Haryana objects to Delhi's Yamuna channelisation
NEW DELHI, Jan 1 — The proposed channelisation of river Yamuna in Delhi has been objected to by the Haryana Government. Largescale flooding would take place in Haryana if the project was implemented, Haryana Chief Secretary, Ram S. Verma, in a letter to the Delhi Government has stated.

Jindal's morcha may become political outfit
GURGAON, Jan 1 — In a significant development the Haryana Saravajatiya Morcha today made its intention known that it would convert itself into a political party.

Work on mini-sectt building on
YAMUNANAGAR: Chief Minister Bansi Lal has directed the Public Works Department to complete the mini-secretariat and the judicial complex by June this year.

Decision on varsity chair hailed
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The Haryana Akali Dal has welcomed the decision of the State Government to set up the Guru Gobind Singh Chair in Kurukshetra University.

3 robbers held
ROHTAK, Jan 1 — The Jhajjar police has claimed to have arrested three members of a gang which had looted a sum of Rs 20,000 from a cashier of a petrol station near Jhakhoda village in Bahadurgarh subdivision on Tuesday.

Haryana objects to Delhi's
Yamuna channelisation
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 1 — The proposed channelisation of river Yamuna in Delhi has been objected to by the Haryana Government.

Largescale flooding would take place in Haryana if the project was implemented, Haryana Chief Secretary, Ram S. Verma, in a letter to the Delhi Government has stated.

The project would have "wide ranging" negative impact for Haryana, the letter said, adding that the Haryana government should be taken into confidence by Delhi before implementing the project.

The channelisation project, conceptualised by the Delhi Development Authority, plans to utilise the Yamuna river front to ease congestion of land in Delhi. The project involves confining the three to 5 km width of the river into a 700-metre channel.

The rest of the space on both sides of the river would be used for constructing sky-scrapers and office complexes.

The Haryana Chief Secretary’s letter stated Delhi’s plan to go ahead with the new building bye-law, to implement the project, violates the spirit of the National Capital Region.

Apart from the Haryana Government, the project has been opposed by town-planners stating that channelisation would cause floods upstream and downstreams and the project will only sound a death-knell to the river.

Delhi Chief Secretary, Omesh Saigal, on the other hand, said the Delhi government was only preparing a scheme to clean up the river and ensure that there was some flow in the Yamuna.

He said a completely covered parallel channel along the river will be constructed to collect and take the waste water from various drains and nullahs.

This will ensure that the river does not get polluted. Also, the water will be cleaned and only then discharged into the river at a later point, he said.

The cleaned nullah waters will be used for agricultural purposes. The drain will then release the clean water ahead of the Okhla barrage, he added.

Sixteen drains discharge about 1900 MLD of municipal sewage and waste water into the river Yamuna. The industrial effluent load in 320 MLD and municipal solid waste generation is estimated to be 5000 metre per day.

Several projects by various agencies, NGOs and consultants, either to revive the river or to utilise the river front, have been formulated on river Yamuna. However, most of them have not taken off as Yamuna is a multi-state subject.

Jindal's morcha may become political outfit
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Jan 1 — In a significant development the Haryana Saravajatiya Morcha (HSM) today made its intention known that it would convert itself into a political party.

Addressing a meeting of morcha workers of Gurgaon district, its president Mr Om Prakash Jindal said an announcement regarding the organisation turning into a political outfit would be declared at a public meeting at Rewari on January 14. He, however, added that the announcement would be made only if the turnout at the meeting was large.

The leaders of the HSM, tried convince the workers that they had no intention of joining any other political party. In fact, Mr Jindal criticised the Indian National Lok Dal and the Congress leadership in Haryana. He expressed strong reservations against Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Mr Birender Singh and Mr Bhajan Lal of the Congress. According to observers Mr Jindal’s criticism of the Congress leaders was important against the backdrop of doubts in a section of political circles that he would join the party.

It may recalled that the HSM was floated recently after Mr Jindal quit the Haryana Vikas Party due to his differences with the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. Some of the other founding members of the HSM were the national general secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mr Raghu Yadav, the Editor and publisher of Punjab Kesri, Mr Ashwani Chopra and a former MP, Dr Arvind Sharma. The HSM also has the support of the All India Brahmin Mahasabha head by Mr Mange Ram Sharma.

Mr Raghu Yadav, who has been organising a public meeting every year at Rewari on January 14, declared that the next meeting would not restrict itself to the issues of south Haryana. " The meeting of Rewari will change the course of Haryana’s politics as it now has the support of Mr Jindal and Mr Ashwani Chopra", he said.

Mr Mange Ram Sharma expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Brahmin Mahasabha is supporting the HSM as it is not a political organisation.

Mr Ashwani Chopra, who has been touring south Haryana along with Mr Raghu Yadav alleged that the Punjabi community had been particularly marginalise by Mr Bhajan Lal.

