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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Thursday, December 16, 1999 |
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INLD, BJP to follow NDA agenda INDIRI (Karnal), Dec 15 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today reiterated that both INLD and the BJP would fight the coming Assembly poll under the banner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Haryana Cong seeks Central rule CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress today demanded that President's rule should be imposed in the state to ensure free and fair elections as this could not be expected under the dictatorial rule of Mr Chautala, which was evident from large-scale rigging in the elections to the 13th Lok Sabha. |
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Hooda likely to stay HPCC chief NEW DELHI, Dec 15 — With elections looming in Haryana, the Congress is veering round to the view to allow Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda to continue as the State unit Chief. Auction policy on unsold HUDA plot
modified Mixed
response to dissolution GJU
appointments cancelled Towards
healthier living ABVP
to start drive for change of system Haryana
tops foeticide list: NCW chief Two
proclaimed offenders held Digital
trunk phone exchange starts Union
withdraws relay fast |
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INLD, BJP to follow NDA
agenda INDIRI (Karnal), Dec 15 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today reiterated that both INLD and the BJP would fight the coming Assembly poll under the banner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Addressing a press conference in the Canal Rest House, the Chief Minister said the manifestos of the two alliance partners could vary depending on the local political situation and problems. But the overall guiding factor would be the national agenda of the NDA. Mr Chautala said so far there had been no agreement with the BJP on seat sharing. But this was not a big problem between them. The Chief Minister said the main criteria for the selection of INLD candidates would be honesty, character, loyalty and team work so that both partners could provide a stable government. Mr Chautala denied any poll adjustment talks with the BSP. The Chief Minister said the INLD government had undertaken a programme to provide 70 litres of potable water to each person instead of the 50 litres which was available at present. Mr Chautala who was here to preside over a janata darbar and listen to the grievances of people also declared that his government had ordered the re-survey of those living below the poverty line. He declared that a crash road building programme would be started in Haryana from May 2000 if his party was voted to power. He said drains had been cleaned and water taken to the tail-end to benefit farmers. Mr Chautala admitted that the state suffered from power shortage but maintained that his government was making an effort to overcome the problem. He said power lines were being re-laid and lines passing over houses and other buildings were being removed. The Chief Minister listened to the problems of panchayats of 142 villages of Indiri block. He said sugarcane from
Uttar Pradesh would not be allowed to be sold in Haryana.
He said people had complained that Uttar Pradesh cane was
being sold at Chandrao Ghat. |
Haryana Cong seeks Central rule CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress today demanded that President's rule should be imposed in the state to ensure free and fair elections as this could not be expected under the dictatorial rule of Mr Chautala, which was evident from large-scale rigging in the elections to the 13th Lok Sabha. This was stated in a press statement issued by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President, Haryana Pradesh Congress (I) Committee. It added that the Haryana PCC had demanded simultaneous elections to the Vidhan Sabha along with the Lok Sabha elections in 1999, but the Indian National Lok Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party's unholy alliance had announced that it would complete the full five-year term of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. "Mr Om Prakash Chautala has dissolved the House in the face of mounting discontentment among the legislators not only of those who had defected from the HVP but also those of his own party, and the government was on the verge of collapse as the legislators had lost confidence in Mr Chautala. That is why Mr Chautala kept on announcing that the Vidhan Sabha will not be dissolved. Otherwise several legislators would have left him", the statement said. The statement alleged that Mr Chautala wanted to befool the people of the state by making loud promises, none of which had been implemented so far. "Farmers were forced to sell their paddy crop much below the procurement price announced by the government, his promise to provide free power and water remained unfulfilled; law and order situation of the state has totally collapsed and deteriorated, and Mr Chautala has miserably failed in fulfilling these promises in view of which he (Mr Chautala) has been compelled to dissolve the Assembly". The BJP-led Central Government, which had already increased the prices of diesel, was likely to impose a heavy dose of taxes in its coming Budget, rendering it unpopular among the people for its "anti-people policies and programmes". Mr Chautala wanted to befool the people of Haryana once again before the coming Budget at the Centre, the statement added. The HPCC chief said the
