Jhajjar, March 24
Students securing either less than 20 per cent marks or more than 60 per cent marks in a particular paper of any course being run by Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) will not be able to get their answer books re-evaluated if a proposal to amend the ordinance in this regard is approved by the Executive Council (EC) of the university in its meeting on March 29.

The proposal, which reportedly aims at dealing with the rush of revaluation cases and the inordinate delay in declaring results of these cases, has been embarked upon following the recommendation of a special committee constituted by the vice-chancellor (VC) to examine the measures relating to improvement in inter-branch coordination, speedy disposal of work and work rationalisation and rescheduling for better branch efficiency.

After getting a nod from the EC for the proposal, scores of students will be deprived of the benefit of revaluation as the official report states that among those applying for re-evaluation every year, number of those students is significant, who obtain either less then 20 per cent or more than 60 per cent marks in a particular paper in first evaluation.

A senior official engaged with the revaluation process informed that constantly increasing number of re-evaluation cases was not only causing overall delay in finalising the cases but also enhancing the workload of employees posted at the re-evaluation branch.

“Further, the number of examinations as well as students is also increasing with the introduction of new courses. Surprisingly, the students who secure less than 20 per marks or even nil marks apply for re-evaluation. Similarly, several students obtaining over 60 per cent marks are also not hesitating to get their answer books re-evaluated,” said the official, adding that keeping in view the prevailing condition, the advisory committee for the internal quality assurance cell of the university had recommended the constitution of a special committee to deal with the situation.

Thereafter, the VC had formed a committee, comprising the registrar, controller of examination, finance officer and director, IQAC. The committee after studying all aspects of the issue made its recommendation that re-evaluation should not be allowed in cases where a student gets less than 20 per cent marks or more than 60 per cent in a particular paper in the first evaluation so that increasing workload of re-evaluation could be eased out. Notably, the proposal has already been discussed at a meeting of the Academic Council (AC) which recommended it to the EC for final approval.

Hisar, March 24
Scientists of Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences demonstrated emu farming for the first time at the annual Kisan Mela organised by Haryana Agricultural University here.

The emu stall attracted a large number of farmers keen to diversify into emu farming. So far, emu farming is limited to a handful of farmers in Haryana.

From a single farm in 1996, there are 900 emu farms today in 14 states, with a majority of them in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states. The reason for the growth of emu farms today is the increasing demand for the bird's meat and oil, which is believed to have medicinal properties, especially for treating joint pains.

Emu is a large bird, which originated in Australia. A mature emu gains its full height of 5.6 feet in about a year. It weighs around 65 kg. It has a small wing span and is incapable of flying.

The birds live in groups and thrive under varying climatic conditions ranging from zero to 52°C. These birds are omnivorous and eat leaves, vegetables, fruits, insects and worms. They can be fed modified poultry feed.

Emu is an exotic bird and it has not been included in any of the schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The provisions of the Act and rules made therein are not applicable to these birds. As such no permission is necessary from the Forest or Wildlife Departments for rearing, farming and selling these birds.

Scientists say that as per available national data, a female emu lays up to 32 eggs on an average during the breeding period. The breeding period is six months, from October to March. Emu's eggs are dark green in colour. The eggs are 10 to 12 times the size of a hen's. Emu may lay eggs after every three days.

Emu has a long life and lives at least for 40 years. If looked after properly emus are capable of reproduction for at least 25 years. Generally, they produce 32 young ones a year.

One emu costs about Rs 3000 a year by way of feed. Farmers can sell its meat, feathers, oil, egg shells, skin and nails. The oil is used in cosmetic and drug industry. Its meat is leaner than chicken and pork. It has very little cholesterol. Emus slaughtered for commercial purposes can yield a farmer a hefty profit.

The varsity scientists said considering the interest evinced by farmers, emu farming could catch up in Haryana soon.

Chandigarh, March 24
With the setting up of the statewide area network, the state government has succeeded in networking, both vertically and horizontally, about 1,400 offices of its various departments.

