Chandigarh Panipat Rohtak Faridabad Gurgaon Bhiwani Hisar Yamunanagar

Mayor disputes MLAs’ claim
FARIDABAD, June 16 — A dispute has arisen between the Faridabad Municipal Corporation and the local MLAs, including a minister, over who should take the credit for the development projects in the city.

Havaldar cremated with honours
PANIPAT, June 16 — Havaldar Beejay Singh (40) of Jat Regiment laid down his life while fighting Pakistani infiltrators in the Kaksar-Kargil area of Jammu and Kashmir on June 12.

Newborn boy kidnapped
FARIDABAD, June 16 — A newborn boy was last afternoon kidnapped from the Local Badshah Khan Civil Hospital by two unidentified persons, one of whom was reportedly a woman. The police has registered a case though there is still no trace of the infant.

Security stepped up in Faridabad
FARIDABAD, June 16 — Security in Faridabad has been beefed up following the possibility of ISI sponsored militants playing mischief in Delhi and the surrounding areas of the Capital.

Touching adieu to BSF officer
ROHTAK, June 16 — Residents of Jakhoda village bade a tearful farewell to Mr Azad Singh Dalal Assistant Commandant BSF, who laid down his life defending the Leh-Srinagar national highway from Pakistan-backed infiltrators in the Kargil sector.

Mobilising relief for martyrs
HISAR, June 16 — The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have launched a campaign to mobilise relief for the Kargil martyrs. Besides, a blood donation camp is also being organised for the injured soldiers.

Kargil martyr cremated
BHIWANI, June 16 — Another Kargil martyr of Bhiwani district, Subedar Randhir Singh, was cremated here today with full state and military honours. His body was consigned to the flames at his native village, Balkara, in Dadri subdivision of the district.

• UP Governor pays tributes to soldier
• GJU plan to start new courses

• Traders assure all help

Haryana minister dismissed
by U.K. Bhanot & Yoginder Gupta

CHANDIGARH, June 16 — Certain dissident leaders of the Haryana Vikas Party today decided to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Vajpayee and Home Minister Advani to apprise them of the peculiar political situation in Haryana following the dismissal today of Mr Jagan Nath, Haryana's Agriculture Minister, and senior Dalit leader.

Some of the dissidents have expressed surprise over Mr Jaswant Singh's joining the Bansi Lal Ministry after having quit the government a few months ago.

Although no reason was assigned, the Haryana Government today announced the dismissal of Mr Jagan Nath. Apparently, Mr Jagan Nath has invited the wrath of the Chief Minister for his statements, exposing the present state of affairs in the Haryana Vikas Party. He had earlier demanded the calling of a joint meeting of the office-bearers and legislators of the HVP and the BJP, besides expressing his displeasure at the dismissal earlier of Mr Brij Mohan Singla and Rao Narbir Singh from the coalition government in the state.

Yesterday he had expressed the view that if the dissident ministers were to be taken back then the Chief Minister should absorb the three other dismissed ministers as well.

Today’s announcement not only declared the sacking of Mr Jagan Nath but also the allotment of independent charge of Agriculture to Mr Jaswant Singh, Minister of State, and Agricultural Education (independent charge) to Mr Vinod Kumar, Minister of State, in addition to his existing portfolios. The Chief Minister, retained the charge of Soil Conservation.

Mr Brij Mohan Singla told TNS that frequent sackings followed by equally frequent return of the dismissed dropped ministers into the fold of the government reflected the poor health of the Bansi Lal Government. He went to the extent of attributing these actions to the "abnormal behaviour" of the Chief Minister. He said at the time of sacking of ministers charges of corruption were traded. All this, he added, had reduced the government functioning to a mockery.

When Mr Singla and Mr Jaiprakash, a former Union Minister of Communication, were coming out the house of Mr Mohan Jain, a senior advocate of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in Sector 21 this afternoon they found four persons on two motor cycles waiting outside. These "suspicious-looking" men, Mr Jain said in his report to the Chandigarh Police had been reportedly chasing Mr Singla when he came to his house. When Mr Jain went out to see them, two of them sped away on their vehicle and the other two ran away, leaving behind their punctured motor cycle, bearing the registration No. HR 03-A-1056. The motor cycle was handed over to the police.

