 |
| Wednesday, July 12, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
|
ROHTAK, July 11 — At least three assailants threw a grenade at an undertrial and later fired at him from a country-made pistol while he was coming out from the local civil court complex yesterday. Kataria blows hot & cold Morcha members lathi-charged Panchayats to control dispensaries |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrong question set given
in exam: candidates AMBALA July 11 — A mistake allegedly committed by an invigilator could cost three Common Engineering Entrance Test (CEET) candidates here dear. However, Guru Jambeshwar University officials state that the complaint in this regard had been checked and the candidates had attempted all questions. 10 IAS officers transferred KAITHAL, July 11 — The alleged kidnapping of Dr Om Shanker in May came to an end in a dramatic way last night when the brother of the doctor, Mr Ranti Raman, an advocate, admitted in writing in the presence of doctors, advocates and other citizens of the town that his brother had left for Hardwar on his own. Earlier, he had reported to the police about his brother’s kidnapping. Privatisation of education
must stop: ABVP Farmers advised to adopt
horticulture New bridge on Yamuna
opened temporarily JIND, July 11 — To maintain law and order during a rally called by Mr Randip Singh Surjewala, President, Youth Congress, the District Magistrate today prohibited the carrying of weapons under Section 144, CrPC, within the revenue limits of Narwana subdivision. The order will remain in force on July 11 and July 12. Flutter over CID chief’s transfer Industrialists seek withdrawal of LADT Chautala asks for
more Central funds Stamp duty remission
for It units CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and his Punjab counterpart, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today expressed grief over the death of Begum Akbar Jehan, mother of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. Haj panel invites
applications 
|
|
Erratic monsoon to hit paddy CHANDIGARH, July 11— Erratic behaviour of monsoon so far in this region is keeping farmers on tenterhooks. The monsoon has completely skipped the Malwa belt in Punjab and Sirsa-Hisar-Kaithal-Jind belt in Haryana till date. Even in City beautiful, Chandigarh, it is below average. Weather pundits had predicted the arrival of the monsoon in this region on June 29. But this has not happened in the large part of the region. Only some parts of the region have received sporadic rain so far. There are districts like Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bhiwani, Hisar, Kaithal, Mohindergarh, Riwari, Sirsa where monsoon is yet to arrive. Weather experts say monsoon currents have brought rain to this region from the Arabian Sea so far. Usually “strong system” of monsoon moving from the Bay of Bengal brings a good rain fall in this region. Experts say that low pressure areas have developed near the Orissa west coast and were expected to move towards north west soon and reach here within three days or so. It can lead to a substantial rainfall in this part of the country. Senior officials of the Met Department here told TNS that it would not be right to judge the monsoon pattern in this region at this stage. Exact
assessment can be made only when the half of the monsoon season( July-end) is through. Monsoon start receding in the first week of September from this region. Agriculture experts, however, say that it is good that dry weather is prevailing in the Malwa cotton belt. Cloudy weather is harmful for the cotton crop as it leads to pest attack. However, a large part of the cotton belt is also under the paddy crop and because of the absence of rainfall so far in the Malwa cotton belt, other sources of irrigation like tubewells are under tremendous pressure. So is the power supply system as power has to be supplied to farming sector on priority to nurse paddy crop. Agriculture experts say that absence of monsoon in the Malwa will not have an adverse affect on the crop yet. But if dry spell persisted for some more days then the paddy crop would be affected. However, in the rain-fed areas, crops can be affected. In some parts of Haryana, agriculture is dependent on rainfall. About 25 lakh hectare area is under paddy crop in Punjab and 5.5 lakh hectare is under the cotton crop this year. As per data available from the Met office of rainfall between June 27 and July 5, the rainfall recorded in Amritsar district was 26.7 mm against the expected average rainfall of 21.4 mm and there was no rainfall in the Bathinda and Mansa areas against the average rainfall of 14.8 mm. In Faridkot district rainfall recorded from June 29 to July 5 was 3.2 mm against the average rainfall of 15.5 mm and in Ferozepore it was 40.6 against average rainfall of 