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Fee hike by private schools
145 Sonepat polling booths hypersensitive
It’s Cong vs INLD in Gurgaon
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Poll observers take charge in Kaithal
Fiftysix in race for 4 seats
Capt Yadav faces tough challenge
NIT students exhibit talent
Kalka NCC cadets excel
Institute welcomes newcomers
Hindi book released
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Fee hike by private schools
Faridabad, October 1 The parents, who are waging a struggle against the managements of the private schools under the aegis of the Haryana Abhibhavak Ekta Manch, burnt the effigies of the state Education Minister and the education mafia which comprises private school managements and influential persons giving patronage to them, at all district headquarters recently. Kailash Sharma, general secretary of the manch, said in the next phase of agitation, the parents would take out a “rath” to highlight the alleged collusion of the state government with the private schools. The rath would visit all Assembly segments and campaign against the Congress nominees who allegedly did not intervene in favour of the parents against the arbitrary practices of the private schools. The manch will also form human chains at various places in the state on October 2 to highlight the hand in glove of the government with the private schools which has emboldened them to fleece the parents by illegally raising the fees. The parents alleged that they had met Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda after a rally in Rohtak on August 30. They had urged the Chief Minister to direct the private schools to enforce the July 6, 2009, directive of the education commissioner-cum-director-general, Haryana School Education. The Chief Minister had assured the parents to intervene on their behalf, but to no avail. The directive was that the private schools, which had raised the school fees in the name of implementation of recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, would have to meet the possible burden of extra expense from their own individual reserve fund. In case, the financial position of the schools was bad and they could not meet the additional expense from their reserve fund, they could effect increase ranging from 0-20 per cent only in tuition fees which was in vogue in 2008. A strict provision was laid down in the directive that only those schools could raise the tuition fees which had submitted their annual statement of income and expenditure to the government. The parents alleged that the schools were following the directive only in breach and no government authority appeared to be interested in the criminality perpetrated by the private school managements. They had inordinately raised the fees, in some case to more than 40 per cent. Sharma alleged that the parents had been struggling against the private schools since February this year and have resorted to all forms of democratic protests. They have met almost all authorities in the government as well as the elected representatives. The only demand of the parents to the Chief Minister as well as others was that the schools should be made to follow the rules. Their protests and pleadings have so far been neglected, including by the Chief Minister. Sharma lamented as to what kind of the Congress government was in place where directive of its senior officer was not implemented. The manch lamented the directive was not implemented even when the Punjab and Haryana High Court turned down the petition of the private schools to impose stay on its implementation.
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145 Sonepat polling booths hypersensitive
Sonepat, October 1 Deputy commissioner-cum-district electoral officer Ajit Joshi said the new electoral rolls had been prepared and as many as 7,67,403 voters would cast their vote at 874 polling booths in Sonepat, Gannaur, Gohana, Kharkhoda, Rai and Baroda Assembly constituencies of the district. “The police authorities have identified 145 polling booths in 33 villages as hypersensitive and 55 booths in 15 villages of the constituencies as sensitive to ensure that proper police arrangements are made on these booths for free and fair polling,” the DC said. He said besides appointing 36 duty magistrates and six liaison officers with the election observers, the election office had imparted training to voters in using EVMs. The pilot rehearsals for the presiding officers, alternate presiding officers and polling officers would be conducted on October 2, 7 and 12, he added. He also informed that necessary prohibitory
orders under Section 144, CrPC, against the use of red beacon, defacement of private and public property, publication of objectionable pamphlets and posters, carrying of fire arms, telecast and broadcast of unauthorised matter, etc., had already been promulgated in pursuance of the directions of the ECI for following the model code of conduct by the political parties, associations, candidates or persons during the period of the election process. “We have set up a complaint centre at the district headquarters with the facility of toll-free number 0130-1077 to register election-related complaints between 9 am and 5 pm everyday,” Joshi said, adding that a media centre had also been set up in the PWD Rest House for providing proper election-related information to mediapersons. He also informed that all returning officers had been directed to ensure that all guidelines of the Supreme Court’s order dated April 13, 2004, and Election Commission’s order dated April 15, 2004, relating to the advertisements of political nature on TV channels and cable networks during the election days were followed in letter and spirit for granting permission for telecast or broadcast of
advertisements.