Mr Jain said this was the third incident of his house having been put under surveillance allegedly by the Haryana Police. The two earlier incidents were reportedly on May 18 and September last year.

Meanwhile, Mr Jagan Nath said though it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to constitute or reconstitute his Cabinet, Mr Bansi Lal "seems to have made it a hobby to drop and reinduct ministers".

Claiming that Mr Bansi Lal was an impulsive man, Mr Jagan Nath said the Chief Minister had destroyed the HVP by his actions. All his statements, which might have angered Mr Bansi Lal, were in the form of suggestions to revamp the party.

Mr Bansi Lal could only rule but could not run a political party on democratic lines, he added.

Rise above caste barrier: Speaker
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, June 16 — The Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Prof Chhatar Singh Chauhan, today asked the people of the state to rise above the barriers of caste and region to foster a harmonious society.

Speaking at a public function organised by the Gurgaon Rajput Sabha to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, Prof Chauhan emphasised on the sacrifices of the Rajput warrior in his fight against the Mughals.

The society must take a lead out of Maharana Pratap’s sacrifice and the unflinching support rendered to him by the tribesmen. He lamented that people were divided on caste and communal lines to the detriment of the country.

Paying tributes to Maharana Pratap the local Congress MLA, Mr Dharambir Gaba, and a former minister of the state, said people like Maharana Pratap had left behind a robust legacy of patriotism to the entire nation.

The Revenue Minister, Haryana, Mr Suraj Pal Singh, assured the Rajput Sabha of Rs 5 lakh from the state exchequer to install a statue of Maharana Pratap at a suitable site in Gurgaon. He appealed to the Rajput community to remain united.

Prof Chhatar Pal also announced Rs 51,000 from the state exchequer for the proposed statue of Maharana Pratap. Rao Dharam Pal announced of Rs 11,000 for the purpose.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were former Union Ministers, Prof Sher Singh and Mr Sawai Singh Sisodiya and a former MP from Uttar Pradesh, Mr Meghnath Sisodiya. An MLA from Delhi, Mr Ram Avtar Singh also addressed the gathering.

Havaldar cremated with honours
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, June 16 — Havaldar Beejay Singh (40) of Jat Regiment laid down his life while fighting Pakistani infiltrators in the Kaksar-Kargil area of Jammu and Kashmir on June 12. The body of Havaldar Beejay Singh was brought to his native village, Puthar, yesterday. No sooner did the body arrive when residents of the village started gathering in large numbers at the martyr's house.

After performing Hindu rites, the body of Havaldar Beejay Singh was taken to the cremation ground. The elder son of the soldier Jaswant Singh (9) lit the pyre as an Army contingent presented and reversed the arms and buglers sounded the last post. He was cremated with full military and civil honours. More than 2,000 villagers from Puthar and the adjoining villages were present at the cremation.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Health, Mr Bijender Singh Kadian, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Rastogi, the Superintendent of Police, Mr Manoj Yadav, the SDM, Mr P.K. Sharma, Col I.B. Gaur on behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff and Captain Rajiv Sharma on behalf of General Officer Commanding of Corps laid wreaths on the body of the martyr.

Havaldar Beejay Singh is survived by his father Raghbir Singh, mother Bhanpati, three brothers, wife Bimla Devi (35), two sons and two daughters. He had joined the army on October 27, 1979. He was middle pass.

The Animal Husbandry Minister, the Deputy Commissioner, the SP, the SDM, Colonel Gaur and other senior officers visited the bereaved family to offer their condolences.

The minister announced an exgratia of Rs 1 lakh on behalf of the Haryana Government to the bereaved family. The Deputy Commissioner assured of every possible help from the district administration. Colonel Gaur presented a cheque of Rs 10,000 to next of kin of the deceased.

