Chandigarh, June 20
The per capita per day availability of milk in Haryana has increased to 680 g as compared to the national average of 258 g.

According to a spokesman for the Haryana Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department, milk production in the state has increased to 62.67 lakh tonne as a result of the efforts being made by the government for the development of livestock. The plan budget of the department has been regularly increased since 2005-06. The budget of the department for this year is Rs 70 crore while it was just Rs 14.83 crore in 2005-06.

He said 2,789 institutions were providing veterinary health care to the livestock in the state. It had been decided to set up eight veterinary polyclinics in Sonepat, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Rohtak, Karnal, Kaithal, Gurgaon and Panchkula districts to provide better health cover to the livestock. The facilities of x-ray, ultrasound and testing of all kinds of bio samples would be made available in these multipurpose veterinary institutions. In the first phase, these institutions had already been made functional at Panchkula, Sonipat, Bhiwani and Sirsa. Specialist health care services, which were available only at Ch Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, would also be provided in referral cases in these multipurpose veterinary institutions, he added.

The government had also set up Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Hisar to achieve new dimensions in education and research in the field of veterinary and animal sciences.

The spokesman said it had also been decided to organise special camps across the state to make the livestock free from diseases and barrenness. The state had already been made almost free from infectious diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, which used to take heavy toll of livestock every year. Cash incentives were also given to animal breeders for the conservation and development of world famous Murrah buffaloes. The owners of those Murrah buffaloes, who give more than 13 kg, 16kg, 19kg and 25 kg of milk daily, were given a cash incentive of Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively.

Ambala, June 20
The existence of the Markanda river, popularly known as Haryanavi Ganga, is in danger following the inflow of contaminated discharge and effluent of various chemical factories located in the Kala Amb area close to Naraingarh.

While efforts of the Pollution Control Department to maintain sanctity of the river have failed, religious gurus and the general public have joined their hands to save it.

Those speaheading the campaign include Baba Vikasnath, Baba Tirlokinath and Baba Asimgiri, besides scores of villagers. They have decided to launch a drive to check pollution in the river. They have also planned to meet Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who has all regards for Haryanavi inheritance.

Basically, Markanda is a rain-fed river which has its origin from Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) and later it converts into a tributary of the Yamuna. It flows through the Naraingarh, Ambala and Shahbad areas. Geographically, it rises from the southern face of the lower Himalayas on the western range of the Poant valley.

A number of temples of Maharishi Markandeshwar can be seen on the banks of this river even today.

The river has become so polluted these days that residents of atleast 24 villages cannot dare to take bath in it or have a sip of its water. These villages include Sherpur, Zafarpur, Loorhad, Gaganheri, Kakarkanda and Hemamajra, all in Mullana, near Ambala. The colour of water has turned brownish. Farmers even do not allow their animals to drink its water as a number of animals have died in the past after consuming it. The high level of bacteria content in the river has polluted the groundwater of around 24 villages located on the banks of the Markanda.

They complain that the water of hand pumps, which is used for drinking purpose by most of the villagers, has become unfit for consumption. Crops in nearby fields had also been affected badly, the villagers said.

They say the polluted water has been causing skin problems, disabilities and high infant mortality rate in the area.

The deputy commissioner said the matter was being taken with the Himachal government and all necessary steps would be taken to save the river.

Rewari, June 20
Notwithstanding his non-occupancy of a ministerial berth in the present UPA government, Congress MP Rao Inderjit Singh, son of the former Union Minister late Rao Birender Singh, has been persistently taking up the cause of the people of the region.

Addressing a rally at Rajgarh village, near here, recently, Rao Inderjit specifically mentioned about the Ahirwal peasantry’s main demand for canal water. He lamented that even the Presidential reference made in regard to the validity of the Punjab Termination of Water Accords Act had been pending in the apex court for the past over six years.

Asserting that the welfare of the peasantry here had been integrally linked to the long-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court, he wanted each and every citizen of the region to send a communication to the President as well as the Chief Justice of India to seek expeditious disposal of the long-pending matter.

Simultaneously, Rao went on to say that until the apex court pronounced its verdict, there was an urgency of equitable distribution of the available canal water vis-à-vis the provision of its rightful share of the canal water to the Ahirwal region to ensure irrigation of its parched fields.

Emphasising the need of a consolidated and concerted struggle against chronic denial of their legitimate share in development, Rao reiterated that he had been fighting for a just and fair deal for the region for the past over three decades .

Responding to certain demands of villagers, he announced a financial assistance of Rs 11 lakh out of his MPLAD Fund for the construction of roads and drains in Rajgarh and its surrounding area.

