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| Sunday, October 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Farmers sore over delay in procurement Education to be job-oriented: CM Is vehicle impounding must under
challan? Striving to better women’s lot Socialists
remembered Derailment hits
traffic |
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Chautala ‘losing’ rural base Dasehra celebrated with gaiety Boy hacks mother’s paramour to
death Cheque presented
to Kargil hero 
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Farmers sore over delay in procurement KAITHAL, Oct 7—Resentment prevails among farmers due to the delay in the procurement of paddy by government agencies and non-payment of minimum support price for their produce by private traders. A large number of farmers in the local grain market complained that the government agencies were not purchasing their produce due to which they were forced to sell it to private traders at a low price. The farmers alleged that due to the callous attitude adopted by the government, they were suffering financial losses. On the other hand, a senior Haryana officer, Mr Sanjay Kothari, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mahavir Singh, the SDM, Mr Ashok Bishnoi, and the DFSO, Mr M.G. Marya, visited Kalayat and Kaithal mandis and heard the grievances of farmers and traders and directed the officials of the procurement agencies to step up the purchases. Gian Chand, a farmer of Bandrana village, said he was forced to sell PR-103, PR-113 and Gobinda varieties of paddy at Rs 350 to 400 per quintal. Baldev Singh, a farmer of Nauch village, said he had sold his IR-136 variety of paddy at Rs 391 per quintal to private traders as no government agency came forward to purchase his paddy. He said paddy of other varieties brought by him was rejected by the government agencies on the pretext that it contained more moisture than the specified limit of 18 per cent. Sewa Singh of Nauch village and Isma of Mundri village complained they had to sell their produce at a price much lower than the minimum support price fixed by the government. Jarnail Singh of Himmatpura village and Mukhtiar Singh of Mandi village blamed the Haryana Government for paddy glut in state mandis. They alleged that the state government had ignored the interest of Haryana farmers by inviting farmers from Punjab to sell their crops in Haryana mandis. They said due to heavy arrivals of the paddy crop, there was no space inside the mandis and many farmers were forced to unload their produce on the roadside which caused them inconvenience and financial loss. Farmers also resented the use of heavy fans and jharnas for cleaning the paddy and said it caused unnecessary delay in the lifting of produce from the market. Earlier, the SDM, talked to the representatives of farmers, labourers and traders to sort out the dispute which arose due to a strike by the labourers who had refused to use fans and jharnas for the cleaning of paddy. The matter was later settled and the procurement agencies started purchases. The Deputy Commissioner said out of the 70,786 metric tonnes of paddy brought to different mandis in the district, the Food and Civil Supplies Department had purchased 16,243 metric tonnes, HAFED 14807 metric tonnes , Food Corporation of India, 3,772 metric tonnes, Haryana Agro 260 metric tonnes, rice millers 21,112 metric tonnes and private traders 14581 metric tonnes. FARIDABAD: Excessive moisture level and paddy below specifications has been reportedly posing a main problem in the process of procurement at various mandis in the district so far. Although the process is quite slow at this stage, the state government has reportedly directed the authorities to keep in touch with the mandis and report the latest position. Mr S.K. Maheswari, Commissioner, Local Bodies, Haryana who has been deputed to supervise the work in the district, visited various mandis yesterday. He talked to several persons, including farmers, arhtiyas (agents) and officials of procurement agencies to know about the latest situation. According to sources, the visiting officials were told that while various government agencies had purchased about 322 metric tonnes of paddy from the mandis so far, a large quantity of the paddy that has come to the market was reported to be below the specifications due to excessive moisture level and foreign matter. According to the standard specification given by the agencies (purchase), only the paddy with moisture level of 8 per cent and foreign matter up to 3 per cent is considered fit for procurement. The paddy which has more moisture gets lower price, mostly by the millers. It is learnt that majority of the heaps lying in the mandis here have the same problem. The moisture level is reported to around 22 to 23 per cent on an average. The District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC), Mr Virender Dahiya, who conducted a tour with Mr Maheswari, told The Tribune that moisture-recording instruments had been placed in all mandis so that there was no confusion and any person concerned with the work was able to use it when need. He said Mr Maheswari had also appealed to the farmers to bring the paddy after getting it dried properly so that they could get the maximum price for their produce. Mr Dhanpat Singh, a senior Regional Manager of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), also visited the mandis at Ballabgarh and Palwal towns in the district yesterday. These have been allotted to the FCI for procurement. Hodal, Hassanpur and Khambi mandis have been given to Hafed and Confed for the purpose. According to the DFSC there were no complaints from the farmers‘ side in the mandis. He said both the arhtiyas and the farmers had been satisfied with the arrangement, but admitted that the moisture level had been more than permitted in a majority of the arrivals so far. He added that the arrivals would reach the peak in the latter half of October. The paddy here has been classified mainly in two categories of Grade A and Common one which have been announced the minimum support price of Rs 540 and 510, respectively. On the other hand, some of the farmers alleged the administration had only been providing a lip service and was unable to break the “nexus” working between the arhtiyas, millers and some of the officials. They said “distress sale” was likely to remain the only option before the paddy growers, as was done last year if no concrete steps were taken in time. |
