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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Wednesday, December 8, 1999 |
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Crop insurance from rabi season:
Centre SONEPAT, Dec 7 — The Central Government has decided to introduce the crop insurance scheme in all states simultaneously during the current rabi season. BJP not to compromise ideology: Grover SONEPAT, Dec 7 — Mr Om Parkash Grover, president of the Haryana has announced that his party would not compromise its ideology. |
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Protection of cow
‘to get priority’ CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Indian Animal Welfare Board, which has been revamped by the Central Government recently by raising its grant from Rs 1 lakh annually to Rs 10 crore, will give priority treatment to cow protection. Chautala
promises probe into firing on farmers Pvt
colleges’ staff not paid salaries Private
sugar mills to continue working Bhinder
to head Cong panel Milk
procurement touches new high Pay
scales of civic staff revised Chahal
to head probe panel |
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Crop insurance from rabi
season: Centre SONEPAT, Dec 7 — The Central Government has decided to introduce the crop insurance scheme in all states simultaneously during the current rabi season. Announcing this, Mr Hukam Dev Narain, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, told mediapersons at Gohana town, 35 km from here, yesterday that this scheme would not only cover crops but vegetables and fruits also and the Centre had already received suggestions in this regard from all state governments. He disclosed that the Central Government had also formulated another scheme for saving vegetables from damage. For this purpose, it would provide 25 per cent grant-in-aid to those individuals and organisations who wanted to construct cold storages for storing vegetables. The Minister said that the Central Government was not in a hurry to announce the support price of wheat as it was considering various suggestions in this regard. The Centre, he said, was also contemplating to withdraw all subsidies in the agricultural sector. On the proposed second hike in diesel price, the Minister said that the Central Government was under pressure to further increase oil prices so that these would be on a par with the international rates. He hinted that the oil-producing Islamic countries were under the pressure of Pakistan to stop the supply of petroleum products to India. The Central Government was still watching the situation and would take a decision soon on this issue. The Minister ruled out the possibility of giving the status of industry to the agriculture sector and said that both sectors were different from each other. He maintained that the farmers could get all facilities without giving the status of industry to the agricultural sector. Later, the Minister
participated in a function organised in connection with
the death anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. |
BJP not to compromise ideology:
Grover SONEPAT, Dec 7 — Mr Om Parkash Grover, president of the Haryana has announced that his party would not compromise its ideology. Talking to mediapersons at Gohana town, 35 km from here, yesterday, he said the party had withdrawn support from the Bansi Lal Government not on account of any personal differences but because it did not like to compromise with his (Bansi Lal's) ideology to remain in power. The party would follow the same principle in respect of having an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal supremo and Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala. Referring to the possibility of mid-term elections in the state, the BJP leader said the party had staked its claim to 50 per cent of the Assembly seats on account of its performance during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that it was the Vajpayee wave that had helped both the INLD and the BJP to sweep the polls in Haryana. He also maintained that the BJP had established its lead in about 45 Assembly segments and had won five Lok Sabha seats. It was, therefore, justified in demanding 50 per cent of the Assembly seats. The BJP leader announced
that his party was not in a hurry to join the Chautala
Government and the state unit would act on the advice of
the high command. However, the party would continue its
support to the Chuatala Government from outside. |
HVPN proposals under fire PANCHKULA, Dec 7 — The complaint handling procedure relating to distribution and retail power supply proposed by the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) came under fire from several industrial organisations here yesterday. The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) had organised a public hearing on the procedures for payment of bills by consumers, disconnection for non-payment and the charter of customer's rights. The draft procedures had been circulated by the commission in advance in response to which organisations like the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the G.T. Road Industries Association, Sonepat and the Haryana Solvent Extractors Association submitted detailed criticism. Dr Jai Dev of the chamber regretted that the proposals submitted by the HVPN reflected a typical mind-set having bureaucratic approach which tended to protect the staff from accountability and tended to shield inefficiency. He said the time schedule prepared now to rectify faults was no improvement over the present system. "This beats the whole idea behind the privatisation of electricity distribution." The chamber gave its own time schedule for providing various services by the electricity companies. The Chairman of the HERC, Mr V.S. Ailawadi, and its members, Mr Ramesh Chandra and Mr K.S. Chaube, were taken by surprise when the chamber and Mr S.K. Singal, President of the G.T. Road Industries Association, informed them that recently the HVPN had reduced the maximum permissible load for LT connection in the small-scale sector from 70 KV to 50 KV to generate