Chandigarh, July 28
With Assembly elections a couple of months away, the Haryana Government is on a vacancy-filling spree and has appointed nearly two dozen persons to various commissions in the last three days, even as the BJP said the government should be dismissed for flouting norms in making these appointments.

This week could see some more appointments to constitutional posts with a swearing-in of the newly appointed members likely to be held on August 1. While Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s government is busy “accommodating” former bureaucrats and “personal favourites”, the move has elicited sharp reactions from the Opposition.

While two State Information Commissioners and three Commissioners of the Right To Services Commission were sworn in yesterday, two others who could not make themselves available for yesterday’s “rushed ceremony” and two officers, Chief Secretary SC Choudhary and RS Doon, appointed Chairman of the Right to Services Commission and the Haryana State Food Commission, are likely to be sworn in on August 1.

The government got the names of three vice-chancellors cleared from outgoing Governor Jagannath Pahadia on the last day of his term, while three members have been appointed to the Haryana State Food Commission.

Earlier last week, the government appointed four members — including the chairman of the Haryana State Commission for Minorities — and is expected to announce the names of those on the Commission for Scheduled Castes.

The Leader of the Opposition, Om Prakash Chautala, in two letters to the state government, has already termed the appointments to constitutional posts as “unethical” since these are being made at the fag-end of the Congress government’s term.

The main Opposition party, the Indian National Lok Dal, today said a delegation of the party leaders would soon meet newly-appointed Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki to highlight the brazenness with which the government was going ahead with the appointments and adjusting “personal favourites” without giving any thought to merit, eminence and expertise.

“The Congress government seems to be panicking by rushing through with the appointments. This just shows the party knows it is not coming back to power in Haryana and is adjusting all those who have served it well. They cannot have a free run. We will shortly meet the Governor and bring this to his notice,” INLD state unit chief Ashok Arora said.

While the BJP is having the appointments examined by its legal cell, its legislature party leader Anil Vij termed the appointments as “unconstitutional”. “On a holiday, the CM administered oath to Information Commissioners who have been sworn-in by the Governor in the past without being issued appointment letters. This is illegal and the government, in haste, has disrespected the constitution and discredited these positions. We want the government dismissed for these irregularities,” he said.

The CPM, too, objected to the appointments to certain constitutional posts “in gross violation of laid-down procedures”. Party state secretary Inderjit Singh said the CM’s conduct was “unsavoury” for “distributing undeserving benefits to his personal unqualified favourites”. 

New Delhi, July 28
Even as passions run high in Punjab and Haryana on account of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) tangle, former Himachal Pradesh CM and Punjab BJP incharge Shanta Kumar has said that Sikh intellectuals must suggest ways to defuse the situation pending a political and legal solution to the problem.

He said since the ‘unsavoury’ development had discomfited a wider section of the community, intellectuals must step in and play a constructive role. Even as the centre was trying to find a lasting solution to the tangle, members from the community must also come forward and suggest a way out.

“Since the issue pertains to the religious faith of the community; a lasting solution cannot be devised only on political and legal parameters. The community’s intellectuals, who have a long tradition of playing constructive role, must rise to the occasion to suggest a solution to this sensitive issue”, Kumar added.

Although he did not elaborate, he said there is a feeling in a section of Sikhs that a possible solution must recognize the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as a super-ordinate authority of community’s shrines and institutions even if the HSGMC is invested with autonomy in the matter.

Kumar, who was engaged by the centre in back channel parleys to prevail upon Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to press with his announced agitation against the HSGMC, lauded the latter’s role in defusing the crisis.

He said the Akali leader is the community’s internationally respected figure. He also wields influence with Sri Akal Takht and the SGPC. 

Karnal, July 28
HSGMC president Jadish Singh Jhinda today made it clear that the formation of the executive body of the newly constituted gurdwara committee meant that it was the legal controller of the shrines in the state.

Akal Takht had yesterday ordered to maintain the status quo in gurdwaras of Haryana. “I respect Akal Takht, as it is the supreme authority for the Sikhs,” he said and added: “The HSGMC will take control of the shrines in a peaceful manner. Supporters of the SGPC and SAD have forcibly occupied the shrines, creating a tense situation in the state.”

Jhinda said this before leaving for Amritsar today. — TNS

Kurukshetra July 28
Suresh Kumar, a resident of Jhansa village, Kurukshetra, was reportedly killed in a terrorist attack in Iraq. A pall of gloom prevailed since the news of his death reached his native place.

