HUDCO to help upgrade Haryana bus stands
CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Housing Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) will provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore in 1999-2000 to the Haryana Government to undertake developmental works in its priority sectors.

HC delegation visits Ambala
AMBALA, Sept 10 — A delegation appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court visited Ambala today to assess the compliance of the court orders regarding the removal of hoardings facing the national highway and wearing of helmets by two-wheeler drivers.

Rules amended to protect women at work place
CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Haryana Government has amended the Punjab Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1966, by inserting the provision of prohibiting sexual harassment of working women by the government servants.

Group rivalry: 1 stabbed to death
FARIDABAD, Sept 10 — Pritpal Singh Bhatti (18) of Sector 16 was stabbed to death in Sector 15 here last night by six youths. The murder is stated to be the result of rivalry between two groups of youths.

SI, 2 constables suspended

Headmaster waits for revised pension

Cashier in the dock

Ajay hails Haryana decision

Rs 79,400 for war heroes’ fund

Two dead

GJU staff strike work
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Sept 10 — Even after the administration threatened to resort to no-work-no-pay policy, the non-teaching employees of Guru Jambheshwar University (GJU) today struck work for two hours. They are demanding introduction of five days' week in the university.

The non-teaching employees' union of the university had been raising the demand for the past several months. The union members claimed they had failed to convince the university authorities by way of negotiations, so they had to resort to striking work.

The union also criticised the "administration's threat" of deducting their half day's salary. They claimed it was their right to protest against the non-fulfilment of the demands and said the strike may be extended and intensified if the administration still did not yield to their demand.

Justifying their demand, the union members pointed out a similar practice was prevailing in Kurukshetra University and Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. They alleged the university authorities were deliberately precipitating the situation and forcing the non-teaching staff to resort to extreme measures.

On the other hand, the university administration has kept its doors open for dialogue. The Registrar, Mr Abhilaksh Likhi, pointed out it was not a simple decision and involved many administrative complexities. He said, moreover, it could not be decided at the level of the Vice-Chancellor. He regretted that despite open invitation for talks the non-teaching employees' union had resorted to the strike.

While in Kurukshetra University and MDU there is five days' week in Haryana Agriculture University here it is six days' week. The Registrar said there was already shortage of staff in the university. Introducing five days' week would put extra burden on the employees as teaching had to be carried on for full six days. Besides, the university has to decide how the time of the sixth day is to be compensated by extending the working hours for the remaining five days. All these things will take time, Mr Likhi remarked, adding that this could be sorted out only through negotiations and not confrontation.

Today was the first day of the 10-day strike called by the non-teaching employees' union. The employees will go for pen-down strike daily for two hours in next 10 days. Besides, they have already decided to observe five days week. The Registrar said action could be taken only when the employees observe off on Saturday.

Spell out stand on inter-state disputes, Hooda urges CM
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Haryana Congress President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to spell out his stand on all pending inter-state issues like completion of the SYL canal and implementation of the Eradi Tribunal award on sharing of river waters between Punjab and Haryana through negotiations with his Punjab counterpart.

He said in a statement here, that already the state had suffered heavily at the hands of Mr Parkash Singh Badal on account of his stubborn attitude towards completion of the SYL canal in Punjab territory and refusing to implement the Eradi Tribunal award, allocating river waters to Haryana.

Mr Hooda said that now that the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana was over, the people expected the Chief Minister to find out some time for attending to the problems of the state, particularly the inter-state contentious issues.

Commenting on the dinner hosted by Mr Badal in honour of Mr Chautala, Mr Hooda warned Mr Chautala that the people of the State would not tolerate any further compromise, affecting the interests of the state in the garb of his friendship with Mr Badal.

Mr Hooda claimed that Mr Chautala had already done much damage to the interests of the state under pressure from Mr Badal, who, he alleged, never wished progress, uplift and betterment of the people of Haryana.

Third child may cost civic chief dear
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Sept 10 — The birth of the third child, may not prove to be a blessing for Mukesh Tuteja, Chairman of the local municipal council. His opponents, led by the local Independent MLA and Minister of State for Tourism Mr Om Prakash Jain, have launched a campaign against him.

Mr Jain pointed out that as per the rules of the Panchayati Raj Act, a person loses the membership of Panchayati Raj institutions if he or she has a third child after the implementation of the Act in 1996.

Mr Jain said Mr Tuteja would be removed from the post as a written complaint had been lodged with the Local Government Minister, Dhirpal Singh and the Director of Local Bodies.

The minister also disclosed that after the dismissal of Mr Tuteja, the Vice-Chairman Mr Ashok Bhatia, would be handed over the charge of Chairman. He ruled out the possibility of an election to elect new Chairman with the plea that the term of present municipal councillors would expire within two months, and new elections would be held after that.

