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| Sunday, December 17, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Clashes
over formation of VDCs Four
killed in road mishaps Steps
needed to check liquor supply ‘Cattle’
train detained for days Railway police steps
up security Mewat
women have the last laugh |
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Roster
system for milling of paddy Haryana
forest cover up by 59 p.c. Hooda
alleges foul play Phone
directory on Net opened Married
woman raped
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Clashes over formation of VDCs JHAJJAR, Dec 16 — Stiff opposition is being faced by the authorities on the issue of constitution of village development councils (VDCs) in many villages of the district. Complaints of favourtism and irregularities in the formation of VDCs have been reported in at least a dozen villages here. Councils have been dissolved in some villages, including Virdhan, Maharana and Patodha, and dates for their formation postponed in Bharaut, Akeheri, Khetavas, Mohan Bari and some other villages following violent clashes between rival factions. Situation turned serious when people from Birohar, Fetehpur, Mundakhera, Paharipur and Samaspur Majra villages, numbering in thousands, landed at the district heaquarters, protesting against the constitution of VDCs in their villages. They called upon the Assistant Deputy Commissioner and the DDPO demanding re-constitution of the VDCs. However, authorities claimed that VDCs had been constituted in 146 villages out of a total of 244 so far in five blocks of the district. Villagers of Birohar asked the ADC, Mr T.K. Sharma, to dismiss the VDC and take action against the sarpanch, Ms Sushila Devi, who in association with an official delegate, had aspirants formed the council comprising her family members. Similar charges were levelled against the sarpanch of Samaspur Majra village by the panchayat members. They alleged that VDC constituted without taking them into confidence. Those from Mundhkhera alleged that the VDC in their village was constituted on the “instructions” of a state minister belonging to the area. Residents of Fatehpur and Paharjpur villages complained of discrimination during the formation of VDCs in their villages. Taking serious note of these incidents, Congress leader and MLA from the Beri constituency Raghubir Singh Kadian termed the VDCs a “political stunt” to divert the attention of the people from development issues. He alleged that persons with allegiance to the INLD were being inducted into the VDCs. He said the Chief Minister was following the policy of divide and rule. Declaring the VDC as “unconstitutional” bodies, the District Bar Association, Mr Kapoor Singh Saharawat, said there was no provision for VDCs in the Panchayati Raj Act. The sarpanch was allowed only to form a gram sabha to supervise different activities in the village. He asserted that VDCs violated the Panchayati Raj Act because these superseded the powers of panchayats as was clear from the aid and fund these would receive from different government agencies, as declared by the Chief Minister. The VDCs, in fact, weakened the Panchayati Raj institutions, he added. |
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Four killed in
road mishaps FARIDABAD, Dec 16 — Four persons were killed in two accidents on the National Highway passing through the town during the past 24-hours. According to sources, a mishap near Ballabgarh left two youths, identified as Nitin, son of Bhojiram, and Deepak, son of Basant of Ballabgarh, died when their Esteem car crashed into a parked truck last night. In another accident that took place early this morning near the Bhadkhal crossing, a Maruti car dashed into a truck parked on the roadside. The car occupants identified as Dharampal of Bhataula and Attar Singh of Baroli village, died on the spot. Their bodies were extricated with the help of a crane. |
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Steps needed to check liquor supply KURUKSHETRA, Dec 16 — While it is often observed that children, where liquor flows freely, acquire drinking habit at an early age. Dr S.P. Singh said it requires more research to explain why the children of alcoholic parents consume a fixed dose of alcohol as compared to those of non-alcoholic parents. This was stated by Dr S.P. Singh, professor emeritus and convener of the UGC panel in Chemistry. He was giving a lecture before the university and college teachers on the distrubing trend of drug abuse at the UGC-sponsored refresher course in Environmental Education at Kurukshetra University here today. Dr Singh said that it had been established that easy availability of liquor (or any other drug) made it more likely to be abused. Steps were thus needed to check the supply by putting more hurdles to procure a chemical particularly the ones which were relatively more harmful, said Dr Singh. According to Dr Singh “rehabilitation of alcoholics is a difficult task as many of them take to drinking after a period of abstinence. Apart from medicines, family support and professional counseling need to be encouraged. Voluntary organisations such as Alcoholic Anonymous that has men who had stopped drinking can play a far bigger role in the management of alcoholism.” |
