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Tuesday,
August 26, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Protesters, police clash; eight women, DSP hurt Highlighting government welfare schemes through folk media Bansi Lal woos farmers, traders Haryana Vayapar Mandal to enter politics Diarrhoea claims
six lives |
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Haryana plan to rope in private doctors Additional charge
for Rajiv Arora Haryana Sainik Board recast Pesticide dealer fined Rs 25,000
Journalists protest against lathicharge Protest by railway employees
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Protesters, police clash; eight women, DSP hurt Gharaunda (Karnal), August 25 Residents of this township, particularly women tried to block national highway in protest against the introduction of electronic electricity meters that have allegedly increased power bills. The protesters alleged that introduction of electronic meters had increased power bills more than double. The mob protested on the national highway from 11 am to 1.30 pm and affected the normal traffic. The Deputy Commissioner of Karnal district Mr R.S. Doon and district police chief P.K. Aggarwal with other officials reached the spot. When the police tried to disperse the mob by resorting to mild cane-charge, the mob threw stones on the officials and the police. DSP Surinder Pal Singh received minor injuries, said the eyewitnesses. However, the DSP denied it. At least eight protesting women and a few police personnel were injured in the clash between the police and the mob. The injured were taken to the local hospital for first aid. Later, a few injured were referred to the civil hospital Karnal for further check-ups. The injured women were identified as Kartari Devi, Bimla, Kamla, Maya, Bardi, Arti, Baby, Krishna and Radha. Among the police personnel injured include head constable Yashpal and constable Narinder. Mr Doon claimed in the evening that the situation was under control and traffic restored on the national highway. Residents of the township had been protesting against the installation of electronic meters for the past few days. Yesterday, the residents protested outside the residence of local MLA. Ramesh Rana and local powerhouse. They also broke many electronic meters in the powerhouse in protest. Widespread protests have been reported against the irregular supply of power and water from many parts of the state. |
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Highlighting government welfare schemes through folk media Haripur (Raipur Rani), August 25 During the past four months that the state government has used Rural Community Theatre (RCT), it has been able to spread the message of various welfare schemes by making forays into the remotest of villages in all 19 districts. To begin with, this two way communication is being used in four blocks of each district , where a live programme is organised in a village to give details of welfare schemes through folk songs, folk dances and dramas. This programme was organised in this non descript village in Raipur Rani block on Friday night. Despite odd hours for ruralities (life generally comes to a brief halt in villages after 8 pm, but this programme begins at about 9 pm and lasts till midnight), the entire village had gathered at the chaupal to see the programme, which included Haryanvi and Punjabi folk songs, jokes and skits. Using the local lingo, the RCT team presented not just folk songs, but songs describing the various welfare schemes and development works. The interest of the audience is maintained by including jokes and folk songs in between the skits and songs giving social messages and details of welfare programmes for people. Famous radio singer Prem Singh Dehati and artiste Inder Singh Lamba have been roped in for drawing more and more people. Another special feature is that other than having a live programme in one village, a video film show on these welfare schemes is shown in a nearby village. Different forms of folk media are used to give information on power reforms in state; implementation of old-age pension; abolition of octroi in the state; decentralisation of powers in the Panchayati Raj and, finishing lease system in mines, fast pace of industrial growth in the state, agricultural development; forays in improving irrigation network, drinking water facilities; roads and transportation; public welfare; animal husbandry, health and sports and education etc. Special emphasis is laid on informing people about the state governments ambitious plan, “Devi rupak” by which couples are rewarded for opting for a girl child and two-child norm. People are told that the population of Haryana had been increasing, but male-female ratio had declined. Other than this the food for work schemes for afforestation and for development work in villages are also highlighted. The use of this folk media seems to be paying off. “Villagers, including women and children, turn up in good numbers, even in the remote areas. Our success can be gauged by the number of women who turn up for these programmes. Initially people came for our programmes for entertainment only, but slowly the social message in these programmes has caught their fancy,” says Mr N.R. Dhiman, Rural Community Theatre Organiser. |
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Bansi Lal woos farmers, traders Rewari, August 25 Talking to newsmen before addressing a ‘Kisan rally’ here, the HVP chief stressed that his party would not tie up with any party for Vidhan Sabha elections. He made it clear that his party had a bitter coalition experience with the BJP, in 1996. He asserted that the HVP would get two thirds majority in the next Vidhan Sabha. He expressed aversion for a possible BJP or Congress-led coalition government at the Centre in the next Lok Sabha. Addressing the rally in Rao Tula Ram Park, Mr Bansi Lal was very critical, of the ‘mis-rule’ of the INLD government, and main opposition Congress. Mr Bansi Lal said if voted to power he would reduce electricity tariff for all categories of consumers and ensure supply of regular power round the clock. Also, it would give Rs 200 to those who had completed standard X and plus two as unemployment allowance and Rs 250 to those who had completed BA and above.
