Chandigarh, February 6
Mr Radhey Shyam Sharma, Independent MLA representing Narnaul, today took umbrage at the Opposition to the new link channel being constructed by the Haryana government purportedly to supply water to the southern districts of the state.

Mr Sharma did not name Punjab, but the statement issued in his name was clearly directed at the apprehensions reportedly expressed by the Punjab government over the construction of the channel. It is believed that Mr Sharma, who is supporting the Congress regime in Haryana, came into picture because Haryana is not interested to make the channel a subject of inter-state dispute.

He said this channel would carry water, which is already being received by Haryana through the Bhakhra Main Line. This water was earmarked for lift irrigation purposes but cannot reach the southern districts owing to halt of the SYL Canal construction by the Punjab government. The link canal will also give relief to the areas through which it passes.

Mr Radhey Shyam said the project was being constructed under the plan scheme of the state government. It was cleared by the Planning Commission last year.

He said the disparity in the availability of water resources could be appreciated from the fact that whereas Bhakra areas were getting about 1.8 cusecs for every 1000 acre, lift canal areas could only get about 0.89 cusecs per 1000 acre. The irrigation intensity in the lift canal area is only 8 per cent; in the Gurgaon canal area about 34 per cent; in the Western Jamuna Canal area 66 per cent and in the Bhakra Command area 91 per cent against the originally envisaged intensity of 62 per cent, he said.

There was no question of Haryana depriving any other state of its share as all supplies and exits of the existing canal system were being measured and accounts were being kept.

He said the link channel was being constructed to meet the water requirement in Bhiwani, Mohindergarh, Rewari, Jajjhar, Gurgaon and Mewat. It will also improve irrigation facilities in 10 other districts and ensure equitable distribution of available canal water.

“Vested interest propagate that the project needs clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC) without knowing the fact that the Jawaharlal Nehru Lift Canal Project, Loharu Lift Canal Project and the Jui Lift Canal Project were cleared by the CWC and the Planning Commission 30 years back on the basis of allocation of 3.5 maf Ravi-Beas water to Haryana”, he said.

The MLA said these projects were completed more than 20 years back but remained unutiised due to non receipt of SYL water. The proposed channel will ensure utilisation of projects already approved by the CWC. Hence fresh approval from the CWC was not required, he claimed.

He added that the plan allocation of Rs 75 crore in the financial year 2005-06 for the proposed link had been approved by the Planning Commission of India.

Sonepat, February 6
Several areas of the city and suburbs have been facing an acute shortage of water supply. Residents depend on private water suppliers and on hand-pumps in many areas to get water as heavy and long cuts in power supply have affected the water supply.

Councillors of the Sonepat Municipal Council and even legistators of district have failed to air grievances of people in this regard. The district administration and the Public Health Department have not taken steps to end the crisis.

The Public Health Department has no generating set to use in the absence of power supply to ensure availability of water. It has also failed to arrange the tankers to supply water to residents.

Long queues of people could be seen at handpumps or private water tankers in parts of the city. Many residents said they were forced to buy drinking water from private suppliers. Those who could not afford water from private tankers were rushing to handpumps.

Officials admit that there had been a crisis of power supply these days, resulting in shortage of water. Complaints had come to them in the past few months for seeking temporary means of supply from private sources. They said that the government agencies have to plan to tide over the power and water crisis.

Jhajjar, February 6
The Additional District and Session Judge has awarded 10 years imprisonment to three accused in a case of sexually exploiting a minor girl in Bahadurgarh.

According to prosecution, the victim, belonging to a Dalit community, was abducted by Bharat Bhushan, along with his accomplices, Subhash and Nand Kishore, when she was returning from school on May 16, 2001.

Her mother, Usha Devi, lodged a complaint with the Bahadurgarh police against them. In his complaint, she told that Bharat Bhushan had tried to molest her daughter earlier also. However, she was later recovered and her medical check-up confirmed the rape.

The Addl District Judge, Mr MC Mehra, upheld the charges against the three accused and awarded 10 years jail term under Section 376 of IPC, five years term under Section 366 IPC and three years term under Section 363 of IPC to each of them.

Jhajjar, February 6
One student was killed and at least 13 others injured seriously when their school bus overturned near Rudiawas village on Jhajjar-Bahu Jholari approach road here this evening.

