TOP STORIES

Residents of Dabua or denizens of no-man’s land?
Faridabad, June 8
Over 1.5 lakh residents of Dabua colony, which falls in the Air Force Station area, are virtually denizens of a no-man’s land. Owing to a ban on development activity within 900 metres of the station premises, the work on civic amenities in the area is at a standstill.

GENERIC DRUG ROW
Chemists threaten to take to streets
Sonepat, June 8
The Haryana Chemists’ Association has decided to meet the Drug Controller at Panchkula on June 9 to thrash out the row over the Commissioner and Secretary Raj Kumar’s verbal orders to chemists to stop overcharging consumers for generic drugs.

Panipat textile industry cries for amenities, govt looks the other way
Panipat, June 8
The world-famous textile industry here, a major money-spinner for the Central and state governments, is despondent these days. The industry, which earned foreign exchange worth Rs 1,400 crore last year, is crying for attention with the Haryana Government looking the other way.

FOUNTAIN THERAPY! — Photo by Kamal Singh

KNOW-HOW WOES
Decision on tax cut after set-top boxes arrive: CM
New Delhi, June 8
The Government of NCT of Delhi has not ruled out giving sales tax relief on set-top boxes for pay channel viewing under the controversial Conditional Access System, even as it views the move as “harsh” on consumers.

TOOTHLESS BODY?
DSGMC education council under fire
New Delhi, June 8
Barely a day after the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee claimed that the improvement in board results of schools was an outcome of its endeavour to improve the standard of education, the Opposition leaders have raised questions against what they allege is a ‘’toothless’’ Education Council.

Carrot and stick policy to tackle power theft
Jhajjar, June 8
The government will honour power officials up to the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer if they detected cases of power thefts and succeeded in checking such cases in their areas. However, in case they fail to do so and a officer of a higher rank detects that power thefts are continuing unabated in their areas, the lower rank officer would be liable to punishment and strict departmental action.

An astroturf in the Capital’s backyard Rohtak, June 8 Hockey players in the Capital’s backyard will soon be able to enjoy the game on synthetic turf. The process of laying an Astroturf at Gurgaon will be completed by July 15 this year. This was disclosed by Haryana’s Finance Minister, Prof. Sampat Singh. He was responding to questions from scribes at a press conference organised by the Rohtak unit of the Haryana Union of Journalists.

Official apathy, people’s indifference turning Sonepat into a civic hell-hole
Sonepat, June 8
The historic city of Sonepat has turned into one of the ugliest city in the state due to the callous neglect and insensitivity of the civic authorities. Rampant corruption and petty politics has made the authorities insensitive towards the basic needs of the people.

Rural authority spends Rs 9.2 crore on development schemes
Sonepat, June 8
The District Rural Development Authority had spent about Rs 9.20 crore on the development works under various government sponsored schemes launched by the state and Union governments in Sonepat district during the year 2002-2003.

‘Developed nations are biggest environment polluters’
Noida, June 8
The policies and priorities being pursued by the developed countries are squarely to blame for the degradation of the world environment. This was stated by Dr Yogindera Narayan, the former Defence Secretary, while speaking at a seminar held in Noida on the World Environment Day.

Industries Minister Deep Chand Bandhu along with Youth Congress leaders at a workers’ training camp held at Ashok Vihar in the Capital on Sunday. The president of the Ryan Foundation and Chairman of the St. Xavier’s group has been conferred the Indira Gandhi Pariyavaran Puraskar for his involvement in the green drive. He was felicitated by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at a ceremony in Vigyan Bhavan.

SPECIAL FOCUS ON SONEPAT
Bi-monthly bills for phone subscribers
Sonepat, June 8
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has decided to issue bi-monthly bills instead of monthly bills to its subscribers. This information was provided by Mr R. C. Hooda, General Manager, BSNL, Sonepat district, to a deputation of the Citizens Alliance for Promotion of Responsive Governance (Sonepat Chapter), which called on him here.

Rs 3.91 crore sanctioned for toilet facilities
Sonepat, June 8
The government has sanctioned Rs 3.91 crore for providing clean toilet facilities in the houses of the families living below the poverty line in Sonepat district. Disclosing this, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, told mediapersons here yesterday that 30 per cent each of this amount would be borne by the Centre and the state government and the remaining amount of 40 per cent by the beneficiary units.

Need for speedy implementation of projects: Walia
New Delhi, June 8
The Delhi Minister for Urban Development, Health and PWD, Dr A. K. Walia, said that it has been the endeavour of the his government to use latest technologies, both in roads and buildings.

DELHI DIGEST
Two robbers fall in police trap
New Delhi, June 8
With the arrest of two suspects, the North-East district police today claimed to have busted a gang of robbers who operated in the Capital as well as neighbouring states.

