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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Wednesday, January 20, 1999 |
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Congress to move no-trust move CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Close on the heels of the abortive attempts by certain legislators to dislodge the Bansi Lal Government, the Haryana Congress wants to claim credit among people by showing its disapproval of the Government by bringing a no- confidence motion against it in the forthcoming Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, commencing on January 28. Congress "to have" floor coordination CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Haryana Congress will have floor coordination with other "like-minded parties and MLAs" so that it can "expose the misdeeds of the HVP-BJP Government" in the forthcoming Assembly session beginning here from January 28. |
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Hold poll to student
bodies: BJYM ROHTAK, Jan 19 — The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has impressed upon the government to hold elections to the student unions in the state regularly. 7 more held for vandalism Cong
"padyatras" to highlight govt failures Students
injured in stampede HVPN
functioning 'arbitrary' Haryana
pensioners' plea |
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Vidhan Sabha session CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Close on the heels of the abortive attempts by certain legislators to dislodge the Bansi Lal Government, the Haryana Congress wants to claim credit among people by showing its disapproval of the Government by bringing a no- confidence motion against it in the forthcoming Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, commencing on January 28. It is well known that the legislators who took part in the exercise to bring down the Bansi Lal Government in the State were from several parties, including the two ruling partners, the HVP and BJP, and the Congress itself which is now bringing the no-confidence motion. How serious is its move is clear from the fact that the Congress, which does not have the requisite strength to get the motion admitted, has not approached any other party in the state for its support in the Vidhan Sabha. The President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who enjoys the reputation of a man of fair means and principles is not anxious to bring down the Government but only to move a no-confidence motion without undertaking any serious ground exercise for this purpose. In a House of 90 members the Congress has a strength of only 12 members as compared to Mr Om Parkash Chautala’s Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya Party), the largest Opposition group in the state, having 22. The Haryana Vikas Party, having an effective strength of 35 including the three members who were earlier considered to be unattached, is the largest group in the Vidhan Sabha which is at present ruling the state with the help of the BJP which has a strength of 11 members. Besides, there are 10 Independents. Mr Hooda’s no-confidence motion can assume seriousness only if voting on the motion is done by secret ballot. Only in such a situation the dissidents from all groups can vote according to their conscience. However, this is not possible in the existing circumstances. Mr Hooda says those who made efforts to bring down the Government recently by drawing support of legislators from all parties did not have the official permission of those who could bless such moves. This meant that Mr Bhajan Lal or Mr Birender Singh whose names had figured among the people who engineered the revolt had not sought his permission to do so. Also, he meant that the permission of the President of the All India Congress, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, had not been taken. It is also clear that Mr Hooda has also to take permission of the party’s high command to bring this no-confidence motion in the state Vidhan Sabha. Although Mr Hooda has announced his decision-first at Sonepat and then at Chandigarh to bring this motion — a formal stamp on the decision will be put at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party to be held here on January 28 before the commencement of the Vidhan Sabha session. If Mr Hooda does not seek the support of other parties or Independent MLAs for his motion, the motion cannot even be admitted. Although the notice of motion can be served by any number of MLAs, may be even one or two, it cannot secure the permission of the House if it is backed by less than 18 MLAs. According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Haryana Legislative Assembly "if the Speaker is of the opinion that the motion is in order he shall read the motion to the Assembly and shall request those members who are in favour of leave being granted to rise in their places, and if not less than 18 members rise accordingly, the Speaker shall intimate that leave is granted and that the motion will be taken on such day, not being more than 10 days from the day on which the leave is asked, as he may appoint. If less than 18 members rise the Speaker shall inform the member that he has not the leave of the Assembly." Mr Hooda wants the other