funds. The HERC asked the HVPN M.D., Mr Sameer Mathur, and the Managing Director of two distribution companies, Mr Tarun Bajaj, to inform the commission why its prior permission was not taken before making changes in the maximum load limits. Mr Singal alleged that the HVPN did not seem to be serious towards improving its efficiency. Rather it wanted to misuse the present opportunity to get unrealistic time limits for providing various facilities approved from the commission. He said compensation proposed by the HVPN to consumers was too meagre. It should be realistic. In case in a disputed bill, a consumer should be allowed to deposit the undisputed amount based on past consumption average. Intervening Mr Mathur said the time schedules proposed by the HVPN for providing various facilities was the maximum period and the services could be provided earlier than the proposed limit. He said it would be legally more appropriate if the procedures were submitted by the two distribution companies which would get independent licences in near future. He also sought time to respond to various points raised by the public representatives. Mr Ailawadi directed the HVPN to file its response to the suggestions made by the trade organisations by December 21 after which the commission would issue its final orders. He later clarified that
though the distribution companies would have to submit
their own procedures and charter of rights of consumers
once they were granted licences, the HVPN charter would
serve as the bench mark. |
Protection of cow ‘to get
priority’ CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Indian Animal Welfare Board, which has been revamped by the Central Government recently by raising its grant from Rs 1 lakh annually to Rs 10 crore, will give priority treatment to cow protection. Mr Guman Mal Loda, President of the Board, indicated this at Ambala today. Mr Loda, who is on a three day tour of Haryana, said that the Board had launched various schemes for the welfare of the cattle population of the country. The Board would give Rs 50,000 as annual grant to the ‘gaushalas’ having 100 cows, while those having up to 500 cows would be entitled to get Rs 1 lakh, Mr Loda said. Similarly, an annual grant of Rs 2 lakh was being given to the ‘gaushalas’ having 1000 cows, Rs 3 lakh to the ‘gaushalas’ with 1000 to 2000 cattles and Rs 4 lakh would be given to those rearing more than 2000 cows, Mr Loda said. He added that the Board had also announced a scheme known as the ‘Gau Mutra Kranti’ under which a grant of Rs 1 lakh would be given to the ‘gaushalas’ who make manure from cowdung. The ‘gaushalas’ who impart training in manufacture of such manure would also be given the same amount of grant in four instalments, Mr Loda said. Mr Loda said that the families of three persons, who had died for protection of the cows — including one Jhuman Lal of Jodhpur who had died as far back as 1967 — were recently given compensation of Rs 1 lakh in cash and a gold medal each. The family members of a person of Bijnore, who fell to a bullet while protecting a peacock, were also given the compensation, Mr Loda said. Mr Loda, who met a
number of representatives of ‘gaushalas’ at
Ambala today, urged the Haryana Government to set up a
‘Gau Sava Aayog’ (cow welfare cooperative) in
the state. He, however, added that any organisation
engaged in the welfare of any bird or animal, could get
recognition from the Board and obtain a grant of Rs
20,000 |
Chautala promises probe into firing on farmers FATEHABAD, Dec 7 (UNI) — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today announced that an inquiry would be conducted to look into circumstances leading to firing on farmers at Kadma, Mandiali and Tohana. Those found guilty would be punished. The Chief Minister, who was addressing a largely attended public meeting at Chamar Khera village, 25 km from here, said a commission, headed by a retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, would also be set up to look into circumstances leading to imposition and withdrawal of prohibition in the State by the previous government. He said such a step was being taken to bring to book those who amassed huge wealth by smuggling liquor. Enlisting various achievements of his government, Mr Chautala said the process to fill vacancies of 13,000 teachers had already been initiated. He said the government would provide sufficient electricity to all categories of consumers, even if it had to purchase it at a higher rate from neighbouring States. The power distribution system in rural areas was being augmented by replacing over-loaded transformers. Work to repair roads had already been undertaken. New roads would be laid after the completion of the project, he said. Mr Chautala, who also inaugurated a Rs 3.83 crore-Pabra link channel near Chamar Khera village, said the State government had taken up 438 schemes at an estimated expenditure of Rs 292 crore. These were being assisted by the National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD). He said all these schemes had been taken up under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). A Rs 54 crore-scheme for flood control was being prepared. The government would seek assistance of NABARD for its implementation, he added. He said apart from these, several major projects like the Ottu Weir, Budhera complex and an augmentation canal costing Rs 62 crore were also in progress. Mr Chautala also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 1.15 crore-new Chuli minor which would irrigate 2400 acres in Chuli Kalan and Chuli Khurd. He said this minor would be completed within four months and would provide adequate water for irrigation. Mr Chautala also heard
grievances of the people at an "open durbar"
held at Bhuna. A large number of people from Bhuna,
Tohana and adjoining areas had come to get their
grievances redressed. |
Pvt colleges’ staff not
