• Red Cross ‘delaying’ help to woman
• Bail plea of actress accepted
• Four booked for power theft
• Sikh scholars call on VC
• Life jail for 6

Urban water schemes

Haryana for changes in norms
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16 — The Haryana Government today urged the Centre to extend its financial assistance at present being provided for arranging water supply in towns having population of only 20,000 to towns up to population of one lakh. The State also requested the Centre to raise the norms for water availability of 70 litres per capita per day (LPCD) to 110 LPCD.

These demands were made by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Haryana, Mr L.M. Jain, while inaugurating the three-day national conference of the State Chief Public Health Engineers and heads of implementing agencies in charge of urban water supply and sanitation here today.

Under the existing scheme the Centre gives 50 per cent financial assistance for providing water supply in towns of 20,000 population.

Mr Jain said in view of the limited resources with the States and the Centre, the private sector should also be encouraged to undertake water supply projects. However, he cautioned the public health engineers that unless the principle of cost recovery was accepted and implemented the private sector would not involve itself in such endeavours.

He urged the engineers to perform their supervisory role seriously to check leakages of the available funds at the lower levels and also to check the quality of work done by their subordinates. They should also cut down administrative expenses.

Mr Jain, who had been associated with the Public Health Department for a long time, regretted that the recommendations made by the 1993 conference of the Chief Ministers and the Public Health Ministers to improve the water supply and sanitation schemes had remained on paper. He said time had come to hold another such conference.

He urged the engineers to find out cheaper and quick solutions to the problems of water scarcity, its wastage and the management of solid waste generated in towns.

Mr Virendra Nath, Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Public Health, Haryana, said the State Government was considering a sanitation scheme for big villages so as to improve the quality of life. He said since the migration from rural to urban areas was on the rise, there was an urgent need to cope with the growing problems of sanitation and supply of adequate drinking water.

In his keynote address, the Adviser, Union Ministry of Urban Affairs, Mr S.R. Shukla, said the tendency to divert funds earmarked for the Plans towards non-Plan activities should be checked as these hampered planned development.

He said: "It has been observed that in our country by and large unaccounted for water (UFW) is about 30 per cent, which in certain cases is as high as 70 per cent".

Posing a question to the engineers he said were they producing treated water at a high cost just to waste almost one-third of it. He said if the wastage was calculated in definite terms, the cost could come to about Rs 300 crore per annum. On one hand the water resources were depleting and on the other hand due to financial crunch even the funding of operation and maintenance of the created assets was becoming extremely difficult.

The Chairman-cum-Managing Director, HUDCO, Mr V. Suresh, said a consensus was slowly emerging on the need for establishment of an Urban Utilities Regulatory Board and Commission on the lines of the Telecom Regulatory Authorities either at the level of city or the State.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Public Health, Haryana, Mr S.S. Bola, said unplanned development was compounding the problem of providing adequate drinking water and sanitation. He said the conference being hosted by the Haryana Public Health Department in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment aimed at discussing strategy to be implemented for urban water supply and sanitation during the Ninth Plan.

25 more blocks under IREP in 9th Plan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16 — Mr Attar Singh Saini, Haryana Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy Sources, today said the government had decided to expand the integrated rural energy programme (IREP) to 25 more blocks in the state during the Ninth Plan for which the state government had earmarked Rs 12.30 crore. The Central Government would contribute Rs 5 crore for the effective implementation of this programme. A sum of Rs 3.27 crore would be spent and five more blocks would be covered under this programme during the current financial year.

He said that the IREP programme aimed at promoting energy conservation technologies in the rural sector to conserve the consumption of fuelwood, diesel, petrol, kerosene and electricity besides promoting non-conventional energy sources based technologies for meeting the cooking, heating, lighting and irrigation energy needs of the rural sector. Also, it aimed at checking deforestation besides protecting the environment and ecology of the rural sector.

The Haryana Minister said his state’s implementation of the programme had won the commendation of the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, which had decided to recommend the Haryana model for this programme for emulation by other states in the country.

He said that the Centre had informed the state that evaluation studies carried out to assess the impact of the programme in 12 states by two independent agencies established that among all the states, Haryana had the highest rating for all the parameters utilised for the evaluation study.

At present, he said the IREP programme was being implemented in 39 blocks out of a total of 109 blocks in Haryana where three lakh families had so far been benefited.

Stress on restoring soil fertility
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 16 — Restoring and maintaining soil fertility will be one of the top priorities of agricultural scientists in their pursuit of ensuring food security. About 400 scientists from across the country and abroad have gathered here to discuss various aspects related to soil health.

