H A R Y A N A E D I T I O N
Row over management of gurdwaras in state
Now, SGPC's warring tone writ large on banners
Panchkula, June 24
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stepped up its campaign against formation of a separate body for Sikh shrines in Haryana, by displaying hoardings and banners at various places against the state government.
A hoarding displayed at Nada Sahib Gurdwara in Panchkula. Tribune Photo: Nitin Mittal
Workers fan out to garner support for Amritsar meet
Sirsa, July 24
SAD and SGPC leaders from Punjab and Delhi have launched a campaign in Sikh-dominated villages of Sirsa and Fatehabad to mobilise support for the July 27 World Sikh Conference in Amritsar.
Akal Takht urged to halt SAD morcha
Ambala, July 24
The newly constituted HSGMC ad hoc panel has appealed to the Akal Takht to issue a diktat against the proposed morcha to be launched by the SAD in Haryana against the gurdwara body.
Support pours in from Pakistan gurdwara panel
AAP won't fight Assembly poll in state
SAD willing to give more space to Haryana Sikhs
Demolition squad attacked in F'dabad
Gurjar announces NH from Bhiwani
Eye on poll, govt introduces reservation in promotions
BJP in no hurry to open up on alliance with HJC
Rainfall deficit pegged at 64%, drought scare looms
SGPC staff fear forcible possession of shrines
CM to lead all-party delegation to PM
Resolutions on price rise, rail fare hike likely
Nihangs' presence being projected in wrong light, say SGPC members
Jind, July 24
Members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), camping at major gurdwaras in Haryana, have discounted rumours of stocking weapons in the shrines. Intelligence sources corroborate their point of view.
Modi to discuss SYL, HSGMC with MPs today
Chandigarh, July 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has scheduled an emergency meeting tomorrow morning with the seven-newly elected state BJP MPs to discuss the contentious Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) and the fallout of the formation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC).
Centre duty-bound to protect state: Phoolka
Noted Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka has said that there is no threat of dismissal from the Union Government to the Haryana Government for not abiding by the Union's directive under Article 355 of the Constitution.
HSGMC keeping close eye on SAD convention
Karnal, July 24
After the formation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), now all eyes are set on two major Sikh conventions to be held in Amritsar and Karnal on July 27 and 28 respectively.
Eye on poll, Rail Minister to woo Panipat farmers
Panipat, July 24
With the Assembly elections round the corner, BJP is leaving no stone unturned to repeat its performance in the recently concluded parliamentary polls. As a part of its attempt to woo Haryana electors, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh would camp in Panipat for two days on Friday and Saturday to attract farmers, who are usually considered as Congress or Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) voters.
Asst Town Planners' recruitment
High Court puts Haryana on notice
The process of recruiting 15 Assistant Town Planners has come under the judicial scanner. The Punjab and Haryana High Court today put the State of Haryana on notice on a petition for quashing the June 13 advertisement issued by the Haryana Public Service Commission for carrying out recruitment for the Town and Country Planning Department.
HC stays screening of 'Grand Masti' again
Grand Masti is off the big screens, once again. Acting on a petition, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed its display. This is the second time the movie has come under the High Court scanner since its release in September last year.
Sainik School celebrates Founder's Day
Sainik School, Kunjpura, celebrated its 54th Founder's Day today with Vice Admiral SPS Cheema as the chief guest. He exhorted students to work with dedication and commitment to achieve greater heights in life and do the country proud. He emphasised that hard work held the key to success.
All well with HJC-BJP alliance: Bishnoi
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) ex-spokesman Karmbir Saini today joined the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) here in the presence of party supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi.
HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi with Karmbir Saini (left) who joined the party in Jind on Thursday. Tribune photo
BJP on lookout for winning candidates from rural seats
The Haryana BJP is in search of "winnable" candidates with the Assembly elections less than three months away. Sources said that leaders from various political parties — not certain of getting the ticket in their outfits or unsure of a win — are queuing up for the BJP ticket, hoping that the Modi wave that brought the party to power at the Centre will work in the Assembly elections as well.