Work is on for setting up a state data centre and concrete measures have also been taken for the creation of information and communication technology infrastructure in the state.

Claiming this, an official spokesman said basic structure had been put in place for the creation of IT cadre in the state for the implementation of various e-governance initiatives. Another key project, the State Service Delivery Gateway was being implemented. It would not only facilitate data sharing but also bring about integration within departments. Besides, a state e-governance management team is being set up to extend technical and professional support to various government departments engaged in conceptualising and implementing e-governance initiatives.

To enable children to develop IT operational skills, the state government would set up ICT labs in more than 2,600 government schools and all government colleges.

Such measures have made Haryana occupy a place of prominence on the national IT industrial map, especially with the emergence of Gurgaon as the hub of IT and information technology-enabled services (ITES) industry. All prominent IT companies have set up base in the state. Both IT and ITES exports touched Rs 23,000-crore mark in 2009-10.

He said some of the flagship e-governance projects identified for implementation included the public distribution system, driving licences and registration of vehicles, commercial taxes and integrated financial management system. A mission mode project known as e-district has also been implemented as a pilot project with four services, namely, income certificate, caste certificate, domicile certificates and grievances, being delivered under this project. This project will be replicated in other districts.

Sonepat, March 24
“Healthy discussions on public-related issues on the floor of the House has become the need of the hour and the legislators should be trained to achieve this objective,” said Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Sharma while talking to mediapersons here recently.

In order to update and make them technically efficient, the legislators had been provided with computer systems and all arrangements had been made for their training , he said, adding that Assembly working was being computerised to get all information instantly.

He lamented that a lot of time was wasted in the Assemblies and Parliament on irrelevant matters leading to the wastage of public money.The Haryana Assembly was keen to make a beginning to get rid of such proceedings in the House, he added.

Mr Sharma said students would be invited to witness the Assembly proceedings so that they got acquainted with the legislative procedures.

Earlier, addressed district officers the Speaker advised them to help implement the development and welfare

schemes of the government and ensure transparency in their working.

“The image of the government is reflected through the functioning of the administration, timely implementation of the programmes and speedy redressal of public grievances,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Aggarwal assured the Speaker that there would be no negligence in the working of various departments in the district.

The Speaker also addressed a meeting of members of the Sonepat Bar Association and announced a donation of Rs 1 lakh every year for the association.

Panipat, March 24
The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) has decided to connect the power supply of suburban areas that had recently been included in the newly created Municipal Corporations with the urban feeders.

Disclosing this here recently, a spokesperson for the UNBVN said as many as 81 villages, towns and other localities had been identified that fall under the jurisdiction of municipal corporations where the nigam would be extending this facility.

However, the concerned municipal corporation would be required to fulfil the terms and conditions of the nigam to ensure that the power supply of these areas was switched from rural to urban mode. The cost of laying the new infrastructure for the same would have to be borne by the concerned corporation. The beneficiaries or the residents would be required to clear the arrears or defaulting amount, if any, to get the facility.

They would also be required to maintain 95 per cent or more collection efficiency for over three months to become eligible for shifting to urban feeders.

The consumers desirous of having power supply on urban mode would be required to allow the nigam to replace electro-mechanical meters with electronic meters. The meters would be relocated outside the premises. Besides, the beneficiaries would also be required not to object to lying of high-voltage distribution system or aerial-bunched cable system, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the nigam would not permit any tube well connection on new feeders created for feeding the consumers in municipal limits.

Chandigarh, March 24
With a view to effectively treating those suffering from tuberculosis, Haryana has launched a directly observed treatment (DOT) plus programme for multi-drug resistant TB patients. In the first phase of this programme, seven districts-- Rohtak, Panipat, Sonepat, Jind, Karnal, Jhajjar and Bhiwani--have been covered and the programme would be extended to all other districts in a phased manner.

The health authorities are concerned over the fact that about 3 per cent new TB cases and 12 per cent cases of re-treatment become multi-drug resistant due to incomplete and inadequate TB treatment.

