Sirsa, June 24
An official of the Election Department in the deputy commissioner’s office in Sirsa lost his life after a road accident because his kin, who brought him to the general hospital, did not find any doctor on duty in the Causality Department of the hospital.

Calls to the cellphone of a lady doctor, who was supposed to be on duty, went unattended and finally when she came after hours, it was too late.

An expectant woman first lost her baby and then her own life within hours, because a surgeon posted in the general hospital at Fatehabad preferred to perform tubectomy surgeries, which provided financial incentives to him, rather than attending emergency caesarian surgery that the woman needed to be saved.

In yet another incident, a mentally challenged woman, who had delivered a baby under a tree, failed to get any treatment for her and the newborn at any of the three government hospitals of the two district of Haryana, where some good Samaritan villagers shifted her at their own cost.

These are not the isolated incidents of two or three districts alone, but conditions like this prevail throughout the state.

The incidents abound, where patients needing medical assistant direly in cases of emergencies, have been left high and dry in government hospitals.

Notwithstanding the claims of the Health Department regarding improvement in the functioning of health services in the state, conditions on the ground remain pathetic to say the least.

The attitude of doctors and para medical staff, barring of course a few exceptions, has been lackadaisical, indifferent and callous.

Huge expenditures have been made by the government in the recent past to ameliorate health services in the state and even the recruitment of doctors has been made an ongoing process, but the benefits have failed to percolate to ailing people because of the lack of foresight exhibited by those at the helm.

The example of trauma centre set up in Sirsa and blood bank established in Fatehabad several years ago, both of which are semi-functional yet, are sufficient to understand how huge expenditures have been made on raising buildings and other infrastructure by the authorities without equipping those with staff to enable such centres serve the ailing people.

While, the trauma centre has ended up housing offices of medical superintendent and the AYUSH besides an orthopaedic ward, the blood bank has merely remained a blood storage centre.

It is not without reason that very few people opt for government hospitals, when they need health care services.

“Only 12 per cent of morbid population received treatment from government dispensaries and primary health centres, while 28 per cent received from registered medical practitioners,” says a study “Trends of Disease Pattern in Haryana” by Dr Rajeshwari, an associate professor of Kurukshetra University.

Quoting figures from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the Government of India, the study said in the rural areas, 12 per cent utilised the government health care facilities and in the urban areas, about 20 per cent had received treatment from the government sector facilities.

Dr Rajeshwari’s study further adds that the NSSO data of the 60th round indicates that reliance on the public sector for hospitalised treatment varied a great deal from state to state.

The proportion (per 1,000) of hospitalised treatments received from public sector hospitals varied from 143 (Bihar) to 913 (Jammu & Kashmir) in the rural areas. Apart from Jammu & Kashmir, three other states, Orissa, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, reported relatively high proportions of cases of hospitalised treatment from public institutions.

Bihar, Haryana and Maharashtra showed a high degree of reliance on private sector, the study observes.

Jhajjar, June 24
Now those colleges affiliated to Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, may have to face the music, which have been receiving donations in lieu of appointments to its various teaching and non-teaching posts.

The MDU authorities have recently issued a showcause notice to PKSD College, Kanina (Mohindergarh), wherein the university has asked the college as to why its provisional affiliation be not withdrawn in view of its involvement in unlawful and undesirable activities like extracting donation in appointments.

The notice has been served on the basis of an enquiry report revealing that 12 out of 14 teachers during the investigation had agreed that their close relatives such as father, father-in-law or husband in case of female teachers had donated a significant amount to the college.

Earlier, the authorities had received several complaints alleging that appointments of lecturers at PKSD College had explicitly been made by receiving huge amount of donations from the candidates. The complainants had also submitted affidavits along with other documentary proof in support of their complaints seeking an impartial enquiry into the matter. Taking the complaint seriously, the authorities had constituted a two-member enquiry committee to look into the matter.