Venod Pal, the victim’s brother, along with other villagers today approached the district administration to submit a request letter to the Ministry of External Affairs and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, appealing them to make arrangements to bring back Suresh’s body.

Suresh (42), worked as a labourer with Abdulla Ali Ajburi Contract Company Limited, Basra. He had left for Iraq about 14 months ago through Chandigarh-based JM Overseas.

Venod said, “Suresh went to Iraq so that he could provide a better life and good education to his four children. Around 10 days ago, Suresh’s co-worker Nikka, who belongs to the same village, rang up the victim’s son from Iraq and informed him about his father’s tragic death. The entire family is in a state of shock.”

He said “Nikka informed that Suresh was shot dead in a terrorist attack. We approached JM Overseas, who confirmed the news after contacting the company in Iraq.”

City Magistrate Gagandeep Singh, said, “All efforts will be made to bring back Suresh’s body.” He is survived by his wife, four children and his widowed mother.

Kurukshetra, July 28
Fourteen months after then Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma laid the foundation stone of the National Institute of Design (NID) at Umri village, the project has failed to pick-up speed.

Currently, only the boundary walls of the institute are being built. The institute, for which Rs 160 crore was sanctioned, was expected to become functional in 2015 with the first batch of 500 students.

Talking to The Tribune, Harnam Singh, Chief Engineer, North Zone-1, CPWD, said, “The project is under the Central Public Works Department and funds only for the boundary wall has been sanctioned. The work is likely to be completed by September.”

The department has given a tender of more than Rs 1.33 crore to Pee Aar Builders to complete it. Currently, out of six walls, work is in progress on four walls. Plinth beam of south side wall is in progress while the west side wall columns have been cast upto the plinth beam.

Ironically, the NID is not the only project on this land. A government polytechnic college was also announced near the NID. The polytechnic project, which is under the state government, hasn’t started yet.

Praveen Chowdhery, chairman, Zila Parishad, Kurukshetra, said, “In 2001, the then government decided to open a polytechnic college for which the Umri panchayat had allotted 22 acres. Its foundation stone is still there. The project still remained on paper and the panchayat decided to take the land back. Meanwhile, the incumbent government stepped in with the NID project and it was decided that 20.5 acres of that land will be used for it. Over nine acres was given for the polytechnic college.”

He said, “There is resentment among villagers as at the current market price, one acre costs Rs 2 to 2.5 crore. Land worth crores was taken in the name of development but no job reservations were assured to the Umri villagers.”

“Besides the NID project, the polytechnic project has also irked Umri villagers. As per information, the government will introduce only the draftsman trade in the polytechnic. The villagers are not pleased with the project and instead want a mini-PGI constructed on the land,” he added.

Karnal, July 28
A principal and a teacher of Government Senior Secondary School at Model Town in the city came to blows today.

School principal Nirmal alleged that Manisha Kamboj came late to the school and, for this, she marked the teacher leave. When Kamboj learnt about it, she allegedly attacked the principal and broke the furniture.

The teacher, however, has a different tale to tell. She alleged that when she went to the principal on learning about being marked leave, the principal talked roughly with her and fought with her.

Kamboj is the wife of Rakesh Kamboj, former HJC legislator. The principal called the police and lodged a complaint against Kamboj. The police said it was a matter of investigation who hit first. — TNS

Naraingarh (Ambala), July 28
With the upcoming Assembly elections on his mind, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today doled out Rs 13 crore out of the state’s kitty, for Ram Kishan Gujjar’s constituency here today.

Addressing a public gathering at the local grain market, Hooda announced Rs 10 crore for the development of the villages in the constituency and a sum of Rs 3 crore for the urban areas.

He also announced that a sports stadium would be constructed in the area. Keeping the BPL voters in mind, Hooda said the recommendations made by the latest BLP survey would soon be implemented in the state.

Hooda said the opposition parties were harping on half truths that development had remained limited to certain parts of the state. He asserted that Haryana remained at the forefront of development during the last 10 years of the Congress rule and efforts had been made to ensure all inclusive growth in the state.

Accompanied by local MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Gujjar, HPCC Chief Ashok Tanwar, former minister Nirmal Singh and ex-HPPC chief Phool Chand Mullana, Hooda claimed the Modi wave, on the basis of which, BJP managed to gain mandate in the Lok Sabha elections was now a thing of the past.

“In the coming polls, voters will exercise their franchisee on different issues and were concerned more with the development of their areas, where the Congress had done a decent job in its 10-year tenure,” Hooda said.

Karnal, July 28
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced several development works for the Indri block in the district.