They say a provision has been made for free investigations and ancillary drugs for multi-drug resistant TB cases at the district level. As many as 101 multi-drug resistant TB cases have been put on treatment free of cost in seven districts. The authorities say though TB has been brought under control to a large extent, more needs to be done so that the achievements made so far are not lost. The goal of the TB control programme is to decrease mortality and morbidity and cut the transmission of infection until TB ceases to be a major public health problem.

At present, there are about 36,600 TB patients in Haryana, who have access under the highly effective directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS). With the implementation of the internationally recommended DOTS strategy, Haryana has achieved a success rate of 85.2 per cent and a sputum conversion rate of 90 per cent.

Under the second phase of the revised national tuberculosis control (RNTC) programme in Haryana, more than 6859 directly observed treatment centres, 225 microscopic centres and 47 TB units are functioning in the state. Phase II of the RNTCP is a step towards achieving the TB-related millennium development goal (MDG) targets.

The State Health Department has established and upgraded intermediate reference laboratory (IRL) at Government Public Health Laboratory, Karnal, with a trained microbiologist to conduct the culture and drug sensitivity testing for mycobacterium tuberculosis. This lab will diagnose multi-drug resistant TB cases, besides providing quality training to RNTCP staff.

Sirsa, March 24
The SBI has adopted Madhosinghana for developing it as a model village under the “SBI ka Apna Gaon” cheme.

Along with Sirsa MP Ashok Tanwar, SBI Deputy Managing Director Diwakar Gupta inaugurated a computer lab at Government Senior Secondary School of the village recently.

A 46-inch LCD television, computers and furniture have been provided in the computer lab.

The bank has also made provision for clean toilets and drinking water tanks in the village and a water cooler in the school.

“We will issue unique identification cards (UID) to all consumers of the bank from this village. The consumers will be able to transact business through business correspondents appointed by the bank,” said Gupta.

Gupta said the bank had adopted 656 villages all over the country under the scheme.

He said the bank was in the process of appointing one lakh business correspondents for rural areas of the country.

The SBI, he said, had over 9000 branches in rural areas. Gupta also announced to adopt 12 girls from the village. The educational expenses of these girls would be borne by the SBI.

Tanwar announced a sum of Rs 11 lakh from his MP Local Area Development scheme for development activities in the village.

Sirsa, March 24
Scientists, researchers and teachers are the backbone in the process of development of any country. Based on research, a country can make the optimum use of natural resources. Universities and educational institutes provide a platform to research activities.

This was stated by Jagat Singh, Joint Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Union of India, who was the chief guest at the valedictory session of the 14-day national workshop on Research Methodology organised by the Computer Science and Application Department of Chaudhary Devi Lal University here recently.

He gave various examples of his service and said research needed a lot of hard work and it was applicable to all spheres of life. All development schemes needed a lot of research during the process of formulation and implementation. If the schemes were formulated after comprehensive research, the results were always fruitful.

Prof. Suresh Gahlawat, dean, Student Welfare, said the university had organised this workshop for the first time and this type of activity would definitely gear up the research environment in the university.

Dr. Dilbag Singh, director of the workshop and chairperson of the Computer Science and Application Department, said as many as 12 experts expressed their views in the workshop and 30 participants from different universities, colleges and educational institutes had improved their skills through the workshop.

The aim of the workshop was to acquaint the participants with new trends and techniques in the area of research experiences. The knowledge was imparted through practical sessions besides classroom interaction.

The workshop was interdisciplinary and therefore, the focus was upon scientific and social science research methodologies, data collection and data interpretation and sampling method.

Earlier, Dr KC Bhardwaj, vice-chancellor of the university, inaugurated the workshop. He stated that universities were the creators of knowledge and colleges and schools disseminate this knowledge to the students.

The registrar of the university, Dr. Manoj Siwach, Dean, Academic Affairs, Professor Sultan Singh, patron of the workshop Prof Vikram Singh, organising secretary Harish and teachers from different departments were also present to grace the occasion.

