Rohtak, July 15
The audit department has pointed out that the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) authorities had been handing over many construction projects to the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), New Delhi, instead of utilising the services of the university engineering branch.

A letter recently written to the MDU registrar by the joint director (audit) of the university states that since April, 2007, the university authorities had deposited Rs 2,398.37 lakh with the NBCC for the execution of various construction projects.

"This, despite the fact that the university has a full-fledged engineering branch, which has been handling such projects and has completed many bigger building works on the MDU campus," he maintains.

The letter points out that MDU was spending Rs 2 crore annually on the maintenance of the engineering branch, while the works for which it was meant were being given to the NBCC. It states that the sanction of a competent authority for the entrustment of these works to the NBCC had not been obtained.

The audit official asserts that the MoU signed between the university and the NBCC was "incomplete, vague and entirely and in the best financial interest of the NBCC and not of the university.

"The parameters/basis on which the NBCC would prepare the rough cost/ detailed estimates had not been mentioned in the MoU," the letter states, adding that there was no mention as to who would be responsible for the architectural and structural designs of the project(s) and what would be the charges for such services.

Moreover, there is no reference to whether the estimates would be framed as per the Haryana Scheduled Rates or the Central Public Works Department and how the payment of premium on the basic rates as referred to above would be regulated, it adds.

The letter further states that the provisions regarding the services of security, advertisement, nodal officer's salary and frequencies of technical inspections, etc, had not been explained in the MoU, "due to which the NBCC would charge any amount at their pleasure".

"It is the general policy of the state government to use the services of the state departments/corporations for such works, but this aspect has been totally ignored by allocating works of a routine nature to the NBCC," it maintains.

The joint director has asked the MDU registrar to get the above references examined and do the needful for further non-allocation of works to the NBCC till a policy decision is approved by the executive council/state government.

A copy of the letter has been forwarded to the director, local audit, Haryana, for information and taking up the matter with the Education Department of the state government for immediate suitable intervention in the matter.

Sirsa, July 15
Three persons, including a bridegroom, were killed and nine others injured when the vehicle they were travelling in rammed into the rear portion of a canter near Ding village, about 30 km from here, last night.

Twelve persons, including the groom and the bride, were returning in an Innova from Indri (Karnal) when the accident took place.

The deceased have been identified as the groom, Joginder (23) of Sukhera Khera village in Dabwali subdivision, his cousin Amar Singh (25), a photographer, and Subhash (23), brother of the bride.

The injured are the bride, Ashma, Kalidas, Najirpal, Saroj, Shishpal, Bindro Devi and her three children - Suman (12), Seema (3) and Ishwar (8), who had a miraculous escape.

The condition of several of them is stated to be in danger. They were taken to the Civil Hospital here, from where all of them were referred to the PGI, Rohtak.

According to police sources, the driver of the Innova, Sunil, was in all probability responsible for the accident. The driver escaped from the spot.

They said to overtake the vehicles ahead, especially the canter, the driver increased the speed but failed to control the vehicle, resulting in the mishap.

According to eyewitnesses, after hearing the shrieks of the injured, some vehicles stopped and intimated the police.

While Subhash and Amar Singh died on the spot, Joginder succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital.

On a complaint of Sher Singh, a relative of the groom, the police has registered a case against the driver.

The passengers had left Indri for Sukher Khera village in Dabwali subdivision at 6 pm yesterday after concluding the marriage ceremonies.

Chandigarh, July 15
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that the state of Haryana displayed “non-application of mind” and caused prejudice to a foundation and a landowner while acquiring land in Panchkula district.

Ruling that “a great prejudice has been caused” to the Madhu Raj Foundation and Abhishek Gupta while taking up their petition against the acquisition process, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover also quashed notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act regarding their lands.

The state had issued the notification under Section 4 of Act on March 16, 1999, for acquiring 748.56 acres in Saketri village and 203.62 acres in Bhainsa Tiba village in Panchkula district for residential, commercial, institutional and recreational purposes.

After objections were invited from the landowners under Section 5-A of the Act, the petitioners filed the same as their lands were also sought to be acquired. Subsequently, a notification under Section 6 of the Act was issued on March 16, 2000.

The grievance of the petitioners was that the state and other respondents did not consider their objections.

It was added that the Land Acquisition Collector had recommended the release of their land, but the state government without assigning any reason went ahead.

After going through the contentions and the documents, the Bench observed: “The scrutiny of the record of the respondents reveals that the state or for the same reason, the high powered committee, was not reasonable in its approach and did not advance any justifiable reason to acquire the land of the petitioners.

