Chandigarh, April 20
Haryana is parched. Water supply from the Bhakra dam is down to nearly half of what was available last year, the rotational supply is being released every 32 days against 16 days, seven of the 21 districts are grappling with water woes. As if that’s not bad enough, power cuts are wreaking havoc with the limited supply.

As summer gathers steam, the Irrigation Department is hard-pressed for water, especially since supply is down from all sources and the demand is continuously on the rise. Against water availability of 10,000 cusecs at this time last year, the availability has drastically fallen to only 5,400 cusecs.

“At the Narwana breach, we are getting only 2,749 cusecs against 3,950 of last year while at Munak we are down from 6,590 cusecs to 4,536 cusecs and the situation is similar elsewhere,” says Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Irrigation Minister.

The reduced availability has led to release of water after a gap of 32 days from 24 days till a few weeks back. Further, against three or four zones, the state has been divided into five zones for supply. Capt Yadav says that though this is a lean period, the increasing levels of inflow in dams may improve the situation in the coming days, provided the state gets sufficient rainfall. “The capacity of water works is low which is why the problem is more pronounced in Hisar, Sirsa and pockets of Kaithal, Ambala and Kurukshetra. We intend to release water after 24 days in this belt,” the minister said.

If the Irrigation Department is in troubled waters, the Public Health Department too is facing the heat. The department is well aware of the chronic trouble spots - Mahendragarh, Narnaul, Rewari , Jhajjar, parts of Rohtak, Jind and Hansi in Hisar, all comprising the southern belt.

To make matters worse, the state is plagued by power cuts which disrupt supply as well, leading to protests. Complaints have started pouring in from Meham, Loharu, Jhajjar and Mahendragarh and officials have been asked to redress public grievances. In systems designed to store water up to 16 days, the supply is released every 32 days, making water management difficult. “We can stretch the supply for 16 days to 20-22 days at the most, but anything beyond that is a problem. However, we are trying to manage the limited supplies optimally. Since power cuts have a fallout on water supply, as a first-time initiative, instructions have been issued that XENs may be allowed to hire generators for the next two months so that power cuts do not interfere with the water supply. We will provide for payment and diesel used to run these,” says Public Health Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The department claims to have created its own mechanism which includes boring of shallow tubewells on a priority basis wherever possible. Further, chief engineers have been told to tour the state, especially trouble areas, and district officials to ensure water supply at one point in villages where water pressure is low.

The department has decided to discontinue the earlier practice of using tankers to supply water since the quality of such a supply is usually questionable and carrying out quality checks is not possible. “Our experience with water tankers has not been a happy one. There have been complaints of money being misused and complaints on quality of water,” Surjewala says.

Hisar, April 20
The Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Project at Khedar crossed yet another major milestone when the 600 MW Unit-2 was synchronised with the grid today.

Talking to mediapersons on the occasion, Hooda complimented the engineers for the achievement. The Chief Minister said the synchronisation had cleared the way for the unit to achieve full-load generation on a sustained basis, hopefully by June next.

After synchronisation on oil, the unit would be operated at a load of 40 to 50 MW for a few hours during which all leakages and problems would be addressed. He told the engineers that Unit-1 of the project, commissioned on full load earlier this month, should be stabilised as early as possible so that it started commercial operations by the middle of May. Hooda said the government was relentlessly trying to add 5000 MW generation capacity during the 11th Five-Year- Plan. The synchronisation of Unit-2 of the Khedar plant would be followed by synchronisation of the first 500 MW unit of Indira Gandhi Super Thermal Power Station at Jhajjar in October or November this year and subsequently the second 500 MW unit in February next year.

The Chief Minister said to meet power shortage, the government was purchasing up to 400 MW electricity as per availability in the market at Rs 10 to 12 per unit. He urged the public to cooperate and use electricity rationally.

Sanjeev Kaushal, MD, HPGCL said since its inception, the project had crossed major milestones on or ahead of schedule. He said the engineers and technicians were already working round the clock to commission the coal mills of Unit-2 so as to achieve synchronisation on coal.

