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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Sunday, January 31, 1999 |
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'Make power generation
environment-friendly' Teachers,
non-teaching staff's memo to VC |
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Price hike
agitates people Jatia
decries hiring scribes on contract Floral
tributes paid to Bapu 2
more gangsters arrested BSP
against cut in subsidy on urea Dalel
Singh elected HAUTA president |
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'Make power generation
environment-friendly' CHANDIGARH, Jan 30 — The Haryana Minister of State for Power, Mr Attar Singh Saini, today called upon the planners and environmental engineers to suggest options for power generation which would not only mature quickly, but also go a long way in maintaining the natural environment. He said Haryana would be ready to meet the environmental challenges posed by the increased generation being set up in the state. Mr Saini was inaugurating a workshop on "Environmental Issues in Power Sector" organised here jointly by the Haryana Government and the World Bank. He said such options should be evaluated considering the extent of air or water pollution they could cause. However, these should be explored not only from technical, but also from economic points of view. Thermal generation had its connected environmental problems of air pollution from fly ash and water pollution due to the wet disposal of ash slurry, causing water logging in areas adjoining the generating plants and ash disposal areas. He said his Government had been taking a number of steps to realise the dream of the people to get power round the clock. The process to restructure this vital sector had already been initiated and Haryana was the first state in the country to take such a step. To achieve this goal, massive investment of Rs 8,000 crore had been planned over eight to 10 years. The main area of investment was rehabilitation and expansion of the electricity transmission and distribution system so as to reduce the transmission and distribution losses. There was a plan to reduce the transmission and distribution losses from the present 33 per cent to 16 per cent over the next seven-eight years. He stressed the need for examining better environment-friendly options of power generation like the use of beneficiated coal or liquified natural gas. He appreciated the World Bank for its commitment to provide a loan assistance of $ 600 million in four-five stages for the reforms programme. The Department for International Development (DFID) had agreed to help the programme with a financial grant of about £ 15 million for technical assistance and consultancy support. Similarly, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had also assured a grant of $ 4 million towards consultancy support. Haryana was already going ahead with the first stage of the programme for which the World Bank had sanctioned loan of $ 60 million. The Government was in dialogue with other international donors as well to register financial support. He said although there was a limited potential from non-conventional energy sources, the Government had initiated efforts to tap this power in a modest manner. The Government had announced an attractive policy for the generation of power from solar energy, biomass-waste and from micro hydel and small hydel projects. In addition to Faridabad, a designated Environment Court had been set up at Hisar with a camp court at Karnal to ensure a speedy disposal of cases of environment offences, he added. The thrust of the day-long conference was to draw upon the studies commissioned by the World Bank on environmental and generation issues in other states to pave the way for preparation of a strategy to tackle environmental issues in Haryana. Mr K.S. Chaube, Member, Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), said, "We should aim at further improving the environment standards of the state's power sector. There is need to develop a long-term perspective for the state, keeping in view the 12 new 25 MW projects in the state along with the proposed power plants in Panipat (301 MW with IOC), Hisar (thermal) and Yamunanagar (thermal)." As part of some of the initiatives taken in Haryana, Mr Pabneja, Chief Engineer, Faridabad Thermal Plant, said, "The commissioning of the electrostatic precipitators has reduced suspended particulate lower than the levels required by international specifications. The water that leaves the plant is purer and in better condition than what came into the plant." Addressing the participants, Mr Peter Meier, of the World Bank, said, "The challenge before the implementers of the reforms programme is to reach an optimum balance between environment safeguards and its cost implications. In this respect, the choice of fuel for the generation of power will play an important role." Among others present on
the occasion were Mr Mudassar Imran, World Bank,
