 |
| Wednesday,
August 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Haryana firm on setting up casinos UHBVN
modifies power scheme
Playing
hide-and-seek with HUDA Zila
Parishad poll results announced |
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Yamuna
changes course 1 lakh
youth to get vocational training Councillors
unhappy with chief’s working AMBALA DIARY Woman
moves court against SSP Pak
students visit school Kisan
Sabha flays govt on SYL issue MP’s
plea to four-lane roads Relief
being sent for Orissa flood-hit Barara
murder case solved
JE held
on graft charge Norms for
surplus staff relaxed HUDA
offers plots Ghee,
butter prices cut Two
labourers buried alive Youth
found dead Govt
confiscates Bhondsi trust land Murder
case against 6 Gang of
cattle lifters busted Improvement
Trust to be revived Dharna
against student’s murder
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Haryana
firm on setting up casinos Chandigarh, July 31 However, the Opposition politicians were aghast at with the proposal when the news broke and they continue to do so. “They would not have protested against the proposal had they been in power and felt the need for generating revenue from new sources”, observed an official commenting upon the outrage by the Opposition parties against the move. Officers of the Tourism Department, it is learnt, are working on the proposal and have made reasonable progress. The Haryana Tourism had invited proposals from private tourism development consultancy agencies for a comprehensive plan for the development of tourism in Haryana. Six, out of 28 companies which responded to Haryana Government’s call, have been shortlisted by the authorities. These companies are, Tata Consultancy Services, Tourism Finance Corporation of India (TFCI), Crisil Advisory Service, S S Kothary and Company, Consulting and Engineering Services and C B Richards Ellis Ltd. All these companies are equipped to advise the government on tourism development including potential for operating casinos in the state. In a day or two the government would finalise the selection of consultancy agency, said Dr Harbaksh Singh, Tourism Commissioner of Haryana. The state government would also have to enact a legislation for paving the way for casnio operations in the state. This legislation will be put up in assembly to get the seal of approval from the legislators. Officials of the Tourism Department are presently buried in the Casino Acts of Uruguay, Mexico, Canada and other countries to enact a suitable legislation for setting up casinos in the state. There will also be a regulatory body to ensure “integrity of gambling” in the casinos. The Tourism Commissioner — architect of the proposal on casinos in the state for tourism promotion, said they had taken over 40 acres of land near Badkhal lake in Faridabad where a mega entertainment complex, including a casino was being proposed to be set up. The entertainment complex and the casino would provide employment to at least 5000 persons, he said. There was also a proposal for setting up a similar complex on 80 acres owned by the Tourism Corporation at Gurgaon. If the proposal was approved by the Cabinet and the Assembly, the corporation would invite international bidding for the project, he said. The state government, according to the Tourism Commissioner, may either sell off the land to the party developing the entertainment complex or it may lease the land to the party on revenue sharing basis. He added that the revenue generated from gambling would be used for welfare activities of the state government. On the apprehensions commonly associated with the setting up of casinos , Dr Harbaksh Singh said that various authoritative studies had shown coming up of a casino led to fall in several crimes in that area as unemployed youths were provided with decent jobs in casinos. There would also be mechanisms to ensure that money laundering did not take place through a casino and that the compulsive gamblers did not frequent the place. The cannibalising effect, that is, a casino sending all the existing businesses of a place packing, highlighted by economists to oppose the setting up of a casino, is also a myth as actual case studies have shown otherwise, he says. |