parties to support his notice of motion on their own
because he thinks if they are convinced of the failure of
the Government on all fronts they should support his
motion. He is non-committal when he is asked if the
Congress is ready to support a no-confidence motion moved
on a similar ground by any other party. His parrying the
question shows that he is not interested in bringing down
the Government but only in making a show of his
dissension by bringing this motion. In fact, dislodging
the Bansi Lal Government would mean a greater instability
in the State because none of the other parties has even
reasonable strength or leaders acceptable to people who
can create an alternative to the existing Government. The
only thing that suits the Congress or Mr Hooda himself is
the fall of the HVP-BJP Government accompanied by
mid-term Vidhan Sabha elections in the state. And these
elections, he visualises, are not very far. |
Congress "to have" floor
coordination CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Haryana Congress will have floor coordination with other "like-minded parties and MLAs" so that it can "expose the misdeeds of the HVP-BJP Government" in the forthcoming Assembly session beginning here from January 28. Stating this here today, the former Haryana Congress President, Mr Birender Singh, said the decision was taken at an informal meeting of the Congress Legislature Party held in Delhi yesterday. The meeting was attended by nine out of 12 Congress MLAs. Mr Birender Singh said another MLA, Mr Dharambir Gauba of Gurgaon, conveyed his consent to him on the telephone. Besides Mr Birender Singh the others who attended the meeting were Mr Khurshid Ahmed, Mr Dilu Ram, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Mr Narender Singh, Mr Chander Mohan, Mr Kuldip Singh Bishnoi, Mr Jai Singh Rana and Mr Satvinder Rana. The Deputy Leader of the Legislature Party, Mrs Kartar Devi, and Mr Randip Singh Surjewala did not attend the meeting. The post of leader of the party has been vacant since Mr Bhajan Lal resigned from the Vidhan Sabha following his election to the Lok Sabha. Mr Birender Singh said the MLAs were of the firm opinion that the Bansi Lal Government had failed on all fronts. The peasantry of the State today was facing an unprecedented economic crisis because of unseasonal rains, waterlogging, unavailability of power and fertilisers of all varities. The MLAs felt that the Bansi Lal Government had not been able to provide any relief to the farmers, leading to great unrest and desperation among them. The MLAs felt that during this tenure of Mr Bansi Lal, the law and order machinery had totally collapsed. The poor and other weaker sections of society were feeling totally insecure as they felt that their lives were at the mercy of anti-social elements "patronised by the HVP-BJP combine". Corruption was rampant in all departments and the prices of essential commodities had sky-rocketed. Mr Birender Singh said in such a scenario the people wanted this "unpopular, incompetent and non-performing Government should go, sooner the better for the health of the State." He said realising that the people expected from them to voice their grievances on the floor of the House, the Congress MLAs unanimously decided to have coordination with the other like-minded parties and MLAs to throw this "Government out of office even in this very session itself." The Congress leader,
however, did not elaborate which were the like-minded
parties and who were such MLAs. |
Enhanced compensation to farmers GURGAON, Jan 19 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), one of the richest agency of the Haryana Government, would face a severe financial crisis if the court’s orders for enhanced compensation (awards) to the farmers whose land had been acquired were implemented. Thousands of farmers are awaiting the implementation of the judicial pronouncements of enhanced awards in their favour. Their land was acquired by HUDA for developing various residential, commercial and industrial and institutional sectors. In Gurgaon alone the enhanced compensation pronounced by various courts would total up to more than a whopping Rs 1,300 crore. The District and Sessions court in Gurgaon has been acting with striking speed recently to get the judicial pronouncements executed. In the past six months an Additional District and Sessions Judge entrusted with the execution of the enhanced awards, is said to have effected the implementations to the tune of about Rs 250 crore to the farmers. According to a senior government officer, if the court continued with this speed in getting the farmers their due, HUDA would be in the red and would find it difficult even to pay bare salaries to its employees. While there is buoyancy in the farming community over the development, panic button has been pressed in the bureaucratic circles. The development is bound to have serious repercussions on the government as it had borrowed about Rs 1,000 crore from HUDA when it was facing resource crunch during prohibition. The government will be pressed to repay the money to the HUDA. The office of the District