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Education to be job-oriented: CM GURGAON, Oct 7 — The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today said here that his government would further innovate its policies to make education job-oriented and added that it would ensure that primacy was given to local youths while making appointments in the industries of Haryana. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Maharshi Dayanand University National Law College, be said that his government would make all possible efforts to give impetus to studies relating to computers, Information Technology and other vocational courses. The state had introduced study of English language in school syllabi in villages to bridge the gap between the rural and urban people. Also, teaching of English in rural schools would bring the village youths on a par with their counterparts in the urban belt. Rural youths lose out on getting jobs through competitive exams due to lack of proficiency in English, he added. Mr Chautala had a hectic schedule here, starting with the inauguration of Lt Col Atul Kataria Memorial School. Later, he presided over the closing function of a week-long function relating to Wildlife Day in Sultanpur, laid the foundation stone of a community centre and inaugurated a war memorial here. He is scheduled to preside over the second phase of “Aap ke sarkaar, aap ke dwar” programme. Mr Chautala said that during his visit to Korea, Japan and Singapore, he would urge the investors there to make investments in Haryana. A delegation from Haryana led by him will leave on a foreign trip today night. He said that as government jobs were not enough to adjust the swelling number of unemployed youths, setting up of new industries in the state could go a long way in mitigating the problem. The Chief Minister claimed that his government had been able to get the total number of seats in engineering colleges increased substantially. Also, the seat in the medical studies course of Agroha Medical College had been increased. The Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Assembly, Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot, urged the Chief Minister to prevent the government from acquiring land in the villages which had constructions of residences, schools, etc. The inauguration of National Law College, having an area of 10 acres and 120 seats, was billed to be the most important milestone among academic projects in Gurgaon, he said, the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the MDU, Mr B.S. Suhag and Mr Jai Kisan Sharma, respectively, along with other functionaries of the university were present. The organisers of the function claimed that this was the fifth college of its kind in the entire country and the first in North India. Mr B.S. Suhag said that the college would offer a five-year integrated law course from the 2000-2001 academic session. Also, the IMSAR of the MDU has taken a decision to launch various management programmes at its Gurgaon campus from the academic session, 2000-2001. They include a three-year MBA programme, one-year PG Diplomas in foreign exchange
management, computer-aided management and pharmaceutical marketing. The Vice-Chancellor further said that the major challenge before the university is the rising number of aspirants for admissions to its various colleges. In the past four years, the number had increased by about 58,000. Out of the 60 colleges, only 14 were offering postgraduate classes. |
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Is vehicle impounding must under
challan? PANIPAT, Oct 7 — Resentment prevails among local citizens, particularly the business community, against the dictatorial attitude and working style of traffic personnel. According to information, ASI Pawan Kumar, who was on duty at the local Sanjay Chowk red light challaned two-wheeler riders, including one Hitesh Kumar, for allegedly jumping the red light on Thursday evening despite his plea that he was just standing there. Moreover, the scooterist alleged that the police on duty was requested by him to recover penalty there and then, but the ASI challaned him and impounded his scooter as well. The scooter owner then requested him that he could deposit the driving licence or registration certificate for the release of the scooter impounded as his work would suffer for week because October 12 was fixed as the date to be present in the court. But the ASI allegedly told him that the driving licence and registration certificate were not acceptable by the court now and impounded the vehicle and that too without mentioning the details on the challan form. Three offences were reportedly mentioned on the challan viz without helmet, without documents and the driving licence, whereas the scooterist said he had both the R/C and the driving licence. Regarding the helmet he said, in Panipat helmets were rarely worn. People standing there said the administration should take effective steps to first control the traffic, create awareness among the public about do’s and dont’s on the road and only then should offenders be challaned and papers seized instead of impounding vehicles for seven to 10 days. |