“It has merely been stated that there was unauthorised construction on the land of the petitioners, which is not borne out from any report on the record….

The respondents have failed to show anything from the record that there was violation of any provision of law or the orders of the court in raising the construction by the petitioners. Therefore, while taking a decision not to release the land on the basis that there was unauthorised construction existing there on, is without any basis.

We are, therefore, of the considered opinion that the respondents have failed to show before this court that there was any justifiable exercise of power while disposing of the objections of the petitioners under Section 5-A of the Act.

Thus, a great prejudice has been caused to the petitioners…. There is little hesitation to conclude that the petitioners having been seriously prejudiced by non-application of mind of the respondents, the impugned notification dated March 16, 2000, issued under Section 6 of the Act deserves to be quashed.

The judges concluded: We, therefore, feel that the notification under Section 4 of the Act qua the land of the petitioners also deserves to be quashed. On the basis of the above discussion, the writ petitions are accepted and the impugned notifications qua the lands of the petitioners are quashed.

Rewari, July 15
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said under the new forest policy of the state government, area under forest cover in the state would be increased from 7.13 per cent to 10 per cent by 2010.

There were also plans to augment it up to 20 per cent under the National Forest Policy, he added.

Addressing a state-level “van mahotsav” and rural empowerment and development workshop organised by the state forest department at Ateli, the CM said an integrated natural resource management and poverty reduction project was being executed with the financial assistance of Rs 286 crore from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation.

Under the project, the department had set the target to bring 48,800 hectares under tree plantation by 2011, he said. Besides, the government had also sent a project - resource management and livelihood project - involving an investment of Rs 230 crore to World Bank for development of forests in the state.

Rapid industrialisation and modernisation had become a threat to environmental balance and it was the need of the hour to make afforestation a public movement to save the lives of future generations.

He also stressed the need for promotion of eco-tourism to make children aware of nature and environment.

Pointing out that the state had limited forest area, the CM asked the farmers to plant trees on thresholds of their fields and the Haryana Forest Development Corporation would ensure remunerative prices for the farmers’ timber produce. “For the benefit of farmers, a timber market is being set up in Yamunanagar by the state government,” he added.

Hooda urged people to plant a tree on every auspicious occasion like marriage and childbirth and take full care of its growth.

Minister of state for forest, tourism, environment, sports and youth affairs Kiran Choudhry said the forest department had planned to plant five crore saplings during the year. Out of these, the forest department would plant two crore saplings whereas three crore saplings would be distributed free of cost amongst the farmers, schools, NGOs and other voluntary organisations, she added.

In order to ensure public participation, while the department had set up 1,700 “Gram Van Samitis” in the state, as many as 1,100 self-help groups of women had been formed in the state for their empowerment and also to supplement their source of income, she added. The state government had set up 24 herbal parks in the state to motivate farmers to adopt cultivation of medicinal plants and announced that four more such parks would be set up soon.

The CM inaugurated an exhibition on products of self-help groups and also planted a sapling.

Yamunanagar, July 15
Supremo of the Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) and Lok Sabha MP from Bhiwani Kuldeep Bishnoi today said he would vote against the Congress-led UPA government during the vote of confidence on July 22 in Lok Sabha.

Stating that there was no question of looking back, he claimed that some of the senior leaders of the Congress had approached him seeking his support.

“I was initially in favour of the Indo-US nuclear deal. However, when I studied the deal in detail, I found out that it was not in the interest of the country. I wrote five letters to the Prime Minister seeking clarification on various points about the deal, but the PM did not reply,” he said while addressing a gathering at the grain market in Radaur here.

Giving details, he said one of the points in the nuclear deal was that the US would review its policy regarding the supply of nuclear fuel to India every year.

So there was no guarantee that the US would not pressurise India on other issues to continue the supply of fuel. There was no logic of investing hundreds of crores on nuclear projects without seeking guarantee for continuous supply of nuclear fuel.

Supporting guest teachers in the state, he said guest teachers, who had been teaching in schools, would be allowed to continue in their respective schools. They would not be asked to leave their jobs and adjust in their local areas.

Rewari, July 15
Man Singh Manhera, national general secretary of the BSP and in charge of the party affairs in Haryana, has said soon after the crucial July 22 trust vote in Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will acquire the tag of former Prime Minister.

