Chandigarh, January 4
The chances of Ms Meenaxi Anand Chaudhry’s continuation as the Chief Secretary of Haryana beyond April have brightened in the wake of recommendations on administrative reforms made by the National Advisory Council.

The council, headed by the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi, in a recent communication to the Manmohan Singh government, has reportedly suggested that the states should be encouraged to provide a fixed tenure of at least two years to officials in the ranks of Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police.

Earlier, the Union Cabinet had announced a minimum tenure of two years for the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Director, CBI, and the chief of the Intelligence Bureau.

Since the NAC is headed by Ms Gandhi herself, it is expected that at least the Congress-ruled states will abide by its recommendations and offer two years’ tenure to the Chief Secretary and the DGP.

For Mr Nirmal Singh, who was appointed the DGP of Haryana on June 30, this will mean an extension in service till June, 2007. The DGP is otherwise scheduled to retire on October 31, 2006. Mr M.S. Malik, who is one year junior to Mr Nirmal Singh in service, is also slated to retire on the same day. Mr Vikas of the 1970 batch is the next seniormost IPS officer in Haryana. He is scheduled to retire on October 31, 2007, and thus will not mind if the state government offers a two-year term to the present DGP.

An IAS officer of the 1969 batch, Ms Chaudhry was the first woman to assume the office of Chief Secretary of Haryana. Her date of superannuation is April 30, 2006. If the state government abides by the NAC’s recommendations, Ms Chaudhry’s term will come to an end in October, 2007. In that eventuality, three officers of the 1970 batch — Mr K.C. Sharma, Ms Asha Sharma and Mr Prem Prashant — and Mr S.Y. Quraishi of the 1971 batch will not be able to become the Chief Secretary because they will be retiring by that time.

Chandigarh, January 4
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government will table a Bill on making agriculture a lucrative option for farmers in the next session of Parliament.

This was stated by Member of Parliament from Hisar, Mr Jai Prakash, during an interaction with mediapersons. He was in the city to chair the first meeting of the Regional Consultative Committee of the Food Corporation of India, Haryana, at its office in Sector 4, here today.

"The UPA government is committed to improving the lot of the farmers. This Bill, to be moved by the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr Sharad Pawar, aims at making agriculture an attractive option for small and marginal farmers. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is committed to give agriculture as much impetus as has been given to the industrial sector for hastening growth," he stated.

Appreciating the contribution of the Haryana Government in registering record paddy procurement this season, Mr Jai Prakash said all efforts had been made to secure the interests of the farmers by purchasing foodgrains, prompt payments and carrying out surprise checks in mandis.

"The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has offered the highest price for sugarcane in the country. While producing paddy is essential to meet our own requirements, with the best cane prices, farmers can diversify into cane production also. This season the area under cane cultivation has also gone up significantly and our mills will have their hands full this season," the MP stated.

He said wheat worth Rs 525.61 crore and rice worth Rs 1139.45 crore had been despatched to other states.

Earlier, the RCC reviewed the important of issues of procurement, storage, movement and quality-control, particularly the trend of storage losses, transit losses and quality complaints. The members appreciated the achievement of the Haryana region in keeping storage losses and transit losses under control.

"The measures of safe preservation of stocks by way of regular prophylactic by the FCI have checked degradation of stocks," the members of the committee said.

Kaithal, January 4
The Haryana Government has decided to provide 50 per cent concession in bus fare to the girl students who travel by Haryana Roadways buses in connection with their studies. The decision has been taken in view of the state government celebrating 2006 as the ‘girlchild year’.

The bus travel for war widows, totally handicapped, blind, dumb and deaf persons has been made free. This was stated by Mr Randeep Surjewala, Transport and Public Health Minister, while addressing a press conference here today. Besides, patients thalassaemia and their one attendant, National Youth Awardees, Arjun awardees, Bhim awardees, freedom fighters and those appearing for interviews at Chandigarh, Delhi and other parts of Haryana will also be allowed free bus travel in the state-owned buses. The free bus travel pass will be issued by the Haryana Roadways authorities to the beneficiaries after the production of relevant documents by them .

Mr Surjewala, who presided over the monthly District Grievances Committee here, said about 1.32 lakh girl students and about 2000 war widows would also be benefited by this decision.

Mr Surjewala said the state government was formulating a new media policy, which would meet many long-standing demands of mediapersons. He said the government had sanctioned the construction of a new bus stand for Dhand in Kaithal district and all bus stands which were constructed some time ago would be made operational. A sewer treatment plant would be set up in Kaithal and new sewer lines were being laid in the town.

He also said that the capacity of the new bus stand at Kaithal had been increased from the proposed 12 to 18 bays.

Hisar, January 4
The Vice-Chancellor of Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) , Ms Asha Sharma, has appealed to the soil scientists to redirect their research efforts towards the solution of problems originating due to the declining as well as rising water table in the state.

“While northern and eastern parts of Haryana are severely affected by a sharp decline in the level of underground water, the central part of the state is facing the ill effects of rising water table,” said Ms Sharma, who is also the Financial commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Haryana.

