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Peace Offer
Sonia asks leaders to serve have-nots
Lack of strong laws behind terror strikes, says Rudy
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Year on, health centres yet to be upgraded
Doc not liable for failure of
tubectomy: HC
Rs 200 cr power plan for Rewari
International Airport
Traffic blocked over power shortage
Municipal election schedule notified
Five cyber café owners arrested
2 soldiers held for youth’s death
Rs 4.48 lakh robbed from bank
3 booked for dowry death
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Peace Offer Curfew lifted in
Dabwali With conditions returning to normal in Dabwali town, the district authorities lifted the curfew on
Monday. District magistrate V. Umashankar said the decision had been taken after reviewing the law and order situation
there. Though the authorities had been giving a dawn-to-dusk relaxation in the curfew for the past three days, they had decided to go ahead with it till the July 27 “bhog” ceremony of Harminder Singh, the Sikh youth who was killed in the Dera Sacha
Sauda-Sikh violence. The police and paramilitary forces will, however, remain deployed in the town.
Sirsa, July 28 In a show of strength, a large number of dera followers today marched towards the mini-secretariat and served a seven-day ultimatum on the district authorities regarding their demand. The dera followers, who organised a demonstration in the town under the banner of the action committee of its youth welfare federation, threatened to organise an indefinite dharna in front of the office of the deputy commissioner from August 4 in case their demand was not met by then. Earlier, the action committee met in the dera headquarters on the Begu road and deliberated for about three hours to chalk out its future course of action. “We had given names of 142 persons, who had burnt the Dhukianwali dera and property of dera followers at Dabwali, to the authorities earlier, but they are yet to arrest any of these persons,” alleged Om Parkash, a member of the action committee. The toughening of stand by the dera management has put the district authorities in a quandary. The dilemma of the district authorities is that among the names given by the dera management are Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh of Takht Damdama Sahib, Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa, president of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, and Baljit Singh Dadu of the Khalsa Action Committee. With the situation still volatile, the authorities are not in a position to open another front by arresting the Sikh leaders and inviting the wrath of a vast majority of Sikhs. Another demand of the dera management for the repair of the Dhukianwali dera has put the authorities in a spot. Meanwhile, Sikh organisations have rejected the peace offer made by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Both Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa and Baljit Singh Dadu, who have been spearheading the campaign against the dera, today said the offer was not acceptable to them. “If the dera chief wants to tender an apology, he should baptise as a Sikh and then apologise before Akal Takht,” said Khalsa while talking to mediapersons. Dadu, on the other hand, said the edict of Akal Takht was supreme to Sikhs across the world and the edict clearly prohibited any kind of social, religious or political union with Dera Sacha Sauda or its chief. |
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Sonia asks leaders to serve have-nots
Kidwai fumbles Haryana Governor A.R. Kidwai, it seems, still fondly remembers his days as the Governor of Bihar. Delivering his presidential address at the 44th session of the All-India Oriental Conference here today, Kidwai described Raghubir Singh Kadian as the “Bihar Assembly Speaker” and several Haryana ministers present on the occasion as “members of the Bihar
Cabinet.” Initially, everyone thought that perhaps VIPs from Bihar were also present in the Bhagwad Gita Sadan on the campus of Kurukshetra University, where the function was being
held. Kidwai realised his mistake when he heard murmurs in the auditorium and said jokingly that he was reminded of his Bihar days by the presence of S.C.
Jha, president of the conference. However, after a few sentences, he once against mentioned Kurukshetra University, of which he is the chancellor, as “Nalanda University”, which is also in Bihar.