Sonepat, March 24
Agitated over the unauthorised condition imposed for obtaining no objection certificate (NOC) from the local municipal council to purchase or sell houses or plots within the municipal limits, hundreds of residents led by state media in charge of the BJP Rajiv Jain held a protest at the mini-secretariat here recently.

They handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner for withdrawal of the condition.

They said in the memorandum that the municipal council had been issuing NOC for the past six years after receiving payment of development charges for old buildings and vacant plots as land could not be registered in the tehsil office without the NOC.

The memorandum also said while replying to a question of BJP legislator Kavita Jain in the assembly session, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that there was no condition of NOC in the sale and purchase of property within the municipal council and municipality areas in the state.

Addressing the protesters, Jain alleged that the offices of the council and tehsil had become a den of corruption and people had to face a lot of harassment while obtaining an NOC and getting the land deal registered.

He warned that if the condition of NOC was not withdrawn, they would gherao the council officials.

Faridabad, March 24
The BJP today led a protest against the government’s decision to increase the circle (collectorate) rate in Faridabad.

As per the government’s decision, the collectorate rate will be seven times more than the earlier rate.

Top leaders of the BJP led by the president of the Haryana unit, Krishan Pal Gurjar, staged a demonstration outside the mini-secretariat against the Haryana Government. The BJP submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Haryana through the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad, to immediately annul the decision to increase the collectorate rate.

In the memorandum, it was stated that the decision to increase the collectorate rate would have an adverse effect on the development and further industrialisation of Faridabad. An increase in the rate would increase the cost of property as the amount of stamp duty at the time of registration of sale deed was determined by it.The party said the market rate of land in many parts of Faridabad turned out to be less than the additional amount that would have to be paid by buyers as stamp duty on account of the new collectorate rate.

Addressing a gathering at the mini-secretariat, Gurjar warned the government of mass agitation if it did not revoke its decision to increase the collectorate rate. The BJP alleged that the government was making an effort to increase revenue to finance development works in Rohtak district.

Kurukshetra, March 24
Finance Commissioner (Irrigation), Haryana, KK Jalan, has asked people to use modern technology for water conservation to avoid “acute water crisis” in future.

Jalan was the chief guest at a seminar on “Need for Water Conservation” organised here by Haryana Irrigation Research and Management Institute on “World Water day”.

Speaking about water crisis, Jalan said Haryana was one of the states facing water shortage and against the requirement of 36 MAF of water, the availability was only 14 MAF, and even after the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal and Yamuna water reservoir, the availability was 18 MAF.

While consumption of water for domestic purposes was increasing, shrinking glaciers were a big threat to the future availability of water, he said.

“The problem is gigantic and unless we pool resources and adopt all methods and technologies to conserve water, the situation would continue to be difficult in the years to come,” he cautioned.

He said rains were not uniform throughout the state adding to its existing problem of water shortage. While the average rainfall was 550 mm, the rainfall in the northern areas of the state was 1,100 mm and just 300 mm in the southern areas.

Unless the available water and all water resources were conserved, it would be difficult to meet the requirements of water for irrigation, he added.

Ambala, March 24
The board of directors of Rahat International, an NGO, has recommended the name of Tejinder Singh Walia for the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award.

JP Mehta, chairman, Rahat International, said it was a matter of pleasure that an award had been instituted to commemorate the lasting contribution made by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to promote peace and communal harmony and fight against violence and terrorism.

Walia has been working for the past 25 years to promote communal harmony and fight against terrorism and violence through his writings, plays and working with different NGOs.

Tejinder Singh Walia is a name to reckon with in the field of art, literature and theatre. A law graduate, Walia is a resident of Ambala. He is presently serving the Punjab government. Associated with a number of NGOs and social uplift groups, he has dedicated his life to the service of humanity.

Walia has done commendable work in the fields of blood donation and eye donation. He has donated blood 102 times. His famous slogan “Donate blood while alive and donate eyes after death” during a slogan contest in 1980 became a message for society for which he was awarded by the then Governor of Haryana HS Brar.

Besides, he joined the whole body donation movement of Rahat International where he pledged to donate his body after death and has been persuading others to take a similar pledge.

