Rewari, April 1
Differences among Congress leaders came to the fore yet again here. Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Anita Yadav today charged Power Minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav with interfering in the police probe in a dowry death case.

Even, she along with hundreds of residents of Chakrapur village in the district submitted a memorandum to the Rewari Superintendent of Police (SP) wherein they accused Capt Ajay Yadav of protecting his family members in a dowry death case. The villagers also sought a CBI probe into the case.

Capt Ajay’s nephew Sourabh Yadav’s wife Garima (22), a resident of Chakrapur village, had died under mysterious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Sector-3 here on March 23 night.

The police then booked Garima’s in-laws, including her husband, under various sections of the IPC on the complaint of her relatives who accused them of killing her. No arrest has been made even after 10 days of the incident.

Earlier, residents of Chakrapur organised a massive march across the city in protest against the police for not arresting the accused. The protesters, carrying placards, shouted slogans against Capt Ajay Yadav and the Haryana Police.

The protest march, after passing through various markets, reached the Mini-Secretariat where CPS Anita Yadav joined the protesters and accused the minister of intervening in the police investigation. Thereafter, they submitted a memorandum to Rewari SP Pankaj Nain and demanded immediate arrest of the accused. The SP has assured the protesters of arresting the accused within a week.

“The police are not taking action against the accused following the pressure of Capt Ajay Yadav who is interfering in the investigation to protect his family members,” alleged Anita Yadav while talking to mediapersons at the Mini-Secretariat.

Garima’s relatives said she got married to Sourabh more than one-and-half-year ago. “We had given enough dowry, but her in-laws harassed her for fetching more dowry. Garima did not commit suicide, but she was murdered,” they alleged.

Capt Ajay Yadav could not be contacted despite repeated attempts in this regard.

Rohtak, April 1
The Haryana state committee of the CPM today released its state-specific manifesto here today. Published under the title of “An Appeal to the Electorate”, the manifesto has highlighted the struggles launched by the party for people.

Releasing the manifesto, state CPM secretary Inderjit Singh emphasised that a shift in the policies was a must to ensure a modest relief to citizens as most political parties had hardly any concern for the problems faced by people.

The party has promised to intensify efforts for implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations for improving the lot of farmers, putting an end to the “blind” acquisition of agricultural land, curbing corruption and making governance transparent and accountable, reservation in the private sector, debt relief, crop and cattle insurance, end to privatisation of health education through social control, restoration of effective autonomy to universities and revival of student unions.

The party has promised to do away with the contract job system, strict implementation of labour laws, ensuring security to women, weaker sections and Dalits, 33 per cent reservation for women in legislature, Rs 4,000 minimum pension for the elderly, widows and physically-challenged.

The party has sought an inquiry commission to probe the shady land deals and recruitment scams to bring the guilty to book.

The CPM has also vowed to ensure an effective Lokpal with the office of Chief Minister under its purview.

“The party is of the firm opinion that no further step would be taken towards setting up of a nuclear power plant at Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district without addressing safety and ecological concerns expressed by several atomic scientists, other experts and local residents,” said Inderjit.

Karnal, April 1
Despite an objection raised by state BJP chief Ram Bilas Sharma, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal will continue to campaign for Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidates in the state. Sukhbir will come to Assandh tomorrow to address an election rally organised in favour of INLD candidate from the Karnal parliament constituency Jaswinder Singh Sandhu.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, while campaigning in favour of INLD candidate Dushyant Chautala in Hisar recently, had given a clarion call to defeat Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi. The HJC and SAD are constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In Karnal, the BJP has fielded its candidate. The SAD leader will be here for canvassing against the BJP candidate.

Madan Mohan Choudhary, district president of the beopar cell of the INLD, said Sukhbir Singh Badal would come to Assandh tomorrow to address an election rally.

Choudhary said Sukhbir Singh Badal would come by helicopter and would go after the election rally to another district for canvassing in the favour of the INLD candidate.

Ram Bilas Sharma had said the Haryana Janhit Congress was an alliance partner of the BJP in Haryana. He had said they would complain to the central leadership against SAD.

Ambala, April 1
All arrangements have been made for holding free, fair and peaceful elections for the Ambala Lok Sabha seat said Ambala Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr Saket Kumar. He said strict vigil was being kept on all the election formalities as directed by the Election Commission of India.