Congress would unitedly face the mid-term elections to
the Vidhan Sabha and emerge stronger, securing a clear
majority under the dynamic leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi
and form its government in the state. |
Chautala gambles on Oppn disarray NEW DELHI, Dec 15 — It is one thing to form a government with the help of defectors and quite another to manage a political party while in power when the vestiges of power are vested in persons the party workers deem alien. This was the dilemma faced by Mr Om Prakash Chautala during the past 144 days ever since he ousted Mr Bansi Lal and occupied the Haryana Chief Minister’s chair. Mr Chautala, who eventually opted to dissolve the Assembly and head for elections 17 months ahead of the schedule, was also under pressure from his BJP allies in the state. The air of bonhomie and co-habitation of New Delhi was missing at the recent conclave of the BJP at Rohtak, where the party’s state leaders clearly said their aim was to emerge as the number one force in Haryana — the party which has just 11 seats in the Assembly against the Indian National Lok Dal’s 39 is apparently looking to fill space carved out by its ally. In the government that Mr Chautala presided over, veteran INLD MLAs like Mr Bhagi Ram, Mr Balwant Singh Mayna, Ms Vidya Beniwal, Mr Rampal Majra, Mr Ramesh Khatak had to content themselves with the posts of chairmen of undertakings while important ministerial portfolios were given to defecting Haryana Vikas Party leaders. Ironically these included Mr Vinod Mariya and Mr Azad Mohammad, who carried the HVP label although they won the last election with Mr Chautala but later defected to Mr Bansi Lal’s HVP. Only to return as part of the HVP (Democratic) baggage when operation topple was put into motion last July. Mr Chautala had little option but to head for the hustings in a situation where the supporters of the HVP(D) members, the traditional rivals of the INLD in the villages and tehsils, continued to enjoy ministerial patronage, although it was Mr Chautala who was in power. Political fortunes can swing very fast. Thus Mr Chautala realised that while there were murmurs in his own rank, the Congress in Haryana was in disarray with the division issue of replacement of its PCC chief topping its agenda. Similarly, the HVP of Mr Bansi Lal was yet to recover from the shocks of July, 1999. Thus, this was considered an opportune moment both to consolidate gains outside and placate loyalists within the INLD. As per Mr Chautala’s calculation, going by the statistics of the INLD-BJP alliance having led in 85 of the 90 Assembly segments in the Lok Sabha elections, the winnability of a candidate may not be the prime consideration. Instead loyalty to the party can be rewarded at relatively small risk. Thus Mr Chautala can now aims at, formation of an Assembly in which he and his party have a dominant position. But a clash of interests with the BJP cannot be ruled out. During the Lok Sabha seat sharing, Mr Chautala had favoured a 6:4 seat ratio but the BJP asked for and got a 5:5 share. As a result, Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan, the leader of Mr Chautala’s party in the 12th Lok Sabha was sent into BJP and made its candidate from Sonepat. Arriving at a seat sharing formula between the BJP and the INLD for the Assembly elections will be an uphill exercise. The INLD, meanwhile, is keeping a window open for its former ally, the Bahujan Samaj Party, with whom it parted company when it decided to support the BJP at the Centre. Thus, if INLD-BJP ties sour, Mr Chautala may activate the BSP card. Mr Chautala has been trying to replicate Mr Bhajan Lal’s strategem — of a Jat-plus politics in Haryana. The abolition of octroi, reduction of market fees, abolition of rural development cess, sops for the employees, the promise of recruiting 12,000 more teachers and the assistance of Rs 5,100 given to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes girls’ at marriages are some of the steps taken in this direction. Significantly, Mr
Chautala did not encourage his son, Mr Ajay Chautala, (a
la Sukhbir Singh Badal,) to join the Vajpayee government.