He announced a polytechnic, a 50-bed hospital, a stadium, a shed for the grain market and a PWD rest house during the “Samman rally” organised by the Indri Congress unit.

Responding to the demands of local leaders, Hooda declared Rs 3 crore for the development of municipal wards falling under Indri and Rs 10 crore for the development of rural areas of Indri. Besides, the Chief Minister announced to pass a tender of Rs 8.5 crore for the construction of roads in the block.

On party workers’ demand that he contest the elections from Indri, Hooda said he would enter the poll arena from the block if all 19 ticket aspirants and people agree to him being the candidate from Indri. “I will apprise the party leadership of your demand,” the CM said. Hooda, who spent his childhood years in the district, said: “Karnal has given me a lot. I will do whatever is possible for the district.”

Ambala, July 28
Leader of the BJP’s legislative party, Anil Vij, today announced that hollow promises of overall development would spell doom for the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a public meeting in Babyal village, near here today, Vij said the voters were aware of the false propagandas of the Hooda-government and the Congress would see the results in the upcoming elections.

He said in the last 10 years, the Congress had only promoted corruption and disparity in development. No job avenues were created for the state youth, but the government was actively engaged in acquiring fertile land of the farmers and giving it away to land mafia.

He said the BJP was ready with the charge sheet highlighting the misrule of the Congress government in the state, which would soon be put before the people of the state. He added in the charge sheet, BJP had put together acts of favouritism by the Hooda-government, which had fast-tracked issuance of change of land use (CLU) to Robert Vadra, irregularities in land acquisition, favours to big corporate firms in the shape of large land holdings for special economic zones (SEZs), nepotism in government jobs and regionalism in development. — TNS

Kurukshetra, July 28
Members of the Sikh community today held a protest at the Mini-secretariat over the Saharanpur riots and demanded imposition of President’s Rule in Uttar Pradesh.

The agitating Sikhs took out a protest march and burnt the effigy of the UP government. Kanwaljit Singh Ajrana, a Sikh leader, said, “Since the UP government has failed to provide security to the Sikhs in Saharanpur and was unable to maintain law and order, it should be dismissed and President’s Rule must be imposed in the state.”

The community members demanded compensation for the losses suffered by the victims during the violence and also demanded a CBI probe. Ajrana said, “A delegation of 100 members will reach Sarahanpur tomorrow.” — TNS

Rohtak, July 28
Here’s some positive news for hepatitis-C patients who find it tough to bear the high treatment expenses. They will now get interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh for treatment. A formal announcement to this effect is expected to be made on August 15.

Disclosing this, Dr Parveen Malhotra, head of the department of gastroenterology, PGIMS, and state principal nodal officer for Jeevan Rekha project launched to combat hepatitis-C, said the screening test for the infection was being conducted free of cost at the PGIMS.

“Patients from scheduled castes and below poverty line (BPL) families are treated for free and government employees get the expenses reimbursed, but the patients from the lower socio-economic strata find the high cost of hepatitis-C treatment unaffordable. It is for their benefit that the scheme of interest-free loan is being launched,” he said.

A hepatitis-C patient needs injectible drugs that cost Rs 4,200 a shot. The dose is administered every week and the expenditure translates to Rs 17,000 per month. The treatment is provided for six months (extendable up to one year), which means a patient has to spend nearly Rs 1 lakh on treatment.

Now, the pharma group roped in by the state authorities to supply the injections has agreed to provide interest-free loans repayable over a period of two years to support the underprivileged patients. Hence, instead of paying Rs 1 lakh amount in six months, patients will be able to make the payment in two years. If the patient does not respond to the treatment even after taking the prescribed injections for six months, he/she is not required to pay the balance amount after the six-month period.

Dr Malhotra said the incidence of hepatitis-C, which was more harmful than the other forms of hepatitis infections, was higher in Haryana as compared to other states.

“Nearly 3 per cent of India’s population is suffering from hepatitis-C. This percentage is 12 to 14 per cent in Harayana, which is at least four times the national average,” he said.The prevalence of the disease is higher in the areas of the state bordering Punjab. The Rohtak PGIMS runs special clinics for hepatitis-C patients every Tuesday and Saturday. 

Karnal, July 28
Scarce rainfall and irregular power supply has worsened the woes of farmers as their paddy fields are drying out.

Karnal farmers have been making all efforts, including use of diesel pumping sets for running their tubewells, to irrigate their fields in the absence of rain.

As per the experts of Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), the average rainfall during July in the district is only 60.8 mm against 215 mm last July. It is over 70 per cent less than the last year.

