The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Cabinet cuts VAT on certain goods Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 3 The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here today decided to exempt or reduce the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain goods. It exempted ‘‘gur’’, ‘‘shakkar’’, jaggery and crudely tanned leather from VAT. It reduced tax from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent on kattha, toys (excluding electronic toys), paper and plastic cups, buttons, honey, bricks with flyash content of more than 50 per cent and non-agricultural pump sets. An official spokesman said here that the proposed exemption and reduction in the tax would give relief of about Rs.5 crore in a year to the trade, industry and consumers. The Cabinet also decided to extend the benefit of VAT exemptions on the sale of goods by the Canteen Store Departments (CSD) to parents of deceased unmarried military personnel and widows of servicemen. The decision will benefit about 53,000 persons in the state and would cost it Rs 4 crore annually. The Chairman and members of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission will, henceforth, get pay equal to those of the Public Service Commission (HPSC). The Cabinet increased their pay to Rs 24,000 and Rs 21,000 per month, respectively. They would also be entitled to dearness allowance as may be admissible in future to Government employees drawing the same pay. They would also be entitled to house rent allowance of Rs 10,000 per month if a government house is not allotted to them. The Cabinet exempted stamp duty on land purchased out of the interest on compensation paid for acquired land. Earlier, this exemption was available only on the land purchased out of compensation amount within one year of its receipt. The Cabinet decided to grant dearness allowance on pension to the employees of government-aided private colleges. It approved the Haryana General Provident Fund Rules, 2006, replacing the existing Provident Fund Rules as contained in Chapter XIII of the Punjab Civil Services Rules, Volume-II. In another blow to the HPSC, the Cabinet decided to take the posts of Haryana Civil Medical Services-1 out of its purview. It felt that due to the non-filling of 20 direct posts of Senior Medical Officers, the quality of health care in the state was being adversely affected. As the process followed by the HPSC took longer, so these posts should be filled through a Selection Committee headed by the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Health. The Director-General of Health Services would be its member-Secretary. Two experts from Pt. Bhagwad Dayal Sharma Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, would be its members. The Cabinet exempted the Hindi film, “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose-The Forgotten Hero” from entertainment duty. It approved raising of Rs1920 crore from the Power Finance Corporation, for the construction of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Project (Stage-II) at Yamunanagar. The first unit will be commissioned in December, 2007, and the second March 2008.
	Moderate loss to mustard crop Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 3 The Haryana Government's estimates show moderate loss to crop production from last winter's frost. The loss to mustard crop in the state had figured in speeches made by Opposition MLAs in the House in the last Budget session. MLAs from the southern districts (Rewari, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani) in particular had accused the government of being insensitive to the problems of. In reply, the state government had claimed that it was helpless to compensate the farmers owing to the absence of frost in the official list of calamities. It was learnt that the crop cutting formula of the state government, which takes into account the production of certain number of plots and then makes an estimate of the total production, shows the mustard production coming down by 54,000 tonnes as compared to last year. While the actual figure of mustard production last year (2004-05) was 8.26 lakh tonnes, the production in 2005-06 is estimated to be 7.72 lakh tonnes. Crops growing in 990 plots covering 72000 hectares in 12 mustard-producing districts of Haryana was taken as the basis to arrive at the tentative figures. The figure is considered tentative because the original plan was to analyse crops grown on 1190 plots. Since report from the remaining 200 plots are awaited, the figure is considered 83 per cent correct. Hisar is apparently one district that has bore the brunt of frost. The projected figure of 57,000 tonnes of mustard in Hisar is poor as compared to its last year's production of 81,000 tonnes. Like Mahendragarh and Rewari, in Bhiwani also mustard is grown in a large scale by farmers. The production was 1.98 lakh tonnes last year. This year it is expected to plummet to 1.86 lakh tonnes. Gram was another crop that was allegedly affected by frost and the damage to the crop had become a political issue. The crop cutting experiment for gram is now on and the figures are still awaited. Gram, however, comes only next to mustard as its total production in the state was only 91,000 tonnes last year. For wheat, the result of 45 per cent plot has arrived and it shows a total production of 89.90 lakh tonnes. The production last year was 90.58 lakh tonnes.
