Hisar, October 28
Divisive forces have become active in Haryana, posing a threat to social and political tolerance and peace in the state.

These were the forces that directly or indirectly were responsible for the recent violence at Mirchpur and Mayyar villages of this district, which left an indelible mark on the psyche of the people.

In the garb of reservation for a particular caste in government jobs, certain second-rung political leaders from UP, aided by self-styled leaders of the community from Haryana, are making a desperate bid to find a foothold in the slippery ground of Haryana’s political battlefield.

This led to the violence at Mayyar when earlier this month a roadside meeting turned violent, resulting in one death and heavy losses to government and private property. Curfew had to be imposed to curb spread of violence.

In Mirchpur too social divide had led to the unfortunate incident in which Dalit houses were torched and a teenaged girl and her father lost their lives.

The communal divide has triggered a reaction among different castes and communities.

Now non-Jat communities have floated a couple of organisations that seek to protect the interests of other communities in Haryana. One is headed by former legislator Roshan Lal Arya. His organization, Vanchit Varg Sangharsh Samiti, seeks to undo the “injustice” done to non-Jat communities in the state by successive Jat Chief Ministers during the past several decades. Though Arya is not considered as a hawk and is widely respected in political circles, his tirade against Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the alleged “injustice done to other communities is nevertheless strident.

The other organisation, Rajput Vikas Manch, is headed by Ved Pal Singh Tanwar. Despite using the word Rajput in its name, the organisation claims to be championing the cause of all non-Jat communities. Like Arya, Tanwar also claims that non-Jats have been denied their due in Haryana due to domination of “19 per cent Jats” over “81 per cent of non-Jats”.

The manch plans to carry a non-Jat baton through entire Haryana next month to highlight the grievances of non-Jats. It is still not clear whether Arya and Tanwar will organise it jointly or whether the latter would do it solo.

Though there is some merit in their theory of injustice, the fact remains that the agenda is basically political.

A senior politician described the developments as serious, saying that whatever the reasons; pitting one community against another is not advisable. He said playing politics was one thing, but dividing a society on caste lines was a different matter altogether.

Another veteran social activist said a negative approach to a social problem could never lead to a solution. If there were genuine grievances, these could be rectified without politicising the issue. “It is best not to mix the political and social agendas”, he added.

Chandigarh, October 28
The Haryana government has virtually cleared the way for the introduction of paid parking in markets of the urban areas in the state.

Though the clearance for the paid parking is not direct, this is the inference one can draw from a recent circular sent by the state government to the district administrations and other officers.

The circular directs the deputy commissioners, administrators of HUDA and commissioners of Municipal Corporations in the state to ensure regulated parking in busy markets, bus stands, railway stations and places of high footfalls in their jurisdiction.

The circular, issued by the Home Department, has directed the officers to ask market associations and resident welfare associations to deploy trained security men for the purpose and if this is not possible, parking lots may be allotted or auctioned after prescribing nominal parking fees.

The officers had been asked to make contractors of the parking places responsible for the proper checking of vehicles, keeping an eye on drivers and proper surveillance of parked vehicles in their allotted parking lots.

Similarly, at religious institutions and congregations, the management committees of such institutions and congregations should be asked to ensure that volunteers be deployed at parking places to ensure proper parking and checking of vehicles and proper surveillance of drivers.

Jhajjar, October 28
Having emerged as a major power hub with coming up of three mega power projects, Jhajjar may earn yet another distinction of being the first district of the state to have an institute for film, television, animation and media arts.

Subhash Ghai, film director, and chairman of Whistling Woods International (WWI), is planning to set up his another institute in Jhajjar.

The intimation was given by Ghai to Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, who was on a visit to Mumbai recently. Hooda not only visited the WWI but also discussed with Ghai about his dreamy project.

