• Inter-state gang busted
• Yamunanagar project to start soon: MP
• Empowerment of women needed: Sikh scholars

• Main accused evades arrest
• Six held in two cases
• Surajkund mela opens
• Hospital in PVC winner's memory

Compensation awaited
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — Opposition members of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today lashed out at the government on its failure to provide compensation to farmers who had suffered heavy damage to their crops because of untimely rain and strong winds in September-October last year.

Replying to a question jointly put by Mr Sampat Singh, Mr Dhir Pal and Mr Dev Raj Dewan, Minister for Revenue, Mr Suraj Pal, told the House that no crops could be sown over an area of 19,448 acres due to rains in the state. He told the House that the Haryana Government had given a memorandum to the Central Government on the devastation caused by untimely rain seeking a financial assistance of Rs 757.29 crore of which a sum of Rs 522.25 crore pertains to the agriculture sector alone. The minister also told the House that although a Central team had visited the state in the last week of October and the Haryana government had followed up its memorandum with a reminder, the awaited assistance was yet to come.

However, according to estimates, the compensation to farmers for damage to their crops would total around Rs 30 crore. This was based on the state norms which allowed compensation of Rs 750 per acre for damage between 75 and 100 per cent, Rs 450 for damage between 50 and 75 per cent and Rs 300 for damage above 25 per cent. No compensation, he said, was paid for uncultivated land.

In reply to a specific question by Mr Dev Raj Dewan, the minister said compensation had to be paid for damage to crops over an area of 489 acres.

Mr Dhir Pal demanded remission of power bills and the abiana for the period. However, the minister said there was no proposal to do so.

In reply to a question by Mr Birender Singh, relating to a "government announcement" regarding payment of Rs 3,000 per acre to farmers, the minister said there was no such declaration.

Cong MLAs' dharna over remarks on Sonia
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — References to AICC President, Sonia Gandhi by the Leader of the BJP Legislative Party and Education Minister, Ram Bilas Sharma led to noisy scenes and a dharna by Congress MLAs in the well of the House. This forced the Deputy Speaker, Mr Faqir Chand Aggarwal, to adjourn the Haryana Vidhan Sabha for 15 minutes here today.

However, during the adjournment period the Congress members continued their dharna in the well and raised slogans demanding that Mr Sharma should withdraw his words and apologise for using "indecent language" against Mrs Gandhi.

The trouble started when a senior Lok Dal MLA, Mr Dhir Pal, was speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor. When Mr Dhir Pal referred to the delay in the construction of the SYL Canal, Animal Husbandry Minister, Jaswant Singh intervened to say that since the Lok Dal supremo had closed ties with Punjab Akali leaders, the Lok Dal should persuade the Akali Dal to allow construction of the canal.

Prof Sampat Singh (Lok Dal) retorted saying that the BJP was a partner in the governments of Punjab, Haryana and at the Centre. Therefore the BJP should make efforts in this regard and the HVP should also press the BJP for early construction of the canal.

Mr Sharma remarked that whenever a peaceful atmosphere was required the BJP was asked to play a key role. But he was provoked by Mr Randeep Surjewala, who remarked that the attacks on Christian missionaries was perhaps the BJP "concept of peace". Mr Sharma, who today was in his old mould as a fiery speaker, said ever since the Congress had made a Roman Catholic (which he immediately corrected to say an Italian) as its President in the 100-crore strong nation, the Congressmen had been concerned about the welfare of Christian missionaries.

The BJP leader said the country would not allow the "Italian India Company" to take over India just as the East India Company had done. He also said Mrs Gandhi did not become an Indian citizen for 17 years. She did so only when it was pointed out that no foreigner could stay in the Prime Minister's house.

After the House reassembled, the Speaker, Prof Chhattar Singh Chauhan, urged Congress MLAs to resume their seats and let Mr Birender Singh briefly describe the incident which had angered them.

Mr Birender Singh said the BJP Government wanted to divide the nation on the lines of religion whereas the Constitution prohibited discrimination against anyone. He alleged that communal people like Mr Sharma would not allow others to live peacefully. He said that it was wrong to say something against someone who was not a member of the House. Otherwise, the Congress members too would have discussed the actions of former Union Minister, Madan Lal Khurana, who, he said, had shown the courage to speak out against the Centre's communal politics.