Hisar, April 20
Reliance Infra, contractors for Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant at Khedar has taken a contradictory stand on the commissioning of the 600 MW Unit-I.

In response to a report carried in The Tribune today, it issued a press note, stating that “the plant is still under commissioning trials and the question of PLF during commissioning stage does not arise.

“The fact is that the plant operated for only for 8 days at various loads between (April 1 to 8) with the average PLF being 53.07 % and maximum of 90.00% on April 6, 2010”.

It also stated that “the plant is still under commissioning trials, tuning and adjustments. A 14-day trial operation of the plant is to commence shortly.”

However, in a press release issued on April 4 the company had claimed: “Reliance Infrastructure Limited, part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, today announced that its Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) division has commissioned India’s first 600 MW unit at Rajiv Gandhi Khedar Thermal Power Plant (RGKTPP) in Hisar, Haryana, and achieved more than full load capacity in a shortest possible time. With this project, RInfra has set new benchmarks in fast-track commissioning of power projects in the country. Synchronisation of the first unit was achieved in 33 months, creating a record in the domestic power sector history for a green field power project of this size”.

Raman Mohan adds: I stand by my story. The company had earlier claimed that it had commissioned the first unit and is now contradicting itself.

Even the HPGCL in a press note has admitted that Unit-I is still in the pre-commissioning stage. Here is what it has said: “Power from 2x600 MW RGTPP Khedar is also likely to become fully functional shortly.

“The Unit-1 achieved full load of 600 MW on 01 April, 2010, at 15.20 hrs. The trial operation of Unit-1 is scheduled to commence by the end of this month and the unit shall start commercial operation by middle of May 2010.

“Since the unit is under pre-commissioning activities, the mentioning of PLF to determine the performance has no relevance.

“The unit has shattered all previous records for fast project implementation as it will be finally commissioned in a record period of 39 months compared to the Govt. of India / CEA norms of 44 months.”

Chandigarh, April 20
Ruing the “deliberate delay” in deciding the fate of five HJC-turned-Congress MLAs, HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi and his lawyer Satya Pal Jain today said they had decided to move the High Court.

Bishnoi was in city for a file inspection of the case.He has filed petitions before Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harmohinder Singh Chatha against “his MLAs” for defecting from the party without following proper procedure and has sought their disqualification.

“We will move the High Court for directions to the Speaker to inform us of the proceedings in the case,” Jain told mediapersons after the file inspection.

Jain said Bishnoi filed his petitions on December 9 last. “The Speaker sent the first notice to the MLAs on December 14 which came back twice before the MLAs accepted them. Meanwhile, the INLD also filed petitions against the MLAs.

However, the Speaker’s office kept extending the time given to the MLAs to file their replies. The petitioner was, at no point, informed of the developments and the proceedings went on without him.

After going through the file, we feel that delaying tactics are being adopted . We have no option but to move the court,” Jain maintained. Bishnoi and Jain said there had been instances when cases of disqualification were decided in days . “It’s been over four months and nothing seems to be moving so far. If the Congress is sure that it hasn’t done anything unconstitutional, why the delay in the proceedings,” asked Bishnoi.

Chandigarh, April 20
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion to state of Haryana, Minister of state for Home Gopal Kanda and other respondents on a petition filed by three Sirsa-based INLD leaders.

They were seeking directions for registration of a criminal case against Kanda, his brother Gobind Kanda and other police personnel for alleged murderous assault on them and attempt to kidnap one of the petitioners, Pardeep Godara, on April 3. The petitioners, Mahabir Bagri, Pardeep Godara and Yogesh Sharma, had alleged Sirsa residents had given a call for bandh to protest against the erratic power and water supply on April 3, when Haryana Chief Minister was scheduled to visit the area.

Gopal Kanda passing by on his official vehicle suddenly stopped and assaulted three persons. Kanda also directed the police accompanying him to fire on them and pick up Pardeep Godara. As people reached the spot, the kidnapping was foiled.

Later, a criminal case of assault and other offences under the provisions of the IPC and also under the prevention of insult to the national honour was registered against INLD leaders and others for allegedly causing damage to the National Flag on Kanda’s vehicle.

