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Stuck with RTI? Call for help
Chandigarh, August 28 Chief secretary Dharam Vir said the helpline would start functioning within a month. It would be a toll-free number and would work on all seven days and one-shift basis. Depending on the traffic, additional helpline and additional shift would be added. The call center would help information seekers by guiding them about the filing of applications. It would also help them to articulate their questions, in case any information seeker is not clear about what he is looking for. He said an RTI cell would be created in the office of the chief secretary immediately and the same would be designated as assistant public information officer (APIO). Its main function would be to coordinate RTI work with departments. Dharam Vir said to facilitate the information seekers in payment of fee, a payment gateway would be incorporated with the web portal. The information seekers would be able to pay fee through different modes like cash, draft, treasury challans and postal orders. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) would develop web-based portal, which would be ready in three months for pilot launch. The payment of fees through affixation of court fee stamps would also be considered as a mode of payment of fee under the Act wherever RTI applications are filed manually. The government would make necessary amendments in the rules in this regard. The chief secretary said in order to provide guidance to the information seekers, it had also been decided to open a counter at e-disha centres or offices of DCs in all districts with an official who would be designated as state assistant public information officer. He would collect applications meant for PIOs of the district concerned and also at the state headquarters. He would forward these applications to the concerned public information officers (PIOs) and would maintain a record of fee and applications received at e-disha centre till the web-based model is fully operationalised. These APIOs would subsequently coordinate with CSCs to successfully implement web-based RTI model in their respective districts. For timely response to RTI queries, one officer in each department would be designated as nodal public information officer and would be part of the RTI cell. He would coordinate with other PIOs of the department to ensure effective implementation of web-based RTI system. The chief secretary said to promote the usage of the RTI Act among the masses, a number of promotional steps would also be taken. These included publicity in mass media through posters and advertisements. A chapter on the Act would also be included
in curricula of schools and colleges. He said the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) had been asked to compile a directory of SPIOs, ASPIOs and first appellate authorities. This could be a priced publication. It would also be available on the state website. There was also a plan to prepare a users' guide through HIPA to assist the citizens who want to exercise their right under the Act. This guide would be made available to the applicants by all public authorities. This could be in form of a pamphlet that might be priced and printed for distribution to various offices in the state.
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Cashing in on success in Beijing
Hisar, August 28 The two parties have been trying to out do each other by showering cash awards on the Bhiwani boxers and some others who did well in Beijing. Bronze medallist Vijender Kumar is slated to get Rs 50 lakh from the state government. Besides, he has been offered the post of the deputy superintendent of police. Two other boxers, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, who entered semis in Beijing, will get Rs 25 lakh each from the state government. Both will also don the uniforms of DSP of the state police. On the other hand, INLD MP Ajay Chautala announced at Bhiwani yesterday that the party would give Rs 25 lakh to Vijender Kumar and Rs 5 lakh each to Akhil, Jitender and Dinesh. Chautala has represented the Bhiwani Lok Sabha seat in the past. Ajay Chautala's younger brother Abhey Chautala, who heads a faction of the Haryana Olympic Association which claims official recognition also announced that the HOA would give Rs 25 lakh to Vijender and Rs 5 lakh each to Akhil, Jitender and Dinesh. Interestingly, Ajay Chautala escorted the boxers to Bhiwani from Delhi and the felicitation function was held at the party's office in Devi Lal Bhawan. The party plans to organise a special state-level function soon to give away cheques to the sportspersons. The Hooda government is scheduled to honour the players on August 30. Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who hails from a village in Delhi bordering Haryana, has also benefited from the race between the two parties. The government will give him Rs 25 lakh while the INLD announced a cash award of Rs 11 lakh for him. The Hooda government has announced Rs 25 lakh for shooting star Abhinav Bindra who will attend the official function in Bhiwani. However, the Punjab government has not so far reciprocated by announcing a cash award for Haryana Vijender Kumar. Likewise, while Haryana has announced Rs 25 lakh for Sushil Kumar, the Delhi government has not reciprocated the gesture. Besides the players, boxing coach Jagdish Singh who had thus far faced only harassment from his superiors will at last get his due. The Hooda government has decided to give Rs 25 lakh for him. The race between the Hooda government and the INLD began when Chautala announced before the Beijing Olympics that the gold, silver or bronze medal winners at the Olympics would get cash awards of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, respectively, from the HOA. Not to be left behind in earning brownie points, the Hooda government announced that it would give Rs 2 crore for a gold, Rs 1 crore for a silver and Rs 50 lakh for a bronze. The Hooda government largesse will also make wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and badmintion player Saina Nehwal richer by Rs 25 lakh each. Both had entered the quarterfinals in Beijing. Dutt hails from Sonipat while Nehwal, too, belongs to Haryana though her family is now in
Hyderabad.