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Striving to better women’s lot FATEHABAD: The Sahaytarth Mahila Samiti set up by some philanthropist women here has been doing yeoman service for women’s uplift in society. The samiti has helped several poor parents by marrying off their daughters, besides settling several cases of marital discord. The samiti has always risen to the occasion, whenever there is a calamity or need for help. The samiti was set up here during the Kargil war to provide financial help to the widows of martyrs. Headed by Mrs Usha Dahiya, a municipal councillor, of collected donations from the public to help the families of Kargil martyrs. The samiti organised rallies by school students and its members went from door to door to collect donations. It provided financial help to Kargil widows, besides contributing to the Chief Minister’s Kargil Relief Fund. The samiti again came forward with help in cash and kind when Orissa was hit by flood or when Gujarat and Rajasthan were hit by drought. The samiti has also been providing financial help to poor parents who find it hard to marry off their daughters. The members not only arrange for the marriage feast but also offer household gifts to the newly weds. Many such girls have benefited. The welfare body has also been striving hard to better the lot of women. Its members have resolved many cases of marital discord through counselling. It also provides books, uniforms and woollen clothes to deserving girl students. Talking to this correspondent, the samiti president, Mrs Usha Dahiya, said the samiti’s aim was to provide help to women in distress. She said she first conceived the idea of providing financial assistance and moral strength to families of Kargil martyrs, when three jawans of this district fell to enemy bullets last year. Some local women interested in social service like Mrs Veena Bhayana, Mrs Nazi Munjal, Mrs Suvarsha Mehta and Mrs Usha Gera joined her efforts and the organisation was set up. After the end of the Kargil war, the members of the samiti decided not to dismantle the organisation and the scope of the samiti was widened to include the general welfare of women.
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Socialists
remembered YAMUNANAGAR:
Two books on socialist leaders were released by the Chief Minister, Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Dr K.L. Jauhar, former vice-chancellor, Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, one of the authors of the book. “Professor Tilak Raj Chadha; His Life and Vision” informed here that Mr Chautala released the book at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on September 17. Mr Chautala lamented about the erosion of moral values in the present political set-up. He recalled the sagas of heroic sacrifices made by the freedom fighters who gave their lives on the alter of freedom movements. “Men like Kultar Singh, younger brother of martyr Bhagat Singh, Professor Tilak Raj Chadha, Prem Bhasin and Brij Mohan Toofan are difficult to find today”, said the Chief Minister. He lauded Mr Chadha as a freedom fighter, fearless journalist and as an innovative educationist. Mr Prem Bhasin and Mr Ashok Kumar were the two living examples of knowledge and charity, Mr Chautala said. Mr Chautala praised efforts of Dr K.L. Jauhar and Dr Rajpal Singh in bringing out such a book. Prof Madhu Dandvate released the other book: “Democratic Socialism; Profiles in Courage and Conviction” written by Mr Prem Bhasin and edited by Dr K.L. Jauhar. The book contains profiles not only of socialist stalwarts and other veteran leaders. Prof Dandavate bemoaned the splits, the ego clashes and individual differences among the top leaders of the socialist movement which killed the movement in the country. Describing Mr Prem Bhasin as a living encyclopaedia of socialism, Prof Dandavate hoped a better social order would prevail where everyone would enjoy a life free of prejudices of castes, creed and languages. Earlier introducing the guests Dr Jauhar highlighted the achievements of the Chautala government Dr Jauhar described Prof Dandavate as a great parliamentarian and a good writer. Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr Surinder Mohar, Seth Ashok Kumar, Chairman, Seth Jai Parkash Mukand Lal Institutions of Knowledge and Service, and Sardar Kultar Singh, younger brother of martyr Bhagat Singh. The function was attended by a large number of freedom fighters, educationists, intellectuals and family members of Prof Tilak Raj Chadha. * * * |
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Derailment hits
traffic ROHTAK, Oct 7 (UNI) — Nine coaches of a goods train derailed between Kharwar and Sampla railway stations, about 20 km from here, yesterday, partially disrupting traffic on the Delhi-Ferozepore section of Northern Railway. However, there was no loss of life and property in the accident. Senior railway officials rushed to the spot and cranes were pressed into service to put the derailed coaches back on the track. Normal traffic could be restored only this morning. According to railway sources, the derailment occurred when the goods train proceeding to Delhi passed through a track undergoing renovation. Since the derailment affected the ‘down’ track, the ‘up’ track was used for the passage of both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ trains, the sources said.
