Chandigarh, December 30
Sitting Congress MPs and MLAs, don’t take your nomination by the party in the next elections as fait accompli.

A demand for denial of the party ticket to some of them was made at a meeting of the state Congress here today in the presence of AICC treasurer Moti Lal Vora, who is also in charge of the party affairs in the state. The demand was made by finance minister Birender Singh. It was endorsed by party chief Phool Chand Mullana and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Vora had come to urge the party men to take seriously, what he called, booth management to ensure that no genuine voter was left out of the voters’ list.

In his inimitable style Birender Singh said since the Congress was not a cadre-based party, its workers often ignored “booth ki rajniti,” essential to ensure the victory of the party in the elections. He went on to suggest that about 40 per cent of the sitting MPs and about 25 per cent of the sitting MLAs should be denied the party ticket so that fresh blood could be infused in the party.

Mullana also said certain nominees must be changed, if the party wanted to win all 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state. (Later Vora told mediapersons that the state Congress had been asked to suggest the names of possible Lok Sabha candidates, including the sitting MPs, and a final decision would be taken on merit.)

Thanking Birender Singh for raising the demand for changing certain sitting MPs and MLAs, Hooda said though he also had of the same view, yet he could not have made this demand since he was the leader of the legislature party. Referring to various good works done by his government, Hooda said the credit was to Sonia Gandhi and his team. “It is the team which succeeds and it is the team which fails,” he said.

Power Minister Randeep Surjewala said under Hooda the state had seen a shift from vote bank politics to development politics. Education Minister Mange Ram Gupta said the party must field candidates of “good image and of Congress culture”. Rajya Sabha MP Ram Prakash said there was no anti-incumbency against the Chief Minister. Former Power Minister Venod Sharma said the bureaucracy must be told firmly to give respect to the party workers.

Haryana Congress working president Kuldeep Sharma said there was new “Fiza” in the state. It was not clear if he was making a tongue-in-cheek remark, but the audience greeted him loudly. (Fiza is the name of the second wife of former deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan).

Dabwali (Sirsa), December 30
The Congress today managed to score a slender victory over the Indian National Lok Dal right in its citadel in the Dabwali Municipal Committee elections.

The polling for the elections to 19 wards of the Dabwali Municipal Committee was held here today as the results were declared in the evening.

Congress candidates won in 10 out of 19 municipal wards, while INLD candidates emerged victorious in nine wards.

Jagish Surya (Congress) from ward 1, Sarla Gupta (INLD) from ward 2, Subhash Mittal (INLD) ward 3, Shimpa Jain (Congress) ward 4, Bindia Mahant (Congress) ward 5, Om Parkash Bagri (Congress) ward 6, Harnek Singh (Congress) ward 7, Krishna Devi (INLD) ward 8, Saroj Rani (INLD) ward 9, Tek Chand (INLD) ward 10, Neel Kant Mehta (INLD) ward 11, Ramesh Bagri (Congress) ward 12, Madhu Bagri (Congress) ward 13, Vinod Bansal (Congress) ward 14, Surjit Chawla (Congress) ward 15, Gurjeet Singh (INLD) ward 16, Geeta Rani (Congress) ward 17, Sukhwinder Singh (INLD) ward 18 and Surinder Chhinda (INLD) from ward 19 have been declared victorious from their respective wards.

The victory of the Congress in the elections assumes significance because leaders of both the political parties had made this election an issue of their prestige.

While Abhay Singh Chautala had been spearheading the campaign for the INLD, the Congress’s campaign was being carried out by Amit Sihag and Sandeep Sihag, son and nephew, respectively, of KV Singh, officer on special duty to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Ravi Singh Chautala, son of Partap Singh Chautala. The Dabwali assembly constituency, which was a reserve constituency earlier, has been de-reserved in the consolidation.

While KV Singh has made his intentions clear to seek the party ticket from the Dabwali assembly constituency in the next assembly elections, this seat is significant for the INLD too as the native village of party supremo Om Parkash Chautala falls in this constituency.

Though the Congress victory in the municipal committee elections is only marginal and may not have many political implications in the state politics, local Congressmen are elated at their success in the INLD bastion.