The committee visited the college twice and recorded the statements of selected candidates besides examining the account record of the college. The committee, during the investigation, found as many as 14 such pages in cash books of the college wherein it had been clearly mentioned that who was the donor and for whom the money was donated as the names of teachers or employees were mentioned in description and particulars in bracket in the cash register.

Moreover, the college principal had also agreed that donations had been received which was voluntarily given by the relatives of some employees and the college had issued due receipt and life membership to the donors, the enquiry report disclosed.

In its findings, the committee said management of the college had obviously received donations in lieu of the appointments of teachers and it denied the contention of the college that the teachers were appointed purely on the merit basis, as the university professors were also part of the selection committees.

“It is a matter of concern for the university that the college has secured the approval of so many teachers where the malpractices in selections are prevalent. Hence, an appropriate corrective action in case of all appointments in the college is warranted,” suggested the committee in its report submitted to the university authorities.

The committee also mentioned that the management had explicitly made it a policy that anybody would be appointed in the college only after depositing a huge donation. Such practice must be immediately stopped and the university might initiate proper action against the college management, the committee recommended.

The report was placed before the Executive Council of the university, which decided to issue a showcause notice to the college asking as to why its provisional affiliation be not withdrawn.

Ambala, June 24
The ban on mining of sand and stone, imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 28, has rendered thousands of migrant labourers unemployed.

Among them are a large number of labourers, mostly from Bihar and UP, engaged in sand and stone mining in the Tangri and Ghaggar in Ambala district, who have lost their livelihood.

With no alternative employment avenue, they have been forced to shift to their native places. Besides, owners of hundreds of tractor trolleys involved in the carriage of sand and stones have become idle. Even as illegal mining continues, most of them do not want to indulge in illegal activity.

Talking to The Tribune, Daljinder Singh and Gurmit, both tractor trolley owners and residents of Mahesh Nagar, said, “We have purchased tractors on bank loan and now we are unable to repay the amount in the absence of work”. A source in the mining department said crushers and owners are required to take clearance from the State Pollution Control Board. He told that the contractors and owners of crushers had already made an appeal to the Supreme Court in this connection. The government was also losing heavy revenue due to delay in royalty contracts, he added.

Meanwhile, despite the ban, mining continues in the Tangri and Ghaggar. Tractor trolleys carrying sand and stones are a common sight on the Ambala-Jagadhari road. Sources said the state was losing a heavy amount as the government had not been able to keep a check on it. People involved in the illegal mining work can be seen throughout day while much of the activities are performed during night, residents of the nearby areas alleged.

Fatehabad, June 24
Bhim Sein Kumar, a progressive farmer from Fatehabad, is like a walking encyclopedia of popular Hindi film music. This sexagenarian can be spotted during morning or evening walk in the Town Park holding a transistor in his hand close to his ear.

Transistor is a must carry item for him wherever he goes whether for a walk or to his fields or in the market.

Such vast is his knowledge about Hindi songs that he can judge at the very start of the tune which song is going to be played.

He can also tell the name of the singer, lyricist, music composer, name of the film from which the song has been taken and even the year in which the film was released.

From morning till late night, Kumar listens songs switching over from one station to the other and remembers the full timetable of when radio stations broadcast film songs.

Songs from old films, whether classical, romantic, emotional or devotional are his first love and those sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar are his favorites, although he listens to songs by other singers with equal interest.

Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Hemant Kumar, Mohinder Kapoor and Alka Yagnik are some other singers, who he says, have rendered very good songs.

Kumar has watched Mohammad Rafi’s one contest live and was testimony to two separate functions during which “Apni Azadi Ko Ham Hargiz Bhula Sakte Nahin” (Rafi) and “Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon, Zara Ankh Mein Bhar Lo Pani” (Lata) were sung for the first time during Independence Day functions.

