Chandigarh
Kurukshetra
Sonepat
Panipat
Rohtak
Faridabad
Hisar
Sirsa

HAU in fix over ban on foreign visits
HISAR, April 26 — The Haryana Agricultural University authorities are in a fix over the reported order of the state government banning all foreign tours of its officials.

161,460 mandays in Bhiwani created
CHANDIGARH, April 26 — As part of the Haryana Government's efforts to provide more and more job opportunities, 161,460 mandays were created at a cost of over Rs 2.30 lakh in Bhiwani district by the District Rural Development Agency in last financial year under its Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Haryana earmarks Rs 370 cr for health
SONEPAT, April 26 — The Haryana Government has decided to spend Rs 370 crore on health services in the state during the Ninth Five Year-Plan period.

Wheat overflows on to roads
SIRSA, April 26 — The 31 grain markets and purchase centres of the district have been swamped by heavy wheat arrivals blocking roads around the mandis especially around Sirsa.

27 lakh tonne wheat procured

Residents protest against power cuts

E&T staff robbed of Rs 41,000

Complaint against deed writers

Political scene may change
From Jatinder Sharma
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, April 26 — The political scene in Haryana is likely to change following the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and the subsequent mid-term elections.

The BJP, which is sharing power in alliance with the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) and contested the last parliamentary elections in its company, had reportedly entered into an "understanding" with the INLD supremo, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, in order to garner support for the Vajpayee government during the confidence motion.

The reported "understanding" has not been made public as yet but from the repeated statements made by Mr Chautala that the Bansi Lal government would fall "soon", political observers believe that the BJP may contest the ensuring elections in alliance with INLD.

The silence being currently maintained both by the BJP and the HVP on the issue has created confusion among voters and political analysts. It is certain that the BJP cannot go to the polls in the company of both the HVP and the INLD and will have to choose one of them.

The trend will be clear only after the BJP makes its stand clear publicly. In case it opts to align with the INLD in the coming elections, it will have to break its alliance with the HVP and withdraw its ministers from the government. In case it prefers to continue sharing power with HVP, the INLD will have to either go it alone in the elections or find another ally.

During the 1998 parliamentary elections, the INLD had forged an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and won in four of the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies. The BSP had been able to get only one seat. The BJP and the HVP, which contested the elections jointly, could win one seat each.

The relations between the INLD and the BSP, however, soured after Mr Chautala announced support to the BJP even before the results were announced. The BSP was annoyed with the unilateral support to its arch rival, the BJP, and "ended" its alliance with the INLD.

But the BSP is not happily placed in Haryana as was evident from the poor turnout at the recent rallies addressed by its supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram. It will also need the support of another party to retain the seat won by its state chief, Mr Aman Kumar Nagra.

The Left parties, the CPM and the CPI, had in 1998 fielded candidates in one constituency each. In the coming elections, too, both parties will contest jointly. Though it is still premature, both parties may contest more than one seat this time.

Meanwhile, the abrupt decision to dissolve the Lok Sabha has put a question mark on the summary revision of electoral rolls which started all over the country on April 20. If the Chief Election Commission decides to hold elections in June or July, the process will come to an end and those voters who attained 18 years of age in January 1, 1999, will not be able to exercise their franchise in the coming elections.

HAU in fix over ban on foreign visits
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, April 26 — The Haryana Agricultural University authorities are in a fix over the reported order of the state government banning all foreign tours of its officials. Under a joint project of the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the ICAR and some states, the HAU was supposed to send 138 scientists to foreign countries for advanced studies.

Recently the university authorities received a communication from the government that all foreign tours of the state officials are banned. The ban, according to the established procedure, applies to HAU also. However, the state provides only 10 per cent matching grant for the study tours, while the rest is provided by the union ministry and the ICAR. The state government has already provided the requisite matching grant for the purpose.

Probably as an austerity measure, Chief Minister Bansi Lal has ordered ban on all foreign tours of state government officials. However, it has not been clearly spelt out whether the ban includes study tours.

Under a joint Human Resources Development project, scientists and officials from Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were supposed to get training in various countries for super-specialisation in their subjects. The project had been launched in 1995. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have completed the training process of its officials.

As many as 70 scientists from HAU have already received training abroad and 68 were to receive the training by June 2,000. In case of the confusion prevails too long, the project is likely to lapse.