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‘Cattle’ train detained for days FARIDABAD, Dec 16 — The detention of the ‘Cattle special’ train of the Railways here for more than four days has led to the erruption of a major controversy over the role of some organisations claiming to be involved in safeguarding the welfare and interests of animals. While it caused undue harassment to both the local administration and the Railways, the unfortunate episode has taken the life of at least seven head of cattle, including five calves. About 288 cows unloaded from the train are still awaiting to be reloaded to reach their destination. The special train carrying 634 high-breed milching cows, had been booked from Kila Raipur in Punjab for Howrah, near Calcutta, was intercepted and stopped near the old Faridabad railway station on the directions of a Union Minister. The minister and activists of some organisations who halted the train reportedly claimed that the cows were allegedly being taken for slaughter and so it must be stopped here for a probe. As soon as the train halted the district authorities rushed to the site with a team of veterinary doctors on December 10. According to the check-up report submitted to the authorities, it was found that all cows were healthy and were of good breed and had been booked by a party for sale to another party at the Howrah station. It is reported that no intention of slaughtering them was detected as alleged by the organisations, including the people for Animals (PFA), Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The loading of the cows was also found in proper condition. Although the district administration allowed the train to move ahead on the same day but due to some technical reasons it could not do so. Meanwhile about 300 activists of the afforesaid organisations assembled on the spot, demanding that the train should not be allowed to move, reiterating their allegation. Although the local authorities again allowed the train to move in the morning of December 11, the Railway Police demanded deploying of adequate police force to check any problem of law and order. The Railway Police also registered a case against some of the animal keepers travelling in the train for possessing some Oxytocin injections, whose use for milking purpose of the cattle is banned under the Act of Prevention of Cruelity to Animals. Meanwhile, on a petition moved by the PFA, the civil court here stayed the movement of the train and directed the authorities to unload the cows and put them in ‘Goshalas’ here. This put an unusual burden on the district authorities, who have to make all arrangements itself as no organisation claiming to be animal lover, came forward to look after the cows. The SDM, Mr Jitender Dahiya said the administration not only provided medical facilities round the clock, but also supplied about 52 bags of feed, five trolleys of fodder, arrangement for light in the train and 50 trucks to unload the cows. While 22 bogies containing 346 cows have moved to Delhi for its destination after the order of the District and Sessions court here, the fate of 288 cows still remains uncertain. The Railways which has suffered a huge financial loss on the account is contemplating to file a suit for damages. |
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Railway police steps
up security AMBALA, Dec 16 — With the Kandahar hijacking anniversary approaching fast, the railway police has stepped up vigil and security at the railway station. The possibility of late last night’s railway police efforts to search out a bomb reportedly planted on board Shalimar Express being an exercise to keep the railway police personnel on their toes cannot be ruled out. The train was checked at the Ambala Cantonment railway station on the basis of an information that a bomb had been planted on the train. An even more thorough check was conducted at Jagadhari where the train was held up for about 30 minutes. The railway police had swung into action, on being informed, that there was an explosive on the train and explosive experts, the anti-sabotage team and dog squad were pressed into service to find and diffuse the explosive. To ensure that there was no panic among the passengers, they were not informed about the information regarding the bomb. But, the railway personnel systematically checked the train and at Jagadhari even the undercarriage was subjected to scrutiny. The police took special care in checking the air-conditioned coaches. After a thorough check by the railway police, no explosive was found and the train was permitted to carry on towards its destination. “The checking for the bomb on the train was done with the assistance of the local police. In case of any need, we coordinate with others for a variety of aspects”, according to police official. He said the railway police was not taking any chances and the security had been beefed up in areas where there is a possibility of intrusion by anti-national elements. The official emphasised that the security by the railway police was tight. “We maintain tight security throughout the year and there has been a marked decline in the incidents of drugging and robbery because of our efforts,” he said. Incidentally, the security at the oil terminal in Ambala has also been tightened in light of the approaching Kandahar hijacking anniversary. Patrolling has been intensified and a keen watch is being maintained at the access points. An official said that surprise checks were conducted during the night to ensure that there is no let up in the security. “Security is a sensitive aspect and we are conscious of the fact regarding maintenance of high degree of security,” he added. |