Jhajjar, June 20
Concordia University, Montreal (Canada), has invited Dr. Suresh Chander Malik, Prof, Department of Statistics, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, to organise a session on “Reliability Models” during the 5th Canadian International Conference “Statistics/20th Conference of the Forum for Interdisciplinary Mathematics (FIM) - IMST 2011” to be hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the university from July 1 to July 4.

The conference is dedicated to the significance areas of mathematical and statistical sciences. Eminent statistics experts from various countries will attend the conference to share their experiences, besides pondering over the emerging challenges in the field of math and statistics. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, will provide financial aid to Malik for attending the international scientific event.

“I will present my research paper based on ‘reliability modelling of a system with preventive maintenance at partial failure stage subjected to maximum operation time and priority for operation to new unit’ during the conference,” said Malik, adding that the research paper aimed at making cost-benefit analysis of a system considering the concepts of preventive maintenance after maximum operation time at partial failure stage and priority for operation to new unit.

Notably, Malik has so far presented 35 research papers at various national/international repute conferences, seminars, workshops, symposium, etc., held in India, the US, UK, Germany, Portugal and Singapore. Besides, his more than 60 research papers have also been published in specialised reputed journals. He has supervised 16 PhD students in the area of reliability modelling.

Yamunanagar, June 20
A camp for proving artificial limbs free of cost to needy persons was organised by TDTR DAV Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehab here recently.

The camp, which was inaugurated by Dr V K Sharma, civil surgeon, was organised in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahyata Samiti, Ambala Cantt, and was sponsored by Raj Aggarwal, trustee of Lala Durga Charan Charitable Trust, Ambala Cantt.

Earlier on June 10, a camp was organised in which about 90 patients were registered. According to sources, 70 patients turned up for the measurement of artificial limb, out of them, 22 needy patients were provided artificial limbs, callipers and crutches on the same day free of cost.

Dr Rambabu, principal of the institution, said more such camps would be organised.

Chairman of the camp Vijay Kapoor thanked the team sponsoring the camp from Ambala and wished that the patients would be able to carry out their daily activities.

The principal advised the patients to use their callipers efficiently and approached him without hesitation for any help.

Kurukshetra June 20
Dr Vikas Choudhary, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, brought laurels to NIT by presenting a research paper on “Measuring Efficiency of Public Sector Banks in India : A DEA Approach”, organised by the International Academy of Business And Economics (IABE), US, at the IABE-2011 Summer Conference held in Pompeufabra University, Barcelona, Spain, from June 2 to June 6.

According to Dr Choudhary, his research paper emphasised that the banking sector is reckoned as a hub and barometer of financial system. As a pillar of the economy, this sector plays a predominant role in the economic development of the country.

The paper also focused on analysing the reasons for the efficiency of public sector banks in the country by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The paper was well received and commended at the conference.

More than 200 renowned academics from across the world deliberated on various issues in the conference, he added.

Yamunanagar, June 20
Members of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chandigarh Circle, conducted a survey of nearly all major ancient Buddhist sites under its protection in Haryana and Punjab last week.

According to sources, there are 90 sites in Haryana under the ASI protection. After the survey, the officials concluded that very less work has been done on the ancient sites as stated by the superintending archaeologist of ASI, Chandigarh Circle, in his letter dated May 20 addressed to The Buddhist Forum.

Major ancient Buddhist sites like Adi Badri (Yamunanagar), Asandh (Karnal), Amin (Kurukshetra), Khokrakot (Rohtak) etc even do not have proper security fencing, but they all have been well preserved having public amenities.

Asandh in Karnal has a remarkable history with one of the tallest Stupas in North India, which is 2000 years old, but it is losing its existence through constant encroachment. It is again the ASI which does not check the land encroachment on time and when there is lot of construction around the site then it start its work like issuing notices, lodging FIRs and demarcating protected sites and monuments.

Similarly, the ancient sites of Amin in Kurukshetra and Khokrakot in Rohtak district are listed on the official website of the Archaeological Survey of india, New Delhi. But no work has been initiated by the ASI.

Chaneti stupa in Chaneti village of Yamunanagar again showcased the irregularities in the process of preservation and renovation which was exclusively handled by officials of ASI Chandigarh circle. Now, the stupa has been transformed into a new and colorful monument.

Meanwhile, the Buddhist Forum will again write to the Prime Minister regarding the ruined condition of Buddhist monuments all over India, particularly in North India.

Chandigarh, June 20
The registrar-general of India has advised all states to follow the Haryana’s civil registration system, under which births and deaths are registered and computerised certificates are issued. Claiming this here receantly, Haryana Health Minister Narender Singh said the civil registration system was introduced in the state in 2005. The registration of births and deaths had been computerised and computerised birth and death certificates were being issued to the people by all district registrars. This system had been yielding good response from the public.