Meanwhile, the INLD has alleged that the Congress has used its influence to defeat some INLD candidates. "The authorities have been forced to declare some candidates as winners at the instance of Dr K.V. Singh, OSD to the Chief Minister, and also votes were purchased by the ruling party," alleged Sita Ram, INLD MLA from Dabwali.

He maintained that the INLD had received a higher percentage of votes than the Congress.

Rohtak, December 30
The Haryana Civil Medical Service (HCMS) Association has rejected the new pay scales and the salary benefits announced by the state government recently. The association in a press release has condemned the recommendations of the Pay Revision Committee. It has claimed that the committee had not only denied the long pending demands of the HCMS doctors, but also acted in alleged violation of declaration by the Chief Minister that Haryana doctors would be getting better pay scales than their counterparts in Punjab.

A spokesperson of the association said their counterparts in Punjab were given three time bound progression after four years (nine years and twelve years of service), while in Haryana the HCMS doctors were offered just two time bound progressions after five and eleven years of regular service, respectively. He claimed that the second progression in the state was restricted to only 20 per cent of cadre. This meant that on an average the HCMS doctor could get the second progression only after 20 to 22 years of service instead of eleven years. Similarly the NPA in Punjab and other adjoining states had been 25 per cent of basic pay whereas it was less in Haryana.

Claiming that the government had assured to remove the anomalies and had agreed to give all facilities and benefits better than other states, the association has alleged that they had been ‘cheated’ and had been faced with a major setback in this regard, though a committee chaired by Chief Minister in August had accepted their demand. But instead of notification these recommendations were sent to the Pay Revision Committee headed by the chief secretary. It added that the committee had not taken any view of these recommendations and had recommended the old and rejected progression structure for the HCMS doctors, which had been a cause of severe resentment among the government doctors. The doctors have announced that they would not accept the NPA less than 25 per cent in any case.

As the recommended NPA had been less than what their counterparts in neighbouring states were getting. The salary structure, if implemented, will lead to a huge difference in respect to the benefits offered to doctors outside the state.

The HCMS association has announced to work under protest wearing black badges form January 1. The future course of action will be decided at the state-level meeting to be held at Rohtak on January, it added.

Chandigarh, December 30
The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), entrusted with the task of promoting industry in the state, spent Rs 1,045.25 crore on the development of industrial infrastructure in the state in 2008, Rs 104 crore more than the previous year.

An official spokesman said here that encouraged by the steady uptrend in the infrastructure sector and enthused by the response, the corporation had drawn up an ambitious plan for setting up new industrial estates and infrastructure projects for which a land bank of about 17,000 acres was being created. The investment outlay for these projects, which included expressways, model industrial townships, clusters and dedicated theme parks, had been estimated at a whopping Rs 12,000 crore.

The corporation was also developing dedicated theme parks. These included food parks at Rai and Saha, apparel park at Barhi, footwear park at Bahadurgarh, textile cluster at Panipat, auto parts cluster at Gurgaon, for light engineering goods at Faridabad, agricultural implements at Karnal, and technology parks under the campus development norms at Panchkula, Rai and Manesar.

The spokesman said buoyed by the success of the IMT at Manesar, near Gurgaon, the corporation had decided to set up four such IMTs at Rohtak, Faridabad, Kharkhoda (Sonepat) and Jagadhri.

Land for the first phase of the Rohtak IMT, measuring about 878 acres, had already been acquired and development works had already been undertaken by Larsen and Toubro. The IMT at Rohtak would have the cutting edge of linkages with the expressway, the special economic zone in Jhajjar district and the upcoming industrial centres like Kharkhoda.

The IMT at Faridabad had been planned in Sectors 66 to 69. Land measuring about 1,750 acres was already in the possession of the corporation and planning and development of the basic structure would be taken up shortly. The process for acquiring land for two more IMTs at Kharkhoda (3,200 acres) and Jagadhri (700 acres) had also been initiated.

The corporation had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese giant Mitsui and Company India Pvt Ltd and IL and FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd to set up an integrated Japanese industrial, transportation and logistic park in Haryana. The project was likely to attract Japanese investment to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore and create employment for about 10,000 persons directly and indirectly in the core and allied activities.

In a pioneering initiative, the corporation had constructed 192 single-room dwelling units and 36 dormitory units for industrial workers at the IMT, Manesar, on the persistent demand from Manesar entrepreneurs and to introduce walk-to-work culture to ensure improved productivity. The draw of lots for the allotment of these units, the spokesman added, would be held in January 2009. 

