Chandigarh, October 28
The unusual delay in the allotment of portfolios after the swearing-in of six Cabinet and three Ministers of State has sent out a clear signal that the Manohar Lal Khattar Government will depend on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP high command in running it.

The ministers were asked to give their choices of portfolios soon after their swearing-in but the subsequent dispatch of the list to seek approval of the high command has not sent out a good signal.

The delay in the allotment of portfolios has suggested that the government could be “remote-controlled from Delhi”.

All new ministers were today allotted rooms on the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth floors of the Haryana Civil Secretariat. The ministers who occupied their rooms today faced an amusing situation as none knew what portfolios they would eventually get. The ministers had given their choices in writing which Chief Minister Khattar took to Delhi yesterday for discussion with BJP President Amit Shah and RSS bigwigs.

Incidentally, the RSS is showing more-than-usual interest in running the affairs of the Haryana Government. “Why should it not? After all, the RSS has played a major role in the success of the BJP by sending its “karyakartas” all across Haryana to canvass for the BJP candidates and to organise the elections up to the booth level”, said a senior party functionary.

Uncertainty prevails among bureaucrats who are uncertain about “whose writ will finally run”. There are reports that many civil and police officers have been visiting senior leaders of the “Sangh parivar” to ensure a good positing. There is talk that the names for both the Director-General of Police (DGP) and the Advocate-General have been finalised under “pressure” from the RSS even though they were not the Chief Minister’s first choice.

There is talk in the corridors of power that the Haryana Government may bring at least four senior bureaucrats on deputation from Gujarat to help Khattar run the government. Khattar is a first-time MLA and has no previous administrative experience even though he has abundant political experience and understands the functioning of governments. BJP leaders have, however, termed the “deputation talk” as “premature and unfounded”.

Khattar says he has his own style of functioning and the “the situation is under control”. None, he says, should be “judgmental” in two days and assures that everything is moving as per plan. People, however, have begun to say that the BJP is showing no signs of being different from the Congress where most decisions were approved by the party high command.

It is said that Khattar is planning to replicate Modi’s Gujarat model of development. For this, he may appoint some officers from Gujarat as his Principal and Additional Principal Secretaries. Lists are being prepared as to who could be appointed from among Haryana civil and police bureaucrats. But it will take some time for these lists to come out in the open.

Chandigarh, October 28
The Haryana Congress is racing against time to find a face to lead its pack of 15 MLA in the Vidhan Sabha ahead of the November 3 session. The party’s dilemma: should the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader be a Jat or a non-Jat?

Since state politics usually boils down to striking a balance between the Jats and the non-Jats, the party doesn’t have much to think about. With the party state unit headed by non-Jat Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar, a Jat MLA seems the obvious choice for CLP leader, if the central leadership is to be believed. However, former chief minister and MLA Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s camp seems to have a different point of view and is pressing for a non-Jat as CLP leader.

Sources said state general secretary in charge of Haryana Shakeel Ahmed had set the ball rolling by writing to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to appoint observers. The observers will also be present when the CLP meets to choose a leader.

Among Jats, the party leadership is learnt to be weighing its options between AICC national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry. Surjewala, Parliamentary Affairs Minister in the Hooda government, is known for his word play and led the charge against the Opposition when the Congress was in power and, sometimes, single-handedly tied up the Opposition in knots. An articulate “heavyweight”, Choudhry — a minister in the previous government – is “feared” for her biting tongue and is seen as a serious contender.

However, of the 15 MLAs, 13 owe allegiance to Hooda since most of them come from the Rohtak-Jhajjar-Sonepat belt that is considered the ex-CM’s stronghold. This group, sources claim, is pitching for a non-Jat leader to head the CLP. Former minister Geeta Bhukkal is learnt to be this camp’s choice for conducting herself “level-headedly” and being communicative.

The CLP leader’s post is especially crucial now with tough days ahead for the party. The BJP government will take on the Congress for its years of “misrule and scams” and may even drag in the Congress First Family to embarrass and silence the MLAs. The CLP leader may end up defending both the Hooda government and the Gandhis in the House.

Sonepat, October 28
A Special Investigating Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of Vivek Sharma, IG, Rohtak range, to arrest the thieves who broke open the lockers in the Punjab National Bank at Gohana.