He appealed to the voters of Ambala that in case they found any difficulty in election process, use of religion, caste, creed during electioneering, use of liquor, money and any other means to lure the voters they should immediately report to officers on election duty or the police for prompt action.

He said in all such cases action would be taken immediately and the name of the complainant would be kept secret. He said the voters of Ambala, contesting candidates or their representatives can contact the Assistant Electoral Officer, District Electoral Officer in case of any assistance. — OC

Panipat, April 1
Several members of the BJP Mahila Morcha were injured in a clash at the party’s election office near Gohana Morh here today.

A group led state Industry Cell co-convener Surendra Rewri clashed with another group led by district vice-president Savita Taneja at BJP candidate Ashwani Chopra's election office.

Savita and several workers of the BJP Mahila Morcha reportedly sustained injuries in the clash. Savita was rushed to the local Civil Hospital from where she was referred to the PGI, Rohtak.

Municipal Councillor Rohita Rewri's husband Surendra Rewri alleged that Savita slapped him in the presence of a large number of party workers at the BJP election office. He alleged that she was agitated as he had asked her why she did not deposit Rs 11,000, which she took from him for donation, with the Jan Sewa Dal.

Mahila Morcha state spokesperson Mehak Dewan termed Rewri's allegations as baseless. Mehak, who also sustained injuries in the clash, said Surendra was annoyed with them as they were actively participating in the electioneering and he was sidelined.

Mehak said Rewri slapped Savita in the presence of a number of workers. She said several other workers of BJP Mahila Morcha, including its district president Mona Sharma, also injured in the clash.

Hisar, April 1
INLD leader and Ellanabad MLA Abhay Singh Chautala has termed the Congress and the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) as divisive forces which have created fissures in the society and harmed the brotherhood among people to fulfil their political interests.

Addressing a rally in Khedar village of Uklana segment of the district today, he said the INLD believed in social harmony and urged the people to "teach a lesson to the parties which plays divisive politics."

Chautala alleged that an electricity scam had occurred in Haryana perpetrated by the Congress government in the name of setting up power plants by promising round the clock power supply to the people. "The power generation plants including one set up in Khedar village have been rendered non-functional due to installing Chinese machines in these projects. While the government has to purchase power from private sector to fulfil the needs, those in power earns a commission even in purchase of power."

He alleged that the Hooda government had rendered the youths of this village unemployed as the villagers had given the land in hope that the youths would get jobs in the power plant. But neither the youths got job nor the village was getting adequate power.

Dushyant Chautala, INLD nominee from the Hisar Lok Sabha seat maintained that this election would set the tone for the assembly elections in Haryana. The Congressmen who were indulged in corruption would be behind the bars once the INLD forms the government in Haryana, he said.

Hisar, April 1
Taking measures to ensure free and fair elections in the Hisar parliamentary constituency, the smallest of the 10 segments in Haryana, five companies of the para-military forces have been deployed while six police nakas have been set up to seal the inter-state borders along Rajasthan.

As many as 1,513 polling stations have been set up in this constituency, out of which 297 have been identified as hyper sensitive, 335 as sensitive and 53 as critical, said the official sources here today.

Around 3,000 security personnel, including home guards, would be deployed at the booths.

SSP Sibas Kaviraj said three companies of BSF and one company of Indian Reserved Battalion (J&K) and Railway Protection Force have reached the district and would take charge of the constituency from tomorrow. "We have set up 32 police nakas, including six at the inter-state border, to ensure peace before and during the general election. Besides, 48 patrolling parties, 21 flying squads and an equal number of strategic surveillance teams headed by respective duty magistrates would be fanned out across the constituency. These squads will be equipped with communication gadgets to immediately inform the head office about any wrong happening," he added.

The SSP said the strategic surveillance teams would keep a watch on the political parties and its candidates in the poll to report any kind of violation of the code of conduct and incidents such as luring voters by way of offering cash, liquor etc. They would also keep track of the election budget of the candidates.

There would be seven supervisory officers, an equal number of assistant supervisory officers and 12 teams headed by SHOs, he said.

Police spokesperson Harish Bhardwaj said a joint meeting of the Haryana Police and Rajasthan Police was held recently to discuss the security plan and ensure law and order during the elections.

