• Kidnapped girl recovered
• Contractors to stop work
• New courses planned

Unemployed youth to get ‘bus permits’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 — The Haryana Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, today decided the procedure for allotment of state carriage permits, popularly known as "bus permits" to cooperative societies of unemployed youth.

A committee constituted under the chairmanship of each Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, will make recommendations for allotment of permits within its jurisdiction.

An official spokesman claimed here today that the decision to constitute such committees had been taken to maintain transparency in allotment of permits. However, he did not elaborate what criteria would be adopted by these committees to select the beneficiaries.

Each committee will include a representative of the State Transport Controller from the headquarters and a representative of the district administration nominated by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

It may be recalled that when similar bus permits were given to such cooperative societies during the Bhajan Lal regime, the allotment was made by draw of lots which had saved the then government from allegations of favouritism.

The Cabinet also decided to exempt taxis and three-wheelers (auto-rickshaws) from payment of passenger tax and road tax, which are registered in Delhi, and ply between Delhi-Gurgaon and Delhi-Faridabad.

At present, the vehicles registered in Delhi State have to pay the prescribed passenger tax and road tax, while the vehicles registered in Haryana coming to Delhi do not have to pay any sort of taxes as Delhi State has been declared as free tax area for the movement of such vehicles.

The spokesman said the decision had been taken keeping in view the persistent demand of the industry and other people so as to maintain free movement of these vehicles between Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

The Cabinet also approved ex-post facto the reduction made in the rate of passenger tax in case of maxi-cabs from Rs 150 per month to Rs 100 per month.

It was decided that the state-level committee of the Joint Advisory Consultative Machinery would have 18 official members apart from the Chairman and 18 members from the staff side. It may be recalled that the Cabinet had already approved the setting up of the Joint Advisory Consultative Machinery in Haryana on the pattern of the Whitley Councils in UK.

The Cabinet also decided to enhance the pay of Chairmen and members of the Haryana Public Service Commission and the Haryana Staff Selection Commission with immediate effect.

The salary of the Chairmen of the two commissions has been raised from Rs 7,500 to Rs 24,000 per month. While each member of the Public Service Commission would now get Rs 21,000 instead of Rs 6,500 , members of the Staff Selection Commission would get Rs 16,000 instead of Rs 5,000.

The Cabinet also decided to transfer a piece of land measuring 166 sq. yard situated in Jhang Colony, Rohtak at a token price to Mrs Chandri Devi, mother of the late Capt Devinder Singh.

The spokesman said the land had been transferred as a goodwill gesture towards a woman who had lost her son in the 1971 war and whose sacrifice was recognised by the nation by awarding him Mahavir Chakra, the second highest award in the country for personal valour and gallantry in combat

Irked villagers damage road
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, Oct 28 — A violent confrontation may deteriorate the law and order situation in the Meham Chaubisi region over the demolition of the barrage between Madina and Girawar villages by residents of Girawar last night. This barrage was temporarily constructed some time back by residents of Madina to stop the flow of approaching rain water from Girawar.

According to information, more than 200 residents of Girawar demolished the barrage last night after tying two watchmen of Madina village with ropes. This resulted in the quick discharge of accumulated water in Girawar towards Madina.

When this information reached Madina village, the infuriated villagers assembled at the site. They reportedly damaged the road going from Madina to Girawar at several points and fired some rounds.

Although nobody has reportedly been injured the confrontation may intensify any time.

When contacted, residents of Madina said the district administration should have made dewatering arrangements of Girawar village through Lakhan Majra link drain. But, they alleged, the problem had been created as the district administration had left the link drain half-constructed at the border of Girawar. The chairman of Meham panchayat samiti, Mr Sunil, alias Kallu, held the district administration responsible for creating a rift between the residents of the two villages.

Mr Anil Dhawan, DSP, Meham, said he had no information regarding damaging of the road and firing by residents of Madina. He said he could make a comment only after visiting the site.

Mr T K Sharma, SDM, Meham, said the situation was tense but under control. He said residents of Girawar had demolished the barrage last night but the villagers of Meham had reconstructed it. He said digging work on a 4,000-ft-long nullah along the new Nindana Minor had been started to drain the flooded water from Girwar.

The same problem has arisen over the barrage constructed at the Ajaib-Bharayan link drain by residents of Bharayan. Villagers of Bharayan said the dewatering operation in their village could not be successful if they allowed the inlet of water of Ajaib village towards their village.

Meanwhile, officials connected with the dewatering operation said they were responsible for the draining process. Tackling the agitated villagers was the civil administration's job, they said.

Crop insurance sought
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Oct 28 — The Haryana Krishak Samaj has demanded immediate introduction of crop insurance scheme in the state. Talking to TNS here, leaders of the samaj pointed out that due to the recurring losses during the past three years it had become necessary to insure the crops.

The president of the samaj, Mr Shamsher Singh Surjewala, and two senior leaders, Mr Virender Singh and Mr Jagdish Nehra, said the samaj had for past several years been demanding the introduction of crop insurance in the state.

Mr Surjewala said the samaj was assessing the losses to the farmers and would ensure they were not drawn towards taking desperate steps under economic hardships.

Earlier, the samaj held a meeting. The meeting passed several resolutions relating to farmers’ problems and blamed the Haryana Government for farmers’ woes. The executive of the samaj decided to take out a torchlight procession in Hisar on November 9 to highlight the problems of farmers.