Addressing a meeting of party activists from the Rewari, Gurgaon and Mewat areas here today, he alleged that the recent exercise undertaken by the CBI, which worked under the control of the Prime Minister, was aimed at muzzling the voice of BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at this crucial juncture.

Describing the Congress and the BJP as “puppets” in the hands of capitalists, he asked how could they be expected to work for the welfare of the poor.

He blamed the rising inflation and unemployment on the “misrule” of the Congress, adding that these had made life miserable for the common man.

He exhorted the people to make Zakir Hussain, who has been announced the BSP’s candidate from the Gurgaon parliamentary constituency, victorious at the hustings.

Lashing out at the Congress government in Haryana for its “failure” on almost all fronts, he called upon party activists to gear up for the assembly polls as well, which, he said, could take place any time six months after the Lok Sabha polls.

Chandigarh, July 15
The Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) of Kuldeep Bishnoi today suffered a major setback when party secretary Ravi Choudhry quit the party and joined the BSP.

Choudhry, son of former minister Sher Singh, was a close associate of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, father of Bishnoi.

Till his death, Sher Singh remained a staunch supporter of Bhajan Lal and was his pointsman in Ambala and Yamunanagar districts.

Before joining the HJC, Choudhry was the state president of the SC/ST cell of the Haryana Congress.

In a statement issued here today, Choudhry accused Bishnoi of ignoring “loyal and hardworking party men”. He said Bishnoi needed only sycophants, who could issue statements in media.

Choudhry, a Dalit, said Bishnoi had told him to contest the next Lok Sabha elections from Ambala on the HJC ticket but his community members were of the view that the time had come when the daughter of a Scheduled Caste could become the Prime Minister of the country. Therefore, he said, he was inspired by BSP coordinator for Haryana Maan Singh Manhera to join his party.

He said while his father had not let down Bhajan Lal even during the difficult times, but Bishnoi was now ignoring the loyal workers of his father.

Chandigarh, July 15
The Haryana Governor, Dr A.R. Kidwai, today said village-wise comprehensive lists of martyrs of Haryana, who had made supreme sacrifices in the First Battle of India’s Independence - 1857 and the national freedom struggle should be prepared.

He said the lists should be displayed on plaques at public places of every village so that the coming generations might take inspiration from them.

The Governor was speaking at a book release function at Haryana Raj Bhawan, where three books - The Roll of Honour: Haryana’s Martyrs of 1857, Sir Chhotu Ram: The Last Days, and Sh Matu Ram: A Biography - were released.

The books are edited, compiled and written by historian Prof K.C. Yadav, director, Centre for Study of Haryana History, Culture and Social Development, HIPA.

Finance minister, Haryana, Birender Singh was also present at the function. Dr Kidwai said monuments in the memory of martyrs should also be constructed in their respective villages.

Commending the works of Yadav in compilation of old records pertaining to the culture and development of Haryana, the Governor said Yadav had made all out efforts to get old and rare records relating to the martyrs and development of Haryana even from various villages and tehsils of the state.

Giving a brief introduction of the three books, Prof Yadav said “Roll of Honour: Haryana’s Martyrs of 1857” describes 115 villages which the British destroyed in Haryana for their eminent roll in 1857. The book supplied an important description to the histories of the First War of Independence of 1857.

“Ch Matu Ram: A Biography” describes the contribution of Ch Matu Ram, who strived to fight poverty, dearth and diseases in Haryana during the freedom struggle. He spread education and aroused national awareness in Haryana.

In “Sir Chhotu Ram: The Last Days”, Prof Yadav has thrown light on the life and works of Sir Chhotu Ram, who served people especially poor farmers and waged a relentless struggle to save them from money lenders.

Later, the Governor and the finance minister visited a book exhibition put up by the Centre for Study of Haryana History, Culture and Social Development, HIPA, at Raj Bhawan, where at least 150 rare books, especially on Mewat, were displayed.

The Governor directed secretary, Haryana Urdu Akademi, K.L. Zakir to reprint the rare Urdu books on Haryana through the akademi.

Gurgaon, July 15
In view to strengthening the police force for improving law and order situation in National Capital Region (NCR), the Haryana police will deploy 7,372 more police personnel, whose process of recruitment will soon be set into motion.

Announcing this at the passing-out parade function of the third batch of the Haryana police constables at the Centre for Police Training and Research, Bhondsi, here today, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the Haryana police would deploy 25 DSPs, 116 inspectors, 356 sub-inspectors, 625 ASIs, 1,250 head constables and 5,000 constables in the NCR.

A total of 1,294 recruits passed out from the training centre.

