Power from waste planned
CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The Haryana Government proposes to generate energy from municipal solid waste at Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Panipat, Yamunanagar and Ambala.

3 held for rape, abduction
FATEHABAD, Dec. 22 — The police has arrested three persons on charges of rape and abduction of a minor girl. According to Mr Rajbir Deswal, SP, the arrested included the wife of one of the alleged rapists.

Strike off after arrest of accused
BHIWANI, Dec 22 — The strike of Haryana Roadways employees here continued throughout the night before ending this noon. The employees parked buses in front of the Bus Stand, blocking traffic.

Another fire victim dies
ROHTAK, Dec 22 — The fourth victim of Friday's fire incident at Ajaib village in the district succumbed to her burns at the PGIMS here last night. The deceased was identified as Sunita, wife of BSF jawan Ishwar Singh who along with his two minor daughters was charred to death after being set ablaze by certain persons.

Stop cow slaughter, says BJP
PANIPAT, Dec 22 — The state unit of the BJP has given an ultimatum to Mr Bansi Lal that if cow slaughter in the Mewat area is not stopped by January, 1999, it will be forced to launch a state-level agitation. This was stated by Mr O.P. Grover, President of the state unit of BJP, at a press conference here yesterday.

Resentment over new transfer policy
PANIPAT, Dec 22 — The Haryana Police Association has expressed resentment over the new transfer policy of police personnel. This was stated by Mr Satbir Chahal, President of the district unit of the association, here today.

2 Haryana companies to distribute power
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, today announced that two power distribution companies would be set up within the next two months besides implementing a "charter of consumer rights" empowering legal rights to every consumer of power in the State within the next six months.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at Panchkula, where he inaugurated the first phase of the Rs 5.30 crore power colony for the employees of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and laid the foundation stone of its second phase which would be completed by the year 2000. As many as 288 flats have been constructed in the first phase, whereas 144 more flats would be constructed in the second phase at a cost of Rs 7.45 crore.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana would be the first State in the country to implement such a charter of consumer rights. He said that the complaints of the consumers would be redressed within a time frame and every consumer would have right to claim compensation. Consumers would have the facility to lodge their complaint on telephone by March next at all complaint centres. Sheds and drinking water would be provided for the facility of the consumers at the centres of bill payment. He stressed the need for initiating a refresher course for the employees to make them more polite and more responsive to the aspirations of the consumers. He said that official procedures should be simplified.

He said that one of the two new distribution companies to be set up would be fully owned by the State Government, whereas on an experimental basis, the other company would be a joint venture between the State Government and a private party.

He said that all those employees who would render outstanding service would be rewarded and those found derilicting their duties would be dealt with sternly. He was all praise for the officers and employees of the HVPN and Haryana Power Generation Corporation for their dedication which resulted in improving the availability of power. He said that the reforms programme had been misunderstood by some people. He made it clear that there would be no change in the service condition of the employees. Also, neither there would be any reduction in their salary nor the services of the staff would be retrenched. He also pointed out that there had been no privatisation of the erstwhile Haryana State Electricity Board. Also, none of its assets had been sold. He also said that round-the-clock power would be made available to the people, in the State before July next.

The Chief Minister said that the present Government had spent over Rs 100 crore during the last two-and-a-half years on the development of Panchkula. He said that Panchkula would be made the most beautiful city in the country and steps were being taken to provide all kinds of facilities to the people of this city. He said that the process of accelerated development of Panchkula would continue in the days to come.

He said that the government intended to make Panckhula free from pollution and such a unique city where there would be no crime. He directed the Police Department to seek public cooperation in erecting gates at the entrance of the colonies or localities and depute watchmen round-the-clock to check every incoming or outgoing person.

The Chairman of the HVPN, Mr Ranjit Issar, also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Mr Bansi Lal also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 1.5 crore Regional Centre for Speech and Hearing Handicapped in Sector 16 of Panchkula. While speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that adequate funds would be arranged for the speedy completion of this project. He also appreciated the efforts being made by the Haryana Welfare Society for Hearing and Speech Handicapped.

The Chairman of the Haryana Welfare Society for Hearing and Speech Handicapped, Dr Y.N. Mehra said that this centre would be made functional by the year 2000. He said that this would be the seventh such centre in the State, which would provide diagnostic and educational facilities to the speech and hearing handicapped.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Rs 23 lakh Government dispensary in Sector 12, where he also flagged off three audio-visual vans and three ambulances under the Reproductive Child Health Programme for the districts of Bhiwani, Faridabad and Panchkula. A sum of Rs 131.17 crore will be spent under this ambitious programme during five years starting from 1997-98.

