AMBALA
PENSION CASES: The Kharga Ex-servicemen Helpline has succeeded in settling 52 pension cases in the past six months. The helpline Director, Lt Col Sarabjit Singh, said during the past six months, more than 2,500 ex-servicemen from the Army, Navy and Air Force visited the
helpline. Their problems pertained to pension, rehabilitation, medical aid and latest schemes launched by the Government of India for their welfare.NCC CAMP: The NCC training camp organised by the 2 Haryana Battalion concluded here on Wednesday. Col Manohar Singh, Group Commander of Ambala group and in charge of the NCC training in Northern Haryana, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. At least 594 cadets participated in the camp. SD College won the overall trophy. In inter-college drill competition, SD College came first, while in inter-school drill competition, Army School, Chandi Mandir, finished first. In inter-college guard mounting, SD College came first, while for overall best discipline, JD contingent Army School, Chandi Mandir, bagged the honours.
PROTEST: The HUDA Public Health Workers Union held a dharna in front of the Estate Office here on Wednesday to press for their pending demands. The union has been demanding the payment of arrears of the bonus, regularisation of ad hoc employees, lifting of ban on the recruitment of daily wage and ad hoc employees and allotment of plots to HUDA employees on "no profit, no loss" basis.
OPIUM SEIZED: The police impounded an abandoned Contessa car (DL3CG 3628) near Saha on the
Ambala-Jagadhri road on Tuesday. Some shopkeepers noticed the car and informed the police. According to information, the police recovered Rs 80,000 and seized 10 gram of opium from the car.
DEMAND: The Elders’ Forum on Monday demanded the manning of the railway reservation window for senior citizens so that they did not face problems. At a meeting held here, members of forum observed that even though there was a window earmarked for senior citizens, it was not manned. Consequently, they had to stand in the long queues at the general window. They added that the house tax bills being received by them needed correction.
ENCEPHALITIS DEATHS: The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday expressed concern over deaths due to Japanese encephalitis. The deputy spokesperson, Dr Pradeep Chauhan, said the disease had claimed a number of lives in the state. He alleged that the Health Department was not taking disease management seriously. He threatened that if the situation did not improve soon they would be forced to take action.
PADDY PROCUREMENT: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr D.D. Gautam, on Tuesday claimed that this year’s paddy crop has been a bumper one in the district. Mr Gautam said compared with last year, 50,000 tonne more paddy had arrived in different grain markets of the district. He said the grade ‘A’ paddy was being bought up to Rs 611 per quintal, while ordinary grade paddy was being bought between Rs 550 and Rs 576 per quintal . Sarbati paddy was being bought between Rs 625 and Rs 754 per quintal and Muchal variety was being bought between Rs 761 and Rs 857 per quintal, according to a press note.
ESSAY CONTEST: Punjab National Bank, DAV College branch, held an essay competition here on Monday. The senior manager of the bank, Mr Chetan Sethi, said the senior regional manager, Mr S.S.
Bhandari, was the chief guest. Mr Bhandari stressed the importance of Hindi. He said students must strive to achieve their objectives.
BODY FOUND: The body of a man was found near a Naullah in the Maheshnagar area here on Tuesday. the body was packed in a gunny bag. The unidentified body was noticed by some rag-pickers. The police has sent the body to the local Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
CASE ADJOURNED: The BKU Haryana chief, Mr Ghasi Ram
Nain, who was arrested by the police a few months back, was produced in the court of Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Sanjiv Kumar, here on Tuesday. The hearing in the case was adjourned for February 17, 2004. The police had arrested Mr Nain and a few other BKU activists on November 25 last year when they attacked police personnel during blockade of the National Highway near
Shahjadpur.
ANNUAL DAY: The students of Chaman Vatika celebrated their school’s annual day here on Monday. Haryana minister Subhash Goel, MP Ratan Lal Kataria and Air Cdr L.K. Malhotra were the special guests. The students enthralled the audience with a variety programme.