Seeking directions for registration of case of attack on them, the petitioners also sought directions for independent investigation in case registered against them. The case will now come up on May 7.

Chandigarh, April 20
Haryana IPS officer Manjit Singh Ahlawat will not be represented by the state counsel in a case initiated against him by judicial officer MM Dhonchak.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear he will have to appear in his personal capacity to defend the case. He has now been summoned through the state police chief.

Taking up the matter, Registrar (Judicial-I) Navita Singh asserted: “It is seen that the presence of Haryana AAG is being marked for respondent number one (Ahlawat), despite the fact that this respondent was named in the complaint and specific allegations were leveled against him.

“He would, therefore, have to appear and file written reply in his personal capacity. Respondent number one, MS Ahlawat, is ordered to be summoned through Haryana Director-General of Police for April 30, 2010. The High Court had, earlier, taken note of a letter written by Dhonchak seeking a CBI probe into the allegations of forgery and fraud against Ahlawat during his tenure as SP, Rewari, along with other police officials.

Acting on the letter, the then Chief Justice Vijender Jain had directed that the matter be taken up on the judicial side, and the letter be treated as a writ petition. Dhonchak was then posted as additional CJM, Rewari. Issuing directions, the then Chief Justice had observed that the there was merit in the application and it be treated as a civil writ petition.

Chandigarh, April 20
The Haryana Women and Child Development Department has invited applications for Senior Citizen Award for 2009-10 by April 30.

Stating this here, an official spokesperson said the state had decided to honour senior citizens, who had been rendering social services for improving the quality of life and providing protection and rehabilitation to aged people.

The Senior Citizens’ Awards was being given to honour those seniors, who have inspired others and played a positive role in life. Five awards had been constituted for the purpose, which included Centenarian Award, Best Mother Award, Bravery Award, Best Panchayat Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

He said the applications could be sent in the prescribed performa to the district social welfare officer, district welfare officer and programme officer of the Integrated Child Welfare Development by April 30.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Akademi has decided to confer awards on the outstanding litterateurs of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at a function on April 23. The awards will be conferred by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Stating this here yesterday, director of the akademi, CR Mudgil said those who would be honoured for 2008-09 include Joginder Singh with Haryana Punjabi Gaurav Award, Atamjit Hanspal with Bhai Santokh Singh Puraskar, Arkamal Kaur with Baba Sheikh Farid Puraskar and Dr Sahib Singh Arshi with Sant Taran Singh Vahmi Puraskar.

The Pustak Puraskar would be given to Dr Darshan Singh, Dr Charanjeet Kaur, Joginder Kaur, Dr Sunita Rani, Amrit Kaur, Dr Narinder Paul Singh and Prem Sethi. The Kahani Puraskar would be given to Joginder Kaur, Lakhvinder Singh Bajwa, Iqbal Singh and Vir Singh Thind. He said nominees for 2009-10 include Sukhchain Singh Bhandari with Haryana Punjabi Gaurav Award, Dr Ratan Singh Dhillon with Bhai Santokh Singh Puraskar, Dr Charanjeet Kaur with Baba Sheikh Farid Puraskar, Dr Sudarshan Gaso with Sant Taran Singh Vahmi Puraskar and Naresh Kumar (Bitto Shahpuri) with Lok Gayak Puraskar.

Pustak Puraskar would be given to Lakhvinder Singh Bajwa, Joginder Kaur, Dr Jewan Bhakshi, Iqbal Singh, Prem Sethi and Madan lal Kapoor. The Kahani Puraskar would be given to Ram Lok Kaushal, Nayab Singh Mander, Manjit Kaur Saini and Indu Gupta.

Karnal, April 20
As many as 500-odd students of Partap Public School at Jundala, 20 km from here, virtually singed under the scorching sun as villagers locked the main gate of the school and did not allow the students to enter the classes.

The villagers, who were adamant on not opening the lock, pushed the students and teachers and asked them to go back. They even misbehaved with teachers and principal Sunita Ahalawat when they begged them to let the students sit under the shade of the trees in the ground.

