Chandigarh, January 27
The probe by the Union Ministry of Finance into the Maruti Suzuki direct recruitment’s offer scam has failed to save thousands of job aspirants across India from being duped by unscrupulous scamsters. Hundreds of people have received fake emails in the name of Shinzo Nakanishi, CEO and MD of the company, asking for money in return for an interview letter.

The Tribune exposed the scam in November last year which had been around for the past two years, forcing the Ministry of Finance to mark an inquiry. But even before the government has

been able to get at those behind the “fraud”, another email arrived in people’s mailboxes, saying that they had been shortlised for an interview based on their resumes posted on recruitment websites.

Written on the company’s letter head, the email states: “The Company is recruiting candidates for our new plants in Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune and Mumbai. Your interview will be held at the Company Corporate office in New Delhi on February 2, 2013, at 11.30 am. You will be pleased to know that out of the 62 candidates selected, 55 candidates will be given appointment, meaning that your application can progress to the final stage. You have to come in our corporate office in New Delhi. Your offer letter with air ticket will be sent to you by courier before the date of interview”.

But here comes the catch. The email goes on to say that the candidates have to deposit a “refundable” security deposit of Rs 15,200 through any branch of the SBI, ICICI or HDFC Bank. “Your offer letter with air tickets will be sent to your home address by courier after receiving the confirmation of interview security deposited in any of the banks…… Lodging, travelling and local conveyance actual will be paid by the Suzuki company as per bills. The candidate has to deposit the initial refundable security fee as mentioned…..this amount will be refunded to you as the amount is just to prove that you will be coming for the interview so that we do not incur loss after sending you the air ticket but you don't show up on the day of interview”.

Interestingly, the interview date is February 2, 2013, but the “refundable security deposit” can be paid till February 28, 2013. Despite such careless mistakes in drafting the email that also has numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes, hundreds of people are falling for the scam.

After the scam came to light in November, 2012, the Union Finance Ministry ordered an inquiry, the fate of which is yet not known. It is estimated that around 500 have been defrauded by masterminds behind this email with recipients posting details on a consumer complaint portal - www.complaints-india.com.

The cyber crimes wing of the SBI is aware of the fraud and as reported by The Tribune on November 19, 2012, the DGM (customer services), SBI, sounded the SBI Guwahati branch, whose account was being used for collecting funds. Maruti Suzuki has dissociated itself from the alleged recruitment drive. Maruti has written to some job aspirants saying that “this is a fraudulent mail being operated by criminals. The matter is under investigation by the Gurgaon and Delhi Police. We have issued public notices and cautioned people with an update on our website too.”

Ambala, January 27
The president, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ambala, has issued non-bailable warrants against the chief administrator, HUDA, and an officer of Ambala HUDA office for not appearing in the court after repeated directions of the forum.

It is learnt that the secretary of Ambala Urban Estate Welfare Society, Sector 7, Ambala City, Sandeep Sachdeva, and another 190 residents of the sector had filed a petition before the forum to charge simple interest instead of compound interest on the enhanced amount imposed on plot holders of Sector 7 in 2004.

The forum had dismissed the petition on the ground that such petition could not be filed jointly and the aggrieved party should personally file such complaint. The order was challenged before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which dismissed it. The petitioner approached the National Consumer Redressal Disputes Commission, which observed that the joint petition could be filed in such cases and accordingly the case was remanded back to the forum.

The forum partially allowed the petition, which was again challenged in the State Commission. It continued with the forum’s order. The matter was again challenged before the National Commission.

The National Commission returned the case to the State Commission with the direction to decide the case in the light of case titled HUDA versus Vijay Kumar Batra. On July 18, 2011, the State Commissioner decided the matter in favour of petitioner. The petitioner filed an execution petition before the forum under Section 25 of the Consumer Protection Act for the execution of the order of the State Commission of July 18, 2011.

The forum served notices on HUDA officials for compliance of the order, but nothing was done in this regard. Finally, the court issued notice under Section 27 of the Consumer Act to the chief administrator, HUDA, and an officer of HUDA, Ambala, to explain personally why the order had not been executed so far. When the officials concerned did not appear before the forum, the forum on Friday issued non-bailable warrants against the duo officials and directed the Ambala police to execute them before January 31.

Karnal, January 27
In a landmark judgement, the Haryana State Consumer Court has upheld the decision of District Consumer Forum that an applicant under the Right to Information Act (RTI) becomes a “consumer” after paying the prescribed fee and can approach the consumer court on denial of information by designated the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the organisation.

The District Consumer Forum had passed the order in a case related to information about destroying the record pertaining to recruitment of police inspectors by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) after the information was denied by the PIO of the HSSC and the applicant pleaded that after paying the prescribed fee of Rs 50, “he falls in the category of consumer”.

