SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI



THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
H A R Y A N A   E D I T I O N

Khap cluster refuses to follow historic decree
Hisar, April 22
Refusing to follow the Satrol khap panchayat’s climbdown on 700-year-old social rules, one of the four tapas (clusters) under the khap, the Petwar tapa, has decided to maintain the tradition of sibling ties in the 42 villages which are part of the Satrol khap. Representatives of many villages which comprise the Petwar tapa held a meeting in Thurana village of the district, which was presided over by tapa pradhan Randhir Singh.
Brainstorming: Members of the Petwar tapa hold a meeting in Thurana village of Hisar district on Tuesday Brainstorming: Members of the Petwar tapa hold a meeting in Thurana village of Hisar district on Tuesday.
A Tribune photograph

analysis
Satrol khap decision aimed at reining in honour killings
Chandigarh, April 22
When the Satrol khap relaxed the 700-year-old diktat banning marriages within different “gotras” (clans) within the “khap” earlier this week, it was seen as a decision that would go a long way in changing the skewed sex ratio in Haryana. Termed as a pragmatic decision in tune with the changing times, the move has forced many other Khaps to look at the decision and make appropriate changes.



YOUR TOWN
Chandigarh


EARLIER STORIES



Lifting of wheat at snail’s pace in Jind
Jind, April 22
The lifting of wheat after purchase has been going on at a slow pace despite the tall claims of the Jind administration of having accelerate the process. The dismal state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that not a single wheat purchase agency in the district has achieved 50 per cent lifting even after strict directions of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

OUT IN THE OPEN: Wheat lying at a grain market in Jind. A Tribune photograph
OUT IN THE OPEN: Wheat lying at a grain market in Jind

Chaos in Sirsa grain markets sparks anger among politicians
Sirsa, April 22
Chaos and mismanagement in grain markets of the district during procurement of wheat has drawn flak from politicians. Former minister Lachhman Dass Arora’s daughter Sunita Setia today expressed concern over the reported fleecing of farmers and traders by government officials and appealed to the district authorities to bring transparency in procurement.

Fire damages wheat in Jind district
Jind, April 22
Several fire incidents due to short circuit have destroyed standing wheat crop on hundreds of acres in the district in two days. Farmers alleged that slow pace of purchase has forced them to delay wheat harvesting, resulting in loss of wheat due to increasing fire incidents.

Villagers inspect the wheat field that caught fire in Jind. A Tribune photograph
Villagers inspect the wheat field that caught fire in Jind

Slow wheat lifting leads to disorder in Fatehabad markets
Fatehabad, April 22
The poor lifting of wheat and the alleged high-handedness of procurement agencies are leading to disorder in grains markets of Fatehabad. Ketan Midha, a trader at the Fatehabad grain market, alleged that farmers and the traders were being cheated due to indifferent attitude of officials of the procurement agencies.

Bumper wheat crop expected in Ambala
Ambala, April 22
A bumper wheat crop is expected in various mandis of the district despite untimely rain in the region during the last two months. Market committee sources said around 10 lakh quintals of wheat was expected at the Ambala City grain market.

BJP demands smooth lifting
Karnal, April 22
State BJP spokesman Jagmohan Anand today visited the new grain market here and demanded smooth lifting of wheat in all grain markets of the state. He said, “Wheat bags are lying in the open and there is no space for farmers to unload their produce. Due to slow lifting, farmers and commission agents are facing problems, which should be stopped.”

Rs 12,000 wheat loan for Class IV staff
Chandigarh, April 22
The Haryana Government has decided to grant Rs 12,000 as an interest-free loan to all Class IV employees for the purchase of wheat during 2014-15. A spokesman said here today that the loan would be recovered in monthly instalments before the close of the financial year 2014-15.

Centre okays five more MDS seats for Rohtak PGIDS
Rohtak, April 22
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has granted permission for starting the MDS course in public health dentistry with three seats at the Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS) here.

Illicit felling of trees
Forest Dept yet to take action against 4 officers
Sirsa, April 22
Nine months after the Lokayukta ordered the registration of FIRs against its four officials for illicit felling of trees, the Haryana Forest Department is yet to take any action.

Synergy of formal and informal sciences emphasised
Karnal, April 22
The United State India Educational Foundation, New Delhi, and the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, have jointly organised a 21-day workshop-cum-training on ‘Role of farmers’ knowledge in climate change and adaptation’.

Staff of CSSRI and NDRI with 21 farmers from four states honoured for unique practices in agriculture in Karnal on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
Staff of CSSRI and NDRI with 21 farmers from four states honoured for unique practices in agriculture in Karnal on Tuesday

Sonepat villagers forced to have polluted water
Sonepat, April 22
Thousands of residents of Kundli village and their livestock are being forced to consume chemically contaminated water for the last many years. Despite complaints to the authorities, no remedial steps have been taken so far.

Chemically polluted water being released in the open area by an industrial unit near Kundli village in Sonepat district. Photo by writer

Chemically polluted water being released in the open area by an industrial unit near Kundli village in Sonepat district

College teachers protest in Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra, April 22
Members of the Haryana College Teachers’ Association (HCTA) today staged a dharna against the Kuruksehtra University on its campus here to press for their demands.