Some senior scientists in the university said, that a clear line needed to be drawn between a foreign tour and a study tour.

Official sources disclosed that the confusion was created due to lack of planning. They pointed out, higher officials in various government departments like agriculture, fisheries and horticulture keep on changing. Suppose one Commissioner Secretary or the Director of a department is sent for some advanced training in a particular field, by the time he or she returns, he or she is transferred to some other department, thus wasting the entire expenses incurred on the training.

Governor launches development projects
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, April 26 — After inaugurating a seven-day "Learn to live together" camp for children in the 10 to 14 age group, organised by the Haryana State Child Welfare Council, under the auspices of the Central Child Welfare Council at Kurukshetra University here today. Mr Mahabir Prasad, Governor, urged upon organisers to inculcate among the children the habit of living together by telling them of our culture and the life of freedom fighters.

Mr Prasad also called upon parents, social organisations and teachers to help in moulding the children in a way that they become responsible citizens.

The Governor launched several development projects with regard to the Sannihit sarovar.

He praised the role of the Union Ministry for Water Resources, Central Ground Water Board and the Haryana Government for launching three schemes in Kurukshetra district for artificial recharge of ground water to raise the level of ground water.

The Governor said the scheme for the artificial recharge of ground water from Braham Sarovar would not only be beneficial to make the proper use of surplus water, but also open additional irrigational avenues by raising the level of the ground water.

The Chairman of the Central Ground Water Board, Mr D.N. Chadha, said all these schemes would cost Rs 411 lakh and would be provided by the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, and would be executed through the Haryana State Minor Irrigation Tubewell Corporation.

The Minister of State for Irrigation, Mr Harash Kumar, said the scheme for the artificial recharge of ground water from Braham Sarovar would alone cost Rs 10 lakh. The scheme would be based on the use of surplus water and would prove a boon for farmers of this region.

A Kurukshetra Development Board spokesman said the drainage of rain water from the mela area project would cost about Rs 1 crore and was likely to be completed within a year. The multipurpose hall would cost about Rs 12.5 lakh and was expected to be completed after two months.

Later, the Governor visited Pawanhard tirth, Pabnava, Paveneshwar and Falgu tirth and Pharal and Kapil Muni Temple at Kalayat.

The Governor also inaugurated a government girls primary school at Pabnava village in Kaithal district.

Ban on religious conversions sought
Tribune News Service

HISAR, April 26 — Participants at a seminar on religious conversions sought in amendment in the constitution, seeking a ban on all religious conversions. They claimed, it was essential for social harmony in the country.

Speaking at the seminar, organised by the Panchnad Research Institute, the president of the institute, Mr Sham Khosla quoted extensively from debates in the Constituent Assembly on the issue. He claimed, most of the members of the Constituent Assembly were against conversions.

Referring to recent communal riots in Gujarat, he claimed, the issue was blown out of proportion. He alleged, the English press, by and large, reported while ignoring the truth. He pointed out, there was no unanimity in what was reported by local press in Gujarat and the English press outside.

Mr Khosla alleged, Christian missionaries were "exploiting" the "innocent and ignorant" tribals and luring them into Christianity. He said, missionaries were serving the people with the motive of converting them to Christianity.

Mr J.S. Yadav, the Director Indian Institute of Mass Communication said, the Hindu society needed thorough introspection. He said, there was a necessity to create awareness among masses, particularly the tribals. He stressed the need for providing these people with better, economic, educational and social opportunities to grow that no one was able to exploit their poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.

Prof P.K. Kuthiala, Dean Academic Affairs of the Guru Jambheshwar University and the president of the Hisar Chapter of the Institute said the Panchnad Research Institute was a forum of intellectuals, which made research on socio-political issues faced by the country.

A research journal, was also released on the occasion by Mr J.S. Yadav. Ms Sneh Ghabha, Principal Government College Hisar and Dr Ramesh Agarwal, convener of the institute also spoke.

Traders block traffic
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, April 26 — Traders at Lakhan-Majra blocked vehicular traffic on the Rohtak-Jind state highway today to protest against the failure of the administration in providing gunny bags for the wheat which is lying unpacked after purchase from farmers.