RTI activist Rajesh Sharma had filed an application under the RTI Act on April 29, 2009, seeking information about the date on which record of recruitment was destroyed by the HSSC, the process of destroying the record and the rules under which it was done, but the PIO did not furnish the information within the stipulated period of one-month and even after filing the first appeal and requesting the State Information Commission (SIC), the information was not given.

Finally, Sharma filed the case in the District Consumer Forum, pleading that he was a consumer as he had paid a fee of Rs 50 and forum chairman MM Sharma took congnisance of the complaint and found the PIO guilty of deficient services and fined him Rs 20,000 and also asked him to pay Rs 5,000 as the cost of litigation.

The order was challenged by the PIO in the State Consumer Court which dismissed the plea and asked the PIO to pay the fine. The judgement would have far reaching consequences as erring PIOs would be fined in case they failed to give full information within the prescribed period and there would be more transparency, said Sharma.

Sonepat, January 27
Baba Ramdev said today that Congress leaders had established a world record of scams and if an impartial inquiry was conducted by the CBI, 80 to 90 per cent of the Congress leadership would go behind bars.

Baba Ramdev unveils a statue of Rajbala Malik at Bhatana Zafarbad village (Sonepat) on Sunday. Photo: BS Malik

He was talking to mediapersons after unveiling a statue of Rajbala Malik, who had succumbed to injuries received during the police lathi charge at Ram Lila ground in Delhi during Baba Ram Dev’s agitation against corruption. He reiterated that Rajbala's sacrifice would no go waste and his agitation against corruption would continue.

Commenting on Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s remarks against the RSS and the BJP, Baba Ram Dev said that Hindus were always nationalists and patriotic. “Shinde was misleading the nation by levelling allegations of terrorism against the RSS and the BJP,” he added.

About the gruesome murder of two Indian soldiers on the LOC, Baba Ram Dev said that the soldiers had sacrificed their lives for the unity and territorial integrity of the nation and Pakistan should be paid back in the same coin.

He said his target was to send around 350 honest and patriotic MPs. The Congress-led UPA government had crushed with a heavy hands two agitations launched against corruption in the recent past . 

Chandigarh, January 27
A team of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a licensed chemist shop at Jagadhari in Yamunanagar and issued a show-cause notice to the firm for selling drugs for illicit use as intoxicants. The team also got the shop closed so as to prevent the firm from repeating such offence.

A spokesman said acting swiftly on the information, an FDA team comprising of the Senior Drugs Control Officer and the Drug Control Officer raided M/s Bharat Drug Store in Jagadhari and found the owner of the store, Sanjeev Garg, to have sold three strips of proxyvon capsules for its illicit use as intoxicant to a drug addict.

He said the team detected numerous contraventions. Four samples of medicines, including some ‘pudias’ claiming to be of ayurvedic mixture, were seized for the purpose of test and analysis. He said that these so claimed ayurvedic ‘pudias’ were suspected to be some mixture of intoxicants and other commonly abused medicines, which would be known only after their chemical analysis.

The spokesman said the FDA had so far carried out numerous raids throughout the state to put an end to the misuse of such medical intoxicants. Licenses of more than 100 chemists found indulged in illicit sale and purchase of medical intoxicants had been cancelled or suspended by the respective licensing authorities throughout the state during the past one year.

Karnal, January 27
Forty-year-old AIDS patient Prakash (name changed) has been running from pillar to post to get help to save his HIV positive daughter. He has already lost his three children to the dreaded disease and his wife is also an AIDS patient. The future of his another two-and-a-half-year-old daughter has become a cause of concern for him

His daughter is undergoing treatment and she has to undergo anti-retroviral therapy for survival, but acute financial crunch is coming in the way of her treatment.

Living a life of penury, Prakash, who exhausted all his savings in the treatment of his three children who did not survive and also sold a small piece of his land, received a financial help of Rs 20,000 from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 7,000 were deposited in a bank account opened for him by the Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, after The Tribune highlighted his plight.

The meagre financial assistance of Rs 27,000 and petty earnings of Prakash are not sufficient even to make his both ends meet and his concern about financial help for the treatment of his daughter and bringing up the other child has added to his woes.

A resident of Suraj Singh Dera in Raipur Jatan, Gharonda, he took up a petty job with a meagre salary of Rs 4,800, but besides bringing up his family, he also has to repay a debt of Rs 1.50 lakh.

He is getting free treatment for his disease, but is unable to bear the sundry expenses he has to incur during every visit, as he has neither money nor any other source of income.