Members of the Haryana College Teachers’ Association protest on the Kuruksehtra University campus on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
Members of the Haryana College Teachers’ Association protest on the Kuruksehtra University campus on Tuesday

Compensation Scheme: Rape victim gets Rs 2 lakh aid
Sonepat, April 22
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Sonepat, has awarded a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to a rape victim under the Haryana Victim Compensation Scheme, 2013. Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary DLSA Harshali said Murti Devi, 64, in her complaint with the Kharkhoda police stated that she was raped by three persons in her house at Kharkhoda on May 29 last year.

Chief Secy put on notice for amending Lokayukta Act
Chandigarh, April 22
Against the backdrop of the government's reported move to go ahead with the existing Lokayukta Act, Chandigarh-based RTI activist HC Arora has shot off a legal notice to the Chief Secretary, demanding amendments to the Act to make the anti-corruption watchdog more effective.

State to send Fauji CD to CFSL for test
Chandigarh, April 22
With the Madhuban forensic laboratory expressing its inability to verify the authenticity of the CD in the graft case against Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Fauji, the Haryana Government has now sent the same to the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) for examination.

Fee hike: Parents ‘manhandle’ teachers
Karnal, April 22
Teachers and students of a private school have alleged that they were manhandled by protesting parents and members of the Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh here today. In protest against hike in school fee, parents and members of the sangh today staged a dharna outside Dayal Singh Public School.
Members of the Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh protest in Karnal on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar
Members of the Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh protest in Karnal on Tuesday

100 Faridabad schools get notice over fee hike
Faridabad, April 22
Taking cognisance of a complaint lodged by the parents’ association, the District Education Department has issued notices to nearly 100 private schools. They have been asked to explain and submit the fee structure of the past three years and percentage of hike made in the past.

Draw held for admission of BPL, EWS students
Chandigarh, April 22
The Haryana Education Department held a draw of lots today for admission of children belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families and economically weaker sections (EWS) for their admission to private schools.

Bhagana Dalits asked to move out of dharna site in Hisar
Hisar, April 22
The district administration has directed Dalit residents of Bhagana village sitting on dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office for nearly two years to clear the mini-secretariat complex.

In protest: Dalit residents of Bhagana village sitting on dharna inside the mini-secretariat complex in Hisar on Tuesday. Photo: Banshi Lal Basniwal
In protest: Dalit residents of Bhagana village sitting on dharna inside the mini-secretariat complex in Hisar on Tuesday

EVM storage at college becomes troublesome for girl students
Fatehabad, April 22
Storage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Government College for Women, Bhodia Khera has become a bane for the students. They alleged that some security personnel guarding the EVMs behaved indecently.

NIT hostel inmates protest
Kurukshetra, April 22
National Institute of Technology (NIT) students in the hostel boycotted the mess and sat on dharna today. The students pointed out that the Centre gave a subsidy to NITs for electricity bills, but the institute had put a financial burden on students by charging electricity bills with higher tariffs.

INLD cries foul over postal ballots
Chandigarh, April 22
After the BJP, the INLD today alleged irregularities in the despatch of postal ballots for personnel of the armed and paramilitary forces. RS Chaoudhary, INLD general secretary, alleged that nearly 90 per cent of the postal ballots, especially in Hisar, had been returned as they were not sent to correct addresses.

CM's father enters Limca records book
Chandigarh, April 22
The name of Ranbir Singh, father of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has been included in the Limca Book of Records for being the member of seven Houses.

Tribunal issues arrest warrants against five
Faridabad, April 22
The Senior Citizen Welfare Tribunal, Ballabgarh, has issued arrest warrants against five persons after they did not appear before it in connection with complaints lodged by their parents that their sons had illegally occupied their houses and harassing them by not vacating the premises.

Man, wife arrested for land fraud
Sonepat, April 22
The police have arrested Brijesh and his wife Geeta for fraudulently getting about four acres of land transferred in the name Geeta. The land was owned by Brijesh's mother Ram Kali and her sister Shanti after the death of his grandfather Jage Ram.

Accused found hanging in lock-up
Bhiwani, April 22
A vehicle theft accused was found hanging inside a lock-up at the Civil Lines police station today. Family members of the deceased and other villagers blocked the Ghanta Ghar chowk, accusing the police of murder and demanding the registration of a case.

Man held for murdering mother-in-law
Karnal, April 22
A man was arrested for murdering his mother-in-law (65) here yesterday. Sadar police station SHO Narinder Singh said Kailashwanti’s son-in-law Raj Kumar had allegedly murdered her to grab her plot.

Woman hangs son, commits suicide
Hisar, April 22
A 26-year-old woman allegedly hanged her four-year-old son and committed suicide in her home in Kabrel village of the district here today. Reports said Renu Bala and her son Ankit were found hanging inside their room when her husband returned from the fields at 7 am.

Man commits suicide
Ambala, April 22
A 27-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the railings of stairs here last night. Balbir Singh’s body was sent to MM Medical College for the post-mortem examination.

Rapist gets 10-yr jail
Kurukshetra, April 22
Additional Sessions Judge Poonam Suneja today sentenced Balram, a resident of Narkatari, to 10-year imprisonment for abducting and raping a minor girl on the pretext of marriage.

‘Apna tax’ scheme launched
Chandigarh, April 22
The Excise and Taxation Department has launched a scheme called "Apna tax". Excise and Taxation Minister Kiran Choudhry said here today that under this scheme, the consumers were being approached to send copies of bills or cash memos to the department.





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Khap cluster refuses to follow historic decree
To maintain social tradition of sibling ties in 42 villages
Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service

Hisar, April 22
Refusing to follow the Satrol khap panchayat’s climbdown on 700-year-old social rules, one of the four tapas (clusters) under the khap, the Petwar tapa, has decided to maintain the tradition of sibling ties in the 42 villages which are part of the Satrol khap. Representatives of many villages which comprise the Petwar tapa held a meeting in Thurana village of the district, which was presided over by tapa pradhan Randhir Singh.