DGP SN Vashisht speaks to the media in Gohana on Tuesday

Haryana DGP SN Vashisht met the victims of the incident during his visit here this evening. He announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for clues or information leading to the arrest of the gang involved in the crime. He also asked the victims to give the details of their loss to the police so that the stolen cash and valuables could be recovered.

Cabinet minister Kavita Jain also met the victims today. She assured them that the government would try its best to nab the gang.

Meantime, the customers whose lockers were broken continued their dharna in front of the bank demanding compensation for their losses. They also locked the main entrance of the bank and raised slogans against the authorities.

DC Samir Pal asked the victims to depute five persons to meet him tomorrow so that the issue could be taken with the chairman of the PNB, the state authorities and the Centre for payment of compensation. He sought seven days from the victims to get the case solved.

Shopkeepers in many parts of the town kept their shops closed today in support of the victims. 

Chandigarh, October 28
The banks from both the private as well as the public sector do not have any policy to pay a compensation for the loss of goods stored in their lockers, in case of a heist or theft. Since there is no way to make an inventory, the goods stolen from a bank locker do not guarantee any compensation from the bank, said bankers from the region after the Sonepat heist.

The bankers in the region told The Tribune that the agreement between the bank and the customer taking a locker on rent was that of a lessee and lessor, with the bank only collecting rent for providing the space to store the valuables. Since there is no way to ascertain the quantity and value of goods stored by a customer, the banks cannot compensate the customer in case of a theft.

After the heist at the Punjab National Bank in Gohana yesterday, the regional head offices of most banks here were flooded with queries from managers of various bank branches, seeking directions on how to safeguard banks against similar thefts.

Senior officials from Punjab National Bank told The Tribune since whatever the customer keeps in the locker is not disclosed to the bank, the bank cannot determine the loss or give compensation. The bankers said only in case there is a court order or an order from the government, can banks be asked to pay compensation. “But even in that case, the person seeking compensation will have to prove beyond doubt about the inventory in his locker, after it was operated for the last time,” said a senior official from the State Bank of India.

The bankers said they were now working on improving the security systems around the strong rooms, where the lockers were usually kept. The construction of the strong room is as per the directions agreed by Indian Banks Association.

Hisar, October 28
The BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar is set to face its first test on the floor of the House to fill two seats in Rajya Sabha. The bypoll has been necessitated after the resignation of Rajya Sabha member Ranbir Singh Prajapati today, who has been elected MLA from Nalwa seat in the district.

Birender Singh, who was a Congress MP but joined the BJP just before the Assembly poll, had resigned from Rajya Sabha to join the BJP. The term for these two seats will expire in August 2016.

The BJP is expected to bag two RS seats from Haryana for the first time as the party not only has majority, but also enjoys the support of four Independents and lone BSP MLA in the Assembly. Moreover, with the Opposition standing divided with the INLD and the Congress unlikely to go in for a bypoll, it seems a smooth sail for the BJP nominees.

According to information, it will be the first time since 1990 that a BJP government will be able to send its nominee to Rajya Sabha from the state. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was the lone BJP nominee to reach Rajya Sabha in 1990, but she, too, had to get the support of the Lok Dal to get elected. Later, her husband Swaraj Kaushal was also elected on the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) symbol in 1999 during Bansi Lal-led HVP-BJP government.

The nominations will come as a big relief to the BJP, which is still in the minority in the Upper House of Parliament.

Submitting his resignation to the RS chairman and Vice-President Hamid Ansari in New Delhi today, Prajapati he had been elected MLA from the Nalwa seat, thus would prefer to take up the issues concerning the people in the state Assembly.

However, quitting the membership midway has also not gone down well with certain quarters which feel it would lead to an unnecessary electoral exercise.

“There must be a ban on the sitting members of the Assembly or Parliament to contest the elections till he/she completes the term,” said another expert.

New Delhi, October 28
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today sought details from the Haryana Bhawan authorities of the cumulative expenditure of its staff on account of their salaries and other logistics.

Khattar, having reputation of being austere and disciplined in personal and public life, sought details from the Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan, PK Mahapatra.

Many see the development as Khattar’s move to inject financial prudence and austerity in government’s functioning and expenses.

He arrived here last evening and left in the afternoon today. His flight to Chandigarh was delayed on account of inclement weather.

The Chief Minister’s action has caused a flutter in babudom. This is also on account of his image being of a “no-nonsense” man.

The officials are tight-lipped on the development and anxiety was writ large on their faces. This is attributed to the X-factor surrounding Khattar.