13.5 during this period. The rainfall during this period in Jalandhar district was 52.4 mm, much higher than the average and so was the case in Gurdaspur where it has been recorded 47.3 mm against the average of 38 mm. In Sangrur district it was 5.3 mm against the 43.3 mm average rainfall. In Haryana, Ambala, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonepat and Yamunanagar have received rainfall above average so far while districts like Rewari, Mohindergarh, Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani have got negligible rainfall till date. Rainfall recorded in Chandigarh during the first week of July is 31.5 mm against the 49.5 mm average rainfall. However, in national Capital New Delhi it was almost double than the average. Met experts say that till date monsoon is by and large confined in the central India and it has not advanced to northern India with predicted vigour. As most part of Haryana is rain-fed in absence of canal water, farming community in the Sirsa-Bhiwani and Mohindergarh are waiting for rainfall desperately at this stage. Further delay in the arrival of monsoon here is, thus likely to hit the farmers. |
|
Undertrial shot
at outside court ROHTAK, July 11 — At least three assailants threw a grenade at an undertrial and later fired at him from a country-made pistol while he was coming out from the local civil court complex yesterday. However, nobody was injured in the incident. The police has arrested one of the assailants, Lakshami Chand (55), while two of his accomplices escaped. According to police sources, Surendra, alias Sonu, was brought here from Bhiwani jail to be produced in the local court. A case under Section 467 and 420 of the IPC was registered against him at the local civil lines police station. The police said 15 cases were registered against Surendra at different police stations, including the charge of murder of Inderpal Deswal, a son of the arrested assailant, Lakshami Chand. Eager to avenge the ‘murder’ of his son in 1997, Lakshami Chand had earlier fired at Surendra in the judicial complex at Panipat also. According to eyewitnesses, a youth threw a grenade at Surendra while he was coming out of the judicial complex, but he missed the target. Then Lakshami Chand fired at the undertrial from his pistol but he also missed the mark. Availing of the opportunity, a cop hit the assailant on his hand with the but of his rifle and overpowered him. However, both accomplices escaped. |
|
Kataria
blows hot & cold CHANDIGARH, July 11 — Keeping in line with his habit of blowing hot and cold, the newly elected president of the Haryana BJP, Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, today once again changed his views on the functioning of the government. Mr Kataria, who had stated in Sonepat two days ago that his party was not satisfied with the functioning of the Chautala government, today reversed his assessment at a press conference here. The BJP leader was talking to newsmen after a meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, at his official residence last evening. Mr Kataria was accompanied by the former leader of the Legislature BJP Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Mr Atam Prakash Manchanda, vice-president, Mr Kanwar Pal, MLA from Chhachhrauli, Mr Pradeep Jain, party spokesman, and Mr Gulshan Bhatia, office-secretary of the party. It is learnt that Mr Chautala expressed reservations on some of the utterances of Mr Kataria and advised the BJP leaders to exercise restraint while expressing opinions on matters that affected the relations between the two partners. The meeting, which lasted about one hour, was otherwise described as cordial. Mr Kataria, who had earlier demanded that a coordination committee of the alliance partners should be formed, did not raise the issue at the “introductory” meeting. Mr Kataria had met Mr Chautala for the first time after becoming the party president. Declaring that the BJP was satisfied with the functioning of the government, Mr Kataria told newsmen that the BJP leaders thanked Mr Chautala for accepting their demand on the house tax issue by shelving the new assessment formula. He said he had offered the hand of friendship to Mr Chautala at yesterday’s meeting. He said till the BJP was supporting the INLD government the Congress dream to destabilise it would never materialise. He also added that the BJP support to the Chautala government was for the full term of five years as it had no intention to create political instability. However, Mr Kataria said it would be his endeavour to make the BJP a frontrunner in Haryana during his tenure of three years. For this purpose it had been decided to celebrate year 2000 as the “year of expansion” during which public contact and the organisation would be strengthened. He said it was his wish that the BJP should become the alternative in its own right before the next assembly elections. But he did not clarify whether it would be the “alternative” to the Congress or the INLD. On the issue of reintroduction of octroi in the state, Mr Kataria, who had earlier opposed it tooth and nail, said the issue would be discussed as and when required. He took a soft line on certain other issues also like the introduction of English from class one, terming the step as essential because of information technology. |