“If the project goes as per planning, it will take at least two years to set up the institute with an investment of over Rs 100 crore. Thereafter, not only students of Haryana but also its adjoining states would be benefited with the facilities to be made available at the institute. The institute will make available courses on film, TV, radio, Internet, business management, fashion and all allied businesses of entertainment,” informed Ghai, adding that the institute to be set up over 20 acres would be a quality education provider in the field of film technology and media.

The director said besides Haryana, the institute would cater to the whole of North India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, the WWI is considered Asia’s largest film, TV, animation and media arts institute, which has been providing world-class education in all technical and creative aspects of film and television. It offers courses that vary in duration from 10 months to 30 months in the areas of acting, animation, cinematography, direction, editing, producing, screenwriting and sound.

The institute is promoted by Subhash Ghai, Mukta Arts Limited and Film City, Mumbai. The full-time faculty of the WWI is a body of academics and industry professionals with regular guest lectures by leading Indian and international filmmakers, actors and technicians like Rakesh Mehra, Vishal Bharadwaj, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Farhan Akhtar, Ashok Amritraj, Shyam Benegal, Farah Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Ratna Pathak Shah, Danny Boyle, Rajkumar Hirani, Nagesh Kukunoor and more.

Its graduates are currently working with several leading media organisations like Balaji Telefilms, Channel 31 Australia, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, 20th Century Fox India, Mukta Arts Limited, Paprikaas, Prana Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, Spice Entertainment, Walkwater Films etc.

After visiting the institute, Hooda was impressed with filmmaking techniques, course structure taught and the facilities offered. He described the WWI as an excellent place.

“Subhash Ghai is marching ahead of the time. In the modern era, the real competition is in the field of education and skill development; and that the areas and states blessed with quality education will be the real leaders in the times to come,” said Hooda.

Earlier, Subhash Ghai welcomed Hooda at his institute and complimented him for his visionary approach in the field of education and other areas. He said Haryana had made tremendous progress during the Congress regime and the whole country was appreciating it.

Fatehabad, October 28
Residents of this district town, who have already been reeling under the problem of stray cattle and stray animals, are now facing the monkey menace.

A number of monkeys have of late entered the town and started creating a big nuisance in the residential areas.

The Model Town area of the town is affected the most as monkeys can be seen roaming around fearlessly there even during the day, intimidating residents.

“I noticed a monkey right in the lobby of my house the other day. It was opening the fridge when I entered the lobby,” said a local doctor, who had to run to safety as the beast looked angrily at him.

An agriculture development officer living in Model Town was injured badly when a group of monkeys attacked him on the terrace of his house. The petrified man jumped from the terrace, injuring his vertebral joints.

People going to the local Town Park for their morning walks have to run for shelter quite often when monkeys take control of portions of the walking track. The matter has been brought to the notice of the authorities several times but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the problem of stray cattle has also turned very grave at Fatehabad. Hundreds of stray cows can be spotted roaming on the national highway, in the streets and in the markets.

The animals have become a big traffic hazard as they suddenly appear in front of a speeding vehicle, giving the driver little opportunity to save himself. Cattle also eat polythene bags and other wastes, which later lead to their death.

A drive to provide shelter to stray cows was started some time back and several philanthropists had donated in that programme but the drive has almost been abandoned now. Residents complain that several stray cows were left out in the town by villagers, who come to participate in the animal fair organised here every Sunday.

Gurgaon, October 28
The constitution of a committee by the local administrative and police authorities to regulate the fare and number of passengers in auto-rickshaws clearly indicates why most government plans exist only on paper because these are far away from ground realities.

A meeting in this connection was held under the chairmanship of Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal earlier this week. Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Rajender Kataria, DCP (Traffic) Bharti Arora, City Magistrate KK Gupta, SDM Satender Duhan and representatives of the Autorickshaw Operators’ Union attended the meeting.

Following the meeting, Mittal announced that the committee, headed by the secretary of the Regional Transport Authority, would also comprise an SDM, ACP (Traffic), two representatives of the Autorickshaw Operators’ Union and a member from general public.

However, the autorickshaw operators had hiked the fares before the meeting, rendering the authorities’ move futile. About limiting the number of passengers, it would be a pleasant surprise if ever implemented.