An official said it was the first time that any Chief Minister has sought such details.

Sources said more than the required the number of officials was posted at Haryana Bhawan and its satellite Haryana Niwas. “A good number of staff has been functioning from here without any official postings for the past few years,” said the sources.

The general feeling is that their stay here is superfluous. For example, nine doctors and about 20 paramedical staff are attached with the dispensary housed at the bhawan. They are here inspite of the fact that there’s a shortage of doctors, especially in Mewat.

Besides, a large number of employees were appointed on contract during the preceding Congress rule. About 60 lawyers are on government rolls and are drawing handsome dividends from the state exchequer.

Chandigarh, October 28
Lobbying is on for various political appointments in the Khattar Government.

As new Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar traces his roots to the RSS, the aspirants for various posts are busy exploiting their ‘sangh connections’ to grab plum posts.

The first BJP government in Haryana is likely to make key non-official appointments, including political adviser to the CM, media adviser to the CM, OSDs in the CM’s office and residence, chairmen and members of various boards and corporations, Advocate-General and law officers, besides advisers/consultants in various departments.

Till now, Khattar, who is yet to appoint officers in the CMO, is keeping cards close to his chest on various non-official appointments. So much so that prominent BJP leaders, who played a significant role in the historic victory of the party in the assembly elections, are at their wits’ end about their future role in the government.

However, since the RSS is expected to play a major say in these appointments given Khattar’s sangh background, RSS functionaries at various levels are in demand.The aspirants for these posts are making a beeline for RSS office-bearers for their ‘blessings’ to lobby for the coveted posts.

“Since Khattar is the Chief Minister on account of his RSS background and blessings of the party high command, it is natural that the RSS and party high command would have a decisive say in key appointments in the state,” said a BJP leader aspiring for a key post.

Ambala, October 28
Naraingarh MLA Nayab Singh Saini said today to ensure development in his constituency, he would press for remote area status for the border areas of Naraingarh that neighbour Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking to mediapersons at the PWD rest house at Ambala Cantonment, Saini, who defeated incumbent Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Gujjar in the Assembly elections, said a special status for the area would attract industry, which would create more job avenues for the youth of the region.

He asserted that under the Congress government, no development took place in his constituency. He said several projects, including setting up of a college at Shahzadpur that had been approved during the previous BJP government at the Centre, were never allowed to be completed. He said he had already taken up the matter of non-starting of the project to lay railway line between Yamunanagar and Panchkula with Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria and a positive outcome was expected soon.

Tohana (Fatehabad), October 26
Subhash Barala, the lone BJP candidate to have won in the Sirsa parliamentary constituency, is sure that the Khattar government would ensure equitable development of the state.

His supporters, who were sure that he would make it to the cabinet in the first list were disappointed and not without reason. Going by his seniority – he has been the state general secretary besides being president of Kisan Morcha in Haryana – and the fact that he is the only one to have survived the Chautala wave in the former CM’s home turf, they were confident about his inclusion in the cabinet.

“I am a soldier of a huge organization called the BJP where a worker need not worry anything, since the party cares about its workers. Our efforts have borne fruit and a BJP government is in power,” said Barala, who won from Tohana.

On a query that Sirsa and Fatehabad have remained unrepresented in the cabinet, he said the government would ensure equitable development of the state irrespective of any representation in the ministry or not.

“Gone are the days when the government discriminated between districts and regions. The new government represents the entire state and will ensure equitable development in the state,” he added.

Barala (47), who perhaps lost out to Capt Abhimanyu and OP Dhankar, both Jat leaders like him, is likely to be elevated to the post of state chief of the BJP following Ram Bilas Sharma’s elevation as minister, according to media reports.

Ambala, October 28
Officials of the Ambala district administration witnessed some tense moments today after being alerted by air traffic control of an emergency landing by the helicopter carrying Chief Minister ML Khattar due to reduced visibility. They later withdrew the alert and the CM landed in Chandigarh.

Officials received a wireless message from air traffic control at Delhi and Chandigarh airports that the copter that was bringing Khattar from Delhi to Chandigarh would make an emergency landing at Ambala in view of reduced visibility.

Senior district administration officials rushed to the Hero’s War Memorial where the emergency landing was planned, along with a cavalcade of cars, security vehicles, ambulances and fire bridges.

As the Chief Minister’s chopper approached Ambala, air traffic controllers concluded it could fly on to Chandigarh and cancelled the emergency landing plans.