Shyam Singh Chauhan, a weather expert at the CSSRI, said the probability of rain was less and it would worsen the situation for the farmer.

Sources in the Agriculture Department said 1.65 lakh hectares were covered under the paddy crop and a majority of it was under the basmati crop. At some farms in Assandh and other areas, the farmers have destroyed their crops due to lack of rainfall and electricity.

Surinder Kumar, a farmer of Nigdhu village, said, “Insufficient rainfall and lack of electricity has worsened the situation. We are using diesel pumping sets, which have increased our expenses.” He said the canal water supply had been lean in the last several days and it had delayed paddy plantation in the district.

Krishan Lal, a farmer of Jundla village, said the authorities had failed to provide eight-hour power supply to the farmers, which further deteriorated the situation.

The farmers urged the government to ensure maximum supply of electricity and canal water, so that they could irrigate their fields and save their crops.

Faridabad, July 28
The All-Haryana Power Corporations Workers’ Union (AHPCWU) has sought recovery of a huge amount of money allegedly lost in various scams and irregularities in the department over the past few years. It has also demanded strict action against the officials involved in the 65-crore pillar box scam that got surfaced recently.

Describing the scam as only the tip of the iceberg, Subhash Lamba, a senior leader of the AHPCWU, alleged that the state government had failed to deal with the irregularities in the department. He said this had not only resulted in financial losses to the tune of hundreds of crores, but had also placed burden on consumers through regular hike in power rates.

Claiming that suspension of seven senior officials, including a chief engineer, was a serious issue, he said the authorities must ensure that money lost in the case be recovered from the scamsters. He said more than 70 per cent of the Rs 130 crore project was released even before the companies could procure material or start the work on ground. The department would be taking a suitable action against those found guilty in irregularities, said a DHBVN.spokesperson.

Chandigarh, July 28
The decision of AAP not to contest the Assembly elections in its convener Arvind Kejriwal's home state is set to alter political equations in the run-up to the state assembly elections later this year.

While the mainstream political parties-the Congress, the INLD and the BJP--hope that the absence of the AAP from Haryana's political scene would prove beneficial for them, the smaller and relatively-newer political formations are also waiting in the wings to cash in on the primarily urban voters, who voted for AAP in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Congress, which could retain only one of the 10 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, seems to be upbeat by AAP's decision not to contest the assembly polls. "AAP primarily ate into the Congress votes and its absence in the assembly polls would boost Congress' chances of third term in the office," claimed Kuldeep Soni, a Congress spokesman.

However, the anti-incumbency against the Hooda Government on account of its various acts of omission and commission seems to have emboldened the BJP to try its luck alone in the Assembly poll. Senior BJP leaders said in the event of break-up of the BJP-HJC alliance, the AAP voter would turn to the BJP as the 'Modi magic' would work till the Assembly poll.

On the other hand, main opposition INLD, with its considerable loyal Jat vote bank, is hopeful that the winnability of the candidate would be crucial rather than vote bank of a particular political formation.

While the mainstream political parties express confidence in getting the AAP votes, the newer political formations like Jan Chetna Party of former Union Minister Venod Sharma and Haryana Lokhit Party of the former state minister Gopal Kanda hope that the AAP voters would support them as they are promising an 'alternative' system of governance on the pattern of AAP.

AAP failed to transcend the caste barrier in the caste-dominated Haryana politics by performing miserably in the recent Lok Sabha elections polling just over four percent votes. In fact, all its candidates, including Political Affairs Committee member Yogendra Yadav, lost their security deposit.

AAP's decision not contest assembly elections is virtually going against the party's basic principle of 'swaraj' as nearly 95 per cent of volunteers had reportedly batted for contesting assembly elections during an internal survey of the party recently. The high command's decision against contesting is reportedly seen as an offshoot of internal power struggle within AAP aimed at containing an influential leader from Haryana. 

Jind, July 28
Activist of Jan Chetna Party today protested in Jind against the interview system for government recruitments in Haryana.

The protesters raised slogans against the state government and later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Jind at the Mini-Secretariat here.

The protesters were led by district president and block samiti member Dharamvir Pindara. They demanded an immediate scrapping of the interview system for job recruitment and also announced that they would intensify their agitation if the government failed to fulfil their demands.

Kurukshetra, July 28
In a protest at the Mini-secretariat, kin of Amit Kumar, who was found murdered last year, sat on a dharna, alleging police inaction in the case. Amit's body was fished out from the Brahma Sarovar on October 5 last year.