Walia has staged a number of plays and dramas to promote national integration, including “Natak Nahi”, “Gandhi Tere Des Main”, “Sarhand Di Kand”, “Maa Putra and Chhaleda”. He has acted in some films as well, including “Tara Rani Ki Amar Kahani”, “Sohn Menu Punjab Di” and “Sache Premi”.

He is the author of two books, “History of Ambala” and “Haryana: The Torch Bearer of 1857”.

Hisar, March 24
The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam(DHBVN) has decided to replace all 13092 iron poles in its area with cement poles in a time-bound manner. A DHBVN spokesman said here that it had taken a policy decision to replace all iron poles with the pre-cast cement poles as these were safer being a bad conductor of electricity and were also free from the problem of rusting.

He said the general managers and the deputy general managers had been asked to ensure that the work was completed in time. They had also been asked to ensure that the removed iron poles were returned to stores immediately. Meanwhile, the nigam has detected 17,000 cases of theft of electricity during the current financial year up to February last and imposed a penalty of Rs 40 crore on the erring consumers. FIRs had been lodged against 9331 consumers who had failed to pay the penalty in time.

The nigam spokesman said the field officers had been asked to launch a campaign against theft of electricity. Targets had also been given to officials of the operations wing of the nigam and teams of the vigilance wing.

Kaithal, March 24
Dalbir Punia, a local advocate, has been nominated as a member to the State Environment Protection Council, which has been reconstituted with 24 official and 14 non-official members, according to an official communique received here.

The Governor will be its chairman and the Chief Minister vice-chairman of this council. The council had been constituted for promotion of general awareness on protection of environment and natural resources of Haryana. Among the official members are eight ministers, Chief Secretary and senior bureaucrats and technocrats heading various govt departments. The council will meet two or three times a year and its decisions will be advisory in nature, the communiqué revealed.

Kurukshetra, March 24
Need to use renewal energy to combat global warming and also for conserving energy was stressed at the one-day workshop organised by the District Rural development Agency (DRDA) here recently.

“Energy saved is energy generated” was the crux of the workshop and experts exhorted people to make the maximum use of non-polluting renewable sources of energy.

TK Mahajan, superintending engineer, Power Department, urged people to use solar energy and replace traditional bulbs by high luminous efficiency and less energy consuming CFLs and T-5 bulbs to save energy up to 30 per cent.

Satish Kumar from the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) said the focus should be on the conservation of energy by adopting all means, especially in industrial and commercial establishments.

Balwan Singh, project officer of the Renewable Energy Department, said the installation of solar water heating system in all hospitals, industrial, commercial and business establishments, educational institutions and houses built on HUDA colonies on more than 500 sq yards area had been made mandatory.

He said the government was providing loan at 2 per cent rate of interest for putting solar water heating system in place, besides giving subsidy of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for such systems with 100 litres and 200 litres capacity. In addition of rebate of Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 300 was given on 100 litres, 200 litres and 300 litres solar water systems installed by domestic consumers for a period of three years, he added.

Rewari, March 24
As many as 32 non-teaching employees of the Distance Education Directorate (DED) of Guru Jambheshwar Science and Technology University, Hisar, participated in a three-day computer training programme held at the Computer Centre (CC) of the university recently.

Stating that computers had lent rapidity and efficiency to the execution of work, Dr ML Ranga, Vice-Chancellor, who was the chief guest at the concluding function, urged the participants to make optimum use of the innovative techniques to improve their efficiency.

Prof Turan said the increasing frequency of computer-related innovative software had enriched the possibilities IT could go in for enviable radical transformation in the years to come. Stating that the trainees were provided detailed information on e-governance, file management, word processing, spread sheet, presentation, OMR technology and computer trouble shooting during the course, Computer Centre chief Mukesh Kumar said that MP Kulshreshth, technical director of the NIC; Dr Dharamender Kumar from Deen Bandhu Science and Technology University, Murthal; were among the computer experts who delivered lectures on relevant subjects in various sessions during the course.