Collector fixes the compensation as "awards" for the land acquired. The farmers not satisfied with the awards go in appeal to the District and Sessions Court. In the eventuality of the court upholding the appeal, order for enhanced compensation (award) is passed. In case HUDA does not agree with the court’s pronouncement, it goes in appeal to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The matter can be dragged up to the level of the apex court. In case HUDA does not honour the order of the Court, the farmers can move the District and Sessions Court for the execution of the enhanced awards. Inquiries reveal that the District and Sessions Court has received several petitions from the farmers for the execution of the enhanced awards as HUDA was not honouring the judicial pronouncements for several years on end. A quick survey revealed that farmers of more than 30 villages were awaiting payment against enhanced compensations from HUDA. The number of villages, with varying number of aggrieved farmers, were more. They include Gurgaon, Sukhrali, Sarhaul, Dundahera, Maulahera, Kartarpur, Samashpur, Silokhara, Jharsa Tigaara, Wazirabad, Islampur, Naharpur, Khandsa, Basahi, Dhanwapur and Kadipur. Some of the sectors developed up by HUDA in recent years after acquiring the village land are 15 (part I and II), 31,32,55,56,38,39,44,45,46,29 and 37. The court’s stand has alarmed the bureaucracy. Sources say that recently a section of the bureaucracy brought it to the notice of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. The response of Mr Bansi Lal was not known. Certain farmers told TNS that the judiciary in Gurgaon was proving to be their saviour. A farmer, who did not want to be identified said he had been waiting for getting the enhanced compensation for more than five years, but HUDA officials were treating him like a "beggar". Another farmer in Islampur village wondered why the HUDA authorities delayed making payments to farmers which were due. He argued that this, in the long run, was a loss to the exchequer as HUDA as it would have to pay a penal interest of about 15 per cent on the arrears. The vexed question is why
HUDA preferred to deposit huge amounts as profits, in
short term deposits with banks at an interest rate of 8
per cent but delayed making payments to the farmers, even
if it was at higher interest rates. |
Hold poll to student bodies:
BJYM ROHTAK, Jan 19 — The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has impressed upon the government to hold elections to the student unions in the state regularly. This demand of the BJYM, youth wing of the BJP has political significance as it runs counter to the policy of the HVP-BJP alliance government which "banned" elections to the student unions after assuming power in May 1996. The BJYM argues that elections to the student unions are the first school of training in a democratic system of government. The BJYM proposes to hold a state-level rally on January 24 at Jind. The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Mr Pramod Mahajan, Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Parkash Nadda and state BJP chief, Mr Om Parkash Grover, have been listed to address the rally besides other state BJP leaders. The proposed rally appears to be aimed at boosting the morale of the BJP activists who have been feeling demoralised after party's humiliating defeats in the assembly elections in Delhi and Rajasthan. Besides the BJP wants to mobilise the youth in the event of the country going to the mid-term elections. This will also help party expand its base among the youth. The general secretary, BJYM, Rohtak, Mr Bhushan Chug says that the rally will urge the HVP-BJP government to formulate a time-bound policy to provide employment to eight lakh educated unemployed in a phased-manner. The BJYM considers unemployment as the major problem in the state. The rally, he said, would also demand the enactment of a law to check the un-bridled growth of "public schools" which were charging exorbitant fees from students and exploiting teachers and other employees. He described these schools as "teaching shops". The rally would also
demand total ban on cow-slaughter. |
7 more held for vandalism ROHTAK, Jan 19 — The railway police has arrested seven more persons in connection with the vandalism at the railway junction here on January 14. With these the total number of persons arrested in this case has risen to eight. According to police sources, the arrested persons have been identified as Ramesh Garg, Bajrang Lal, Ashok Kumar, Dharampal, Suresh Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Ranbir Singh. Krishan Deo of Vijay Nagar locality had been arrested a few days ago. All those arrested have been remanded in judicial custody up to January 30. It is learnt the police has identified Hawa Singh Master as main accused but he has not been arrested so far. He is reported to have instigated the mob to resort to violence. It may be recalled that besides damaging the offices of the Superintendent Enquiry, and the Assistant Station Master the violent mob had also set the railway police station on fire in protest against the late running of trains and the authorities' action against the daily commuters who had got on a goods train to go to Delhi. The police has registered a case. Meanwhile, the police has