|
10 IAS officers transferred CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Government today transferred 10 IAS officers with immediate effect. Mr M. Shankar, Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Prohibition, Excise and Taxation Department, has been given additional charge of the Transport Department vice Mr Virendra Nath, who has been given charge of the Planning and 20-Point Programme and Institutional Finance and Credit Control Departments, relieving Mr A.N. Mathur of the charge. Mr S.Y. Quraishi, Industries Liaison Commissioner, New Delhi, and Chairman and MD, Haryana Minerals Limited, New Delhi, goes as Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhavan, New Delhi, and Chief Administrator, Trade Fair Authority of Haryana, relieving Mr G. Prasanna Kumar of the charge. Mr Rajan Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of the Haryana Tourism Corporation and Director, Tourism, has been posted as Transport Commissioner, vice Mr R.N. Prashar, who has proceeded on leave. Mr S.S. Dhillon, Managing Director of the Haryana Agro Industries Corporation will be the new Managing Director of the Haryana Tourism Corporation and Director, Tourism, whereas Mr Krishan Kumar, Director, Technical Education, will be the new Managing Director of the Haryana Agro Industries Corporation, Mr M.P. Gupta has been posted as Director, Technical Education. Mr Sanjiv Kumar, Project Director, Haryana State Prathmik Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad, has been given additional charge of the post of Director, Primary Education, vice Mrs Rajni Sekhri Sibal, who has been posted as Director, Employment, relieving Mrs Navraj Sandhu of the charge. Mr Sandeep Garg, Administrator of HUDA at Panchkula, has been given additional charge as CEO, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Panchkula, relieving Mr M.P. Bansal of the charge. The government also transferred an HCS officer, Mr Jai Singh Sangwan, as Administrative Officer, Directorate of Higher Education, vice Mr Kam Singh and an HSS officer, Mr Dalip Singh, OSD, Haryana Public Service Commission, goes as Under Secretary Revenue (General), vice Mrs K. Kuttappan, who has proceeded on leave. |
|
Morcha members
lathi-charged YAMUNANAGAR, July 11 — Members of the Jagruk Chhatra Morcha who staged a dharna at the mini-secretariat in protest against the demolition of houses, were lathi-charged here today. A delegation met Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Sharma, and submitted a memorandum to him in this regard. The delegation alleged that the houses were demolished without giving prior notices and said compensation should be given to aggrieved parties and cases be withdrawn against them. Mr Sharma said an inquiry would be conducted by Ms Renu Fulia, SDM, Jagadhri, and Mr Param Jeet Singh Ahlawat, DSP (Headquarters). The Town and Country Planning Department had on July 7 demolished some houses at Ratoli, Gobindpura and Kansapur. Mr Sharma said a signboard would be placed at certain places to inform the people not to construct houses illegally. He appealed to the people living in illegal colonies to submit a report to officers concerned so that a fresh case could be sent to the government for the regularisation of these colonies. |
|
Panchayats to control dispensaries CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Government today decided to give the control of rural health dispensaries and sub-centres to the panchayati raj institutions so as to enhance their efficiency and have greater participation of these institutions in national health programmes. An assurance to this effect was given by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, at a specially organised function on April 26 at Jind where he administered the oath of office to the newly elected members of the panchayati raj. Mr Chautala is committed to give maximum powers to the panchayati raj institutions as he strongly feels that decentralisation of power can enhance efficiency of the administration besides maintaining transparency. The Financial Commissioner and Secretary of Health, Mr G. Madhavan, said now gram panchayats would be empowered to record annual confidential reports (ACR) of both man and woman multi-purpose health workers, working in the sub-centres, in a separate proforma which would