This led to a strong protest by the Local Government Minister Kamla Verma, and Mr Sharma, who again briefly repeated what he had said about Mrs Gandhi earlier to say that whatever he had said was neither unparliamentary nor false. Public Health Minister Jagan Nath quipped: "Phir thok di (He had another hit)", sending the House in laughter.

The Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, suggested that the Speaker should go through the record of the House and expunge what he felt was wrong. Prof Chauhan readily accepted this suggestion and said now the matter should be treated as closed. But peace still eluded the House because as soon as the Speaker called the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to express his views on the incident, there was intervention by Mr Sat Pal Sangwan (HVP).

Mr Chautala named a place where he wanted Mr Sangwan to be kept by the Speaker. This infuriated Mr Sangwan who continued to protest despite the Speaker expunging the name of the place suggested by Mr Chautala.

This led to a brief debate between Mr Chautala and the Speaker on whether "zoo" was parliamentary or unparliamentary. Mr Sharma again rose to express regrets if he had hurt anybody's feelings though he still maintained that he had stated nothing unparliamentary nor false.

Earlier resuming the debate, Mr Dharambir Gauba (Congress) wanted to know what burden the Rs 2400 crore World Bank loan for the power sector would have on the common man. Farmers were getting power only for a hour in 48 hours. Industry was shifting out of Gurgaon and Faridabad due to prevailing anti-industry conditions. He also criticised the government for not giving any compensation to farmers who had not been able to cultivate their fields due to floods, particularly when the Bhajan Lal Government paid Rs 3000 per acre under similar circumstances.

Mr Ashok Gauba (Lok Dal) said the HVP-BJP combine had not fulfilled its promise to abolish octroi. He also highlighted the plight of farmers who had not been able to cultivate their land for the past three years due to waterlogging. They should be paid compensation.

Mr Dhir Pal said interest on agriculture loans should not be compounded. He was supported by the Speaker.

Mr Kuldip Bishnoi (Cong) alleged that the government had lowered the status of Guru Jambheshwar University. Even Home Minister, Mani Ram Godara's assurance in this regard had not been fulfilled. Roads in Haryana were worse than in Bihar. He alleged that the government was discriminating against his constituency of Adampur and implicating panches and sarpanches in false cases. He said no new industry had been set up and industrialists were leaving the state.

Govt urged to take over DAV colleges
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Feb 1 — Two senior members of the DAV College Management Committee, New Delhi, have urged the Haryana Government to take over the administration of DAV colleges in Haryana, to streamline their functioning.

In a joint letter addressed to the Commissioner-Secretary Education, Haryana, Mr Hari Singh Saini and Mr Ramesh Leekha pointed out that these colleges in Haryana were being run by the DAV Managing Committee, New Delhi, which had been neither recognised by Kurukshetra University, nor Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, nor the Haryana Government.

They urged the government that it should exercise its authority under the provisions of Security of Service Act and take over the administration of various DAV colleges by appointing an administrator under Section 3 of the Private College Management Taking Over Act, 1978.

Arguing their case, the members alleged that the committee was unduly interfering in the affairs of various DAV colleges in the state. They said, under the university statute each college must have its own governing body. But all the colleges were being run by the committee from Delhi.

Mr Saini and Mr Leekha pointed out that the DAV Managing Committee had itself admitted that the committee and the governing body of each college were two distinct entities. They said, the Haryana Government, the KUK and the MDU, Rohtak, had only recognised the governing body of each DAV College as per the Act and rules of university. This, they pointed out means that the managing committee could not intervene in the affairs of the colleges which were getting 95 per cent grants from the government.

Both the members have also taken strong exception to the appointment of retired principals of DAV colleges and schools as the directors in various DAV Public Schools. They have urged upon the principals of various colleges and schools that they should resist such moves of the managing committee and ensure that "seasoned working and capable principals were appointed to such coveted posts."

They pointed out that certain principals in various DAV institutions continue working even up to the age of 75 as "they toe the line of certain office-bearers of the DAV College Management Committee, New Delhi."

Levelling serious charges of maladministration against the managing committee, the members said the appointment of such two directors had already been challenged in the court as, according to them, no procedure was adopted for their appointment.

Left parties criticise price hike
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Feb 1 — The CPM, CPI and Janata Dal have asked the Haryana Vidhan Sabha to unanimously adopt a resolution to seek the withdrawal of the hike in prices of PDS essential items, urea and cooking gas.

