Farmers block traffic

One held for fraud

World Bank team meets farmers

Hooda to campaign in Rajasthan

Hike in water tariff suggested
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The three-day conference of public health chief engineers and heads of implementing agencies has strongly recommended enhanced water tariff all over the country to make the operation of water supply scheme and its maintenance self-sustaining.

The conference on "Urban water supply and sanitation" which worked out the strategy for the Ninth Plan concluded today. As many as 140 delegates from 27 States and Union Territories participated. The conference was hosted by the Haryana Public Health Department.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Public Health, Haryana, Mr S.S. Bola, said the conference recommended that adequate steps should be taken to encourage participation of the private sector in the development of these facilities in the towns besides making recoveries from the beneficiaries so as to recover the amount invested.

He said it was also recommended that the rate of 70 litres per capita per day supply of water should be revised to 80 litres per capita per day at source and special requirements of the towns should be worked out separately with due evidence. The per capita water supply for bigger towns should be at one rate suitable for providing sewerage system to be decided subsequently by a particular municipality after augmenting the water supply.

Under the centrally-assisted accelerated water supply programme, the conference recommended that the towns with a population of up to 1 lakh be included in this programme as against the existing limit of 20,000.

He said it was also recommended that effective steps should be initiated to revise water tariff so as to make the cost of operation and maintenance self-sustaining and the component of subsidy being given by the Government be reduced to the bare minimum.

At present, the Life Insurance Corporation of India and Housing Urban Development Corporation were financing the projects up to 30 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. The engineers strongly recommended that the pattern of funding by LIC should be the same as in case of HUDCO. The balance amount of 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the cost of the project should be provided as grant by the State Government and some part of it by the municipality as a contribution from the beneficiaries.

Mr Bola said the representatives of HUDCO and LIC assured the conference that they would try to provide sufficient funds to take up new augmentation programme in the towns but, being a banking organisation, it was emphasised that the schemes would have to be made self-sustainable from the financial point of view.

It was also suggested that water supply and sanitation being social service sectors, the tariff of supply of electricity to the installations should be fixed on no-profit, no-loss basis. The engineers laid stress on solid waste management in urban sector where the method in most of the towns was still primitive.

The conference recommended to the Central Government that collection of the solid waste should be the responsibility of the beneficiary or some social organisation and thereafter the municipality should make arrangements for shifting the waste to the site of treatment or disposal at its own cost. The conference suggested that the waste material should be used as manure or proper scientific treatment like vermiculture and bio-digestion for production of gas from solid waste be adopted so as to generate electricity with the help of State Government and financial institutions.

It was also recommended that the Central Government should launch a campaign to educate the beneficiaries about water supply and sanitation programmes. The delegates also suggested that adequate facilities for the training of the work force should be created and such conferences should be held at a regular interval.

New facilities at Madhuban hospital
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KARNAL, Nov 18 — New medical facilities including two new floors were added to Arpna Hospital in the Arpna Complex at Madhuban, about 9 km from here today. New floors and facilities were dedicated to the common man at a function which was attended among others by Mr P K Dave, Lt-Governor of Delhi, Mr S D Bhambri General Manager of the Tribune group of newspapers, a number of foreign delegates and other dignitaries. With the new facilities, the bed strength of the Arpna Hospital has gone up to 180.

The main contributors for providing new facilities included Glaxo Wellcome (UK), Miseor (Germany), Fight Savers International, Lions Club International (Germany), Lady Arpna Paul (UK), Helpage India, Christoffell Blinden Mission (Germany), The Shukla Family (UK) and numerous other donors. The Arpna Trust also contributed about 22 per cent of the total expenditure which was achieved through voluntary workers, concessions and contributions from suppliers throughout the country.

According to Mr RM Sabarwal, Executive Director of the Arpna Trust, the other new facilities include residential accommodation for doctors and staff, a rural block including training for health workers and community based organisations and a hospital ramp. Talking about the history of the Trust, Mr Sabarwal stated that Arpna consisted of some 80 volunteers from diverse background in the fields of medicine, finance, computer technicians, education and engineering and law. All of them had gathered around Revered Maa — their light and inspiration though life long commitment of selfless service. Dr JK Mehta, Chairman of the Arpna Research and Charity Trust, stated that Arpna had provided health and social-economic service to over two lakh disadvantaged rural folk in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. It has been working or the alleviations of urban poverty in slums of Delhi. The three-tier rural health care service are passed on 175-bed referral hospital with training programmes, mobile training in villages, trained health working and midwives, who had brought primary health care to the villages.

Mr Mehta disclosed that about 70 per cent of the hospital patients were given free or heavily subsidised treatment keeping in view their economic means.

The other programmes, according to him, included functional literacy, day care centres, handicrafts training, family planning service, child health guides, village housewives and motivators, non-formal education and awareness creation through cultural dramas, which inspired and motivate the people to imbibe finest qualities of character.