"The police teams deployed on the inter-state nakas will remain in touch via wireless sets and mobiles," he added.

Karnal, April 1
Campaigning has gained pace as the election date draws nearer in the Karnal parliamentary constituency. Apart from traditional methods of canvassing, the contestants are moving in the constituency in all modes of transport to reach out to the voters.

Congress candidate and sitting MP Arvind Sharma has covered nearly 500 villages of the total 763 villages in the constituency. During campaigning, he mainly emphasised on the development works done by him.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has campaigned twice for Sharma.

The BJP-HJC candidate, Ashwini Kumar Chopra, has also covered more than 300 villages and Karnal and Panipat cities. He seeks votes in the name of Narendra Modi. BJP chief Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj are also likely to campaign for Chopra in the coming days.

INLD nominee Jaswinder Singh Sandhu has also covered several villages of the constituency. Star campaigner Abhay Chautala and state president Ashok Arora have already held three election rallies in his favour. AAP convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also campaigned for party candidate Paramjeet Singh.

Chandigarh, April 1
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Shrikant Walgad said voter slips carrying the names of voters, booth number, serial number and date and time of polling would be distributed among voters.

The Chief Electoral Officer said 21 buses named as "Democracy" were operational in the state to create awareness about the significance of polling.

A search facility regarding booth location, PDF rolls and names had been provided on the website of the office of the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer.

Significant measures were being taken to put a check on anti-social elements to ensure free and peaceful conduct of elections.

The Chief Electoral Officer said 49,000 police personnel and 60 companies of the Central Security Forces would be deployed in the polls.

The Chief Electoral Officer said 34,000 polling personnel and 45 companies of Central Security Forces would be deployed at the polling stations in the state.

As many as 1,300 police officials and 15 companies of Central Security Forces would be deployed in sensitive areas.

Sirsa, April 1
Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi claimed here today that the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) would become a thing of the past after polling on April 10.

The HJC leader was addressing a series of election meetings for HJC nominee from the Sirsa parliamentary constituency Sushil Indora.

Bishnoi claimed that there was a strong wave in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and added that both the INLD and the Congress would be wiped out in the elections.

Launching an attack on the INLD, Bishnoi alleged that former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his sons had epitomised terror and corruption when they were in power and people would not vote for them in the future.

He said the sentencing of Chautala and his son in the junior basic training (JBT) teachers’ recruitment case had proved that the former Chief Minister had indulged in corrupt activities when he was in power.

Seeking votes for his party candidate Sushil Indora, Bishnoi claimed that the HJC-BJP alliance would come to power in Haryana after the elections and he would endeavour to root out corruption after assuming charge as Chief Minister.

While Bishnoi was unsparing in his criticism of the INLD and its top leadership on their home turf, he did not say much about the Congress or its nominee Ashok Tanwar.

BJP leaders Ganeshi Lal and Jagdish Chopra, HJC district president (rural) Kuldeep Bhambu, HJC district president (urban) Om Prakash Phutela, BJP district president Amir Chand Mehta and BJP leader Arun Beniwal accompanied Bishnoi during his campaign.

Rohtak, April 1
Two-time Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who is in the fray from Rohtak for the third time in succession, has asserted that the INLD would soon be part of Haryana's history in the coming General Election.

Deepender, who generally refrains from criticising political rivals, lashed out at the INLD, BJP, HJC and AAP in a statement issued here today.

"It's an open secret that the INLD regime patronised criminals during its rule and made threatening and extortion calls even from jails. Farmers trying to raise their voice were fired at. People of the state have rejected this sort of governance and the INLD leadership will realise this once the election results are out," maintained the Congress leader.

The young leader also lambasted the BJP for the alleged auctioning of party ticket in the current Lok Sabha elections. Taking a dig at the saffron party leadership, he remarked that most of the candidates fielded by the BJP were those who had been rejected by the Congress.

Deepender, the political scion of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also came down heavily on Kuldeep Bishnoi-led HJC and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

"In the beginning, I felt that the AAP leadership had right intentions, and I even stated this at a public forum. However, in due course, the AAP leaders failed to perform or deliver. The most striking part of their failure is that they didn't even try earnestly," he observed.

Deepender stated that the HJC direly required some sincere introspection. He exhorted the youth to be particular about casting their votes and make it a point to exercise their right to franchise.