The grief-stricken father of Havaldar Beejay Singh said he was prepared to get both his sons and two grandsons enlisted in the Army. He said he was proud that his son sacrificed his life while safeguarding the interests of the country and brought a good name to the bereaved family and the country as well.

Mayor disputes MLAs’ claim
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, June 16 — A dispute has arisen between the Faridabad Municipal Corporation and the local MLAs, including a minister, over who should take the credit for the development projects in the city.

The MLAs and officials say work is being undertaken from the grant given by the state government. No day passes without a minister or an MLA inaugurating the construction of roads and other schemes. They also declare in speeches that it was after their efforts that the state government had released the grants.

On the other hand, Subedar Suman, Mayor of the Faridabad Municipal Corporation, asserts that their claim was baseless. Works being undertaken from the amount of Rs 4 crore which had been given to the civic body by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) on account of the overdue compounding fee due from HUDA after transfer of sectors to the corporation.

Describing the MLAs’ claim as a "drama," Subedar Suman charged the officials and MLAs of "collusion" to belittle the corporation which was dominated by the Congress councillors.

The Mayor said he had brought to the notice of senior officials of HUDA and the Local Bodies Department about the goings-on in Faridabad at a meeting held in Chandigarh on June 13. He said Mr M.K. Miglani, Finance Commissioner, Local Bodies,, also agreed with him that work was being done from the funds of the civic body transferred by HUDA and not from the MLAs’ discretionary fund.

He also quoted office orders issued by the Chief Administrator, HUDA on April 22 and June 1 in support of his assertion.

Subedar Suman appealed to HUDA to release Rs 29 crore more to the civic body which was still due as compounding fee at the earliest so that better services could be provided to the people.

Newborn boy kidnapped
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, June 16 — A newborn boy was last afternoon kidnapped from the Local Badshah Khan Civil Hospital by two unidentified persons, one of whom was reportedly a woman. The police has registered a case though there is still no trace of the infant.

Rajpal, father of the baby said his wife Anjana had given birth to a boy at night. On his return to the ward after drinking water he found the baby was not on the side of his mother. During his absence, a woman came to the ward and took away the boy on the pretext of making his horoscope.

An attendant of a woman who had also been admitted to the ward was sent by his wife to bring back the child. When she asked the woman to return the child she was told by a male accomplice to bring his father for registration of the birth in the hospital.

Before Rajpal could come he found both the woman, her accomplice and the child missing.

Security stepped up in Faridabad
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, June 16 — Security in Faridabad has been beefed up following the possibility of ISI sponsored militants playing mischief in Delhi and the surrounding areas of the Capital.

Mr Mohammed Aquil, Superintendent of Police, said here yesterday that patrolling of market places, bus stands, railway stations and cinema houses had been undertaken. He appealed to people to inform the police on finding any abandoned article which might be an explosive device. The checking of vehicles, especially at night had also been started.

The Railway police had been directed to keep a close watch on railway stations, bridges and tracks in Faridabad.

Touching adieu to BSF officer
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, June 16 — Residents of Jakhoda village bade a tearful farewell to Mr Azad Singh Dalal Assistant Commandant BSF, who laid down his life defending the Leh-Srinagar national highway from Pakistan-backed infiltrators in the Kargil sector.

The body of the BSF officer reached his native village late last evening as the IAF flight that brought the bodies from the border arrived late. The body was received by the Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar, and senior civil and BSF officials.

As soon as the carriage carrying the body entered Bahadurgarh, hundreds of residents of the town and the adjoining villages lined the 5-km long route from the industrial town upto Jakhoda to pay last respects to the BSF officer on his final journey.

The body was first taken to the ancestral house of the deceased officer for performing religious rites. The body was cremated in the evening with full BSF and police honours and jawans of the BSF and Haryana police reversed arms when his brother lit the pyre.

Earlier wreaths were laid on the body by the Revenue Minister, Mr Suraj Pal on behalf of the state government, the Deputy Commissioner, BSF officials and Mr Ram Chander Bainda, former BJP MP.