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It’s Cong vs INLD in Gurgaon
RWAs, too, in poll
arena To add a different dimension to the contest, representatives of certain residents' bodies have also entered the poll fray. While RS Rathee of the Mission Gurgaon Development has filed his nomination papers as an independent after being denied Congress ticket, Rao Lal Singh, a former president of the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of Sector 10, is also being projected as the candidate of the Joint Action Forum of Residents' Associations.
Gurgaon, October 1 In 2000, when the INLD and the BJP were contesting the Assembly poll together, the alliance decided to field a BJP nominee from here. However, the arrangement triggered a revolt in the INLD, which saw rebel INLD leader Gopi Chand Gehlot enter the poll fray as an independent. Thanks to the backing of the disgruntled INLD cadres, Gehlot won the election. This time around, rebellion broke out in the INLD following the party leadership’s decision to field a “weak” candidate for the prestigious seat. As a result, Sukhbir Kataria, who was vice-president of the state INLD’s youth wing, resigned from the party and jumped into the poll “akhara” as an independent. Hence, like the 2000 Assembly elections, an INLD rebel, armed with the overwhelming support of former INLD leaders and workers, is in the poll fray with a hope that the history does repeat itself. Kataria is pitted against veteran Congressman Dharambir Gauba, the sitting MLA as well as Congress nominee from Gurgaon. Interestingly, while Gauba is harping on the development works carried out during the tenure of his party’s regime in the state, Kataria is banking on the lack of development in
the constituency. “People of the Gurgaon area are fed up with the step-motherly treatment meted out to them by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress regime,” maintains Naresh Sehrawat, a former district president of the INLD, who has quit the party and is campaigning for Kataria. Not only Kataria, but also BJP candidate Umesh Agarwal and the nominees of the HJC, the BSP and others are attacking the present incumbent on the lack of development. Besides relying on the anti-incumbency factor against the state government in general and the sitting MLA in particular, Kataria’s supporters also feel that the age factor and Congress factionalism would also go in their favour. The changed caste scenario in the constituency after the recent delimitation exercise is also expected to play a crucial role in deciding the new MLA. Apart from a major chunk of Punjabi voters, the migrant residents of the city, including Jats from other parts of the state who settled here, can tilt the poll balance towards either side.
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Election Commission’s dos and don’ts
Chandigarh, October 1 No wall writing, posters, papers or defacement in any other form or erecting or displaying of cutouts, hoardings, banners, etc. will be permitted on any public property. However, if local laws permit or provide for writing of slogans, displaying posters etc. or erecting cutouts, hoardings, banners, political advertisements, etc. in any public place specifically identified for such purposes on payment or otherwise, this may be allowed. It should be ensured that any such place is not dominated or monopolised by any political party or candidate. All parties and candidates should be provided equal opportunity in
this regard. If the local laws do not permit wall writing, pasting of posters, hoardings /banners /cutouts for political advertisements, etc. on private places, the same is not permitted even with the consent of the owner of
the property. Subject to any restrictions under any local law, the political parties, candidates, their agents, workers and supporters might hoist one party flag showing their election symbol on their own property. Under this provision, however, no cutouts or hoardings or banners of political nature will be allowed on any private property. Where the local laws permit wall paintings and pasting of posters, putting up hoardings, banners, etc. on private premises with the owner’s permission, the candidates or the political parties will obtain written permission from the owner of the property and
submit photocopies of the same to the returning officer. Nothing inflammatory or inciting disaffection amongst communities will be permissible in such writings. The expenditure incurred on these wall writings, etc. would be added to the election expenditure of the candidate. No poster, flag or any other kind of campaign material will be displayed on vehicles except for those used in election campaigning and for which permits have already been granted to the candidates. Under no circumstances, any vehicle should ply with external modification and fittings, including loudspeakers, in contravention of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Election Commission has also issued instructions regarding restrictions on the presence of political functionaries in a constituency after the campaign is over. Under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, campaign would come to an end 48 hours before the close of polling. In the state, polling will be held on between 7 am and 5 pm on October 13. The presence of political functionaries or party workers who have been brought from outside the constituency and who are not voters of the constituency, should not continue to remain in that constituency after the campaigning is over. Their continued presence after the campaigning has ended may undermine the atmosphere for a free and fair poll. The district administration or the police shall ensure that all such functionaries leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period is over.
