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| Sunday, November 12, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Octroi not to be
reimposed Hisar Cantt market eyesore Jobless youths
lathi-charged ‘Women to blame for their plight’ Major road repair
schemes on anvil Census work training
programme begins |
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13 youths held on
gambling charge Roadways GM told to
pay Rs 40,000 relief Governor opens
museum Tax payers honoured Kapal Mochan Mela
concludes Hisar-Hardwar train sought Two killed in road mishap 2 lakh pilgrims take holy dip Girl hurt during
youth festival 
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Octroi not to be
reimposed CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — The apprehension triggered by Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala’s appeal to elected representatives of municipal committees for giving suggestions on re-introduction of octroi was apparently misplaced. Official sources here said majority of the 53 municipal committees of Haryana did not respond to the Chief Minister’s appeal made during a meeting with municipal committee representatives earlier this year. While six to seven municipal committees wanted revival of the tax, representatives of at least six municipal committees wrote to the state government that octroi should not be revived, the sources said and added that the question of reintroducing of octroi therefore did not arise. Official sources, however, admitted that the condition of urban local bodies continued to remain perilous in the absence of any worthwhile method for resource generation. While Rs 68 crore was needed annually on account of staff’s salaries and establishment costs, the total earning of all the municipal committees came to about one third of the requirement. The major source of income was house tax from which approximately Rs 20 crore was generated annually. The sub-committee set up by the state government under Local Bodies Minister Subhash Chand Goyal for evaluating the new house tax formula, which was suspended following angry protests by opposition parties and urbanites, would give its report on December 31. The objective of the sub-committee, sources said, was to enhance earnings from house tax without antagonising the public. The sources said that the revenue from the recently introduced trade tax was still very little as commercial establishments such as shops, nursing homes etc were yet to be categorised under the three slabs of Rs 1000, Rs 1500 and Rs 2500. Work in this regard was progressing very slowly and at time the staff were also not cooperating with the authorities making the work all the more difficult, the sources alleged. While Rs 68 crore was needed annually for the salaries of the staff and establishment charges, the government was also directed by the court to implement the Fifth Pay Commission scales for the municipal committee staff which would entail an annual expenditure of at least Rs 80 crore, the sources said. Besides, the municipal committees would also like to have some additional money for development work. While the authorities are working on various ideas to strengthen the financial position of the municipal committees, they in turn are planning to outsource cleaning operations and other related jobs. “Some part of a town may be handed over to private contractors for cleaning”, the sources said and added that such a system would enable the municipal committees to downsize their staff. |
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Hisar Cantt market eyesore HISAR, Nov 11 — Despite its ideal location, the Hisar Cantonment market lacks even the basic amenities as it is nobody’s baby. Unfortunately, it is located neither within the municipal limits of Hisar nor within the cantonment. Though the market is situated in front of the main gate of the cantonment on the national highway it has grown without proper planning since its inception in 1982. Actually, the land on which the market has come up falls in the area under the Satrod village panchayat. Under the circumstances, neither the cantonment authorities nor the local municipal council are supposed to provide basic amenities in the market. On the other hand, the panchayat has no funds. There are no arrangements for keeping the market clean. There are neither sweepers nor dustbins. Heaps of garbage keep lying in the market. The garbage heaps attract stray animals which have become a public nuisance. Shopkeepers are also responsible for the problems plaguing the market. They have encroached on land in front of their shops by installing temporary tarpaulin structures in front of their shops. This has narrowed the main road considerably. Since there is considerable traffic accidents are a common occurrence. The main road which passes through the market, leads to Satrod village. It is in a terrible condition. The entire stretch is potholed. It has not