Pre-paid meters in urban areas soon

There is a plan to implement the pre-paid metering system in the urban areas in the first phase. Besides, the focus will be on automatic meter reading of high-tension industrial consumers, installation of meters on distribution transformers, metering of 11-KV feeders and relocation of meters

Panipat, August 11
The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) has drawn up a massive capital investment plan for the current financial year to strengthen the power distribution system in its command area comprising Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Jind districts. Arun Kumar, Managing Director, said the plan had been submitted to the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), which approved investment of Rs 710.71 crore. He said Rs 250 crore would be spent on providing a high-voltage distribution system on segregated agriculture feeders. Special emphasis would be laid on technical and commercial loss reduction plan, metering of supply, distribution transformers and feeders.

Kumar said there was a plan to implement the pre-paid metering system in the urban areas in the first phase for which Rs 49.36 crore had been set aside. Besides, the focus would be on automatic meter reading of high-tension industrial consumers, installation of meters on distribution transformers, metering of 11-KV feeders and relocation of meters.

The nigam also planned to spend Rs 60 crore on release of new tubewell connections. In view of rapid load, the utility would set up new substations, erect lines and augment capacity of existing substations with investment of over Rs 100 crore. For erection of 11-KV lines, cables, transformers and bifurcation or trifurcation of lengthy and overloaded feeders Rs 10 crore had been approved in the plan, he said.

Kumar added that the utility would be digitising all information about subdivisions, consumer base data, energy auditing, energy accounting, consumer indexing, automatic data logging for all distribution transformers and feeders along with the geographical indexing system mapping would also be introduced. These plans would be executed at a cost of Rs 185 crore.

The nigam also planned to improve system reliability under which activities like distribution automation and replacement of bare conductors with covered ones would be carried out, he said.

Gurgaon/Sonepat, August 11
The Gurgaon police has tightened the security arrangements in the district in view of the ensuing Independence Day celebrations. As a security measure, the police has increased surveillance at public places like railway station, bus stand, shopping malls, hotels, inns and religious places.

Stating this, Gurgaon Police Commissioner SS Deswal asserted that the police personnel had been asked to be more vigilant and check the hotels, inns and guest houses etc as a precautionary measure.

The hotel-owners have been asked not to allow anybody to stay on their premises without verifying their identities so as to avoid any untoward incident, he said, adding that shopping malls and hotel owners had been directed to engage only licensed security agency to guard their premises.

Stating that the Gurgaon police had received complaints about some companies of Manesar having engaged security agencies which provided security men with criminal record, the Police commissioner maintained that the antecedents of security staff was a must.

Deswal disclosed that the Gurgaon police was also sharing intelligence inputs with the police of Delhi, Rajasthan and adjoining districts of Haryana, in order to keep tabs on the activities of criminal elements.

He said the security would be beefed up from the afternoon of August 12, when nakas would be installed at all inter-district and interstate boundaries for proper verification of the persons entering the district.

“Police personnel in plain clothes will be deputed to keep a watch on anti-social elements at certain strategic points,” he added.

Chandigarh, August 11
Haryana Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati has said banks has to contribute a lot to the state government’s efforts to make the system of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) a success so that the beneficiaries get pension on time and in a hassle-free and regular manner.

Gulati was presiding over a review meeting with the representatives of banks engaged in the implementation of the EBT system. The enrolment, creation of bank accounts, operations of customer service points, actual disbursement and setting up of grievances redressal machinery were reviewed in the meeting. Representatives of ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Union Bank of India, Oriental Bank of Commerce, HDFC and State Bank of India were present.

She said 21 lakh people were beneficiaries of various social pension schemes of the state government. The EBT system had replaced the earlier system of disbursement of pensions through the panchayati raj institutions of the respective villages. She said disbursements were never an issue, so was the funds and the schemes were immensely popular with the people. The earlier system was perfectly in place, but the government took a step forward and for the convenience of the beneficiaries in the long term, it introduced the EBT system, she added.

The chief secretary said she was personally monitoring the new disbursement system and the ownership had been given to the deputy commissioners of their respective districts. She said it was the teething problems as the EBT was a new concept. She was sure that the beneficiaries would be getting pension timely and conveniently.