These parties in a joint statement issued here today said nearly six state Assemblies in the country had unanimously urged the Vajpayee Government to withdraw the hike and Haryana MLAs should also adopt a similar resolution.

The three parties criticised the increase which was just before the Union Budget and described the government's action as a mockery of the parliamentary system in the country. The Union Budget had lost its relevance, the statement said.

The parties also condemned the attacks on minorities by the fundamentalist forces. They described the continuation of support to the BJP government by its allies as an opportunistic act.

The Left and democratic parties also urged the MLAs belonging to different political parties to raise the issue of the "undeclared ban" imposed by the Haryana Government on the democratic rights of the people and employees in the Vidhan Sabha. These legislators should pressurise the HVP-BJP government to withdraw the dismissals, suspensions and retrenchments of its employees and restore their right to agitate.

The three parties have supported the proposed dharna to be staged outside the Haryana Vidhan Sabha under the banner of the Rashtriya Manch.

Cong mobilises support for rally
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Feb 1 — The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee has started mobilising public support for its February 13 rally being organised at Jind.

Briefing reporters here today, senior Congress leader and former minister Virender Singh Narnaund said, the rally would highlight the failures of the HVP-BJP Government.

He said the State Government had so far, failed to provide any relief to the farmers, hit by the floods, untimely rains and waterlogging.

The Congress leader alleged that the government had also failed to maintain law and order and the people were feeling insecure as the crime rate was increasing.

Mr Singh alleged that scores of murder and rape cases had been reported from across the State and the Government was yet to punish the guilty.

Mr Singh said, central leaders like Mr PA Sangma, Mrs Meira Kumar, Mukul Wasnik and the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh are expected to address the Jind rally.

The Congress workers led by Mr Virender Singh today took out a procession here to mark the beginning of the kranti yatra that will culminate at Jind on February 13.

Yamunanagar plant to cost 2,000 cr
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, told the Haryana Vidhan Sabha that the Yamunanagar Thermal Plant with 500 MW installed capacity would generate in the first phase 37,230 lakh units per year.

Giving details of the progress of setting up the plant, the Chief Minister said 1107.875 acres of land had been acquired at a cost of Rs 907.98 lakh. Besides, a sum of Rs 500 lakh had been paid to the NTPC for construction of staff quarters.

It was proposed to construct two units of 250 MW each in Phase I at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore. The investment would be made by an independent power producer being selected through international competitive bidding. The power plant was likely to be completed within four years from the date of final allotment of contract.

Besides providing uninterrupted supply to the existing consumers, it would be possible to serve prospective consumers in the industrial, commercial, agriculture and domestic sectors.

Mr Ganeshi Lal, Food and Supply Minister, told Capt, Ajay Singh that out of 241 samples of edible oils tested by the state machinery, 35 samples of mustard oil had been found to be below specifications and action had been taken in two cases.

The minister admitted that there was a sudden rise in prices of onions and potatoes and to some extent in the case of other vegetables, there was slight increase in the prices of edible oils. The minister even talked of an international conspiracy behind the unlimited onion price rise. The increase in the prices of mustard oil, he said, was due to slow trading activity because of dropsy deaths, elsewhere but not in Haryana.

The House had its lighter moments when the Home Minister Mr Mani Ram Godara, started giving details about each of the 25 deaths that had taken place in state jails. The minister admitted that two persons had died in police custody during the period July last onwards.

The Minister of State for Irrigation in reply to a question by Mr Dev Raj Dewan admitted that there was no drainage system in Anandpur and Jharoat villages in Sonepat district. He did not admit that water was still accumulated in villages.

In reply to a question by Mr Dhir Pal Singh, Chief Minister Bansi Lal in a written reply told the House that there was no shortage of DAP fertiliser in the state in November last. The government had arranged 2.12 lakh tonnes of DAP up to November as against the consumption of 1.99 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous rabi season. He said no complaint of DAP shortage had been received by the government.

Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Education Minister, told the members that the government had framed a policy regarding inter-district transfer of women teachers and 70 per cent handicapped male teachers.

The Chief Minister told the House that all ministers were entitled to Contessa cars according to a decision taken by the government in June, 1997.