booked a case of molestation against a youth identified
as Chand, alias Kala, of Pakasma village under Section
354 of the IPC. The accused tried to molest a married
woman. |
Haryana pensioners' plea CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Mr Rajender Kumar Mohan, a representative of Haryana pensioners, today urged the state government to remove the anomalies of those pensioners who retired within 10 months from January 1, 1996. He in a statement said that the Haryana Government had already accepted and implemented the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission for its employees and pensioners on the pattern of the Central Government employees and pensioners. The failure of the
government in removing the anomalies of pensioners had
caused a huge loss to a section of pensioners, he added. |
Cong "padyatras" to
highlight govt failures FATEHABAD, Jan 19 — The Congress organised a workers' meeting here today in connection with the "kranti padyatra" to begin on January 30. The meeting, which was addressed by former Union Minister and Congress Secretary Selja, was attended by workers from all over the district. The workers owing allegiance to former Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal, however, abstained from the meeting. Ms Selja said the HVP-BJP government in the state had failed on all fronts. It had neither been able to provide uninterrupted power supply nor water for irrigation, adding that the people were disillusioned with the government. Later, talking to mediapersons at the residence of party leader Ram Raj Mehta, she said the proposed "padyatras" would highlight the failures of the HVP-BJP government in the state. These 'padyatras' would begin from 11 places in the state. The HPCC President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, would start 'padyatra' from Panchkula on February 1 while Mr Inderjeet Singh would lead the march from Narnaul. Ms Selja would lead a group from Chautala village in Sirsa district on January 30. The 'padyatris' would converge at Jind on February 12. She said the HPCC would honour Mr Digvijay Singh, Mrs Shiela Dikshit and Mr Ashok Gahlot for bringing victory to the party in the recent Assembly poll, on the occasion. Replying to question, she
said the Congress was opposed to toppling the Bansi Lal
government by managing a split in that party. |
Students injured in stampede SONEPAT, Jan 19 — Several students were injured in a stampede during a cultural show organised at Hindu College here yesterday. As soon as the programme started, a large number of students reportedly forced their way into the hall and tried to disrupt the programme. This led to a clash between organisers and the students who went on the rampage and damaged furniture. Thereupon, the organisers announced the end of the programme and as only one gate of the hall was opened, it led to a stampede. Several invitees alleged
that the organisers had not made adequate security
arrangements and failed to call the police. |
HVPN functioning 'arbitrary' ROHTAK, Jan 19 — The president of the state unit of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Mrs Asha Hooda, has charged the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) with making discrimination among consumers in supplying electricity in the town. Mrs Hooda said the erratic power supply had disrupted normal life and house wives were the worst sufferers. She said while certain localities faced a power cut for several hours many other localities got uninterrupted supply round the clock. She said the arbitrary functioning of HVPN officials had generated great resentment among the populace and added this was being done to defame the government. The officials, she said, had turned a deaf ear to the problems being faced by the consumers. Mrs Hooda alleged officers
had installed hot lines at their residences and as such
they were indifferent to the problems of the common man.
She said, if the situation did not improve, she would
lead a women's delegation to meet the Chief Minister to
apprise him of the situation prevailing here. |
High command to decide on state
YC chief HISAR, Jan 19 — The Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today said that the final decision regarding the appointment of the state Youth Congress President would be taken by the party high command. Taking to reporters at Hansi, he said, the new president of the youth wing would be a person acceptable to all sections and one who would be able to work for the party. Mr Hooda ruled out a change in the presidentship of the women's wing of the HPCC. The HPCC chief was at Hansi to attend a workers meeting of the District Congress Committee. The meeting was held in connection with the Congress rally being organised in Jind on February 13. Among others who attended
the meeting included AICC Secretary Selja, PCC president
Sushila Sharma and several others. |