be appended to their ACR. Similarly, Chairman of the block samiti would record remarks in the ACR of medical and paramedical staff posted at the community health centres and primary health centres in a proforma attached to the ACRs. Also, the Chairman of the Zila Parishad would record his remarks in case of all health officials and officers, including Civil Surgeons at the district level. The proforma which would be filled up by the members of the panchayati raj and would have the columns of punctuality, general reputation in dealing with the people, maintenance of headquarters and general attitude or level of performance in discharging duties. He said it had also been decided that gram panchayats of panchayat samitis would have the power to sanction casual leave to various functionaries at the block and panchayat level. The officials and officers would, however have to keep their superiors informed about their leave. These decisions would apply to the health institutions run by the Department of Health Services as well as Ayurveda. He said the panchayati raj institutions would be involved in all national health programmes like immunisation, malaria eradication, control of blindness, leprosy and cancer. The panchayati raj institutions would constitute monitoring committee consisting of sarpanch and a few panches at the panchayat level and another committee consisting of Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti and a few members at the samiti level to review the progress of various health programmes periodically and give their suggestions for its improvement from time to time. These programmes would also include family welfare programme. |
|
Wrong question set given
in exam: candidates AMBALA The CEET examinations were conducted by Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, for admission to 4/5 years B Tech/ BE, Engineering/Technology/Architec-ture courses for session 2000-2001. The father of an affected candidate claimed that the invigilator gave the wrong question set to three candidates in the examination centre at Ambala City. “After about 40 minutes of the examination time, the invigilator noticed the mix-up and scolded the candidates,” he stated. “Despite repeated requests of my son and other candidates that a considerable amount of time had elapsed, they were forced to interchange the question sets amongst themselves. They were also promised time to compensate for the loss due to the mistake, but no extra time was given,” the parent said. The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambeshwar University, Mr K C Banger, said the complaint had been checked. “We checked the paper and found that the candidates had attempted all questions,” he said. He said the mix-up was noticed barely 2-3 minutes after the start of the examination and not 40 minutes later as claimed by the parents. “The allegation is unsubstantiated as the candidates lost barely 2-3 minutes due to the mix-up of the question paper series and the new series were given immediately,” he said. Mr Banger pointed out that the answer sheets were checked after receiving the complaint. “The answer sheets reflect that 100 per cent questions were attempted,” he said. An application written by candidates bearing roll no. 10000839 and roll no. 10000840, who were affected by the mistake, has been submitted to the authorities concerned for suitable action. The application states “at 1000 hrs sharp we were distributed the question booklet and the answer sheets. Immediately, thereafter our signatures were obtained on the roll call sheet and the question booklet as well as answer sheet duly mentioning our booklet and answer sheet codes on the roll call sheet.” After about 40 minutes of the commencement of the test, the invigilator came to roll no. 10000840 and informed that a wrong question sheet had been issued to him. Thereafter, he also announced that the wrong question sheet has also been distributed to roll no. 10000838 and 10000839. “No extra time was given to us. Instead the interchanged sheet was not only forced us to re-attempt/re-arrange the sequence but also put us to considerable mental agony, thereby breaking our chain of thought,” the application stated. The parent of an affected candidate said that his child’s future was at stake because of the fault of an invigilator. “We only seek justice. Let them allow the affected candidates to again take the examination through different question paper. The candidate should not suffer for no fault of his,” the anguished parent said. |
|