“I have good ears for music since my childhood, although I am not a good singer. I remember that I used to listen Noor Jahan numbers like “Awaaz de kahan hai, duniya meri jawan hai” and Johra Bai Ambalawali’s “Akhiyan mila ke, jiya bharma ke, chale nahi jana” and “Udan khatole pe udh jaon, tere haath na aon”, in 1940s, when I was just five or six years old,” Kumar says.

“We had a His Masters Voice Gramophone at home in Pakistan from where our family shifted to Fatehabad after the Partition. The gramophone was played by rotating the key and a new pin was used to play on the disc after some songs, lest it may not damage the black disk of the size of a large plate,” he adds.

“The music has become more westernised and the classical touch from it is fading away. Earlier, music lovers nodded their heads while listening to the music and now their legs can be seen tapping when the music is on. Music in a way has traveled a downward journey in the recent years,” Kumar says expressing his concern.

JL Thakkar, a former lecturer in English Literature and considered a connoisseur in music, says Kumar has extraordinary qualities of remembering the minutest details about hundreds of popular film songs.

He says though Kumar has never taken formal training in music, he has very good ears for music and a very vast knowledge on this subject.

Ambala, June 24
The railway overbridge on the Ambala-Hisar Highway needs attention of the National Highway Authority of India as it is on the verge of collapse and minor cracks have appeared on its pillars and surfaces.

Basically, the bridge was designed for light vehicles, but during the past one decade the traffic increased manifold. However, so far no official data about the number of vehicles that cross the bridge has ever been prepared either by the NHA or any other agency.

According to unofficial sources, around 25,000 heavy vehicles, including buses trucks and canters cross the bridge everyday as it is the most viable route for commercial vehicles for Hisar, Sirsa, Jind and Bhiwani.

Though the Ambala-Hisar Highway is the single road, private vehicles prefer this route. The state government has already deposited Rs 1.7 crore with the Ambala Railway Division, yet the Railways have not constructed any subway close to the overbridge, which would have otherwise helped in diverting the traffic. However, the NHA thrice repaired a huge part of the overbridge that was broken, but it was never given a full-fledged maintenance.

Trilochan Singh, a retd PWD official, said the government should not overlook this matter as it could become a major problem for people travelling on this route.The life of the bridge was almost over, therefore, the government must plan for a parallel bridge on the route, he added.

Fatehabad, June 24
The district administration in Fatehabad has decided to get tough with property dealers avoiding registration under the Haryana Regulation of Property Dealers and Consultancy Act.

Deputy commissioner OP Sheoran said, while addressing his first press conference after joining duties in the district, it was mandatory for property dealers and property consultants to obtain licences from the government to conduct real estate transaction in the state.

The Haryana Assembly last year passed the Haryana Regulation of Property Dealers and Consultancy Bill to safeguard the interest of people using the services of property dealers, property consultants and real estate agents.

However, not a single property dealer and consultant has so far got his business registered under the Act.

The deputy commissioner, who is also designated as collector under the Act, said any person found dealing in property consultancy business without having a valid licence will invite a penalty of Rs 50,000 and in case of society, company or organisation the fine is Rs 1 lakh.

Sheoran said for registration, an individual has to pay a licence fee of Rs 25,000, while the organisation, company or society would have to pay a fee of Rs 50,000.

The licence under the Act would be valid for five years and thereafter the licencee would have to get it renewed.

For individuals, the renewal fee is Rs 5,000, while for the organisation, company and society it is Rs 10,000, said the DC.

He said if the licence is not renewed in time, then, in case of individual, a late fee of Rs 500 per month would be charged, while the organisation or society would be charged late fee of Rs 1,000 per month.

The application for obtaining property dealer licence shall be accompanied by the proof of residence, four photographs, thumb impression, undertaking of solvency certificate, character certificate, two guarantors about his genuineness and address of the premises of his business accompanied by the treasury challan of the payment of the prescribed fees.

Sheoran said the licence of the licencee shall stand automatically cancelled on bankruptcy or insolvency or lunacy or unsoundness of mind.

