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Governance
Kavi (Panipat), June 12 The first foundation stone was laid by Abhay Chautala in 2004 during the previous regime of INLD in the state. But the project got delayed due to certain reasons. Later, the government asked the village panchayat to provide land for the health centre, following which the villagers donated 4.5 acres of land for the purpose. Despite this, the project failed to kickstart. With the change of government in the state, the villagers’ hope to get a PHC rekindled as finance minister Birender Singh’s in-laws belonged to this village. Last year in May, the villagers had even organised a function in honour of Birender Singh. During the function, the villagers requested the minister to sanction the requisite funds for the construction of the PHC. Though the finance minister had approved the project and even laid down another foundation stone, yet, till date, not even a single brick has been laid at the proposed site. As the villagers continued to pursue their case, the health department finally sent a letter to the village sarpanch asking her to get an estimate prepared for the project. Village sarpanch Satwantidevi, when contacted, said they had got an estimate prepared in January and had submitted it to the department. She said local authorities had raised objections to the estimate twice, but eventually it was cleared and sent to the concerned department for the release of funds. She claimed that matter was now lying pending with the health department and the funds were likely to be released soon. Meanwhile, the villagers alleged that despite tall claims made by the politicians, no progress had been made. They said the sports stadium, proposed to be built in the village, had also met with a similar fate due to lack of funds.
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Wheat procurement
Jind, June 12 But behind this Herculean exercise, which involves the hard work of farmers and labourers, there are certain lacunae and loopholes, which seem to be promoting large-scale corruption and financial scams. Underweight bags of wheat and illegal diversion in the transportation process are among the factors responsible for the losses running into several crores, thanks to the policy of the government to allot work to politically connected and influential persons. Some commission agents in the district have taken up the issue with the authorities concerned, demanding a probe and action against those involved. According to sources, various procurement agencies, including HAFED, are in the process of issuing letters to the commission agents (arhtiyas) about the short supply of the bags after procurement from mandis recently. This is where the allegations of a major scam come into picture, claimed an agent at Narwana grain market. He said the commission agents were being made the scapegoats when the transporters and the officials concerned were responsible for the illegal diversion of the wheat. It is alleged that the irregularities were done during the transportation process and the shortage in supply was made up from the bills of the agents by holding them responsible for it. “There are around 1,000 commission agents in the district and if each of them were asked to foot the bill of 10 quintals of wheat, the total amount of money involved in this scam could be easily worked out,” said an agent at Jind here. Ramesh Gupta of Ramesh Gupta and Company, Narwana, has written a letter to the managing director of HAFED, alleging extreme harassment at the hands of the HAFED staff. He claimed one of the trucks supplied by him had been short of bags weighing about 1.5 quintals after just three hours of dispatch. The company had been in operation at the Phuliankalan purchase centre in the district. It is reported that on an average, every agent at Narwana had been told to make up for the shortage of 15 to 20 quintals of wheat; despite the fact that the transporters were responsible for the shortage and not the agents. The practice of political appointments of the contractors had started a few years back and this resulted not only in gross inconvenience, but also in irregularities, as there had been no control over them, said a source in the local grain market. The failure to lift the procured wheat has resulted in glut in nearly every market of the district.
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Don’t panic over oxytocin use, says expert
Chandigarh, June 12 This was the advice given by the director of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Dr A.K. Srivastva, while speaking at a function organised by the institute to mark the World Milk Day, 2008, recently. However, he said the dairy farmers should use oxytocin judiciously. This medicine was recommended for specific conditions and should be used only when essential. Dr K.M. Bujarbaruha, deputy director-general, Animal Sciences, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, said India ranked first in the world with 100 million tonnes of milk production annually. Still research was needed for developing high milk-producing animals and their economic feeding because the country would need 180 million tonnes of milk annually
by 2020. Highlighting the challenges of low-milk-yield per cattle, non-availability of
good quality semen, shortage of fodder and feed ingredients and shortage of land for fodder cultivation confronting the Indian dairy industry, he said scientists should come out with technologies which should have direct application under field conditions. Dr C.S. Prasad, assistant director-general, ICAR, emphasised the need for identifying relevant dairy production technologies for different states to enhance the milk production in the country. The existing per capita availability of milk (246 gm) in the country could be increased through improved use of dairy technologies. Former director of the NDRI Sushil Kumar, said whereas in the developed countries the milk production per animal had reached the saturation point, in India there was enormous scope for
further increase. Ten dairy farmers, two dairy farm- women and students of various schools who participated in the essay writing and painting competitions organised on the occasion, were
honoured. Among those who participated were Dr S.L. Goswami, joint director (research), Dr G.R. Patil, joint director (academic), Prof Giuseppe Licitra, Stephanie Gabibo of CoRFilaC, Italy and Jagdeep Cheema of the Cheema Foundation.