• Kidnappers held

• Pamma threatens stir

• Khanduri unveils plaque

NCR BRIEFS
Bid to loot petrol station, four held
Sonepat, June 8
With the arrest of four persons, the CIA staff foiled an attempt to loot a petrol station near Gohana town, about 40 km from here, last night. According to a report, the arrested persons were identified as Shiv Kumar of Pauli village in Jind district, Ajit, alias Meenu, of Kakroi village, Sunil of Hassangarh village and Sumer of Malla village under the Safidon police station area in Jind district.

• Farmers’ rally on June 10

• 13-yr RI for abduction, rape

• Special helpline for plus two results

• HC relief for ad hoc teachers

CRIME

Three nabbed after encounter
Ghaziabad, June 8
The Indirapuram police nabbed three criminals after an encounter yesterday and seized a country-made revolver, a dagger and a motorbike. A police team was on routine patrol duty when the members saw three persons moving in a suspicious manner on a motorbike near Khoda Colony.

Man robbed of cash after acid attack
Greater Noida: Two motorcycle-borne persons stopped a man on a scooter on the pretext of seeking directions, threw acid on him and robbed him of Rs 2.5 lakh near Mohyarpur village under the Surajpur police station here today.

BUSINESS

SHOWCASE
A cost-effective, potable water cooling system for the masses
Naturo, a cost-effective and eco-friendly electric potable water cooling system, has been introduced in the market for the benefit of the common man. The cooling system can run with the help of a car battery, inverter, solar power and household electricity. The system cools 20 litres of water in one hour, consuming only 20 watts of power.

Trendy, easy on the pocket watches Ceylon leaf tea for the connoisseur Liners for that soft & creamy look Timekeepers that offer value for money Edutainment to keep your child happy Aromatic pulses to please taste buds

Comfy shoes that make driving a luxury Chic solution to power crisis Shoes with attitude for Gen Next Designs unlimited in furniture A euphonic treat for your house Now, notebooks that go flat Blinds to make guests go into raptures Multimedia speakers from Bose

EDUCATION

Haryana varsities, colleges take the lead in getting NAAC gradation
Sonepat, June 8
The universities and colleges of Haryana have taken the lead over institutions in other states in getting recognition In the shape of gradation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council during the 2002-2003 academic session. As many as three out of five universities and 90 colleges of the state have been awarded gradation by the NAAC teams visiting the institutions during the last academic year.

SCHOOL BUZZ Tennis Express: Taking the game to the kids With emphasis on the overall development of students, schools are increasingly making provisions for students to grasp sports and cultural activities. From drama clubs to eco clubs, horse riding to skating, students are being provided opportunity to grow and learn. Vishal Uppal giving some tennis tips.

• Talent competition

• Annual Day at Savera

• 100 per cent result

A programme to help students bust stress The results of class X and XII examinations are out. Like every year, many cases of suicide and attempt to suicide were reported. Most parents dream big for their wards. Unfortunately, very few parents see their dreams realised. Rest of them only get frustration. Students at Metamorphoz.

PRINCIPAL SPEAK
Why man needs religion the most?
India is a land of spirituality, a land where belief and worship is manifested in varied and resplendent forms; where there are as many gods and goddesses as there are ways of worshipping them. However, the essence and the ultimate truth of all religions is basically the same - the attainment of salvation.

SPORTS

Oriental Bank, DTC run away with full points
New Delhi, June 8
Oriental Bank of Commerce and Delhi Transport Corporation garnered full points with convincing victories in the Delhi Soccer Association Institutional League Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday.

Satish Samant receiving the man of the match award in the Hari Ram Cricket Tournament at the Karnail Singh Stadium.

Lanka have much to show under new captain
New Delhi, June 8
The three-match series between Sri Lanka and West Indies will be telecast live by Star Sports. West Indies recently hosted world champions Australia for a gruelling seven-match series.

Sonnet, Dena Bank enter semi-final
New Delhi, June 8
A half century by Saket Bhatia helped Sonnet Club defeat Malviya Club by three wickets and entered the semi-final of the DDCA Hot Weather Cricket Tournament at the Harbaksh Singh Stadium. Despite a fine knock of 71 by Sachin Khurana, Malviya Club failed to post a challenging total.

Sidharth, Ankush shine in Under-13 cricket
New Delhi, June 8
Sidharth Sharma cracked a stroke-filled 77, which contained ten boundaries and two sixes, and an all-round display by Ankush (35 and 2 for 18), helped Sonnet Club defeat Rohtak Road Gymkhana by seven wickets and entered the final of the Peacock Under-13 Cricket Tournament at the Gargi College ground.

Manish Adhikari hits century for Alpine
New Delhi, June 8
Manish Adhikari hit a century (115), Kamal Sharma slammed a half century and Dig Vijay Rawat took four wickets for ten runs to help Alpine Club beat Vidya Jain School by 129 runs in the DDCA Under-15 Cricket Tournament at the Vikaspuri school ground.