“I am somehow trying to pull on and fight against all odds, but need some help for purchasing medicines for my minor daughter and give her nutritious food to undergo the treatment,” Prakash said.

Rewari, January 27
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda exhorted the people to take up cudgels against corruption, female foeticide, drug-addiction and other menaces to ensure a healthy society.

After unfurling the National Flag and taking the salute from a combined march-past of the Haryana police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and schoolchildren on the occasion of the 64th Republic Day in Rao Tula Ram Stadium here yesterday, the Chief Minister paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhiand other towering leaders of the freedom movement and martyrs of the pre-independence era.

Specifically mentioning about Haryanavis’ massive contribution to the freedom struggle as well as the historic battle of Nasibpur (Narnaul) fought against the British in 1857 under the overall command of Rao Tula Ram, he spoke of the supreme sacrifice made by Nawab Abdur Rehman Khan of Jhajjar, Raja Nahar Singh of Ballbhgarh and Farrukh Nagar ruler Ahmed Ali, who all were sent to the gallows by the then British government in 1857.

Speaking about the heroic battle of Rezang La against the Chinese in 1962, Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the Rewari region had over 24,000 soldiers today.

Stating that India had carved out a niche among the major powers of the world during the past six decades, Hooda said the credit went to the assiduous efforts made by their dedicated politicians, toiling peasantry, skilful workers and prominent scientists.

The Chief Minister said Haryana, which stood at the14th rung in the matter of investment in 2005, was now occupying the number one position. Haryana’s per capita income was now the highest among major states and the stare had become a role model for other states in financial management.

Stating that new heights had been attained in the spheres of education, health and sports, Hooda pointed out that the state's policies were now being pursued at the national level.

Enumerating steps initiated to achieve the cherished goal of self-sufficiency in the power sector, Hooda stated that the state's total power generation capacity now stood at 8,497 MW and negotiations were going on with Bhutan for the establishment of a hydro power project there that would make about 2,000 MW available to Haryana.

Stating that the year 2013 was being observed as ‘Industry and Employment Year’, Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Haryana had emerged as a preferred destination for entrepreneurs and capital investment worth Rs 61,000 crore had been made till now whereas projects worth Rs 97,000 crore were in the pipeline.

The Chief Minister honoured freedom fighters, war widows , distinguished officials and 29 village panchayats and four government schools for their meritorious performance in respective spheres. He announced a sum of Rs 2.51 lakh for sweets for schoolchildren who presented a colourful cultural programme on the occasion of the Republic Day.

Sonepat: As many as 113 persons, including six freedom fighters, five war widows, and nine gram panchayats were honoured for their outstanding contributions in various fields by Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal on the occasion of the Republic Day here.

After unfurling the National Flag, the minister paid tributes to the martyrs of the freedom struggle, freedom fighters and other war heros who laid down their lives for the country.

Meanwhile, the Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS), Vinod Bhayana, unfurled the National Flag at Gohana.

Reports of the Republic Day celebrations were also reported from various districts, including Karnal, Kurukshetra, and sub-divisional towns. 

Faridabad, January 27
Governor Jagannath Pahadia, who was the chief guest at a public function here on the Republic Day, lauded the state government for its policies and attributed them to the state’s rapid growth and its pole position in several sectors.

He also appreciated the enterprise of the people of Haryana, which has helped the state win laurels. On the occasion, Pahadia hoisted the Tricolour and inspected the parade. He gave awards to police personnel, social workers and students.

He said Haryana had achieved the highest per capital investment in the country and was second to Goa with regard to per capita income. He showered praise on entrepreneurs, farmers and sportspersons in helping the state scale new heights in their respective fields. Pahadia said the state had emerged as a leading producer of wheat. He also highlighted the state’s achievement of recently bagging “Krishi Karmana”, a national award, for the second successive year.

He lauded sportspersons for their quality performances in the national and international events. He referred to four out of the six medals bagged by the country in the London Olympics won by sportsmen hailing from the state. He expressed satisfaction at the high infrastructural growth, especially roads and public transport system.

According to him, the state is emerging as an education hub. The number of universities has gone up to 30. It is also progressing towards attaining self-sufficiecy in generation of power, he added.

The Governor said the government was attuned to the welfare projects aimed at empowering weaker sections of society. He urged upon the youths to be pro-active in nation building. 

Chandigarh, January 27
Greeting “the people of the state” on the Republic Day through a written message sent from Tihar jail, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala urged them to maintain peace and reaffirmed his faith in judiciary.

Emphasising that he had “an abiding faith in the Constitution of our country”, the message urges the people to “maintain amity, peace, harmony and law and order”.