While the autorickshaws operating on internal routes have hiked the fare from Rs 5 to Rs 8, those operating on NH-8 have already started charging Rs 10 per head, ostensibly without any approval.

Besides, overloading puts the passengers, especially the elderly and women, at great inconvenience, but they have no alternative but to suffer in silence.

“Owing to the utter lack of local public transport in Gurgaon, most of the commuters have no choice but to travel by autorickshaws.

“The operators take advantage of this and they not only overcharge, but also behave rudely with the passengers,” says Shankar, a resident of Sector 31 here.

On the other hand, autorickshaw operators maintain that it is not viable for them if they carry a limited number of passengers.

“The policemen, who never pay for commuting, often harass us in the name of checking documents and ensuring compliance of norms,” says an auto driver.

However, the authorities concerned, who obviously have better means to commute, remain blissfully ignorant of the woes of commoners or auto drivers and consider their duty done after having formed a committee.

Yamunanagar, October 28
“The DAV organisation has always remained vital in the strengthening of education system of the country”.

This was stated by Swami Ramdev who visited DAV College, Yamunanagar, in connection with his visit around the country named under the “Bharat Ke Nirman Hetu” to combat corrupt politics and promote education.

Dr Sushma Arya, principal of the college, and Vijay Kapoor, chairman of all DAV Schools, gave a warm welcome to Ramdev.

Ramdev threw a light on women empowerment and the role played by DAV in promoting women education. He said he himself was inspired by Maharishi Dayanand and started reading his books at the age of 14, adding that a number of doctors, engineers, ministers had taken their education from DAV putting a light on the contribution of Aryans in achieving freedom. He said 80 per cent of the Aryans fought for the Independence.

Enlightening social and medical scenario, he said: “Our ancestors were addicted to yoga, but the new generation is addicted to cosmetics and artificial therapies resulting immense revenues for several foreign companies around Rs 10 lakh crores per year”.

He said: “Nowadays, people are blessed with the amenities of life, but they are still not happy. One should practice yoga for at least one hour in the morning to overcome stress”.

He stressed that the role of DAV organisation in spreading literacy among masses was incomparable.

Vijay Kapoor, chairman of DAV Schools, said: “Ramdev’s contribution to yoga is immense”. He added that society would remain indebted to Ramdev for his outstanding role.

Dr Sushma said: “In order to promote yoga, our college is running postgraduate degree course in applied yoga health and PG diploma in physiotherapy and naturopathy facilitating treatment for outsiders too”.

During the event, president Prem Chand Arya, vice-president Lalit Arya, and minister Mohit Arya, presented a photograph and Amargranth Satyartha of Swami Dayanand to Ramdev from the Arya Samaj, Yamunanagar.

Karnal, October 28
The efforts of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) to involve rural people in research and extension programmes have yielded results with Dr AK Srivastav, director and vice-chancellor, NDRI, inaugurating the first milk processing unit run by Amol Mahila Dughdh Samiti, a self-help group (SHG) of women from three villages, at Amritpur Kalan village.

The women who took the initiative to launch the venture were duly trained on the issues related to clean milk production, testing of milk and milk products, processes for the manufacturing of quality milk products and its marketing at dairy technology division of the NDRI.

This unit which is the first-of-its-kind in Haryana has already completed the test marketing of paneer, gulab Jamun, whey-based drinks and gulab jamun mix powder.

Financial assistance and logistic support for establishing of this unit was provided by Arpana Research and Charities Trust, Madhuban.

Dr Srivastava stressed the need for strengthening entrepreneurship skills of rural women and unemployed youth in the field of dairying and assured farmers of full technical support of the NDRI for promoting dairy farming and processing in rural clusters.

Dr AA Patel, head, Dairy technologies Division, congratulated the women for their efforts and also inaugurated the one-day veterinary camp in the village in which 275 animals were checked for the various health problems.