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Inside Babudom
Chandigarh, June 12 Despite the move “hanging fire” for long, over three months, this time the “threat” seems for real. It is finally expected that the transfers would be affected by next week. As a run up to D-day, work in the offices has virtually come to a standstill. While talk on the “movement” of officers is central to all conversations and discussions, there are officers trying to curry favour with the powers that be in the hope of “extracting” plum postings, there are others who are lobbying through those close aides and those who are “running around” to stay back. Besides this, there are still others who have resigned themselves to their fate and are just sitting on the fence, waiting for marching orders. In fact, the issue of transfers has been lingering for long now though it is finally expected to happen in the coming week. Since the government completed three years in power in March this year, the bureaucracy has been rife with news about a possible reshuffle. However, the bureaucracy was left wondering when the transfer list failed to surface and cited the on-going Assembly session as a reason for the possible delay. Sidelined officers saw hope for better postings on the other side of the session, only to be disappointed again. Then, the byelections for the three Assembly seats happened. With the imposition of the model code of conduct, the fate of the expected transfers and the officers remained unchanged. Since the declaration of results of the byelection in the last week of May and normalcy gradually returning to government working, all eyes are now on the Cabinet and the administrative reshuffle. A handful of deputy commissioners are expected to play musical chairs this transfer season. Panipat ADC, Dr Amit Aggarwal, who did some pioneering work in sanitation, could be given the charge of a district. A vacancy exists in Panipat created after Mohinder Kumar’s elevation to super-time scale. DC Karnal, BS Malik, who was removed at the instance of the Election Commission, is back in his seat while Ajit B. Joshi, who was given the post vacated by Malik at election time, has been given the charge of a relatively more sensitive Sonepat district where he replaces DPS Naggal. He was given super-time scale and posted as commissioner, Gurgaon Division. There are those awaiting postings after their return from deputation. The case of Sanjeev Kaushal, who joined back early this month, is being strongly advocated while Krishan Mohan, back from his deputation in UT and posted as secretary, dairying and animal husbandry, could also stand to gain in the transfers. Even the charge of the IT and industries has been given as additional charge to secretary, forests and environment, Yudhvir Malik. However, a number of officers could be vying for this position held by PK Chaudhary who has moved to the Centre. Reshuffle, then, is the only “happening” thing this summer for the bureaucracy.
