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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Saturday, November 20, 1999 |
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Scientists disprove
environmentalists HISAR, Nov 19 — Scientists here in the CCS Haryana Agricultural University are up in arms against some "self-styled" environmentalists, who are seeking withdrawal of subsidy on fertilisers and also demanding tax on use thereof. Traders resent IT scrutiny KARNAL, Nov 19 — Resentment prevails among traders in Haryana for alleged wrong selection of cases for scrutiny by the Income Tax Department. |
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Shweta weaves a spell |
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Historic sarovar of Kapal
Mochan Yamunanagar: In a forest area near Bilaspur, 28 km from here, is Kapal Mochan — an ancient and religious place symbolising the unity and integrity of the people of different classes, castes and religions. Project
to generate data base 10-year
RI for keeping charas Youth
arrested for molesting girl HC
approves dist and sessions court Stored
semen for veterinary bodies |
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Scientists disprove
environmentalists HISAR, Nov 19 — Scientists here in the CCS Haryana Agricultural University are up in arms against some "self-styled" environmentalists, who are seeking withdrawal of subsidy on fertilisers and also demanding tax on use thereof. The scientists have been arguing that the country is yet to reach even the stage of 'optimum use of fertilisers' and there is no need for any concern. The immediate provocation for the scientists in the Department of soil Sciences HAU has been a memorandum submitted by the Nation Building Forum, claiming itself to be working for "sustainable comprehensive development", to Planning Commission which demands withdrawal of subsidy on fertilisers and taxing their use as their "excessive use" leads to affect soils health. The scientists led by Prof M S Kuhad head of the department and other senior scientists who include Dr M C Oswal, Dr S R Poonia, Dr A P Gupta, Dr Vinod Kundu, Dr Raghubir Singh and Dr D S Ruhal pointed out, the per hectare consumption of fertilisers in India was far low than the world average. The per hectare consumption of fertilisers in India is only 90 kg, which is lower than even Bangladesh and Pakistan. In some western countries the per hectare consumption of fertilisers is about 500 kg. The scientists have been vehemently asserting that the government should promote and encourage the use of chemical fertilisers more vigorously to bring it at least on a par with China. In China the per hectare consumption of fertilisers is 270 kg, three times more than what in India. The phenomenal success China has achieved in the foodgrain production is attributed to maximum use of fertilisers both chemical as well as organic. They said, China possesses only 124 million hectare of arable land, while India has about 162 million hectares of arable land. Yet, the scientists pointed out, the food production in China is three times more. This is obviously due to the fact that the quantity of fertilisers used in India annually is about 16 million tonnes, while in China it is 35 million tonnes. Both India and China, due to the massive rate of increase in population need maximum food production to meet their demands. And China has managed to succeed to a great extent. Prof Kuhad regretted that it had become a common fashion to "lament the use of so called excessive use of fertilisers." He said, these observations are usually made by the people who have hardly any knowledge or background about the quantity of fertilisers used in the country. The scientists in HAU have conducted extensive research about the soil fertility and have concluded that as on now, the country needs rapid and widespread use of fertilisers. They maintained, although Haryana and Punjab have been using fertilisers much more than the national average, yet there was a tremendous scope for increasing the fertiliser use in these two states also. The Nation Building Forum, which has raised the controversy, interestingly comprises of members and office-bearers none of whom has any agricultural or scientific background. The HAU scientists pointed out, it has become a fashion to imitate west. There the controlled use of fertilisers is an urgency, while in India it is not even a necessity, they said. The memorandum submitted to the Planning Commission has been circulated to most of the agricultural universities and institutions for investigations and comments. Referring to the point
raised in the memorandum that the "excessive use of
fertilisers" leads to extra amount of nitrate
content in ground water, the scientists maintained that
it is not necessary that the excessive use of fertilisers
will be the only reason. They pointed out, the water
samples collected from Mahendergarh area have shown a
large quantity of nitrate content, while the fertiliser
use in that area is far low than the national average.