The bus was carrying about 20 students of MD High School, Matanhale, and was going to drop the children to their homes in the nearby villages. The reports say that the bus was being driven at a high speed. As a result, the driver lost the control on the vehicle. It first rammed into a tree, along the road and then overturned. A student, Dharmender, who was studying in class 10, died in the accident while 13 others children recieved injuries.

About six of them were referred to PGIMS at Rohtak while remaining others were being treated in the Civil Hospital in Jhajjar. 

Sonepat, February 6
Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Ragini competition ended in chaos at Kharkhauda town, 19 km from here last night.

According to a report some anti-social elements wanted to dance with the women artistes on the stage. When they were prevented from doing so they turned violent and started throwing stones and water from plastic bottles on the stage. The situation took an ugly turn and a few policemen, who were present there fled from the scene leaving the hooligans there.

After a few hours, the organisers controlled the situation and the programme of the Ragini continued till 4 am.

Mr Sanjay Pahlwanan, Arjuna Awardee, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Khetawas (Jhajjar), February 6
Khetawas, a sleepy village situated about 20 km from Jhajjar, is known as a village of snake charmers. A majority of the population of 3000 comprises members of this community.

A few years ago, children playing around hissing cobras was a common sight in the village. However, strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws has sent snake charmers into oblivion. Poverty-stricken, they have now turned to begging. Some work as farm labourers for a living.

The community is trying to find a foothold in the modern and fast changing society. Representatives of the community in north India are now striving for their proper rehabilitation. They have also roped in Mr Patram Nath, MLA from Rajasthan’s Gugamedi Assembly constituency. The MLA, who himself belongs to the community, will preside over a panchayat scheduled to be held later this month in his hometown where some pathbreaking decisions are expected to be taken for their welfare.

Rehabilitations and children’s education are on top of their priority list. Earlier, two panchayats were organised in Delhi and Panipat, where the community had framed a model code of conduct that included a ban on begging and sending children to schools.

At present, the snake charmers are struggling for survival. Managing two square meals is now a tough job. Narrating his tale of woes, Mr Maru Nath, a member of the community, said: “I have 12 children but no job to support my family; I have to go around begging for wheat-flour in nearby villages. Earlier, I used to collect about 40 kg grain and Rs 500 a month through snake shows in streets.”

Blaming Ms Maneka Gandhi for plight Mr Pappu Nath, a 30-year-old youth, said: “We lost our livelihood when Maneka forced us to quit the profession. We are illiterate and unskilled. While enforcing the law, no one care about providing us alternative means of livelihood and now we are on the brink of starvation for about five years.”

The living conditions have worsened in the absence of basic amenities. About one third of the total 200 families are still residing in thatched cottages with no power connections. Water connections were provided by the authorities at some points in the streets recently. One boy, Mukesh, has studied up to the graduation level while one has studied upto +2. Three boys are matriculates. Of late, they have also started sending their girls to schools. Babu Nath was lucky to get a job in Haryana police some years ago and his brother, Mr Lal Nath, a shopkeeper, is the sole owner of a telephone.

Mr Pappu Nath said some enterprising youths had constituted dhol-been groups, which hired at the time of marriages or other functions. Nowadays, DJs and bands have elbowed them out of this business too. For them, there are only two options now turn to begging or find work in the fields during harvesting.

Refuting allegations of cruelty to snakes, Pappu said, “We treat and respect snakes like our Guru. We would never ill-treat them. We use them for 21 days and then release them in the forest. If a snake died at someone’s home, it is a bad omen and a hefty monetary fine is imposed on its owner by the community”.

About 300 children of this village are enrolled in the Government Primary School, situated just 100 metres away from here. Members of the community have also abandoned the tradition of offering a couple of snakes and ‘been’ as dowry gifts at the time of marriages of girls.

Mr Ramesh Nath, an elderly person who had attended earlier panchayats said, “Khetawas is the biggest village of snake charmers in Haryana. Members of the community are also settled in Gudiani, Jatusana, Kanora, Dinod, Fategarh and some other villages in various districts in Haryana.” Spelling out the agenda for the forthcoming panchayat, he concludes, “we require jobs immediately and would ask the authorities to give us work. We completely got alienated for about 4-5 years and joining the mainstream as soon as possible is our aim.”

Sirsa, February 6
A newly married woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her house in Housing Board Colony here yesterday.

Body of Vanita was found hanging in her room on Saturday night and was handed over to her kin after autopsy in the Civil Hospital yesterday, they said. — PTI