342 shops for traders, he added. He said the food grain market would be fully computerised so that the farmers could ascertain the latest rates of their produce before selling it. The Haryana government was making efforts for putting all existing food grain markets online, he informed.
— PTI |
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Rs 16 crore approved
for Rewari
Chandigarh, January 15 While stating this here today, irrigation minister Ajay Singh Yadav said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had got special approval for allocation of additional funds for the schemes. |
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State-level R-Day function at Gurgaon
Chandigarh, January 15 An “At home” function will also be organised at Gurgaon on the same evening. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will hoist the National Flag at Rewari. |
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Man tries to kill wife, booked
Yamunanagar, January 15 In her complaint, Ravinder Kaur of Railway colony here alleged that her husband Jai Parkash, mother-in-law Maya Devi and father-in-law Raj Pal tried to kill her on January 13. She alleged that she was given poisoned water. She was admitted to a hospital after consuming the water, said the police. Her condition was said to be stable. After a love affair, she had married Jai Parkash in 2001. |
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Tributes paid to Nanda
Kurukshetra, January 15 Deputy commissioner Pankaj Aggarwal paid floral tributes to Nanda. A prayer meeting was also organised. Prof V.K. Aggarwal, registrar, Kurukshetra University (KU), Hema Sharma, city magistrate, S.B. Lohiya, chief executive officer, Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), A.L. Bathla, district development and panchayat officer, also paid tributes to Nanda. |
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Rural lok adalat on Jan 20
Fatehabad, January 15
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Fatehabad-cum-secretary, district legal services authority, told mediapersons that villagers from Karnoli, Ahlisadar, Haripura, Dariyapur, Dhani Gillankhera, Dhani Chananwali, Shahidanwali, Sarwarpur and Kharaitikhera could get their civil cases settled through mutual compromise.
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