Mill permitted to buy cane from other states
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Feb 1 — The Haryana government has granted permission to the local Saraswati Sugar Mill to purchase sugarcane from outside the assigned area comprising Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pardesh.

According to highly placed sources, a letter was sent from the Cane Commissioner's office, Haryana to the management of the mill in this regard. The permission had been acceded on the condition that priority would be given to the cane growers of the assigned area.

He further said the per day purchase of cane should not be more than 20 per cent of the daily crushing capacity of the mill. The mill would maintain the register or record for the daily cane purchased from outside the area and the same be submitted to this office with a copy to the Deputy Commissioner and the Project Officer (cane) concerned.

The permission will be reportedly effective with immediate effect. Mr Satpal Kaushik, district president of the Haryana Krishak Samaj, alleged that it was a conspiracy of the state government against farmers. He further added that it was the first time that the government had granted permission to the mill allowing them to purchase sugarcane from the neighbouring states.

He said till today the mill had crushed 60 lakh quintals of sugarcane whereas they had promised to crush 1.70 crore quintals in a season. Mr Kaushik stated that local farmers would suffer a set-back.

When contacted Mr Pankaj Malik, Assistant General Manager (Saraswati Sugar Mill) today confirmed that a letter had been received. He said a similar permission had been granted to most of the sugar factories in Haryana. Mr Malik added that the policy decision had been taken due to the scarcity of cane in Haryana and surplus cane in neighbouring states. The decision would go a long way to enable the sugar factories to reduce their losses and make the payments to sugarcane growers.

Apathy to regional centre
From Bhupinder Dharmani

SIRSA: The fate of the regional centre (of Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar) here is still uncertain. The centre was announced more than eight years back by the then Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr O.P. Chautala. But due to political indifference it is still incomplete. The partial infrastructure raised at a cost of crores of rupees is lying unused. The long neglect has led to a lot of wild growth at the site.

The location too is inconvenient as it is 9 km from the city and more than 2 km from the national highway. On the whole, the centre has become a proof of the politics of ego and apathy to development works/projects.

In 1990, Mr Chautala at a public function had announced the setting up of a regional centre of the Kurukshetra University here. Later, Ms Selja, who became the Union Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs, tried to keep her election promise about the centre in spite of the reluctance of the then Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal. However, due to constant public pressure, he announced the opening of a centre each at Sirsa and Hisar.

His political game became apparent when the foundation stone of Hisar Regional Centre was laid just 10 days after the announcement. Provision of Rs 5 crore was made by Kurukshetra University for it and the construction work of the academic and residential blocks started. Later, Mr Bhajan Lal converted the centre into a university meant exclusively for technical and management education.

The regional centre at Sirsa, though announced at the same time, could not take off because of political obstacles. This was despite the fact that 105 acres of land had been donated by the village panchayat of Phoolkhan and the foundation stone laid by the then Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University. He had told newsmen that the construction would be completed by March 31 of the following year and six professional courses, along-with M. Com. and MA in six subjects, would also be started. Law and B.Ed. classes had already been started, but were discontinued later.

The centre here, along with other institutions for higher education in Sirsa, Hisar, Jind and Bhiwani, was affiliated to Guru Jambeshwar University. Kurukshetra University stopped the construction of the Sirsa centre the building foundation of which had been laid by then.

Guru Jambeshwar University applied for the approval of three courses (CA, MBA and B. Pharma) to AICET. It got the consent for the same in February 98. Though nearly one year has lapsed since then, the future of Sirsa Regional Centre is still uncertain.

The site has become a pasture ground for sheep and stray animals. The apathy of politicians and their mutual differences with regard to the regional centre are depriving local youth of a valuable educational opportunity and facility, thereby causing resentment among people.

Hooda asks BJP allies to withdraw support
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The Haryana Congress president, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today flayed the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre for increasing the LPG price.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Hooda said this step had come as a bolt from the blue after the rise in the prices of essential commodities supplied under the public distribution system.

He termed these decisions of the Vajpayee Government as anti-people and anti-poor and demanded immediate withdrawal of the increase in prices of the LPG as well as other essential commodities.

He asked those parties who were extending support of the Centre's BJP-led coalition, to withdraw their support if they owed any moral duty towards their electorate who had voted them to Parliament.