He also announced a reduction in the time limit for the promotion of police officials. According to the new decision, a constable would be promoted to the post of havildar in 12 years instead of 16 years and thereafter to the position of assistant sub-inspector in 22 years instead of existing 26 years. Similarly, promotion to the rank of sub-inspector would be made after 30 years of service instead of 35 years.

The CM also announced a relief of Rs 2 lakh for Shakuntala, widow of recruit Randhir Singh, who died during the training. He also handed over two FDs of Rs 3.10 lakh in the name of the two daughters of the late recruit. This amount was collected by the trainees and staff at the training centre. The family of the deceased had already been paid Rs 1.26 lakh as per the government policy besides Rs 7,000 as monthly pension.

The CM also gave appointment letters for the post of the DSP in the Haryana police to eminent woman wrestler Geetika Jakhar and national hockey player Sardar Singh hailing from the state.

Three recruits, Manoj Kumar, Sandeep Kumar and Sonu Kumar, who excelled during the training, were also felicitated. They were given cash prizes of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000, respectively, along with a merit certificate and a shield.

Another recruit, Aditya Kumar, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,000 and a commendation certificate for getting first position in command.

DGP, Haryana, Ranjeev Dalal and IGP, Bhondsi, Sheel Madhur also addressed the recruits and unravelled the schemes for strengthening the police force in the state.

Karnal, July 15
With the first-ever appointment of a DNA fingerprinting expert in the state, the Haryana police is all set to get forensic help to solve criminal cases.

Pandu Gugloth has been appointed assistant director, DNA, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Madhuban. He will command the DNA division of the lab.

He did his doctorate under Lalji Singh, director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, a pioneer in DNA profiling work in India. Sources said earlier the state police had to depend on other state and central agencies for DNA fingerprinting, which often caused delay in investigation.

Gurgaon, July 15
J.F. Williams, the man who got built HOPE Senior Citizens Home with his post-retirement funds and donations as small as Re 1, is a dejected man. Reason: His fruitless repeated requests for refund of Rs 10 paid as penalty to the BSNL, Gurgaon, on account of late payment of a bill that never reached the Home at New Palam Vihar since May 2008.

What is more painful for this former senior manager of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is that instead of showing concern, the BSNL authorities right from its general manager down the line never bothered to reciprocate his written and verbal requests. “I believe they think it is funny that somebody is asking for a refund of a paltry sum of Rs 10.

However, they don't realise the value of Rs 10. We have received this amount as donations from 15 kind souls; so much so that several have chipped in with Re 1 when I approached them for building this facility for the old people,” he said while lamenting the poor service on the part of the BSNL and its apathetic attitude.

Asked, GM N.P. Singh said in a very casual manner that the amount would be adjusted in the next bill. He asked this correspondent to furnish the Home's telephone number while declining to explain why the matter had been hanging fire since the matter was brought to his notice in May 2008.

This happened despite his instructions to his PS to trace out the cause of the delay in the delivery of the bill as well as to take down the Home's address for emailing the format, enabling payment of bills in the future directly through a bank. Subsequent queries went unheeded. “Our problem is that we don’t have private operators in our area. Otherwise we would have preferred them to the BSNL for their better services,” he said.

Williams bought a 550 sq yard plot with his own money after opting for the VRS from the IOC in 2002 and donated it to the Home, which admitted its first inmate last month after completing the building having four bedrooms with attached bathrooms for as many old couples and a dormitory meant to accommodate eight old inmates. Some corporate players contributed aid for the building and infrastructure. There was no financial contribution from the central and state governments.

Jind, July 15
The police has arrested seven more persons, all liquor traders, for allegedly murdering a shopkeeper of Karsola village, Ranbir Singh, here on July 9. Earlier, three persons were arrested in the case.

Villagers had attacked and ransacked the Julana police station on Saturday in protest against the alleged police inaction in nabbing the accused.

Those arrested today have been identified as Ramesh, Rajesh and Satyawan of Nandgarh village, Anil and Sanjay of Buddhakhera Lather, Rajvir of Sirsakheri and Sandeep of Bandaheri village.

Three persons identified as Rohtash, Vazir and Jaggi were arrested a few days ago. The shopkeeper’s body was found near the village on July 10.

Sources said he left his house along with Jaggi, who asked him to accompany him in connection with some important work on July 9.

A liquor trader of the area was reportedly annoyed with Ranbir as he had stopped selling liquor supplied by the trader. Ranbir had started selling liquor supplied to him by another person.