Satrol khap spokesperson Phool Kumar Petwar, who is a member of the Petwar tapa, said people from Pali, Dhani Brahmnan, Gagan Kheri, Kumba, Kumbakheri, Jamni, Khanda Kheri, Petwar, Kagsar, Sulchani and Thurana attended the meeting and unanimously rejected the Satrol khap’s decision.

“The Satrol khap has not taken the right decision and we are not in agreement with it. We will continue to abide by the centuries old traditions and customs and will not allow marriage between boys and girls in the 42 villages,” he said.

“The Petwar tapa was not party to the decision of the Satrol khap as there was no representative in the committee which took this decision on Sunday,” he said. He alleged that some persons had misbehaved with Petwar tapa representatives and misled society by taking this decision.

“We convened a meeting to discuss whether or not to allow inter-tapa marriage. The agenda was hijacked by some persons, after which the Petwar tapa walked out. The Petwar tapa will not allow any matrimonial ties in any of the 42 villages of the Satrol khap,” he stated.

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analysis
Satrol khap decision aimed at reining in honour killings
Naveen S Garewal and Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
When the Satrol khap relaxed the 700-year-old diktat banning marriages within different “gotras” (clans) within the “khap” earlier this week, it was seen as a decision that would go a long way in changing the skewed sex ratio in Haryana. Termed as a pragmatic decision in tune with the changing times, the move has forced many other Khaps to look at the decision and make appropriate changes.

Unlike some other khaps that are exclusive to one gotra such as the Dahiya or Hooda khaps, which represents people of its respective gotras, the Satrol khap comprises a body representing 42 villages in Narnaund block of Hisar district. The Satrol khap comprises four clusters called “tapas”, with each tapa representing 10-11 villages. The four tapas are Ugalna, Narnaund, Bans and Petwar and comprise members of various gotras.

The Satrol khap decision has removed restrictions on marriages in families in these 42 villages but with riders. Traditionally, all those residing in these 42 villages even though they belonged to various gotras like Kharab, Lohan, Sindhu, Punia etc were considered siblings and matrimonial ties were, therefore, banned between boys and girls belonging to any of these 42 villages irrespective of their gotra.

It was customary to marry outside the 42 villages following some other rules. These included a ban on marrying a person of one’s own gotra, the gotra of one’s mother and grandmother. For example, a youth belonging to Sindhu gotra living in Khanda Kheri village under the Satrol khap could not marry a girl from Sindhu gotra, his mother’s parental gotra (which can be any other gotra like Hooda, Mann etc).

Since the skewed sex ratio has made it difficult for young men to find brides, the Satrol khap has announced withdrawing the ban on marriages between boys and girls of these 42 villages but barring marriage within the same village. At the same time the old rule of not marrying a girl of the same gotra and border-sharing villages (which is called Gohaand) also remains intact. In other words, a boy of Sindhu gotra can now marry a girl of any other gotra (except his own gotra and mother’s gotra) who lives in any of the villages except his own village and villages that share borders with his village. Practically, he is free to get married in around 39 or 40 villages of the Satrol Khap.

Another reason for this relaxation in marriage norms is to deal with the issue of “family honour” as families will no longer feel embarrassed or pressured to indulge in honour killing if a daughter gets married within the Satrol khap.

Traditionally khaps have never objected to inter-caste marriages, but it is for the first time that the Satrol khap has encouraged inter-caste marriage openly. Most panchayats within this khap have, however, made it compulsory for the bride and the groom to get prior permission of their respective families in the case of inter-caste marriages.

What made khap go for this step

  • Since the skewed sex ratio has made it difficult for young men to find brides, the Satrol khap has announced to withdraw the ban on marriages between boys and girls of these 42 villages but barring marriage within the same village.
  • This relaxation in marriage norms is to deal with the issue of “family honour” as families will no longer feel embarrassed or pressured to indulge in honour killing if a daughter gets married within the Satrol khap.

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Lifting of wheat at snail’s pace in Jind
Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jind, April 22
The lifting of wheat after purchase has been going on at a slow pace despite the tall claims of the Jind administration of having accelerate the process. The dismal state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that not a single wheat purchase agency in the district has achieved 50 per cent lifting even after strict directions of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department has purchased 1,10,350 metric tonnes of wheat in Jind, of which it has lifted only 25,730 metric tonnes, which is 23 per cent. The remaining 84,620 metric tonnes of the crop is lying in the open.

Hafed has purchased 99,884 metric tonnes, but lifted only 29,409 metric tonnes, which comes to 29.44 per cent. The lifting of the remaining 70,475 metric tonnes is still pending.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has purchased 11,772 metric tonnes, but lifted only 1,370 metric tonnes, which is just 11 per cent. The remaining stock 10,462 metric tonnes is lying in the open.

The HWC has purchased 34,392 metric tonnes, but lifted only 15,694 metric tonnes, or 45 per cent. The remaining 18,698 metric tonnes of the crop is still lying in the open.

Agro has purchased 64,684 metric tonnes, but lifted only 9,333 metric tonnes, or 14 per cent. The remaining 55,351 metric tonnes of the crop is still lying in the open.

Confed has not lifted a single bag of the 5,525 metric tonnes bought.