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One-stop shops vs small traders
Ambala, August 28 According to information, six more malls and big shopping centers are coming up in Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment in near future. Mainly, vegetable vendors and small grocery shopkeepers are affected the most by the foray of big players. Around 100 groceries and general merchant shops are on the verge of closure. Fruit and vegetable booths and vends are also badly affected. A number of residents in Ambala who came from Pakistan during Partition started working here as vegetables vendors and are running small grocery shops. They came empty-handed from across the border and could make little investment to start some other occupation to earn their livelihood. Some of them expanded their business in big ways but most of them are still living in the state of dearth. These malls are proving to be a threat to their livelihood. People initially had diverse views on the emergence of these malls. But gradually they started accepting the change. Visiting a super market has become a status symbol not only for the rich but also for the common man. Youngsters could be seen freaking out in these malls. Whereas adults, especially women, find it convenient to shop here as one gets all household items and vegetables under one roof. Variety in abundance is an added advantage. Old generation still has some reservation in collaborating with this new culture. A software engineer of the city, Vikas Sharma, said modernisation was the need of the hour. The country could not go ahead until such big business centres expand their horizon, he added. On the other hand, an elderly person, Fatheh Chand, while opposing the mall culture said this glimmer would not continue long and ultimately people would reverse to old habits.
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Demolition threat looms large over Kaithal market
Jind, August 28 Around 140 shopkeepers of this modern shopping complex, set up by the local Municipal Committee, have been on their toes as the threat of demolition looms large following the decision of the district authorities to declare a part of the market as illegal. “The shopping complex, located near the famous Rani Talaab, was developed way back in 1985 by the civic body. It was rented out to private persons against a fixed monthly rent. But it seems to have become a political issue rather than a matter of concern,” claims a shopkeeper here. The politicians and the authorities have never taken the matter seriously and the end result is that despite the market being over 23 years old, it is being threatened with demolition rather than further development, he says. It is claimed that despite resolutions adopted by the MC on more than six occasions, the authorities had failed to meet the longstanding demand of allowing the construction of the first floor and instead kept the issue hanging fire without any ground. According to information, at least 19 out of the total 31 members of the civic body recently adopted a resolution to allow construction of the first floor and renting the space by the present tenants against the monthly rent to be collected by the body on permanent basis. The monthly rent of the shops varies from Rs 950 to Rs 1,500 depending upon the area and location. Earlier, the MC had adopted a proposal in 1999 to allow the additional construction. Since then the civic body had been collecting rent for additional floor of shops from the present tenants. However, it suddenly stopped collecting additional rent a few months ago without citing any reason. The additional floors were constructed with the prior permission of the civic body, but the fact that the original shape of the market has undergone change as shopkeepers have usurped the verandah in front of the shops has forced the officials to take another view. They believe that besides being illegal, it has also led to a major problem as there is no space left for construction of staircase for the first or second floors. After knowing about the proposal to declare the first floor as illegal, the shopkeepers have been running from pillar to post to save their shops. The matter has been taken with the office of the commissioner and the authorities in Chandigarh, but it is stated that the issue is lying with the office of the deputy commissioner here. The shopkeepers, who fear that they could be handed over the notices of demolition soon, are left with no option but to approach the Chief Minister or the High Court for relief, says Rishipal, president of the traders’ association.