The students along with 30 teachers kept waiting from 7 am to 10 am under the scorching sun and over 10 students and teachers fainted. The students were later taken to the Karnal branch of the school.

The villagers were unrelenting and even tried to stop the ambulance which was called to carry the sick students and teachers to the hospital.

Vice-President of the school Ajay Bhatia said villagers were trying to intimidate him and shut the school. He said there was a feud over a piece of land owned by him and after he had won the case in the court, the villagers had been resorting to such tactics.

On the other hand, the villagers blamed the owners of the school for the incident and said a piece of land measuring 2 acres, opposite to the local government school, was given to the school by the grandfather of Ajay Bhatia and it was being used as a playground. However, Ajay Bhatia wanted to get the land back and filed a case in the court and did not attend the meeting convened by the panchayat. The panchayat members decided that Partap Public School would not be allowed to function till the dispute over the land was settled.

The SDM and the DSP asked both the parties to amicably settle the issue. However, the parleys between the villagers and the school authorities ended in a deadlock. A panchayat will be called on next Tuesday to settle the matter.

Meanwhile, the school authorities have decided to close the school tomorrow as a mark of protest.

Sirsa, April 20
Dr KS Khokhar, Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University, has been given the additional charge of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa. University sources said a communication to this effect was received from the Haryana Governor last evening.

Dr Khokhar will hold the additional charge of the university till Balbir Singh Malik, Commissioner, Hisar Division, who also holds the charge of the Vice-Chancellor of CDLU, Sirsa, returns from his foreign tour.The university does not have the services of a regular Vice-Chancellor since the retirement of Dr KC Bhardwaj on December 31, 2009. Hence, the arrangement.

Chandigarh, April 20
The Haryana Forest and Wildlife Department is worried over the increasing “migration” of leopards to the inhabited areas of the state and the consequential action taken by the police in killing the animal.

While the Karnal police killed one leopard yesterday when it walked into a house and injured several persons, another animal was similarly treated in Jind a few days ago.

State Forest Minister Ajay Singh Yadav today ordered a departmental inquiry into the killings of the two leopards. He said it was very unfortunate that the animals were killed while the government was making strenuous efforts to protect the wildlife in the state.

He directed financial commissioner and principal secretary (Forest) Keshni Anand Arora to submit a detailed inquiry report and said stringent action would be taken against those found guilty.

He said he had also sought a report from the department why sufficient tranquilising guns had not been procured by it so that the wild animals could be saved by using the tranquilising guns instead of killing them. He said only five such guns were available with the department.

While referring to the reasons behind fleeing leopards from the forest area, he said fire and scarcity of water could be the possible reasons. However, the real reason could only be ascertained after the inquiry.

Yadav said 25 to 30 leopards could be in the state in the Shivalik hill range, Morni and Kalesar forests in Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts.

Yamunanagar, April 20
Built in 1st century BC, an ancient monument of great importance - stupa at Chaneti village - has become a victim of official neglect as officials of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) allegedly renovated the old structure without preserving its original shape.

During the reign of Mauryan emperor Ashoka, this place had become an important centre of Buddhism. This stupa was among the 10 stupas built in that period.

Alleging neglect on the part of the ASI while carrying out construction activities, the Buddhist Forum has sought a probe from the Director-General of the ASI.

According to the archeological principle of preservation, the ASI has to preserve the ancient monuments without losing its original shape. The ancient monuments are to be preserved but not renovated completely. However, Chantei Stupa has been totally renovated by the ASI officials.

President of the Buddhist Forum Sidhartha said the forum had written a letter carrying all details of renovation of the stupa in violation of the ASI principle to the Director-General of the ASI for the probe. This stupa at Chaneti was one of the 10 stupas referred by Yuan Chwang. To construct this baked-brick stupa, concentric layers were put one over the other each time leaving some space on the underlying layer so that the whole structure should give a hemispherical look. “This stupa corresponds to the Shahpur and Dharmarajika stupas in Taxila,” he added.

This stupa was not only important for Buddhists, but also a centre of attraction for tourists. Therefore, the forum had demanded an immediate action so that no other monuments of historical importance could further be destroyed, he added.