Sham Lal, victim's father, said, "My son was brutally killed by my neighbours with the help of other people following some misunderstandings. It has been nine months to the case but the police have not taken any action against the accused yet." — TNS

Gurgaon, July 28
A couple from Manipur was brutally attacked by two brothers armed with knives late Sunday night in Nathupur village here. The police arrested one of the attackers and termed the incident as a tiff between neighbours in which both parties were attacked.

Soijamuan Phiamphu (40), who works as a driver with a private company in Gurgaon, received a severe head injury. He was admitted to hospital and the staff informed the police today.

Phiamphu, who lives with his wife and two children in a rented accommodation in Nathupur village, was attacked by his neighbours following an argument during a drinking session on the roof.

Family members claimed Phiamphu objected to Sujit (24) and Ajit (23) roaming around scantily-dressed in front of his wife.

This infuriated the brothers and led to a heated argument after which they beat up Phiamphu, who then returned to his room. After some time, Sujit and Ajit came to Phiamphu’s room armed with knives, attacked him and his wife and fled. The police have arrested Sujit, though Ajit is at large.

Phiamphu’s family alleged they called up the police control room at 11 pm on Sunday, but their call was disconnected.

Bruce K Thangkhal, media in-charge, Northeast Support Centre (NESC) and Helpline, said this was not the first such incident in the area. “Many people from the North-East stay in Nathupur and Sikandarpur villages and they are often rebuked and beaten up. Despite repeated promises, the Gurgaon police have taken no measures to have basic security facilities such as installation of CCTVs at prime locations across the area,” he said.

The police refused to call the incident a hate crime and termed it a tiff between neighbors in which both parties were attacked.

ACP (DLF) Dalbir Singh said, “Both parties were injured in this incident, which we can say was a quarrel between neighbours. We have registered a case against the two brothers at DLF City Phase-2 police station under sections 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) under the Indian Penal Code.”

Singh added, “The victim’s statement has been recorded and we are investigating the incident. This is not a region-specific crime.”

Various political parties have condemned the attack on the Manipuri couple, with local leaders demanding action against the accused and the policemen for their delayed response.

Rohtak, July 28
A Dalit couple of Kahnaur village in the district was allegedly stripped naked and beaten up by upper-caste residents of their village. The accused allegedly pushed nails into the woman’s body.

The police have arrested four persons in this connection and booked them for physical assault under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The woman, who was allegedly gangraped by Rohtash and Phool Kunwar about three months ago, was being “pressurised” to withdraw the rape case. The couple alleged that both the accused entered their house on July 23 and took them to theirs.

There, the accused and their family allegedly stripped the couple naked and thrashed them. The couple managed to get themselves admitted to the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), where they are under treatment.

The police claimed that the gangrape charge was found unsubstantiated. The case of physical assault was not reported to the police on July 23.

“The police have registered a case of assault under the SC/ST Act against the accused. Rohtash, Phool Kunwar and their two accomplices have been arrested,” a police spokesman said.

The state women’s commission, meanwhile, has taken cognisance of the matter and sought a status report from the authorities concerned.

Hisar, July 28
A newly married woman was reportedly abducted and gang-raped by three persons in Siwani town of Bhiwani district on Saturday night. The police have registered a case against the three and started investigation to arrest them.

Sources said the victim had come to her parental home on Saturday. She said when she came out of the house to relieve herself at night, three youths of the village, identified as Ramesh of the same village, Leela of Mundhal village and their accomplice, forcibly pushed her inside a jeep and took her to an abandoned place.

The accused later took her to a hotel and locked her in a room. She said she managed to sneak out on Sunday evening and reported the matter to the police.

Jagdish Chander, Siwani police station SHO, said the police had registered a case of rape and abduction against the accused. 

Rohtak, July 28
The police arrested two labourers allegedly accused of assaulting two security guards, one of whom was killed. The arrested labourers have revealed that the altercation broke out when the security guards used abusive language.

The labourers attacked the security guards — Balbir and Karambir, posted at the Sun City Township. While Balbir was killed on the spot, Karambir was grievously injured in the attack. The family members staged a protest and blocked the highway near Sukhpura Chowk on Sunday.

The police registered a case against eight persons, including labour contractor Rajesh and labourers: Pintoo, Rajiv and Niranjan. Rajiv and Niranjan were later arrested.

The police also registered a case against the family members and villagers from the security guards’ village for blocking the road and obstructing traffic. 

Eight arrested

The police have registered a case against eight persons, including labour contractor Rajesh and labourers Pintoo, Rajiv and Niranjan.