Kaithal, October 28
Despite spending crores to improve civic amenities, the poor sanitary conditions in various parts of the town continue to be a cause of concern for the residents . Choked drains, overflowing garbage bins and scattered refuse in various residential and commercial areas is a common sight .

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was leaving no stone unturned to motivate the people about maintaining cleanliness in public places, those responsible for ensuring proper sanitary conditions in the town remain unconcerned.

The Kaithal Municipal Council (MC) is having A class status in government records but the cleanliness of public places seems to low priority for its officials.

The market committee which collects crores as the market fee and is responsible for cleanliness and upkeep of other infrastructure in two Anaj Mandis and the local Subji Mandi has miserably failed to come up to the expectations of people . Some major roads under the MC are cleaned even at night but overflowing garbage bins even on main roads are still a common sight. The garbage bins installed by the MC authorities at a number of places in the town are not emptied timely as result of which these keep stinking and overflowing with refuse.

Residents of many localities complain that the roads and drains are not cleaned regularly. The services of regular safai karamcharis have been eluding certain localitiesfor the past many years . Whenever they complain in this connection, sweepers are sent to sweep the roads. As the sweepers do not carry rehris to lift the collected garbage, it lies scattered on roads. Senior officials never take pains to make surprise checks to improve the situation.

Residents in Subhash Nagar on Khurana road , Budh Kund Colony, Ambkeshwar Basti, Ram Nagar adjoining the new Anaj Mandi , Amargarh Colony and some other localities complain about choked drains and poor sanitation. The silt removed from choked sewers manually and through machines is not lifted for days causing great inconvenience to road users. MC officials claim that the lifting of silt is the responsibility of the Public Health Department which claims that it has no staff to accomplish this task . The lack of proper coordination between two departments has aggravated the problem.

MC chairman Ram Niwas Mittal said whenever any complaint about poor sanitation was received from any area, follow-up action was taken.

Hisar, October 28
With the change of guard in the state, caste-violence affected Dalits of Mirchpur village in the district are pinning their hopes on the new government to resove this long pending issue.

Expecting a political solution to the issue rather than depending on the outcome of the ongoing legal battle in the Supreme Court, the victims have decided to call on the newly installed Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to press for their demand of rehabilitation outside the native village.

Bracing for the fifth winter in the tents in a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hisar, the Dalit families said only the BJP government could bail them out of the crisis as they had been living in a makeshift arrangement here. “We are living here after leaving our houses in the native village. Life is a mess as we are unable to accord proper rearing and education to our children,” said Sube Singh, a retired government employee who lives with his family at the farmhouse.

He said almost half of the 150 Dalit families staying at the farmhouse had returned to their homes in the village. “We have decided not to return to the houses due to the hostile atmosphere in the village. Though no untoward incident has been reported so far, but still a sense of fear prevails. The CRPF is still deployed in the village for the security of the families living there,” he said.

A middle aged man Ved Pal maintained those living in the village were facing hardships too as they were neither getting jobs in the fields nor were able to rear cattle due to lack of support from the farming community.

“The violence has drawn fault-lines between the two communities in the village, which cannot live together in a harmonious atmosphere. A number of Jats are facing criminal charges and the situation has resulted a deep-rooted abhorrence and enmity between the communities,” he said.

However, lawyer and activist Rajat Kalsan, said, “We will soon meet BJP’s Hisar MLA Kamal Gupta to take up our issue with the government. The earlier regime had taken a rigid stand to oppose our plea for rehabilitation in the Supreme Court. Now we want that the government to accept our demand for rehabilitation. After which we will withdraw our case from the Supreme Court,” he added.

Sirsa, October 28
Residents of the Rania Gate area today blocked vehicular traffic in protest against the failure of the municipal authorities to remove filth from their area.

The residents assembled near Patel Chowk, raised slogans against the authorities and blocked vehicular traffic on Rania road. Led by municipal councillor Rajinder, the residents alleged that safai karamcharis of the Municipal Council had been dumping the garbage collected from the surrounding areas in their locality.

They alleged that repeated representations to the authorities had failed to solve their problem. The blockade continued for around two hours before the police reached there along with a junior engineer of the Municipal Council and assured the residents that their problem would be solved soon. — TNS

Rewari, October 28
Call it impact of change of guard in the state or inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cleanliness drive has gained momentum in this district.