“If purchased wheat is not lifted, there will not be proper space for new arrivals. The purchase is slow and we are being compelled to sit here for many days,” alleges Ravinur, a farmer at the local grain market.

Between 2 and 3 per cent of the wheat has been lifted in many grain markets of the district.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department has lifted 2 per cent of wheat at the Sudkain Khurd grain market.

Hafed has not lifted a single bag at Farain Kalan and lifted merely 4 per cent stock from Mangalpur.

Jind Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajiv Rattan said he had directed officers concerned to accelerate the process of lifting after purchase.

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Chaos in Sirsa grain markets sparks anger among politicians
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, April 22
Chaos and mismanagement in grain markets of the district during procurement of wheat has drawn flak from politicians. Former minister Lachhman Dass Arora’s daughter Sunita Setia today expressed concern over the reported fleecing of farmers and traders by government officials and appealed to the district authorities to bring transparency in procurement.

“A number of grain market traders in Sirsa met me today and alleged that they had never seen such loot by officials. Some farmers from villages in the Sirsa Assembly seat said they were waiting for procurement in grain markets for three or four days, but the authorities were not paying heed to their requests for purchase,” she said.

A former Sirsa Improvement Trust chairperson, she alleged that traders were being forced to pay between Rs 7 and Rs 8 per bag for lifting and no space was left for fresh wheat in front of shops of those who refused to pay the bribe. She said she would take the matter at the appropriate level.

Jasbir Singh Jassa, progressive farmer from Sahuwala village in Sirsa, alleged that the Congress government had failed to save farmers from fleecing of unscrupulous officials. a member of the state executive of the Indian National Lok Dal.

A member of the state executive of the Indian National Lok Dal, Jassa alleged that corruption was going on unchecked even though the state government had been claiming to have taken measures for hassle-free procurement of the produce.

“Corruption in grain markets is deep rooted and systemised. Complaints to senior officers have failed to solve the problem,” he said. Surinder Minchnabadi, president of the Sirsa Grain Market Traders Association, alleged that the situation had worsened.

Last evening, Deputy Commissioner Anshaj Singh presided over a meeting of traders and officials associated with procurement and had assured improvement in conditions. He alleged that traders were to blame for corruption as they paid bribe to get their wheat purchased and lifted out of turn. He told officials of procurement agencies to follow the “first in, first out” principle in lifting of wheat.

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Fire damages wheat in Jind district
Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jind, April 22
Several fire incidents due to short circuit have destroyed standing wheat crop on hundreds of acres in the district in two days. Farmers alleged that slow pace of purchase has forced them to delay wheat harvesting, resulting in loss of wheat due to increasing fire incidents.

In the past two days, the Fire Department had received more than 12 calls. The fire destroyed standing wheat crop on more than 200 acres in the district. Due to strong winds, high voltage electricity wires came in touch with each other and generated sparks, which caused fire.

“The government must take steps to ensure timely purchase of wheat so that farmers could bring their crop to grain markets. The destroyed wheat could have been saved had the agencies procured all wheat lying in the grain markets,” said Kartar, a farmer from Ikas village.

The fire has destroyed standing wheat crop in the Ikas, Nidana, Kalwal and Safidon areas of the district. Farmers alleged that fire tenders reached late while many vehicles did not have sufficient water to douse the flames.

A senior fire official said they did not have the required number of employees and they were overburdened with frequent fire incidents in the district.

“We tried our best to control fire, but shortage of staff creates problems for us,” said Ravinder, a fireman.

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Slow wheat lifting leads to disorder in Fatehabad markets
Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, April 22
The poor lifting of wheat and the alleged high-handedness of procurement agencies are leading to disorder in grains markets of Fatehabad. Ketan Midha, a trader at the Fatehabad grain market, alleged that farmers and the traders were being cheated due to indifferent attitude of officials of the procurement agencies.

“We have to pay Rs 8 per quintal as bribe for wheat lifting, Rs 2 per quintal for procurement, besides making payments to labourers,” Midha alleged.

He alleged that authorities had been fleecing farmers by making huge deductions in the name of moisture contents.

In Tohana, the Katcha Arhtiya Association has written a letter to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda requesting him to ensure quick lifting of the procured wheat.

Association president Jagan Nath Goyal and secretary Suresh Kumar have alleged in the letter that they were being forced to pay Rs 4 per bag for wheat lifting.

A clash was averted at the Bahmanwala purchase centre in Ratia subdivision of Fatehabad today, when the police arrived on time and pacified two groups of labourers armed with lathis and sharp-edged weapons.

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Bumper wheat crop expected in Ambala

Ambala, April 22
A bumper wheat crop is expected in various mandis of the district despite untimely rain in the region during the last two months. Market committee sources said around 10 lakh quintals of wheat was expected at the Ambala City grain market.

A large quantity of wheat had been brought to the local mandi in the last three days and there was no space left. Farmers were taking their produce to the open ground at Sector 8.

Dooni Chand Dainipur, president of the Grain Market Dealers Association, demanded more sheds as the produce of farmers was generally kept in the open. Thousands of bags of wheat kept in the open was drenched a few days back.

Deputy Commissioner Saket Kumar said 1.06 lakh tonnes of wheat had been brought to the 14 mandis in Ambala district so far. — OC

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BJP demands smooth lifting

Karnal, April 22
State BJP spokesman Jagmohan Anand today visited the new grain market here and demanded smooth lifting of wheat in all grain markets of the state. He said, “Wheat bags are lying in the open and there is no space for farmers to unload their produce. Due to slow lifting, farmers and commission agents are facing problems, which should be stopped.”