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UHBVN modifies power scheme Rohtak, July 31 Under the modified scheme, the nigam would install transformer having motors of more than 20 bhp load. The UHBVN told The Tribune here today that the modified scheme would be available to all existing consumers provided they were not defaulters in any category, including tubewell, domestic, non-domestic and industrial. The modified scheme would remain open upto August 31. The UHBVN said to ensure better voltage and power supply to the consumers, a 25 kva transformer and a 63 kva transformer with motors above the 20 bhp load would be installed. This would involve an expenditure of Rs 50,000 on the 20 kva transformer and Rs 65,000 on the 63 kva transformer. The cost would be borne by the UHBVN. However, the consumers willing to avail the modified scheme would have to deposit a minimum of Rs 10,000 and the actual expenses (except the cost of pole mounting) to be incurred by the nigam in providing an independent transformer. The nigam said the consumers willing to avail the benefit under the scheme might give their consent to the SDO concerned on a prescribed form. The SDO would get the estimates prepared and then the consumers would have to deposit the estimated cost within seven days or latest by September 30. The nigam would convert the existing low tension lines to high tension lines with additions and alterations, wherever required. The UHBVN would also install electronic meters to calculate the actual energy consumption in case of tubewell connection and bills would be issued on the basis of actual consumption of electricity. |
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Playing
hide-and-seek with HUDA Hisar, July 31 Although the ban has been in force since long, it has not been enforced in most Haryana towns till recently. Residents of these posh colonies have thus been flouting the ban openly. Recently, however, HUDA served notices on the plot holders to get rid of their cattle or face resumption of their plots. Following this diktat many sold their cattle reluctantly. Others, however, decided to use homing instincts of their animals to circumvent the ban. To their delight they found that these animals could be set free and expected to return home for food and milking twice a day. Once the word went round that those who had sent their cattle back to their villages could bring them back. Hundreds of healthy cows and buffaloes could now be seen in and around HUDA colonies at all times. The Tribune
found that cows had developed a stronger homing instinct than buffaloes. These animals resist all efforts by the HUDA staff to chase them out of the colonies. The cows even show considerable aggression to frustrate efforts to chain them. Many HUDA employees have been injured trying to corner these animals. Buffaloes, however, are comparatively less aggressive. But, since these animals move in groups, including cows, it is hard to catch buffaloes too. The cattle were quick to adjust to their biological clocks. Most of these return home at a set hour in the evenings. They let their owners milk them after which they have their fill of fodder. After resting for a while, the animals leave and return late at night to rest outside their owners’ houses. They leave again around seven in the morning after they are fed and milked. Many residents saw a business opportunity in this. Those who used to keep only one animal to meet their own needs, now have three to four cows. As the animals return only at fixed hours, they cost much less to maintain. The excess milk can be sold to neighbours. Mobile dairies are therefore the latest trend in animal husbandry in Haryana. Veterinarians of Haryana Agricultural University said milch cattle had strong homing instincts. They could be expected to return home to feed. Both cows and buffaloes had similar instincts but since cows were aggressive, they appeared to have a stronger homing instinct. Commenting on the increase in milk yield after the animals were freed, experts said basically milch cattle were grazers. Tethering prevents them from grazing leading to fall in milk yield. Now that these animals roamed about freely, it led to an increase in milk yield. HUDA officials are flummoxed by the development for which they have no law and hence no solution. |
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Zila Parishad poll results announced Bhiwani, July 31 Stating this here today, the Deputy Commissioner added that Amar Singh had been elected from for Ward No. 9. Ashwini Kumar had been elected Sarpanch of the Loharu gram panchayat while for Ward No. 2 of the same panchayat Manju Devi, Ward No. 6 Manohar, Ward No. 7 Ram Prakash, Ward No. 8 Prehlad, Ward No. 9 Gulshan, Ward No. 10 Manohar Lal, Ward No. 11 Paras Ram, Ward No. 12 Bhoj Raj, Ward No. 16 Gita, Ward No. 18 Om Prakash, Ward No. 19 Tulsi Ram and for Ward No. 20 Hetram had been elected. The Deputy Commissioner said Suman and Kiran had been elected sarpanches of Bardu Chaina and Jhanjhra Hasanpur villages of the same block, respectively. Lakhi Ram had been elected Sarpanch of Kheri Daulatpur village of Buwani Khera block and Nanak Chand had been elected Sarpanch of the Tosham gram panchayat. Sita Devi had been elected for Ward No. 1 of the Tosham gram panchayat and Shyam Sunder for Ward No. 4, Ward No.5 Rameshwar Dass, Ward No. 6 Darshan Lal, Ward No. 7 Kitabo Devi, Ward No. 11 Bhagirath, Ward No. 12 Kali