	Convict gets another life term for murder in jail Tribune News Service Karnal, May 3 A local court today sentenced a Karnal district jail inmate, Jai Bhagwan of Daya Nagar Taroari, to life imprisonment for murdering his brother in the jail. The convict is already undergoing life imprisonment for murdering another person. Additional Sessions Judge Satish Ahlawat had completed hearing in the case on April 28, but reserved the pronouncement of the sentence. Jai Bhagwan was held guilty of murdering his brother Prem Pal on the intervening night of February 29 and March 1, two years ago. As Jai Bhagwan was found guilty under Section 303, IPC, for killing his brother while undergoing life imprisonment in another murder case, he was expected to get death sentence as minimum sentence under the Section (Section 303 is imposed on someone who commits murder while undergoing sentence). However, according to latest Supreme Court directions of giving death sentence in rarest of the rare cases, the judge converted the Section from 303 to 302, IPC, and sentenced the convict to life imprisonment. According to Section 427 of the CrPC, Jai Bhagwan will undergo life imprisonment in the two cases simultaneously. It was found during hearing of the case that the convict killed the victim as he suspected that the latter had illicit relations with his wife. An FIR was registered six days after the crime at the Civil Lines police station on March 6, two years ago, after getting the then ADC’s inquiry report in the case. Jai Bhagwan and Prem Pal were lodged in the same barrack and the former murdered Prem Pal by hitting the latter on the head. Jail authorities came to know about the murder in the wee hours of March 1. The Additional Sessions Judge declared him guilty after hearing the pleas of public prosecutors S.K. Mittal and Narayan Singh and defence advocate R.R. Sharma. Interestingly, both Jai Bhagwan and Prem Pal were already convicted and were undergoing life imprisonment in a murder case. They had committed the crime in an area falling under the jurisdiction of the Butana police station in October, 1999. An FIR had been lodged against them under Sections 302, 148 and 149, IPC, at the Butana police station on October 30, 1999.
	“Sarkaar apke dwar...” on Vita Milk packs Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Panipat, May 3 Owing to the negligent attitude of the state authorities, controversial catchphrase “sarkaar aapke dwar, pragati ke aadhar’’ coined by the previous Chautala regime continues to find mention on Vita milk and lassi packets market by the Ambala District Co-op Milk Producers Union Limited. The Tribune possesses packs dated May 2, 2006, of milk products processed at Ambala milk plant of Vita and distributed in several districts of Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. Though the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government had discontinued the much debatable programme "sarkaar aapke dwar’’ but the catchphrase "sarkaar aapke dwar, pragati ke aadhar’’ is still printed even after the completion of the Congress government. The Tribune had highlighted on March 14 the goof-up made by the premium brand of the state-run milk cooperative. After the report, the Jind plant of Vita has "rectified’’ the error and deleted the slogan. The catchword is printed on all types of Vita milk and lassi packets processed, packed and marketed by Ambala milk plant. Talking to TNS, an official of the state cooperative admitted it as a blunder by the Ambala milk plant. He said the authorities had taken cognizance of the news report and asked the Jind plant authorities to rectify it. The same was forwarded to other units of the state too but added that perhaps it was not followed up accordingly. Former Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala had started "sarkaar aapke dwar’’ programme with much fanfare. But the Congress had criticised the same terming it as an anti-panchayat and an attempt to weaken the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). During the Chautala regime, the then state government had raised hoardings, welcome gates at villages, towns, markets and other public places.
	56.89 pc pass matric exam, result today Our Correspondent Bhiwani, May 3 Nearly 56.89 per cent students have passed the matriculation examination conducted by the Haryana School Education Board in March 2006. Result of the examination will be declared on May 4. A spokesman of the board said today like previous years girls outdid boys and obtained pass percentage of 59.48 per cent. Pass percentage of boys is 55.33. He said 3,22,106 candidates appeared in the examination this year, of which 1,83,273 candidates were declared successful. Candidates from urban areas secured pass percentage of 61.26 whereas of rural areas 54.80. Pass percentage of candidates from government schools is 45.42 compared to private schools success rate of which is 63.53 per cent. Results will be made available to the candidates at the schools, through IVRS or at the board’s website www.hbse.nic.in or at result website at www.results.nic.in. Results could also be checked by clicking at the link resultthroughbinocular at www.indiaresults.com. Reliance mobile has also provided the facility of checking instant results. For accessing result through R-World, user need to select appropriate exam, i.e. Haryana matriculation and then feed roll numbers. Result would be displayed on mobile sets. Candidates can check their results also on AirTel mobiles provider by typing HB 10 and then roll number and sending it to 3030. Results could also be accessed through BSNL mobiles by messaging the roll number to 7777.
	Hooda condoles Mahajan’s death Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 3 The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has expressed his grief over the death of Parmod Mahajan, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, today. Mr Hooda said in his death the country had lost a promising leader who served the nation in various capacities. Pramod Mahajan was an able parliamentarian and a staunch social worker.
	Outstanding students awarded Tribune News Service Ambala, May 3 A prize distribution function was held at SS Little Angel’s Convent School, Machonda, Ambala Cantonment today. The function had been organised under the Tribune in Education programme in association with ICICI Prudential. A painting and essay writing competition was held on April 29 and the prize winners were awarded today. School principal Ms Hem Lata said that such competitions enabled tapping the latent talent of the students. She said extra curricular activities helped in the overall growth of the child. In the drawing competition, first prize winner is Apoorva from Class VIII, second prize went to Shubham Kapoor from Class VI and third prize went to Ayush of Class VI. Ten consolation prize winners are Arvinder Pal, Shivalli, Shivani Chaudhary, Meenakshi, Deepak Rana, Atul, Sandeep Sharma, Yogesh Chopra, Pushpinder Kaur and Kamal. In the essay writing competition, first prize winner is Manish Thakur of Class X, second prize went to Shelja from Class X and third prize was won by Sukhwinder Kaur from Class X. Ten consolation prize winners are Saurabh Goel, Manjeet Kaur, Barkha, Ishan, Sahil, Sameer, Dinesh, Anuj, Pallavi and Ankit. Mr Swaranjeet Singh and Mr Ramandeep Singh from ICICI Prudential were present.