representative, Mr Ranjit Issar, CMD, HVPN, Mr R.K. Jain,
Director, EDP, Mr P.K. Verma, and Mr A. Venugopal,
Director, Metallogical and Engineering Consultants
(India). |
Teachers, non-teaching staff's memo
to VC ROHTAK, Jan 30 — The Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Associations of the Maharshi Dayanand University here has stepped up their compaign to seek an action against the Vice-Chancellor for his alleged acts of omission and commission during his tenure. These associations have submitted a joint memorandum to the Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, who is also the Chancellor of the University, demanding a thorough probe into varsity affairs immediately. According to the memorandum despatched on January 28 the Maharshi Dayanand University Teachers Association (MDUTA) has alleged that various decisions and actions taken by the VC in the past two years had "amounted to criminal acts" as he had not only violated the provisions of the Articles of the Constitution of India and of the statute of the university calendar but he had also abused the power vested into him as the VC. The letter has been signed by the President Mr Shamsher Singh and the Secretary of the association Dr Ajmer Singh. Mr Wazir Singh Nehra, a former MDUTA chief and present convener of the Haryana Federation of University and College Organisations (HFUCTO) also countersigned the letter. The association has sought suspension and charge-sheeting of the VC and an inquiry into the whole matter. The memorandum also contains two letters written by the President of the Non-Teaching Employees Association, Mr Kartar Singh Dhankhar, and President of the SC/BC Employees Association of the M.D. University, Mr Phool Kumar Bohat, both expressing concern over the allegations levelled by the MDUTA. They have said that as the allegations were of a serious nature, the Chancellor is requested to hold an inquiry in this connection without delay. The MDUTA has alleged that in violation of the reservation policy for the SC/ST appointment of general category candidates against certain posts inspite of the availability of qualified SC/ST candidates have been made. The second allegation levelled is about the appointment of examiners and paper setters for examinations in which the Daughter and Daughter-in-law of the VC had appeared. It is alleged that the VC failed to inform the Chancellor about the candidature of his relatives. Which amounted to gross misconduct and unbecoming of the highest executive officer of the university. According to the fourth allegation the VC had made some of the teachers as members of the Inspection Committee for about 10 to 21 times while the Statute 38, Clause 19 of the MDU calendar had the provisions of making a teacher as the member of such committee for only two times. It alleges that while a large number of senior teachers had been ignored the actions of the VC amounted to mala fide intentions and favouritism. The association had also charged that the VC got burnt the records on April 9, 1997 which contained the recommendations of the selection committee made during the tenure of the earlier VC. The MDUTA has also taken up the case of the former Principal of the Evening College, Dr D.S. Dahiya, alleging that after the merger of the Evening College into the University Morning College Dr Dahiya who was to be the Principal of Morning College due to his seniority had been deliberately sidelined and was appointed against a non-budgeted and non-sactioned post, and a person who was superannuated and junior to Dr Dahiya was appointed as Principal. While the Vice-Chancellor
Lt Gen (retd) O.P. Kaushik could not be contacted for his
version in this connection, the sources close to VC
denied the allegations and said these were baseless and
aimed at defaming the VC. |
Price hike agitates people HISAR, Jan 30 — There is resentment against the Union Government decision raising the prices of certain essential commodities like wheat, sugar and rice sold through the Public Distribution System (PDS). A survey by The Tribune reflected that general mood was very critical of the government decision, general refrain being that the price rise will not just affect, but "hit badly" the poor and lower middle classes. Dr Kalpana, a housewife, decried the decision of the government. She was of the opinion that the government should immediately withdraw the hike, as it would hit the poor hard. She said, it was the poor sections of the society who were dependent on the PDS. She said, when the common man is overburdened with the rising price index, the recent decision might prove to be the last straw that broke the camel's back. Mr Deepak Bhandari was equally critical of the decision. He said, instead of providing any relief to the people, the government had added to their woes. He pointed out that the hike in the prices of the essential commodities would have relative impact on the prices of other essential items. Mr Rajmal Kajal, the district spokesman of the Indian National Lok