He pointed out that the some truck drivers were demanding extra for lifting wheat bags from grain markets, which was an additional burden on commission agents. He demanded a probe into the matter.

Anand alleged, “The state government has failed to purchase wheat. Procurement agencies are rejecting the wheat of farmers on the grounds that there is moisture.” He demanded that the government should take steps to ensure speedy procurement and lifting. — TNS

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Rs 12,000 wheat loan for Class IV staff

Chandigarh, April 22
The Haryana Government has decided to grant Rs 12,000 as an interest-free loan to all Class IV employees for the purchase of wheat during 2014-15. A spokesman said here today that the loan would be recovered in monthly instalments before the close of the financial year 2014-15.

The wheat loan would not be sanctioned to work-charged or daily-wage employees or employees who are on deputation in corporation or local bodies. In case both husband and wife are serving the state government, the loan would be advanced only to one of them. — TNS

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Centre okays five more MDS seats for Rohtak PGIDS
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, April 22
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has granted permission for starting the MDS course in public health dentistry with three seats at the Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS) here.

The number of MDS seats in conservative dentistry and endodontics at the institute has also been increased from three to five from the 2014-15 academic session .

PGIDS Principal Sanjay Tewari said here today Government Dental College had only eight MDS seats before the inception of the Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences. After the PGIMS was upgraded to a university, the number of MDS seats was gradually increased from eight to 13, then from 13 to 19 and now from 19 to 24.

The Department of Public Health Dentistry deals with prevention and control of oral health diseases and implementation of oral healthcare programme. The incidence of oral health diseases in this area is approximately a whopping 90 per cent.

No other premier government institution in north India, including the AIIMS and MAMC (New Delhi), the PGIMER (Chandigarh) and KGMC (Lucknow) is running a PG study programme in public health dentistry.

The PGIDS, Rohtak, will be the first government institution to start the PG course in this specialty.

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Illicit felling of trees
Forest Dept yet to take action against 4 officers
Nine months ago, Lokayukta had ordered registration of FIRs
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, April 22
Nine months after the Lokayukta ordered the registration of FIRs against its four officials for illicit felling of trees, the Haryana Forest Department is yet to take any action.

In his orders issued on a complaint filed by retired forest official Ram Singh, Lokayukta Pritam Pal had recommended registration of an FIR for misappropriation and embezzlement of government funds against Forest Range Officer Mohan Lal, who allegedly “knowingly and intentionally” abused his position to obtain an undue favour of Rs 55,835 in lieu of allowing a contractor to cut 41 instead of the actual auction of eight trees in 1996-97.

The Lokayukta had also ordered the registration of an FIR against three senior officers of the Forest Department - MM Joshi, MS Sangwan and VK Jhanjhria - who remained Conservator of Forests at Hisar division on different occasions for sitting over the matter all these years.

In his complaint, Ram Singh had alleged that Mohan Lal allegedly misappropriated Rs 55,835 by allowing the contractor to cut 41 trees instead of the actual auction of eight in 1996-97.

After Ram Singh’s complaint, the Lokayukta sent notice to the respondents and the Forest Department informed in its reply that the recovery has now been affected.

The department, however, replied that there was a practice of recovering the amount rather than lodging FIRs in such cases.

In his orders, the Lokayukta observed, “In this regard, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) CR Jotriwal, in his reply had earlier stated that in such cases, the department prefers to effect recovery instead of getting the case registered. His reply was not found justified. So, he was asked to be present in person to clarify the point in issue.”

“Today, he along with his subordinate officers is present and candidly admitted that in fact in such like cases, where public servants are found to have intentionally indulged in committing theft of government trees by making interpolation in public records, cases should have been registered.”

The complainant, too, while filing his comments on the reply of PCCF Jotriwal, cited instances where FIRs were lodged by the department, including one in Sirsa.

While ordering the registration of criminal cases in the present case, the Lokayukta observed that it was well settled by the apex court that in such cases, a public servant is liable to be proceeded against in departmental action as well as criminal proceeding simultaneously.

The Lokayukta had also sought an action taken report from the department within three months under the Haryana Lokayukta Act, 2002.

When contacted, CR Jotriwal retorted that he had no time for such “faaltu” (useless) matters. When his attention was drawn as to how could the order of the Lokayukta be referred as a “faaltu” matter, Jotriwal said he was busy in a meeting.

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Synergy of formal and informal sciences emphasised
Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 22
The United State India Educational Foundation, New Delhi, and the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, have jointly organised a 21-day workshop-cum-training on ‘Role of farmers’ knowledge in climate change and adaptation’.

Organised to find a sustainable solution for the changing climate and reducing the risk of the changing social-ecological system, the workshop concluded yesterday. Dr AK Srivastava, Director, NDRI, Karnal, was the chief guest. He emphasised the synergy of formal and informal sciences.

He focused on farm innovations like variety, indigenous breed conservation, development of bio-pesticide and climate-resilient system. He said, “These are source of scientific hypothesis for future climate change.” He said such programmes, needing active policy support of the government, should be held throughout the country.

A total of 25 farmers from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan and Punjab participated in the workshop. As many as 21 of them were honoured for unique adaptive practices in agriculture. The programme was led by Dr Ranjay K Singh, Fulbright Fellow and senior scientist with the CSSRI.