Nor did he make him the leader of the INLD in the Lok
Sabha. That job went to a Scheduled Caste leader, Mr
Sushil Singh Indora. |
Hooda likely to stay HPCC
chief NEW DELHI, Dec 15 — With elections looming in Haryana, the Congress is veering round to the view to allow Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda to continue as the State unit Chief. The AICC, which was under pressure from several leaders from the state to effect a change ahead of the elections may now exercise the option of ‘adjusting’ aspirants to the PCC President’s post in the party — either in the AICC or in the state. Although reports of imminent dissolution of the state assembly were doing rounds for some time now, the Congress did not hasten to carry out any changes, specially in states going to polls early next year. Party sources said the
Central leadership was averse to affecting a change close
to the elections and was working on a formula so that
other contenders and senior leaders like Mr Bhajan Lal,
Mr Birender Singh and Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala were
adjusted in the party. There is a suggestion to associate
Mr Bhajan Lal with the Congress Working Committee, the
highest policy making body. Meanwhile, the Congress today
demanded that Haryana be brought under Governor’s
rule and charged that under the Om Prakash Chautala
regime, free and fair elections were not possible. |
Auction policy on unsold HUDA
plot modified CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — After the controversial abolition of the system of sale of industrial plots through auctions, the Haryana Government has followed it up by changing the policy with regard to the plots of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). An official press note said that the Haryana Cabinet, at its meeting last evening under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, decided to modify the auction policy of left-over or unsold plots in the developed sectors of HUDA. It was decided to sell these plots by way of floatation of prices fixed close to the market price. It may be recalled that shift in the policy on industrial plots gave rise to a controversy as it was alleged that this would lead the government to show favouritism. Similar fears are expected to greet yesterday's decision by the Cabinet as well. Meanwhile, giving details of the availability of the plots, the press note said, that in urban estate of Kurukshetra, there are 37 unsold plots in Sector 2 and 158 in Sector 3. Their nodel price is Rs 790 per sq yard. There are 424 unsold plots in Sector 5 and their price is Rs 950 per sq yard. Similarly, there are 416 plots in Sector 4 and 30 of Kurukshetra priced at Rs 690 per sq yard. In Panipat urban estate, there are 89 plots in Sector 6 priced at Rs 1600 per sq yard; 479 plots in Sector 18 priced at Rs 2000 per sq yard; and 61 plots in Sectors 13 and 17 priced at Rs 2200 per sq yard. The number of unsold plots in Kaithal is 462 and these are in Sector 10, Part I, II and 20 each priced at Rs 900 per sq yard. There are 91 plots in Sector 17 of Jagadhari priced at Rs 1190 per sq yard and 307 plots in Sectors 15 and 19 priced at Rs 850 per square yard. Similarly, there are 375 unsold plots in Sectors 4 and 5 of Karnal priced at Rs 1290 per sq yard and 122 plots in Sectors 8 and 9 to be sold at a rate of Rs 1590 per sq yard. In Ambala, there are 228 unsold plots in Sector 10 priced at Rs 990 per sq yard and 11 plots in Sector 8 to be sold at a rate of 1290 per sq yard. Similarly, there are 269 plots in Sector 4 which would be sold at a rate of Rs 965 per sq yard. In Hisar, there are 1421 plots in Sectors 13, 15, 16 and 17 priced are Rs 990 per sq yard. The plots in Sector 14 would be sold at a rate of Rs 1500 per sq yard. There are 411 plots in
Sector 11 (extension) in Jind and these would be sold at
a rate of 900 per sq yard. The 115 plots in Sector 6 of
Hansi would be sold at a rate of Rs 550 per sq yard and
624 plots in Sector 7 of Gohana would be sold at a rate
of Rs 850 per sq yard. Nearly 400 plots, which are unsold
in Sector 2 of Palwal, would also be sold at the rate of
Rs 1395 per sq yard. It was also decided that the unsold plots in medium potential zone and low potential zone may not be sold by way of auction but floated irrespective of the number of unsold plots available in the urban estates. The reserve price of such plots has been fixed close to the market price so that the loss suffered on the sale of unsold plots in the low potential zone is offset by the surplus generated out of the sale of unsold plots in the high potential zone or the medium potential zone. This decision will not only enable HUDA to dispose of more than 7,000 plots in various urban estates, but also generate funds, the press note added. The rates of the plots
have been fixed by the price fixation committee of HUDA
after ascertaining rates from various estate offices and
administrators. |
Mixed response to dissolution ROHTAK, Dec 15 — The dissolution of state Assembly by the Governor has evoked a mixed response. Commenting on the reasons explained by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, for dissolution, the state secretariat of the CPM alleged Mr Chautala was trying to conceal the "real" facts and circumstances. Mr Inderjit Singh, secretary of the CPM, state committee alleged the people had lost faith in the functioning of the Chautala government. He charged the Chief Minister with leading a Cabinet of defectors" The step proved that unethical practices could not stand for long. The BJP has also welcomed the Governor's decision. Mr Om Prakash Grover, president of the state BJP, said the INLD and the BJP would jointly contest the forthcoming assembly poll. The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Bhupender Singh Hooda, said the party would contest election on its own. He said the candidates with clean record would be floated in the election and the "failure" of the Chautala government on various fronts and his "anti-farmer" attitude would be the main issues of the party. Meanwhile, Mr Dharampal