	Reward announced for murder accused Our Correspondent Kurukshetra, May 3 The district police has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information on the whereabouts of Sonu, one of the accused in the murder of an undertrial, Dilbaag Singh, who is at large. Stating this to mediapersons here today, district police chief Sanjay Kumar said Dilbaag Singh had been undergoing trail under Sections 406, 420 and 382, IPC. On December 8, head constables Jaipal, Harbans Lal and Gurdev Singh had brought Dilbaag Singh from Hisar jail to Kurukshetra to produce him in the local court here. On their way back to the Hisar jail, Dilbaag was shot in a Haryana Roadways bus allegedly by Mintu of Loni, Ghaziabad district, UP; Sonu of Chandi Nagar, Baagpat district; Jeeta and Malik near Pindaarsi bus stand. Although, Mintu was nabbed by the policemen accompanying them, Sonu along with the other two escaped. On the statement of head constable Jaipal, a case under Sections 302, 307, 353, 146, and 34, IPC, and under the Arms Act was registered against the accused. Mr Kumar added that raids were being conducted on different places to arrest Sonu and his accomplices. He said the informer’s name would be kept secret.
	Exam coordinator seeks Kidwai’s help Tribune News Service Sirsa, May 3 The case of missing question booklet during the CEET exam held on the campus of Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) here last year has taken an interesting turn with the centre coordinator alleging that he was being made the scapegoat. Dr N.K. Bishnoi, a former faculty member at CDLU, who at present is chairman of the Department of Business Economics at Guru Jambheshwar University (GJU) in Hisar, has written a letter to CDLU Chancellor, Dr A.R.Kidwai, requesting him to intervene and take necessary action. One CEET question booklet had gone missing at the exam centre formed on the CDLU campus here in June last. An enquiry officer appointed by the Vice-Chancellor submitted his report, following which Dr Bishnoi’s one increment was directed to be stopped. Surprisingly, all other exam officials at the centre, including the Superintendent-in-Chief, Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant City Manager and Centre Clerk, have been let off with a warning and told to be careful in future. This, despite the fact that the responsibility of safeguarding the question booklets rests with the centre superintendent. Dr Bishnoi has challenged the entire procedure, stating that according to university rules, the enquiry officer should have been appointed by its executive council and not by the Vice-Chancellor. “Even if the Vice-Chancellor has used his emergency powers, the emergency was not explained to the council, which was kept in the dark,” he alleges, adding that the appointment of enquiry officer was against the university Act and teachers’ agreement.
	Police to set up special cell for ex-servicemen Our Correspondent Ambala, May 3 The newly appointed Superintendent of Police, Ambala, Mr Amitabh Dhillon has said that the Ambala police will set up a special cell to deal with the disputes of ex-servicemen. A special cell for listening the grievances of the elderly persons is already working in the SP office premises. Talking to mediapersons here today he said transparency and discipline would be brought in the day-to-day functioning of the police. He said it would be his first priority to strengthen the law and order situation in the district so that the common man could live with out any terror. Answering a question he said he had directed the in charges of police stations and police posts to take strict action against the violators of traffic rules. He said that the vehicles running with out number plates would be impounded and use of helmet would also be enforced firmly. Mr Dhillon said he had directed all SHO’s to register the FIR with out delay when even any complainant approached them. He was of the view that the delay in the registering the FIR could cause setback to the victims. He said that the cooperation of prominent and elderly citizens would be taken to curb the corruption and crime in the district.
	MoU on breeding of vultures Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 3 A memorandum of understanding (MoU) relating to the captive breeding of vultures for the next 13 years was signed yesterday between the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in the presence of the Minister of State for Forests, Ms Kiran Choudhry. The MoU was signed by Dr R. D. Jakati, Chief Wildlife Warden, on behalf of the Forest Department, and Dr A. R. Rehmani, Director of the BNHS. Ms Choudhry said the Forest Department had been spearheading the vulture conservation efforts in collaboration with the BNHS, along with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
	DAV school Principal honoured Our Correspondent Ambala, May 3 Ms Reena Nagrath, Principal, DAV Public School, Ambala city has been awarded a gold medal and a certificate for her contribution in the field of social service and promoting the Arya Smaj activities. The award was conferred by Mr R.L. Bhatia, Governor, Kerala, on behalf of the DAV Management Committee at a function in Delhi. Ms. Nagrath is a recipient of National Award for Teachers.
	Two vends restrained from selling liquor Yamunanagar, May 3 A local court has restrained the owners of two liquor vends from selling liquor from their outlets located near Madhu Hotel here. The managements of a temple and schools and six doctors of the locality had sought permanent injunction on the functioning of the vends. The complainants had alleged that the two vends are situated within a distance of 50 metres from hospitals and medical centres, the Hanuman temple, New Era Senior Secondary School and DAV Senior Secondary School. — TNS