About his own performance, the incumbent MP said he had done his level best in terms of ensuring infrastructural development, setting up of top-level educational, research and training institutes and industrial growth in his constituency during his successive tenures and his work would speak for itself.

"The Opposition is bereft of issues and if there is any single wave sweeping the state, it is the wave of development. In fact, development-based politics is the need of the hour and the Congress can lead the way," he asserted.

Rohtak, April 1
The blue Wagon-R car belonging to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was damaged in an alleged attack by two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths here last night.

Two party workers were going to park the car after dropping Naveen Jaihind, the AAP candidate for the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency, when the incident took place.

The motorcyclists reportedly signalled the car occupants to stop. Then, they allegedly smashed the front windshield of the car with a rod and fled the scene.

The police have registered a case and started investigations in the case.

The workers at the local unit of AAP have given a 48-hour deadline to the police authorities to trace the youths who damaged the car.

Kejriwal had gifted the car to Jaihind for carrying out his poll campaign.

Faridabad, April 1
As the polling date draws nearer, both the Congress and the BJP candidates seem to have faced a kind of litmus test in their own ways. While the history favours the Congress, which has won six out of 10 elections, its rival BJP appears to be trying hard to cash in on the anti-incumbency and corruption to wrest the seat. There are more than 17.40 lakh voters in the Faridabad parliamentary constituency.

Except for the Bharatiya Lok Dal, a regional party which had won the first parliamentary elections from here in 1977, it is either the Congress or the BJP that have been winning this seat. For four consecutive terms, the Congress had won this seat in 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991. Congress candidate and sitting MP Avtar Singh Bhadana was elected from here in 2004 and 2009.

The BJP, which had fielded Ram Chander Bainda, had won from here for the 11th, 12th and 13th Lok Sabha between 1996 and 2004. Dharam Vir Vashist was the first person to be elected from here in 1977 for the 6th Lok Sabha. He defeated Khurshid Ahmed, an independent candidate.

The polling percentage which was 70.80 per cent at that time continues to remain high till date. It was Tayyab Hussain who registered the first victory for the Congress in 1980 (7th Lok Sabha). He defeated Khurshid Ahmed of the Janata Party. Rahim Khan of the Congress won this seat in 1984 and Bhajan Lal, a former chief minister, won from here in 1989 for the 9th Lok Sabha. The Congress bandwagon got derailed in 1996 (11th Lok Sabha) for the first time when BJP’s Ramchander Bainda wrested the seat for the first time. He defeated Congress candidate Avtar Singh Bhadana by a margin of more than 61,000 votes. The BJP also made a hat-trick when it won in 1998 and 1999 and 2004 elections. However, the Congress regained the seat for the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha when its candidate Avtar Singh Bhadana won the seat in 2004 and 2009 by trouncing the BJP candidate. “Though the INLD, the AAP and the BSP have been trying their best to prove a dark horse this time, the contest may narrow down to a direct fight as the polling date draws nearer,” said Anil Sharma, a political analyst. He said increased awareness among young voters was expected to play a significant role.

Sirsa, April 1
Former minister Gopal Kanda has left people guessing after his much-hyped meeting with workers by keeping his cards close to his chest on which candidate to support in the Sirsa parliamentary constituency.

Though Kanda has given a broad hint by saying a wave of change is blowing across the country and Haryana cannot remain untouched, his stopping short of announcing his stand has left people nonplussed.

Kanda and his brother Gobind today held a closed door meeting with their supporters at their 'shoe camp office' on the Rania road in Sirsa town to gauge their mood.

Speaking to The Tribune after the meeting, the former minister's brother Gobind Kanda said their supporters had assured them that they would cast their vote as per the Kandas' wish.

Gobind said the former minister announced that he would launch his own regional political party on April 13. Asked which party would he and his brother support in the elections, Gopal parried the question.

Political observers felt that the Kanda brothers had limited options as they did not enjoy good relations with the top leadership of the Indian National Lok Dal.

Kanda had won the 2009 Assembly poll as an independent candidate and later became a minister in Bhupinder Singh Hooda government. He never enjoyed cordial relations with Congress nominee Ashok Tanwar.

Things came to such a pass that Tanwar refused to attend Hooda's rally organised by Kanda in June 2011 as Kanda had not mentioned Tanwar's name on the plaque for laying the foundation stones of two 'dharamshalas'.