Inaugurating the convention Dr DR Bhumbla, an eminent soil scientist and former Agricultural Production Commissioner, Government of India, stressed the need for restoring soil fertility. He said: "If we are serious about ensuring desired foodgrain production, we need to maintain and restore the fertility of the soil". He pointed out that the population of India was expected to touch the 1.4 billion mark by the year 2025. This would need 150 million tonnes of additional foodgrains. The challenge before the farm scientists would be to meet the demand for food from the limited land area, which is already declining due to the pressure of urbanisation and industrialisation.

Emphasising the need for a proper balance between population growth and food production, he said, there was paramount need to ensure that the soil was able to bear the pressure. He revealed that in most of the states, the rate of population growth was much higher than the food production. Except in the state of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the gross food production per capita per year was less than 200 kg. Underlining measures needed to increase the food production and make soil more productive he stressed the need for taking steps to check soil erosion and improving soil organic contents.

This, he said, was possible through the judicious use of both organic and inorganic fertilisers.

Highlighting the various problems being faced by the farmers, the Vice-Chancellor of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Prof JB Chowdhury said that for meeting these challenges, scientists need to take care of low soil productivity, water logging, and soil salinity. He pointed out that these problems had been caused by intensive agriculture in the past, disregarding the judicious use of inputs and conservation of natural resources. These problems, he said, had threatened the agricultural production in a big way.

The Vice-Chancellor deplored the wide gap that existed in the use of fertilisers and between the actual yield and the potential yield of major examples. Citing examples, he said, in wheat the country’s average yield was only 2.5 tonnes per hectare against its potential yield of over 5 tonnes per hectare.

The president of Indian Society of Soil Sciences, Dr DK Das, Dean College of Agriculture, Dr SR Poonia and general secretary of the society, Dr G Naryanswamy also spoke on the occasion.

According to Dr MS Kuhad, organising secretary of the convention 270 scientists would present research papers on soil fertility, soil physics, soil genesis and technology and soil chemistry and minerology.

Candies in condom wrappers!
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK: What do candies and condoms have in common? It may sound incredible, but candies, which are quite a favourite of children, also come wrapped in discarded wrappers of condoms.

Throwing all norms, rules and ethics to the winds, some unscrupulous manufacturers have started using discarded wrappers of condoms as silver foil covers to pack candies with a view to reaping maximum profit from the business, while putting at risk the health of the future generation. Moreover, some of the candies and toffees are being marketed under the name of reputed brands, illegally, and are available even in the interior parts of the state.

This case came to light when a local resident brought a particular brand of candy to this correspondent and exhibited how the candy roll was packed in the silver foil paper of various brands of condoms. On demand, the person brought a pack of about 50 candy rolls (popularly known as "Poppins" among children) on which the brand name of a famous soft drink was printed. When checked, it was found that every pack (having about 12 pieces) was having the wrapper of lubricated condoms. While the silver side of the wrapper was on the outer side, the coloured side on which the brand name of the condom was printed was on the inner side. The wrapper when touched was found to the giving a feeling of moistness.

The candy pieces were in several colours, and a first look gave the impression that the finishing of the product was rather rough.

When contacted the District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC), Mr Virender Singh Dahiya, said his department had not received any complaint in this connection. He said if any such irregularity was brought to his notice, the department would take an appropriate action against the persons responsible under the provision of the Adulteration Act.

Hooda seeks sack of Bansi Lal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16 — Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, president, Haryana Congress, has demanded immediate dismissal of the Bansi Lal government for its "utter" failure in curbing lawlessness in the state.

Expressing great concern over the spate of robberies and lootings in Jhajjar town and its neighbouring areas and in Ladwa Mr Hooda said it appeared that there was no government worth the name in the state. He said that according to the figures available, about 200 such heinous crimes of dacoities, murders, looting and arson had taken place in the state during the last six months alone; besides the day-light murder of an Excise and Taxation official of Faridabad.

Mr Hooda blamed the state government, particularly the police authorities, in failing to provide security and safety to the people of the state, particularly the hapless womenfolk being targetted by antisocial elements. The law and order situation had failed to such an alarming extent that it had turned the state into jungle raj where nobody was safe.

The State Government had forfeited its moral right to continue in office and it should voluntarily quit owning the responsibility for rampant corruption, failure on all fronts or the Governor should dismiss the Bansi Lal government, he added.

Four booked for power theft
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Nov 16 — The police has booked four persons in connection with power theft at Ratia.