The animals were treated for parasites, indigestion, fertility related issues, fever and other diseases. Free samples of mineral mixture and medicines were also provided to the farmers to create awareness regarding advanced animal husbandry practices.

A team consisting of Dr Gopal Sankhla, Dr Brijkishore, Dr Praveen Kumar, Dr NS Sirohi, Dr Latha Sabikhi and Dr Manimaran of NDRI, Karnal, assisted in organising the camp.

Sirsa, October 28
None of the government offices on the Barnala Road in the town had sought permission from the Forest Department before opening their gates on the road.

A local resident, Kamal Sharma, has got this information from the divisional forest officer under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Kamal had sought the information after the department served notices on owners of some buildings on the local Hisar Road in this regard.

Land on both sides of the roads and highways have been declared notified forest areas by the government and permission of the department is mandatory for opening a gate towards the road in these notified areas, since land belonging to the department is to be used.

Similar permission is required before laying any sewer line or any other underground lines on the forestland.

The reply admits that the government offices situated on the Barnala Road should have sought permission of the Forest Department.

“The Forest Department adopts different yardsticks while dealing with government and private parties even as it admits that permission is required equally by private parties and by the government,” alleges Sharma.

However, the reply given by the department mentions several government departments, who have been proceeded against for using the notified forestland without permission. The reply given by the DFO lists 17 instances of action initiated against the parties who own buildings on the National Highway-10.

These include two government departments - the Public Health Department for laying sewer line from HUDA Chowk to Mahabir Colony, and BSNL for laying optical fibre network - and 15 private parties, which include Mehak Garden, Preetam Palace, Shivdei Resorts and Vipin Motors.

However, the reply also reveals that the Forest Department has not given any permission to Tara Baba Kutiya on the Rania Road for its main gate towards the road. The kutiya belongs to a trust managed by state Minister Gobind Kanda’s family.

The information also states that Dera Sacha Sauda has also not sought permission for its gate on the Begu Road, but the gate, it said, was set up before 1980, when the land was not notified as forestland.

In a reply to another question, the reply states the site plan of the department’s own building is neither approved by the municipal council nor by the town planner.

The letter adds that when the building was set up in 1982-83, the area was outside the boundaries of the municipal council.

Gurgaon, October 28
Congress MP from Gurgaon Rao Inderjeet Singh has demanded the construction of flyovers at Hero Honda Chowk, IMT (Manesar), Naurangpur, Dharuhera and other busy traffic intersections on the NH-8 to make the journey of commuters smooth and hassle free.

Addressing a news conference here recently, Rao Inderjeet maintained that the flyovers were a must on the NH-8, which provided an important link between the national capital Delhi and southern Haryana.

“As of now, the commuters have to struggle through the heavy traffic jams on the crossings,” the MP said and added that the Metro rail be extended up to IMT, Manesar, by 2015.

He also reiterated the need of forming a Gurgaon Development Authority in addition to the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon. Replying to a question, the MP said: “We are not afraid of municipal elections, but some new villages have been included into the limits of the MCG, due to which the elections had been delayed.

Earlier, presiding over a meeting of the district-level vigilance and monitoring committee, Rao Inderjeet expressed his concern over the depleting groundwater in Gurgaon. He asked the officials to take measures for recharging the water table.

He directed the Block Development and Panchayat Officers concerned to identify the areas where water got accumulated during the rains and prepare proposals for its disposal. The MP directed the officials concerned to lodge FIRs against the crusher owners who damaged the roads by letting water out on the roads.

Kaithal, October 28
Another case of human trafficking has come to light in the district in which the accused allegedly duped two youths, who were looking for greener pastures in a foreign country, of Rs 15 lakh. The traffickers had promised to send and settle them in Greece.

One of the duped youth has been languishing in Turkey jail, while other returned to India and narrated his woes to his relatives and the police. Following a complaint lodged by father of a victim, the police arrested one of the accused and obtained five-day remand to carry on further investigation.