He said in 2010, a total of 5,44,620 births were registered in the state which were 94.8 per cent of the total estimated births. This indicated 1.08 per cent increase in the registration of births in 2010 over the last year. Similarly, in 2010, a total of 1,47,113 deaths were registered in the state. These were 87.9 per cent of the total estimated deaths, indicating 3.83 per cent increase in the registration of deaths over 2009. He said efforts were being made to register 100 per cent births and deaths. Of the total registration of the births during the last year, 73.9 per cent were institutional as compared to 67 per cent in 2009.

The Minister said the registration of births and deaths was mandatory. He appealed to the people of the state to get births and deaths registered in time with the registrar concerned so that the information could be used in future.

Chandigarh, June 20
The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) has decided to review its recruitment and promotion policy of non-gazetted staff at its thermal and hydro-electric power stations.

A spokesman for HPGCL said with a view to motivating and encouraging non-gazetted operation and maintenance staff of the thermal and hydro power stations and to boosting their morale to keep on improving their performance, the corporation proposes to amend the recruitment and promotion policy.

The corporation plans to rename the post of helper grade-II as helper and t-mates working in the thermal power stations would also be re-designated as helper as the nature of duty of both posts is same.

The posts of helper grade-I and plant attendant-II are also proposed to be merged as the nature of duty of both the posts is the same. He added that 50 per cent posts of plant attendant would be filled through direct recruitment from among the persons having done two years ITI course with matriculation as the minimum qualification. Balance 50 per cent posts of plant attendant would be filled by promotion from helpers who possess matriculation and two-year ITI course with three years’ experience or service as minimum qualification. On the maintenance side, the posts of helper grade-I and technician-II would be merged and renamed as technician. Fifty per cent posts of technicians will be filled through direct recruitment from among the persons having done two-year ITI course with matriculation as minimum qualification. Balance 50 per cent posts would be filled up by promotion from helpers who are matriculate with three years’ experience or service as minimum qualification. A similar review of the recruitment and promotion policy would be carried out for non-gazetted operation and maintenance staff of Hydel, Yamunanagar. The above proposals have been widely circulated and comments have been invited from all groups of employees, unions and associations.

Sirsa, June 20
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched special plans for armed forces and paramilitary forces.

The special plans effective from June 16 are available in the prepaid as well as in the postpaid categories.

A spokesperson of BSNL said in the Jai Jawan plan in the prepaid category with SIM worth Rs 20 and the first recharge worth Rs 28, jawans could have the talk value of Rs 30, 100 SMS and video calls worth Rs 10. Besides, jawans could make free calls to two BSNL mobiles, landline or WLL numbers of their choice for 20 minutes per day.

They could also make calls to any two local BSNL numbers for 20 paisa per minute and one STD number for 30 paisa per minute.

The first recharge would have a validity of 30 minutes, while the subsequent recharges of Rs 99 will also have validity of 30 days.

Under another plan, the Rakshak Plan, jawans could get 2 SIM cards for a rental of Rs 299 per month.

Call from one to the other SIM will be free for 30 minutes in a day.

Free calls would be valid on the local numbers as well as STD numbers and through the local network as well as in the roaming.

Besides, they would have 75 minutes talk time on the local network and 100 SMS per month free.

Sonepat, June 20
The district had witnessed a sharp decline in malaria cases during the past five years because of public awareness as well as a result of precautionary steps taken by the Health Department.

This was stated by Ramesh Sethi, civil surgeon, Sonepat, at a meeting held here recently to review the progress under the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Aggarwal. Subhash Sheoran, SDM, Gannaur, medical officers of the Health Department and district heads of some of the departments concerned also attended the meeting.

Dr Sethi informed that there were 7,182 malaria cases during 2006, 2,021 in 2007, 1,066 in 2008, 1,234 during 2009 and only 547 cases in 2010. As many as 70 cases had so far been reported by the end of May this year, he said.

Larva-eating fish “Gambuzia” had been released in 412 permanent water bodies in the district, he added.

He said besides setting up 370 fever treatment centres in the district, a rapid action team of six doctors had been formed to immediately control the situation arising out of increase in the number of malaria cases in any area of the district.

The DC directed the health authorities in the district to take all precautionary measures and finalise all plans during this month which was being observed as the Anti-Malaria Month by the Health Department.

Gram panchayats should also be involved in purchase of fogging machines and carrying out spray in the identified areas, he suggested.

There should not be any let-up in the publicity programme for creating awareness among the people about the circumstances conducive for breeding of mosquitoes and resulting in malaria infection, he cautioned.