Hooda had scolded Kanda and refused to enter the venue until he brought Tanwar to the dais. A day later, Kanda returned his official car.

Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Prahlad Singh Gillankhera persuaded Kanda to mend fences with Hooda and Tanwar. Kanda's relations with Tanwar remained far from cordial.

Kanda's family had been nursing a grouse against Tanwar for not helping him out of the legal tangle he was involved in for the last 14 months in Geetika Sharma case.

In these circumstances and going by Kanda's statement today, political observers assumed that Kanda was referring to a Narendra Modi wave, but his failure to spell his stand clearly left people guessing.

Sources close to Kanda revealed that the Kanda brothers were evading a direct confrontation in these elections in view of the pendency of criminal cases against the former minister.

Hooda had tried to contact Kanda on his Sirsa visit two days back. Talking to The Tribune, he had expressed confidence that the former minister would join Tanwar's campaign from today.

Fatehabad, April 1
State Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, seeking re-election from Sirsa, today sought support from the lawyers of Fatehabad District Bar Association on the basis of merit.

“Vote for me and support me if you feel I am the best candidate contesting from Sirsa. Your vote is secret and the Constitution provides all the right to cast vote as per one’s choice. But do compare the merits of all candidates in fray before pressing the button on the EVM,” Tanwar said while addressing lawyers.

Tanwar said he had tried his best to nurse Sirsa in the past five years. Ridiculing the BJP over its claims regarding a Modi wave, Tanwar said if there was any such wave, why could the saffron party not find eight candidates from its own workers.

In a veiled attack on HJC nominee Indora, who defected from Congress the day Bishnoi announced his ticket, Tanwar said contesting elections was important for some, whatever the means.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Prahlad Singh Gillankhera alleged that BJP had sold the ticket to defectors and now its own workers were protesting.

Sampat Singh, Congress candidate from Hisar, campaigned for Tanwar in Bhattu area of Fatehabad.

Aam Aadmi Party candidate Poonam Chand Ratti organised a roadshow in Fatehabad and sought votes in the name of clean politics.

Jind, April 1
Haryanvis have an inseparable connection with the hookah and cannot imagine their routine without it. The elections have fuelled hookah sale. Aware of its importance, politicians have given 'secret' instructions to party leaders to make the best arrangements for hookah-lovers during functions.

"Hookah nahi to main kona jaau kisi rally mein. (If there is no hookah arrangement, I do not attend any function," says Chhotu Ram, also known as Tau (village elder), sitting in the 'chaupal' of Pandu Pandara village. The response of other elders and youngsters in villages is the same. Even women enjoy puffs of hookah sitting with other women after getting free from their daily chores.

As electioneering has been gaining momentum, hookah sale is also witnessing a sharp increase. Many shopkeepers have confirmed to The Tribune that not only has hookah sale gone up, but many faulty hookahs have been sent to shops for repairs as well.

"Earlier we were selling a hookah or two a day, but now, the sale had jumped to four or five daily. Many politicians have approached us through their workers for new hookahs. Many old hookahs have been sent for repairs," says 60-year-old Gopal of Aleva, who has been in the hookah business for the last 40 years.

Hookahs are available in the price range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,000. The price depends on material used for manufacture. In low-cost hookahs, manufacturers mainly use iron and low-cost wood and do not use decoration material. In costly hookahs, manufacturers use metal plates, wires and costly wood. It takes many hours to manufacture costly hookahs while low-cost ones can be manufactured within an hour as it does not need any special work.

"Hookahs are a part of our tradition. People share the hookah not only to pass their time, but to form their opinion on candidates as well. We have never provided the hookah to anyone to attend our functions, but supporters bring it with them," says Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Karmbir Saini.

Many shopkeepers have confirmed on the condition of anonymity that they have received latest orders. The sharp divide between the elite and the common man is evident from the orders placed as elite Haryanvis want to have costly hookahs during political functions while low-cost hookahs have been ordered for the common man.

Chandigarh, April 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Haryana to act against encroachers and inform the Bench on action taken to implement a Supreme Court judgment on the issue.

The directions came on a petition filed by Balbir Singh and other petitioners on the encroachment of a village pond in Karnal district. The petitioner had alleged that “nothing has been done” despite an order being passed in the matter way back in 1990.