Makrauliwala, Chairman, Zila Parishad, said the step
indicated the political wisdom of the Chief Minister. He
claimed that a clear majority was necessary to fulfil the
electoral promises. |
GJU appointments cancelled HISAR, Dec 15 — The process of cancellation of the appointment of 13 teachers of Guru Jambeshwar University has concluded with the Chancellor formally issuing orders, withdrawing the appointment letters of the candidates by virtue of power vested in him under the Statute 20(4) of the GJU Act 1995. The candidates have been served individual letters listing various reasons for the cancellation of their appointment. However, one of the candidates has reportedly filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the order of the Chancellor. The candidates told TNS here today, that the Chancellor had "simply endorsed the recommendations of the subcommittee" which had been constituted by Guru Jambeshwar University in November for reviewing the appointments. The varsity had selected 21 candidates in August 1988. However, due to differences between the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.L. Johar and the then Director Higher Education, the appointments ran into rough weather. Immediately after the selection letters were issued to the candidates, the Haryana Government imposed a ban on recruitments in three universities of the state, indulging GJU. After Prof Johar completed his term in October 1998 the charge of the Vice-Chancellor was given to the Commissioner, Hisar division. It was the new VC who started the process of cancellation. Interestingly, the completion of the process of cancellation coincided with his relieving the charges as VC. The candidates, who were made to wait for about 16 months are sore over the cancellation orders. They alleged that the Chancellor did not take into consideration the issues raised by them in deciding the case. They pointed out, the Chancellor simply upheld the recommendations of the subcommittee which had recommended the cancellation of their appointments. The candidates alleged that the university authorities headed by the then VC incorporated the opinion of those experts only, who had favoured their viewpoint. They claimed, the opinion of those experts, who did not favour the cancellation was not incorporated. They also alleged, the experts were handpicked by the university. Moreover, they pointed out, how could the experts form their opinion about the eligibility and the competence of the candidates without giving them a personal hearing. Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is reported to have already issued notices to the Chancellor and four others, including the then VC, Mr Dharamvir on a petition filed by one of the aggrieved candidates. The court has fixed
March 3, 2000, as the next date of hearing. |
Towards healthier living SIRSA: The twentieth century has been the age of science. Innovations in the field of medicine have brought relief to the countless sick, yet much needs to be done. Specialists of the IMA here advocate non-pharmacological methods of disease management. Arnold Toymbee, a world historian, had once remarked that India has a lot to teach the world. Though his vision of its contribution to the world was confined to 'unity', India has a lot to teach the world in the sphere of health. Walt Whitman had called her the land of original and perennial thought. If the world acts on some of these thoughts, we can have a healthy and happy world in the new millennium. The patron of the state IMA, Dr Ved Beniwal, member of the Cardiological Society of India, Dr V.P. Goyal, and a former district president of the IMA, Dr Talwar have on the basis of a study worked out three basic principles as treatment modalities without medicine. These are based on "yoga" as a curative force and the 'satvik' principle propounded by Lord Krishna in the Geeta. The three basic principles are:- (1) Lifestyle modifications (2) Eating style modifications (3) Use of suitable drugs Lifestyle modification: Dr L.S. Beling of Perth University, Australia, has classified the world population into two personality types. Type 'A' personalities are those who have an intense desire to acquire and achieve in the shortest span. His suggestion to such personalities is that they should practise yoga, be more relaxed, accomplish their goal with patience and draw greater satisfaction from success. Type 'B' personalities are the reverse. They are lazy, easygoing with sedentary habits. For such personalities the advice is to make life more meaningful and exercise regularly. Eating style modification: Eat in less quantity, only fresh food and items which are not stale, over-fried or undercooked. These should be full of vitamins and fibre. In this regard, P.U.F.A. oils like sunflower and corn should be used. Whole flour, isabgol, lentils, pulses, beans and salad should be consumed. Alcohol, Tobacco, and meat should be avoided. Finally use of suitable drugs: By adopting the former two modifications, one is less likely to fall sick. If somehow disease strikes thereafter, medicines should be used according to age, stature, and body tolerance. These doctors believe
that medical science can go a long way in benefiting
mankind if the N.P.D.T. is implemented in the real sense.
