Imported milk scare leads to milch cattle sale
From Raman Mohan

HISAR, June 6 — It has been a long hard summer for the milch animals but the summer blues refuse to go away. Just as relief from drought appeared well within sight the animals’ owners are deserting them for fear of a fall in their prices due to reports of influx of imported milk and dairy products in neighbouring Punjab.

Consequently, Haryana suddenly finds itself flush with milch animals. On the one hand, milk producers from Punjab are rushing to Haryana to sell their animals following a sharp dip of 25 per cent in the prices of milch animals in their home state. On the other hand drought-hit shepherds from Rajasthan, who had migrated here due to drought and are now on their way back home, are finding no buyers for their cattle.

Usually, they sell their animals on their way back and buy younger animals from the proceeds. The “imported milk scare” has hit them hard as they had to sell many of their herd at throwaway prices to help them survive the drought. Reports reaching here from Mandi Dabwali in Sirsa district also indicate that prices of animals from Rajasthan and Punjab have hit rock bottom.

These distress sales have had a cascading effect in Haryana where the prices of animals of exotic as well as domestic breeds have begun to fall both because of influx of animals from the neighbouring states as well as the scare among dairy owners. This was preceded by a sharp fall in the prices of desi ghee amid reports of bulk arrival of imported desi ghee. Strangely, however, the prices of milk have so far remained unaffected by the scare of imports.

Information received here from various parts of the state indicates that buffaloes which cost around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 each are now selling at anything between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 depending on the breed. Even the prices of the famed Murrah buffalo, native to Haryana, have dipped sharply. Murrah breeders who are concentrated in Rohtak and Sonepat districts fear a slump in the market. Calves of this breed are exported to different states.

Animal Husbandry Department officials say it is too early to assess the impact of distress sales. But they concede that if the falling revenue receipts from animal sales in Punjab are any indication. Haryana too is in for a similar shock. As yet, they have chosen to wait and watch. The most intriguing aspect of the scare is that despite reports of sales of imported milk and desi ghee in Punjab towns and Ambala in Haryana, these products are not available anywhere. Reports doing the rounds say that a five litre can of imported milk is available at Rs 35 a can. It is said that the can is resold to the retailer for Rs 5. Thus the imported milk is said to cost only Rs 6 a litre which is less than half the prevalent price of milk.

It is claimed that this milk contains 6.5 per cent fat compared to the average of 4 per cent in locally produced milk. It is reported to be perfect for making curd and cottage cheese. Those who claim to have used it say the can is vacuum-sealed. If has a shelf life of three months. However, all efforts by The Tribune to procure a can proved futile. Yet the rumours continue to haunt the dairy industry in both Punjab and Haryana.

Likewise, all efforts to procure the imported desi ghee failed. Reports say that as against butter oil which was available in the market even before the recent scare hit the market, the European dairies are now sending it in the form of ghee. It was reported to be selling at Rs 70 per kilo. However, people have just heard about it. All such reports have already hit the edible oil industry in the country.

Businessmen sensing a good opportunity to market these products have been making desperate inquiries from Punjab and Delhi for procuring distributorship of imported dairy stuff. However, they have not been able to identify the local importers or the European companies exporting these products to India. The more enterprising among them have tried various website without success.

That perhaps explains why the prices of milk and its products have not shown a downward trend despite the noticeable fall in prices of cooking oils, vanaspati and desi ghee. Experienced businessman say the prices of animals have been falling because in this case the investment is in the long term and no businessman will take the slightest risk. As against this the prices of milk will be affected only when imported milk becomes readily available.

But that still leaves out desi ghee. Is there anybody who can explain the mystery behind the fall in its prices or is it the familiar ‘foreign hand’?

Anti-encrachment drive gathers steam
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK: An anti-encroachment drive in the town and nearby areas is in full swing these days. A large number of illegal constructions, especially on the main roads and the commercial areas, have been razed to the ground by the administration in the past month.

Although the present move is not a new one, it is reported that the drive has the full support and backing of the state government and no political party has so far opposed the move in view of the seriousness of the problem. The drive is also getting full support of the local residents who have been demanding strict measures against this growing menace. A majority of the residents see it as a commendable work, but they believe that unless some long term and proper measures were not taken the problem can resurface again. The administration had initially focused its attention on main roads and commercial areas like Quilla Road, Railway Road, Old Subzi Mandi and Circular Road, where encroachment had been done mainly by shopkeepers and khokha owners. All temporary stalls and rehris which had been illegally occupying space meant for parking two-wheelers at the main market have been removed.

It is reported that a majority of the rehris and stalls had been paying-heavy rents to owners of shops whose front portions they are using to sell their merchandise. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had announced a few months ago that all encroachments on public lanes in the urban and rural areas would be removed.

The authorities have announced the drive would continue till the last encroacher was evicted.

