New Delhi, April 19
The Supreme Court today took the Haryana Government to task for adopting a “pick-and-choose” method for acquiring land for the development of the Devi Lal Industrial Park on 300 acres on the NH-8 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

A Bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and KSP Radhakrishnan asked Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanium, who appeared for the state government, as to why the land of a large number of people had been exempted from acquisition.

The land of some of the companies which had been set up without getting the mandatory change in land use (CLU) certificate had been exempted. The others who were beneficiaries of the exemption included the village sarpanch, Randhir Singh, and his relatives, the Bench pointed out.

The state government has approached the SC challenging the High Court verdict in a case involving Gurcharan Kaur and others. The state government said the HC verdict was coming in the way of awarding compensation to the people whose land had been acquired.

The apex court, however, directed the state government to explain as to why exemptions had been allowed before seeking any relief. The state government sought a week’s time for providing the information, which the court granted. 

Chandigarh, April 19
House tax will be back in Haryana soon. But house owners will have the consolation that the tax rate will be nominal.

The property tax proposals came up for discussion at a meeting between Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and chairpersons of urban civic bodies here today.

Hooda said the government had abolished house tax but the Centre withheld grants of more than Rs 500 crore as the 13th Finance Commission felt that the abolition of house tax was against the constitutional provisions.

As per the draft proposals, notional house tax of Re 1 per square yard has been proposed for the houses up to 250 square yards. According to official sources, 87 per cent houses under the municipal committees or councils and 76 per cent houses under the Municipal Corporations fall under this category.

Flats of sizes up to 500 square feet would also be charged the nominal property tax rate of Re 1 per square yard. The property owners would themselves decide their property tax.

The meeting decided that the unit area method should be followed as was being done in Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. It decided to give concession to the self-occupied houses.

The non-RCC construction and properties more than 25 years old would get a 25 per cent rebate. While the civic bodies would have the power to give up to a 50 per cent rebate to the self-occupied houses, for freedom fighters and war widows, the rebate of 50 per cent would be mandatory.

The self-occupied houses of more than 250 square yards would be charged at the collector rate multiplied by 0.00075 per square yard. The property tax on institutional and industrial properties would be the collector rate multiplied by 0.001.

For commercial properties, it is proposed as the collector rate multiplied by 0.0015. To encourage the people for making houses, the property tax at the rate of 0.00015 multiplied by the collector rate has been proposed.

In respect of rented premises, the tax would be the maximum of the self-occupied rate or 2.5 per cent of the rental value in the case of residential properties or 5 per cent of the rental value in the case of non-residential properties. There would be no house tax on government and religious properties and graveyards.

Agricultural and horticultural plots of more than 500 square yards would be exempt from property tax.

The fire tax would be applicable only on non-residential properties and it would be at the rate of 10 per cent of property tax. At present, the fire tax at the rate of 1 per cent is levied on all non-residential buildings on the value assessed for the purpose of imposing tax on buildings and land.

* Notional house tax of Re 1 per square yard for houses up to 250 square yards
* Flats of sizes up to 500 sq feet will be charged nominal property tax rate of Re 1 per sq yard
* Self-occupied houses of more than 250 sq yards will be charged at the collector rate multiplied by 0.00075 per sq yard
* For commercial properties, collector rate will be multiplied by 0.0015
* No house tax on government and religious properties, graveyards
* Agricultural and horticultural plots of more than 500 sq yards will be exempted from property tax

Karnal, April 19
Farooq H Kayani, Principal of Lawrence College in Murree near Islamabad and brother of the Pakistan army chief, today pleaded for easing the visa rules to facilitate more visits and better interaction among the peoples of India and Pakistan. He said this would go a long way in improving the bilateral relations between the two countries.

“More interaction and visits is the key to better relations and both countries should make efforts in this direction,” Kayani told mediapersons during a brief halt at Karnal.

Kayani, who was on his way back after visiting Taj Mahal in Agra, along with his wife Sayeda, 15 students and staff members, asked the peoples of the two countries not to abandon their rich culture and traditions for a western lifestyle.

“There is no harm in following the West, but we must keep our culture and traditions intact,” he said.

Kayani said stress should be laid on education as it bolstered mutual relations and said the peoples of the two countries must have mutual trust and not frenzy.