According to the police, the Sub-Divisional Officer of the Haryana Vidyut Parsaran Limited (HVPL) had lodged a complaint with the police against Bhal Singh and Karamjeet Singh, both residents of Bhunderwas village in the district. The complainant said the two were found stealing power by connecting a wire from an electric pole. The police has registered a case under Section 379 and 39 of the Electricity Act.

In another case, the police has registered a case under the Electricity Act against Jogi Ram and Jagdish Chander, both residents of Tohana. The SDO, HVPL, Tohana, had lodged a complaint against them.

Meanwhile, three persons have been arrested at Bhattu Kal in the district for allegedly manhandling an SDO of the HVPL. According to the police, Ram Swaroop, Madan Lal, and Ramji Lal, residents of Kirdan village in the district were found stealing power when Mr R.K. Sodhi, an SDO of the HVPL went there to check power connections. The three manhandled the official and beat him up. The police has registered a case.

Rs 1 lakh award for supernatural feats
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Nov 16 — The Rationalist Society of Haryana has announced a prize of Rs 1 lakh for a person who can perform supernatural feats in front of its members. The society organised a seminar in the local Manohar Memorial College today. The SP, Mr Rajbir Deswal, was the chief guest. Mr Subhash Sharma, Principal, Dayanand College, Hisar, presided, while Dr H.C. Dahiya and Ms Leela Jaswal were guests of honour.

The president of the society, Mr Raja Ram, exhibited some "magical feats" on the stage like telling colours of different items blindfolded and eating blazing balls. He also revealed the scientific process involved in this and said these were nothing but tricks.

Mr Raja Ram said the society had taken upon itself the task of curing those mentally ill persons, whom the people said were under the influence of evil spirits.

Mr Deswal said people should expose all those trying to dupe people under the garb of "tantriks". He lauded the role of the society in this direction.

Red Cross ‘delaying’ help to woman
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Nov 16 — A poor Dalit woman has been running from pillar to post for the treatment of her injured husband.

Mr Uday Singh, a Dalit and resident of Dhir village in this district, fractured his right leg in a road accident. As he is the only earning member of his family, his wife, Rekha, appeared before the Deputy Commissioner, Mr V. Raja Shekhar, in an open darbar and prayed for financial help from the district Red Cross. The DC asked the secretary, Red Cross, to do the needful. But the Red Cross authorities have been delaying the matter for reasons best known to them.

Sikh scholars call on VC
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Nov 16 — A deputation led by All-India Sikh Intellectuals Forum A.S. Kaang met the Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Dr M.L. Ranga, here today in connection with the celebrations of 300th anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa from April, 1999, in the university.

Dr Ranga assured the Sikh scholars of full cooperation to the Punjabi Department of the university to carry the message of Guru Gobind Singh to humanity. Dr Ranga further assured the delegation that he would approach the state government for liberal grants for this work.

Dr Ranga was recently nominated a member of the state-level committee for the celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa by the Haryana Government.

More powers to Press Council sought
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 16 — On the occasion of the National Press Day, the Department of Public Relations of the Haryana Government and the Department of the Communication Management and Technology of Guru Jambeshwar University here organised a seminar on the "Role of mass media during crisis."

Speaking on the occasion, the Editor the Dainik Tribune, Mr Vijay Sehgal, pointed out the compulsions of reporting under difficult situations. He said the people had great expectations from the media. He said the press in India had, by and large, played a constructive role in the development of the country.

He said information should be given in a dispassionate way, without any sensationalisation.

He demanded more powers for the Press Council of India so that ethics of journalism could be adhered to in true spirit.

Vice-Chancellor of the University and Commissioner Hisar Division Mr Dharamveer emphasised the need of reporting in an unbiased and objective manner.

Bail plea of actress accepted

HISAR, Nov 16 — Mr Gulab Singh, presiding officer of the Environmental Court, today accepted the bail application of Usha Sharma, actress of the noted Haryanvi film 'Chandrawal' in connection with a case filed in the court under Section 32, 33, 63 and 66 of the Indian Forest Act by the department.
It was alleged that she had grabbed over 4000 square metres of forest land in the Morni hills area. The court had issued summon to Usha Sharma to appear before the court here on November 16.

Life jail for 6
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Nov 16 — The Additional District and Session Judge, Mr J.B. Sharma, today awarded life imprisonment to six persons after finding them guilty of committing a murder on August 9, 1997.

According to the prosecution, the six, namely Mohinder Singh, Ram Kumar, Mewa Singh, Subhash, Sube Singh and Chandi Ram of village Bithmara tied one person Darshan Lal with a jeep and dragged him several kilometres. Darshan Lal died.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 9000 on each of them. A case under Section 302 of the IPC had been registered against them in Uklana police station in Hisar district on August 9, 1997.