Also residential plots would be allotted to the SCs and BCs at concession. Those who have constructed houses and are residing in these would be exempted from house tax. The turn-out, at the rally included a good number of women. The organisers of the rally presented a Toyota Corolla car to Mr Bansi
Lal on the occasion. |
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Haryana Vayapar Mandal to enter politics Sirsa, August 25 Criticising the statement of the State President of the INLD Vayapar Cell, Mr Niranjan Bansal, these leaders said that the political parties were trying to mislead the traders for votes. So the Haryana Pradesh Vayapar Mandal State President had decided to unite the traders. They also accused Niranjan Lal Bansal of misleading the traders. On one hand he protests against the implementation of VAT and on the other he calls it a mere problem of documentation. The leaders of the Vayapar Mandal said that imposition of professional tax and 4 per cent entry tax on the traders, withdrawal of tax relaxation given earlier to Khadi Gram Udyog were anti-trader decisions of the government. They demanded withdrawal of VAT and other taxes and improve law and order condition in the state. |
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Diarrhoea claims
six lives Yamunanagar, August 25 A seven-year-old girl, Morkali, daughter of Sohan Pal, was brought to a private hospital in Jagadhri. She was suffering from diarrhoea. The other children who died of diarrhoea over the past couple of days are Sumitra, Kusum, Pushpa, Phullia, Lalita and a four-year-old boy. It is reported that many other children are suffering from high fever, vomiting and loose motion. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Naresh Sharma, confirmed the death of one child in a private hospital. He added that a team of doctors had been sent to the village. |
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Haryana plan to rope in private doctors Chandigarh, August 25 Mr Raj Kumar, Health Commissioner said today that the district Chief Medical Officers had been directed to hold negotiations in this connection with private medical practitioners fulfilling Indian Medical Association (IMA) norms. He said the government would supply vaccines and family planning equipment and AIDS-testing kits to private doctors free of cost. Private doctors were also proposed to be involved in the next round of polio vaccination programme from September 14. These doctors would be provided with polio vaccines. The government would also undertake a survey of private health sector facilities. It was proposed to use their facilities for patients coming to government hospitals. The government would compensate private clinics and hospitals in this connection. |
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Additional charge for Rajiv Arora Chandigarh, August 25 Mr Rajiv Arora, Director, Agriculture, has been given additional charge as the Adviser, Civil Aviation and Special Secretary, Civil Aviation Department. Mr Brijendra Singh, ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Sirsa, has been given additional charge as the ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Fatehabad, vice Mr M.L. Kaushik. Mr Kaushik goes as the ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Ambala, and Special Officer, APZ, Ambala, and the CEO, Shivalik Development Agency, Ambala. Mr M.S. Mann, DIG, Home Guards, was posted as DIG, Telecom, vice Mr Parminder Rai. Mr Rai was posted as DIG, State Vigilance Bureau, Ambala.