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Jayanti museum may be a thing of past
Jind, August 28 The proposal to hand over reins of first-of-its-kind museum to the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) has failed to materialise. This has not only affected the upkeep of the institution but also created a sense of insecurity among those who want to preserve the unique pieces of history. The museum has hundreds of precious articles depicting history and culture of the region. The museum was inaugurated on July 28 last year by state A.R. Kidwai. The then deputy commissioner of the district had written to the KDB asking it to take over the functioning of the museum, but no such consent has reached the district authorities so far. Though the upkeep work is with the local administration, it is believed that if work is not given to an authorised agency soon, the existence of the museum could be at stake as expertise and continuous financial support is required for this work. The museum started on the premises of the famous Jayanti Devi temple on the main road near Hansi -Yamuna link canal here. The temple is run by a private trust and according to reports the trust had agreed to open the museum in a building meant for religious discourses. Since the interest of the local administration regarding museum affairs shrinked over the period, some of the members of the temple trust raised their demand of getting the museum shifted, claiming that it was opened in the hall meant for the temple. Things went worse when it came to light that some anti-social elements entered the museum and tried to damage and steal some of the items recently. Administration has posted some policemen at the place since then. The authorities could now look towards the archive department if the KDB do not come forward to take But according to experts, the maintenance of such institutes should be handed over to an agency that could guarantee its upkeep so that all efforts and funds do not go waste. A majority of the artifacts and antiquities in the museum are contributed by Devraj Sirohiwal and Gulshan Bhardwaj, both residents of the town. It may be recalled that Jind is a part of the 48-mile-area of Kurukshetra and is known as Jayanti located on the banks of the Drishwadi in ancient times as mentioned in Mahabharata. It is close to Rakhigarhi where relics of Harappan times were found. The museum has hundreds of pieces of art made up of terracotta, stone sculpture depicting god and goddesses, coins, pottery, chart blades, bangles, weapons and musical instruments, besides a large number of manuscripts in Sanskrit, Persian and Urdu languages. One of the manuscripts is about
Gita. Over 200 coins of various dynasties and 27 types of ancient weapons are also kept in this museum. |
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BSP upbeat as Chetan Sharma joins in
Chandigarh, August 28 The latest person having a publicity value to join the BSP is former cricketer Chetan Sharma. Sharma joined the party at its impressive rally at Sohna yesterday. The rally was organised by Zakir Hussein, who has already been nominated by the BSP as its candidate from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency. Though the party has not yet announced so, it is expected to field Sharma as its candidate from the Karnal Lok Sabha constituency. It may be recalled that the sitting Congress MP from Karnal, Arvind Sharma, badly let down BSP supremo Mayawati during the July trust vote. Arvind changed sides from the Congress to the BSP and vice-versa a number of times during just three days before he finally voted for the UPA government. The BSP naturally wants to teach a lesson to Arvind if he is renominated by the Congress to contest the next Lok Sabha elections. For this, the party has been looking for a known Brahmin face. Chetan is not only a new face in politics, but he is also expected to click with the young generation cutting across the caste lines. He can also persuade his former cricketing colleagues to campaign for him. The party hopes that Chetan will be its answer to Navjot Sidhu of the BJP. Meanwhile, both the Haryana Janhit Congress of Kuldeep Bishnoi and the Indian National Lok Dal of Om Prakash Chautala are in touch with the BSP for an alliance during the next Lok Sabha as well as the Vidhan Sabha elections. It is learnt that the INLD is talking to the BSP leadership through its UNPA partner, the TDP. The INLD is offering a “package” to the BSP, which includes a majority of the Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, and an alliance in UP as well as Rajasthan. The INLD is not demanding any Lok Sabha seats in UP and Rajasthan. But it certainly wants certain assembly seats in Rajasthan. It also wants to contest the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat, for which the BSP has already nominated Gurdial Singh Saini. Despite pressure from the TDP, the BSP has not so far responded positively to the INLD’s proposal. The party is afraid that if it entered into an alliance with the INLD, its non-Jat plank would suffer a setback. On March 2 last, Mayawati had declared at a rally in Karnal that if the BSP came to power in Haryana, its Chief Minister would be a non-Jat. An alliance with the INLD would mean a burial of that announcement. The BSP leaders feel that if the next Lok Sabha elections are held after the assembly elections in Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and certain other states due in November this year, more leaders would jump on the BSP bandwagon. This hope of theirs is based on their perception that the party would do perform extremely well in these states.