Gurgaon, December 30
The administration as well as the state authorities may have remained under fire from several quarters over the “collapsing” infrastructure of Gurgaon, but the millennium city has witnessed the launch and progress of various infrastructural development projects during 2008.

The work on the extension of Metro from Delhi to Gurgaon is in progress and likely to be completed by the end of the coming year. The project, aimed at improving connectivity between Delhi and Gurgaon, will incur an expenditure of Rs 688 crore, of which the state government is contributing Rs 592.50 crore.

According to official sources, the state government has released the second instalment of Rs 283.5 crore to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The length of this Metro rail link is 7.08 km and it will have five stations, namely Garden Estate, Sikanderpur, DT City Centre, Iffco Chowk and Sushant Lok.

The government also plans to provide 100 low-floor buses for city bus service in Gurgaon and a separate CNG depot in Sector 29 for these.

Nearly 40 buses would be provided by the end of this financial year and the rest 60 buses in next the financial year.

HUDA will construct nearly 150 bus-queue shelters for city buses. It has also provided nine low-floor AC buses for plying between Gurgaon and Delhi.

The Municipal Corporation will also spend Rs 24.48 crore for the repair and reconstruction of various roads under its domain.

A botanical garden, spread over 36 acres of land, is coming up in Sector 52-A, Gurgaon Leisure Valley on 35 acres of land in Sector 29; and Town Park on 29.70 acres in Sector 22. In addition, green belts as well as parks in the sectors have been developed on about 730 acres.

Plantation along the master roads has been done on 130-km stretches.

An estimate for laying down a storm-water disposal system has been approved by the authorities concerned and an amount of Rs 11.56 crore sanctioned for it.

Gurgaon will have an ultramodern solid waste management plant near Bandhwari village, which will have a capacity of treating 1,000 tonnes of garbage per day and will cater to the needs of both Faridabad and Gurgaon districts.

To meet the future drinking water requirement of the city, NCR channel of 800-cusec capacity is being constructed at a cost of Rs 320 crore. Of this, 500 cusec will be for Gurgaon.

A water-treatment plant of 20 MGD is under construction at cost of Rs 13.84 crore and is likely to be completed by March.

Agricultural and domestic load of 321 km long lines in the rural areas will be segregated to improve power supply in villages.

In addition, the DHBVN plans to create high voltage distribution system of international standard in 183 villages of the district during the current financial year.

Chandigarh, December 30
The state has decided to set up an integrated vegetable production and demonstration unit at Uchani (Karnal) and an integrated citrus unit at Mangiana (Sirsa) at a cost of about Rs 13 crore under an India-Israel work plan.

A spokesman for the Horticulture Department today said an expert team from Israel had already visited these sites and both these projects were likely to be started in February.

He said a sum of Rs 35 crore had already been spent on setting up of pack houses, modern fruit and vegetable markets and fruit and vegetable grading, sorting and packing lines.

The department had also decided to set up modern fruit and vegetable market at Mewat, wholesale market for fruits and vegetables at Ganaur (Sonepat), 100 collection centres/units, refrigerator van and pack houses at a cost of Rs 493.15 crore.

The proposal and detailed project reports had already been submitted to the Centre for approval.

The subsidy amount of Rs 123.28 crore had already been approved in principle by the Central government under the National Horticulture Mission and it would be released as soon as the project proposals were approved, he added.

He said the department had also decided to popularise the construction of pucca water storage tanks at farmer’s fields, setting up of the vermin-compost units and the micro irrigation project under the National Horticulture Mission and state plan scheme.

The department had also decided to register Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium with an objective of providing venture capital assistance to the entrepreneurs for the creation of post harvest management and processing infrastructures for horticultural as well as agricultural crops in the state, he added. — UNI

Yamunanagar, December 30
The first Haryana International Film Festival, which concluded at the DAV College for Girls here yesterday, received an overwhelming response.

Now, the state hopes to continue with this tradition with more movies, directors and writers. A ray of hope surfaced with positive response of all possible help from famous directors, including Goutam Ghose and Feroz Abbas Khan, and writers, including Sanjay Sahay, for the next film festival. Besides, the state government has now also come out with financial support for the film festival.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh while Finance Minister Birender Singh had announced Rs 2 lakh for the film festival here, said principal of the college Sushma Arya.