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Her husband’s voice
Ambala, October 1 It is a well-known fact that Malour was keen to get a ticket from the INLD to contest from Ambala City. Malour, who was the MLA in 2000 from Naggal, had to look for a new constituency after Naggal was abolished. Since the maximum chunk after the delimitation had come in Ambala City’s fold, he was keen to contest from here. But fortunately, this seat was given to the SAD after the INLD and the SAD formed an alliance. Malour, who had already started work in his constituency conveniently, has got the ticket allotted to his wife. Malour, a hard-core Chautala loyalist, has interestingly shifted from wearing the traditional green turban to the royal blue colour worn by the Akalis. Besides changing the style and colour of his turban, he has switched over from speaking in chaste Haryanvi Hindi to Punjabi. Even though the Akalis have fielded Charanjit, the reins are in her husband’s hands. “The minute I heard the ticket for the city was to be given to the SAD, I told Malour not to be upset as I would contest the elections,” states Charanjit. Taking the decision was easy for her. After all, her family for years had supported the Akalis in Punjab. Though Malour has been in politics for the past 20 years, his wife has never accompanied him on his campaigns or been actively involved in his political life. But nonetheless, she is confident that with the help of her husband she will do fine. “I will do as my husband says,” she states. Charanjit is hoping not only to bag the Sikh vote, but also to attract women voters.
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Poll observers take charge in Kaithal
Kaithal, October 1 For Kalayat-16, Dr A. Ashok, IAS, is the observer and his landline number is 01746-234583 and cellphone number is 97293-71315. Satya Jeet Singh, custom senior officer, Delhi, has been appointed the observer for Pundri-18. His landline number is 01746-228093 and cellphone number is 97293-71317. Dr Milind M. Bhusari, IRS, had been appointed the observer for Guhla (reserve)-15. His landline number is 01746-232513 and cellphone number is 97293-71357. Amneet said these observers were staying at the local PWD Rest House and could be contacted between 4 pm and 6 pm. The observers were constantly keeping a watch on compliance of the election code of conduct and were visiting sensitive and supersensitive villages to take stock of the prevailing situation, she added.
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Fiftysix in race for 4 seats
Kaithal, October 1 Amneet P Kumar, district election officer, said in Kaithal, 12 candidates had remained in the fray after one candidate Balwan withdrew his name. In the Guhla (reserve) constituency, after the withdrawal of name by Sarjit, 10 candidates were left in the contest. While Rajbir withdrew his name from Kalayat where 12 candidates were in the field, from the Pundri constituency, Mangat, Deepak and Soran also withdrew their names.
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Capt Yadav faces tough challenge
Rewari, October 1 If the increasing clout of his arch rivals - Randhir Singh Kapriwas (BJP), Zila Parishad chief Satish Yadav (independent), Vijay Somany (BSP) and several others, is any indication, it is not going to be a cakewalk for Capt Yadav, who already has five electoral victories to his credit. The striking feature of the ongoing electoral battle in Rewari is that Capt Yadav, who had won assembly elections from Rewari from 1989 to 2005 five times in a row, is the lone Congress candidate in Haryana who has entered the poll fray for the sixth consecutive time. While this is an open secret that senior Congress leader Rao Inderjit Singh, a scion of the Rampura House (a prestigious political house), which wields considerable clout in the Ahirwal region in general and the Rewari region in particular, and Capt Yadav nourish a political grudge against each other. Independent candidate Satish Yadav has repeatedly claimed that Rao Inderjit Singh was his political mentor and he had the blessings of the Rampura House. Simultaneously, whereas Kapriwas (BJP) had the support of Rao Ajit Singh, another scion of the Rampura House, in the previous Assembly elections, such open support of the Rampura House for Kapriwas is missing this time. Insiders still opine that some sort of assistance by the Rampura House could boost the electoral fortunes of Kapriwas. In the previous Assembly poll of 2005, Capt Yadav had polled over 48,000 votes against his nearest rival Kapriwas of the BJP, who had then secured over 36,000 votes. Thus, a likely re-emergence of a battle royal between Capt Yadav and his bete noire Kapriwas (BJP) is being keenly awaited by people here.