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Mewat women have the last laugh TAORU (Gurgaon), Dec 16 — Tehjib Banoo (name of her village in Taoru Block withheld on her request had the last laugh. Once turned out of her house in tattered clothes by her husband after a thrashing, today she is the toast of the village, a breadwinner and a role model for women of her neighbourhood. This has been possible because of the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWACRA), a Central Government scheme run by the district rural development agency headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the district. The success story of Tehjib Banoo in terms of women empowerment with the help of the DWACRA is not an isolated case. Women of this Muslim-dominated Mewat area have shown a penchant for starting profitable ventures. Hundreds have managed a livelihood in rural belts, compelling their husbands through sheer industry to play a second fiddle to them. A visit to a number of villages revealed that men who had till recently discarded their better halves, were now assisting them in business. The DWACRA, which for all practical purposes continues to be implemented in its old form after being merged with the Swarn Jayanti Rozgar Yojna, provides a revolving fund of Rs 15,000 to a group of women of a specific village. Each group consist of 15 women. The groups are trained by the DRDA in self-employment or self-help ventures. They are made to learn the nitty gritty of the functioning of commercial banks as accounts of the revolving funds are opened in the name of the groups. The DRDA facilitates procurement of raw material for the group and initially helps them to look out for a market for their finished products. The DRDA in the district has set up a marketing committee which buys the finished products from the groups, enabling instant payment to them. The proftit is shared by members of the group. Suitable measures are taken to replenish the revolving fund to enable continuity of the original capital. Since the inception of the scheme, 450 such groups have been set up. While many have been successful, a good number had to be winded up as the members could not continue with the venture. The ADC of Gurgaon, Mrs Neerja Shekhar, opines that lack of encouragement from the domestic quarters and societal compulsions may have influenced some women to give up their interest in the scheme. Rajwati of Raniyaki village in Taoru Block, who has set up her own shop, initially faced resistance, like Tehjib Banoo, from her busband and neighbours. She is now the group leader in her village. Her group has developed expertise in producing embroidered shoes. With the help of the DRDA, the group has been able to function independently for the sale of its products. The group are not confined to villages of Mewat. Nirmala Devi of Daulatabad village, group leader, today is all confidence. With her husband having no permanent source of livelihood, her family had often to go without food. With a glint of pride in her eyes, now she insists on brief acknowledged as an industrialist. Well aware of the Tax Department, she, however, does not reveal her earnings. Her group produces readymade garments. She has helped her husband set up a halwai shop in the area. |
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Roster system for
milling of paddy FATEHABAD, Dec 16 — The Haryana Government has decided to introduce roster system for the levy and custom milling of paddy by the shellers and assign jobs of procurement and storage of paddy to different persons. This has been done to ensure transparency. This was revealed by the Commissioner, Food and Supplies Department, Haryana, Mr Dharamveer, here today, who had come here to review the progress of milling of paddy in the district. The Director Food and Supplies, Haryana, Mr P. Raghvendra Rao, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Malik and senior functionaries of the government procurement agencies were present on the occasion. According to the earlier practice, an official of the agencies, who purchased paddy from the grain market, himself acted as the storekeeper. The system, thus, provided ample opportunities for the officials to mint money by pilferage. In many cases, the officials delayed the milling of paddy for years. Under the new system introduced by the government, the official who procures paddy would have to hand it over to another official who would manage the stores. This would ensure double check on the quality and weight of the paddy procured. Similarly, the introduction of roster system in the custom and levy milling would ensure speedy custom milling of paddy. |