Kurukshetra, July 28 This was stated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi while inaugurating the three-day 44th session of the All-India Oriental Conference on the premises of Kurukshetra University here today. Referring to ancient Indian scriptures and philosophy, she said the life of only that person was meaningful who lived for the weak, deprived and the sufferer. “If this is true for an individual, it is true for society, nation and the world. Sonia said the scholars would agree with her that despite so much diversity in the country, its soul was one. The Congress leader, who had earlier laid the foundation stone of a museum to be constructed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence, said even the 1957 war reflected the principle of “unity in diversity” because it was neither marked by any differences over religion, caste or region nor by any narrow mindedness. Even subsequently, the nation waged the struggle for its freedom under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi with the same sprit as was witnessed during the First War of Independence. Sonia said most of the problems faced by society and nations were born out of ignorance, because ignorance destroyed wisdom. Once wisdom was destroyed, it led to myths. “After that what happens, there are lot of examples we can see around us,” she added without elaborating. She further said what was known as the golden period, the highlights of that age were knowledge and wisdom. “In that age, society was emotionally united, liberalized and had human values. There were feelings for the weak and a resolve for fighting against injustice and atrocities. The rulers were sensitive towards the ruled. What more is needed for an ideal system?” This, she said, proved that we could still learn from “great traditions” and resolve the present-day problems. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed concern over deterioration in moral values and declining interest of the youth in the rich cultural heritage of the country. Haryana Governor A.R. Kidwari, who is also the chancellor of the university, sought the cooperation of the scholars in developing India as a major centre of learning and higher education. Vice-chancellor of the university R.P. Vajpayee said keeping in view the religious significance of Kurukshetra, it should be declared as the “fifth dhaam”. Among others who spoke were president of the conference S.C. Jha, its general-secretary Saroj Bhate and Prof Satyavrat Shashtri, who was the first teacher in Kurukshetra University. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi dedicated to the nation a magnificent statue of a chariot depicting Lord Krishna delivering celestial message of the Bhagawad Gita to wavering Arjuna at Purshottampura Bagh, Brahmsarovar, here amidst chanting of hymns. |
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Lack of strong laws behind terror strikes, says Rudy
Rohtak, July 28 Addressing a party rally here today, BJP spokesman and former union minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy held the Congress responsible for the recent bomb explosions in “some of the BJP-ruled states.” “The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre repealed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) as part of its policy to appease the minorities, especially the Muslims…In the absence of strong laws to deal with terrorism, the terrorists have started striking in different parts of the country,” Rudy maintained. The BJP leader even alleged that the union government did not allow the Bills passed by the BJP-ruled states for effectively tackling terrorist activities to become laws. Referring to the charges of horse-trading of MPs, Rudy alleged that the Congress had indulged in such tactics in the past as well. Holding the Left parties equally responsible for the high rate of inflation under the UPA regime, Rudy pointed out that these parties did not withdraw support from the Manmohan Singh government two years ago just to give time to the Samajwadi Party (SP) to come closer to the UPA regime. The rally was also addressed by state BJP president Atam Prakash Manchanda and other party leaders, including Ram Bilas Sharma, I.D. Swami, Capt Abhimanyu, Om Prakash Dhankhar, Pradip Jain and Sudha Yadav. |
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Year on, health centres yet to be upgraded
Fatehabad, July 28 Interestingly, over 50 per cent of the amount of the Rs 40 lakh received for the purpose has already been spent, but none of the two CHCs has witnessed any improvement. According to sources, the state government had sent the money for converting two CHCs of the districts into first referral units (FRUs), which were to be set up as per the IPHS. These FRUs were to have the services of a surgeon, a gynaecologist, a paediatrician and an anaesthetist. The health authorities at the district level are authorised to appoint these specialists on a contract basis in case these centres do not have the services of regular ones. Besides, the FRUs were to have a blood storage centre too. The authorities were to spend Rs 20 lakh each on the infrastructure of these FRUs. The authorities chose the CHC, Bhuna, and the CHC, Ratia, for converting these into FRUs. Ironically, none of these centres still fulfils any of the five requirements mentioned in the IPHS. At the CHC, Bhuna, the authorities do not have the services of any of