been repaired for the past four years. Heavy Army vehicles, including tank carries, have to negotiate this road to reach the Setrod railway station which also serves the cantonment. Even after two decades of its establishment the market continues to be without drinking water facility. The shopkeepers are forced to fetch water from the nearby Satrod and Mayyar villages. About 20 years ago there were only a few tea stalls, vegetables and sweets shops in front of the main gate of the cantonment which catered to the requirements of the construction labour in the cantonment. Later, it grew speedily to meet the requirements of hundreds of families of Army personnel, which shifted to the cantonment. It has since grown into a full-fledged market, which not only serves the Army men but also to a certain extent meets the needs of the civilians in the town. There are many shops, which deal in woollen clothes,
shoes, and mosquito nets etc. which are available here at comparatively cheaper rates. Though it is known mainly for its cheaper rates, the land in the market is perhaps the costliest in the town. This is especially true of the area, which faces the main cantonment gate. However, in the absence of proper administrative control it continues to grow haphazard, giving it a shabby look, which is fast becoming an eyesore for the otherwise beautiful cantonment. |
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Jobless youths
lathi-charged SIRSA, Nov 11 — Unemployed youths were lathicharged when they assembled outside the District
Education Officer’s (DEO) office to collect the prospectus and admission forms for the JBT exam being distributed free of cost. The office of the DEO is situated on a street opposite the city police station. For the past few days hundreds of unemployed youths had been assembling outside the office to collect these forms. Irked at the tardy working of the DEO’s staff, the youths became agitated and were lathicharged by the police. Even shopkeepers and passers-by were not spared from the lathicharge, causing resentment among the people in the area. The youths, who had come from far-flung areas of the district complained that no arrangement had been made by the administration to tackle this rush as only one centre was established in the district for the distribution of JBT forms. A youth from Ellenabad, Ram Kumar, said that though this form was available in the market for Rs 100, because of financial constraints he had been coming to the centre for the past few days to get it free of cost. In this process, he had already spent more than Rs 100, he claimed. Another youth from Rania, Pawan said that after two days when he at last managed to reach the window the person sitting there pointed out some deficiency in his testimonials and refused to give him the form, while a person behind him was given the same. |
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‘Women to blame for their plight’ FATEHABAD, Nov 11 — “In the present day race for materialism women have been relegated to a commodity and a showpiece”. This was stated by Ms Ranjana Narula, general secretary of the All-India Working Women Committee, here today while addressing a special session for women teachers and working women on the second day of the three-day state-level convention of the Haryana Rajkiya Adhyapak Sangh. Ms Narula said the women were themselves to blame more than anybody else for their plight. She said the weakness of women in not fighting against the injustice being meted to them was responsible for their worsening plight. She said the women should awaken now and identify their rights if they wanted to get an equal status in society. A noted social worker and a college teacher, Ms Shubha, regretted that the condition of women in general was even worse in Haryana where she alleged that male dominated society launched an attack against women even before birth. She said the male-female ratio of 130:100 in Haryana itself was a pointer to the status of women in the state. She alleged that sexual exploitation of women in the state was very common and the state government had been flouting the directives of the Supreme Court in these matters. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Jasbir Kaur, president of the Nursing Staff Association, Haryana, said working women had to face a lot of problems in the discharge of their official duties. She said the plight of women working in unorganised sectors like hospitality, private nursing homes, municipal committees, and government offices was all the more worse. She called on working women to unite to safeguard their interests. The president of the Anganwari Workers and Helpers Union, Haryana, Mrs Jagmati Malik, said it was a bitter irony that anganwari workers who took all government schemes to the grassroots level were not being considered government employees even. Mrs Nirmal Rathi, vice-president of the Haryana Rajkiya Adhyapak Sangh, also spoke.