The Forum has based its arguments on the survey conducted
in one of the districts in Orissa, where the quantity of
fertilisers used per hectare is only 31 kg. This also
proves the scientist's point that it is not just the use
of fertilisers which leads to extra nitrate content in
the water, but there are other factors as well. |
Traders resent IT scrutiny KARNAL, Nov 19 — Resentment prevails among traders in Haryana for alleged wrong selection of cases for scrutiny by the Income Tax Department. This was stated here yesterday by Mr Parmod K. Gupta, secretary of the Haryana Beopar Mandal in a memorandum submitted to the Chairman of the Central Board of Director Taxes (CBDT). He maintained that wrong scrutiny by the Income Tax Department was vitiating the atmosphere of mutual trust and harmony between traders and the Income Tax Department. In the memorandum, the beopar mandal has demanded that the CBDT should issue immediate instructions to stop the practice. He maintained that the Central Board of Direct Taxes in its instruction no. 1967 dated June 7, 1999, had stated that circular no. 1938 dated May 17, 1996, as amended from time to time would no longer be applicable. The CBDT had desired that selection of cases for scrutiny would be taken under the guidelines envisaged in the recent circular and stress would be laid on the selection of such cases which would be based on specific information. Reasons for that effect would also be recorded. Mr Gupta expressed surprise that the department was selecting cases for scrutiny pertaining to the assessment year 1999/2000. Thus, the assurances given by the CBDT were not being followed. He maintained that the
beopar mandal had received complaints from numerous
traders. |
Shweta weaves a spell AMBALA, Nov 19 — It was an opportunity many music lovers of the town missed. The audience was thin, but the music rendered on the first day of the 32nd Sangeet Sammelan organised by Sangeetalok qualifies for all superlatives. Shweta Jhaveri, a disciple of Pandit Jasraj who shot to fame in Europe with her interpretation of khayal music on western instruments in 'Anahita', kept the audience spellbound for more than two hours with her melodious rendering of the evening ragas. She began with raga Yaman with a rather difficult 'alaap' rendered effortlessly. The vilambit khayal in Ektaal 'Kahe sakhi kaise kate lalan ke sang" brought out the artiste's talent for embellishment. The raga was elaborated with fine and delicate patterns of notes, fluid yet exuberant. She made intelligent use of voice culture to add to the emotional intensity of her rendering. The sudden fall of notes from the high octave to kharaj — up to dhaivat was adorably melodious. Also noteworthy was her use of short 'taans' towards the end of the refrain 'Ka se kahoon'. The elaborate patterns woven around sharp madhyam and rishabh made this commonly sung raga uncommon in aesthetic interpretation. The drut khayal "Salona sajna main to pe vari jaun" unfolded the beauty of the raga in a different colour. Her rendering proved that even using the microphone can be a skill, often not paid attention to. The second raga that she chose for the evening was Bageshri. The rendering of the madhya laya composition in jhaptaal 'Vinti suno mori avadhpur ke vasi' with its soft, plaintive notes was moving. After creating the solemn mood, she switched over, with equal ease to a vivacious mischievous mood in the drut khayal "Apni garaj se pakar linhi bainya mori". Both traditional compositions bore the mark of her individual touch of embellishment — neither subdued nor overdone. Shweta Jhaveri was accompanied on the harmonium by Mahmood Dhaulpuri and on the tabla by Gyanji Chaurasia. The second artiste for the evening was Santosh Kumar Nahar, a violinist. The violin is not a popular instrument in the northern India, more so, few attempt to play classical music on this instrument, bereft of support strings. Unlike in southern India, where these have been great masters in the north it requires courage in this field, to play on this instrument. Santosh Kumar played 'bihaag,' a night raga, with a lot of play on the gandhar and nishad on his instrument with virtuosity. He was accompanied on the tabla by Pandit Pawan Kumar Verma. The organisers would do
better by maintaining punctuality. This would inspire the
audience to respect time. — Vandana Shukla |