The Panchayati Raj Act, which came into operation on April 24, 1996, states that if a member of any Panchayati Raj Institutions, including local bodies in towns and gram panchayats, block samitis and zila parishad has a third child after April 24, 1995, he/she will not be eligible to remain member of the institution.

According to official sources, over 10 members of gram panchayats have already lost their membership under this rule in Panipat district.

Officials told to ensure water at canal ends
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has directed the state irrigation officials to ensure water at the tailend of canals.

The Chief Minister, who was reviewing the working of the the Irrigation department here today, took notice of the slow pace of execution of works, especially under the Haryana Water Resources Consolidation Project (HWRCP), and directed the departmental engineers to expedite the ongoing projects on a war footing. He said stress should be laid on early completion of major works, including Budhera complex, Pathrala dam and Ottu weir so as to benefit the people. He would be personally monitoring the progress of the projects, he added.

The Chief Minister expressed his concern over the drought like conditions caused by low supplies in the Yamuna. As there had been scanty rain in the catchment areas of the Yamuna, the Irrigation department should monitor critically the water flow to ensure fair and equitable distribution of water to all sections.

Mr Chautala laid emphasis on early completion of works in hand to restore the capacity of main canals. Expressing concern over the recent incidents of cuts and breaches in the distribution canals and even main lines by unscrupulous and anti-social elements, he directed the irrigation engineers to take steps to ensure patrolling and vigil along the banks of the canals.

HUDCO to help upgrade Haryana bus stands
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Housing Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) will provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore in 1999-2000 to the Haryana Government to undertake developmental works in its priority sectors.

Earlier, HUDCO had been providing an assistance of Rs 20 crore to the state government.

The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala discussed the blueprint of the same with a team of HUDCO officials led by its regional chief, Mr P.S. Khurana.

The assistance provides for the roads and power infrastructure development in the state, provision and augmentation of water supply and sewerage and solid waste management schemes in various towns. It will also cover various housing schemes for the employees of the state government, construction of houses for police personnel, police infrastructure and shifting of jails to their new locations.

HUDCO has also assured assistance to the government for the upgradation of the existing bus stands and construction of new bus terminals-cum-commercial complexes in various towns.

HC delegation visits Ambala
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Sept 10 — A delegation appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court visited Ambala today to assess the compliance of the court orders regarding the removal of hoardings facing the national highway and wearing of helmets by two-wheeler drivers.

The delegation comprising the Commissioner, High Court, Mr H.C. Sethi, the Additional Secretary, Transport, Punjab, Mr Ranjit Singh, the DIG, Traffic, Punjab, Mr Mann Singh, the Joint Secretary, Home, Chandigarh, Mr Gurmail Singh, the SP (Traffic), Chandigarh, Mr Balbir Singh, the DIG, Haryana, Mr Y.P. Singal, and the Additional Transport Controller, Haryana, Ms Satwanti Ahlawat, visited different parts in Ambala city and cantonment.

According to an official release, the delegation appreciated the efforts of the district administration for the implementation of the court directives. The delegation was of the view that there is further scope for improvement on this issue.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Navraj Sandhu, told the delegation that people repeatedly made offences and preferred to pay the challan instead of wearing a helmet. She told the delegation that there should be more stringent rules and regulations to deal with the defaulters.

Rules amended to protect women at work place
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Haryana Government has amended the Punjab Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1966, by inserting the provision of prohibiting sexual harassment of working women by the government servants.

The rules will now be called the Punjab Government Employees (Conduct) Haryana Amendment Rules, 1999.

No government employees shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at her work place. Every employee who is in charge of a work place should take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment of any woman at such work place.

Sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour, whether directly or otherwise as physical contact and advances, demand or request for sexual favours, making any sexually coloured remarks, showing any pornographic material, and any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

Group rivalry: 1 stabbed to death
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Sept 10 — Pritpal Singh Bhatti (18) of Sector 16 was stabbed to death in Sector 15 here last night by six youths. The murder is stated to be the result of rivalry between two groups of youths.

The police has already arrested the six youths in connection with the murder. They are Sandip Gupta, alias Rahul Bhadana of Sector 37, Jitender, Satish, Jitan, Sanjay and Vicky (all residents of Tughlakabad, Delhi).

A police spokesperson said today that the two groups, one led by Sandip and the other by Pritpal, used to loiter in the Sector 15 market. A few days back Sandip passed remarks against a girl which was objected to by Pritpal. After heated exchange between the two, Pritpal beat up Sandip.