Four eye post of Chief Secretary
With Chief Secretary SC Chaudhary set to take over as the Chief Commissioner of the newly-formed Right to Service Commission (RTSC), lobbying has started for the new Chief Secretary with four officers in the race for the top post.
Power Engineers miffed at delay in approval of demands
Yamunanagar, July 24
The engineers of Haryana Power Utilities, Yamunanagar zone, staged a demonstration in front of the circle office (operations), today. The demonstration was held under the chairmanship of HP Sharma, superintending engineer, Yamunanagar, after the engineers failed to get any assurance from the government on their long pending demands.
Residents block traffic in Sirsa
Residents of Shanti Nagar blocked vehicular traffic on Begu road here todayin protest against drinking water scarcity and a poor sewer system. Angry residents squatted on the road, leading to a traffic jams on both sides of the road. "We have been facing acute water scarcity this summer. We have not received a drop of water in our taps since yesterday," alleged angry protesters.
Residents argue with PHE Department officials at Begu road in Sirsa on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO
Rail traffic halted for 2 hrs in Sonepat
Sonepat, July 24
The rail traffic on the Delhi-Ambala section of the Northern Railways was disrupted for around two hours following a technical snag in the track near Sandal Kalan railway station in this district today. As a result, three Delhi-bound trains were delayed. The passengers from the city from were forced to avail the services of buses and taxi operators to reach offices in Delhi. The Mahila Special train from Panipat to Delhi scheduled to arrive in Sonepat around 7.30 am reached around 9.20 am. "There was a technical snag in the track and rail traffic was suspended from 7.14 am to 9.04 am," said inspector Jagdev Singh Malik, SHO, RPF station, Sonepat. OC
Husband, three others booked for dowry death
The Baldev Nagar police have registered a dowry death case against four persons including Pradeep Kumar whose wife was found dead under mysterious circumstances at their residence in the Police Lines area at Ambala City last night. Raj Kumar, the father of the deceased, in a complaint to the police alleged that the husband and in-laws of Monika used to harass her for bringing insufficient dowry. According to information Monika was found hanging from a ceiling fan. The police took the body to the Civil Hospital for postmortem. On the basis of the allegation of Monika's parents the police have booked the mother and two sisters of Pradeep under Sections 304-B and 498-A of the IPC. OC
Man gets life term for murder
Inderjit Mehta, District and Sessions Judge, today sentenced Shyam Dass of Birha village in Samastipur district of Bihar to life imprisonment in the murder of a 12-year-old boy of the same village in 2012. The court imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 with the direction that out of this amount, Rs 70,000 be paid to victim's family. Mohammad Ilahi, father of the deceased, in a complaint to the police said that he along with his family and Shyam Dass were living in Malvia Nagar. There was some altercation between him and Shyam Dass in the morning and by evening his son, Nasrudin, went missing, he added. He said his son's body with head injuries was found in bushes the next day. — OC
JE dies in Yamunanagar
Ravi Kumar,a junior engineer, died in mysterious circumstances at his house in Yamunanagar's Ramnagar area last night. His brother Jarnail Singh, told the police his brother, a junior engineer under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan at Ambala, was a habitual drinker. He said his brother died after he fell down under the influence of liquor. The police handed over the victim's body to his kin after a post-mortem examination today. — OC
Bipin Bhardwaj
Close on the heels of camping of a large number of SGPC members from eight districts of Punjab at the historic Sikh shrine — Nada Sahib — the SGPC has now resorted to a "war of banners" by displaying hoardings in the gurdwara premises, along roads leading to the gurdwara and certain roundabouts in the city.
Sucha Singh Langah, a member of the SGPC core committee, who has been holding command at the Nada Sahib gurdwara for the past week, alleged, "Bhupinder Singh Hooda is playing into the hands of the Gandhi family and trying to divide the Sikh community." He apprehended that certain agencies that attacked the Golden Temple in 1984 have again raised their heads.
When asked if presence of such a large number of SGPC members in the gurdwara and display of hoarding against the government could lead to law and order problem, Langah claimed, "The Hooda-led Congress government has forced us to take the step. Religion tops a Sikhs' priority over political parties."
"As per the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, Haryana Sikh shrines are under the control of the SGPC," he claimed. "We are trying to maintain peace, but the Haryana government is instigating us to retaliate," he claimed.