Referring to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Jagpal Singh and other petitioners against Punjab and other respondents, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli asserted: “We call upon the state of Haryana to take action in accordance with law qua the encroachments and inform the court as to what steps have been taken to implement the said judgment of the Supreme Court in the state”. Disposing of the petition, the Bench also fixed April 11 for compliance.

The apex court in Jagpal Singh’s case had earlier asserted: “Before parting with this case, we give directions to all state governments in the country that they should prepare schemes for eviction of illegal/unauthorised occupants of gram sabha/gram panchayat/poramboke/shamlat land. The land must be restored to the gram sabha/gram panchayat for the common use of villagers of the village.

“For this purpose, the Chief Secretaries of all state governments/Union Territories in India are directed to do the needful, taking the help of other senior officers.

“The scheme should provide for the speedy eviction of such illegal occupant after giving him a show-cause notice and a brief hearing. Long duration of such illegal occupation or huge expenditure in making constructions thereon or political connections must not be treated as a justification for condoning this illegal act or for regularising the illegal possession. Regularisation should only be permitted in exceptional cases, for example where lease has been granted under some government notification to landless labourers or SC/ST members , or where there is already a school, dispensary or other public utility on the land."

Chandigarh, April 1
A peculiar situation has arisen less than six months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court took notice of multiple allotment of HUDA plots in Haryana under the reserved category.

Describing herself as a “bona fide purchaser”, a subsequent buyer today moved the High Court alleging that a plot under the multiple-allocation list was not being reallotted in her favour by HUDA though she had verified the documents before the deal and had spent a huge amount on it.

Taking up the petition filed by Parveen Kumari and another petitioner through counsel Vijay Kumar Jindal and Akshay Jindal, the High Court today put the Haryana and other respondents on notice.

The petition comes at a time when notices have been issued to the allottees, asking them to show cause why the allotment under the reserved categories should not be cancelled for obtaining plots fraudulently by submitting false, misleading and incomplete affidavits.

Notice has also been uploaded on the HUDA website in which the Chief Administrator has referred that a case is pending before the High Court. It has been stated that the allottees under the reserved categories are entitled to the benefit of reservation only once in any urban estate.

In the petition, Jindal asserted the plot in Kurukshetra was originally allotted in 2002 to Jasvinder Singh Ghota under the defence quota. It was rather the first plot allotted to him. Since then the plot exchanged many hands.

Jindal added the petitioners verified the plot ownership from the authorities concerned. The allotment letter did not mention that the plot was non-transferable. They were also not told that the original allottee had committed fraud with the HUDA authorities.

He argued that no false affidavit was submitted when the plot was allotted under the reserved category. The original allottee had correctly submitted the documents.

The HUDA policy was violated only when the second plot was allotted to persons already allotted plots under the reserved category.

“In case a false affidavit has been submitted, the second plot allotted under the reserved category quota is required to be cancelled,” he argued.

Chandigarh, April 1
Candidates seeking admissions to educational institutions or applying for jobs will no longer be required to submit affidavits or attested copies of their original certificates. Self-attested copies of the certificates or testimonials would be sufficient for this purpose.

The Haryana Government, in its directions to the administrative secretaries, heads of departments and DCs on March 26, has said “no government department or organisation would henceforth require the applicants to file affidavits for the delivery of services, except in the cases where the affidavit is required by law or under statutory rules. In other cases, self-attested declarations would be accepted”.

The directions said the application forms should be drafted in such a way that they contain undertakings or declarations by the applicants that the facts stated in the applications are true to the best of their knowledge and nothing has been concealed.

The state government’s decision seems to be an offshoot of the recent circular issued by the Central Government’s Administrative Reforms and Grievances Department, which had said the requirement for attested copies and affidavits should be replaced with self-certification of the documents.

“The method of self-certification is citizen-friendly and avoids wastage of time, efforts and money on the part of the citizens,” the circular had said.

The state government’s directions made it clear that it had been decided to adopt the provisions of self-certification and applicants would not require attested copies of documents such as marksheets and date-of-birth certificates while applying for jobs or admissions. The directions asked the officials to implement the decision in letter and spirit.

However, the original documents would be required to be produced at the final stages of checking. In case of any concealment or misrepresentation of facts, legal action would be taken against the culprits, the directions warned.