Dal alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was providing the general notion that it was a traders' party, right. He said, the government had exempted the affluent classes who could afford any price. He said, it is shocking that while the price of Maruti cars had been slashed, that of essential commodities increased. He said, it is a cruel joke on the poor. He also criticised the hike in the prices of the urea. Mr Yudhvir Singh Jamwal, a bank employee pointed out that the common man was already under grave economic burden. He said, it is difficult to make both ends meet and now came the sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities. He said, for bringing down the fiscal deficit, the government should have targeted luxury items and not the basic necessities. Mange Ram, a rickshaw puller, was not aware of the price rise. However, he said, even if it was true, he would have to feed his family of five. He even refused comment saying "will my opinion bring down the prices". He seemed to have already realised the impact of the price rise although he was so far not aware of it. "We could manage without onions, but we cannot manage without bread", he observed pathetically. One senior professor of
the Haryana Agricultural University had different
opinions. According to him, the price rise might not have
too much impact on general masses. He observed that the
PDS was already in poor state and the people, including
the poor, are used to purchasing essential commodities
from open market. |
Jatia decries hiring scribes on
contract KURUKSHETRA, Jan 30 — The Union Labour Minister, Dr Satya Narain Jatia, said here today that the Working Journalists Act would be suitably amended to bring it in conformity with the changing media scenario in the country and to cover the electronic media. Dr Jatia, who was speaking after inaugurating the two-day meeting of the National Executive Committee of the National Union of Journalists (India) on the campus of Kurukshetra University, asked the NUJI to suggest appropriate amendments in the Act. The Labour Minister, who himself had been a working journalist and a trade unionist, decried the contract system introduced in newspaper world and described the system as another form of "bonded labour". He also favoured the setting up of a national welfare fund for journalists, to cater to their housing needs. Expressing the hope that the Manisana Wage Board for journalists and other newspaper employees would submit its report soon. Dr Jatia said his Ministry would concentrate on the setting up of a monitoring machinery for the timely implementation of the board’s recommendations. Dr Jatia regretted that the common citizen did not have the appreciation of the role a journalist played in a democracy or the hazards he had to face, to bring forth the truth. The Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Dr M.L. Ranga, urged the journalists to write in national interest and safeguard the country’s culture. The President of the NUJI, Dr N.K. Trikha, regretted that the managements had devalued the status of editors and other journalists and had converted newspapers from editorial ventures to commercial enterprises. Decrying the contract system, Dr Trikha said by forcing the journalists to enter into a contract, the managements were depriving them of benefits of provident fund, gratuity and other retirement perks. Contract journalists were being made to do non-journalistic work against their wishes. He said the most exploited section of journalists were part-time correspondents, who were neither being paid as per recommendations of the wage boards nor there was any security of job for them. Certain papers were even asking for a cash security from part-time journalists. A senior journalist and former president of the NUJI, Mr Rajendra Prabhu, was felicitated by the union for his contribution in presenting the case of the union before the wage board. Among others who spoke on
the occasion were Mrs Kailasho Saini, MP from
Kurukshetra, Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, Chairman of the
Haryana Warehousing Corporation, Mr Shyam Khosla, a
member of the wage board, and Mr Vinod Jindal, Secretary
of the Organising Committee. |
Floral tributes paid to Bapu FARIDABAD, Jan 30 — Mr Mahabir Prasad, Haryana Governor, today paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary at the Palwal Railway Station, where the Father of the Nation was first arrested by the British on April 10, 1919. The Governor also observed a day long fast to promote peace and communal harmony and the values cherished by the Father of the Nation. Later addressing the state-level martyrdom day function organised at the Local Gandhi Sewa Ashram, the Governor called upon the people to work for eradication of illiteracy, especially from among the women, untouchability, casteism and to give proper treatment to and rehabilitate the lepers. He also exhorted the people to promote the Hindi language by adopting it in their routing activities. The