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Bima yojna in all districts by 2012
Chandigarh, August 28 An MoU in this regard was signed between the union government and the Haryana government on Tuesday at a state-level workshop for the implementing agencies about the scheme at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Gurgaon. Anil Swarup, director-general of labour welfare on behalf of the union government and NC Wadhwa, labour commissioner, on the behalf of the Haryana government signed the MoU. Prior to this, the scheme was implemented in Faridabad, Panipat, Bhiwani and Yamunanagar districts in the first phase. Addressing DCs, civil surgeons and district information officers of NIC of the four districts where the RSBY will be implemented, Swarup said a member of a BPL family working in unorganised sector and his family up to five members would get in-patient healthcare insurance benefits of Rs 30,000 per year. Under the scheme, the head of BPL family or his spouse would be covered while other members of the family could be enrolled in consultation with the family head. The beneficiaries could get the indoor treatment in any government hospital or empanelled private hospital of not only the district or the state but also anywhere in the country by showing the smart card given to them. Swarup said the insurer company would go to every village and enroll families as per the BPL list and give each family a smart card. Though the cost of preparing such smart card, which comes out to be Rs 60, would be borne by the government, the beneficiary family would have to give Rs 30 per year as registration or renewal fees. The card will be valid for a year only. He said the purpose of the scheme was to empower the BPL worker who would have a choice to select the hospital, either private or government, for his treatment. He said the head of family should be present at the time of enrollment and computerised photograph and thumb impressions of all beneficiary family members would taken by the insurer agency. The agency would open a kiosk in every district for correction of discrepancies in the allotted smart card and to prepare duplicate card in case the original got lost but in this situation the beneficiary would have to tell the unique relationship number (URN) of the card and would also have to bear the cost of the card. This would be SCOSTA certified card and could not be duplicated or tempered. Therefore, the chances of misuse were very less. The official said the scheme would be implemented in all districts of the country by 2012 in a phased manner. In case, the head of the BPL family had to go elsewhere for earning livelihood, the family could opt for splitting the smart card, for which a new card could be prepared at the kiosk. Wherever the beneficiary would avail the healthcare facility, the amount left in the chip of the card would be exhibited by the card reader. Wadhwa said the premium for health insurance for each BPL family, which would come out to be around Rs 800, would be borne by the Central government and the state government in the ratio of 75:25. He said a target of providing health insurance cover to more than three lakh BPL families of these four newly included districts of Haryana was fixed. As per earlier plan, four districts were to be included in the scheme every year but after taking successful implementation of the scheme under consideration, the union ministry of labour had included four more districts during the present financial year itself. He hopped that all districts of Haryana would soon come under the ambit of this scheme.
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HAU’s accreditation extended
Hisar, August 28 Disclosing this here yesterday, registrar R.S. Dalal said HAU being a premier farm varsity of India had taken a lead amongst all agricultural universities in the country in creating the best infrastructure and achieving its mandate. Therefore, the ICAR, the apex body, had extended the accreditation for another five years. Dalal said in recent years, the university had successfully executed an ambitious Agriculture Human Resource Development (AHRD) project of World Bank and had strengthened its infrastructure. The skills and abilities of its faculty had been enhanced by organising specialised training programmes. He said the curricula of all undergraduate courses had been reframed and updated in accordance with the emerging needs of globalisation. On the research front, scientists had developed nearly two dozen high-yielding varieties of various crops, fruits, vegetables and spices. The production technology of these crops had also been successfully disseminated all over Haryana depending on different agro-climatic conditions. Efforts had been intensified for making agriculture a remunerative profession by enhancing the nutrition quality of agricultural produce. Dalal said the university had implemented bilateral exchange programmes with a number of universities of developed countries like the USA, UK, Netherlands and Germany and identified areas of mutual collaboration and cooperation.