On the other hand, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, ad hoc member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) claimed SGPC has created a law and order situation with the 'deployment of taskforce' in different gurdwaras across Haryana. A minor mistake from either side could prove to be a spark that would snowball into a major controversy, apprehends Jhinda. He said Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal should be magnanimous. Instead of letting the SGPC fortifying the Sikh shrines, Badal should have taken up the issue in court, Jhinda claimed.
He alleged, "We want peace and harmony in Haryana and will fight for our right by following non-violence. The SGPC is forcibly trying to keep the gurdwaras under its control. Badal has always opted divide and rule policy for his vested interests."
Nada Sahib turns into a fortess
SGPC member Sucha Singh Langah talks to the media at Nada Sahib in Panchkula on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Nitin Mittal
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Commitee (SGPC) members from Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ropar, Mohali and Chandigarh have been camping at Nada Sahib for the past week. Besides, 30 members of the SGPC, 15 Akali MLAs (sitting and former) and nihangs have been deployed at the gurdwara. It has also been learnt that an SGPC member has been asked to come along with 20 persons (sangat), while the MLAs and MPs have been asked to get 45 persons each.
'Govt, the instigator'
The Hooda-led Congress government has forced us to take the step (of putting up banners). We are trying to maintain peace, but the Haryana Government is instigating us to retaliate. — Sucha Singh Langah,	member, sgpc core committee
SAD MLA from Delhi and general secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder visited Kalanwali today while Babi Inderjit Kaur, a former minister, visited Jakhal, Talwara, Talwari, Kudni and some other Sikh-dominated villages of Fatehabad to garner support for the July 27 rally being organised against Haryana Government's move to constitute the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC).
Addressing mediapersons in Kalanwali, Sirsa alleged that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had constituted the HSGMC to please Sonia Gandhi.
He said Hooda wanted to prove to Sonia Gandhi that he had divided Sikhs what Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi could not do despite their best efforts.
The SAD MLA said that Sikhs would not allow the Haryana Government to dilute the SGPC authority and they were ready to make any sacrifice on this issue.
Bhunder said the Hooda Government would not be able to succeed in its designs this time too.
Addressing a meeting of Sikhs in Gurdwara Shri Granth Sahib at Ratia today, Bharpoor Singh Khalsa, a member of the SGPC alleged that Hooda was trying to use Sikhs for his narrow political gains.
He maintained that the Sikhs, wherever they were settled, obeyed the commands of the Akal Takht and this time too, no true Sikh would work towards division of the community.
Babi Inderjit Kaur also condemned the Haryana government's action and exhorted Sikhs to attend the World Sikh Conference in large numbers.
Manish Sirhindi
Speaking to The Tribune, adhoc panel senior member Harpal Singh Pali said SAD was trying to pit the Punjab Sikhs against their Haryana counterparts by launching the morcha. Stating this was against Sikh tradition, Pali said the Akal Takht should issue a 'hukumnama' as launching the morcha could vitiate the atmosphere in both Punjab and Haryana.
Pali said Sikh intelligentsia and supporters from across the globe and had extended its support to the newly constituted adhoc panel that would be looking after the affairs of the gurdwaras till a formally elected body was put in place.
Parvesh Sharma
"We are here to protect the gurdwara from the police and Congress agents (HSGMC members) and not to create any law and order problem. Why would we bring any weapon?" said a SAD activist standing near the main gate of a local gurdwara.
Others standing with him hit out at the Haryana Government for representing their presence in a different light. The state government had been wrongly projecting religious symbols of nihangs (baptised Sikhs) as weapons, they said, adding that officers were unaware that the baptized Sikhs always carried swords with them as per the religious tradition.
"Guru di fauj always carry weapons with it, but some officers and leaders of Haryana are projecting the presence of nihangs in Chhati Patshahi Gurdwara in Kurukshetra as a weapon-stocking exercise," another SAD leader said, requesting anonymity.
During a visit to the local gurdwara today, no one was seen with weapons. Some outsiders sitting on the gurdwara premises were discussing paddy transplantation and shortage of power in Punjab. They refused to get clicked, as they claimed that they did not want to create any problem for the gurdwara management.