— TNS |
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Haryana Sainik Board recast Chandigarh, August 25 The ex-officio members of the board include the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretaries of Revenue, Home, Finance and Excise and Taxation Departments. The Secretary, Haryana Rajya Sainik Board, will be the member-secretary. |
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Pesticide dealer fined Rs 25,000 Fatehabad, August 25 In another case, the Forum today directed BSNL to pay a fine of Rs 500 to a consumer who had not been given telephone connection even though he had deposited the security deposit on November 26, 2001. |
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Leaf from history Ambala: Ever heard of BDPM College? It’s a college which few persons in Ambala know about as it closed down more than seven decades back. Banarsi Dass Peace Memorial College, which started in 1920, was run for barely a decade. The college closed down by 1929. Had it been running today, BDPM College would perhaps have become the oldest college in the region. Most of the colleges were set up much later in Ambala Cantonment as well as in Ambala city. Former Rotary district president, Laxmi Sagar said that the BDPM College was established after World War-I. “It was perhaps the first college in the whole region. It was a good effort to impart quality education,” he said. The college building, spread over 1.25 acres, is today located on Jagadhari road. The old college building faces the Civil Hospital of Ambala Cantonment. Mr Sagar said that the college was offering FA, which is a course offered after matriculation. The college was offering arts courses. “However, there was a plan to introduce science course in the college. State-of-the-art equipment was bought for the science laboratory,” he said. “In those days, the fees used to be few paisas,” he added. Apparently, the college ran into rough weather following the dismissal of a professor. “We have been told that a professor of the college was dismissed. The reason for his dismissal is not known to me,” he said. Mr Sagar stated that after the professor was dismissed, the college students began an agitation. The students were demanding that the professor should be reinstated. During the agitation, one day, the college students reportedly took a effigy of Rai Bahadur Banarsi Dass and burnt it in front of his office. He said that Mr Banarsi Dass was infuriated by the action of the students. Mr Dass felt hurt as he had started the college for the benefit of the students and in turn, the students were burning his effigy. It is said that after the effigy burning incident, Mr Banarsi Dass decided to shut down the college. After the college was closed down, a number of people tried to reason with Mr Dass to change his decision. But Mr Dass did not waiver and since then, the college has not re-opened. Following the closure of the college, the science equipment was shifted to BD High School. The equipment turned out to be a bonanza for the school students since they developed the best laboratory in the area. It is believed that in those days, BD School had the finest laboratory in United Punjab. Mr Sagar said that after BDPM College closed down, a public library was set up in the college building. Also, a hostel for BD School students was started and the school Headmaster’s residence was set up there. Thereafter, on September 1, 1939, Mr Sagar’s father took the BDPM College building on rent and OSAW industries was set up there. “I vividly remember that I was studying in FC College, Lahore, then and I read in The Tribune newspaper that England had declared war on Germany,” Mr Sagar said. Incidentally, the college building design is said to be similar to BD School building. The college building had rooms on four sides and there was a large courtyard. It was a single-storeyed building and there were spacious halls on both sides to hold lectures. BDPM College, which started with much promise, closed down before it could reach its full potential. |
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Journalists protest against lathicharge Rohtak, August 25 The journalists earlier held a rally and condemned the lathicharge. Some local leaders of the Congress, the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Haryana Vikas Party and representatives of employees’ organisations joined them. The protesters later marched to the mini-secretariat to stage a dharna. The Patrakar Sangharsh Samiti spokesman said the agitation would continue until a case was registered.
— UNI |
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Protest by railway employees Sirsa, August 25 Addressing the employees, the president of the union, Mr Yashpal Bharadwaj, said the protest would continue for a week to highlight the anti-labour attitude of the government. He accused the ruling government of adopting oppressive policies, saying that labourers were being shunted out. He said against the assurance of the Railway Minister at Vadodra, the Railway Board had decided to transfer 19 works into private hands. |
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Red alert in Haryana Chandigarh, August 25 A Haryana police spokesman said security had been beefed up at bus stands, railway stations, buses and trains. Police personnel in markets and other busy places were being deployed. The Punjab DGP, Mr A.A. Siddiqui, also issued instructions to all SSPs to remain extra vigilant. |
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Agitating students to meet PM today Hisar, August 25 The agitating students have decided to call on the Prime Minister tomorrow because no action has been taken so far on the memoranda given by them to the Chief Minister and the Governor. — UNI |
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Lok adalat at Narnaul Chandigarh, August 25 |
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Employees stage dharna Sirsa, August 25 The vice-president of the manch, Mr Kheta Ram, alleged that the government had been ignoring their demands for the past four years. |
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