DK Sharma, Director, CSSRI, pointed out that farmers’ knowledge was important in managing salty environment and for better adaptation of salt-tolerant crop varieties. He said the outcome of this programme would be sent to the Fulbright Commission, New Delhi, for policy implications.

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Sonepat villagers forced to have polluted water
BS Malik

Sonepat, April 22
Thousands of residents of Kundli village and their livestock are being forced to consume chemically contaminated water for the last many years. Despite complaints to the authorities, no remedial steps have been taken so far.

The village, located near the Kundli industrial zone by the side of GT road, touches the Delhi border. The residents often use water drawn from hand pumps for their domestic needs. But the water gets yellow in colour after a while and is considered harmful.

Villagers Devender, Hari Chand and Hari Om alleged that there were many industrial units in the area which were releasing polluted water in the open area as well as in the sub-soil water. It was injurious to the health of people and the animals, they alleged. They demanded action against the units releasing the chemically contaminated water.

When contacted, sub-divisional engineer of the pollution control board Salender Arora told The Tribune that he was not aware of the problem.

“I will inquire into it and special checking of the units using chemicals will be carried out. Action will be taken if any unit was found violating the pollution norms,” he added.

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College teachers protest in Kurukshetra
Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, April 22
Members of the Haryana College Teachers’ Association (HCTA) today staged a dharna against the Kuruksehtra University on its campus here to press for their demands.

HCTA president Narender Singh Chahar said, “The university administration was indifferent towards the issues related to academic environment, students and teachers. When the committee met Vice Chancellor DDS Sandhu in November and he agreed to our demands, but later he backtracked.”

The association has 11 demands such as inclusion of a member of the Academic Council of colleges to the Executive Council of the university, senior teachers should be a part of the selection panel of aided colleges, a review of the selection procedure of principals in aided colleges, formation of staff and department councils in each aided college, double the representation of teachers in college governing bodies, a review of the semester system and providing separate seats for college teachers in the PhD programme.

A KU spokesperson said, “The university administration is considering their demands. Some demands are under the purview of the state government and we are awaiting its reply.”

The issue of allowing affiliated college teachers to supervise PhD scholars would be discussed at a meeting on April 23, he said.

He said, “The UGC guidelines do not permit to reserve separate seats for college teachers in the PhD programme without any entrance exam.”

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Compensation Scheme: Rape victim gets Rs 2 lakh aid
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 22
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Sonepat, has awarded a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to a rape victim under the Haryana Victim Compensation Scheme, 2013. Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary DLSA Harshali said Murti Devi, 64, in her complaint with the Kharkhoda police stated that she was raped by three persons in her house at Kharkhoda on May 29 last year.

The police registered a case against three persons and the rape was confirmed in her medical examination. The accused remaineduntraced and the case was closed. However, she filed an application on November 13 to claim the compensation under the Haryana Victim Compensation Scheme, 2013.

Since the case was not recommended by the court, the application was moved by the victim.

Later, the investigation officer concerned submitted the copy of an FlR, the victim’s statement and the status report accepted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kharkhoda, to the District Legal Services Authority.

Considering the victim’s age and facts, the DLSA was of the view that her case was covered by Schedule 1 of the Haryana Victim Compensation Scheme, 2013 and awarded her a compensation of Rs 2 lakh.

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Chief Secy put on notice for amending Lokayukta Act
Amend Act on Central pattern, demands RTI activist
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
Against the backdrop of the government's reported move to go ahead with the existing Lokayukta Act, Chandigarh-based RTI activist HC Arora has shot off a legal notice to the Chief Secretary, demanding amendments to the Act to make the anti-corruption watchdog more effective.

Asserting that the existing Lokayukta Act had a number of 'unconstitutional and arbitrary provisions', the notice said. According to Section 3 of Act, the Lokayukta would be appointed on the advice of the Chief Minister in consultation with the Speaker , the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, such consultation would not be binding on the Chief Minster.

"The person picked by the Chief Minister as Lokayukta is bound to be appointed, " the notice asserted.

Similarly, Section 7 of the Act provided for removal of the Lokayukta on the basis of a resolution to be passed by a majority of the total members of the Haryana Assembly. "Such a provision for the removal of the Lokayukta is unconstitutional and arbitrary and a blow to independence of the Lokayukta," it feared.

Section 12 (3) envisages that the proceedings of every inquiry by the Lokayukta would be conducted in camera. "This provision is draconian and is in gross violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and the RTI Act," the notice argued.

Independent inquiry and prosecution wings and the protection of whistleblowers were other issues highlighted in the notice.

Arora urged the state government to effect requisite amendments to the Act on the lines of the provisions contained in Section 23 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, failing which he threatened to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The state government had constituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary with the Advocate-General and the Home Secretary as its members. The committee is reportedly of the view that the Lokayukta was already in place in Haryana and the state did not require to change the existing system.

Making anti-graft watchdog effective

  • Make Lokayukta's selection more transparent
  • Make Lokayukta's removal more difficult to protect independence
  • Make hearings public
  • Independent prosecution wing and protection of whistleblowers.

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State to send Fauji CD to CFSL for test
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
With the Madhuban forensic laboratory expressing its inability to verify the authenticity of the CD in the graft case against Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Fauji, the Haryana Government has now sent the same to the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) for examination.

Fauji had moved the high court following Haryana Lokayukta’s orders to register a criminal case against him for allegedly demanding cash for securing a change-of-land use certificate for a plot in Gurgaon.

In his petition, Fauji had stated that the authenticity of the clipping should be verified to ensure it was not morphed. He had also said it was essential to compare the CD with the microchip in the recording instrument to prove that the disc was not tampered with.