Intelligence officers confirmed that they had not seen weapons being stocked. Jind Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Dhawan was not available for comment.
An SGPC member from Sangrur district of Punjab, Malkiat Singh Changal, who along with the SAD and SGPC members has been camping at a gurdwara in Cheeka, said they had not locked the gurdwara and anyone could check whether or not weapons were stocked. "A wrong perception of the SGPC and SAD members has been created to tarnish their image," he added.
Naveen S Garewal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has scheduled an emergency meeting tomorrow morning with the seven-newly elected state BJP MPs to discuss the contentious Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) and the fallout of the formation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). The prime minister will meet the MPs at 9 am and decide the course the Centre would take after taking their opinion.
Highly placed sources said the prime minister was under tremendous pressure from BJP's alliance partner in Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), to intervene in the Hooda Government legislation that splits the control and management of Haryana gurdwaras from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) that is controlled by SAD. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal met Modi in Delhi last week and sought his intervention.
Modi is expected to take up the SYL and HSGMC issues with the MPs to assess the impact of these on the forthcoming state elections. In the just-concluded monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha, which incidentally was also the last session of the current House, the Congress brought in a resolution asking the Centre to complete the SYL canal so Haryana could get water for irrigation.
All Opposition parties, including the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the BJP, agreed to take a delegation to the prime minister under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on this issue.
Also fulfilling the promise made by the Congress in its 2005 and 2009 manifestos to the Sikhs of Haryana, the Vidhan Sabha passed The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Bill, 2014, that was later assented to by the Haryana Governor. As a result the control of state gurdwaras has been taken away from the SGPC, inviting sharp criticism and protests from the SGPC and the SAD.
The prime minister would discuss the two issues and respond to Punjab's demand accordingly. BJP president Amit Shah, who has been asked to monitor the campaign in Haryana and three other states, could also be present at the meeting. Senior Haryana leaders met Shah in Delhi last week and briefed him of the prevailing situation in Haryana.
It is also possible the some of these MPs may prevail upon the prime minister to reconsider the party's decision of not allotting ticket to relatives of MPs. Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit is keen to get a ticket for his daughter Aarti, Faridabad MP is keen for a ticket for his son Devinder, while Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria wants a BJP ticket for his wife Banto. Bhiwani-Mahendragarh MP Dharamvir is keen to get a ticket for his brother Lala while Ramesh Kaushik wants a ticket for his brother from Ghanaur.
The prime minister will also discuss the holding of a 'Vijay Rally' in Haryana after Parliament session. The MPs have suggested Karnal or Jind as the venue. Modi may also indicate a tentative date for the rally in Friday's meeting.
'Tremendous' pressure from ally SAD
The prime minister, it is learnt, is under tremendous pressure from SAD, the BJP's alliance partner in Punjab, to intervene in the HSGMC row
Modi is expected to take up the SYL and HSGMC issues with the MPs to assess the impact of these on the forthcoming state elections
The PM would discuss the two issues and respond to Punjab's demand accordingly
BJP president Amit Shah, who has been asked to monitor the campaign in Haryana and three other states, could also be present at the meeting
Noted Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka has said that there is no threat of dismissal from the Union Government to the Haryana Government for not abiding by the Union's directive under Article 355 of the Constitution. In a statement he said, "It is the duty of the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances and to ensure that state government follows the Constitution."
Phoolka said this Article could also mean that the Centre Government was bound to oppose and check the disturbances being created by the Punjab Government in Haryana, as the same being an act of aggression. There have been many instances in the past where an Act passed by state is against a Central Act or against the Constitution.
In such cases the Supreme Court decided the issue. One of the known cases of this nature is the matter of migrants of Assam. The Central Government can give the direction to the state under Article 256. The Supreme Court has held that in every case where the directions of the Central Government are not followed by the state does not make out a case for dismissal of the state government and warrant action against the state government. It is only in a case of very serious nature where Article 356 needs to be invoked.
Akali Dal has been protesting against the misuse of Article 356 and dissolving the state government. Akali Dal has been demanding total implementation the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission. According to Sarkaria Commisssion, Article 356 should be used "rarely and in extreme cases, as a last resort when all alternative correctives have failed". It is most surprising that the Akali Dal has all of a sudden changed its decades old stand.