Mr Hooda said that it was a mockery of the democracy to announce increases in the prices of essential commodities when the Budget session of Parliament was only a couple of weeks away.

Six held in two cases
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Feb 1 — With the arrest of six persons yesterday the Jhajjar police has claimed to have solved one each case of dacoity and murder.

According to information received here as many as five unidentified car-borne youths had intercepted two local traders who were going on a scooter near Bisan village on the Rohtak-Beri road on Saturday and robbed of their cash and valuables at gun point. The assailants fled the spot after locking the scooter.

The police has registered a case under Section 395 of the IPC on the complaint of Jagdish from here.

In this connection the police has arrested Ajay of Mandhoti, Surendra of Beri, Anil of Myna and Mukesh of Karontha villages and seized two country-made pistols and three live cartridges from their possession. The Maruti car used in the crime has been impounded.

Mr Ram Mehar of Lova Khurd village registered a complaint with Bahadurgarh police station on January 16 last regarding the kidnapping of his son, Praveen and an another youth, Subhash son of Pratap Singh of Matanheil village.

The police has registered a case under Section 364 of the IPC but later added Section 302 of the IPC also as bodies of both the youths were fished out from the JLN canal. The post mortem report confirmed that these were murders.

The police has arrested Mahendra of Ismaila (Rohtak) and Virendra of Gangtan (Jhajjar).

On investigation it has been found that the deceased were involved in smuggling and supplying of illicit liquor to the suspect Mahendra. The suspect reportedly had an altercation with the deceased. In a fit of anger the accused with the help of his two accomplices murdered both the suppliers and threw their bodies in the JLN canal.

In yet another incident, the Jhajjar police on Saturday found 190 bags of sugar from Hisar and a truck from Ateli (Mahendragarh).

According to police sources, the truck driver had misinformed his master that five unidentified youths in a Tata Sumo had intercepted the truck near Jhajjar on the night of January 18 last and fled with the truck loaded with levy sugar.

The police has arrested Rajesh of Hisar and Ajit of Jind in this connection. However, the truck driver has been absconding.

Inter-state gang busted
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Feb 1 — The district police has something to cheer about in the arrest of four more members of an inter-state gang.

The district police chief, Mr Khusi Ram Dahiya, today said four lethal weapons, including a double barrel gun, and 18 rounds of ammunition, a scooter and a motorcycle were also seized.

According to the police,the arrests were made on information provided by nine members of the gang already arrested. The police also seized Rs 1.74 lakh in cash, 400 rounds of ammunition and a dozen of lethal weapons.

One of the arrested disclosed during interrogation that the firing on the residence of the president of the district unit (Gurgaon) of the Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot was aimed at thwarting his campaign for arrests in connection with some crimes, including the day-light robbery of a local post office and the shootout at the 32 milestone restaurant which led to death of a security guard.

The gang was involved in a number of major crimes including murders,dacoities and robberies in Gurgaon and Delhi.

The DSP(City), Gurgaon, Mr Anil Yadav said that with the latest round of arrests the police has been able to solve almost all the major crimes in the recent past in Gurgaon.

The police was likely to nab six other members of the gang still at large. However, the police feels the main members of the gang have been taken into custody.

Main accused evades arrest
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Feb 1 — One person has been arrested in connection with the illegal felling of trees at Dhansu village, about 10 km from here.

The Superintendent of Police, Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat, said an FIR has been lodged in the matter against two persons.

One suspect has been arrested, while the two main accused, including the acting Sarpanch of the village, Om Prakash, are evading arrest.

A report "2,000 trees axed" appeared in The Tribune on January 25.

Scores of people staged a demonstration in front of the mini-secretariat today. They submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ms Sukriti Likhi, demanding the arrest of Om Prakash.

Ms Likhi said the SDM, Mr Balraj Singh, was conducting an inquiry into the matter.

Hundreds of trees have been illegally cut in Dhansu during the past few years. Two rival groups — one led by the acting Sarpanch and another by the supporters of suspended Sarpanch Nihali Devi — are levelling allegations against one another for the felling of trees which belonged to the panchayat.

While the villagers have been alleging that about 2000 trees have been cut, the forest officials say only 545 trees were found to be felled recently.

Residents protest against damaged sewerage
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Feb 1— A large number of residents of the Begu Road area under the banner of the Dukhi Mahila Mandal blocked traffic to protest against the damaged sewerage system. The residents led by Rajrani Jindal, Chairperson of the mandal, raised slogans against the public health authorities and the local MLA.