Ram, Ward No. 13 Sanjay, Ward No. 15 Hawa Singh, Ward No. 16 Tek Chand and for Ward No. 18 Baljeet Singh had been elected panches. Ram Singh had been elected panch for Ward No. 8 of Makrana village of Dadri I whereas Sadanand for Ward No. 8, Pratap Singh for Ward No. 3 and Kedar Singh for Ward No. 2 of Kaliana village of Dadri II had been elected panches. Virender had been elected panch from Ward No. 6 of Haluwas village panchayat in Bhiwani block, Vinod from Ward No. 4 of Kharak Khurd, Devi from Ward No. 12 of Prem Nagar, Sohan from Manheru village, Bhani from Ward No. 8 of Nangal village and Dhup Singh had been elected panch from Ward No. 20 of Dinod village. Rajbala from Ward No. 6 of Badrai village was elected panch and Deep Chand was elected Sarpanch of the Dhani Ramjas gram panchayat of Siwani block. Ramesh Kumar from Ward No. 4, Surat Singh of Dhani Bhakra and Neki Ram from Ward No. 8 were elected panches for the Khera village panchayat. Attar Singh had been elected Sarpanch of Dhab Dhani village panchayat in Kairu block. |
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Yamuna changes
course Sonepat, July 31 Mr Azad Singh
Nehra, president of the district unit of the Human Rights Sangthan of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), told mediapersons here today that the crops on more than 500 acres have been damaged and the farmers have suffered a loss of Rs 60 lakh. He said that he has already toured the affected area and found that the receding water of the Yamuna river had washed away the large tracts of cropped land during the past few days. If the authorities of the Irrigation Department failed to check the erosion of land, farmers would suffer more loss. He pointed out that of the sanctioned 40 stone studs between Bulanda Garhi and Chandauli villages, the Irrigation Department had constructed only 10 stone studs. He cited this as the main reason of land erosion. Mr Nehra alleged even the stone studs built were sub-standard. He urged the state government to order a high-level probe into the scandal. |
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1 lakh youth
to get vocational training Karnal, July 31 Ms Gandhi who was here to inaugurate Mata Parkash Kaur School for the Deaf and Dumb announced that two of the three selected districts were Karnal (Haryana) and Pilibhit (UP). In Karnal at least one lakh boys and girls would be provided vocational training to start with. If the experiment succeeded here, the scheme would be extended to the entire state of Haryana. Ms Gandhi stressing the need for more vocational education desired that more libraries should be opened. She informed the audience Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was running a trust in the name of his father which was managing the affairs of a library. She was also keen to emulate the example of the Prime Minister. Ms Gandhi stated the effort of the society should not be confined to constructing good and imposing buildings for the deaf and dumb but the more important task was to impart them better training so that they could become useful citizens. She cited the example of an ideal school for the deaf and dumb which was being run in UP. She told the management that “peepal trees” should be grown in the compound of the school so that the deaf and dumb children should be saved from oppressive heat and humidity. She planted a kadamb tree sapling in the school compound. She also praised efforts of the Haryana Government for greening Haryana. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala lauded the efforts of Ms Gandhi for cleanliness of environment. He said the state government would plant 2.50 lakh more trees. |
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Councillors
unhappy with chief’s working Bhiwani, July 31 According to sources, no agenda was fixed for the meeting but it had to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting. A councillor alleged at the meeting that the Chairman, Mr Som Prakash, was working arrogantly, without taking the councillors into confidence. Another alleged that officers of the council were corrupt and did not move files without taking money. Surprisingly, the Chairman conceded the statement and did not attempt to take any action or inquire about the veracity of the allegation. Councillor Ramesh Masta alleged that toilets constructed near the Bawri gate some years ago were now under illegal possession and someone was living in them on rent. Mr Rohtash Singh of Ward 30 alleged that the Chairman did not take him into confidence before