The issue of HSGMC is purely related to the interpretation of law. Thus, the act of the BJP Government at Centre, threatening to invoke Article 356 is illegal and in violation of the principles laid down by the Supreme Court.
Parveen Arora
The convention to be held at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, will be organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) against the formation of the HSGMC. The other convention to be held at Dera Kar Sewa, Karnal, will be organised by the HSGMC to garner support for the newly formed committee.
Didar Singh Nalvi, a member of the newly formed HSGMC, told The Tribune: "The Karnal convention will discuss the outcome of the Amritsar convention and chalk out a strategy." To make arrangements for the convention, a meeting of the members would be held here on Friday, he said.
"Sikhs of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand will participate in the convention to extend support to a separate gurdwara committee for the state." The convention would discuss the deployment of task force in gurdwaras of Haryana and seek feedback of the community, Nalwi said.
He claimed that the 11-member executive body of the HSGMC would be framed by July 28.
As per Radha Mohan Singh's itinerary, he would address a meeting of five district BJP units at Karhans village in Panipat on Friday, said BJP district president Gajendra Saluja.
The meeting would be held on Friday afternoon, where presidents and general secretaries of five districts: Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Jind and Jhajjar, would participate.
According to sources, Radha Mohan Singh would inform BJP leaders about various agricultural policies of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, which were being implemented and which would be implemented in the near future.
The BJP leaders would be provided this information to spread awareness among the electors especially farmers in their respective areas.
After attending the BJP meeting, the Agriculture Minister would stay at the PWD Rest House on Friday evening to attend a Kisan Mazdoor Sammelan of BJP at Nangal Kheri village on Saturday morning.
State President of Bhartiya Kisan Morcha (BKM), Mahipal Dhanda, told The Tribune that Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, National BKM President Om Prakash Dhankhad, BJP state Co-In Charge Anil Jain and BJP state Chief Ram Bilas Sharma would address the gathering.
Taking up the petition filed by Pardeep Kumar against the state and other respondents, the Division Bench of Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu fixed September 16 as the next date of hearing.
Referring to the second-essential qualifications required for recruitment, counsel Akshay Jindal said the applicant was required to hold the degree which made him eligible for associate membership of the Institute of Town Planners, India.
Jindal said the petitioners held a postgraduate degree in Urban and Rural Planning from Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal. The varsity was established by the Act of State Legislature and approved by the University Grants Commission. But it was not recognized by the Institute of Town Planners. As a result, they were not eligible for the Associate membership of Institute of Town Planners.
Jindal said the institute itself was "not established by any Act of State or the Parliament of India and was a private company having no recognition from the All India Council for Technical Education or the University Grants Commission and as such, recognition from ITPI carried no value in the eyes of law".
He said recognition by the institute could at the most be termed a desirable qualification, but not essential. "Separate marks could have been set aside for recognition from the Institute of Town Planners India, but the petitioners cannot be discarded only for not being eligible or associate membership of the institute," he said.
What counsel says
The petitioners hold a postgraduate degree in Urban and Rural Planning from Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal
The varsity was established by the Act of State Legislature and approved by the University Grants Commission. But it was not recognised by the Institute of Town Planners
As a result, they are not eligible for the Associate membership of Institute of Town Planners
The stay orders by Justice Rajan Gupta came on a petition filed by Vikesh Sharma and another petitioner against the State of Haryana and another respondent. The petitioners were seeking directions for quashing FIR number 524 dated September 17, 2013, registered under Sections 7 of Cinematograph Act, 1952, at Police Station (Central) in Faridabad. The FIR was registered against them for running the show of the movie "Grand Masti" at City Mall in Faridabad.
The counsel for the petitioners, on the other hand, argued that offence under Section 7 of Cinematograph Act was not made out, as movie has been cleared by the Censor Board.
Notice of motion issued by Justice Gupta on the petition was accepted by Haryana Deputy Advocate-General on the asking of the Court. After he sought additional time to seek instructions and address arguments, Justice Gupta fixed July 31 as the next date of hearing. "However, display of movie Grand Masti shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing," Justice Gupta directed.
