• Netraheen sangh threatens stir
• Agroha students call off stir
• Bogus diploma submitted
• Jail term for Jr engineer
• Two poachers arrested

Haryana expects bumper wheat crop
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — Haryana expects a bumper wheat crop during this year because of early sowing and likely increase in area under this crop.

An official spokesman said that elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure early sowing of wheat during the current rabi season. Nowhere in the State the rabi sowing was hampered due to the non-availability of DAP and it was for the first time that DAP was transported from one district to another on a large scale to ensure its availability for sowing of wheat throughout the state during this rabi season, he claimed.

He said an area of 17.70 lakh hectares had already been sown under wheat up to December 6 as against the target of 20.55 lakh hectares fixed for the year 1998-99. Last year, an area of 20.64 lakh hectares was covered under wheat but the sowing of wheat was delayed due to untimely rains. He pointed out that the weather had been generally clear last month which facilitated the sowing of rabi crops much earlier.

The trend of early sowing of wheat was clear from the fact that an area of 11.50 lakh hectares had been covered up to November 18 this year as against only 8.25 lakh hectares covered during the same period in the previous year. He said an area of 45,000 hectares was covered under wheat up to November 4 this year as against 25,000 hectares covered under the same crop up to the same date last year.

Can docs pressurise patients?
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, Dec 8 — Can a doctor pressurise his patients to purchase medicines from a specified chemist shop? Obviously no. But if a general complaint raised by several patients at the local Tuberculosis Hospital is taken into consideration, certain doctors at the hospital are allegedly indulging in this malpractice.

Several patients at the hospital have complained against such doctors who allegedly prescribed medicines worth hundreds of rupees and "directed" the patients to purchase these from a particular shop outside the hospital. The patients who dare to buy medicines from some other shop are allegedly scolded by the doctors. At times, the doctors reportedly straightway refuse to treat such "blunt" patients.

Mr Jaswant Singh, a 35-year-old youth of Kharak Jatan village, who has also been victimised by such doctors, has submitted a memorandum along with an affidavit to the Chief Minister and sought a high-level inquiry into the functioning of the government hospital and the alleged connivance between a section of doctors and the chemist concerned.

The patient in the affidavit said he did not get any relief from the drugs which he had bought from that particular shop. When he contacted various neighbouring chemists in this connection, he was told that the medicines sold at that shop were manufactured by a local company. He said when he showed reluctance in buying medicines from that shop, the doctor scolded him and refused to treat him.

Several patients, who are under treatment at the hospital, also alleged that the government hesitated in taking action against such doctors as the latter had affiliation with certain influential persons. They said a delegation of TB patients at the hospital would meet the Chief Minister during his next visit to Rohtak and complain against such doctors.

When contacted the Civil Surgeon, Dr B.D. Kalra, said he had no such information. However, he would take appropriate action against the "erring" doctors after a proper inquiry.

Prasad compliments weavers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, and the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, have complimented the weavers and artisans for the significant contribution made by them in enhancing the export of handloom and handicraft goods to other countries the exports touched Rs 500 crore in the last financial year.

In a message issued here today on the commencement of All-India Handicrafts Week, they said the weavers and artisans were working hard and their products had become popular throughout the world. Handloom and handicraft products worth over Rs 10 crore were marketed through sale outlets during the year 1997-98.

The Haryana State Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation is running 23 emporia at Ambala, Bangalore, Bhiwani, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Hisar, Hyderabad, Quilon, Jaipur, Karnal, Kaithal, Gurgaon, Chennai, New Delhi, Rohtak, Shimla, Faridabad, Surajkund and Panipat to market the handloom goods and handicrafts produced by the weavers and artisans of Haryana.

BKU rejects hike in support price
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Dec 6 — The Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) today rejected the increase of Rs 95 per quintal in the support price of wheat announced by the Centre and urged it to fix Rs 950 per quintal as the support price.