“India and Pakistan are alike in many ways and have a similar culture, costumes and language. During my three visits to this country in the past, I have always felt at home,” he observed.

Referring to the Cricket World Cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan, Kayani said it was for the first time that the Prime Ministers of the two countries were together for eight hours.

Earlier, the Pakistan group was accorded a rousing reception here. Local MLA Sumita Singh, Deputy Commissioner Neelam Pradeep Kasni and other officers welcomed the delegation.

The Pakistani students were very happy and said they enjoyed their visit and hoped for more such visits in the future.

Gurgaon, April 19
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mahehwar Dayal has been categorically told to ensure that the family members of Sahil (name changed), a 13-year-old boy of Krishna Colony in Gurgaon, were not threatened by his subordinates.

Certain police officials had allegedly thrashed Sahil, injected petrol into his rectum and put chilli-powder in his eyes after he was arrested on a charge of theft.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had sent a team led by Commission member VK Tikoo to Gurgaon for a spot inquiry into the matter after the case came to light. The matter was reported in these columns.

Talking to The Tribune today, Tikoo disclosed that the Gurgaon DCP appeared before a Bench of the Commission and admitted that certain police officials had committed excesses on the child and violated relevant rules and norms.

Head constable Jitender Kumar has been placed under suspension, while a constable has been sent to the police lines in connection with the case.

“However, it has come to our notice that certain police officials of Sector 5 police station are still intimidating the family members of the minor police-torture victim to withdraw the complaint,” Tikoo asserted and added that the intimidation did not stop despite a letter sent to the Gurgaon Police Commissioner in this regard on April 8.

In a demi-official letter written to DCP Maheshwar Dayal today itself, Tikoo maintains: “As already conveyed to you by the commission during the hearing, a very serious note has been taken of this alleged attempt on the part of some of the Gurgaon police officials to influence the inquiry process initiated as per law…you are hereby requested to ensure that no police officials within the jurisdiction of your command area make an attempt (directly or indirectly) to entice/ intimidate/ threaten (the victim’s family) or try to influence/vitiate the inquiry of this commission as a civil court (under Section 14 of the Commission for Protection of Child

Rights Act, 2005). You are also requested to ensure the safety and security of the child and all his family members .

Copies of the letter had also been sent to the Haryana Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary and Director, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Haryana, besides the SHO of Sector 5 police station in Gurgaon. 

Chandigarh, April 19
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today reiterated the Bench’s earlier observations on expeditious disposal of MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi’s plea in the defection matter,

Lawyers representing the Speaker and the five MLAs, headed by Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanium, had earlier told the Bench that every endeavour would be made to dispose of the disqualification petition as expeditiously as possible. Taking a note of the assertion, the Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had asserted: “The Speaker may proceed to decide the disqualification petition in the terms of the statement made before the court”.

As the case came up for hearing this morning, the Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice TPS Mann also allowed an application filed by Speaker Kuldeep Sharma to pursue the appeal in the capacity of the appellant. His affidavit to this effect was also taken on record, as the Bench ordered the listing of the appeals for arguments on April 29. As the case came up, Haryana Advocate-General Hawa Singh Hooda sought adjournment on the ground that Subramanium was unable to come to Chandigarh to argue the case. The plea was opposed by Bishnoi’s counsel, who claimed it was a deliberate attempt on the part of the Haryana government, the Speaker and all five MLAs to prolong the matter.

He said the only direction given by the HC to the Speaker was to decide the disqualification petitions within four months. Claiming that the deadline would expire on Wednesday, he said the SC had already said in Mayawati’s case that the Speaker should decide disqualification petitions within three weeks. In the present case, the petitions have not been decided even after 17 months.

Chandigarh, April 19
Air Commodore BS Gathwala (retd) attained new heights of glory by participating in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 operations. However, the retired Air Force officer found his plans of owning a house in Gurgaon grounded, with the Haryana Urban Development Authority acting unfairly - an approach now decried by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Coming to his rescue, Justice Ranjit Singh has passed strictures on HUDA and directed the issuance of a plot to him in Sector 27, Gurgaon. A cost of Rs 25,000, too, shall be paid to him.

The retired officer was initially made to wait for seven years for the plot’s possession, as the one initially allotted to him was under litigation. However, that was just the beginning of the battle. He was told the plot later transferred to him stood allotted to somebody else. He was then told to take the plot initially allotted to him.