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Scholarship scheme for BC students
Chandigarh, August 28 About 1.5 lakh students would be benefited under the scheme. Hooda said the students of the Backward Classes-A had also been included in the monthly scholarship scheme announced for the students of below poverty line and the Scheduled Castes. Under the scheme, girl students studying in classes I to V would be given a monthly scholarship of Rs 150 and boys Rs 75 and girl students in classes VI to VIII would be given Rs 200 and boys Rs 100. Similarly, the girl students studying in classes IX to XII would be given a monthly scholarship of Rs 300 and boys Rs 150 and the girl students of science stream would be given Rs 400 and boys Rs 200. The scheme would be implemented on the similar pattern as had been decided in case of the families belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Under the scheme, boys and girls belonging to the Backward Classes (Category A), who were studying in government colleges, would be given one-time book allowance of Rs 2,000 per year and a monthly stipend of Rs 750. The state government had already implemented the scheme for students belonging to Scheduled Castes families under which 8 lakh students were being benefited. –
UNI
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IOC to set up rubber plant in Panipat
Panipat, August 28 SBR is predominantly used in producing tyres for cars and light trucks. Besides, it is used for making houseware mats, drainboard trays, shoe sole, chewing gum, food container sealants, conveyor belts, sponge articles and others. It is also used in pharmaceutical, surgical, and sanitary products along with food packaging. IOC’s move is crucial as the country has only two poly-butadiene rubber (PBR) units at IPCL, Vadodara, while there is no SBR unit in operation currently. According to sources, the estimated consumption of SBR during 2007-08 was 110 TMTPA. The bulk of demand comes from the country’s automotive industry, which is projected to be doubled by 2014-15. The automotive industry constitutes around 92 per cent of the consumption of SBR in the country. The sources said the country was likely to experience significant deficits in SBR in the years ahead. The deficit is expected to rise to 132 TMT in 2009 but would come down to 77 TMT with the commissioning of the IOC plant. Four grades of emulsion SBR, two oil-extended and two non-oil grades would be produced at the plant. IOC has firmed up its plan for the project based on the recommendations of its consultants.
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Puffing his way to creativity
Rohtak, August 28 For instance, take the case of a small-time electrician Harish Ahlawat (25), based at Rohtak, who has made a battery-operated hookah all by himself.
Story behind the innovation is quite interesting. While Harish was very fond of smoking hookah, his father, a non-smoker, used to despise this habit. Eventually, the young man thought of a novel idea to puff his hookah in privacy, without disturbing his father. About two years ago, he made an electric hookah. In this, he substituted the dung cake based heating mechanism of the hookah with an electric heating system. The electric hookah was a novel breakthrough, as it did not require the cumbersome process of burning dung cakes to heat up tobacco. However, this hookah required electricity and was rendered useless in the event of power cuts, which are quite frequent in the region. “Some of my friends who used to borrow electric hookah did not have power generators or inverters at their home. Then I thought of making a battery-operated model,” Harish revealed while talking with The Tribune. This innovative youth has used a thermostat, a resistance, a relay and an automatic mechanism and has taken care of even the tiniest aspects while making this battery-operated hookah. He now plans to make a more refined model. Technically, a government or non-government agency can perhaps not award this invention as it promotes smoking. But it might be a rage at smoking bars coming up in big cities.
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Gohana to have 3 bypasses
Sonepat, August 28 According to Gohana MLA Jagbir Singh Malik, one bypass will connect the Rohtak highway from Mahra village to the Meham road near Ahulana village via Thaska village. This will enable farmers of villages on the Gohana-Rohtak highway to bring their sugarcane to Ahulana Cooperative Sugar Mill without entering the town. The second bypass will be constructed on one side of drain No. 8 connecting the bridges on the drain near the Sonepat turn and the Rohtak highway, and it will cost around Rs 4 crore, Malik said, adding that traffic to and from Rohtak, Sonepat and Panipat need not enter the town. He said the third bypass would originate from the bridge on the drain on the Rohtak highway and would join the Meham road near Gudha chungi to facilitate the entry of vehicles to both grain markets of the town.