The procurement agencies in the district are facing an acute shortage of gunny bags as the Haryana Warehousing Corporation had failed to make arrangements before the start of the procurement season. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Kumar, has telephonically requested the Managing Director, Warehousing Corporation, to supply gunny bags in plenty for the procurement agencies.

According to reports reaching here, many passengers travelling in long-distance buses were stranded. The administration failed to provide even drinking water to these hapless passengers.

Though the authorities diverted the buses and other vehicles via Meham, many buses were stranded for hours at Lakhan-Majra.

Interestingly, only 2,000 MT of wheat had arrived in the Lakhan-Majra market till Saturday last.

The main procurement agency, HAFED, is also facing the problem of space shortage. The Food Corporation of India, the ultimate purchaser of wheat procured by other government agencies, has not made adequate arrangements to lift the wheat. Mr Anil Kumar also spoke to the Senior Regional Manager, FCI, and requested him to make immediate arrangements to lift the stocks.

Health awareness campaign inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

PANIPAT, April 26 — The Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Health, Haryana, Mr Bijender Singh Kadian, today inaugurated a special week-long family health awareness campaign for the state at Ahar village, about 30 km from here.

Mr Bijender Singh said the main aim of the campaign was to create awareness among the masses about AIDS, early detection of sexually transmitted diseases and tract infections. Patients would be given treatment free of cost using the infrastructure available under the primary health care system.

He said the campaign would be launched as a pilot project in the districts of Panipat, Rohtak, Jhaggar, Faridabad and Gurgaon by the state Health Department and the Haryana AIDS Control Society. Camps would be organised at all primary health centres, community health centres and civil hospitals.

He announced that the primary health centre at Ahar would be upgraded to a community health centre soon.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Rastogi, said a rural population of over 5.51 lakh would be covered under the programme in Panipat district. Eightyeight paramedical teams had been constituted for this purpose. These would visit every village in six days.

The Director General of Health Services, Haryana, Mr P.L. Jindal, said persons in the age group of 14 to 59 years would be examined during this week.

161,460 mandays in Bhiwani created
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 26 — As part of the Haryana Government's efforts to provide more and more job opportunities, 161,460 mandays were created at a cost of over Rs 2.30 lakh in Bhiwani district by the District Rural Development Agency in last financial year under its Employment Guarantee Scheme.

While giving this information, Mr K.S Yadav, Deputy Commissioner and president of the agency, said here yesterday that under the scheme jobs were provided to more than one lakh scheduled castes, over 53,0 00 members of the weaker sections and 7,000 women. He added that the scheme was instrumental in development work of rural areas. For creating facilities in these areas the works on water shed, drains, boundary walls, school rooms and link roads were being carried out.

He said during this period jobs were provided to about 1.50 lakh men and over 11,000 women under the Jawahar Rozgar Yojna which had been launched for the people living below the poverty line.

An amount of Rs 1.92 crore was spent by the agency under the scheme.

Haryana earmarks Rs 370 cr for health
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, April 26 — The Haryana Government has decided to spend Rs 370 crore on health services in the state during the Ninth Five Year-Plan period.

This was stated by Mr Brij Mohan Singla, Health Minister while inaugurating a Rs 60 lakh building of the Community Health Centre at Ganaur, 16 km from here yesterday.

He said the building would have all facilities. The centre, he said, was equipped with 30 beds and other machinery.

The Minister disclosed that the state had 49 hospitals including five ESI hospitals, 63 community health centres, 400 primary health centres and 2,299 sub-health centres.

He also disclosed that eight hospitals, and eight community health centres were under construction in different parts of the state and these would be completed soon.

Mr Ramesh Kaushik, Labour and Employment Minister, claimed that the present HVP-BJP alliance government was making efforts to provide better health services to the people particularly the poor and weaker sections.

Dr P.L. Jindal, Director General of Health Haryana hoped that the new community health centre would benefit 1.34 lakh people of the town and surrounding village. There were 23 sub-health centres and three primary health centres under it. The state Government, be said, would construct a primary health centre and three sub-health centres in this area to meet the demand of the people.

Wheat overflows on to roads
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, April 26 — The 31 grain markets and purchase centres of the district have been swamped by heavy wheat arrivals blocking roads around the mandis especially around Sirsa.

Delay on the part of the contractors in lifting the wheat stock is causing further inconvenience. Commission agents complained of the autocratic attitude of the contractors to the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Avtar Singh, saying only the crop lying outside the shops of office bearers of the Commission Agents Association was being listed. They also charged the contractors with exhorting money for clearing the space in front of their shops.