After some NGOs carried out a cleanliness programme here, the district’s top administrative officers — along with over a hundred employees of various government departments — wielded the broom at the HUDA ground and cleaned up the area today.

This was the ground where stalls were allotted for sale of crackers ahead of Diwali. Before the drive, the area was littered with polybags, wrappers of crackers, empty plastic bottles and bidi stubs.

Led by Deputy Commissioner RC Verma, officers divided themselves in groups, collected the waste in bags and loaded it on to tractor-trolleys for disposal. Significantly, Women employees also participated in the drive. Verma said the drive would continue.

“I have directed heads of all government and private schools to keep their campus clean to achieve the target of ‘Swachh Bharat’. Employees have been asked to keep offices clean and I am carrying out surprise raids to monitor the situation,” the DC added.

Ramesh Sharma, a college student, said it was inspiring to see officers such as the DC, ADC, SDM, SP and DSP wielding the broom for the success of the cleanliness drive successful.

Kurukshetra October 28
The Kurukshetra University Campus was abuzz with activities today with a artistes dressed up in traditional Haryanavi attire performing on the second day of the 29 Haryana Day state-level festival ‘Ratnawali’.

Those present enjoyed performances by Jangam Jogis, Banchari party and Sapera artists who performed with their traditional folk instruments.

The ‘Khula Manch’, where Haryanvi folklore was being showcased, was the centre of attraction. The ‘saang’ competition at Khula Manch and Rasiya performance at Dhamal Manch were loudly cheered.

The Haryanvi food court, which was introduced for the first time in the festival, evoked a good response. The department of Hotel Management of the varsity is managing the stalls.

Sandeep Raheja, a member of the managing committee, said “The food court has received a good response. We have sold more than 500 plates of the Haryanavi thali, 1,000 glasses of lassi and more than 100 plates of choorma since yesterday noon.”

Satpal Deswal, who belongs to Rohtak and is a lyricist in Mumbai, could be seen tying turbans to the students and visitors at the turban point.

“A turban was once an integral part of the Haryanvi man’s attire but it lost its charm a few decades ago. Usually, the youth don’t like to wear a turban but youngsters are flocking to get a turban tied. It’s a rage among the girls too. Since yesterday I have tied more than 400 turbans and many have even asked me to teach them to tie it,” he added.

Besides the food court and turban tying, live sketching and painting too attracted many student and visitors.

However, senior artists are of the view that curiosity about painting and sketch making is missing. Ram Pratap Verma, a well known Chandigarh based artist, said “It’s like we are paining in our studios. There must be some interaction and queries. People here hesitate while asking questions. They must ask the artist what he is doing and why he is using this paint and what is the technique, but all such queries are missing,” he lamented.

“I know many artists don’t like to be disturbed but it’s not with everyone. I like to share our experience. So the students, especially those from the Fine Arts department must ask questions,” he added.

On the second day of the festival, Haryanvi ghazal, rasiya dance, Haryanvi lok geet, saang and solo dance (male) were performed.

Faridabad, October 28
With the Rs 75-crore waste treatment plant non-functional for a year, the Faridabad. Municipal Corporation has cancelled the company’s contract and will float fresh tenders.

File photo of the non-working waste treatment plant in Faridabad’s Bandhwari village. Tribune photo

The city has been facing acute problem of disposal and management of garbage after a fire in the plant last November. The Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) has terminated the contract of the agency maintaining the plant, which had a capacity of treating 1,000 tonnes of garbage a day. The plant was managing 600 MT municipal waste from Faridabad and 400 MT from Gurgaon a day.

Located on 25 acres belonging to the MCF, the plant was started in 2011 as part of the joint solid waste management plan to dispose and recycle waste of Faridabad and Gurgaon. The land was leased out for 30 years to the private company allotted the contract.

“Though we tried to revive operations of the plant, but the agency (AKC Developers) failed to ensure its functioning leading to termination of their contract,” said MCF Commissioner Suprabha Dahiya.

“All dues, including bank guarantee of Rs 3 crore, will be recovered from the defaulting company,” she said. The MCF is also exploring alternative sites to dump the waste as the present spot is nearing its saturation due to lack of treatment.

The MCF had entered into an agreement with AKC Developers in September 2010 according to which the plant was to be run without expense to the civic body, besides share in carbon credits generated in the plant.

“While the issue had been raised in civic body meetings in which members have expressed concern over sanitary conditions, authorities have assured proper action soon,” said Yogesh Dhingra, Municipal Corporator from Ward 15 here.