Four murders solved FARIDABAD, Jan 19 — The police has claimed to have solved four murders committed several months back by arresting three criminals, Samipal, Sunil Kumar and Gangalal. A police spokesman said here yesterday that they had murdered Mulla Hakim, who used to live at the "mazaar" of Bhatola Pir and threw his body in the Agra canal. They had also killed Deepak Sharma, an employee of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, after snatching away his licensed revolver. His body was also thrown in the Agra canal. The arrested men and their accomplices had also stabbed to death Raj Kumar, a constable, who had apprehended them smuggling liquor a number of times. The spokesman said they had also murdered Jitan after kidnapping him from his house in Sector 16. Their two accomplices, Ajay Kumar and Raju, managed to escape when the police swooped on them near a bridge on the Pali Dhauj road. A double-barrel gun, one
pistol, 12 cartridges and a knife were recovered from
their possession. |
6 die in van-bus collision REWARI, Jan 19 — Seven persons were killed and six injured when a Matador van collided with a Rajasthan Roadways bus on the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Sangwari village, about 10 km from here, yesterday. The deceased included the driver of the Matador van. The four seriously injured passengers were rushed to Delhi where the condition of a woman passenger was stated to be critical. The Matador van was going
from Bawal to Dharuhera while the bus was going from
Delhi to Jaipur. |
Cow slaughter in Mewat decried SONEPAT, Jan 19 — Haryana BJP President Om Parkash Grover today expressed concern over the increasing unemployment and poverty and demanded the setting up of a yuva vikas board to help curb these. He said here today that the HVP-BJP Government had launched a number of self-employment schemes for the benefit of jobless educated youths. Under these schemes, they were being given loans at subsidised rates and infrastructure facilities. Youths belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the backward classes were being given loans at just 5 per cent rate of interest for the purchase of jeeps and other vehicles. The government had granted route permits to thousands of such youths. Expressing concern over
cow slaughter in the Mewat area, Mr Grover said his party
had launched a vigorous campaign to mobilise people
against this evil. He urged the government to open more
police posts in the area to check cow slaughter. |
Chautala to honour Asian Games
winners BHIWANI, Jan 19 — The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) will honour medal winners at the Bangkok Asian Games from Haryana. This was stated by Mr Ajay Chautala, President, youth wing of the INLD, here today. He said a function in this connection will be held in the first week of February in Rohtak. He added that twelve players from Haryana participated in the Asian Games. Mr Chautala said every medal winner will be given Rs 25000. He criticised the Haryana
Government for not honouring the players who brought
laurels to the state. |
Plea to lower interest rates on
loans FARIDABAD, Jan 19 — The Haryana Krishak Samaj has demanded lowering of interest rates on loan given to farmers to 8 per cent. A resolution to this effect was adopted at a conference of the samaj held at Ballabhgarh, near here, today. Mr Shamsher Sing Surjewala, president of the samaj, was the chief guest. Mr Surjewala said the condition of farmers had deteriorated during the past three and a half years of rules of the non-Congress governments at the Centre. A large area of agricultural land was still waterlogged in Haryana making it unsuitable for sowing of any crop. The conference also demanded supply of unadulterated agriculture inputs at cheap rates, crop insurance, creation of farmer-friendly markets, remunerative rates of farm produce and gainful employment to village youth by setting up agro-based industry. Earlier, Mr Mahender
Pratap Singh and Mr Jagdish Nehra, both former Haryana
ministers, Mr Uday Bhan, president of the District
Congress Committee (Rural), and Mr Subhash Chowdhary,
AICC member and convener of the conference, blamed faulty
economic policy of the government for the plight of
farmers. They wanted that both agriculture and industry
should by given equal status in the economy. |
Kharga complex for welfare of
Jawans AMBALA, Jan 19 — Celebrating 1999 as the "Year of the Jawan", Ms Shivjot Sihota, President, Kharga Army Wives Welfare Association, wife of Lt-Gen G.S. Sihota, GOC, inaugurated the Kharga shopping complex at Ambala Cantonment for the welfare of the jawans and their families yesterday. The Kharga AWWA has undertaken numerous welfare activities for the welfare of the Jawans and their families, and the Proxy-War-affected persons. Some of these welfare activities are Asha School for the physically and mentally challenged children, Asha Shiksha Kendra conducting vocational training for jawans' families in tailoring, embroidery, typing, computers etc; provision of STD facilities for families residing in separated family accommodation and poly clinic for medical facilities etc. The Kharga AWWA having
identified the grey areas requiring improvement in the
daily life of the jawan have planned to execute various
welfare projects during 1999 — the "Year of the
Jawan". |
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