Governor emphasised the need to promote the cult of ‘sarvadharmasambhav’ among all sections of society. Mr Karan Singh Dalal, PWD Minister, also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Mr Prasad inaugurated the newly constructed building of Mahatma Gandhi Museum. This museum has been constructed by the Haryana Government at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. The Museum projects several important events of the national freedom movement led by Gandhiji. The Governor also inaugurated the Gandhi Park on this occasion and planted a sapling of Kadamb in the Gandhi Sewa Ashram. The Governor released a souvenir "Gandhi Darshan" and went round an exhibition put up to highlight the life and works of Gandhiji. He also distributed blankets among the poor, widows and lepers. A two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the known and unknown martyrs of the country. All-religion prayers and bhajans were recited in the function. Earlier, the Governor visited a local Dalit locality and participated in a sanitation drive for inspiring the people to keep their surroundings neat and clean. AMBALA: The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, launched a cleanliness drive in the state from the Balmiki temple in cantonment here today to mark the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier, addressing a prayer meeting, he lauded the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and said that the principle of non-violence propounded by him had great impact on the freedom movement. He paid homage to the Father of the Nation and other martyrs who laid down their lives during the freedom struggle. Haryana had special significance for the Mahatma as his arrest at Palwal Railway Station had given a fillip to the freedom movement. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to take pains to keep their surroundings clean instead of only depending on the government. To mark Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, the state had decided to implement a new law, the Haryana Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1998, from today. Referring to the increasing number of crimes, he advised the people to employ chowkidars as the government could not spare police personnel for this job. However, he offered police protection to those who wanted to carry huge cash to banks. He announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the cleanliness drive in cantonment on the request of Mr Anil Vij, local MLA. The Local Bodies Minister, Dr Kamla Verma, said that Rs 50 lakh each had been granted to the civic bodies of this city and the cantonment for cleanliness. BHIWANI: The death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was observed at the Mini Secretariat by the district administration. Two minutes' silence was observed to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and other martyrs. Mr Roshan Lal, Magistrate, asked the people to emulate the example of freedom fighters and work for the communal harmony, unity and integrity of the country. On the instruction of the Government of India, a week-long programme to mark the 50th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi has been planned in the district. Congress leaders paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by garlanding his statue in the local municipal park. Rohtak: Mr Anil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, has appealed to the people to donate to the Hid Kushtha Nivaran Sangh for the welfare of leprosy patients. He was addressing a gathering in connection with the eradiction of leprosy here on Saturday. After a visit to the Gandhi Kushtha Ashram, he said leprosy patients had been provided with lodging, power, medicines and clothing free of cost, besides Rs 400 per month each for ration. He distributed a blanket, bucket, 25 kg of milk powder and 40 kg of biscuits to the patients on behalf of the District Red Corss Society. Meanwhile, the Maharshi Dayanand University Teaching Departments Teachers' Association on Saturday observed a silent protest asgainst the 'sluggish pace' of the implementation of revised pay-scales. The call for the silent protest was given by the All-India Federation of University Teachers' Association. The association secretary, Dr S.C. Malik, said its members also paid homage to the martyrs and observed two minutes' silence. The association has urged the Haryana Government to implement the revised pay scales at the earliest. Meanwhile, Prof Teja Singh, a former president of the Haryana College Teachers Association, has charged the state Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, with misleading college teachers by saying that the issue of payment of wages for the strike had been referred to the Union Human Resource Development Minister for 'guidance'. He said that this statement of Mr Sharma has put a question mark on the functioning of the Haryana Government. He regretted that except Haryana, all state governments in the country had paid wages to college teachers for the strike period. Sonepat: Congressmen joined the 'prabhat pheri' taken out in connection with the 50th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here on Saturday. Rich tributes were paid to the Father of the Nation at a number of functions held in various educational institutions. Hisar: An inter-religious prayer function was organised at Haryana Agricultural University were on Saturday to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day. The Vice-Chancellor, Prob