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Traffic chaos makes life difficult for locals
Sonepat, August 28 The existing two railway under-bridges in the town — one near Shanni Mandir and the other close to level crossing — are catering to the movement of traffic, but with more and more vehicles plying on the road, the stress on the under-bridges is mounting. Earlier, during rains, there used to be a big problem for the motorists to cross these under-bridges due to waterlogging for want of proper drainage facilities. Realising the importance of smooth vehicular movement, the district administration laid underground pipes about six to seven years ago near Shanni Mandir. Though this brought some relief in this area, the under-bridge near the railway crossing continues to remain waterlogged not only by rainwater but also due to overflow of the sewerage pipes. Many a times, waterlogging is noticed up to four to five feet, making it practically impossible to use. The level crossing is also a problem, which is hardly open for 10 minutes at one time because of heavy train traffic, as it is one of the busiest sections of the Northern Railways. Interestingly, it has also been the longstanding demand of the people of the town to make permanent arrangement for a proper drainage system. In fact, the residents have approached the local authorities as well as the railway authorities for the same, but to no avail.
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Entries invited for women’s award
Yamunanagar, August 28 The award dedicated to legendary women like Rani Lakshmibai, Devi Ahilya, Bai Holker, Korgi, Jija Bai and Rani Gedlu comprised Rs 3 lakh and a letter of commendation by the department of women and child development, said deputy commissioner Mohammad Shain. He said the award would be given to five women belonging to different areas.
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Rs 5.76 cr spent on roads
Sirsa, August 28 An official spokesman claimed that under the scheme Rs 1.25 crore had been spent in the urban areas. —
TNS
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Movies this week
Producer: Dharamendra, Sunny Deol Inspired from the real life incidents director Kabeer Kaushik's "Chamku" opens today at Suraj Panchkula, Sun City-Hisar, Minerva ambala Cantt, Fun- ambala City, Fun-Panipat, SRS-Faridabad,, Inox-Faridabad, new Capital-Ambala Cantt, PVR MGF, PVR Ambi Mall, Adlabs Cinema, Ajit (all Gurgaon). What to watch out for: High powered thriller with lead stars top performance C Kkompany Producer: Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd. A light hearted comedy directed by debutant director Sachin Yardi also opens today at Fun-ambala City Fun-Panipat, PVR Cinemax-Panipat, PVR MGF, PVR Sahara, SRS Omaxe, DTCC, DTMM, Adlabs (All Gurgaon), SRS City Mall, SRS Prestine, PVR Crown Plaza, Inox Leisure Ltd, (All Faridabad). Rock On! Producer: Excel Entertainment Abhishek Kapoor's directorial venture also opens today at Fun-Ambala City, Fun-Panipat, Cinemax-Panipat, Adlabs Palm Vihar, DT Mega Mall, Dt City Centre, PVR MGF, Pvr Sahara, PVR Ambi Mall, SRS (All Gurgaon), SRS, SRs Pristine, Inox Leisure, Movie Time Manhattan Mall, Movie Time City Mall (All Faridabad). — Dharam Pal |
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Citizens’ Grievances
The residents of Yamunanagar-Jagadhari belt are a depressed lot as they are facing a lot of troubles, including chocked sewers, big crater-like potholes on all main and sub-roads, and lack of potable water in several colonies to name a few. Garbage is littered everywhere in the residential colonies and along the highway. Public parks need urgent care as they are being ignored for long. Power cuts have become a daily affair. It is high time that the authorities should pay attention to these problems because despite paying all kinds of taxes, people are not getting a clean and healthy environment to live in.
R.P. Oberoi, Yamunanagar Rough patch
The Chhachhrauli-Jagadhri road has a stretch of 7-8 km, which is full of crater-shaped potholes. It is all the more difficult during rainy season when rainwater accumulates in the pits and poses a hazard to the lives of the people. Moving on the road with the lack of concentration can cause serious accidents. Moreover, drivers of heavy vehicles like trucks, trolleys, canters etc. run on the road without any adhering to the traffic rules. It seems that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the blatant violation of traffic rules and maintenance of the road. It is high time that steps should be taken in this regard else road users will continue to face risk to their lives.
Shivranjan Garg, Chhachhrauli
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