Dramatic end to kidnap case KAITHAL, July 11 — The alleged kidnapping of Dr Om Shanker in May came to an end in a dramatic way last night when the brother of the doctor, Mr Ranti Raman, an advocate, admitted in writing in the presence of doctors, advocates and other citizens of the town that his brother had left for Hardwar on his own. Earlier, he had reported to the police about his brother’s kidnapping. The SP, Mr Parbhat Ranjan Deo, showed a video cassette to mediapersons here today in which Mr Ranti Raman had admitted in the presence of the IMA President, Dr Raj Rani Garg, Mr Janeshar Dass, President, District Bar Association, and some other citizens of the town that he had registered the case of kidnapping of his brother on the basis of suspicion. Giving details, the SP said about a year ago, Dr S.N. Singla wanted to purchase a plot owned by Mr Partap Sharma, father of Mr Ranti Raman, however, it did not materalise. Later, Balraj entered into an agreement with Mr Partap Sharma to purchase the plot and paid the entire amout of Rs 7.25 lakh to him. However, he failed to get the sale deed registered in the name of Balraj and backed out from the deal, refusing to return the money. Mr Ranti Raman Sharma on May 12 lodged an FIR against Dr Singla, Balraj and Mr Sat Parkash, a petition writer, alleging that they were responsible for kidnapping his brother. He also levelled charges against the SP and a CIA inspector blaming them for not making efforts to trace his brother who was kidnapped from his clinic on the night of May 11. This case had become the talk of the town. On the one hand hundreds of advocates joined hands to support Mr Ranti Raman and on the other hand doctors under the banner of the IMA supported Dr Singla. In the meantime the police came to know that Dr Om Shanker was admitted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, and brought him here for interrogation. At that time Mr Ranti Raman had alleged that the police had forcibly got his brother discharged from the hospital. The advocates had condemned this act but the police maintained that Dr Om Shanker was not kidnapped but his family had planned to keep the money for the plot and hence the kidnapping drama had been enacted. On being brought to this town, Dr Om Shanker was medically examined. Some injuries were found on his body and a part of his small finger was found chopped. Mr Raman said he had got his brother released from some kidnappers from Hissar by paying a ransom of Rs 4 lakh and later got him admitted to the hospital for treatment. The advocates under the leadership of Mr Janeshar Dass met Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and demanded an investigation from an independent agency. Later on a deputation of the doctors called on Mr Chautala and alleged that the kidnapping was a drama and the persons who had lodged a false FIR should be arrested. Interestingly, while the police investigation was going on, Dr Shanker was provided with security by the Kaithal police. Guards who were put on security duty at his residence here, were withdrawn today. According to reports, the family of Dr Om Shanker had returned the money taken in advance at a meeting of a group of persons. The S.P. said the police was
examining the statement of Dr Raman and would take action accordingly. |
|
Privatisation of
education must stop: ABVP ROHTAK, July 11 — The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has expressed concern over the privatisation of higher education in the country. A ‘lopsided’ development of education will take place in view of indiscriminate hike in fees and commercialisation of education, it predicted. The ABVP’s general secretary Atul Bhai Kothari talking to mediapersons here today held both union and state governments responsible for the present situation. He said while the standard of education had been deteriorating, the students were being fleeced in the name of fees. He said although the education sector needed to expand, it did not mean that it should be handed over to individuals and businessmen. He asked the government to take action against educational institutions which were fleecing students in the name of various types of funds. The parishad, he said, welcomed the decision of the UGC and some varsities to revise the syllabi as per the emerging challenges and requirement. The ABVP leader, however, charged the union and state governments with only focussing on the computer sector and of ignoring vital areas like bioscience environment, social science and small- scale units. He also demanded a white paper on ISI activities in the country and the stopping of the Samjauta Express between Amritsar and Lahore. |
|
Farmers advised to adopt