J.B. Chowdhury, administered a pledge to the teaching
community to strive for communal harmony. A two-minute
silence was observed, while varsity students recited
bhajans in memory of the Father of the Nation. |
2 more gangsters arrested GURGAON, Jan 30 — The police, here has arrested two more members of a gang operating in Haryana and Delhi. According to the district Police Chief, Mr Khushi Ram Dahiya, the two arrested — Mahesh alias Attack of Jharsa village (Gurgaon) and Yogesh of Nawada village — were nabbed yesterday night. A Maruti car, seven weapons — two imported revolvers, two pistols and guns — and 165 rounds of ammunitions were recovered from them. In raids at two different places in Gurgaon cash worth Rs 1.74 lakh and two cellular phones were also recovered from them, Mr Dahiya added. A number of gold rings and other items of jewellery were also claimed to have been recovered. Mr Dahiya added that the two were waylaid by the police in Gurgaon while they were in the town to free the six members of their gang arrested day before yesterday. The six were to be produced in court this morning for police remand, they had planned to use force to free their friends after the court’s proceedings, he added. The Police feels that about 10 more members of the gang were absconding. A number of them, in several cases here, including the daylight robbery of local post office, looting of Pasco Automobiles office, a double murder at a restaurant which led to the death of a security guard and firing at the residence of the president of the district (Gurgaon) unit of a Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot. The police has already seized six weapons, including a China-made revolver and 135 rounds of ammunitions in the earlier arrests. The DSP (City), Gurgaon,
Mr Anil Yadav present on the occasion said that with the
yesterday's arrests and the confessions by members of the
gang, the police almost has solved some of the major
crimes which took place in the recent past. |
BSP against cut in subsidy on
urea HISAR, Jan 30 — The Bahujan Samaj Party has opposed the reported move of the Union Government to reduce subsidy on urea. In a statement the state general secretary of the party, Mr Pradeep Chaudhary warned against any such move. He pointed out that it was a wrong notion being created that huge amount was going in subsidies resulting in huge deficit in the Union Budget. Mr Chaudhary cited figures of past several years substantiating his point that the amount of subsidy over these years had come down considerably. The BSP leader said, the government should increase subsidy on other fertilisers so that their use was encouraged for enhanced foodgrain production. Mr Chaudhary demanded that
farm sector should be given the status of industry, so
that the farmers get minimum return for investment. |
Dalel Singh elected HAUTA
president HISAR, Jan 30 — Dr Dalel Singh of the Department of Basic Sciences, has been elected president of the CCS Haryana Agricultural University Teachers' Association for a record fifth time. Dr Singh defeated Dr Ram Kumar Khatkar by 303 votes in a straight contest. While Dr Singh got 664 votes, Dr Khatkar polled 361 votes. The elections were held yesterday and the results were declared late in the night. The returning officer, Dr Narinder Singh said, Dr R.C. Dogra was elected vice-president. He defeated his nearest rival Dr D.S. Nehra by 28 votes. Dr Dogra and Dr Nehra got 518 and 490 votes respectively. The third candidate for the post Dr Sudesh Kaliramana got only 10 votes. Dr H.K. Verma of the Department of Extension Education has been elected secretary. He defeated Dr Surjeet Jain by 104 votes. Dr Verma got 416 votes and Dr Jain polled 312 votes. Dr Vijay Benniwal came a close third with 296 votes. Dr Satveer Singh Ahlawat has been elected joint secretary. His victory margin was the biggest. He defeated Dr Avtar Singh by 391 votes. They secured 693 and 302 votes respectively. The HAUTA has 1141
members, of whom 1033 exercised franchise. |
Goyal award for four scientists KURUKSHETRA, Jan 30 — Four eminent scientists, Dr N. Kumar, Director, Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore, Prof J.B. Joshi, Department of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai, Prof Girish Govil, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, and Prof P. Balaram, Indian Institute of Science (ISSc.), Bangalore, have been selected for the Goyal Award 1998, for their contributions in the areas of physics, applied sciences, chemical sciences and life sciences, respectively. Stating this here