Dr Avtar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, along with Public Health officials reached the spot. Processionists told them that dewatering of Jiwan Singh Jain Park and streets and desilting of choked sewerage lines in the area had not been done despite their many requests.

The processionists lifted the blockade after three hours when Mr Avtar Singh inspected the sewerage lines in five streets of the area. He assured the processionists that effective steps would be initiated.

Members of the Agarsain Colony Sudhar Samiti also contacted Mr Avtar Singh late in the evening and complained about overflowing of sewage from manholes. They demanded action against the SDO, Public Health.

They also demanded that other civic amenities should also be provided in the area. Members of the samiti threatened in case they were not given relief, they would block traffic on the GT road.

Yamunanagar project to start soon: MP
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Feb 1 — The work on the Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant will be started soon. This was stated by Ms Kailasho Saini, member of Parliament from Kurukshetra parliamentary constituency, while talking to mediapersons here today. Ms Saini said she had a meeting with Mr P. Kumar Mangalam, Union Power Minister, recently and apprised him about the delay in the project work. She further added that the Power Minister assured her that the Union Government would give priority to the project.

She said the delay in the project had created a power crisis in the state. She blamed that the previous and the present governments had failed to take interest in the project resulting in the escalation of the project cost.

She further added that she had a meeting with the Prime Minister and Mr Nitish Kumar, Union Railway Minister, regarding the railway track between Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra. An assurance was given by both in this regard, she added.

Ms Saini urged that Union government to withdraw the increase in prices of urea and PDS items.

The MP said the Bansi Lal government, which had failed on all fronts, had no moral right to continue in power as it had failed to fulfil its election manifesto.

Empowerment of women needed:
Sikh scholars
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Feb 1 — Stress was laid on empowerment at "Nari chetna sammelan" organised by the district Khalsa Tercentenary Celebrations Committee in the local M.M. College on Sunday.

Prominent Sikh women scholars like Dr Harjinder Kaur, Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh, Dr Prabhjot Kaur, Mrs Manjinder Kaur, Principal of the Mata Sahib Kaur College for Women, Talwandi Sabo, and Dr Mohinder Kaur, Principal of the Mata Sundri College, Delhi, expressed their views on the status of women.

Most of the speakers stressed on the need of empowerment of the women. They said that the Sikh Gurus have advocated for an equal status for the women in society, but the women were still being given a status lower than that of men. They said that women and men were two wheels of a vehicle of its better running, a perfect co-ordination between the two was essential.

Mr V. Rajashekhar, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehabad, said that India had witnessed two big social revolutions. One of these was brought about by the Buddha, and the other was the constitution of the Khalsa Panth. He said the formation of the Khalsa Panth was a step in the direction of eliminating racial and gender discriminations. He said that the Khalsa Panth preaches us to live with dignity and adopt good moralvalues in our lives.

He assured full cooperation of the administration for the tercentenary celebrations.

Surajkund mela opens
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Feb 1 — Mr Mahabir Prasad, Governor, Haryana today inaugurated the 13th crafts mela at the tourist resort in Surajkund, near here. The mela will continue till February 15.

Spread on 26 acres, 300 craftsmen and weavers from all over the country are displaying their products. The mela will prove a boom to the craftsmen as they will be directly in touch with the customers.

The Governor was received in the typical style used in Andhra Pradesh, which is the theme state this year. Escorted by folk dancers of Andhra Pradesh, the Governor travelled in a horse cart to various stalls put up by the participants from the state. The star attraction of the mela was the replica of Charminar of Hyderabad.

Mr G.S.S. Shivaji, Tourism Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was also present on the occasion.

Hospital in PVC winner's memory
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The Haryana Government had decided to set up a 10-bed hospital in memory of Col. Hoshiar Singh at his native village, Sisana, in Sonepat district, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mrs Krishna Gahlawat, said here today.

Col. Hoshiar Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He died on December 6 last year.

The minister recalled that when she went to pay tributes to the war hero at his village, the people of the area demanded the setting up a hospital in his memory. She assured the villagers that the demand would be put up before the Chief Minister.

She said the Chief Minister had acceded to the demand of the villagers. Work on the hospital building would be taken up soon.