“We had shortage of resources when we had thought of organising such a festival here. However, former vice-chancellor of Kurukshetra University Bhim S Dahiya turned out to be a great support. He extended all possible help to make this festival a success,” she added.

“Ghose assured that he would stay for five days in the next film festival. Besides, he will also provide us sponsors to organise the festival with more additions. Feroz Abbas Khan assured us of same support,” said Ajit Rai, director of the film festival.

“We had to face a lot of problems as officials of the state, who were not open to the idea of the film festival, did not provide any financial aid. The festival’s success has helped to change the mindset of the people of the state,” he added.

The next film festival would be of 10 days. The festival had also received positive response from the Iran Embassy and the France Embassy. The Iran Embassy would provide movies for a special section dedicated to women directors of Iran. Besides, it would also arrange an interaction with the woman directors, he added.

Director of the FTII, Pune, Pankaj Rag also assured of all possible help for the next film festival.

Gurgaon, December 30
The millennium city is all set to welcome the New Year with a year-end bash.

Though recession and recent terror attacks in Mumbai have dampened the spirit of people, but a large number of people have planned to celebrate the New Year with fervour.

All malls, restaurants, pubs and discos are prepared to welcome the New Year with a knock. Various kinds of discounts are on the anvil in the market.

Brig Deepak Kapur, general manager (mall operations), Ambience Mall, told the Tribune that they were all set for the occasion. “We have arranged a rock band which will enthral the visitors and competitions will also be organised for the visitors. Prizes worth Rs 3 lakh have been allocated for the competitions,” he said.

Neeraj, manager, Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI), said, “We have arranged for a dance troupe along with singer Raj Jogia, who belongs to singer Mika’s group, for the entertainment of our guests. Vishavjeet, who was part of the Laughter Challenge show will also perform here.”

Rocky, manager in one of the discos in Sahara Mall, said DJs Parth and Manish would make the couples dance. “We have arranged the party for just 100 couples,” he added.

Security arrangements have been beefed up in the city to avoid any untoward incident. Metal detectors have been installed to check guests visiting places.

Regarding the security arrangement, Brig Kapur said they had three sniffer dogs and metal detectors had been put up at all entrances. “We also have non-linear junction instrument, which can easily detect explosives,” he added.

A senior police officer told the Tribune that commandos would be deputed to avoid any untoward incident.

Chandigarh, December 30
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced a number of incentives for families of ex-servicemen.

These included enhancements of marriage grant of orphan daughters of ex-servicemen from Rs 11,000 to Rs 51,000 and increase in marriage grant of daughters of war widows and disabled ex-servicemen from Rs 11,000 to Rs 21,000.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while presiding over the 28th meeting of the Haryana Defence and Security Relief Fund Committee here.

Hooda said the financial assistance to be given to the daughters of widows of ex-servicemen at the time of marriage had also been increased from Rs 5100 to Rs 11,000.

Hooda said the government had also increased the financial assistance to be given to paralysed ex-servicemen for the construction of toilet-cum-bathroom from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000.

Similarly, grant-in-aid money to be given to Sainik Pariwar Bhawans had also been increased from Rs 1.60 crore to Rs 1.95 crore for the current financial year.

He said remunerations being given to the part time mali-cum-chowkidars for maintenance of war memorials had also been increased from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 per month and for seed and manure from Rs 750 per annum to Rs 1,000. — UNI 

Sirsa, December 30
Some miscreants drugged two animal traders of UP in a Haryana Roadways bus and robbed them of Rs 1.25 lakh on Sunday.

The traders were taken to the general hospital at Dabwali in an unconscious condition.Their kin have taken them to Meerut for treatment now.

The two traders, who had come to purchase buffaloes from the animal market, were found by roadways employees lying unconscious in a bus coming from Delhi.

Later, the police found a slip bearing some phone numbers from a pocket of one of the victims. After calling on those numbers the police came to know that they were Shaukat Ali and Mohammed Jamali from the Meerut area.

Shaukat Ali's son, Ismail, who reached here today, told the police that his father was carrying Rs 85,000 while Mohammed Jamali was carrying Rs 40,000 with him when they set out for Dabwali from Meerut.

The police said further action in the case would be possible only after the victims were in a position to give a statement.