Mr Dalal is survived by his wife, a six-month-old son besides his parents, two sisters and a brother. His father had also served in the BSF.

Mobilising relief for martyrs
Tribune News Service

HISAR, June 16 — The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have launched a campaign to mobilise relief for the Kargil martyrs. Besides, a blood donation camp is also being organised for the injured soldiers.

According to Mr Anil Goyal, VHP's district secretary the activists of the two organisations will move from door to door to collect donations for the martyrs.

All the donation boxes have been sealed and the keys have been handed over to different persons, including one to the Deputy Commissioner. The boxes will be opened in public after 15 days.

A blood donation camp will be organised on June 27 in cooperation with the District Red Cross Committee.

Kargil martyr cremated
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, June 16 — Another Kargil martyr of Bhiwani district, Subedar Randhir Singh, was cremated here today with full state and military honours. His body was consigned to the flames at his native village, Balkara, in Dadri subdivision of the district.

Subedar Randhir Singh of 18 Grenadiers of the Army sacrificed his life on the night of June 2 and while fighting the Pakistani infiltrators in the Dras area.

When his body was brought to Balkara, villagers assembled in large numbers to pay homage to the martyr. When his younger son Rajpal lit the pire to consign the martyr’s body to the flames, people chanted "Bharat mata ki jai", "Shahid Randhir Singh amar rahe".

Before the cremation, Prof Chatter Singh Chauhan, Speaker, Haryana Assembly, placed wreaths on the body on behalf of the Haryana Government. Besides him those who paid homage to the martyr were Mr Surender Singh, former MP, Mr K.C. Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Bhiwani, Mr S.S. Deswal, SP, Bhiwani, Mr Satpal Sangwan, MLA, Mr Nripender Singh, MLA and Maj V.N. Sharma of 33 Armed Division.

GJU plan to start new courses
Tribune News Service

HISAR, June 16 — Guru Jambeshwar University (GJU) plans to start new courses in the near future. These include master of pharmacy and a certificate course in foreign languages.

The Vice-Chancellor, Mr Dharamvir, said here yesterday that a decision in this regard was taken at a meeting on the Academic Council, which was attended by faculty members and experts from Roorkee University, Kurukshetra University, Haryana Agricultural University and the Joint Director, Higher Education.

Mr Dharamvir said the PG course in pharmacy would be the first and the only one of its kind in Haryana. Ten students of the final year of B. Pharmacy had already qualified the GATE examination and were eligible for the PG course. The admission to this course would be made through GATE only. The course would offer specialisation in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutics (five seats each). More specialisations would be added in due course of time, the Vice-Chancellor said. Mr Dharamvir said the revision of the syllabus was being done on a priority basis.

In a significant move, the Academic Council also decided to simplify the procedure with a view to encouraging distance education.

Meanwhile, the university clarified that the entrance test for the MCA course had been rescheduled for July 3 and not July 7, as reported earlier.

Traders assure all help
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, June 16 — Mr Laxmi Chand Gupta, President, Haryana Beopar Mandal, today said that the trading community would provide all possible help to the martyrs’ families in the state and was ready even to supply essential commodities to soldiers on the front.

A resolution in this regard was passed at an emergency meeting of the state executive today.

Mr Gupta said the Beopar mandal was indebted to the martyrs who laid their lives for the nation. He assured the Vajpayee government that the traders of Haryana would extend full cooperation to the soldiers as well as their families.

He appealed to the traders to keep a vigil on the prices of essential commodities so that anti-social elements did not get undue benefit from the present situation.

UP Governor pays tributes to soldier
Tribune News Service

YAMUNANAGAR, June 16 — The Uttar Pradesh Governor, Mr Suraj Bhan today paid tributes to Havildar Naveen Vaid who laid down his life in the Nowshera sector fighting the enemy on May 22.

Mr Bhan said he had asked officers that all ex-servicemen should be respected and their work must be attended to without any delay. He said as a rule we should respect those in uniform.