The convention will conclude tomorrow. |
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Major road repair
schemes on anvil SONEPAT, Nov 11 — The Haryana PWD (B&R) and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), have prepared ambitious plans of Rs 7.71 crore and Rs 22.05 crore, respectively, for the repairs and construction of new roads in Sonepat district. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sudhir Rajpal, told mediapersons here today that both these agencies had released Rs 2.84 crore for the execution of works relating to the repairs and construction of new roads in the district during the current financial year. He also disclosed that both these agencies would repair the roads between Thana Kalan and Pipli villages. Similarly earth work would be carried out on a number of roads including Rattangarh-Bhatgaon, Farmana-Jasrana, Sonepat-Purkhas, Sonepat-Sitawli, Khewra-Bahalgarh, Purkhas-Moi Majra, Sonepat-Pabnera and Ganaur-Ghasauli. Referring to the campaign launched by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) against consumers including in power theft in Sonepat circle, the DC disclosed that the Nigam had detected 946 cases of power theft during the past four days and had imposed a penalty of Rs 18.50 lakh on the erring consumers. The officials, he said, also recovered Rs 5.43 lakh out of the amount imposed on such consumers. He also disclosed that in Sonepat division alone, as many as 557 places of consumers were checked and a penalty of Rs 10.59 lakh was imposed on them. Referring to the complaints that the canal water was not reaching the tail-end villages, the Deputy Commissioner claimed that the Irrigation Department was making concerted efforts to complete the work of desilting and deweeding of canals, distributaries and minors by November 15. There were 41 tail-ends in the district and the canal water was reaching the fields of farmers situated till 31
tail-ends. He said the canal water would reach all tail-end villages by November 22 and there would be no shortage of canal water for Rabi sowings. Adequate steps have been taken to check the theft of canal water and patrolling orders have also been issued. The Irrigation Department officials along with the police would continue night patrolling and take action against those involved in the theft of canal water, he added. |
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Census work training
programme begins SIRSA, Nov 11 — The two-day training programme for the second phase of census of India 2001 began in the Panchayat Bhavan here yesterday. The Director of Census, Haryana, Mr Sunil Gulati, said the census was not merely a head count but it was the biggest source of comprehensive data with information on demography, education, economy, fertility, employment, ageing, housing, caste, urbanisation, social and cultural characteristics of the area concerned. Work of census is most important as it would enable the planners to make plans of development for the area or district in a 100 years to come. Mr Gulati said since the census of 2001 would be historical in the sense that this time the primary census data would be collected according to the panchayats whereas earlier it used to be on the basis of
tehsils. So, the people should cooperate with the staff deputed for census work and answer all questions correctly. He revealed that the houses in the villages would be numbered which would be used even for paying “chulha” tax and also by postal authorities. The numbering of houses would also help in tracing any person and help the police and other authorities in verifying the facts about that person. The Director said information collected by the enumerators and other staff deputed on census work would remain confidential and it could not be used by the Income Tax or House Authorities against any person. Instead, the census would serve the purpose for conducting research on the district. He said according to the last census, Sirsa had the lowest female literacy which was merely 34 per cent and the birth rate in the district was 31 per 1,000. Showing the data on a screen with the help of a projector, he said, with the increase in female literacy, we find that the fertility rate declined. He said like the election duty, the census duty was also important and the staff deputed could not refuse to perform task. In case of dereliction of duty, a provision of three years’ imprisonment and fine up to Rs 1,000 had been made. The people were also duty bound to let the census staff entry into their premises and to answer the queries correctly. In yesterday’s training, besides the District Census Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, ADC, Lecturers and other staff to be deputed on census work like BDPOs and secretaries of municipal committees also participated. The District Census Officer, Mr Amit Jha, said after successful completion of house listing operation, the second and the main phase of census, i.e. population enumeration, would start from February 9 and it would last up to February 28, 2001. Thereafter, the revisional round and preparation of enumerators abstract including submission of filled-in schedules to charge officers will take place from March 4 to March 5. |
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13 youths held on