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Chautala ‘losing’ rural base NEW DELHI, Oct 7 — The newly elected chairman of the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Kisan Cell, Mr Ved Pal, today accused Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala of neglecting farmers and claimed that the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) was losing its base among the masses. “Chautala, has let down the farmers in Haryana” Mr Ved Pal, who was here to meet NCP leaders, told The Tribune. He alleged that despite the government announcing paddy procurement prices for the season, the farmers were not able to sell their paddy. “The announcement of the government remains on paper,” he alleged. While farmers are “not getting prices” for their paddy, several sugar mills have not made payments to farmers for sugarcane for the past six months, Mr Ved Pal said. |
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Dasehra celebrated with gaiety AMBALA, The Dasehra festival was celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The effigies of Ravana was burnt in Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment. The Governor, Haryana, Babu Parmanand was the chief guest on the Dasehra celebration function at Ambala Cantonment organised by Ram Leela Committee, Anaj Mandi, Ambala Cantonment. The Governor watched the Ram-Ravana battle presented by the Ramlila artistes at the ground. On this occasion, the Commissioner, Ambala Range, Mr Chander Singh; IG, Ambala Range Mr H.S. Ahalawat; the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ram Niwas, and SP Mr Navdeep Singh Virk were also present there. In Ambala City the Dasehra celebration was organised at Ram Bagh. Thousands of people witnessed the burning effigy of Ravana there. Earlier religious processions were taken out at Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment.
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Boy hacks mother’s paramour to
death FATEHABAD, Oct 7 — In a gruesome incident, a Class X student allegedly killed his mother’s paramour with an axe in the Gita Colony of Tohana in this district last night. After allegedly committing the murder, the boy himself went to the local police station and reported the matter. According to reports, Raju, lived in a rented house in the colony with his mother, Ram Pati. Two other men, Chaman Lal and Nafe Singh, also lived in that rented house. Ram Pati allegedly developed illicit ralations with Nafe Singh. Last night, Raju saw his mother with Nafe Singh ‘in a compromising position’. In a fit of rage, he allegedly took an axe and inflicted several wounds on Nafe Singh, killing him on the spot. |
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Cheque presented
to Kargil hero BHIWANI, Oct 7 — The Zila Sainik Board today presented a cheque of Rs 3,60,000 from the Chief Minister Relief Fund to Capt Satyender Kumar Sangwan. Lieut Gen D.P. Yadav, secretary of the board, handed over the cheque during a programme wherein officers and employees of the board were present. Capt Satyender Kumar lost his right leg in the Drass Batalik sector during the Kargil war. General Yadav said soldiers from Bhiwani played a praiseworthy role in the Indian Army and had bagged Mahavir Chakra and Veer Chakra. He said Lieut Gen Jai Bhagwan Yadav, a Veer Chakra awardee, belonged to Achina Tar village of the district. |
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Tension over
sale of girl FARIDABAD, Oct 7 — Tension prevails in Buraka village, near Hathin, 120 km from here, over the sale of a young girl to a middle-aged man belonging to another community.
According to information received here today, people became agitated when they came to know about the incident. The police allegedly remained a mute spectator over the incident. This led to further resentment among them.
This is the second case of the sale of a girl in the area. |
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Scheme to
empower panchayats soon CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today decided to set up village-level construction committees which undertake development works up to Rs 50 lakh. An official spokesman said this scheme would be finalised soon. Rules and guidelines, wherever necessary, would be amended for implementing the scheme. |
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