horticulture KAITHAL, July 11 — The Agriculture Minister, Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, has called upon farmers to adopt farming of flowers, fruit, vegetables and other income-yielding crops to improve their economic conditions. He was speaking at a paddy training camp at Chandlana village organised by the Agriculture Department on Sunday. He said the state government was aware of their problems and would take some concrete steps to help them in the marketing of produce. He also advised the farmers to plant maximum saplings on their farms to improve the environment and augment their sources of income. The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mahavir Singh, expressed concern over the depleting sources of underground water due to injudicious use. He called upon the farmers to adopt such crops which needed minimum water for irrigation and also asked them to adopt drip irrigation for better water management. The Deputy Commissioner asked the minister to set up a full-fledged soil-testing laboratory and a pesticide-testing laboratory in the district. |
|
New bridge on
Yamuna opened temporarily YAMUNANAGAR, July 11 —Traffic on the main Saharanpur-Yamunanagar highway restored today when the new bridge on the Yamuna was opened to traffic. The old bridge, which was constructed in 1915, was damaged yesterday morning forcing traffic to be diverted via Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh) and Karnal (Haryana). Today, the Engineering Department of Uttar Pradesh and the Public Works Department (B&R), Haryana, completed work on the new 18 crore bridge on a war-footing and opened the bridge, albeit temporarily. The road from the Haryana side of the bridge was under construction while UP had already completed its section. The bridge is a lifeline between UP and Haryana. Repair works on the old bridge started today and will take three days to be completed. According to spokesman of PWD B&R Yamunanagar, it will take one month to complete the new bridge road. Work on the bridge was delayed in spite of lot of pressure from UP Governor Mr Suraj Bhan who belongs to Yamunanagar district, to complete it before the monsoon. |
|
Prohibitory orders
in Narwana JIND, July 11 — To maintain law and order during a rally called by Mr Randip Singh Surjewala, President, Youth Congress, the District Magistrate today prohibited the carrying of weapons under Section 144, CrPC, within the revenue limits of Narwana subdivision. The order will remain
in force on July 11 and July 12. Action will be taken against those who violate the order. Mr Randip Singh Surjewala had announced that the Youth Congress would organise a rally on July 12 at Narwana in protest against the sale of liquor near Valmiki temple in violation of the excise policy and against the registration of a criminal case against him at Narwana on July 9. |
|
Flutter over CID chief’s transfer CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The exit of Mr Resham Singh as IG, CID, of Haryana has created a flutter of sorts in administrative circles here. Mr Resham Singh, an IPS officer of the 1977 batch, was handpicked by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala himself to head the CID. Why he was suddenly shunted out from the post is a mystery to us also,” said a senior police officer. The official explanation offered for Mr Resham Singh’s transfer as the IG (Rohtak Range) was that the officer had himself sought transfer to a place near Delhi since his family was based at Faridabad and his children were studying in the Capital. However, Mr Resham Singh’s family has been based at Faridabad for quite some time. He could have sought transfer to a place near Delhi earlier also but he did not do so. The officer, who reportedly left Chandigarh this morning, remained incommunicado yesterday and repeated attempts by this reporter to contact him proved futile. Unlike some other states, the CID plays a key role in Haryana where politicians are known for their fickle loyalties. Successive Chief Ministers have kept the detective wing of the state police direct under their control and used the sleuths for keeping watch on their political opponents as well as on the ambivalent MLAs of their own party. Mr Satyendra Kumar, who was the DIG, CID, during Mr Bansi Lal’s last tenure as the Chief Minister, used to wield enormous clout as that period was marked by hectic activity by detectives who were instrumental in foiling a number of attempts by the dissident HVP MLAs to dislodge the government. Mr Chautala, too, needed the CID like his predecessor and he gave an important slot to the detective network. So much so that when Mr Chautala took over as the Chief Minister, the first order issued by him was regarding the posting of Mr Resham Singh as the IG of the CID. Mr Resham Singh’s first major assignment as the IG, CID, was to keep surveillance on the dissident HVP MLAs who had joined the INLD. While what exactly led to Mr Resham Singh’s unceremonious transfer last Saturday is not know, Mr Chautala reportedly told his colleagues during informal discussions that Mr Resham Singh was good at law and order duties, but his performance as the head of the detective wing was less than what was