gambling charge GURGAON, Nov 11 — The police raided a club and arrested 13 youths who were gambling there on Thursday night. The police recovered Rs 91,253 in cash and tokens worth more than Rs 9 lakh from them. The SSP, Mr Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, said the raid was conducted following a tip-off that some youths were gambling at South City Club, Gurgaon. The club is run by M/s Unitech Ltd. The SSP did not specify whether the club management was responsible for the incident. The manager of the club, Mr Rajiv Chawla, refused to speak on the
issue. A police party, lead by the ASP, Mr Saurabh Singh, raided room No 111 of the club and found the youth gambling. Playing cards and dices were seized from
them. The arrested are Deepak, Paramjeet, Chetan Prakash, Jayapal, Juminder, Sushil, Suresh, Ashok Kumar, Prem, Rajpal, Ravikant and Rajiv of Faridabad and Bhawar Lal of
Delhi. Police sources said many clubs in Gurgaon provided facilities for gambling. |
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Roadways GM told to
pay Rs 40,000 relief BHIWANI, Nov 11 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered the General Manager of the local depot of Haryana Roadways to pay Rs 40,000 compensation to a complainant, Mr Nathu Ram. The complainant had alleged that he boarded a bus from Bhiwani to Pilani on October 5, 1995 for going to Lalhana village. Despite repeated requests of passengers, the driver, Ajit Singh, kept on driving in a rash manner. The complainant suffered a pain in the spine when the bus ran into a pit. The complainant said he had to be admitted to a hospital for several days following the incident. The Bench, comprising the Chairman, Mr Suresh Chander Singhal, and a member, Mr Prem Singh, considering the matter as lack in service, ordered the General Manager to pay Rs 40,000 as compensation. The complainant had demanded Rs 50,000 as compensation. In another case, the forum ordered a limited company of Ahmedabad to pay Rs 1,000 to a shareholder. |
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Governor opens
museum PANIPAT, Nov 11 — The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, inaugurated a museum at Canal Rest House, Binjhol, about 5 km from here, yesterday. The museum, which bears the name of the town, has been set up by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on which a sum of over Rs 21 lakh has been spent on construction and beautification. The layout, designing and display of the museum have been planned and executed by Dr S.C. Saran and Mr Sanjay Manjul, both ASI officials. The museum comprises nine galleries displaying significant events, arms and regalia of soldiers and other heroes of the three battles of Panipat through paintings, sculptures and models. The cultural heritage of Haryana, including dresses, ornaments, utensils, agricultural implements etc. are also an attraction. This information was given to the Governor by Ms Komal Anand, Director-General, ASI while welcoming him at the function. After inaugurating the museum, the Governor went round the galleries and showed keen interest in the objects on display. He said the museum had a fine collection relating to Haryana culture and would provide a historical perspective to the new generation. Addressing the people on the occasion, the Governor said the youth should know the history, art and culture of their country. He said the syllabi should be planned in a manner so that the history of our national freedom movement and the rich Indian cultural heritage is projected before the
youth. The Governor also asked the ASI authorities and the state government to organise a big cultural show at Kala Amb.Mr Prem Prashant, Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department, Haryana, Mr M.R. Anand, Deputy Commissioner, Panipat, Mr O.P. Bhargava, a descendant of Hemu who was the the hero of the second battle of Panipat, also spoke, highlighting various aspects of the museum and the three battles of Panipat. |
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Tax payers honoured BHIWANI, Nov 11 — Speaking on the occasion of felicitating the highest tax payers of Bhiwani circle at a Samman Samaroh, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Rohtak Range L.S. Negi, stated that Income Tax Department was also changing ways with the new concept of science and technology. The Income Tax assessing system was still working as was in 1857. The department provides 37 per cent of the income to the state of the tax collected from the income tax payees of the concerned state, he said. Mr Negi said attempts were being made in the changing system that an Income Tax officer should not have cases more than 6000, a Range officer not more than 35000 and a regional officer should have one lakh cases only. Mr Negi hounoured the highest tax payers retired Judge Mr S.B. Ahuja, businessman Mr R.C. Sharma of Charkhi Dadri and Mr Rajpal Singh of Bhiwani with commending certificates. The certificate holders would be benefitted for sale-purchase of land, foreign travel submitting of Income Tax returns for three years. Mr S.R. Kaushik, Income Tax Officer, Bhiwani gave informations and easy process about the tax system. |
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Kapal Mochan Mela
concludes YAMUNANAGAR, Nov 11 — The famous religious Kapal Mochan Mela came to an end today with about nine lakh devotees taking the holy dip at the stroke of midnight. Pilgrims thronged the three sarovars to take the holy bath. They lit diyas on the banks of the sarovars, which, coupled with the electric lights decorating gurdwaras and temples, presented a picturesque scene.