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Bhagat Singh’s nephew inspires varsity students
Sirsa, October 1 He was speaking as chief guest at a cultural programme ‘Ek Shaam Bhagat Singh Ke Naam’ organised by students of Chaudhary Devi Lal University here to mark the 102th birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh recently. In the programme, a folk theatre group from Zeera (Punjab) staged various plays and dance
performances. Throwing light on the various events that shaped Bhagat Singh’s personality, Jagmohan Singh said while his forefathers were committed to the ideals of Guru Gobind Singh, the teachings of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand too had an impact on the value system that Bhagat Singh inherited from his family. He said Bhagat Singh was a voracious reader and had studied the history of several revolutionary movements, including the Russian Revolution, deeply before chalking out the course for attaining freedom from the clutches of British imperialists. Quoting extensively from Bhagat Singh's writings, he told the emotionally charged gathering that the martyr and his colleagues sacrificed their lived for realising the dream of a society with equal opportunities for all. Such a social and political order was yet to be established, he added. In his address, Chauhan said like several other prominent freedom fighters Bhagat Singh too used journalism as a tool in the fight against the colonial rule. He stressed while the entire nation, especially the youth, was in a state of disillusionment due to rampant corruption and other reasons, the life and work of Bhagat Singh could act as a great source of light for those who envision India as a leader in the global community. Fearlessness and habit of reading extensively were the distinctive traits the generation-next must imbibe from the life and heritage of Bhagat Singh. Lok Kala Manch, a folk theatre group from Punjab, presented two plays on this occasion. One was based on the ideology of Bhagat Singh and the other on the menace of female foeticide. Students performed Bhangra on patriotic songs. A poetic homage to the legendary martyr was also paid at a ‘Kavya Sandhya’ and the ongoing ‘Hindi Pakhwara’ in the studios of CDLU community radio station. Well-known local poets recited their poems on
this occasion. Noted ghazal writer Dr Raj Kumar ‘Nizaat' compered the show. Others who presented their poetic writings on this occasion included Dr GD Chaudhary, Principle RK Sharma 'Sayil', Dr Sheel Kaushik, Major Shakti Raj Kaushik, Virender Singh Chauhan and Kiran Malhotra.
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Fatehabad college bags overall title
Sirsa, October 1 The college scored 289 points to finish the overall champion of the cultural extravaganza and no other college could match its performance of 14 recommendations and six commendations for its items. Mata Harki Devi (MHD) College, Odhan, emerged runner-up with three recommendations and four commendations and scored 110 points for its feats. The winner MM College got recommendations in classical instrumental (non-percussion), Indian light vocal, group song general, folk song general, folk song Haryanvi (solo), folk instrumental Haryanavi (solo), Haryanavi group song, Haryanavi orchestra, Western group song, Haryanavi pop song, Haryanavi ghazal, choreography, one-act-play and Sanskrit drama. The Fatehabad college also got commendations in classical vocal solo, Indian orchestra, western vocal solo, Haryanavi group dance, Haryanavi solo dance (female) and mime and Haryanavi group dance. MHD College, Odhan, got recommendations in Indian orchestra, general group dance and mimicry, while the college got commendations in choreography, Haryanavi skit, mime, Haryanavi pop and Haryanavi group dance. Jairup Singh, vice-chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, gave away prizes to the winners. Kuldeep Singh Dhindsa, director-general of JCD Vidyapeeth, was the chief guest of the function on the penultimate day of the festival. Earlier, Naresh Kaushal, Editor, Dainik Tribune, inaugurated the festival. Jai Parkash, principal, JCD College of Education, Shamim Sharma, principal, MHD College, Odhan, Devender Kaushik, principal, MM College, Fatehabad, Suman Gulab, principal, Government National College, Sirsa, Vijaya Tomar, principal, CMK National College, Sirsa, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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NIT students exhibit talent