the specialists mentioned earlier. Nor is the blood collection centre functional in the CHC. Interestingly, more than 70 per cent of the funds received for this CHC have been exhausted. At the CHC, Ratia, too, the situation is similar and practically nothing has been done to set up the FRU. More than 40 per cent of the funds received for the purpose have been spent. The civil surgeon, Dr J.K. Bishnoi, confirmed this. He said despite “best efforts”, the authorities were not finding doctors whom they could appoint on a contract basis. He said they were earlier offering Rs 25,000 per month to specialists, but were now ready to pay even up to Rs 35,000 but yet no doctor was available. He maintained that an anaesthetist was appointed at the CHC, Bhuna, but her services were now being utilised at Fatehabad. Meanwhile, the condition of delivery huts set up in the district continues to be abysmal despite announcement of cash incentives to women opting for institutional deliveries. The sources said poor facilities and the absence of staff in most of these delivery huts were the main reasons for their failure to attract villages. |
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Doc not liable for failure of tubectomy: HC
Chandigarh, July 28 On her plea, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that liability cannot be imposed on a surgeon, a hospital or an institution, where the operation was conducted in the absence of evidence of negligence. In a significant ruling, Justice Permod Kohli has held: It is medically established that there is no fool proof guarantee of the success of the sterilisation operation, even if the surgeries are performed by the best of surgeons without any negligence or lapse in the performance of such operations”. A mother of three, Mahindro of Seenk village in Panipat district did not want any more children so she contacted a registered medical practitioner and was later taken to a primary health centre for the sterilisation operation. Subsequently in July 1994, the operation was performed. But the very next year, Mahindro conceived and gave birth to twin girls. Aggrieved at the failure of the operation, Mohindro moved the court of competent jurisdiction for the award of compensation. After a legal battle, the trial court on March 7, 2005, awarded her a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the maintenance of the twins. But unwilling to concede, the opposite party filed an appeal before the Panipat’s Additional District and Sessions Judge. Another round of litigation followed. But, this time the order was passed against Mahindro. Acting on the appeal, the Additional District Judge ordered the setting aside of the judgement and the decree passed by the trial court in her favour. What followed was the third round of litigation with the mother moving the high court against the reversal orders. Taking up the appeal, Justice Kohli summed up the controversy by observing: The short question that arises for consideration in the present case is whether a doctor can be burdened with the liability of compensation on account of the failure of a tubectomy operation, or the plaintiff is required to establish negligence on the part of the operating surgeon. After giving thoughtful consideration to the matter and referring to a number of Supreme Court rulings, the Judge made it clear the negligence has to be established; and refused to interfere with the Additional District Judge’s orders in the matter. |
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Rs 200 cr power plan for Rewari
Rewari, July 28 This was stated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the inauguration function of a 33 kV substation in Sector 10 here last evening. He said under this plan, while five new substations - a 220 kV substation in Loola Ahir village in Kosli subdivision, a 132 kV substation in Dahina and three substations of 33 kV each in Guraora, Kaluwas and Bhairampur villages would be set up, the capacity of three existing substations would be augmented. Earlier, the Chief Minister also announced that a 132 kV substation would be set up in Berli Kalan village. As regards the revamping of the power distribution system in the district, he said while dismemberment of overloaded and lengthier feeders in the district was on the anvil, the combined agricultural and domestic load on 74 feeders was being segregated. |
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International Airport Chandigarh, July 28 Principal secretary (civil aviation) Samir Mathur said Haryana was in no way delaying the project by not paying its due for the airport. He claimed that the letter written by the secretary (civil aviation), Punjab, on July 23 was the first communication, including the payment of Haryana’s share, to the state on the airport. He said the letter was received only four days ago. Mathur explained that a joint venture company, with the AAI as its lead partner and having a share of 51 per cent in equity, and GMADA and HUDA, each with 24.5 per cent equity, would be formed. Pending the incorporation of the joint venture (JV), a tripartite committee with representatives of the AAI, GMADA/Punjab government, and HUDA /Haryana government would steer the project. The JV or the tripartite committee would determine the contours of development of the terminal project, and any hint to the exclusion of Haryana on supposed non-payment of its share was misleading.