It goes on to urge them to follow principles of the democratic system. “In my absence or while in custody, if any incident that does not fall within the purview of law happens due to over-flowing emotions or that causes inconvenience to the citizens, I condemn that in strongest words,” he said in an obvious reference to the post-verdict clash of his supporters with the Delhi police.

Maintaining that the INLD believes in democracy, the message adds: “Every citizen has a right to put forth his point of view or express views in a democratic manner. But this right should be exercised within the rules of democracy and no citizen should suffer in any way.”

Stating that judiciary is an integral part of the Constitution, Chautala’s hand-written message says that he has the highest respect for judiciary. “I have complete faith in it. Judiciary will deliver justice.,” the message conveys. 

Sirsa/Fatehabad, January 27
INLD workers have been asked to launch a campaign to tell people, that their leaders Om Prakash Chautala and Ajay Singh Chautala, have been sent to jail for taking up the cause of common people.

Addressing worker meetings throughout the state after Chautala and his son Ajay Singh were sentenced to 10-year imprisonment each in the JBT recruitment scam, the former Chief Minister younger son, Abhey Singh Chautala, has been calling upon party workers to “expose the conspiracy of the Congress” by going to people.

Abhey Singh addressed meetings at Sirsa and Fatehabad today.

“It is not for the first time that our family has been targeted by the Congress. They (Congress leaders) have been trying to suppress our voice since Chaudhary Devi Lal’s time, because we have always raised the issues concerning farmers and common people,” Abhey Singh said.

He alleged that this time, the Congress had targeted the Chautala clan because they had started exposing UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra’s “illegal” land deals in Haryana 
and had threatened to review these after coming to power.

State INLD chief Ashok Arora alleged that the Congress leaders, who were accused of scams running into several lakh crores were roaming free but Chautala and Ajay Singh had been sent to jail for no fault.

Sirsa, January 27
Both former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his MLA son Ajay Singh Chautala are in high spirits while serving their imprisonment in the JBT scam case.

Tarlochan Singh, former Rajya Sabha member from Haryana, who accompanied Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday to meet Chautala at GB Pant Hospital and Ajay at Tihar Jail, Delhi, said he did not find any gloom on their faces during the meeting.

“Chautala was very cheerful and said he had got the much-needed rest due to this sentence. He was also happy that he has got a complete medical check-up during this period,” Tarlochan Singh said. He said Badal was keen to meet Ajay because he knew that Chautala was a tough man, but Ajay had been to the jail for the first time.

“We went to the jail on January 21, but the jail authorities closed the gate after opening it once. They told Badal that they have a direction not to allow him to go inside the jail. Later, the Punjab Government’s Chief Secretary wrote to the Union and the Delhi Governments and finally, Badal was permitted to meet Chautala and Ajay on Thursday,” Tarlochan Singh added.

Badal had taken fruits and biscuits for both. “On seeing the biscuits, Ajay told Badal that in the prison, he has opted for working in the bakery where biscuits are prepared as a part of manual work performed by the convicts,” Tarlochan Singh said.

When Badal was returning after meeting Ajay, a senior functionary of the jail gifted biscuits prepared in the Tihar jail to the Punjab Chief Minister.

Karnal, January 27
Intense cold wave conditions prevailing in north Haryana districts might have chilled the people to the marrow and increased their electricity bills but it has proved a boon to farmers who are expecting a bumper wheat crop.

Low temperature for 20 to 50 days after sowing of wheat is considered ideal for a good crop. The cold spell is continuing since the sowing of normal varieties was completed by deadline of November 25, 2012.

The area under wheat cultivation in Karnal alone is 1.72 lakh hectares while the total area under wheat cultivation countrywide is around 29.9 lakh hectares, the same as last year.

Scientists at the Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR) are hopeful that the target of 93.9 million tonnes achieved last year would be met if the temperatures did not shoot up in March-April when the crop matures. The stages of tilling and maturity is significant and low temperature is ideal for the crop at both the times, said Dr R K Gupta,scientist at the DWR.

The cold spell is no doubt fraught with the danger of a frost attack on crop, but light and frequent irrigation can be effective in combating the situation, he said. He added that though the area under wheat cultivation in Uttar Pradesh with productivity of 3.1 tonnes per hectares (which is also the national average) is more, the yield per hectre is more in Haryana and Punjab — more than 5 tonnes per hectare.

The wheat varieties commonly used by farmers which include HD 2967, HD 2894, HD 2932, PBW 550 and WS 711, while late sowing varieties like PBW 373, HD 2851 and Raaz 3765 have been yielding good results and there have been no complaint of “yellow rust” till date, subdivisional agriculture officer Sunil said.

However, he urged the farmers to take adequate precautions the moment they find symptoms of yellowness in leaves and carefully watch for orange powder on leaves.