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Water table dips in Gurgaon
Gurgaon, June 12 The administration has chalked out a plan to involve the residents in adopting measures for recharging the shrinking natural underground water reservoir. According to the deputy commissioner Rakesh Gupta, official measures for this purpose alone would not serve the purpose. “We have decided to go in for a water-harvesting system in which people and institutions will be encouraged to save and to make judicious use of available water,” he said. As a part of this, administration has decided to felicitate individuals, village panchayats, NGOs, commercial establishments, industrial units and community groups like resident welfare associations, on the coming Independence Day, in recognition of their contribution in installing the water-harvesting system. At the same time, a strict warning has also been given to the unscrupulous elements found indulging in discharging effluents or sewerage water into the pipes meant for water harvesting. “Since such acts are inimical to the interests of the society, their perpetrators will have to face legal action,” asserted Gupta. At present, the amount of water being recharged in Gurgaon is far less than what is discharged. According to the data available with the hydrological department, water level in Gurgaon block was 18.08 meters in 2003 as compared to 24.98 meters in 2007. Similar is the case in Farukhnagar, Pataudi and Sohna blocks where the level went down to 15.96, 25.90 and 20.19 metres from 12.23, 21.90 and 15.84 metres respectively. A comparative look at the data showed Gurgaon block witnessed the most drastic decline of 7 meters in last four years against 5 metres decline in predominantly rural Sohna block. Experts attribute this to large-scale use of underground water for ongoing massive building construction activities in the millennium city. Given unusually heavy rains in this month, immediate installation of water harvesting system all over to tap rainwater has become all the more important. Two months back, a meeting was called in which representatives of HUDA, national highway authority, PWD and municipal committee were asked to identify points where this system could be installed. As part of this, the system was installed in Vijayant Park opposite DC’s residence, office of block development and panchayat office, Sohna as well as local Kamla Nehru Park. Orders have been issued to develop this system in all government buildings, including rest houses. In all, 72 points, including 30 parks, 12 community centers, have been identified for the purpose. It would incur estimated expenditure of Rs 52
lakh.
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Save-planet plans go up in smoke
Karnal, June 12 When it comes to polluting the environment, rules cease to exist for the government agencies. Owing to the lackadaisical attitude of the Karnal district authorities, the rampant burning of dried fallen leaves; plastic and other waste material by the HUDA workers, go unchecked in many parts of the town. An official notification of the ministry of environment prohibits the burning of leaves and states that the biodegradable wastes shall be processed by composting, vermicomposting, anaerobic digestion or any other appropriate biological processing for stabilisation of wastes. Though officials admit there are possibilities of a strong punitive action against violators, the administration remains a
mute spectator. The entire township, particularly the urban estates developed by HUDA, has become a victim of the objectionable exercise carried on by the contractors hired by government agencies. These workers illegally burn dry leaves, causing immense air pollution and creating a health hazard for the local residents. Dry leaves and other waste materials are being burnt almost daily in Sector 7, 8, 13, 14, 6 and others parts of the town. Even in the areas around the mini-secretariat, that houses offices of DC, ADC and other administrative officials, rampant burning goes unchecked. The Tribune had raised the issue in the past but the district authorities adopted a casual approach towards the serious nuisance. Residents complained that the safai karamcharis burnt the collected garbage on roadside and demanded officials should supervise the activities strictly. The HUDA workers at different parks also burn weeds and vegetation regularly. Black patches at different places confirmed regular burning of waste material by the workers hired by HUDA. Significantly, the apex court has banned the burning of dried fallen leaves. Residents of the town complained that the fires had also damaged the newly-planted trees in the vicinity of the burning grass. They demanded the district authorities should take punitive action against offenders. Health experts said burning could lead to various health complications to patients having problems of asthma, allergy and other respiratory and lung-related diseases. High concentration of pollutants can even prove to be fatal as the burning of dry leaves releases toxins, causing an increase in the breathing rate, unconsciousness and even death in
certain cases, they added.
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Poppy makes way for drugs
Fatehabad, June 12 The trend was so common that both police officials and some local politicians were blamed for patronising the traffickers in the past. But trafficking of narcotics has been on the decline, although the misuse of certain intoxicant medicines has been on the rise in the
recent times. Sources said several big names in the illicit trade had either died or had grown too old to indulge in this
nefarious activity. Their heirs have adopted some other professions as they find the activity less lucrative if they compare the returns with the risk involved. Stringent punishments under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is another reason for the decline in drug trafficking. “An amendment in the NDPS Act in 2002 has increased the rate of conviction of those accused of drug trafficking. The amendment distinguishes traffickers of small, medium and commercial quantities in three different categories and prescribes punishment accordingly,” says K.C. Mehta, a senior criminal lawyer, who deals in such cases. “The amended law demands imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to Rs 10,000 for those caught with up to one kilogram of poppy husk, imprisonment from six months to ten years and fine from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,00,00 for those arrested with medium quantities ranging between 1 kg to 50 kg of the contraband and imprisonment from 10 years to 20 years and fine from Rs 1 lakh to 2 lakh for persons nabbed with commercial quantities of poppy husk exceeding 50 kilograms,” Mehta describes. “Over 85 of the accused caught have been convicted by the courts during the recent years sending shivers down the spines of the offenders,” says Saurabh Singh, SP,
Fatehabad. “Presently, most of the notorious criminals, who were in to the illicit trade of poppy husk are either behind the bars or facing trials,” he adds. A very recent trend of freezing and seizing the properties of such offenders by the competent authority under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (forfeiture of property) Act (SAFMA) 1976 and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, has also served as deterrent for the drug
traffickers. “The district police has so far succeeded in getting properties worth Rs 3.15 crore seized from the competent authority,” says Saurabh Singh.