Historic sarovar of Kapal Mochan Yamunanagar: In a forest area near Bilaspur, 28 km from here, is Kapal Mochan — an ancient and religious place symbolising the unity and integrity of the people of different classes, castes and religions. Every year a big fair is held there on the occasion of Kartik Purnima in which a large number of pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Uttar Pradesh come to have a holy dip in the Kapal Mochan, Rin Mochan and Surajkund sarovars to attain the moksha. This holy sarovar was known as Samsar in the Satyuga. According to Puranas, Kapal Mochan dham get rids of sins of all three areas. As per the belief, by having bath in this sarovar, sins like braham hatya' are also washed away. It has been the work place of Maharishi Ved Vyas, son of Maharishi Prashar, who wrote the Mahabharata. Later on the place was known as Viyas Ashram. As the time passed it came to be known as Bilaspur. There are five tirthas' in the different directions in the nearby area of Kapal Mochan. In the north is Tirthraj Kapal Mochan and on other sides there are Som Sarovar, Rin Mochan, Surya Kund and Chandar Kund. According to an old story in Matsya Purana, this place used to be the yajna sthali' of many souls. In the beginning of a Kalyuga a yajna was held here but at the time of puran ahuti', due the differences among devtas, Lord Shiva proceeded to Adhi Badri and a girl was born from the base of the yajna who was named Saraswati. The place was named as Pap Mochan Somsar. Kapal Mochan has been designated as Somsar Mochan where Shudhi Devi resides. This place came to be known as Kapal Mochan due to the washing of braham hatya' sins of Lord Shiva. A cow and a calf got rid of their sin of the murder of a cruel Brahmin by having bath in this sarovar. Statues of the cow and the calf are placed on the western bank of Kapal Mochan. According to a folk story in the area, Bharat had come to set up an idol of Lord Rama here. Ram Ashram Ghat is also situated here. The Pandavas took bath in Rin Mochan Sarovar in order to get rid of sins of their relatives and Guru Dronacharya. There is the Suraj Kund Sarovar in the east of Kapal Mochan. It is believed that childless women are blessed with a child by bathing in this Sarovar. In the south, 3 km away from Surya Kund, the 'kutia' of Ved Vyas was situated on the bank of the sarovar in which Duryodhana hidden himself. As per another folk story, in the Tretayuga Lord Rama came here in Pushpak Viman after killing Ravana on his way to Ayodhaya. This sarovar was known as Surya Kund till then. In 1687, Guru Gobind Singh washed his shastras (weapons) after winning 52 wars. So this sarovar is known as Shastra Sarovar. A Gurudwara is situated on the bank of the sarovar in the memory of the Guru. Guru Nanak Dev also visited this place in 1584 and recited Rattanmala here. Like previous years, a
three-day mela is going to be organised here from
November 21. |
Project to generate data base CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The Haryana State Remote Sensing Application Centre (HARSAC), in collaboration with the Department of Space, has taken up the programme National (Natural) Resources Information System to generate a digital data base on all the thematic maps and to integrate thematic information in geographical system. This information was given here today by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Bhim Sain Mehta. He said that at present 30 district nodes were being developed in 17 States of the country. The nodes of Bhiwani and Gurgaon districts had been included in this programme. He said HARSAC, a nodal agency in the State, had completed a number of projects on wasteland, land use, land cover, flood, production estimation, and of salt-affected soils, integrated study of combat drought on sustainable basis through space applications in Bhiwani district, Ghaggar Watershed Management. He said HARSAC had
currently taken up a wide range of projects such as
estimation of sugar and production of sugarcane in
Haryana for cooperative mills, mapping of soil and water
resources of Mewat, hydro-geomorphological mapping and
delineation of ground water potential zones of seven
districts, study of forest cover and crop acreage. |
10-year RI for keeping charas FARIDABAD, Nov 19 — Mr R.L. Sankhla, Additional District and Sessions Judge, today sentenced Prem Kumar of NIT to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for possessing 500 grams of charas under section 20-B of the Narcotic Drugs Act 1985. He was also sentenced to another 10-years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh under Section 18 of the act for keeping 25 grams of opium. Both the sentences would run concurrently. Mr Sankhla also ordered that in case he failed to deposit the fines he would undergo another three years RI in each case. According to the
prosecution Prem Kumar was found in possession of charas
and opium by the police on July 7, 1997. |
Youth arrested for molesting
girl ROHTAK, Nov 19 — The police has arrested a youth of a nearby village on a charge of molesting and trying to abduct a girl with help of a fake pistol. According to police sources, the accused identified as Bhupender, a resident of Khidwali village in the district allegedly molested a teenaged girl and threatened her with the pistol. The girl, a student of 8th standard in a school in nearby Chamarian village was returning to her home in Sisroli village, last evening when the incident occurred. The girl’s father has alleged that the accused caught her daughter by face and tried to take her to an unknown place on a pistol point. The girl was reportedly rescued by some passersby when they heard her cries. The accused was also overpowered and handed over to the police later. A case under sections 354, 341 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against the accused. Meanwhile, in another