Kurukshetra, October 1 Institute director MN Bandyopadhyay inaugurated the show. According to NIT Students’ Club president Dixit Garg, the event showcased talent of first-year students in various fields. More than 50 events were organised. The show began with a myriad of musical and literary events, when the motley crew of people witnessing the festivity showed sumptuous interest in the happenings. The solo dance competition marked the beginning of the proceedings for the Music and Dramatics Club while a kavi sammelan did the same for the Hindi Literature and Debating Club. Dr Garg said on the second day, the extravaganza saw the pandemonium rising in the Jubilee Hall with music and dramatics events like Hindi and western solo singing, instrumental solo amongst all, while group dance remained the cynosure of everyone’s eyes. The electrical block of the institute was the host to a different breed of talent who displayed their gift of the gab under the aegis of the Hindi and English Literature and Debating Clubs. The events which embellished the day for Hindi literature and debate were “tatkshan vigyapan”, “isharon isharon mein” etc. While their English counterparts organised events ranging from 20Q, dumb c to ad-hash, the Fine Arts and Modeling Club, too, saw no dearth of talent. There were also many events which tested the physical endurance of students and their aesthetic sense in different events organised by the Hiking and Trekking Club and the Photography Club, respectively. The third and the last day laid eyes on skit and mono acting events while the show stopper of the day was Mr And Miss Fresher, an event which was a hunt for the most versatile faces in the first year. The competition was finally won by Vivek and Amandeep. The valedictory ceremony was presided over by the institute’s dean (planning and development) Prof Krishan
Gopal.
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Kalka NCC cadets excel
Kalka, October 1 Harpreet, convener, public relations of the college, said NCC girl cadets of the college secured the second position in the inter-college drill competition. NCC girl cadet Neha Sharma, a student of BA-I, clinched the first position in firing event in s/w category while
Mukesh, an NCC boy cadet of BA-II, stood second in firing event in s/d category. The victorious cadets were congratulated by principal of the college SK
Manocha, who applauded their efforts and wished them success in future.
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Institute welcomes newcomers
Sirsa, October 1 The function was inaugurated by chief guest Radha Mehta. A cultural programme was organised on the occasion in which students presented a variety of items. Ashish Kathpal was adjudged Mr Fresher while Navjot was declared Miss Fresher. Mukul, Saurabh and Ravi Kant were declared first, second and third, respectively, in the cultural programme. The chairman of the institute gave away the prizes and principal OP Dua welcomed the new students.
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Better services at post offices on cards soon
Kaithal, October 1 She said the project envisaged beautification, modernisation and upgrading of post offices in terms of physical appearance, conducive and friendly work environment as well as quality service level in all spheres which included mail, savings schemes and all IT-related services. To give modern look all post offices selected under this scheme will have a uniform logo and exterior and interior look. New hardware like computers, pass book printers and scanners have been installed at such post offices. Besides, the quality of services will be improved by ensuring same-day delivery of mail and money orders. Staff posted in these post offices have been given special training for better customer management and satisfaction.
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Hindi book released
Kurukshetra, October 1 Unbiased and independent in his approach, Dr Mangal picked up 91 litterateurs from the story of 1000 years of Haryana’s literary creations in Hindi and brought them into sharp focus through elaborate biographical details of authors and poets. Dr Mangal dwelt briefly on the challenges he faced in the course of completing the gigantic project.
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Allow electors negative voting
Although the EVMs presently employed to cast votes do not have "none of the above" option, still the voters, who don't find any candidate suitable among all those contesting and figuring on the EVM, do posses an option of rejecting all as the same is provided under Section 49-O in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. A voter putting his signature/thumb impression and getting indelible ink affixed on his finger after his electoral roll number has been entered in a register by a polling official has got such a right. He can make a remark to the effect that he has decided not to vote for any candidate and after which he would have to again make a fresh signature/thumb impression against such remark. Thus even after recording presence and attendance, a voter can opt to go for something called "negative voting". But it has been witnessed that the polling staff on duty do not permit any voter who wants to exercise this option, perhaps owing to ignorance of this provision. Though negative voting is not a healthy sign for a free and vibrant democracy, what if an elector of a constituency finds every candidates unsuitable for getting elected. The legal rights available to electors must not be denied to them. The Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, should instruct all returning officers to issue suitable directions to all polling staff to allow and assist electors who want to exercise this option.
Hemant Kumar, Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at haryana@tribuneindia.com or write in at: Letters, Haryana Plus,
The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030.
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