SSP Sandeep Khirwar told mediapersons here recently that Mahavir, a resident of Sega village of this district, lodged a complaint with the police and alleged that Des Raj, a Kangthli resident, took Rs 15 lakh from his son, Mandeep, and another youth Sunil and promised to send and settle them in Greece.

Both the victims were sent to Georgia in a flight from Delhi Airport on May 11, 2009. Vikrant Rana, an accomplice of Des Raj, met the youths in Georgia, took them to border, asked them to sit in a trailer and told them that they will safely reach Greece, via Turkey, and will get suitable employment. The boys were hesitant to move to Greece in an illegal manner. They tried to contact Des Raj, who allegedly did not attend their phone calls. Facing a lot of problems, duo Mandeep and Sunil managed to return to India. They lodged their protest with Des Raj and threatened to lodge a complaint against him.

However, Des Raj again sent them to Greece, where Mandeep, son of the complainant was caught by the police while crossing Turkey illegally and was lodged in jail, while Sunil again managed to reach India.

Sunil narrated the whole story to Mandeep’s father and his relatives and a formal complaint was lodged with the police. The SSP said accused Des Raj, who was already booked in cases of human trafficking has been arrested.

Chandigarh, October 28
The Haryana Environment Department and the Pollution Control Board have been campaigning against the use of fireworks on Diwali for the past many years. The campaign was started under the directions of former Environment Minister Kiran Choudhary. Continuing the tradition this year also, Environment Minister Ajay Singh Yadav has made a fervent appeal to the people to celebrate safe and pollution-free Diwali and not to burst crackers.

Extending good wishes to the people, he said emphasis should be more on festive spirit, sense of brotherhood, caring for less fortunate brethrens instead of bursting crackers, which had harmful effects on environment and emited harmful gases and generated noise pollution. The gases released during the bursting of crackers caused serious ailments like bronchitis, mental disorders, nervous breakdown, etc. Besides the bursting of crackers also caused accidents like damage to the eyes, hearing loss, fire hazards, etc.

He said the Supreme Court had put restrictions on the use of crackers. These were allowed only between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The sound of these crackers should be within the prescribed limits.

Sonepat, October 28
The local Geeta Vidya Mandir (GVM) Girls College bagged the overall championship of the 3-day Zonal Youth Festival of Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, concluded at Postgraduate Government College at Gohana recently. This was the college’s third consecutive zonal win of overall championship.

As many as 85 students from this college participated in all 41 events of the festival and won first position in nine events and second position in 10 events. Around 500 students from 20 degree colleges and colleges of education from Sonepat and Jhajjar districts participated in the festival.

GVM girls were the winners of Indian classical vocal, group song, classic dance, one-act play, Sanskrit one-act play, English debate, quiz, collage making and Indian classical music instrument events and remained runners-up in qawwali, western vocal solo, group song, mime, Hindi debate, Sanskrit declamation, clay modelling, photography and Sanskrit shlokacharan.

The chief guest and the joint secretary of the UGC, Dr Dev Swarup, and MLAs Jagbir Singh Malik and Sri Krishan Hooda gave away prizes to the winners.

The chairman of the GVM Education Society, Dr OP Pruthi, and the college principal, Dr Jyoti Juneja, congratulated the college students for scoring a hat-trick of wins in the zonal festivals and gave credit to their individual and collective efforts under the able guidance of teachers.

Ambala, October 28
A light-and-sound programme was organised at Farooka Khalsa High School, Ambala Cantt, paying tributes to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur through a play on the great warrior.

Hukam Singh Bhatty and Rajiv Mehta, producer and director, respectively, took two years with a team of about 37 artists to complete this play at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.

The play shows as to how Baba Banda Singh Bahadur bring the menace of drug addiction to an end as the great Sikh General played a steller role in the eradication of intoxicants. One of the most revolutionary acts after establishing his authority in Punjab was the abolition of the zamindari system, and granting proprietary rights to the actual tillers of the land.