In a press note here, it described the increase as unjust in the wake of increase in the prices of inputs and fertilisers and said that it was a cruel joke played on farmers.

If the Centre could import wheat at the rate of Rs 850 per quintal why it was declined to fix the higher support price of wheat and give the benefit to the farmers.

It also demanded immediate increase in the support price of sugarcane and the payment of the paddy produce marketed by paddy growers.

The union also threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government to accept the just and legitimate demands of the farmers. It regretted that the state government had failed to grant compensation to the rain-hit farmers.

Yamunanagar mill ‘violating order’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — The Yamunanagar unit of the Haryana Krishak Samaj has accused the local sugar mill of violating the orders of the State Sugarcane Control Board by purchasing sugarcane from outside the bonded area of the mill.

In a statement issued here today, the President of the Samaj, Mr Satpal Kaushik, alleged that the mill was purchasing sugarcane from growers outside the bonded area by ignoring the claims of the growers who had signed bonds with the mill.

He said this had caused resentment among cane growers of the area who had even closed the cane purchase centre at Radaur.

Mr Kaushik said the matter was raised before the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, also when he visited Yamunanagar recently. He said despite an assurance by the Chief Minister that the mill would not purchase cane from outside the bonded area, the mill was continuing with the practice.

A delegation of the growers led by Mr Kaushik met the Deputy Commissioner of Yamunanagar today. Mr Kaushik said if the mill did not stop buying cane from outside the bonded area, the growers would be compelled to launch an agitation.

Mahasangh staff to boycott strike
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Dec 8 — Employees of the local bodies in the state have decided not to join the December 11 strike for which a call has been given by the Sarv Karamchari Sangh.

The general secretary of the Haryana Nagarpalika Karamchari Mahasangh, Mr Jai Bhagwan Sharma, said here yesterday that the call for the strike was politically motivated. He said the mahasangh was also critical of the sangh leaders as they had not rendered any help to Mr Poonam Chand Rati, who had got injured during an agitation by nurses in Delhi recently. Mr Rati is president of the Nagarpalika Mahasangh.

Mr Sharma said though the union would not join the strike, the mahasangh stuck to its demand for the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission report and fulfilling of the terms of the agreement between the union leaders and the government representatives which was signed on April 3, 1997, after the end of the strike.

He said efforts were being made for a joint platform of the state government employees and an initiative had been taken by the leaders at Hisar on December 2. After the initial hiccups, it was agreed to have a 15-member joint action committee comprising leaders of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh and the Karamchari Mahasangh.

He said the committee would be announced after a meeting of the leaders of both unions on December 15. Both unions would launch a joint struggle against the state government shortly.

Cash credit scheme for farmers launched
Tribune News Service

YAMUNANAGAR, Dec 8 — Mr M. Sitarama Murty, Chief General Manager of the State Bank of Patiala, launched a Special Agricultural Cash Credit Scheme and handed over cheque books to the farmers here today in the Farmer's Meet. More than 500 farmers of the district participated in the meet. The scheme would enable the farmers to withdraw money by issuing cheques, like the traders and industrialists, without having to visit the branch personally.

The meet was organised to give impetus to bank's special ongoing loan campaign in the district.

Farmers from Chhachhrauli, Khizrabad, Mustafabad, Harnol, Tejli and other surrounding areas attended the meet and exchanged views.

Mr Murty inaugurated a free Dental care and check-up camp, and distributed cheques and loan sanction letters to 50 borrowers and 11 handicapped persons.

Mr S.T. Das, DGM of the bank, said during the special campaign, branches of the bank in the district had financed 334 borrowers. About 107 tractor loans, 166 Rural house loans, 11 loans to handicapped persons and 50 others had been sanctioned so far. Mr S.S. Pandey, Assistant General Manager of the bank, also spoke on the occasion.

Bogus diploma submitted
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — Thirteen candidates had submitted bogus diploma in education for selection as JBT teachers in Haryana.

According to Mr B.R. Chawla, Secretary of the Haryana Staff Section Commission, investigations are still in progress in respect of five other candidates.