Taking up his petition filed through counsel Puneet Bali, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “This is another case where HUDA seems to have tied itself in circles. At the receiving end is a retired officer from the Indian Air Force.

“The petitioner had participated in three operations, which the country had to undertake in 1962, 1965 and 1971. He must have been looking for peace of mind after his retirement, not knowing what fate had in store for him as he had to deal with authorities like HUDA”.

Justice Ranjit Singh added: “The facts would be enough to show how unfairly the petitioner was treated. If the initial allotment, which was done in favour of the petitioner in 1990 had materialised, the petitioner would have been able to construct his house with hardly any expense. The cost of construction has risen phenomenally as compared to 1990. 

Panipat, April 19
Revenue Minister Satpal Sangwan today conducted a surprise check on the Panipat tehsil office and placed the tehsildar, Subhash Mehta, under suspension following complaints of irregularities against him. It is for the second time that the tehsildar has been suspended by the government following complaints from the public.

During the minister’s visit, the tehsildar and five other employees were found absent.

Later, speaking to mediapersons, the minister said he had received a number of complaints against the tehsildar, some of which were related to corruption. He said the action had been taken to send a strong message to all government officials in the state to fall in line or face action.

In November 2009, the then Haryana Revenue Minister, Shiv Charan Sharma, had ordered the suspension of Subhash Mehta following complaints.

Gharaunda (Karnal) April 19
A Dalit youth, Sanjeev, of Zile Singh Colony here was admitted to a private hospital in a serious condition after he was allegedly tortured and mercilessly beaten up at Gharaunda police station last night. The incidentmade DSP Surinder Singh Bhoria place ASI Vinod Kumar under suspension.

Hundreds of enraged Dalits, including women, gathered at the police station and urged the DSP to take action against all police personnel involved in beating Sanjeev.

Sanjeev’s father Chand Ram alleged that five other police personnel involved in the incident should also be suspended.

According to Chand Ram, Sanjeev had an altercation with some boys who filed a complaint. Some police officers came to his residence in a Gypsy and took him to the police station and asked him to call his son, Sanjeev. When Sanjeev reached the police station, the police let Chand Ram go home but detained Sanjeev.

“When I along with some other persons went to the police station, I was shocked to see that Sanjeev was not able to stand on his legs due to a severe beating,” he said.

Chand ram said he saw Sanjeev coming out of the police station, vomiting blood. As deep wounds had been inflicted on his hands, legs and chest, the police rushed Sanjeev to a private clinic. BSP leader Raj kumar, Zila Parishad vice-president Ashok Mittal, President of Municipal Committee Ajay have demanded the suspension of five other policemen.

Sirsa, April 19
Students residing in Lala Lajpat Rai Hostel at Chaudhary Devi Lal University are up in arms against the the alleged “dictatorial attitude” of the hostel wardens.

The students started a dharna this morning, demanding suspension of the chief warden and the warden.

Rakesh Kumar, an MBA student, alleged that he was targeted by the two wardens because he had objected to their financial irregularities .

He alleged he was forcibly locked in the guest room of the hostel by a warden for over three hours on April 13.

Dr Manoj Siwach, Registrar, said the warden complained recently that some students created indiscipline and consumed liquor in the hostel.

Dr Siwach said the university would take action against whosoever was found guilty after a thorough inquiry. He said the university would not tolerate indiscipline.

Chandigarh, April 19
The Haryana Government has extended the date for online registration of unemployed persons to April 30. The candidates, who are registered manually with the employment exchanges in the state, are also required to register themselves online before April 30 otherwise their names will be deleted. Earlier, the deadline was March 31. The deadline has been extended for the second time.

With the Department of Employment, Haryana, computerising all its activities, all services of the department are available online through its web portal www.hrex.org and the job seekers can also register themselves online on the web portal.

To register, a candidate has to click on “candidate registration”. After registration, the applicants have to send the attested copies of their testimonials along with the printout of the online registration number to the local employment exchange for validation of their registration. 

Jind, April 19
Rain and hailstorm that lashed the state recently have not dampened the arrival of wheat in mandis of the district.

Amidst reports of harvested wheat crop getting wet and damaged in some parts of the district, the authorities here have claimed that the arrival of wheat had crossed 2.16 lakh metric tonnes by yesterday evening with the process moving smoothly to reach its peak in a few days.