Inaugurating a seminar organised by the Department of Soil Sciences of the university on “Introduction of Systems Dynamics in Agricultural Research” here yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor observed that the issue of rising and declining water table had become a major cause of concern for the agricultural policy planners and other farm experts.

Exhorting the soil scientists to accord top priority to the matter, Ms Sharma urged them to educate the farmers about the facilities provided by the government through the Soil Health Card scheme. At the same time, she appreciated the work done by the HAU soil scientists in enhancing agricultural productivity in the state.

Earlier, Dr O.P. Dhankar, Project Director and Head of the Department, laid emphasis on the significance of water management, sustainable soil health and utilisation of urban and rural wastes.

The HAU Registrar, Dr M.S.Kuhad, the Director of Research and Extension Education, Dr R.K.Malik, also participated in the seminar.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor also inaugurated the annual seminar of the Department of Plant Breeding on the university premises. The theme of the seminar was “Breeding Cops for Physiological Efficiency”.

In her inaugural address, Ms Sharma underlined the need for futuristic research on the development of crop varieties considering the variability of water and weather. She also released a book on breeding for physiological efficiency edited by Dr R.K.Behl, Dr R.S.Waldia and Dr A.K.Chhabra. 

Rohtak, January 4
The Haryana Government is planning a statewide crackdown on realtors floating unauthorised housing colonies and shopping complexes especially in the National Capital Region, it is learnt.

According to highly placed sources, buoyed by the impact of a ban on transfer of land likely to used for such activities in the town, the government is now contemplating similar bans in other cities in order to bring down real estate prices which had risen sharply in the past few months in towns like Gurgaon, Faridabad, Kundli, Panipat, Karnal, Rohtak, Hisar and Ambala to name a few.

In Rohtak, Sampla, Kundli and Bahadurgarh the rates of land had skyrocketed after the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government came to power. The price escalation was fuelled by the hopes of rapid development of the region by the Hooda government. While, Bahadurgarh and Kundli border Delhi, Rohtak is the hometown of the Chief Minister.

Major real estate developing companies of Delhi and Gurgaon purchased large tracts of land here and in other towns bordering the national capital to seek licenses for modern housing colonies and building shopping malls. The entry of big players helped property dealers indulge in speculative deals pushing up land prices.

Several towns, including Hisar and Panipat are witnessing a sharp increase in land prices, on both sides of the highways passing through these towns as big companies are purchasing large tracts with long frontage to build shopping malls and multiplexes. One multiplex has already come into being in Hisar and two more are likely to come up within the next few months.

The imposition of the ban has suddenly brought down land prices here especially in unauthorised colonies. The average rate in such colonies before the ban was Rs 1,500 per square yard. The last few days saw it crashing to Rs 500 and there are no buyers even at this rate. Simultaneously, however, the rates in authorised colonies and HUDA sectors have gone up by several hundred rupees.

Official sources said they expected higher revenues in the post-ban period because of buyers showing more interest in authorised colonies. But, the low-income groups are upset. Such buyers purchase plots at low cost, but unauthorised colonies in the hope that once the houses are built, the colony would be regularised as had been happening in the past.

On the other hand, big real estate players are happy because they would now announce higher opening prices for the colonies they are planning to develop. At least six companies have invested heavily in land here at Sampla and Bahadurgarh.

The official sources said after studying the impact of the ban here, the government would announce similar measures in other towns before the end of this year.

Panipat, January 4
Panipat is all set to have a state-of-the-art mini secretariat building, the first of its kind in the state. The building will have all modern day facilities. For the first time in Haryana, a government building would be equipped with latest features, including earthquake resistance and rainwater harvesting systems.

Talking to the TNS, Mr S. S. Pawar, Executive Engineer, PWD (B&R), said the state authorities had given a nod to the ambitious project. He said work on the project would start as soon as formalities for the construction work were completed.

The authorities have earmarked a plot on the GT road, opposite the Skylark Tourist Complex, for the purpose. The authorities have decided to build an administrative building and a judicial complex within the same campus.

Both the complexes will have eight-storeyed buildings constructed on 2 lakh sq ft area. According to the Executive Engineer, the building would be constructed in a phased manner and tenders have already been floated.

Proposal for a separate building for the district administration had been hanging fire for over a decade. At present, almost all offices of the administration are being run from rented premises causing much inconvenience to the general public. 

Panchkula, January 4
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced to set up an auditorium with ultramodern facilities at Mansa Devi Complex. The auditorium built in an area of two-and-a-half acres.

He made the announcement while speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Haryana Sahitya Akademi Bhavan in Panchkula today.

The bhavan would have offices of all four akademis in a common building spread over an area of 4,000 sq yrd. He said offices of the Haryana Sahitya Akademi, the Haryana Sanskrit Akademi, the Haryana Punjabi Akademi and the Haryana Urdu Akademi at one place would be a symbol of national integration.

Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan thanked him for giving three projects to the district and the state. He also welcomed the decision of setting up of the auditorium.

State Education Minister and senior vice-president of the akademi Phool Chand Mullana said the complex would help in smooth functioning of the akademis.

Earlier, Mr Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Haryana Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the CM and the Deputy CM.