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Haryana forest cover up
by 59 p.c. Chandigarh, Dec 16 — Haryana is placed first among 17 states of the country where forest cover has increased, an official spokesman said here today quoting from a recent report of the Forest Survey of India (FSI). The area under forest cover in Haryana has increased from 604 sq. km to 964 sq. km, showing an increase of 59 per cent, the spokesman said. This was the result of strenuous efforts made under the World Bank-aided social forestry project. The state forest department succeeded in bringing 1.10 lakh hectares area under plantation under this project. The department, with the aid of European Union funds, succeeded in the afforestation of 39390 hectares of area in Aravalli hills. About 20,000 hectares of Shivalik hills had also been afforested under the wastelands rehabilitation scheme of the Kandi project. The Aravalli project was launched in five districts of the state — Gurgaon, Faridabad, Mahendragarh, Rewari and Bhiwani in June, 1990, with the assistance of the European Union (EU). The state government succeeded in bringing 39,390 hectares of land under forest cover under this project. Hooda alleges
foul play Chandigarh, Dec 16 — Newly elected Haryana Congress chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda has alleged a foul play behind the state government’s decision of privatising the mines in Haryana. In a press statement here today, Mr Hooda expressed surprise at the interest shown by private parties for taking over the mines which were running in losses under government control. “The fact is that Mr Chautala has taken the decision to benefit his own henchmen ignoring the interests of over 600 persons employed in these mines”, the HPCC chief claimed. Mr Hooda would soon embark on a statewide tour to get first-hand knowledge of the problems of farmers before a strategy is chalked out to expose the misdeeds of the Chautala-led government. Mr Hooda would begin his tour by visiting Rohtak district from December 21 to 23. |
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Phone directory on Net opened SONEPAT, Dec 16 — The Chief General Manager Telecom of Bharat Sanchar Nigam, Haryana, Mr N.K. Mangla, inaugurated a telephone directory of the district on Internet here last evening. Now, anybody in the world can log-on to the site having address ‘61.0.12.3/spt-a sp’, and access the directory. Speaking on the occasion, he said this facility had become popular among the industrialists in Ambala, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rohtak, Hisar, Rewari and some other districts of Haryana and other parts of the country. This facility would be made available in 75 per cent villages of Haryana, he said. He said that all telephone exchanges except in Mahindergarh and Fatehabad districts had already been linked with Internet and the subscribers should take advantage of the facility provided by the BSNL. Mr Mangla said the BSNL would provide telephone connections on demand both in urban and rural areas by March 2002. Moreover, efforts are being made to give new connections to those who had submitted their applications before or on December 31 last year. The waiting list would be cleared by the end of March 2001, he added. According to Mr Mangla, the BSNL plans to provide STD PCOs to the educated jobless youths in the state but this scheme could not go ahead in the district on account of stay order issued by a court. The BSNL, he said, had received as many as 1,300 applications. The BSNL has installed computers in all telephone exchanges of Haryana for enabling the subscribers to lodge their complaints. This facility, he said, had been made available round-the-clock. Similar system had also been introduced for billing and inquiry. The BSNL has decided to provide mobile telephones to the subscribers within next 10 months, he added. In the initial stage, this facility will be made available on the National Highways and big cities of the country. Referring to the problems being faced by the subscribers for depositing their telephone bills in the post offices and the DTOs counters, he said that the BSNL was in touch with the Managers of the nationalised banks for opening the counters for such collections in Haryana. So far, at least 70 branches of the banks are accepting the telephone bills in the state. |
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Married woman
raped FARIDABAD, Dec 16 — A married woman was raped allegedly by two persons in a nearby village yesterday. According to police sources, the victim is a resident of Nangalia village in the district. It is learnt that she was overpowered by two persons while she was sleeping in her house and raped. Her husband is reported to be in jail in connection with a case of murder. One of the suspects has been identified as Dayaram. A case under Sections 376, 451, 34 and 506 of the IPC has been registered. But no arrest has been made so far. |
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