The N.P.D.T. is a 'self-help' modality for remaining
healthy in the present stressful times. |
ABVP to start drive for
change of system HISAR, Dec 15 — The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) will launch a nationwide movement for the change of system in the country. The campaign will begin on January 26, 2000, to coincide with the golden jubilee of the adoption of Indian Constitution. Disclosing this here today, at a press conference, the ABVP secretary, Mr Ramesh Pappa, said, the ABVP would start the campaign with nationwide debate involving people from all sections. He pointed out, even after 50 years of adopting the Constitution, the country has not achieved any significant progress in any field. He pointed out, poverty, illiteracy, backwardness, inequality, unemployment, corruption, "arrogant legislators, unresponsive executive" have become the order of the day. Even the Judiciary has failed to inspire the people. The election process has been hijacked by money power and muscle power. The politicians have become insensitive and self-centred. Listing the major objectives of the ABVP for bringing in a system change, he said, a critical evaluation of the legislature, executive, and judiciary would be done for incorporating appropriate and suitable changes and incorporating the relevant "ancient Bharatiya ideals, value system and cultural tradition" in the present system. He said, the 12-point agenda has been finalised, which would be followed in letter and spirit. The ABVP Secretary expressed concern over the ISI activities in the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. He pointed out, the militants were now targeting the Army in the Kashmir valley and had managed to hit at the most secure places. He urged the State and Central governments to take strong measures. Mr Pappa revealed that militancy in Kashmir had now been taken over by foreign mercenaries. Mr Pappa hailed the government for putting a brave front at the World Trade Organisation at Seattle. He claimed, it was for the first time that India had not only managed to put through its own point of view, but successfully managed to represent the entire developing world. He criticised the USA for trying to impose "economic imperialism". The ABVP leader said his
organisation was affiliated to the BJP. He disclosed that
the ABVP was an independent organisation of students, but
can always have ideological similarity with other
parties. He said, the ABVP opposed political interference
in education. He also demanded that elections of
students' bodies should elections be held in Haryana. |
Haryana tops foeticide list: NCW
chief PANIPAT, Dec 15 — The Chairman of the National Women Commission (NCW), Ms Vibha Parthasarthy, has stressed the need to remove disparity between boys and girls in order to bring equality in their social status. She alleged that women were being discriminated in every field. She was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day mahila millennium awareness sammelan organised by Mata Sita Rani Seva Sansthan here yesterday. She said Haryana was at the top on the foeticide cases list despite being a leading state. She expressed concern over the education of girls and revealed that India was at the 170th position in women education in the world. Member of the commission, Saida, S. Hamid said the commission would start several programmes in the next millennium to create awareness among the women about legal laws and their constitutional rights. Additional Deputy
Commissioner, R.B. Langyan said the women were behind
socially, economically and politically though they had
been given reservations in Panchayati Raj institutions. |
Two proclaimed offenders
held SIRSA, Dec 15 — The district police has arrested two proclaimed offenders. According to a press note today, Balkar Singh of Chhateri village in Ferozepore district was booked by the Dabwali police in a liquor smuggling case in 1994. He was later declared as proclaimed offender. He was arrested yesterday along with Jagjeeta of Shamshah Bad in a similar case. Meanwhile, father and a son have been arrested for demanding more dowry. According to the police,
Paramjeet Kaur of Jutan Wali village had filed a
complaint in the Dabwali court against her in-laws,
residents of Hanumangarh for beating her and demanding
more dowry. The police has registered a case. |
Digital trunk phone exchange
starts FARIDABAD, Dec 14 — A 5000-line digital trunk automatic exchange (Tax) imported from Germany has started functioning in Faridabad, according to Mr R.N. Prabhaker, General Manager, Telecom. The new Tax will result in the elimination of disturbance and disconnection of the STD and ISD calls made by the subscribers. Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta would soon be connected with the exchange. Under the scheme of providing better telephone facilities in the rural areas, a main exchange of 800 lines at Tigaon and C-Dot exchanges of 152 lines each were being set up in Mandkola, Dhatir and Chandhat villages. He said till November 4773 new connections had been given in Faridabad. The installed capacity of the exchanges had increased to 100716 and 83464 connections were now working. Mr Prabhaker disclosed that an intelligent network was being installed in Faridabad under which people having a card could make ISD and STD calls from any telephone without billing from the telephone. The card can be used at any city having this facility. The system is already in vogue in Gurgaon. The waiting list as on
December 31 would be cleared by May next year. |
Union withdraws relay fast PANIPAT, Dec 15 — The Panipat Cooperative Sugar Mill Karamchari Union has withdrawn its 14-day relay fast following an assurance by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the mill, Mr Sandeep Garg. He said the demands of the striking employees would be considered sympathetically. The Deputy Commissioner held a meeting with the representatives of the union on the mill premises yesterday. The Managing Director of the mill, Mr Lajvir Singh, was also present at the meeting. According to union leaders, the Deputy Commissioner, has assured that the employees of the Panipat sugar mill will get bonus on the pattern of Rohtak and Sonepat sugar mills. The employees were also assured regarding the payment of arrears to distillery employees, payment of allowance to the cane and seasonal employees, regularisation of daily-wage employees. Besides, the Deputy Commissioner also assured that necessary steps would be taken to start the spirit plant of the distillery and for the reinduction of the dismissed employees of the distillery. The Deputy Commissioner
has reportedly agreed to initiate steps for providing
employment to the dependants of the deceased employees of
the mill. |
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