Rape incident stirs social activists
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Dec 22 — The gang-rape of a Balmiki girl at village Kiloi has brought together many social and student's organisations under the umbrella of the Jan Suraksha Manch to create awareness about sexual violence against women, particularly belonging to poorer sections of society.

The manch, comprising the Students' Federation of India, Naujawan Sabha, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Labour Party and Khet Mazdoor Union, plans to hold meetings in villages and towns. The manch would also try to find an answer as to why the women belonging to poorer families generally become victim of sexual harassment.

The first of such meetings will be held here on December 23. Activists of the manch started a fast yesterday in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office to condemn the Kiloi incident.

The Students Federation of India has said that though the alleged rapists of the Balmiki girl have been arrested, the police was indiscriminately harassing many residents of Kiloi so as to weaken the case against the suspects. It also criticised the district administration for not providing any financial assistance to the victim.

The DCC (urban), through a resolution has condemned the rape incident and advised the government to effectively control the deteriorating law and order situation. Mr Sukhbir Singh Chandolia, General Secretary, BJP, Rohtak district, has expressed concern over the increasing atrocities on Dalits. He said that a deputation of local BJP leaders would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to apprise them about these incidents.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Kumar, told TNS that the administration has requested the government to give financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the rape victim. He said the medical report of the Balmiki girl has confirmed that she was raped.

Floriculture centre planned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The Haryana Government has decided to set up a model floriculture centre at a cost of Rs 52.50 lakh at Gharaunda in Karnal district for promoting floriculture in the State.

Stating this here today, an official spokesman today said that the centre would be fully developed in four years. One acre under gladiolus, six kanal under tuberose, marigold in one acre and some area under zerbera had been covered and the work on it had been started. He said that a sum of Rs 24.90 lakh had been sanctioned by the Central Government which would be spent during the current financial year of strengthening of the existing infrastructure at the farm and for the purchase of planting material and other inputs.

He said that he centre would organise a field day to show various activities on flower cultivation and other operation so as to educate the farmers. This centre would serve as focal unit for the overall development of floriculture in the state and would also provide facilities for practical training to the technical personnel of the department, he added.

He said that this unique model floriculture centre would encourage and inspire the farmers to adopt floriculture as a profession in order to increase their income and to generate more avenues of employment for the youth. Besides this, a large number of demonstrations on gladiolus and chrysanthemum had also been laid out on farmers' field under commercial floriculture scheme during the year.

He said that the Government had provided an assistance of Rs 6,000 per demonstration for two kanal plots. This programme would generate awareness among the farmers to adopt floriculture and the farmers of adjoining areas would also be benefited as a result of these demonstrations.

Cong to raise industry related issues
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Dec 22 — The Haryana Congress plans to put the state government on the mat on issues relating to industry during the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha.

Presiding over the annual session of the Gurgaon Udyog Association (GUA) here yesterday, a Congress MLA and senior party leader, Capt Ajay Singh, expressed concern about the reversal of all progressive measures taken by the previous Congress government to foster industrial growth in the state.

He was responding to problems raised by the captains of industry.

The problems included the government's decision to raise the power tariff at regular intervals. some of the GUA members alleged that the government had no policy to sanction the extension of power load to units. They alleged that while in a number of cases illegal power connections were regularised, those who had applied were kept waiting.

The general secretary of the GUA, Mr Rajiv Mehra, charged that the present government's policy was responsible for stifling the growth of industry. "For the past few years, we have been raising the issue with the authorities concerned. But despite assurances from the quarters concerned, we are still deprived of a transparent policy. As of today, a common man is even afraid of approaching the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) for any work", he said.

The GUA pointed out that one had to face several problems to get a project report amended or get a plot transferred. "One cannot even apply for a completion certificate due to red tapism and apathy of the official machinery", he added.

It lamented that there was no fire station in Udyog Vihar which had about 1200 units. Although the GUA had taken up the issue with the district administration about a year ago, no action had been taken in this connection so far.

The speakers expressed concern about the "alarming" increase in the number of thefts and dacoities in and around the Udyog Vihar complex. They regretted that the authorities had not taken measures to check the spurt in crime.

The industrialists also criticised the government for not devising a special plan to boost the export-oriented units which were the backbone of the economy.

A joint secretary of the AICC, Mr Anil Shastri, who was the chief guest urged Capt Ajay Singh to take up the problems in the assembly and assured to take up the issues with the Congress leadership.