paid salaries AMBALA, Dec 7 — Widespread resentment and anger reportedly has been prevailing among the teaching and non-teaching staff of affiliated colleges of Haryana as they have not been paid their salaries for the past several months. The colleges managements have reportedly been unable to pay the salaries as the government has not released the grants to these colleges. According to information, there are about 53 government colleges and 112 non-government colleges in the state, employing about 5000 teachers and the same number of non-teaching employees. The staff of government colleges are regularly getting salaries, unlike the employees of affiliated colleges. According to a union leader of an affiliated college, under the system prevalent in the state for the past 15 years, college managements have to deposit 5 per cent of their expenditure with the state government and the state government on its part pays 95 per cent of it. According to reports, the college managements have been regularly depositing their share. The office of the Director of Higher Education (DHE) passes the salary bills of each college and the salary is deposited in the bank account of each college employee. The Haryana government is legally bound to abide by this arrangement. Previously, the DHE used to release grant for payment of salary in advance for two or three months. But from the beginning of 1999, the DHE’s office stopped releasing the grant for the payment of salary to the college staff. For the past three months, most colleges have not received the grant from the government. Interestingly, the
government college teachers are getting revised pay
scales as per the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations
since 1997, while the teachers of the affiliated colleges
are being even denied regular and timely payment of
salaries. The arrears of the revised pay scales have also
not been paid to them. |
Private sugar mills to continue
working CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — A spokesman of the Haryana Government stated here today that the three privately run sugar mills in the state had been asked by the State Government to continue with the sugarcane crushing operations without any break so that the interest of the farming community was not adversely affected. It may be mentioned that following the Haryana Government’s decision to fix the sugarcane prices almost twice the all-India price, private mill owners are finding it difficult to carry on with the crushing operations. Meanwhile, Mr Banta Ram, Chairman of the Haryana State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills, said here today that cane payment by the cooperative sugar mills would be cleared in less than two weeks from now. Payments worth more than Rs 14 crore had already been made to the farmers, Mr Ram stated. Mr Ram said that 10 cooperative sugar mills in Haryana crushed 42.43 lakh quintals of sugarcane up to December 5, which was almost twice the amount of sugarcane crushed during the corresponding period last year. Similarly, sugar mills had produced 3.13 lakh quintals of sugar up to December 5, while only 1.65 lakh quintals of sugar was produced in the corresponding period last year, he said. Also, the average sugar recovery of these mills was 8.36 per cent, as against 8.14 per cent in the previous year, Mr Ram added. He said that close
circuit TVs had been installed in the sugar mills to
monitor the weighing system and payments were being made
through computers. The cane growers were also being
provided boarding facility at the rest houses. The entire
produce of the growers would be crushed by the sugar
mills, the federation chairman said. |
Bhinder to head Cong panel CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — A former Union Minister, Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, has been appointed Chairperson of the Haryana Congress State Election Authority in place of Mr Prithvi Raj Chauhan for the organisational elections scheduled for next year. According to a party spokesman here, December 31 has been fixed as the last date for enrolment of members. Meanwhile, the party has postponed its State-level Kisan Sammelan, scheduled for December 20, in view of the "ongoing enrolment drive". The party President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said here today that the Sammelan would now be held in January next. He urged the partymen to ensure enrolment of the maximum number of members, particularly women and members of weaker sections. The spokesman said Mr
Kaptan Singh Rathi, who contested the 1998 Lok Sabha
elections from Rohtak as a Samajwadi Party candidate, has
joined the Haryana Congress. |
Milk procurement touches new
high CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — Haryana has made an all-time high procurement of milk of 3.85 lakh litres per day even before the onset of the flush season during this year and its procurement would likely touch the mark of 4.25 lakh litres per day during the season commencing on December 15. This was disclosed at a meeting of the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation, presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, here to review the working of the Haryana Dairy Cooperative in the state. The Chief Minister also
stressed the need for intervention of the Government of
India to save the exploitation of the milk producers in
the area of Kurukshetra and Karnal at the hands of
private milk plants. The attention of the Chief Minister
was drawn to the fact that the model dairy plant set up
by the NDDB in the complex of NDRI, Karnal was starved of
milk and its capacity was not being utilised. It was
suggested that the milk unions in Kurukshetra and Karnal
would be able to utilise it in case of it transferred to
them. |
Pay scales of civic staff
revised CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala today announced the revision of pay scales of the municipal employees as per the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission. He said that these pay scales, to be implemented on the pattern of the State Government employees, would be admissible w.e.f. April 1,1999. Their pay would be fixed notionally w.e.f. January 1,1996. The arrears of the revised pay scales for the period from April 1 to December 31,1999, would be deposited in their provident fund accounts. He said that the payment of salary in the revised pay scales would be given in cash from the month of January 2000. Mr Chautala said that