Yesterday Sandip and his friends from Delhi came to Faridabad to ‘teach’ Pritpal a lesson. On finding Pritpal walking alone in Sector 15 they chased him and stabbed him a number of times. He was declared dead when brought to hospital.

Jitan is involved in a number of rape cases in Delhi. All arrests were made by the Faridabad Police from Delhi where all accused, except Sandip had escaped after the murder.

SUCI candidate to move EC
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Sept 10 — The Haryana unit of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) has alleged that names of a large number of voters had been cut from the voters' list in the recently concluded polls in the state.

In a statement issued here yesterday the secretary of district unit of party and its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat from Rohtak, Mr Anup Singh, claimed that a large number of persons especially, the elderly ones didn't find their names in the voters list when they went to cast their votes on September 5.

He said his party would take up the issue with the Election Commission.

Dacoit Prahalad arrested

KURUKSHETRA, Sept 10 (UNI) — Dacoit Prahalad from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested by the district police. He was one of the nine-member gang which had escaped after throwing chilly powder into the eyes of police guards while being taken form Karnal to Ambala in a van.

The Superintendent of Police, Kurukshetra, Mr Alok Kumar Roy, yesterday said that the Haryana police had announced an award of Rs 10,000 for any clues leading to the arrest of these dacoits.

Besides Prahalad, two other gang members Sabira and Ram Niwas had been nabbed earlier.

The local court has remanded Prahalad in police custody.

Gang leader Phoola carries a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head.

SI, 2 constables suspended
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Sept 10 — The Superintendent of Police has suspended Sub Inspector Rameshar Dass, who was officer in charge of New Anaj Mandi police post and two constables Om Parkash and Vijender Singh.

The two constables were posted to guard a stage set up in New Anaj Mandi here, from where Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, was to address an election meeting on September 3. The constables drank, deserted the stage, reached the post and beat up headconstable Rambir. Following this a complaint was registered against them in the daily diary report (DDR). The Sub Inspector has reportedly been suspended for his failure to keep proper control over his subordinates.

Ajay hails Haryana decision
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The president of the youth wing of the Haryana state unit of the Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, has hailed the decision of the Haryana Government to give "relaxation" in marks to the candidates belonging to the reserved categories for appearing in admission test for JBT and OT.

The government has decided that those students belonging to reserved categories had scored a minimum of 40 per cent marks in the 10+2 examination would be eligible to appear in the admission test for JBT. Similarly, those students belonging to the reserved categories who had got a minimum of 40 per cent marks in Giani, Shastri and Prabhakar would be eligible to appear in the admission test for OT (Punjabi, Sanskrit and Hindi).

It may be recalled that during Mr Bansi Lal’s tenure the condition of the minimum of 40 per cent marks was raised to 50 per cent.

Headmaster waits for revised pension
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Sept 10 — Mr Balbir Singh, a retired headmaster, has been running from pillar to post to seek the revised pension and gratuity for the past year.

Mr Balbir Singh retired from Government High School at Ahulana in Gohana on June 30, 1994. The District Education Officer sent his case for revised pension to Director, Secondary Education, but nothing has been done in this regard so far.

Mr Balbir Singh said he was suffering from paralysis and part of his pension was being spent on the treatment. He had written several letters to Mr Bansi Lal, a former Chief Minister in this connection, but no action was taken.

Rs 79,400 for war heroes’ fund
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was presented with a bank draft for Rs 79,400 by Mr Prithvi Singh, Chief Adviser, Ministerial Staff Association, Directorate of Haryana Education Department, for Haryana Chief Minister's War Heroes' Relief Fund.

The Finance Minister, Prof, Sampat Singh, the president of the association, Mr Dharamvir Dhanda, the general secretary, Mr Dharampal Tanwar, and the adviser of the association, Mr Devi Dayal Baniwal, were present.

Cashier in the dock
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Sept 10 — A case regarding the issue of fake notes of Rs 500 denomination has been registered against the cashier of the State Bank of India (Naharpur branch) in Yamunanagar district.

It has been reported that Maya Devi, withdrew Rs 10,000 from the bank. After spending Rs 7000, she sent her brother-in-law to deposit the balance amount of Rs 3000 in the same branch. However, the cashier refused to accept the amount saying the notes were fake. After a heated discussion, it was pointed out to him that the notes were issued by him only. A case under Sections 4-8-9A, 4-8-9B and 420, IPC, has been registered against the cashier.

Two dead
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Sept 10 — Two deaths were reported from different parts of the town today.

A woman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison near the local Jail Colony. According to reports, the woman had taken some poisonous substance and was admitted to a hospital where she died. Cause of the suicide is not known.

An old man died on way to hospital after being hit by a vehicle. He has not been identified.