The state government has also decided to set up science clubs in schools at district level. A biotechnology park at Manesar and a DNA mapping laboratory would also be set up at Hisar.

This was stated by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda after laying the foundation stone of the building of Haryana State Science and Technology Council at Panchkula.

He said that the construction work of the building would be completed within one year. The building would be spread over an area of 20,000 sq feet and would cost Rs 1.48 crore.

The council would also set up Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium at Kurukshetra.

Yamunanagar, January 4
One more popular cinema house has stopped screening films. With this more than 30 cinemas of the 110 halls in the state have closed down during the past three years.

The options to watch latest Hindi blockbusters on the big screen in the state have reduced to a record low. A large number of cinema owners have applied for a permission to convert the cinema houses into multiplexes.

Dimple cinema in Jagadhri has stopped showing movies as it is being converted into a multiplex. There are reports that Madhu, another cinema house in the district will not run shows. Mr Dinesh Gupta, owner of Dimple cinema house said that the multiplex would come up in the next one and half years.

Most of the cinema houses in the state are showing old, dubbed or adult flicks. There were 110 cinema halls in the state till few years ago. Because of high entertainment tax, power cuts, pirated CDs, invasion of cable network and poor standards of the halls, about 35 halls have closed in the past three years. The state government has recently reduced the entertainment tax from 50 per cent to 30 per cent, but a notification in the regard is awaited, said sources.

Mr Navdeep Bansal, secretary, Cinema Owners Association, Haryana, said that to save the cinema houses, the owners should be given interest free loans and their conversion into multiplexes should be made easy.

During the past three years three cinema houses have closed down in Bhiwani, and two each in Kurukshetra, Sonepat, Faridabad, Hansi, Hisar and Ambala.

While one cinema house each in Jagadhri, Karnal, Jind, Tohana, Fathead, Asand, Gharonda, Samalkha, Sahabad, Ghanaur, Bhadurgarh and Ratia towns have also stopped screening movies.

Mr Ved Chopra of the Jamuna Talkies, Yamunanagar said that dubbed and adult movies, were keeping small cinema houses in business.

Ambala, January 4
Residents of villages near the Saha growth centre are up in arms following the receipt of a notice of the Haryana Government to acquire land in their area.

A large tract of land near Saha growth centre is apparently being acquired for speeding up industrial growth in the area.

About 277 acres of land is going to be acquired. The land, which has been earmarked, falls in four villages. The affected villages are Saha, Dhakola, Jawahargarh and Tepla. A part of the land to be acquired falls within Mullana assembly segment which is represented by Haryana Education Minister Phool Chand Mullana.

According to information available, 65 acres of land is going to be acquired in Saha village, 154 acres in Dhakola village, nine acres in Jawahargarh village and 48 acres in Tepla village.

The residents of the affected villages have already met Mr Phool Chand Mullana in this regard. Mr Mullana has apparently assured them that the matter will be looked into. The villagers are not happy with the assurance since they state that about three weeks back, a notice had been received for acquiring 32 acres of land for the Saha growth centre and even at that time, similar assurance had been given.

As many as 32 acres of land is going to be acquired near the Ambala-Jagadhari road towards Bihta for giving better access to the Saha growth centre.

The villagers state that a few years back, 700 acres of land had been acquired for the Saha growth centre. They claimed that less than 50 per cent of the area has been utilised by selling industrial plots while the remaining area is not being utilised. They stated that the area has not witnessed any growth due to the setting up of the Saha growth centre and the promised jobs to the local youths have not come through.

Incidentally, out of the total area to be acquired, it is estimated that in a significant area either houses have been constructed or residential plots have been demarcated. Property dealers have had a field day in the Saha area and a number of colonies have come up in the last few years. There has been rapid colonisation in the last two years.

With the notice being received for land being acquired, the prices of land, which had sky-rocketed, has been affected. There are hardly any buyers for residential plots in the Saha area ever since the notice has been received. Even those persons who have bought plots are ruing their decision.

Indian National Lok Dal as well as Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of the Mullana area have assured the villagers that they would strongly oppose any move to acquire land.

Bhiwani, January 4
The Bhiwani police arrested Kala and four others yesterday. It seized a pistol, two motorcycles and several arms from their possession. The arrested told the police their involvement in the murder of Nathu Ram and cases of dacoity, looting and theft. The police produced them in a court which remanded them in police custody for seven days.

Superintendent of Police Saurabh Singh said today the police nabbed Kala alias Roop Singh of Manheru village, Rajender of Dinod, Rajiv of Nangal, Rajesh and Mukesh of Brijwasi colony and recovered a .9mm pistol, four cartridges, four iron rods from their possession. The police also recovered two motorcycles stolen by them from separate places.

The SP added the miscreants were planning to loot a house of a trader at Charkhi Dadri. During interrogation Kala revealed that he had shot dead Nathu Ram of Manheru on December 7 and stabbed to death Karm Singh, son of Nathu on June 14. Kala had already murdered three persons, the SP added. Kala killed Sanjay Balmiki of Rohtak for ‘supari’ of Rs 2.50 lakh on October 7.