Ambala, August 11
The managements and principals of colleges in Ambala Cantt in a joint meeting have decided to constitute anti-ragging committees in their institutions to keep a check on the menace.

The principals have decided to dismiss students who are found indulging in ragging, which has now been brought under the purview of the Indian Penal Code.

The principals pointed out that the colleges had taken a series of measures to ensure zero tolerance for ragging in the colleges. As an important step in this direction, notices have been put up all over the campuses regarding “zero tolerance” for ragging.

Dr RR Malik, principal of GMN College, said the anti-ragging committee constituted by senior students under the supervision of a senior lecturer would keep an eye over the illegal practice in the college by taking a stern action against the violators. He said special vigil was being maintained in this regard.

He said, “Notices detailing when and whom one has to approach for information, help and guidance for various purposes, keeping in view the needs of new entrants in the institution, along with the addresses and telephone numbers of such persons, have been given to the new students at the time of admissions so that they do not have to look up to seniors for help in such matters and feel indebted to or obliged by them”.

The principal of Government College said the committee in his college was doing well. It was also seeking police assistance, which visited the college frequently to keep a check on ragging. The freshers had been assured that any instance of ragging brought to the notice of the college authorities would be dealt with promptly while protecting the complainants from harassment by the accused. According to Dr Desh Bandhu, principal of SD College, a senior lecturer was heading the anti-ragging committee in his college to take action against the violators. He said warning boards had been displayed all over the college and instructions in this regard were also published in college prospectus.

He said the college had also constituted a committee consisting of senior faculty members and hostel authorities like wardens to keep a continuous watch and vigil over incidents of ragging so as to prevent its occurrence.

Sirsa, August 11
If India is to develop as a strong developed nation, its intellectual properties need to be patented and brought before the entire world.

Inaugurating a seminar on “Patent Awareness: Issues and Challenges” organised by the Biotechnology Department in the CV Raman Block of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, vice-chancellor KC Bhardwaj said protecting the intellectual properties of individuals was most important in an independent society.

The Patent Information Centre, Haryana State Council of Science and Technology, Hisar, and the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, sponsored the workshop.

Dr Bhardwaj said patent was the ownership right which was provided to the researcher of any new invention.

He said: “The Intellectual Property Rights have assumed importance in the new global scenario and our younger generations need to be made aware of these rights”.

Dr Yashwant Dev Panwar, a senior scientist from the Department of Science and Technology, exhorted the students to develop a scientific approach for marching ahead in their career.

Dr Pushpa Kharab, director of the Haryana State Council of Science and Technology, also gave her presentation of the Patent Rights. BP Singh, assistant controller of the Indian Patents Designs and Trademarks, and Prof Balvinder Singh of Punjabi University, Patiala, also expressed their views on the Patent Laws in India.

Earlier, Prof SK Gahlawat, chairperson of the Biotechnology Department of the university, gave an introduction about the seminar. Dr Priyanka Siwach and Dr Raj Kumar Salar conducted the proceedings of the seminar.

Dr Joginder Duhan, Prof Shamsher Singh, Prof Praveen Agamkar, Dr Rajbir Dalal, Dr JS Jakhar, Dr Sultan Dhanda, Dr Raj Kumar Siwach, Dr Ravinder Pal, Dr Ashok Makkar, Dr Rani, Dr Sanju Bala, Dr Kanwaljit Sandhu, Dr Anju and Dr Mohammad Kashif Kidwai were among those who were present during the seminar.

Rewari, August 11
To motivate people to rise above illusory fatalistic proclivities and concentrate on pure action without paying attention to the reward thereof, Prof. Anirudh Yadav, founder chairman of the Pavitra Foundation, a voluntary organisation of the Ahirwal region, has come out with a 32-page booklet “Lok Avam Sainya Drishti Main Karam Phal” (how our actions are rewarded according to popular and martial perceptions). The booklet was released at a citizens’ convention held here recently.

Besides, Mahavir Chakra and Vir Chakra awardees of the region were also honoured on the occasion.