Property dealers shall display at all times signage board bearing registered licence number in the office.

If the licence is lost, destroyed, defaced, torn or becomes illegible, property dealer shall forthwith apply to the licencing authority for the grant of a duplicate licence with court fee stamp of Rs 10 and treasury challan of Rs 50.

The licence holder shall get only one per cent commission on the agreed consideration value paid by the seller and purchaser of the property that is half per cent by each of them on finalisation of the deal.

In case of deal of lease or rent of immovable property, rate of commission shall be paid by the lesser and lessee at the rate of one-month rent of the property to the licence holder, he added. Sheoran also addressed a meeting of officers of various departments and reviewed their performance.

Chandigarh, June 24
The state government has decided to give Rs 15 crore during the current financial year to the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, so that the ongoing development works are not hampered.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the university presided over by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here yesterday. Hooda said adequate funds would be provided for the development of core facilities such as hostels for girls, teaching blocks, houses for faculty, laboratories etc.

Dr HS Chahal, vice-chancellor, gave a presentation on various academic courses and development plan of the university for 2010-11 to 2014-15. He said a new course, M.Tech in highway safety and engineering, would be started from 2010-11 for which a proposal had been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Haryana Public Works Department (B&R) and UNICON (US).

Beside, M.Tech in energy studies and environment management had been started from 2009-10 and the Department of Science and Technology, Haryana, had approved Rs 1 crore for the Centre of Excellence for testing of renewable energy.

Chief parliamentary secretary Sharda Rathore, principal secretary to Chief Minister Chhatar Singh, deputy principal secretary to Chief Minister RS Doon and other senior officers of the university were also present on the occasion.

Sonepat, June 24
Two students, Jyoti Paliwal and Veena of the local Geeta Vidya Mandir Girls College, have topped the Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in B.Sc (part-11) and B.Com (part-11) the results of which were declared recently.

Maintaining her last year’s achievement of university topper in B.Sc (part-1), Jyoti secured 851 marks out of 1,000 (85.1 per cent) and got the first position in the university. Jyoti, member of a moderate family residing in Dev Nagar, had never opted for any tuition and she attributed her success to regular studies and study atmosphere in the college.

Her elder sister, Anju Paliwal, M.Sc, who had also been the student of merits, has been the source of inspiration for her and she wishes to become an IAS officer. Her younger brother, Deepak Paliwal, also secured more than 90 per cent marks in class XII examinations this year.

Veena, who got 1,003 marks out of 1,200 (83.5 per cent) in B.Com (part-11) and topped the university, also belonged to a moderate family, as her father Nand Kishor is a shopkeeper. She used to teach students up to 10+2 level to meet the expenses of her studies.

Her ambition is to become chartered accountant. Her younger sister, Sonia, also secured 80 per cent marks in this year’s class XII examinations.

Nand Kishor had only two daughters and his commitment is to leave no stone unturned in educating his daughters who were no less than sons.

The family resides in a local colony Sudama Nagar.

Dr OP Pruthi, chairman of the college management committee, and Dr Jyoti Arora, principal of the college, had congratulated the students and hoped that they would achieve their goal and their achievements would be inspiring for other students.

Sirsa, June 24
The Indian Youth Congress(IYC) will soon start a training programme for its newly elected office-bearers in Haryana.

The organization has already begun the process for recruitment of master coaches for imparting training.

The training schedule has been finalised as per the planning of Rahul Gandhi, general secretary of the AICC, who has been taking keen interest to develop his future team in the Congress. The training will not only aim at improving political conduct of the office-bearers, but also the behavioural aspect of the ‘future leaders of the country’.

Amit Sihag, the newly elected YC president for Sirsa parliamentary constituency, said that national-level YC leaders Vikram Malhotra, Nita D’ Souza, Raja Baghel and Madhumita would interview perspective master coaches for the Sirsa, Hisar and Bhiwani parliamentary constituencies from June 24 to June 26 as part of the the first phase of the selection process.