The total arrival of wheat in the markets here is likely to be 20 per cent more than the last year’s mark of 5,23,898 metric tonnes.

While a demand has been raised for a survey regarding the damage caused to the standing wheat crop by the recent hailstorm, the authorities here have claimed that squall accompanied by slight downpour has halted the arrival and procurement slightly, but it has come back on track with a large number of farmers reaching mandis with their produce.

The administration has claimed to have made arrangements of procurement in about 34 markets in the district. Anticipating a bumper Rabi crop this year, an official of the local administration claimed that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure proper and smooth procurement.

The Safidon mandi is leading in wheat arrival with 30,805 tonnes, followed by Pillukhera mandi with 28,700 and Narwana mandi with 27,450 tonnes.

Several purchase centres have been set in various villages in the district.

The Food and Supply Department has purchased 53,393 tonnes, while Hafed and the FCI have bought 51,566 and 11,984 tonnes, respectively, till Monday evening.

Haryana Agro, Haryana Warehousing Corporation and Confed are among other leading government agencies procuring wheat from the mandis.

However, in Rohtak, the wheat arrival and procurement appears to be far lower than Jind district. The total arrival in various mandis in Rohtak till Monday evening has been recorded at 38,126 metric tonnes. Nine mandis and purchase centres have been made functional in the district this season. 

Sirsa, April 19
Rain and hailstorm that lashed parts of Sirsa and Fatehabad districts during the past two days have dampened the prospects of a bumper wheat crop this year.

The inclement weather has also hampered the procurement process in grain markets, as heaps of wheat that had arrived in the mandis have become moist and hence unfit for procurement temporarily.

“We had a very good crop this year. Though harvesting was delayed for a few days due to a relatively lower temperature this year, we expected a bumper crop.

However, rain and hailstorm have dampened our spirits at a time when we were about to harvest our crops,” said Hardayal, a farmer in the Sirsa grain market.

“I had already harvested the crop on eight acres last week, but the crop on other 13 acres is still standing, as it was sown later and its grains are still very soft,” he added. 

Gurgaon, April 19
All-India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Rahul Gandhi will meet panchayat-level delegates of the Youth Congress at Gymkhana Club here on April 21.

Disclosing this at a press conference here today, Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress president Chiranjeev Rao said it was for the first time that the party’s youth icon would meet panchayat-level members of the Youth Congress.

“Rahul’s visit will not only enable the Congress workers to interact with the party’s top echelon, but also encourage the Youth Congress delegates,” he asserted. The state Youth Congress president maintained that a number of youths had followed the ideals and policies of the Congress and reposed their faith in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi during the last parliamentary elections held in May 2009.

Indian Youth Congress general secretary and in charge of the Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress Paresh Dhanani said a warm welcome would be extended to Rahul during his visit to Gurgaon.

He observed that Rahul’s visit would infuse a feeling of enthusiasm and discipline among the party youth and they would work with more zeal and dedication.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Youth Congress was held here today. Pankaj Kharbanda, president of the Gurgaon parliamentary segment at the Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress, said the Youth Congress workers were assigned their duties in connection with Rahul’s visit.

Jind, April 19
Even as residents of some villages have raised their voice against liquor vends in and around their areas, the liquor mafia seems to be actively engaged in spreading its operations in the district by strengthening its network.

This has been revealed during raids conducted by a team deputed by the IG and the SP. The police seized a large number of cartons of liquor from various spots which were meant for sale in illicit vends operational in the district. One person has been arrested in this connection while 12 others have been booked by the police.

According to police officials, the raids carried out today led to the seizure of 193 cartons of liquor of various brands from hideouts of the liquor mafia.

The liquor had been stored illegally at many villages in the district. Hundreds of illegal outlets are reportedly operational in the district which supply liquor to consumers. The liquor mafia also has a home delivery network.

The police team conducted raids at several places, included Dariyawala village, from where it seized 71 cartons of liquor and 41 cartons of beer. As many as 34 cartons of liquor and 28 cartons of beer were seized from Julani village. Several liquor cartons were seized from a house at Dandakheri village.

One person, Ramphal, was arrested while 12 others, who managed to give the police the slip were booked by the police.

Meanwhile, the police has arrested a person, Naresh, and seized 1.5 kg poppy husk from him near Sainthli village in the district.