incident a woman and a youth committed suicide by
consuming pesticides in Ramlila Parade ground locality of
the town. The woman, who was a mother of four children
was reportedly in love with the youth and both decided to
end their life, when they found it difficult to carry on
their affair. In yet another incident a car was stolen by
some unknown persons from a house in ITI colony here last
night. A case has been registered. |
HC approves dist and
sessions court FATEHABAD, Nov 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed the setting up of a District and Sessions Court at Fatehabad. The Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice A.B. Saharia would inaugurate the district court here on November 27. According to local Bar Association sources, the Chief Justice will arrive at Fatehabad on the evening of November 26. The local Bar
Association had been demanding the setting up of district
court eversince Fatehabad was made a district two years
ago. The association had gone on strike on this issue
earlier this year and their strike continued for more
than 100 days. The advocates ended the strike when the
Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court promised
to set up the court soon. |
Stored semen for veterinary
bodies CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The Haryana Government will extend hi-tech and frozen semen facility to all the 2221 veterinary institutions in the state and also the latest bio-techniques, including embryo transfer technology and semen karyotyping labs. The facility is already available in 1400 livestock institutions. A spokesman for the
Animal Husbandry Department said here today that an
ambitious programme had been chalked out to generate
direct and indirect employment for the weaker section of
the society by rearing cross-bred female calves,
establishing poultry, piggery and sheep units. A sum of
Rs 1.50 crore has been provided for this special
livestock breeding programme for 1999-2000. |
Postings and transfers CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The Haryana Government has posted the Commissioner and Secretary, Irrigation, Mr S.Y. Qureshi, as the Liaison Commissioner, Industries, in Delhi. The Commissioner and Secretary, Industrial Training Department, Mrs Urvashi Gulati, has also been given the additional charge of the Irrigation Department. Mrs Komal Anand Commissioner and Secretary, Public Health, has been posted as Secretary, Printing and Stationery, vice Mr S.K. Maheshwari, who goes as Secretary, Administrative Reforms. Mr K.C. Sharma is the
new Commissioner and Secretary, Public Health. |
Negligence leads to youth’s
death ROHTAK, Nov 19 — A young man paid a heavy price for his negligence as he was burnt to death in a fire triggered by a candle in his room yesterday. According to information
the incident took place at Nandal village in the district
when a youth, identified as Rajesh, lit a candle near his
bed during power failure. The candle reportedly fell on
the bed of the youth, who was fast asleep, and he
sustained serious burn injuries. He succumbed to his
injuries after a few hours. |
Vehicle stolen at gunpoint ROHTAK, Nov 19 —
Some unidentified robbers allegedly snatched a Tata Sumo
at gunpoint near Bahu Akbarpur village on Rohtak-Hisar
National Highway today. Truck mows down 2 women, 12
hurt FRIDABAD, Nov 19 — Two women were killed and 12 injured when a truck mowed down several women who were participating in a ‘prabhat pheri’ in connection with the Kartik month here this morning. The killed have been identified as Lakshmi and Geeta. The injured have been admitted to B.K. Civil Hospital and Escorts Hospital. The police has arrested
Swarnpal, cleaner of the truck, who was driving the
vehicle. |
Priority for senior
citizens’ cases ROHTAK, Nov 19 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr R.S. Madan, has directed various courts in sessions division to settle all civil and criminal cases in which the senior citizens were involved on priority. The instructions were issued following the guidelines laid down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He asked the parties and
litigants to file application to the court concerned for
immediate settlement of the cases. |
HC closed on Nov 22 CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court will remain closed on November 22. According to High Court
sources, the High Court will function on December 4 in
lieu of November 22. |
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