A day before its scheduled release on September 13, 2013, a division bench of the High Court had paved way for the movie's screening by vacating the stay. The order by the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul was passed on an appeal filed by movie director Ashok Thakeria.
He had moved the High Court against the stay ordered by a single bench. In his appeal, Thakeria had argued that the single bench stayed the release without hearing the Central Board of Film Certification and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's arguments, which had issued certificate for its release.
Thakeria further argued rights of the movie had already been sold to national and international distributors. Thakeria also alleged that the petition against the movie's screening was filed to get cheap publicity.
Why FIR was lodged
The FIR was lodged on the allegations that the movie was adult and a company instead of restricting its display gave its tickets to all the employees. They, in turn, went to watch the movie with their kids. "This had an adverse effect on their minds, as it contained objectionable content."
Vice Admiral SPS Cheema (centre) presents the NDA trophy to cadets of Panipat House during the 54th Founder's Day celebrations of Sainik School at Kunjpura in Karnal district on Thursday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar
The Vice Admiral, a Sainik School alumnus, described the institution as a nursery for preparing future military leaders. He has had the rare distinction of commanding five frontline Indian naval ships, including aircraft carrier INS Virat.
Before taking over his current appointment of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, at Cochin, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command that looks after the country's nuclear assets.
Lauding the school's achievements, he said it had been awarded the Raksha Mantri Trophy seven times for sending the maximum number of boys to the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He asked students to carry forward the school's rich legacy and live up to its motto "Ready to Accomplish, emulate the ex-Kunjeans and become law abiding, dutiful and responsible citizens".
Principal Group Captain LN Sharma presented the school's annual report. He said the school was doing extremely well in fulfilling the objective of sending boys to the NDA. "The school grooms boys to help them become responsible citizens of the nation," he said.
The chief guest paid floral tribute at Veer Smarak and gave away prizes to students and houses that excelled in different fields. He also handed over certificates of appointment to cadets holding school and house appointments.
To meet BJP chief Amit Shah on July 28 ; state Cong ex-spokesman Saini joins HJC
Saini, who quit the Congress on Wednesday, accused senior state Congress leaders of corruption and nepotism. "I have joined the HJC as workers and honest leaders have no say in the Congress. I will work hard to strengthen the HJC," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishnoi denied reports of a rift in the BJP-HJC alliance. He said he had met senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari, but no one told him about a problem in the alliance.
"There is no problem in the BJP-HJC alliance. We are following alliance principles as per our commitment of 2011. Some leaders are spreading rumors without reason," said Bishnoi. "I will meet BJP chief Amit Shah on July 28 and clarify my agenda to him. We are taking all steps to win the election. State voters want a change and the HJC-BJP alliance is their best bet," said Bishnoi.
About the HJC planning for the forthcoming election, the party chief said they had held rallies in 52 Assembly constituencies and will reach out to the remaining in the coming days. The HJC had planned a rally in Safidon on July 22, but after Saini joining the party, the party has moved it to August 9.
Saini is known to be keen to contest from Safidon Assembly constituency and that appears to be the main reason for his leaving the Congress where many other senior party leaders are in the race. He, however, maintained he had joined the HJC only to serve voters and the ticket was not a pre-condition.
Sources said Saini was expected to get the HJC ticket from Safidon and the announcement would be made in the August 9 rally.
Geetanjali Gayatri
Sources said the party had decided not to ignore loyalists and those wanting to join the party must do so unconditionally. "Basically, the movement from other parties is slow on the take-off because the new entrants want an assurance of the party ticket from the seat of their interest. We are not encouraging that especially since party loyalists cannot be ignored to please the new entrants," a senior leader said.
Also, since the BJP has an urban base, the party leadership is essentially interested in candidates for rural seats of Haryana where its presence is not as pronounced. Having fought previous elections in alliance with the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) and the INLD, it usually fielded candidates from urban constituencies according to the seat-sharing formula.
The BJP's alliance with the HJC is on a weak wicket and party insiders maintain that it is only a matter of time before it breaks, necessitating a search for "winnable" candidates from rural seats.