Ashwani Kumar Dogra, General Manager, Haryana Roadways, Ambala, who was the chief guest, appealed to the people to encourage the younger generation to participate in such historic occasions so that they could know rich legacy which was replete with innumerable sacrifices.

KK Khandelwal, Director, Public Relations, Haryana, said the play would be staged in Rohtak with Chief Minister Bupinder Singh Hooda as the chief guest.

Chandigarh, October 28
The Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded that the power distribution companies should grant a general permission to the entire industry to use electricity during the period of peak load restrictions after paying a fee on reduced rates.

In a letter written to the power utilities, Satish Gupta, president of the chamber, said at present, the industrial units were allowed to consume power up to 50 per cent of their contract demand during the peak load restriction period after paying additional Rs 2 per unit if these units had been granted special dispensation by the utilities.

In the absence of the special dispensation, the industrial units had to pay additional Rs 4 per unit.

Gupta demanded that the industry in general should be allowed to consume electricity during the period of peak load restrictions after paying additional Rs 2 per unit.The chamber president has also written to Raminder Jakhu, financial commissioner and principal secretary, excise and taxation, urging him to revive the practice of holding quarterly meetings between officers of the department and representatives of the industry and trade.

Gupta pointed out that it had been a long-standing practice of organising meetings, “Aamne-Saamne”, between the department officials and representatives of the industry at each district headquarters at quarterly intervals.

These meetings provided a platform to the industry to highlight their day-to-day problems regarding taxation matters before the authorities. Many of the problems would be solved on the spot. Regretting that the practice had been discontinued for some time for reasons best known to the department, Gupta urged Jakhu to revive it at the earliest in the interest of smooth relations between the department and the industry.

Chandigarh, October 28
Former director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) Ram Pal has been appointed member of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) amidst a controversy generated by a Congress MLA. The post had fallen vacant on the completion of the tenure of Tej Singh Tewatia.

Ram Pal’s name was suggested by a selection committee headed by the former High Court judge, Justice IP Vasisth. Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati, Chief Secretary and Officiating Chairman, Central Electricity Authority, Gurdial Singh were other members of the committee.

Ram Pal has done BSc engineering (electrical) from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and has vast experience of 34 years in the power sector.

His appointment has come in the wake of a demand made by former finance minister and Congress MLA from Nalwa Sampat Singh that the chairman and members of the HERC should be persons of ability, integrity and standing with adequate knowledge of engineering, finance, commerce, economics, law or management fields.

In separate letters written to Justice Vasisth and Power Minister Mahendra Pratap Singh, Sampat Singh had demanded that no retired bureaucrat or engineer of the power utilities should be nominated to the HERC. — TNS

Bhiwani, October 28
Former Union minister and Ambala legislator Venod Kumar Sharma said doing ‘politics’ without any self-interest was service to mankind. Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Sarvjatiya Ekta Manch at Bond village in this district,

Sharma said some sections were demanding reservation these days but it should be provided on an economic basis to benefit the needy. He called upon politicians to work for the downtrodden, poor and needy people of all sections of society.

Chief parliamentary secretary Rao Dan Singh appreciated Sharma for implementing several welfare schemes during his stint as a minister.

Sanjay Vashisth, Sanjay Gautam of the manch and Devkant Sharma, president, Lok Panchayat Seva Samiti, presented a memento to Venod Kumar Sharma . — OC

Chandigarh, October 28
The state government has amended the Haryana Panchayati Raj Rules, 1995, to make it mandatory to convene at least three general meetings of a gram sabha in a calendar year.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dharam Vir said the first general meeting of a gram sabha would be held in February, the second in May and the third in November in the sabha area at a public place. The time and date of the general meetings would be fixed by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer. The time and the date of an extraordinary general meeting of a gram sabha would be fixed by the sarpanch, he added.

Dharam Vir said with three general meetings of gram sabha in a year, all members of the gram sabha would be able to get information regarding various development works being undertaken by the panchayat and details of the income and expenditure. They would also get an opportunity to air their views about the development works and the common needs of the village.