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‘Lakhpati’ Jenab Hakim Ajmal Khan
Chandigarh, June 12 Talking to The Tribune on the proliferation of Urdu language, Hakim claims that despite the grandeur Urdu held for many centuries, it has now suffered a lot after being typed as a language of a particular sect of people in India. “There should be a ‘khulapan’, a positive attitude and environment besides the patronage of the government for promotion of Urdu or any language, he feels. On the contrary, the bleak future for takers of Urdu with no avenues for employment, have accounted for its reversals. Born in a sleepy village of Nemka in Mewat, Hakim Ajmal Khan had been actively involved in Urdu writing with a dozen books to his credit. His research work and creation of popular book ‘Mahabharta’ in Mewati language has proved to be landmark. Mewati, scripted in Urdu, is a judicious blend of Braj and Rajasthani known as Pengal and Dengal respectively by the rural folk. Hakim was candid enough to admit that the present day Urdu poets or writers lacked the intellectual vigour and depth and relied more on “tukbandi” while their readers expected them to meet the standards set up by legendary Mir, Ghalib, Hali, Iqbal and others. He complimented the Haryana Urdu academy for investing their best efforts to promote Urdu but the crusade is required to be revolutionised at the national level, wished Hakim Ajmal Khan.
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Citizens’ Grievances
In view of the inefficient public support system, the passengers have to travel in poorly maintained unauthorised LPG-kit fitted Maruti vans here. The passengers are always at the mercy of the arrogant and unruly drivers. They drive rashly and fill the vehicles more than double the capacity. The situation creates more panic among the passengers when some one starts smoking in the van. The gas-kit fitted maruti vans are freely running on Shahabad-Ambala, Shahabad-Piply and Shahabad-Barara routes.
Surinder Pal Singh, Shahabad Markanda Delay in Haryana Police Act
Although Haryana was the first state in the country to pass the Haryana Police Bill way back in March, 2007, the legislation is yet to see the light of day. It was reported that there were certain objections raised on some provisions of the Bill when it was sent to the President of India for his assent last year and as such it was received back for removing the anomalies. It should be imperative on the part of the Hooda government to endeavour for the expeditious passage of the legislation so that Haryana becomes the first state in initiation of police reforms too. Hemant Kumar,
Ambala City Readers, write in Send in write-ups, not exceeding 200 words, to Haryana Plus, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh. E-mail:
adalat@tribunemail. com
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Movie of the week
Priyadarshan’s new comedy flick will be released today at Suncity-Hissar,
Radhika-Rewari, Liberty-Rohtak, Inder Palace-Karnal, KC-Panchkula, Bawa-Sonepat, Nigar-Ambala
Cantt, Paras-Kurukshetra, Neelam-Faridabad, PVR-Gurgaon, PVR-Sahara-Gurgaon,
DTCC-Gurgaon, DTMM-Gurgaon, SRS-Gurgaon, PVR-Faridabad, SRS-Faridabad,
INOX-Faridabad, Naaz-Palwal. Special Attraction: An innovative concept, a multi-star cast with ace comedians like Paresh
Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Om Puri, Priyadarshan’s direction and melodious score by
Vidyasagar. — Dharam Pal
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