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Traffic blocked over power shortage
Jind, July 28 The blockade was lifted after officials assured of improvement in both the services from tomorrow. This was the fourth consecutive day when the district witnessed road blockade on the issue of power supply. The traffic came to an abrupt halt when over 200 villagers staged a dharna on the highway at 12 noon. Even assurances made by the Julana SHO and the tehsildar could not move the villagers. The blockade was lifted after the SDM and the DSP promised the villagers that their demand would be fulfilled. FATEHABAD: Residents of Samain village blocked the Tohana-Hisar road here on Monday in protest against the shortage of power and drinking water. |
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Municipal election schedule notified
Chandigarh, July 28 State election commissioner Chander Singh said following the death of Krishan, a member of the municipal committee, Cheeka, a vacancy in this ward had been created.
He said the nomination papers could be filed from August 7 to 12 and the scrutiny of the papers would take place on August 13. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature would be August 14 and symbols to the candidates would also be assigned on the same day after 3 pm. Chander Singh said if necessary, polling would be held on August 24 and the counting of votes would start immediately after the close of polling at the polling stations on the same day. He said the commission had decided to use electronic voting machines in these elections. Chander Singh said the commission had also decided that one observer (election) and one observer (expenditure) would be appointed to ensure a free and fair election. The model code of conduct for these elections would come into force from July 28. |
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Five cyber café owners arrested
Gurgaon, July 28 Though the directions covered under Section 144 were imposed last week, the police turned the heat on cyber cafes apparently in the wake of recent serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. Besides, cyber cafes, PCO booth owners and dealers of second hand mobile phones were asked to maintain proper records in the wake of reports that anti-social elements, terrorist groups, Maoists and hardened criminals have been using these facilities for their nefarious designs. Joint commissioner of police M.S. Ahlawat said they checked at least 30 cyber cafes in DLF-II and other areas yesterday. It was found that owners of five cyber cafes had not installed the CCTV cameras as well as ignored maintenance of records of their customers. Two of them identified as Deepak Joshi and Ajit Kumar belonged to Orissa. The police also learnt that some cafes had closed down for their failure to comply with the directions, he added. Though the Gurgaon police would carry on its checking drive in other parts of the city too, no specific intelligence input marking Gurgaon as the potential target had been received so far. However, high alert has already been sounded in the wake of serial blasts and the police has been taking precautionary measures to ward off any untoward incident. “There is no need to feel insecure but people must remain on alert. The police has been deployed at sensitive and crowded places to keep round the clock vigil. People should immediately report to the police if they find some suspicious looking substance lying somewhere or a person moving around in a suspicious manner,” said Ahlawat. |
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2 soldiers held for youth’s death
Rewari, July 28 The train was coming from Jammu and going to Jaipur via Rewari. A case of culpable homicide (not amounting to murder) under section 304 of the IPC was earlier registered by the GRP in this regard. The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate here has remanded Karan Singh and Jai Bhagwan in judicial custody for
14 days. Sources said when the youth was reportedly caught while stealing the suitcase of a passenger, he was overpowered and beaten to death by irate passengers. After the postmortem examination conducted in the local Civil Hospital, the body of the youth, which remained unidentified till date, was cremated today. |
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Rs 4.48 lakh robbed from bank
Fatehabad, July 28 The youths, four or five in number, allegedly overpowered the security guard, Banwari Lal, and locked him up in the record room of the bank. After looting the cash, they allegedly locked up other employees, including manager Balwant Singh, as well as two customers in the record room. SP Saurabh Singh said the youths were in their early twenties and it was not clear whether they walked to the bank branch or came in a vehicle. He said the area had been sealed off and all vehicles passing through the barricades were being checked. |
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3 booked for dowry death
Kaithal, July 28 Bimla, wife of Pawan Kumar of Rohera village, was admitted to a hospital with burn injuries that she had received at her residence. She succumbed to her injuries during the treatment. |
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