the plantation of saplings on the open land in his ward. Councillor Kailash Rani of Ward 27 sought police action against those who broke the lock of the octroi office at Tosham Road. The Chairman assured her that action would be taken. Mr Subhash of Ward 26 alleged that tubelights and electrical spares allocated for each ward had not been distributed. A councillor alleged that Mr Som Prakash was partial as he had expedited the construction of a park in his ward whereas no development or necessary work was being undertaken in any other ward. Though the meeting ended in a heated atmosphere, the councillors hoped action on their letter sent to the Chief Minister. As many as 22 councillors have written a letter to the Chief Minister that the municipal council and councillors had earned a bad name due to encroachments and unauthorised constructions on municipal land. |
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AMBALA DIARY Ambala The theme of the play was the omnipresence of God and the help extended by Him in moments of distress. A middle-class man is struggling to meet the demands of his wife, daughter and son. He is also under tremendous pressure from his boss to approve a sub-standard equipment. It is at this juncture that God intervenes and helps him sort out matters. The dramatic entry of ‘God’ from the back of the hall, walking down the aisle upto the stage, left the audience spell-bound. It was a play by amateurs with professional qualities. * * * Teej was celebrated with fervour by the women of Ambala. Different organisations held programmes to mark the festival. The ladies wing of Ambala Junior Chamber, under its chairperson, Ms Shweta Jain, celebrated Teej in Arya Girls College, Ambala Cantonment. A number of women participated in the celebrations. Tambola, one-minutes games, ‘Sawan’ songs and jhoola highlighted the programme. Pooja Budhiraja, Harjeet Sodhi, Ritu Manchanda and Sangeeta Jain won prizes in different games. The ladies section of Lions Club, Ambala Central, celebrated Teej in Indian Roller restaurant. The participants enjoyed games, jhoola and music. Mrs Balwinder Sachdeva, Mrs Sangeeta Batra and Mrs Kamlesh Arora won prizes. * * * Need for a glass of water saved a young boy who escaped death in a roof collapse which took the lives of his mother and two sisters in Ambala City. According to one of his relatives Sunny had a providential escape since he had gone out of the room to drink water. The roof collapsed immediately after he had left the room. The time of the roof collapse is evident from the fact that the wall clock in the house had stopped two minutes before midnight. * * * The water of the Dead Sea is unfit for drinking because of its high salt content but beauticians seem to have found a productive use for this water. Now, a local beautician has introduced “Dead Sea” skin and body treatment at her clinic. Ms Harveen Kathuria manager of the clinic says that since the Dead Sea loses large quantities of water through evaporation, there is a high concentration of minerals in the water. Dead Sea water is used for therapeutic purposes and also for rejuvenating the skin. This treatment includes four-layered facial, Dead Sea anti-cellulite, Dead Sea anti-pigmentation treatment, Dead Sea hair, scalp treatment and anti-acne treatment. |
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Woman moves court against SSP Rohtak, July 31 Sources said Bimla Devi of Dubaldhan Majra village in Jhajjar district charged the SSP with attempting to outrage her modesty. She had gone to his residence here on July 20 when she did not find her name in the list of successful candidates in the physical fitness test, she said. The case would now come up for hearing on August 22 next. On the other hand, the SSP denied the charges in the court. Terming the allegations as baseless, Mr Ahlawat said the woman never came to his residence. UNI |
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Pak students visit school Faridabad, July 31 Mr Anwar Abbas, administrator of the Habib School, said the students were on a 25-day goodwill tour and had been showered with love. He said the atmosphere in the two countries could be improved if people from both sides understood the reality and extend friendship. Mr Shabhi Abbas, Director Sports of the school, said the “problems” were the legacy of the British. Pakistan and India should sort out the issues amicably, he said, adding that this was his second visit to India. The students said they had come with a message of peace. The Principal of DAV Public School, Dr A.V. Bhalla, said cultural and social exchange between the countries could make a differences. A cultural function was also held on the occasion. |