Karnal, October 28
The Director of Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR), Dr Indu Sharma, today emphasised building capacity among scientists and farmers for the better yield of barley and lentil.

She was chairing the inaugural session of a three-day national seminar on ‘Barley and lentil improved cultivars adoption in India’. It was jointly organised by DWR and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, DWR, here today.

Stressing the importance of the project, she said it would help in improving the quality and yield of the two crops. She also suggested providing technology packages to the farmers for better production.

Dr AS Kharub from DWR and Dr Sanjeev Gupta from IIPR, Kanpur, highlighted the improvement in barley and lentil production in India.

Ambala, October 28
The School of Architecture, MM University, Sadopur, Ambala, organised its 3rd annual cultural fest, "Srijan", today.

The winners of the annual cultural fest at MM University in Ambala on Tuesday.

DK Jindal, MD, Jindals Consistorian, Ambala, inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp and motivated the students to work in all difficulties.

He also highlighted the importance of self-confidence, commitment and positive thinking in achieving the success.

Students from Mughal, Chola, Maurya and Rajput Houses competed in various architectural, literary, artistic and cultural events such as column design, wire modelling, sculpture making, quiz, caption, product design, cut to style, singing, dancing, etc.

The Mughal House was adjudged the best on the basis of its performance in all events. The fest gave a platform to the students to exhibit their talent.

A freshers' day function, Swagatam'14, was also organised on the occasion. The theme of the function was "I, We and Our India". Students presented glimpses of the Indian culture at the function. — OC

Chandigarh, October 28
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the Haryana government to review its new transport policy.

The Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant directed the review while disposing of a petition filed by Som Prakash and others of Sirsa. They had alleged that the policy gave blanket authority to the government to increase or decrease the number of permits and trips on any route for private operations.

The development is significant as the High Court on August 11 had stayed the Haryana government’s transport policy notified in August, 2013. However, the High Court allowed Haryana government on September 11 to issue permits to private operators where larger “public interest” was involved.

Yamunanagar, October 28
Work remained suspended in the district court today after a woman advocate was allegedly beaten up by her-in-laws in Jagadhri last night.

Balraj Singh, incharge, Hooda police post, said that a matrimonial dispute was the reason for the assault. An argument and a quarrel ensued between both parties following which the women was beaten. He said that a case was registered against both the parties.

Brijesh Pratap, president of District Bar Association said that they had decided to suspend work in solidarity with their colleague.

Yamunanagar, October 28
Panic spread among staff members of Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar, when a leopard strayed into its premises.

The leopard was spotted near the coal yard on Sunday night by a team of security personnel who were on night patrolling. The authorities informed the officers of the Forest Department on Monday.

When the forest officers visited the thermal plant on Monday, they failed to collect any proof conforming the leopard’s presence there.

However, a team headed by wildlife inspector Rajpal Singh succeeded to find the pugmarks of the leopard on Tuesday. “We saw pugmarks near the coal yard and the water reservoir. This confirmed the presence of the animal here,” said Rajpal Singh.

He said the leopard might have sneaked inside the boundary wall of the thermal plant three or four days ago. He said they had installed two cages and tied a goat near these cages to catch the animal.

“After studying the pugmarks, the leopard seems to be mature and its age may be around five years,” added the wildlife inspector. He said his team would remain at the thermal till the leopard was caught.

Although, the leopard has not attacked any staff member, security was beefed up in and around the areas where employees work.

Hisar, October 28
A gang of robbers struck at three petrol pumps in the region and decamped with Rs 72,000 and other items last night.

The robbers assaulted a petrol pump staff near Agroha village around midnight and took away Rs 2,000 and three mobile phones from him. The second incident occurred at a petrol station in Meerpur village on the Agroha Buna road, where the accused decamped with Rs 50,000 at pistol point. Later, they struck at another petrol pump in Gorakhpur village and robbed the staff off Rs 20,000 and other articles.

SHO Satbir Singh said investigations to trace the culprits had started. — TNS

Kaithal, October 28
Two labourers from Bihar died in a road accident at Cheeka here today. The victims — Vinod Kumar Sadai and Deban Sahay — were working as labourers at the Cheeka anaaj mandi.

Both of them were coming to the anaaj mandi when a jeep hit them from behind; the driver fled from the spot.

The bodies were handed to the deceased’s kin after conducting a post-mortem exam. The police have registered a case against the unidentified driver. — OC