Criminal proceedings have been started against the candidates whose diplomas were found to be bogus.

The Commission has declared the results of the interviews taken to fill 2,584 posts of JBT teachers for the schools in the State.

Mr Chawla said that in all 3,926 eligible candidates were interviewed for these posts. However, 216 posts reserved for ex-servicemen and members of Scheduled Castes and backward classes had remained vacant for want of suitable candidates. These posts of JBT teachers would now be filled up by candidates having B.A. B.Ed qualification and belonging to these categories.

New scheme for SC students
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — The Haryana Government has decided to spend over Rs 11.56 crore on promotion of education among students belonging to Scheduled Castes, backward classes and tapriwas jatis during the current financial year.

An official spokesman today said the Haryana Government had implemented many schemes, including awarding scholarships for students belonging to these sections of society with the objective of encouraging them to pursue their education even at higher levels.

The government had launched a new scheme for students belonging to Scheduled Castes to motivate them to take up post matric and post-graduate as also medical, engineering and veterinary courses. The students passing in first division would be given incentive scholarships of Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively, the spokesman added.

Savings prize scheme extended
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — The Haryana Government has decided to extend the golden jubilee savings prize scheme for another three months. The number of prizes for the schemes has also been increased on pro-rata basis from Rs 13,000 to Rs 16,000.

This was announced here today by Mr Charan Dass Shorewala, Finance Minister.

He said with this change the scheme had become a triple draw scheme. The special feature of the scheme was that from January 1 to March 31 next on every deposit of Rs 20,000 would be allowed one free coupon in addition to four coupons already allowed.

Mr Shorewala said the liability to pay income tax on prizes exceeding Rs 5,000 would be borne by the State Government. The investments after August 31 last to December 31 would be eligible to participate in the double draw scheme, he added.

Jail term for Jr engineer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 8 — Mr C.B. Jaglian, Special Judge, Yamunanagar at Jagadhari, has sentenced Bala Ram, a Junior Engineer of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, to one year’s imprisonment with a fine of Rs 500.

The State Vigilance Bureau had caught Bala Ram while accepting Rs 1,000 as illegal gratification from Mr Ram Kumar, resident of Bhagpur village in Yamunanagar district for reconnecting his tubewell which was disconnected for non-payment of the electricity bills.

Agroha students call off stir
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Dec 8 — Students of the Agroha Medical College have called off their monthlong strike following the court directive to the Medical Council of India to conduct a fresh inspection of the college for awarding it recognition.

The students had been boycotting classes for the past one month. The final year students of the college have already lost a session as they could not appear in the annual examinations.

The case is scheduled to come up for hearing on January 28, when the MCI is likely to submit its ‘findings’ before the court.

It may be recalled that the Agroha Medical College is in a crisis as the government has stopped aid to it. This also led to one of the senior leaders of the ruling Haryana Vikas Party, Mr O.P. Jindal, to part ways with the Chief Minister.

Two poachers arrested
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Dec 8 — Two persons belonging to the Dehe tribe were arrested by Haryana Wildlife officials for hunting a wild cat at Taprian in Raipur Rani, near here, yesterday.

The cavet cat (viverricula indica), and endangered species of the wild cat family, died of injuries suspected to have been inflicted by Sonu and Nokha, alias Phulla.

This is not the first instance when men of the Dehe tribe have been arrested for killing wild cats. Recently one member of the tribe, Sakhi was arrested for hunting a cat at Rampur village in Naraingarh. Two accomplices of Sakhi, Sheru and Guli, had managed to escape.

Netraheen sangh threatens stir
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Dec 8 — The Netraheen Jagriti Sangh, Haryana, has said it will launch an agitation in case the Haryana Government did not fulfil its demands accepted by the government in February.

The president of the Sangh, Mr Sanjay Kumar Lamba, in a press note issued here today said government officials had failed to remove their grievances despite several representations in this regard.