Following this, the court had asked the state government to have the clipping verified. It was sent to forensic sciences lab in Madhuban, Karnal. However, the lab is learnt to have expressed its inability to verify the contents citing non-availability.

Government sources said after the response of Madhuban laboratory, the state decided to send the CD to CFSL for which a reference had already been sent by the Department of Home, Haryana, to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A reply is awaited.

The court’s order to have the CD authenticated and investigated before registering an FIR came as a relief for Fauji since the Lokayukta had recommended to the government to first register an FIR and then proceed with the investigations.

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Fee hike: Parents ‘manhandle’ teachers
Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 22
Teachers and students of a private school have alleged that they were manhandled by protesting parents and members of the Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh here today. In protest against hike in school fee, parents and members of the sangh today staged a dharna outside Dayal Singh Public School.

However, teachers, students and auto-rickshaw drivers alleged that the protesters manhandled them.

Refuting the allegations, Dinesh Narula, president of the sangh, said they took out a peaceful protest and no such incident happened.

He said the school managements were not implementing the April 15 orders of the DEEO.

He said for the past few days, they had been protesting against the fee hike.

School principal Neena Rai alleged that the protesters stopped and manhandled teachers and students outside the school gate.

School vice-president Venod Bhama alleged that an angry group of parents manhandled him and a lady teacher and they had to call the police.

Chirag, a student of Class VIII, said he was forcibly stopped at gate and his school bag was torn. Gulab Singh, an auto driver, alleged that protesters forcibly pulled out children from his auto-rickshaw.

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100 Faridabad schools get notice over fee hike
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, April 22
Taking cognisance of a complaint lodged by the parents’ association, the District Education Department has issued notices to nearly 100 private schools. They have been asked to explain and submit the fee structure of the past three years and percentage of hike made in the past.

Sources said in a letter to the schools affiliated to the CBSE and the Haryana Education Board, District Education Officer has asked the schools to submit the details of the fee hike and the fee structure adopted by them during the past three years.

Private schools in the district had hiked fee and other charges by 20 per cent this year. Kailash Sharma, a spokesperson of the association, said a majority of private schools had hiked the fee and other charges arbitrarily.

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Draw held for admission of BPL, EWS students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
The Haryana Education Department held a draw of lots today for admission of children belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families and economically weaker sections (EWS) for their admission to private schools.

In all, applications of 8,675 children were considered for draw of lots.

Director-General of Secondary Education Department Chander Shekhar said there were 8,998 seats in class-I in different schools. For these, only 4,942 applications were received. For 8,947 seats of Class-II 3,733 applications were received.

The students will have to take admission by April 30. The children whom schools have not been allotted, a separate draw of lots would be held. The decision regarding vacant seats, if any, would be taken later on. The children were given option for 25 private schools for admission, he added.

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Bhagana Dalits asked to move out of dharna site in Hisar
Tribune News Service

Hisar, April 22
The district administration has directed Dalit residents of Bhagana village sitting on dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office for nearly two years to clear the mini-secretariat complex.

JK Abhir, SDM, served the notice on those sitting on dharna to move out of the place within 24 hours otherwise the police would evict them. A similar notice was served on them on April 17.

The SDM stated that the agitators could resume their dharna at a designated site near the mini-secretariat along Rajgarh road . “As their presence inside the mini-secretariat complex has been causing inconvenience to the general public, they would not be allowed at this place any longer”, the SDM said.

Dalits of Bhagana had shifted to the mini-secretariat in May,2012, after tension between them and Jats following a dispute over common land in the village.

The district administration with the help of some Congress leaders resolved the dispute and persuaded the Dalits to return to their houses in July last year. However, a group headed by Virender Kumar stayed back and insisted on continuing the dharna, arguing that their demands remained unsolved.

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EVM storage at college becomes troublesome for girl students
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, April 22
Storage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Government College for Women, Bhodia Khera has become a bane for the students. They alleged that some security personnel guarding the EVMs behaved indecently.

Zindagi, a social organisation, took pictures of some policemen, after some girls approached the NGO's convener Hardeep Singh.

Singh confirmed that the policemen were clicked behaving indecently. He alleged that empty bottles of liquor were found strewn on the college campus.

Dr RK Sharma, principal of the college, maintained that he had opposed the move of storing EVMs at the college, as it was bound to vitiate the academic atmosphere of the college. He said he had taken up the matter with the Returning Officer as well as the district administration of Sirsa before the polls.

SP Shiv Charan Attri said he had not received any complaint in this regard. He would take action if the allegations were found true, he added.

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NIT hostel inmates protest

Kurukshetra, April 22
National Institute of Technology (NIT) students in the hostel boycotted the mess and sat on dharna today. The students pointed out that the Centre gave a subsidy to NITs for electricity bills, but the institute had put a financial burden on students by charging electricity bills with higher tariffs.

They alleged that inmates were being charged for salaries of mess employees. SDM Rajesh Kumar, DSP Nirmal Singh and NIT officials pacified the agitating students, following which the students relented. — TNS

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INLD cries foul over postal ballots
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
After the BJP, the INLD today alleged irregularities in the despatch of postal ballots for personnel of the armed and paramilitary forces. RS Chaoudhary, INLD general secretary, alleged that nearly 90 per cent of the postal ballots, especially in Hisar, had been returned as they were not sent to correct addresses.

Demanding that postal ballots be sent to correct addresses, he asserted that Haryana soldiers would be denied their right to franchise if the Election Commission did not act in time.