Referring to the Centre's decision to reform the insurance sector, he said his party wanted to ensure that the income generated after privatisation should be channelised properly in the areas keeping in mind the need for overall progress of the country.

Power from waste planned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The Haryana Government proposes to generate energy from municipal solid waste at Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Panipat, Yamunanagar and Ambala.

An official spokesman said the Government would in all add 60 MW of power from municipal solid waste together with other non-conventional sources of energy. The additional power would mean an investment of Rs 300 crore from the private sector.

He reiterated the State Government's commitment to provide electricity round the clock from July 1 next saying that a number of steps had been taken to improve the availability of power in the State.

He said emphasis was being laid on generation of power through small hydro, biomass and municipal solid waste. Under the new policy on non-conventional energy sources, power generated from various non-conventional energy sources would be purchased at a rate of Rs 2.25 per unit keeping 1994-95 as the base year. Thereafter, every year escalation at the rate of 5 per cent on the purchase price of the previous year would be given. Third party sale had also been allowed and electricity duty had been completely exempted.

3 held for rape, abduction
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Dec. 22 — The police has arrested three persons on charges of rape and abduction of a minor girl.

According to Mr Rajbir Deswal, SP, the arrested included the wife of one of the alleged rapists.

The victim belonged to Madh village in the district.

The SP said the suspects threatened the girl with dire consequences if she raised the alarm and forced her to put her thumb impression on certain papers.

In another case, the police arrested a girl who had fled with her paramour after giving sedatives to all members of his family at Bhuna in the district.

Some ornaments stolen by her had also been recovered from her possession.

Strike off after arrest of accused
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Dec 22 — The strike of Haryana Roadways employees here continued throughout the night before ending this noon. The employees parked buses in front of the Bus Stand, blocking traffic.

The Haryana Roadways employees yesterday, after suspending bus service had given an ultimatum to the district administration that if the accused who had misbehaved with the General Manager of the local depot was not arrested by 12 noon on December 22, they would call for a statewide strike.

Employees of the Loharu, Tosham and Dadri Roadways depots also went on strike expressing solidarity with their colleagues.

The administration, in response, kept track of the accused, Suresh, owner of private bus who had himself admitted to a local hospital after allegedly inflicting self-injuries.

As soon as the accused was discharged from hospital, he was arrested by the police under Sections 322, 353, 506 and 186 IPC.

After his arrest, the Haryana Roadways employees ended their strike.

Another fire victim dies
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Dec 22 — The fourth victim of Friday's fire incident at Ajaib village in the district succumbed to her burns at the PGIMS here last night.

The deceased was identified as Sunita, wife of BSF jawan Ishwar Singh who along with his two minor daughters was charred to death after being set ablaze by certain persons.

The police has registered a case of murder against one of the kin of the deceased. It was learnt that in her dying declaration Sunita alleged that Sumitra, wife of the younger brother of her husband was behind the incident.

Earlier on a complaint of some of the villagers, the police had lodged a complaint under Section 174 of the IPC. Now a case under Section 307 and 302 of the IPC has been registered against suspects. No arrests have been made so far in this connection.

Stop cow slaughter, says BJP
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Dec 22 — The state unit of the BJP has given an ultimatum to Mr Bansi Lal that if cow slaughter in the Mewat area is not stopped by January, 1999, it will be forced to launch a state-level agitation. This was stated by Mr O.P. Grover, President of the state unit of BJP, at a press conference here yesterday.

He reiterated that the BJP would contest the next election in Haryana independently. He also claimed that the law and order situation in the state had improved and was under control and that for the abolition of octroi in the state negotiations were going on with the Chief Minister and the Haryana Vyaapar Mandal to evolve some strategy.

Mr Grover also addressed a party workers' meeting and urged them to reach Jind at the state-level rally of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha to be held on January 23, 1999. He said the party also planned to organise a kisan sammelan, a traders' sammelan and meetings of scheduled castes. The date for these would be announced later on.

Resentment over new transfer policy
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, Dec 22 — The Haryana Police Association has expressed resentment over the new transfer policy of police personnel. This was stated by Mr Satbir Chahal, President of the district unit of the association, here today.

He alleged that the new transfer policy was injustice to the families and children of the police personnel. He said senior police officers had issued orders that policeman of lower ranks could be posted in their home districts, but nothing was formalised. This had disturbed the family lives of these personnel. Moreover, poor pay scales and lesser promotional avenues also added to their woes.

Mr Chahal further claimed that due to the transfers, the state government would be bearing additional financial burden. He alleged that the direct recruitments of ASIs had ended the promotion chances of the lower rank police personnel.