However, the samaj was yet to come out with any details about the exact amount of loss caused to the farmers due to the recent floods.

The meeting passed several resolutions which included immediate dewatering of fields and residential areas within a time frame to ensure timely sowing of wheat, immediate medical aid to human beings and animals besides preventive inoculation and adequate compensation to farmers.

The samaj also sought a moratorium on the repayment of all loans for a minimum period of two years and lowering of interest to 8 per cent in the affected areas. It stressed upon the government to ensure that the farmers were provided interest-free soft loans to enable them to sow the rabi crop.

Mr Surjewala criticised the BJP-HVP government in the state for its failure in coming to the rescue of farmers. He said, the government had been claiming to have flood-free Haryana but most of the state had suffered the fury of floods. He pointed out, no serious effort was being made for dewatering the fields.

The samaj president alleged the state government did not inform them about the visit of the central team to the flood-affected areas. He said one day was too less a period for the team to assess the total loss.

Mr Surjewala criticised the Indian National Lok Dal leader, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, for "compromising the interests of Haryana". He said, Mr Chautala had a one-point agenda and that was seeking the dismissal of the Bansi Lal government. He should have diverted his energies for serving the interest of farmers. Mr Surjewala said.

Central team's visit 'farce'
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Oct 28 — The INLD legislator, Dr Ved Pal, has described the visit of the Central team to flood-affected villages of Haryana a "farce".

He said in signed statement here today that the team had visited only those areas which were less affected and ignored the villages that had suffered the most due to the unseasonal rains and consequential floods. He regretted that the team preferred to ignore Jhajjar district though over a dozen villages in the Beri assembly segment were worst affected.

Dr Ved Pal alleged that after the devastating floods of 1995, the Beri region had been experiencing floods almost every year because of official apathy. The farmers had not sown or harvested rabi crop there for the past many years.

He said the paddy crop had by and large been damaged in the last unseasonal rains accompanied by strong winds and floods. Whatever had been spared by the natural calamities, was being destroyed due to the standing water in the fields. The agricultural labour, that used to charge between Rs 500 to Rs 700 per acre for reaping the crop, were now demanding Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.

However, the Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar, Mr Arun Kumar, claimed that the administration had projected the true picture of the loss suffered by the farmers before the Central team. He said paddy bajra crops to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore had been damaged in Jhajjar district. Over 10,000 acres of cultivable land was still submerged under water.

Mr Arun Kumar said the administration was alive to the problem and efforts were on to drain out the stagnant water from the fields before the start of the rabi sowing season began. He said 50 per cent of the submerged land would be reclaimed by the end of the month and the remaining before November 15. He also denied that water was standing in any school at Dighal or Madana-Kalan villages.

Clash over draining of rain water
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Oct 28 — Tension mounted at the border of Madina and Girawar villages in the district following a clash between residents of the two villages over a dispute regarding draining of rain water.

According to the police, an armed clash was averted yesterday but some residents of both the villages were beaten up in a minor clash which took place when the bandh created to stop the rain water towards Madina village was damaged by residents of Girawar village. Two persons on duty to guard the bandh were also beaten up. Residents of Madina village also damaged the link road connecting the two villages with a view to isolate Girawar village.

4-day jamboree inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Oct 28 — The Haryana Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, inaugurated a four-day state-level jamboree of scouts and guides, including cubs and bulbuls, by lighting a candle amidst cheers on the premises of S.M. Hindu Senior Secondary School here last evening.

More than 2,000 scouts, guides, cubs and bulbils from various educational institutions of the state are participating in the jamboree.

The main aim of holding the rally is to build the national character among students and spread social and selfless service in society. The Haryana unit of the Bharat Scouts and Guides Association, a voluntary organisation, has organised the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the movement would create a new awakening in all parts of the country and help in bringing about a change in society.

Mr J.D. Gupta, Chief Commissioner, Mr S.S. Kaushal, secretary, Mr P.K. Mahaptra, Deputy Commissioner-cum-district president of the organisation, also spoke.

Contractors to stop work
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Oct 28 — Contractors of the Public Health Department here have decided to stop construction works as they have reportedly not been paid their dues by the authorities for the past over three months.

At a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Ramchander Sharma, it was alleged that the authorities did not even pay dues on the occasion of Divali, making it difficult for contractors to distribute payments to labourers. The contractors have decided to call a meeting on November 1 to chalk out further course of action.

New courses planned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 --- The Haryana State Board of Technical Education has decided to start new one-year and two-year job-oriented certificate courses in computer science at Sonepat from the current session.

Stating this the Director, Computer Training Institute, Mrs Viraj Pahil, said here today that the structure of these courses had been designed and developed by the Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation (HARTRON) which was the nodal agency for information technology and electronic industry of Haryana.

Kidnapped girl recovered
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Oct 28 — The police here restored a girl from Chandigarh who had been allegedly kidnapped from here. Mr Sheel Madhur, Superintendent of Police, said here today that a complaint by Mr Dharamvir of Jagadhri, that his daughter, Pooja, had not returned home on October 23 had been lodged with the police.

He said the police received information that three boys, Rajiv, alias Raju of Chieklana, Harish, alias Bittu, a local resident, and Sunil Kumar Kamboj of Alahar village were found roaming in that locality on the same day.

A case under Sections 363, 366 and 34, IPC, was registered. A police party went to Chandigarh and recovered Pooja from the custody of Rajiv. All three boys have been arrested.