Earlier Mr Jindal cautioned the audience of canards spread against him and his HSM. He stressed that he was in politics for public service. He said should his team come to power, it would take care of employment problem and shortage of water in south Haryana.

A number of persons, including a councillor of the Gurgaon Municipal Council, Mr Shashi Dua joined the HSM on the occasion.

Later HSM activists took out an impressive procession in the town.

Fellowship for HAU VC, professors
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Jan 1 — Prof J B Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of CCS Haryana Agriculture University, and a renowned cytogenecist and two other scientists — Dr R Pandey, National Professor Veterinary Sciences and Dr S K Bhatia, Professor Animal Sciences have been awarded fellowship by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences for their outstanding contributions in the field of agricultural sciences. The academy has also announced recognition award for Dr Randhir Singh, Professor Biochemistry, for his contribution in the area of plant improvement.

In an appreciation communique sent to the Vice-Chancellor, the academy appreciated the contributions made by Prof Chowdhury and his team of distinguished scientists Professor Chowdhury has been among the first few scientists who established a strong research group in the fields of tissue culture, biotechnology and genetic engineering for improvement of commercial and field crops. Dr Chowdhury has also been successful in developing micro preparation technology for date palm and sugarcane and he has also developed the protocols for the production of transgenic rice and chick-pea lines by agrobacterium mediated gene transfer and particle gum methods.

Dr R Pandey, an eminent virologist of national and international repute, has made significant contributions in the field of animal virology in general and diagnostic and molecular biological aspects of rotavirus associated diarrhoea in domestic animals.

While Dr S K Bhatia, is a Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Memorial award winner and Dr V D Kashyap gold medallist and has contributed significantly to the field of ruminal, biochemical, microbiological and physiological differences for discernible nutrition of buffaloes and other fundamental and applied nutritional aspects of domesticated ruminants.

Woman caught giving bribe
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The Jhajjar police claim to have caught red handed a woman for giving an illegal gratification of Rs. 50,000 in a sweets box to the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Navdeep Singh Virk to get the name of her son Vishal alias Chhotan removed from a case registered against him. A case has also been registered yesterday against her under Sections 7, 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. She was immediately produced before the Illaqa Magistrate who sent her to 14 days judicial remand.

A spokesman of the Jhajjar police said while Mr.Virk was busy in his office yesterday at 3 pm, a woman, came to see him and desired that the name of her son, Vishal, who was a proclaimed offender already involved in a case FIR No. 390/98 registered at police station, Jhajjar, be removed from the case. As this box was wrapped in a newspaper, Mr.Virk doubted her intention. He , therefore, asked her to wait outside his office and summoned Mr.Sat Parkash, DSP, through his office orderly. He said the matter was disclosed to the DSP and a written application was also submitted upon which the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar.

A raiding party consisting of the DSP, Jhajjar, SDM, Assistant Sub Inspector and a lady Assistant Sub Inspector was constituted which stationed itself in the bathroom attached to his office. The SP called her in his office and asked her as to why she had come with a box of sweets wrapped in a newspaper. At the same moment, the raiding party entered the room and the woman was caught redhanded while offering illegal gratification.

When the box was opened by the raiding party in the presence of the SDM, it was found that the box contained currency notes worth Rs 50000 in eight packets of Rs 50 each and one packet of Rs 100 currency note each.

Govt may take action against MDU
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK, Jan 1 — The Haryana Government is reportedly contemplating action regarding complaints of alleged irregularities in the functioning of Maharshi Dayanand University here. The matter came up for discussion at the meeting of the state Cabinet at Chandigarh yesterday which was presided over by Chief Minister Bansi Lal, according to highly placed sources.

According to information reaching here, the Cabinet discussed the matter for about an hour. A majority of members who spoke on the issue expressed "unhappiness" over the state of affairs in the university. Several criticised the alleged violation of ban on recruitment and reportedly sought action in this regard.

However, one member opposed any action and said the authorities deserved credit for maintaining discipline on the campus. He was told that the issue was not concerning discipline but "irregularities" and violation of the ban on recruitment.

This is perhaps, the first time the Cabinet has discussed the affairs of this university after the new Vice-Chancellor, Lieut-Gen (Retd) O.P. Kaushik, took over in March, 1997. He is due to complete his three-year term in March. The VC has reportedly earned the displeasure of the CM following complaints of alleged irregularities in appointments.

The meeting of the Executive Council of the university had to be postponed twice and the matter of certain appointments and promotions finalised by the selection committees in July and August last could not be approved. The last meeting scheduled for December 22 had to be postponed on the directions of the state government. The Executive-Council had proposed to take up the matter of appointments during the meeting which reportedly annoyed the government. The state government recently sought an explanation from the university over certain appointments made on a contract basis during the ban period following a memorandum to the Chief Minister alleging that the term of non-teaching employees employed initially for 89 days had been extended and the VC was contemplating appointments in several teaching departments, despite the ban.

Sources close to the university authorities deny the charge of violation of the ban on appointments.