The candidates shortlisted during the first phase will then go through the second phase of selection, where they would pass through group discussions and interview again.

Experts from the Jawahar Lal Nehru Institute of Leadership, Delhi, would provide training to these master coaches.

The application forms for master coaches are available with all office-bearers of the organisation at the parliamentary constituency level, Sihag said.

“The IYC will select two master coaches for each parliamentary constituency in the state. Any youth, who has studied up to graduation, has good command over languages and comes from the Congress background, can apply for appointment as a master trainer. However, a person appointed for this job cannot contest any kind of elections for the next five years,” said the youth leader.

The master trainers will be organizing training camps for ten days in a month.

Training of the IYC office bearers will be held at three levels; the state level, the parliamentary constituency level and the panchayat level.

Sihag, who came to his constituency for the first time after his election last week, was accorded a rousing welcome at Sirsa and Fatehabad.

Sihag is a son of Dr KV Singh, a former aide to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Chandigarh, June 24
The Haryana Irrigation Department has fixed the rotational programme and grouping of channels for two groups of the Bhakra canal getting supply via the Tail BML system for the Kharif-2010 from June 13 to October 18. A total of 7,085 cusecs of water would be released during this period.

A spokesman said the rotational programme for running of channels of the Tail BML system would be based on two groups of 16-day rotation each. He said 3,696 cusecs of water would be released from Group A2 and B2 of the BMB system and 3,389 cusecs water from Group A2 and B2 of the Fatehabad branch system during this period.

The BMB system of group-A2 included the Mehmerkhera Distributary, Kaluana Distributary, Kewal Distributary, Ghaswa Distributary , Kudni Distributary, Musa Link, Kaluana L/C, Mirthri Distributary , Dabawali Distributary, Mojgarh Distributary, Jandwala Distributary, Chotala Distributary, Teja Khera Distributary, Lohgarh Distributary, Lambi Minor, Masita Minor, Khulya Minor, D/S RD 410 BMB, Rori Branch, Boha Dudal Link , Jhanir Distributary, Ulak Minor, Fatta Minor, Jatana Minor, Fagggu Minor, Rattangarh L/Channel, Ladhuwas Minor and direct outlets, whereas the Fatehabad Branch system included the Sirsa Major Distributary, Sidhmukh Feeder, Mohmadpur Distributary, Nohar Feeder, Baruwalii Distributary and direct outlets.

The BMB system of group-B2 included the Ratia Branch, Dharsul Distributary, Ghaggar Distributary, Direct Minor, Rattangarh Distributary, Badalgarh Distributary, Fatehabad Distributary, Samain Distributary, Pirthala Distributary, Tohana Distributary, Kalwan Feeder, Dhamtan L/C and Dhanauri Feeder whereas Fathehabad Branch system included Chetain Minor, Gajjuwali L/Channel, Gorakhpur Distributary, Pabra L/C, Minor (Rd.111/L), Khajuri Distributary, New Dehaman L/C, New Kajuri Minor, Ding L/C, New Sabarwas Minor, Sidhmukh Feeder, Kishangarh S/Br, New Mohmadpur Distributary, Adampur Distributary, Banawali Distributary, Bodopal L/Mr, Dhanger Minor, Bighar Distributary, Kheri Distributary, Suli Khera Distributary, Giggorani Distributary, Banmandhori Distributary, Pilimandhori Distributary, Kutiayana Distributary, Sherewali Distributary, Nohar Feeder and direct outlets.

The spokesman said water would be released in Group B2 and Group A2 from June 13 to 28, from June 29 to July 14 in Group A2 and Group B2, from July 15 to 30 in Group B2 and Group A2,from July 31 to August 15 in Group A2 and Group B2,from August 16 to 31 in Group B2 and Group A2, from September 1 to 16 in Group A2 and Group B2,from September 17 to October 2 in Group B2 and Group A2 and from October 3 to 18 in Group A2 and Group B2.