expected. Differences reportedly also existed between the DGP, Mr S.P.S. Rathore, and Mr Resham Singh, but the DGP could not have got the better of the outgoing CID chief without the Chief Minister’s concurrence. The Chautala-led government’s decision to make Mr K.P. Singh, who was recently promoted to the post of DIG, the head of the detective wing has also surprised some observers, though it was probably not unexpected. The incumbent, an IPS officer, was the only one to be promoted from SP to DIG from his batch (1985). His elevation to the post of CID chief has made it imperative for at least two IPS officers, who are senior to him, to report to him. The state government will have to sort out this anomaly before it seriously impairs the working of the detective department. |
|
Industrialists seek withdrawal of LADT ROHTAK, July 11 — The imposition of Local Area Development Tax (LADT) and the government’s decision to introduce Forms 38-A and 38-B from the current month has created a feeling of insecurity among the industries in Haryana. Administering bitter pills to the industry, the state government had levied the LADT at the rate of 4 per cent on all imports to their respective municipal area, obviously to compensate the loss due to abolition of octroi. The new forms are being introduced to “check evasion of sales tax”. While the levying of LADT would virtually kill business and make the existing industries non-competitive, the decision to introduce Forms would take the trade back to primitive times, claims the Faridabad Small Industries Association. “It is upon such issues that the industries feel insecure and find the government insensitive”, says Association General Secretary, Rajiv Chawla. The question arises, “where do we go from here”? he said. The introduction of Forms, he said, would cause more irritation and yield nothing. Small and tiny industries and petty traders would otherwise be choked because of lack of office staff and infrastructure to maintain the same. Strangely enough, when the Sales Tax Department conducted an opinion poll among various trade and industry associations on the introduction of Forms 38-A and 38-B, there was 100 per cent opposition to it. Yet the forms have been introduced. The industry, he continued, had welcomed the abolition of octroi, not because of any significant financial gain but on account of doing away with the primitive, outdated, cumbersome and time-consuming mode of tax collection. But the government has imposed the LADT without proper survey, research and study of various implications in the short and long run, without any public relations exercise and purely on the basis of assumptions. Calling far withdrawal of the LADT, Mr Chawla suggested levying of 5 per cent surcharge on Sales-Tax, if at all the government wanted to impose any such tax. This would generate enough funds for development of Local Areas without increasing establishment cost, etc. Supporting his argument, Mr Chawla said that in Faridabad district alone, the sales-tax collection was to the tune of Rs 600 crore per annum. A 5 per cent surcharge would make Rs 30 crore available for development of local area. This amount was much more than the octroi collection and that too, without causing any hardship to any particular section of society, he said. The Faridabad Small Industries Association has, however, appreciated the government decision to levy uniform sales tax, which affords trade and industry in Haryana a larger market and flexibility in operations. Despite the announcement of uniforms sales tax policy, taxes on plastic raw material, polythene bags, packaging material and tyres in Haryana was a high as 10 per cent as against and should be removed, he demanded. Welcoming the new policy on Information Technology and sanctioning of Rs 500 crore for improving infrastructure like roads, the Association said that it was availability of power that held the key to industrial progress. The Association, Mr Chawla says, feels that all previous governments were collectively to be blamed for their short-sightedness on the power front. The situation can not be improved overnight but avoidable irritants to which immediate solutions were available should be attended to so as to alleviate the sufferings of the consumers. The Association said that the conversion of LT connection loads ranging from 50 to 70 KW into HT connection has suddenly and unexpectedly put additional financial burden of Rs 3 to 4 lakh on each of more than 4000 small-scale units. |
|
Chautala asks for