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CM's father enters Limca records book
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
The name of Ranbir Singh, father of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has been included in the Limca Book of Records for being the member of seven Houses.

He had served seven legislative Houses--- the First Constituent Assembly of India, Constituent Legislative Assembly, Provisional Parliament, (Combined) Punjab State Assembly, Haryana State Assembly, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

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Tribunal issues arrest warrants against five
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, April 22
The Senior Citizen Welfare Tribunal, Ballabgarh, has issued arrest warrants against five persons after they did not appear before it in connection with complaints lodged by their parents that their sons had illegally occupied their houses and harassing them by not vacating the premises.

The tribunal took up 14 complaints yesterday. "It issued arrest warrants in three cases in which the accused failed to depose in court," said Vinod Mittal, a member of the tribunal.

He said Kripal Singh, Vijay Pal and Satpal, sons of Kiran Singh of Chandwali village in the district, did not appear on the two dates given earlier and the jury passed the order on arrest warrants.

He said the tribunal issued a similar order against Satyajit of Delhi and Satish Kumar of Friends Colony for not appearing before the tribunal. The orders came after complaints by BK Paul and Shanti Devi. The accused in two cases were directed to vacate the accommodation owned by senior citizens.

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Man, wife arrested for land fraud
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, April 22
The police have arrested Brijesh and his wife Geeta for fraudulently getting about four acres of land transferred in the name Geeta. The land was owned by Brijesh's mother Ram Kali and her sister Shanti after the death of his grandfather Jage Ram.

Geeta has been sent in judicial custody at Central Jail, Rohtak, and Brijesh has been taken in police custody for further investigation into the case.

Ram Kali had lodged a complaint about two years ago that her husband, who was staying with his grandson and the latter's wife at Sersa village, owned four acres of land which was to be transferred in the name of Ram Kali and Shanti.

However, Brijesh fraudulently got the land transferred in the name of his wife Geeta through the court decree without any knowledge of both the sisters.

Investigating officer, sub-inspector Hari Prakash of Kundli police station said it was established that the accused had used forged signatures of the sisters on the papers submitted in the court. Both of them were unaware about the proceedings in the court in the case.

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Accused found hanging in lock-up
Protesters block road, seek registration of murder case against cops
Tribune News Service

Bhiwani, April 22
A vehicle theft accused was found hanging inside a lock-up at the Civil Lines police station today. Family members of the deceased and other villagers blocked the Ghanta Ghar chowk, accusing the police of murder and demanding the registration of a case.

Suresh Kumar and his accomplice Pradeep, hailing from Shankar Dhani village near Bhiwani, were arrested yesterday in connection with cases of theft and vehicle theft. They were put up in the lock-up last night. Suresh was found hanging inside the cell this morning.

DSP Amit Kumar said the police were scheduled to produce the two accused in court today. He said they were suspected to be part an inter-city gang involved in several cases of vehicle theft. He said a judicial probe was ordered into the incident and further action would be taken on the basis of the report.

Suresh's brother Sonu alleged that his brother was not involved in any case of theft and the police were trying to implicate him. He demanded that a case of murder should be registered against the police officials who were responsible for his death.

Family members of the deceased and other villagers blocked the road for around seven hours to press for their demand. Deputy Commissioner AK Meena and Superintendent of Police Satyender Kumar held talks with the agitators. They assured the protesters of appropriate action, following which the blockade was lifted.

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Man held for murdering mother-in-law

Karnal, April 22
A man was arrested for murdering his mother-in-law (65) here yesterday. Sadar police station SHO Narinder Singh said Kailashwanti’s son-in-law Raj Kumar had allegedly murdered her to grab her plot.

The SHO said the accused, a security guard at an ATM, had stolen her gold rings and earrings to misguide the police that the murder was committed with the intension of loot.

The police have recovered stolen ornaments from his possession. — TNS

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Woman hangs son, commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Hisar, April 22
A 26-year-old woman allegedly hanged her four-year-old son and committed suicide in her home in Kabrel village of the district here today. Reports said Renu Bala and her son Ankit were found hanging inside their room when her husband returned from the fields at 7 am.

The father of the victim Ram Prakash alleged that Renu’s husband and in-laws were harassing her for dowry, which forced her to take the extreme step.

A case of dowry death has been registered against five persons, including Renu’s husband Bhup Singh.

Sources said there were some monetary disputes in the family which could be the reason behind the incident.

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Man commits suicide

Ambala, April 22
A 27-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the railings of stairs here last night. Balbir Singh’s body was sent to MM Medical College for the post-mortem examination.

The police said he was unemployed and had been facing financial crises and his family came to know about the incident this morning. Dr OP Aggarwal, HOD, Forensic Department of the college, said strangulation could be the cause of death. — OC

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Rapist gets 10-yr jail
Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, April 22
Additional Sessions Judge Poonam Suneja today sentenced Balram, a resident of Narkatari, to 10-year imprisonment for abducting and raping a minor girl on the pretext of marriage.

After a complaint was lodged on May 21 last year that Balram had abducted a minor on the pretext of marriage, he was arrested and produced in court.

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‘Apna tax’ scheme launched
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22
The Excise and Taxation Department has launched a scheme called "Apna tax". Excise and Taxation Minister Kiran Choudhry said here today that under this scheme, the consumers were being approached to send copies of bills or cash memos to the department.

She said the consumer was being approached to send a copy of the cash memo or bill through a mobile application.

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