Dedicating the booklet to the public, Swami Sharnanand, chief guest of the convention, emphasised the need for creating awareness among the youths about irrational beliefs and simultaneously putting them on the path of genuine and righteous action.

He went on to say that the abandonment of selfish interests and adoption of the path of selfless service to others was a sine qua non for the betterment of society.

The venerated gallantry award winners included Lt. Hoshiar Singh, Subedar Ram Chander (Budani), Subedar Ram Chander (Mandola), Subedar Nand Lal, war widow of Hira Lal, Nayak Jagmal Singh, leading showman Chaman Singh and commandant Ram Pal.

Copies of the booklet were also distributed among the citizens free of cost on the occasion.

Faridabad, August 11
The industry here has once again pitched in hard for an improvement in infrastructure, especially roads, to boost up industrial growth in the city.

The Faridabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) was of the view that in spite of efforts of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to raise the overall standards of this industrial city, the administrative authorities and agencies appear to be falling far behind when it came to delivering, especially with regard to upgrading road infrastructure.

Ramesh Jhawar, president, FCCI, said the industry had issues with the condition of roads and the approach of the authorities towards the issue. According to him, though the condition of the roads was unsatisfactory in almost all parts of the city, the ones in the estates and sectors relating to the industry were in real bad shape. He said the authorities had at some places laid cemented roads which were of good quality, but such stretches were few.

Jhawar asserted that most of the roads in the city were dotted with potholes, cracks etc, resulting in waterlogging and obstructions in the movement of vehicular traffic, especially during the rainy season.

According to the FCCI, the most disappointing aspect was that the authorities like the office of the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) cited lack of funds as a reason for poor civic amenities, especially roads.

The FCCI was also not happy with the power supply situation. According to it, the supply was marked by scheduled and unexpected cuts, coupled with low voltage, breakdowns etc. Presently, the industry was bearing about six-hour cut every day.

The supply was affected even during the monsoon when the farm sector did not need much supply.

Sonepat, August 11
Junior wrestlers, including a girl, from Sonepat district, gave an outstanding performance in the four-day Asian Sub-Junior Wrestling Championship concluded recently at Bangkok in Thailand.

Two wrestlers of Bhainswal Kalan village, Praveen Malik and Sandeep, won the bronze medals in the 63kg and 46kg weight category, respectively. Praveen defeated an Iranian wrestler and Sandeep scored a win over Mongolian wrestler to clinch the medals.

Sarita Mor, a girl from Baroda village, also bagged the bronze medal in the 60-kg weight category and qualified to represent India in the World Wrestling Championship scheduled to be held in Hungary from August 23.

Praveen and Sandeep have been national champions in their weight categories in the national school games for the past three and two years, respectively.

The wrestlers were received at the IGI Airport by the sports authorities, coaches and family members of the wrestlers. They were accorded a warm welcome in their villages.

Assistant education officer (sports) Jagbir Singh Malik and coach Raj Singh Chhikara termed their performance encouraging and hoped that these budding wrestlers would give better performances at the international level also.

Sonepat, August 11
About 200 inmates of the District Jail here were medically examined by a team of specialist doctors from the local Civil Hospital recently.

Members of the team included Dr Shushil Jain, medicines, Dr Deepak Arora, ENT, Dr Neeraj Gupta, orthopedist, and Dr Vikas Saini, dentist.

District Superintendent, jail, JK Chhillar, said before organising the health check-up by the specialists, Virender Singh, doctor of the jail, carried out a general check-up of the inmates and discussed his observations with the medical authorities and specialists in the Civil Hospital.

“This was our first medical check-up programme on the jail premises and it proved very helpful for the jail authorities as well as the inmates,” Chhillar said and added that there was a proposal to organise such medical check-up programmes every week on the jail premises.

Rohtak, August 11
The district police appears to be on a challaning spree. It penalised 11,000 violators of traffic rules in just one month. While several lakhs has been recovered as fine, the police says the drive will go on as it has led to a sharp decline in traffic rules violation and vehicle thefts during the period.