more Central funds CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala today urged the Centre to allocate Rs 72.50 crore over and above the state’s plan allocation required as a share of the state for the extension of regional rapid rail transit system within the national capital region connecting Rohtak, Panipat, Palwal, Rewari, Gurgaon and Kundli with Delhi. According to a detailed study got conducted by the Railways through RITES, fast rail based commuter system can be set up by upgrading the existing railway network which includes electrification, augmentation and laying of dedicated rail tracks,
wherever necessary. The project has been necessitated to ease the congestion on this track. The state government has impressed on the Railway Ministry and the Planning Commission for the allocation of Haryana’s share as the state has to bear one-third of the project cost. The Chief Minister was of the view that this project being primarily the responsibility of the Railways, the Union Government should logically bear its cost. |
|
Stamp duty remission
for IT units CHANDIGARH, July 11—The Haryana Government today decided to remit stamp duty and registration fee chargeable under the Indian Stamp Act and the Registration Act in respect of an instrument of sale or lease of built-up space in a government-approved private software technology park or information technology park. An
official spokesman said the step had been taken to encourage the information technology industry. He said 90 per cent of the relief would be given for facilities established and sold or leased up to June 1,2001, whereas 75 per cent relief would be given for facilities established and sold or leased between June 1,2001, and June 1,2002. He further said that the relief would be 60 per cent for the period between June 1,2002, and June 1,2003, and 45 per cent between June 1,2003 and June 1,2004. He said the remission would be available only for the first transaction when the sale or lease was effected by the infrastructure company to an information technology unit for the first time. |
|
Chautala, Badal
express sympathy CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and his Punjab counterpart, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today expressed grief over the death of Begum Akbar Jehan, mother of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. In his condolence message, Mr Chautala said she was fondly known as ‘Mather-e-Meharban’ (kind mother) by the masses. He said she had carved a niche for herself in the socio-political life of the state not only as chief patron of the National Conference but also as a social reformer and an able parliamentarian. Mr Badal described Begum Akbar Jehan as a noble and virtuous lady. He said she had strived hard throughout her life in protecting civil liberties of the common people and made
significant contribution in social and political system of Jammu and Kashmir. Both the Chief Ministers conveyed their condolences to members of the bereaved
family.
|
Haj panel
invites applications CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Haj Committee today invited applications from persons belonging to the Muslim community residing in Haryana and desirous of going on Haj in 2001. The application form, complete in all respects, along with a bank draft for Rs 5,500, should reach the member-secretary of the committee (room no 53-B, 8th floor, Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh) by August 5. The forms can be obtained from the SDOs (Civil) of Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal, Yamunanagar, Panipat and the member secretary of the committee. |
|
Haryana police
transfers CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Government today transferred seven IPS officers with immediate effect. Mr Anil Dawra, DIG, Security, has been posted as DIG, Modernisation and Welfare, while Mr Parminder Rai, DIG, Railways, has been transferred to the post of DIG, Administration. Mr S.S. Deswal, DIR, Crime and CID, goes as DIG, Railways, vice Mr Parminder Rai. Mr K. Selvaraj, SP (Crime), CID has been sent as AIG, Administration. Mr Sheel Madhur, Commandant 4th Bn HAP has been transferred as Commandant 1st Bn HAP, Ambala. Mr K.K. Sharma, SP, SVB, Ambala, takes over as SP (Crime), CID, on his return from leave in place of Mr K.Selvaraj, and Mr O.P. Kadian, Deputy Commandant, 4th Bn , HAP, has been posted as SP, CM Security CID.
|
| Governor calls on
President CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, today called on the President, Mr K.R. Naryanan, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This was Babu Parmanand’s first courtesy call on the President after taking over as Governor.
HVP leader
joins Cong KURUKSHETRA, July 11 — A former Haryana minister, Mr Ishwar Singh, and his supporters, at an informal get-together at his residence here today, joined the Congress in the presence of Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President, Haryana Pardesh Congress Committee. Mr Ishwar Singh was a member of the Haryana Vikas Party. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