Till Sunday around 4 lakh tonnes of wheat had arrived at different purchase centres compared to 2 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

Three car thefts in Rohtak
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, April 26 — At least three cars have been stolen here in the past five days.

According to police sources the latest incident of car theft took place yesterday, when a local resident Dr Naresh Arya, parked his car, bearing number DL-10-D-1652 outside a banquet hall on the Delhi road near the railway crossing here. He found the vehicle missing when he came outside after an hour. Dr Arya had lodged a complaint with the police.

Pawan Bansal, a local resident, had lodged a complaint with the Civil Lines police that his car (DL-30B 7504) was found missing after he had parked it near a nursing home near the old power house on Delhi Road on Friday.

In the third incident which took place on Thursday, a local advocate lost his Maruti car parked outside the local Mansarovar park. The park is in front of the residence of the district police chief. Thefts of two-wheelers have also been reported on weekends evenings when the rush is maximum.

Meanwhile, in another incident certain robbers decamped with some cash and jewellery from a house at Khidwali village, according to the report lodged with the police. A case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC has been registered.

Cong ‘forced’ poll on country
Tribune News Service

HISAR, April 26 — The president of the Yuva Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Ajay Chautala today criticised the Congress for forcing a mid-term poll on the country.

In a statement, Mr Chautala said the Congress was desperate for power and wanted it by hook or by crook but had been beaten at its own game.

He said the President had been hasty in asking the Vajpayee government to seek a vote of confidence.

Justifying the stand of his party in supporting the Vajpayee government during the confidence motion, Mr Chautala said his party wanted to save the country from untimely elections.

The INLD leader reiterated the stand of his party that it would work only with those who took the farmers' interest into consideration.

27 lakh tonne wheat procured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 26 — The wheat procuring agencies of Haryana have procured 27.27 lakh tonne of wheat out of the total arrival of nearly 27.41 lakh tonne till April 24. It may be recalled that Haryana mandis had received 9.32 lakh tonne during the corresponding period last year.

Hafed has procured nearly 9.83 lakh tonne out of the total arrival till April 24. The Food and Supplies Department procured over 5.96 lakh tonne, the Food Corporation of India 4.15 lakh tonne, Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. over 1.98 lakh tonne, Haryana Warehousing Corporation 3.14 lakh tonne and Confed 2.19 lakh tonne. Traders could procure only 13,591 tonne according to official sources.

On April 24, the total arrival was over two lakh tonne out of which 944 tonne was procured by traders and the rest 39752 tonne by the six procuring agencies registered with the Food and Supplies Department, Hafed 797882 tonne, FCI 29799 tonne, Haryana Agro Industries Corporation 16055 tonne, Haryana Warehousing Corporation 15143 tonne, and Confed 23549 tonne.

E&T staff robbed of Rs 41,000
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, April 26--- Two youths hailing from Tamil Nadu robbed the Excise and Taxation Department staff of Rs 41,000 inside the Ballabhgarh branch of the State Bank of India this morning.

The police said the youths diverted the attention of the employees who had come to deposit money and stole a bag containing Rs 41,000. However, they could not lay their hands upon other bags which contained Rs 9.05 lakh.

Residents protest against power cuts
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, April 26 — An irate mob of Malik Colony blocked traffic for over two hours on the Sonepat-Gohana road here last evening in protest against frequent power cuts.

A large number of residents assembled on the road and blocked traffic inconveniencing thousands.

Mr Uday Singh Sohal, City Magistrate, and officials of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam arrived on the spot. They pacified the mob and succeeded in lifting the blockade.

The residents alleged that frequent power cuts and shortage of drinking water had been a routine affair.

Complaint against deed writers
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, April 26 — Residents of Ellenabad mandi 40 km from here has demanded action against deed writers of the town. In a complaint to the Chief Minister of Haryana the residents has alleged that deed writers of Ellenabad had been charging more than reasonable fee for the writing of deeds, and the administration was a silent spectator. According to informed sources Ellenabad was given the status of sub tehsil by authorities. They demanded that they should be directed to charge reasonably and directed to display their fee list fixed by the government and also demanded an action against deed writers charging more than the prescribed fee.