In order to meet the surgery needs of the poor patients in rural Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the activities included medical camps at Arpna Hospital and in the mini hospital in Gajnoi village in Chamba district. During the past years, Arpna Hospital had held camps for cholestectomy and laparascopic gynaecology by leading doctors from Delhi. In Himachal Pradesh, Arpna had held a five week long ophthalmology, gynaecology and general surgical camps with the help of leading doctors of Delhi and overseas.

Dr Mehta stated that in recognition of the work Arpna had been doing amongst the deprived and low income groups, the Delhi government had provided a plot of land at subsidised price where Arpna centre was being constructed.

At today's function, hundred of rural people from different walks of life came to hospital to participate in its new activities. An exhibition of handicrafts, medical aid facilities being provided by Arpna was held on the occasion. A cross section of villagers interviewed by this correspondent stated that the services being rendered by Arpna has proved to be boon for the poor in the area. It has covered about 70-80 percent poor in this area. The villagers also stated that adult education centres and balwaries by the Arpna trust were rendering novel services for humanity and the downtrodden in this area.

DAP shortage hits rabi sowing
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Nov 18 — The shortage of DAP fertiliser has adversely affected the sowing of rabi crop in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts.

After the dewatering of the fields, the farmers are engaged in ploughing on a war-footing, but the non-availability of the fertiliser has hit the sowing hard.

The district authorities of Rohtak and Jhajjar have virtually rationed the supply of the fertiliser. The allocation of the fertiliser for each state is determined by the Union Ministry of Fertilisers and Chemicals.

The Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar, Mr Arun Kumar, said the supply of the fertiliser was totally inadequate. "Today, the availability of DAP fertiliser in Jhajjar is zero," he said.

Mr Anil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak said that in September, October and November last year, the district had received 10153 MT of DAP fertiliser. But during the current year, "we had received only 5601 MT during these months", he said.

Mr Anil Kumar said that an SOS had been sent to the Centre to allocate at least 3000 MT by November 30 and 2500 MT during December so that the farmers who had suffered losses due to unseasonal rain could sow the crop.

The DAP fertiliser allocation to the state is done through HAFED, the Haryana Agro Industries Corporation and private agencies. Private traders have sold only 1234 MT fertiliser since September in the district.

Medicos take out procession
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Nov 18 — Students of the Agroha Medical College today took out a procession to highlight their plight and draw the attention of general public towards their problems.

The procession, which started from the civil hospital here, terminated at the mini secretariat, where they submitted a memorandum to the government, listing various demands.

The students were raising slogans against the government and the Agroha Medical College Management Society for being responsible for their sorry plight. The final-year students (of 1994 batch) have already lost one year, as the college was not recognised by the Medical Council of India.

The students are sitting on dharna for last 11 days. Today they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, seeking his personal intervention for "saving their future".

While bringing to the notice of the Chief Minister, their plight, the students said that they had already lost one year. They urged the Chief Minister that they be allowed to take their examinations in March 1999 from Medical College, Rohtak, so that their future is saved.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association has supported the strike of the students. In a statement president of the association, Dr Inderjeet said, the students must not be made to suffer for none of their faults.

He criticised the managing society of the college for failing to take care of the students' future. He pointed out, when the society knew that it did not have adequate infrastructure and facilities, it should not have called out students from medical college, Rohtak.

In a related development, Mr Ram Bhagat Gupta, a spokesman of the society appealed the students to call off their strike and resume their classes. He assured the students that society was working to resolve the issue.

CM monitoring DAP supply
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, is himself monitoring the supply and distribution position of DAP fertiliser daily as the State Government has taken a number of steps to ensure its smooth distribution, besides checking hoarding, blackmarketing and pilferage.

Stating this, an official spokesman said as against the consumption of 2.31 lakh tonnes of DAP during the last rabi season upto December, arrangements had been made for available 2.56 lakh tonnes of DAP for the current season.

The maximum sale of DAP fertiliser would be through the network of state institutional agencies like the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation, the Haryana Agro-Industries Corporation and the Haryana Land Reclamation Development Corporation.

The Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Deputy Directors of Agriculture had been asked to monitor supply, sale and distribution of DAP regularly and to keep a close vigil in the border districts to check pilferage of DAP to the adjoining States. Police check-posts had also been created at vulnerable points. The sale of DAP in the private sector was being supervised by the Agriculture Department and district administration.

Paddy arrivals in Haryana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The Haryana mandis had received over 16.34 lakh tonnes of paddy till yesterday.

A spokesman of the Haryana Food and Supplies Department said today out of the total paddy arrivals, 17,762 tonnes was of common variety, over 13.12 lakh tonnes grade 'A' and over 3.04 lakh tonnes basmati paddy.

The private millers and dealers had purchased over 15.2 lakh tonnes of paddy. The Food and Supplies Department had purchased 15,305 tonnes, Hafed 37,473 tonnes, the Food Corporation of India 47,163 tonnes, Haryana Agro-Industries Corporation 2784 tonnes, Haryana Warehousing Corporation 8575 tonnes and Confed 1198 tonnes.