The historical reference of the mela has its roots in the belief that it relieves the sins of all three eras. Taking a bath in Kapal Mochan Sarovar is believed to wash away sins. There are five tirths in the nearby area of Kapal Mochan. In the north is the Tirthraj Kapal Mochan and on the other sides are Som Sarovar, Rin Mochan, Surya Kund and Chandar Kund. These sarovars are known to provide fame and fortune to those who come to take the holy bath.
This holy place has a great following among the Sikh community since in 1687 Guru Gobind Singh had rested here for 52 days after the Bangani war. A cattle fair was also organised. The mela administration had made sufficient arrangements for the pilgrims.
An exhibition depicting various activities of the departments of the district was a main attraction at the mela. A cultural show was also organised by the Public Relations and Cultural Affairs Department of Haryana. A mobile video van was also deployed by the department to entertain the pilgrims and provide them with information regarding various policies and achievements of the state government. Mrs Renu Fulia, Subdivisional Magistrate, Jagadhri, said 60-year-old Gurbachan Singh of Mesupur village of Sangrur district in Punjab had a heart attack. He was shifted to Civil Hospital, Jagadhri. |
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Hisar-Hardwar train sought HISAR, Nov 11 — Several social, educational and traders’ organisations have demanded the introduction of a direct train between the town and Hardwar. In a letter to the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, these organisations have pointed out that Hisar is a big town and hundreds of pilgrims of the area go to Hardwar daily but due to lack of a direct railway link, they face many
problems as they have to travel by bus. The letter said the Railways had sanctioned a train from Una (Himachal Pradesh) to Hardwar for the people of that area though the people of Hisar had been demanding a train for the past several years yet no arrangements had been made so far. The letter was sent jointly by the Bajrang Dal, Haryana Beopar Mandal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Punjabi Sabha, Brahmin Sabha, Baba Vishvakarma Sabha, Haryana Kurukshetra Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Guru Singh Sabha and several principals of local schools and municipal councillors. |
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Two killed in road mishap SHAHABAD, Nov 11 — Two persons were killed and several others injured in a head on collision between a jeep and a tanker on the GT Road, near Saha Chowk, here today. The jeep collided head on with a tanker coming from the opposite direction. Two occupants of the jeep, Narender Sachdeva and Kamal Kumar of Sonepat, died on the spot while several others were injured. The driver of the tanker is reported to have fled after the accident.
The local police has registered a case under Sections 279, 373 and 304-A of the IPC. 2 lakh pilgrims take holy dip KURUKSHETRA, Nov 11 (UNI) — About two lakh pilgrims from across the country had a dip in holy-Brahma and Sanehit sarovars on the occasion of Kartik Purnima here today. The pilgrims started thronging the city since early this morning for the holy dip. Most of the pilgrims had come from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan besides Haryana. They arrived here through different modes of transport, including trains, chartered buses, cars and trucks. |
Girl hurt during
youth festival KAITHAL, Nov 11 — A girl was injured when some miscreants threw stones during the Zonal Youth Festival here today.
The incident occurred when a cultural programme was on at the local Indira Gandhi Mahila-Mahavidyalaya. Some miscreants sitting in the rear of the pandal hurled stones at girls sitting in front rows. A stone hit a girl in the head. She was rushed to a private clinic. Two more girls were also hit.
After the incident, on the orders of Mr Amir Singh,
DSP, police personnel chased the miscreants out of the college premises. |
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Voting at HPCC office today CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — Elected delegates of the Congress from Haryana will cast their votes tomorrow at the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) office here for the Congress president’s election. There will be a general body meeting of the HPCC at 9 a.m., while polling will start from 10 a.m. and continue upto 5 p.m. Mr Shivcharan Mathur, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Balkavi Bairagi, MP from Madhya Pradesh and Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, former MP, would be the observers for the poll. Chautala to meet
DCs, SPs CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala today decided to convene a meeting of all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police here on November 13 to review mass welfare programmes, devolution of power to Panchayati Raj institutions, implementation of thrust area identified in the information technology and education policies.
An official spokesman said the Chief Minister would also review schemes under the “Sarkar Aapke Dwar” programme. |
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