"Each leader had a bunch of applications from every seat. While all are welcome to join the party, the ticket will only be given on the basis of winnability. The party does not want to break its alliance with the HJC but our partner is acting difficult. In view of the HJC's performance in the recent parliamentary elections, its leadership should agree to the diluted terms and conditions. However, they seem unprepared for that and the repeated statements by its party chief indicate that the HJC, too, is ready to go it alone," party sources said.
Since the party is seen as a non-Jat option, the state and central leadership is keen to strike a balance between castes with an image makeover. This is why there is growing talk of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Birender Singh being inducted into the BJP.
Poll preparation
Since the BJP has an urban base, the leadership is essentially interested in candidates for rural seats where its presence is not as pronounced
Having fought previous elections in alliance with the HVP and the INLD, it usually fielded candidates from urban constituencies according to the seat-sharing formula
With the BJP-HJC alliance on a weak wicket, it is searching for "winnable" candidates from rural seats
Seniority not the only criterion for appointment
Pradeep Sharma
After Chaudhary's superannuation on July 31 (though he is likely to resign earlier as he has been selected as the RTS Chief Commissioner), Sanjay Kothari, a 1978 batch IAS officer ,currently posted as Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms, Public Grievances, Pensions and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Government of India, is the seniormost officer of the Haryana cadre.
His batchmate, Shakuntla Jakhu, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management and Consolidation Departments, is the seniormost officer posted in Chandigarh. While Jakhu is set to retire on September 30, Kothari would retire on June 30,2016.
Ajit Mohan Sharan (1979 batch), who joined the Union Government last year as the Sport Secretary is also posted in New Delhi and will be in service till March 31,2017.
Another contender, PK Gupta (1981 batch), Additional Chief Secretary to Haryana Government, Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation and Administration of Justice Departments, is set to retire in December this year.
Sources said seniority was not going to be the only criterion for the new Chief Secretary as Hooda was likely to go for an officer enjoying his confidence and having a tenure extending beyond the crucial Assembly elections.
In the past, the Hooda Government had not always gone by seniority for this post. In 2012, when PK Choudhery was called back from the Central Government to take over as the Chief Secretary, he had superseded two of his batchmates—Raj Kumar and Krishna Mohan—and his senior, RS Gujral. In 2006, Prem Prashant was preferred to KC Sharma and Asha Sharma.
Race for the top job
Four in the race for the top post of Chief Secretary
Those retiring in 2014 work in the state while those retiring in 2016, 2017 are on Central deputation
With the Assembly elections round the corner, seniority not the only criterion
Hooda government has given seniority principle a go-by in 2006 and 2012
RS Deshwal, general secretary of the association, said the engineers would hold gate meetings at every zonal headquarters.
He said a meeting of the committee comprising Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Power Secretary, was held on Monday to discuss the problems of power engineers. The three Managing Directors of Power Utilities were also present in the meeting besides the 10 member's engineers' delegation of the association.
Deshwal said the meeting discussed at length all the agenda items, which included filling up the posts of director internally, proposed changes to the promotion policy for middle and senior level engineers, revision in lower pay scale of assistant engineers and restructuring of discoms as per the work load. He alleged that none of the issues discussed in the meeting could be clinched due to the biased attitude of some committee members towards engineers.
Executive Engineer RK Khanna, SDO (OP) Subhash Pannu, SDO Ramesh Saini, SDO Ram Kumar Saini, SDO Sukhwinder Singh, SDO Munish Kumar, SDO Balwan Singh, SDO SL Goyal, Ruchi Sharma and Ashish Chopra, were present in the meeting.
Sushil Manav
They alleged they had to got to distant colonies to fetch water not only that, the condition of sewers in their colony was also bad. "Chocked sewers and overflowing manholes have rendered our life miserable owing to a foul smell throughout the day in their streets," alleged Sarita and Sonia. LD Bansal, a sub divisional officer and Mangat Ram, a junior engineer in the Public Health Engineering department went to the protest site and persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade.
Pradeep Punia, Executive Engineer of the PHE Department, said the supply of water had been interrupted in the area as the motor of the tubewell installed for the locality had got burnt.
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