According to officials, the removal of encroachments so far had provided relief to the residents as the chances of theft of vehicles and misbehaviour with women and girls in congested markets has been reduced considerably. It is reported that some of the traders associations and even shopkeepers have welcomed the drive.

An interesting thing that has been noticed that there has been hardly any opposition from the shopkeepers or any association. On other hand, the demand for removal of encroachment from the residential areas has also picked up, after such complaints from several colonies including the Old and New Housing Board, Model Town, Bharat Colony DLF Colony, Jagdish Colony and a host of Janata colonies.

Carrot-and-stick approach to polluting units
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, JUNE 6 — The Haryana government will intensify efforts to rope in the Public Health Department and the Forest Department for evolving an integrated approach towards pollution. This was stated here yesterday by the Commissioner and Secretary, Environment, Haryana, Mr D.S. Dhesi.

Speaking at a state-level seminar on :”Hazardous waste management”, organised by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) in the premises of the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) to mark World Environment Day, Mr Dhesi said concerted and integrated efforts were required to meet the challenge of pollution.

He said the government would apply a “carrot-and-stick” policy to industrial units for raising pollution standards. Incentives will be given to units who conform to the parameters and errants will be severely punished.

Empathising with units in the small scale category, he said that it would not be cost-effective for them to install treatment plants on their own.

He appealed to entrepreneurs in the large and medium scale to be sympathetic to the cause of small units and help offset the expense of installing such plants in an apparent reference to ancillary manufacturers for large and medium scale units.

He said the state government will invite foreign consultants for installing treatment plants at competitive price for the benefit of the small scale units.

The Haryana Government will also set up community treatment plants in all industrial centres,especially old ones.

The Chairman of the HSPCB, Mr H.S. Bains said that the Pollution Control Board will soon organise workshops throughout the state to arouse popular sentiments against pollution and evolve effective measures to make the environment salubrious.

Partap Singh’s plea dismissed
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, June 6 — The plea of Mr Partap Singh, son of the Devi Lal and brother of the Haryana Chief Minister seeking the transfer of the corruption case against Mr Sampat Singh, at present Finance Minister, Haryana from the court of Mr P.C. Goyal, Additional Sessions Judge, Hisan, to some other judge was dismissed today by Mr Justice Amarbir Singh Gill of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The petitioner had filed an FIR No 10 dated 9.1.93/March 1, 1996, at Police Station Hisar under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The complainant had alleged that Mr Sampat Singh had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the extent of Rs 21,94,585. The challan was submitted in the court of Mr S.S. Singh Dahiya, the Special Judge/Hisar, on March 1, 1996. Later, Mr R.N. Singhal the then Sessions Judge, Hisar, recalled this case from Mr B.L. Singhal and on his retirement transferred the same to the court of Mr P.C. Goyal, Additional Sessions Judge, Hisar.

Mr Partap Singh alleged in his petition that the accused, Mr Sampat Singh, Finance Minister, Haryana, who is a close confidant of Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, has openly proclaimed to the petitioner that the case had been transferred to the court of Mr P.C. Goyal on his telephone call and would be tried by him only and that he would get a decision in his favour.

The Judge while dismissing the petition of Mr Partap Singh observed that the allegation made in the petition referred to the statement, if at all, by the accused and no allegation had been made against the presiding officer. The petitioner should have confidence in the judicial system and since no allegation had been made against the presiding officer, it could not presumed that the accused would get acquittal and this allegation of the petitioner would have no bearing on the functioning of the court. This was only his misbelief and had no foundation to support, said the Judge.

Governor to open projects on Mahabharata
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA, June 6 — Six projects at a cost of over Rs 3.88 crore are being inaugurated here by the Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, on June 8. The Governor, whose term ends in mid-June would inaugurate about half a dozen projects which were taken in hand by the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) some times back.

The development and completion of these projects depicting events from Mahabharata, message of Bhagvadgita and the importance of solar eclipse were given a fillip by the K.D.B. Chief Executive Officer, Mr Girish Arora.

To begin with the Governor would inaugurate the Gita Dwar at Pipli on the G.T. Road. It is a double passageway having a height of 25 ft. On the top of the gate are statues of Lord Krishna and Arjuna, sitting on a chariot drawn by four galloping horses. The fibre glass statues have been made by a team of artists from Delhi. They have provided different contours to these statues with a view that a light and shade effect could emerge the moment illumination by flooded lights is done there.

The gate would serve as a symbolic manifestation to the pilgrims about their entry to the ‘land of enlightenment through this gate’. Commenting on the Gita Dwar, Mr Rajesh Purohit, Curator of the Shri Krishna Museum, said it was a befitting tribute to the land of Mahabharata and signified ‘a symbolic entry to the eternal light from darkness’. It would further remind everyone about the holy message of the Bhagwadgita. He said the Bhagwadgita was not merely a holy text but a culmination of perennial wisdom, profoundly realistic and suitable for all times and eras.