yesterday, the convener of the Advisory Board for Goyal
Prizes, Prof S.P. Singh said that these scientists would
be honoured with the awards consisting of Rs 1 lakh, a
gold medal and a citation each at a ceremony at
Kurukshetra University on February 15, Dr R.A. Mashelkar,
Director General, CSIR, would be the chief guest. |
INLD chief promises free water,
power YAMUNANAGAR, Jan 30 — Mr Om Parkash Chautala, chief, Indian National Lok Dal (Rashtriya) today threatened to withdraw their support to the Vajpayee government over the issue of price hike of the PDS items and urea. He said this while addressing party workers at Chhachhrauli, 15 km from here. He said if the government did not withdraw the hike, the dal would withdraw their support. He announced that if the party came to power than there would be an abolition of octroi and free electricity and water would be provided to the weaker section of the society. He said the minimum wages
of the employees would be Rs 2000 per month and free
education be provided to the students up to graduation-
level. |
HPPC observes Martyrdom Day CHANDIGARH, Jan 30 — The 51st Martyrdom Day of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was observed today by the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee with solemnity and reverence all over the state. Prayer meetings were held at offices of the District and Block Congress Committees preceded by prabhat pheris taken out by several party units. Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda,
President of the committee, led the state party in paying
homage to Mahatma Gandhi at a rally held at Chautala
village. |
| diary |
Power
cuts continue ROHTAK: Despite tall claims made by the government about drastic reforms in the power sector, certain posh localities in the town have been facing power cuts for more than eight hours a day. Residents of Adarsh Nagar and its neighbouring localities allege besides the scheduled power cut for four hours they have been suffering the unscheduled ones for more than eight hours daily for the past 10 days. They say either their complaints on the phone go unattended or they reply "the supply has been suspended for repairs." They lament that the "prolonged" power breakdowns has been adversely affecting the studies of their wards as the annual examinations were scheduled in February or March next. A delegation of the residents recently met Mr S.P. Gupta, Executive Engineer (Operation), Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam. They appealed to him compensate the area for the unscheduled power cuts by exempting the affected localities from scheduled ones. The delegation alleged that complaints of the consumers went unattended. A few members of the delegation alleged that certain HVPN officials were intentionally harassing the consumers. They say although the officials were competent to compensate for the unscheduled cuts, but they were reluctant to do so. Mr Gupta says the power breakdowns did not affect much during the winter. Hence the demand for compensation for the extra power cuts was worthless. However, Mr H.K. Sharma, Superintending Engineer, HVPN, says the Nigam would try to compensate for the additional power failure. * * * * Encroachments on public land have become a common feature in the town. Residents, in almost all localities, have encroached upon the government land. In HUDA, Sector-1, most residents have encroached upon spaces meant for roads and footpaths. Hedges not only restrict movement of traffic but impair visibility around corner houses. Shopkeepers continue to display their wares in the space meant for pedestrians. Encroachments have assumed a menacing proportion on the Quilla road. * * * * While residents of several localities in the periphery of the town have been crying for potable water, the treated water has been going into drains from the capless public taps in various localities. Thousands gallons of treated water has been going waste regularly from dozens of capless public taps in Salara Mohalla, Pratap Mohalla, Babra Mohalla, Kalala Mohalla, Quila Mohalla etc. Residents of these localities have complained to the Public Health Department, but to no avail. The authorities concerned say the caps were stolen by certain unscrupulous persons. * * * * Notwithstanding the proactive measures claimed to have been taken by the police to reduce crime, the incidents of murder, dacoity, abduction and highway robberies in the district increased last year as against the preceding year. According to official
sources, 68 cases of murder were registered in 1998 as
against 32 in 1997. The police claims to have solved 55
murder cases out of 68. The incidents of highway
robberies were only 11 in 1997 which shot up to 23 in
1998. Similarly, 14 cases of abduction were booked in
1997 which rose to 23 next year. The incidents of dacoity
increased from two in 1997 to six in 1998. |
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