Satish Balan, SSP, said the campaign would go on till things were back on the right track. One of the major achievements of this drive was that vehicle thefts in the city and the district had seen a decline. The number of vehicle thefts had come down from 88 in July last year to just 45 in July this year.

The police has recovered about Rs 85.65 lakh as fine on the traffic violations during the first six months of this year.

But on the other hand the Traffic Department lacks adequate infrastructure, sources said.

Rewari, August 11
As per mandatory directions issued by the Haryana government for private builders to construct and provide flats to the members of the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society at the subsidised rates, Dwarkadhis Projects Private Ltd has built as many as 130 EWS flats at Aravali Heights in Dharuhera.

The draw of lots for the allotment of these flats to the BPL families of Dharuhera and other places of the state was held at Dharuhera recently.

The allotment was administered by senior officials of the Town and Planning Department of the state.

Yusuf Mansoori, senior town planner, Gurgaon, Arvind Sharma, SDM (Rewari), Sunita Sethi, DTP (HQ), Chandigarh, Madhusmita Moitra, DTP, Rewari, Sulekh Jain, chairman of the company, Naurang Rai, naib tehsildar of Dharuhera, and other officials were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, August 11
The Haryana Government has approved the inter-district transfer policy for JBT and C and V cadre teachers, who are working on a regular basis.

According to Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal, application forms for individual or mutual transfer would be available on the website www.schooleducationharyana.gov.in. Applications should reach district education officers (DEOs) concerned by August 25.

In case of mutual inter-district transfer, applications should be countersigned by the DEO or the district elementary education officer (DEEO) of both districts. Both teachers would submit their options in writing for mutual transfer and state in their affidavits that they were ready to lose their seniority in their previous districts and their lien would be deemed to be terminated automatically on joining the new district.

The mutual transfer would be effective from the date of joining in new districts. If one teacher would not join during the prescribed period then the appointment by transfer of both teachers would automatically lapse and both would have to join at their earlier stations. No travelling allowance or DA would be admissible to such teachers.

For Mewat district, only mutual transfer requests would be considered. No application from ad hoc or contractual or guest teachers of JBT and C and V teacher cadre would be entertained. The senior most teachers would be given preference for inter-district transfer as and when vacancy arises. The seniority of such teachers would be fixed at the tail-end of the cadre concerned in the new districts. He or she would give undertaking not to claim seniority on the basis of service rendered in the previous district to the DEO or DEEO concerned with a copy to the respective directorate.

Preference would be given to mutual transfer of the teacher in the same category or cadre, physically challenged persons with 70 per cent or more disability, widow or divorced female teacher, persons with terminal illness, unmarried female teachers, wife of serving soldier and JBT or C and V female teachers who want transfer in the district where their husbands are working.

Preference would also be given to those JBT or C and V female teacher who got married after joining the service and seek transfer in the district where her husband or in-laws are residing; wives of personnel Defence or paramilitary forces.

The DEOs or DEEOs would prepare the proposal or the merit list in triplicate as per the prescribed criteria and guidelines for inter-district transfer and send the same to the respective directorates by August 29, 2011. Category-wise vacancy list of C and V or JBT teachers might also be sent to the respective directorates along with the proposal or merit list.

No transfer would be made without the approval of the directorate concerned.

Director: Prakash Jha
After a series of films like “Damul”, “Mrityudand”, “Gangaajal” and “Raajneeti”, the national award winning director of “Pariniti” is back with a hard-hitting film “Aarakshan” on the issue of reservation. The film has Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Prateik Babbar and Deepika Padukone in main roles.

Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone in “Aarakshan”

It is based on one of the most controversial policies of caste-based reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. The film does not take any sides. It has a neutral stand to the events around reservation. Watch it at Anand-Sonepat; Fun, Nigar, Minerva-Ambala; Sun City-Hisar; Sheila-Rohtak; Fame, KC-Panchkula; Everest-Rewari; Fun, Climax-Panipat; Big Palam Vihar, SRS OMAXE, PVR Sahara, PVR MGF, PVR Ambienca Mall, DTCC, DTMM-Gurgaon; INOX, SRS Pristini Mall, SRS Sec 12, PVR Crown-Faridabad.