The Governor would inaugurate yet another project, which is a milestone in the history of Kurukshetra, depicting the importance of the sacred Sannehit Sarovar. He would inaugurate a Surya Dwar on the banks of the sarovar built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh.

The sarovar, as per Hindu mythology, is known as the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu. The sarovar is also associated with solar eclipse when lakhs of pilgrims take a holy dip in it. As per the puranas, water from all teerthas congregates at the sarovar on the occasion of the solar eclipse.

The dwar is a lofty gateway, having a wide lintel. The facade of the lintel shows the standing image of sun on a chariot flanked on either side by two female attendants. Anena — the charioteer of the sun driving the vehicle drawn by seven galloping horses has also been shown. The images have been carved out by an art firm from Jaipur.

The stone used in this gate is known as ‘bansi paharpur’, according to Mr Purohit.

The Governor would also inaugurate another project at Narkatari which has been completed. It is the place where Bhishm Pitamah had remained lying on a bed of arrows awaiting for the sun to enter ‘uttarayana’ — or the northern hemisphere before he chose to die.

At Jyotisar, where Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the message of the Bhagwadgita to Arjuna, the K.D.B. has undertaken the beautification of the lake. This has been completed at a cost of Rs 17 lakh. The lake there has been given a facelift for the benefit of the pilgrims.

Mr Mahabir Prasad would also lay the foundation stone of a theme park which would spread over six acres of land near the Shri Krishna Museum. The park would be completed at a cost of Rs 2 crore and the Department of Cultural Affairs would do the job.

The Governor, in order to meet a long-standing demand of the citizens of Kurukshetra, would also inaugurate another project of a storm nullah which has been built at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore in order to drain out rainy water from most parts of the Kurukshetra town.

School board allows internal choice
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, June 6 — The Haryana Board of School Education has decided to allow internal choice in the paper of English (core) in question Nos 6 and 9 of the humanities and commerce groups in the senior secondary annual examinations, 2001. Mr Sher Singh Rori, Chairman of the board, said here today the decision had been taken in view of the demands of school lecturers and candidates.

15-yr-old girl recovered
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, June 6 — The Rai police has recovered a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped from Raipur village on May 28.

Mr K.P. Singh, SSP, said here today that the police had arrested Dharampal of Daultabad village, who was allegedly involved in the abduction of the girl. He said the accused had taken the girl to Liwaspur village in Ghaziabad district where she was repeatedly raped. The girl was reportedly also taken to Hassanpur Sanper village.

The SSP said the accused and the victim were medically examined and the girl was later handed over to her parents.

Drive against illegal red lights on vehicles
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, June 6 — The Ambala police has launched a campaign against the private as well as government vehicles displaying red light, blue light, black films and curtains on their vehicles illegally. Recently the Financial Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Haryana sent a letter to all the heads of departments, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Advocate-General, and Registrar, Punjab and Haryana High Court to implement the directions issued by the government in this regard.

The local police has removed some red lights even from some government vehicles a few days back in Ambala. A senior officer of a central agency was asked to remove the red lights from his official vehicle at the Baldev Nagar chowk, Ambala City, two days back. The vehicles displaying black films were challaned by the police. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has also issued a letter to all the heads of departments to follow the rule of red light.

The Superintendent of Police, Ambala, Mr Navdeep Singh Virk, said that the police officials had been directed to take action against the vehicles using red lights on their vehicles illegally. He said that nobody would be allowed to have red light without permission of the Haryana Transport Department.

Senior citizens home completed

AMBALA, June 6 (UNI) — As part of the Haryana Government plan to make living of senior citizens comfortable, a home with modern amenities and day care centre facilities has been constructed in Mathura Nagri of Ambala city at a cost of Rs 62 lakh by the district administration.

Spread over an area of two acres, the home has the accommodation facilities for 30 persons of 60 plus age, on the first-come-first-serve basis. The home has 10 rooms each for men and women and five for couples with the common room, kitchen, dining hall and health club, a guest wing, library facilities.

Deputy Commissioner and District Red Cross Society Chairman Ram Niwas said here today that the home had been built specially for senior citizens having some source of income and could bear monthly expenses. Preference would be given to issueless persons, he said, adding handicapped or persons suffering from chronic diseases would not be admitted to the home.

Mr Ram Niwas said care would be taken to provide all facilities and entertainment to the home inmates. They would be taken to nearby tourist places as part of their entertainment.

3 shops gutted

AMBALA, June 6 (UNI) — Three shops were gutted in a fire which spread reportedly from a short circuit at Nohni village under Mulana police station about 20 km from here. Four to five fire engines, despatched in rotation from Ambala cantonment and the Air Force Station here, fought for two hours to control the fire.

The owners of the shops, Joginder Pahwa and Pawan Pahwa, both brothers, stated that they had suffered a loss of lakhs of rupees as all the three shops were reduced to ashes. One of the gutted shops was a cloth house, while the remaining two were general stores.