the Government had also released a special grant of Rs
5.96 crore to meet the liabilities of the municipal
employees, including those which were pending even before
the abolition of octroi. |
Chahal to head probe panel CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Haryana Government today appointed Justice G.S. Chahal, a retired Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the one man commission of enquiry to look into the circumstances leading to the introduction of prohibition and its withdrawal by the previous Government. While stating this here, a spokesman of the Haryana Government said that the Commission, which would be set up under the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952, would also enquire into the creation of alleged 'mafia' in large scale smuggling of liquor during the days of prohibition. The Commission would also enquire into the widespread allegations of corruption and the role played by persons in high places and their kith and kin in abetting these acts. It would also enquire whether some persons had played an active role for a pecuniary gain in the lifting of prohibition also. The Commission would
submit its report within six months, he added. |
Students damage roadways bus ROHTAK, Dec 7 — The police canecharged a group of students involved in damaging a Haryana Roadways bus on the Rohtak-Sonepat road this morning. According to police sources, a group of about 50 students assembled at the bus stand in Kansala village and stopped a roadways bus at around 9 a.m. The bus was going from Sonepat to Rohtak. The students were reportedly protesting against the buses not stopping at the village bus stand. Several of the students are regular pass-holders of roadways buses. In a separate incident,
one person, Mohan Lal, a resident of Bhadra village died
when a tractor hit him near Meham last night. |
Concern over improper use of
antibiotics FARIDABAD, Dec 7—Typhoid causing bacteria are slowly becoming immune due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics by doctors microbiologist, who runs a laboratory here, says some patients do not respond even to strong antibiotics. This is due to the presence of R- factor in blood which is composed of resistant transfer units. It promotes drug-sensitive bacteria against which antibiotics lose their potency. The R-factor produces certain proteins which restrict the entry of antibiotics into the bacterial cell, making them ineffective. Dr Kaul suggests that
the doctors should not prescribe antibiotics without
determining the cause of the infection. People should
also avoid self medication and the sale of antibiotics
without prescription be banned. |
Survey to identify poor in
Sirsa SIRSA, Dec 7— The District administration has decided to conduct a fresh survey to identify those living below the poverty line. Deputy Commissioner Amit Jha said that officers of the Social Welfare Department had been directed to conduct the survey and invite fresh applications for old age pension. Mr Jha said the administration had been instructed to work for the timely completion of projects announced by the Chief Minister during his recent visits to villages of Sirsa district. Mr Jha also heard the
grievances of people during the first "open
darbar" held here yesterday. |
Rape victim sets herself afire SONEPAT, Dec 7 — A girl made an attempt to end her life by setting herself afire in her house at Rajpur village, about 10 km from here, yesterday. According to a report received here, she sustained serious burns and was rushed to the local civil hospital. She was later taken to the medical college hospital at Rohtak in a serious condition. She took this step after she was kidnapped by two persons of the village and later raped repeatedly. The Ganaur police has
already arrested two persons, Gulab and Farooq, in this
connection. |
160 cases of power theft
detected CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam checked 9,356 connections out of which 1,328 meters were found defective and 1276 meters were replaced during the first fortnight of November last. This was disclosed by Mr Tarun Bajaj, Managing Director of the Nigam, here today. He said that during the checking, 160 cases of theft of electricity were also detected and penalty of Rs 15.08 lakh was imposed, out of which Rs 6.03 lakh had already been realised. Mr Bajaj said that the
Nigam was committed to provide quality power to its
consumers. He also appealed to the consumers to pay their
outstanding electricity bills immediately and future
electricity bills timely in order to avoid
disconnections. |
Residents go sans water, power SIRSA, Dec 7 — Resentment prevails among residents of local Kirtinagar, Aggarsain Colony, Grewal Basti and its adjoining areas as they were not being supplied electricity and drinking water for the past two days. The Public Health
authorities expressed their helplessness. They said the
Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam had not been supplying
electricity. |
Five members of family
convicted SIRSA, Dec 7 — Five members of family were sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 each by the Additional District and Sessions Judge for the death of Binder Kaur. According to the police press note today a case under Section 302, IPC, was registered on August 8, 1998, on a complaint of Mr Kulwant Singh, a brother of Binder Kaur, of Alikan village in the district. The court found them
guilty and sent them to prison. |
1 dead, 12 hurt in mishap PANIPAT, Dec 7 — One person was killed and 12 were injured in a collision between a scooter and a canter in front of Singla Cinema here last evening. The injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital and one of them was shifted to the PGI, Rohtak. According to information, the killed has been identified as Gullu Sharma. The injured were taken
to the hospital by volunteers of the Jan Seva Dal in
their ambulance. |
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