He said Kurukshetra district was leading with nearly 3.48 lakh tonnes of paddy arrivals, followed by Karnal with over 3.21 lakh tonnes and Kaithal with nearly 3.07 lakh tonnes.

Bitta for joint war against terrorism
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Nov 18 — All political parties of the country should join hands and unitedly wage a war against terrorism which was spreading in different parts of the country and causing immense loss of life and property and posing a serious challenge to the existence of the country.

This was stated here today by Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, a former president of the All-India Youth Congress, who had come here today to see the victims of Monday's bomb blast at the local bus stand.

Mr Bitta categorically held the ISI of Pakistan responsible for terrorist-related violence in the country and said the Pakistan Government was controlled by the ISI.

He urged the Centre to enact a law, which will enable people of any religion to live peacefully in Kashmir.

He equated the law and order situation in Haryana with that of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and added that there was a complete collapse of law and order situation in the state.

He deplored the Kaithal bomb blast incident and lambasted Chief Minister Bansi Lal for not enquiring about the health of the injured in the incident.

He also visited the injured admitted at the Civil Hospital.

Pinjore poll cancelled
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The State Election Commission, Haryana, today cancelled the entire election process in respect of the Municipal Committee, Pinjore, where the poll was to be held on December 19.

Stating this here today, the State Election Commissioner, Mr J.K. Duggal, said a surprise inspection of the election record of the Municipal Committee was carried out by an officer of the State Election Commission and it was found that the Returning Officer, Municipal Committee, Pinjore, did not issue notice for inviting nominations under Rule 20 of the Haryana Municipal Election Rules, 1978. Even the receipts against the deposits had also not been issued by the Assistant Returning Officer at the time of receiving nominations in the form prescribed by the State Election Commission under Rule 24 of the Election Rules.

The State Election Commission has taken a serious view of the violation of election rules and directions of the Commission, he added.

Farmers block traffic
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Nov 18 — Farmers of the Meham Chaubisi region blocked traffic on the Meham-Gohana road here today in protest against shortage of DAP fertiliser in the district.

The agitating farmers led by Ajit Singh, a Director in the Board of Management in the Meham Cooperative Sugar Mill and sarpanch of Kheri Meham, alleged that due to the shortage, farmers were finding it difficult to carry on the sowing of rabi crop, especially wheat which requires DAP fertiliser in the initial stage.

Meanwhile, the SDM, Meham, Mr T.K. Sharma, said the fertiliser was expected to be available within four to five days. He appealed to villagers to lift the blockade.

One held for fraud
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Nov 18 —The police has arrested a person who had allegedly defrauded more than 20 persons of Rs 20 lakh by issuing them bogus demand drafts of various banks.

He has been identified as Satish Chowdhary of Hathras in U.P.

A police spokesman said here yesterday that Satish Chowdhary and his three other accomplices, Manohar Lal Sharma, Ramesh and Bannu of Aligarh purchased four buffaloes from Hari Chand of Palwal and gave him a demand draft for Rs 70,000 of the Bareilly Corporation Bank Ltd, Jatari (Aligarh). When Hari Chand went to deposit the draft at a Palwal bank, it refused to accept it.

Later, Hari Chand went to Jatari and found to his dismay that no branch of the Bareilly bank existed there.

While Chowdhary has been lodged in the jail at Palwal, his other accomplices are yet to be arrested.

Rally by Anganwari workers
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Nov 18 — Thousands of Anganwari workers here today organised a rally to press for the acceptance of their demands.

Addressing the rally, president of the All-India Anganwari Workers Federation Nilima Matray criticised both central and state governments for their indifferent attitude towards the genuine demands of the federation. She accused the BJP government of coming to power by making false promises.

Ms Matray said Anganwari workers would join the nationwide strike on December 11, on a call given by various employees’ organisations.

DPS function concludes
From Our Correspondent

FARIDABAD, Nov 18 — The three-day annual function of Delhi Public School concluded here yesterday.

The school felicitated its meritorious students and students presented a cultural programme on the occasion.

The Governor of Haryana, Mr Mahabir Prasad, was the chief guest on November 14, while Dr A.R. Kidwai, Governor of West Bengal was the chief guest on November 15.

Mr R.S. Verma, Chief Secretary, Haryana appreciated the role played by Delhi Public Schools in the field of education.

World Bank team meets farmers
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Nov 18 — Members of the World Bank team Mr Spansor, Mr Refique, Mr S. Raj Gopalan, Mr J.R. Malhotra, members of the Central Water Commission, Deputy Commissioner and senior officers of the Irrigation Department visited Ottu water works and bridge constructed more than 100 years ago 14 km from here, yesterday.

The team talked to farmers of flood-prone areas of the Ghaggar.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Avtar Singh apprised the World Bank team and the CWC of the urgency regarding reconstruction of the Ottu head in the interest of farmers.

Hooda to campaign in Rajasthan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, will address 33 public meetings in Rajasthan during the period from November 19 to 22 to canvass support for Congress candidates for the Vidhan Sabha elections scheduled for November 25.