Dalits observe 'black day'
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 1 — Dalits observed a "black day" today and took out a procession here in protest against increasing incidents of atrocities towards them.

Holding the HVP-BJP combine government responsible for it they sought immediate dismissal of the present government.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor various, Dalit leaders alleged that they had suffered injustice during the past year and dalit employees and officials had been subjected to discrimination in a well planned way.

Giving examples of atrocities on dalits, a leader said Sarita, a Dalit girl was abducted, gang raped and murdered at Masani village in Rewari in March last year. Mohini, Backward Class minor girl of Pehrawar village, near here, was allegedly gang raped and murdered in May last year. While in another incident Mrs Roshni Devi, pregnant Dalit woman was murdered at Palhawas village in Rewari district.

Citing another similar crime, he said, a 7-year-old Dalit girl, Pushpa, of Hetampura village in Bhiwani was allegedly abducted, raped and murdered in June last. He mentioned several other incident of similar nature against Dalits.

In view of all these incidents the Dalit samaj has sought a check on such crimes and protection of their rights.

Work on mini-sectt building on
From Ashwani Dutta

YAMUNANAGAR: Chief Minister Bansi Lal has directed the Public Works Department to complete the mini-secretariat and the judicial complex by June this year.

The three-storeyed mini-secretariat building in Yamunanagar was approved for Rs 414.56 lakh by the Government on March 30, 1995.

Construction work of the building is in progress since November 1995. The slab of two storeys as also 35 per cent slab of the third storey has also been laid at site. Full masonry work in the first storey and 80 per cent in the second storey is complete. Flooring and joinery works are in progress. The expenditure incurred up to March 1998 is Rs 185.87 lakh and during 1998-99 (up to November 98) Rs 51.67 lakh.

Mr Bansi Lal visited the site on November 29, 1998 and inspected the construction. He desired that four lifts be added in the building.

The plinth area of the first storey is 28,342 square feet and has provision for the D.C. Court and offices, conference hall, treasury and its offices.

The plinth area of the second storey is 28,137 square feet and has provision for the ADC room, staff room, halls etc. The plinth of the third storey is 27,966 square feet and has provision for office room and halls.

The building will have offices of the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Sub-divisional Magistrate, Tehsildar, Block Development Panchayat Officer, District Development Panchayat Officer, District Revenue Officer, City Magistrate and District Public Relation Officer. At present, these offices in Yamunanagar are scattered all over the district.

The judicial complex building was also administratively approved for Rs 300.40 lakh by the government on February 17, 1997. This building also consists of three storeys. The 85 per cent slab of the first storey and 50 per cent of second storey has been laid at site. As much as 35 per cent masonry work in the first storey is complete.

The expenditure incurred on it up to March 1998 is Rs 52.37 lakh and during 1998-99 (up to November 98) Rs 58.19 lakh.

Fake currency notes seized
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Jan 1 — The Jind police recovered seven fake currency notes of 500 denomination each and 7 kg of charas from a scooterist on Thursday.

According to Mr Ranbir Sharma, Superintendent of Police, a police party headed by Station House Officer Julana intercepted Karan Singh near the Sunderpur branch canal in this district.

A case under Section 489-C of the IPC and under the NDPS Act has been registered against Karan Singh, a resident of Bharain village of Rohtak district.

Mr Sharma said the police also arrested Puran a resident of Churu district in Rajasthan and seized 500 grams of opium from him.

Decision on varsity chair hailed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The Haryana Akali Dal has welcomed the decision of the State Government to set up the Guru Gobind Singh Chair in Kurukshetra University.

In a statement issued here today the General Secretary of the party, Mr Surjit Singh Niddar, said the decision to set up the chair proved that the Bansi Lal Government was responsive to the aspirations of the minorities in the State.

The chair is being set up to mark the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa. The decision was announced by the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, at a meting of the State-level committee constituted by the State Government to chalkout the plans for the tercentenary celebrations held here early this week.

Mr Nidddar, who is also an SGPC member from Haryana, said Mr Bansi Lal was scheduled to inaugurate a block of the Ambala city civil hospital on January 16. He demanded that the blocked should be named after Bhai Kanahaiya, a renowned devotee of Guru Gobind Singh who used to nurse wounded soldiers of the Guru.

3 robbers held
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 1 — The Jhajjar police has claimed to have arrested three members of a gang which had looted a sum of Rs 20,000 from a cashier of a petrol station near Jhakhoda village in Bahadurgarh subdivision on Tuesday.

Two countrymade revolvers and the car used in the crime have also been seized from their possession. The accused have been identified as Vinod Kumar, Ramniwas, and a woman, Rajbala, a resident of Bahinaru Kalan village in Sonepat district.

The accused had stolen the car (DL2CK-3238) from Uttam Nagar in New Delhi recently. Meanwhile, in another case the police has arrested Kapur Singh of Behrana village on a charge of manufacturing illegal arms.