Self-certification regime No need for attested documents while applying for jobs, admissions Only self-certified copies enough In-built undertakings in applications forms to solve the purpose Affidavits only required for statutory requirements Misrepresentation of facts to attract legal penalty

Sonepat, April 1
The General Election- 2014 is the first occasion in the history of Sonepat parliamentary constituency, since its inception in 1977, when none of the candidates is a sitting or former MP.

Among the 23 candidates in the fray, Congress candidate Jagbir Singh Malik is sitting MLA from Gohana Assembly constituency, whereas BJP’s candidate Ramesh Kaushik, INLD nominee Padam Singh Dahiya and independent candidate Sukhbir Farmana are former MLAs.

In 1977 elections, Mukhtiar Singh Malik was the sitting MP of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh party and was elected as candidate of the newly formed Janata Party. Malik, as sitting MP, also contested the 1980 elections, but lost to the Janata Dal (secular) candidate Devi Lal.

Devi Lal, as former MP, contested from this seat in 1983 by-elections and 1984 mid-term elections but was defeated on both the occasions by Congress candidates Rizak Ram and Dharam Pal Singh Malik, respectively.

In 1989 elections, Dharam Pal Malik was the sitting MP and was defeated by Kapil Dev Shastri of the Janata Dal. However, Malik regained the seat in 1991 elections by defeating Shastri.

In 1996 elections, Arvind Sharma, an independent candidate, created history by defeating sitting MP Dharam Pal Malik. However, as sitting MP, Sharma lost to Kishan Singh Sangwan, a Haryana Lok Dal (rashtriya) candidate.

Sangwan, as sitting MP and BJP candidate, retained the seat in 1999 and 2004 General Election. However, he lost to Congress candidate Jitender Singh Malik in 2009 General Election. Jitender Malik has opted out of contesting the election this time.

Yamunanagar, April 1
The closure of about 50 liquor vends in the district and the increased demand of alcohol at the time of elections has created a room for illegal trading across the area.

Sources said the licence of 50 liquor vends, comprising 25 of country liquor and 25 vends of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), had expired on March 31 and the contractors shut down their vends after midnight.

The said liquor vends, which were allotted for Rs 48 crore last year, were at prime locations in the district. About 24 vends were closed in the twin cities of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri.

Now, there is no liquor vend on any main road of the twin cities.

People associated with the trade apprehend that smugglers, who had already been involved in illegal trading of liquor, would cash in on the opportunity and do brisk business until the tender of the said liquor vends were allotted.

People of the district consume about 11,663 litre country liquor and 4,450 litre IMFL every day.

The district had total 164 vends in the last financial year 2013-14. Out of which 112 contracts were renewed by the contractors and two vends were allotted through tender. The Haryana Government had invited tenders for the said 50 vends last week and the last date for submitting applications was March 29.

However, no bidders showed interest in these 50 vends.

The prospective bidders said the high cost of running the business was the reason for the poor response.

After a verdict of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the liquor vends located on National Highways, State Highways, service lanes running along such Highways, Municipal Committees or Corporation areas, should not be accessible or visible after March 31, 2014, 68 liquor vends had been affected in the district.

Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Yamunanagar, Sunil Kumar said teams had been formed so that liquor could not be sold illegally by anyone anywhere in the district.

Sonepat, April 1
Additional Sessions Judge Sukaram Pal sentenced seven persons to life imprisonment for murdering Narender of Baroda village on April 7, 2010, at Gohana.

A case of murder was registered against Krishan of Ahulana village, Naveen of Baroda, Jasmer of Joli, Sandeep of Kathura, Kuldeep and Surender of Dhanana village and Sunny of Gohana on April 7, 2010 at city police station, Gohana, on the complaint of Narender’s brother Sunil.

In his complaint, Sunil, who is a property dealer and has an office at Sector 7 in Gohana, alleged that Narender was shot by three motorcycle-borne armed gangsters when he was sitting in his office. Narender died on the spot.

In another case, ASJ Sukaram Pal sentenced Rakesh of Butana village to life imprisonment. He was convicted for the murder of an undertrial Om Prakash Fauzi on October 19, 2010 on the Sonepat court premises.

A case of murder was registered against him on the complaint of then Sub-Inspector Daya Nand, who submitted that he had brought Om Prakash Fauzi from Karnal jail in the session’s court at Sonepat on October 19, 2010. When he was being produced in the court, he was shot by Rakesh and his accomplice, who is a minor. Both were arrested. The minor had already been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Karnal, April 1
Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel has said the time has changed and now, people want development and not divisive politics. He was addressing a rally organised by Senior Deputy Mayor Krishan Garg in favour of BJP candidate Ashwini Chopra here today.

He termed the Congress-led UPA government as the most corrupt in Independent India.

Attacking the UPA government over spiralling prices of essential commodities, he said: “Prices always rise whenever the Congress forms the government. The last 10 years have witnessed a record hike in prices of all commodities.”

“Remember how the BJP-led NDA government controlled the prices for six years. Wrong economic policies of the UPA government and corruption are responsible for rise in prices,” he added.

Asking people to vote for BJP candidate Ashwini Chopra, Goel said it was a time to wipe out the Congress from the country.

He said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had promised to remove poverty and unemployment from the country. “There is nothing new about the election promises of the Congress. Had only half of those promises been fulfilled, India would have been the most prosperous country in the world,” he added.

He said when Pakistan killed Indian jawans on the border, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi remained silent.

Kurukshetra, April 1
Not a single sack of wheat grain was available in mandis for procurement by government agencies when the rabi marketing season began today. April 1 marks the beginning of the rabi season and government agencies begin procuring wheat for buffer stocks.

"Though the marketing season has begun, we have to wait a little more for arrivals as the crop is still not fully mature to be harvested," said Ravinder Malik, District Food and Supplies Controller, Kurukshetra. "The condition of the crop is sound and arrivals may start by the second week of April," he added.

Agricultural experts said the wheat was still green and it had not turned golden yellow. Extended cold conditions in the northern region had caused the delay in ripening of the crop, the experts said.

Harvesting normally starts in the first week of April while it reaches the peak during second and third week. This time, the peak period could be between the fourth week of April and the first week of May, said Satish Kumar, an 'arhtiya' (wheat trader).

The quality of stock was good and arrivals might start in the second week of April, but the moisture level in the crop could be higher at between 18 and 19 per cent, he added.

Malik said the arrangements had been made in 22 mandis and 13 nodal officers had been appointed in the district to ensure smooth procurement.

Farmers had been advised to bring their produce to the market after proper cleaning and drying in accordance with norms set by the government, which was between 12 and 14 per cent, he said.

Government procurement agencies such as Food and Supplies Department, HAFED, CONFED, Food Corporation of India, Haryana Warehousing Corporation and Haryana Agro Industries Corporation had been allotted their procurement centres and days.

The department expected the arrival of 5,22,500 metric tonnes of wheat in the current season. Stocks would be procured by procurement agencies on the minimum support price, which was Rs 1,400 a quintal.

The Food and Supplies Department had made arrangements in 372 mandis of Haryana to procure 70 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, of which 61.6 lakh metric tonnes would be procured by state-run government agencies while 8.4 lakh metric tonnes would be procured by the Food Corporation of India. A total of 25 lakh hectares land is under wheat cultivation and estimated production is around 123 lakh tonnes.

Sonepat, April 1
A minor rape victim has been sanctioned a compensation of Rs 1 lakh under the Haryana Victim Compensation Scheme, 2013. This is the first such case in the district, where such a victim has been compensated for rehabilitation.

Harshali Chowdhary, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DSLA), said since the victim was a minor, the compensation amount would be deposited in the fixed deposit by the DSLA office assistant in a scheme fetching maximum interest with any nationalised bank for two years with a note that no loan should be advanced against the fixed deposit.

The payment of the deposited compensation would be disbursed after two years on the application filed by the victim in this regard to the DSLA office, she said, adding that the case was recommended by the court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Manisha Batra.

A case under Sections 363,366-4 and 376 of the IPC and Section 4 and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012, was registered at sadar police station, Gohana, on Janaury 2, 2013, after a complaint from the victim against the accused Shashi. She had alleged that he allured her and whisked her away to Gurgaon and then to Kaithal and also committed the “wrong act” with her. The accused was convicted and sentenced by the court.

The secretary said the victim’s father worked as a labourer and was holding a BPL ration card. He was a poor person having a family of nine members, including six daughters and a son. The victim had not received any compensation from any other authority, she added.