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Kisan Sabha flays govt on SYL issue Jind, July 31 Mr Phool Singh
Sheokand, spokesman for the sabha, said the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal was the lifeline of the state, but the Chautala government was not serious about its completion. He said the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, did not take up the matter with Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, at Pargati Rally held at Bhiwani on July 24. Mr Sheokand said the government claimed to be following the policies of former Deputy Prime Minister, Devi Lal. He said on the contrary the government had imprisoned 36 farmers for 40 days in default of non-payment of government loans. He said similar action was taken against farmers of Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Panipat districts. He said the government should waive off loans of farmers and should charge five per cent interest on the new loans advanced to the farmers. The executive committee passed a resolution demanding the purchase of early variety of paddy at the support price fixed by the Union Government, withdrawal of hike in electricity rates, and regular supply of power to the farm sector. The committee also decided to, organise a seminar on ‘World Trade Organisation and Indian agriculture’ at Jind on August 11. |
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MP’s plea
to four-lane roads Chandigarh, July 31 Mr Kataria informed this to a delegation of the Ambala Cantonment Citizens Welfare Council, which called upon him yesterday. The BJP leader promised to take up the demand of the council that the inner roads of the civilian area of the cantonment should be made of cement with the Haryana Government. The delegation led by the Chairman of the council, Dr N.C. Jain, also urged Mr Kataria to persuade the Centre and the state government to immediately start the development of the Saha growth centre, which would give a boost to the scientific instruments industry based in the Ambala cantonment, which should also be declared “Science city”. The council demanded that a separate industrial area should be earmarked to accommodate at least 200 tiny and cottage units. It also urged the MP to take up with the Haryana Government the issue of poor drainage in the town. |
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Relief
being sent for Orissa flood-hit Faridabad, July 31 According to Red Cross sources, the state government has reportedly directed each district administration to get collect the relief material immediately. The material include, tents, polythene sheets and chlorine tablets. It is learnt that the Red Cross authorities and officials of the various districts have been directed to collect material worth about Rs 2.5 lakh. The district authorities have also been asked to issue appeals and seek cooperation of the public to collect the relief. It is likely that the respective Deputy Commissioners may approach various institutions and voluntary organisations for the help. But a local official claimed that as the relief from districts was not expected to be much. |
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Barara murder case solved Ambala, July 31 After the incident, two of the Bihari servants disappeared from the village immediately. The police and the villagers were suspecting their involvement in the murder of Gurdasmal. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Sandeep Khirwar, said here today that on a tip off, the police raided in a village of Bihar and nabbed one of the Bihari servant. He said during the interrogation, the servant has admitted that he and one other person were involved. The servant has also disclosed that one of the resident of the village had offered them Rs 10,000 for murdering Gurdasmal, Mr Khirwar added. According to the information, the two Bihari servants were employed by Gurdasmal around one and half years back to look after his fields. Within a few months the servants became very close to Gurdasmal and his family members. On the day of the incident, the two servants had slept along with him in the tubewell room where the murder took place.
Maora dacoity case The police has achieved a clue in the Maora dacoity case in which around one dozen armed persons looted goods of worth Rs 1 crore from the godown of Dabar, Godrej and P&G. The SP, Ambala, Mr Sandeep Khirwar, said three teams of police have been sent to Alwar, Punjab and UP. The police is of the view that the stolen goods would have been sold in some big city. The police team sent to different cities have also collected some important information which is being scrutinised by the senior police officers. |
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JE held
on
graft charge Faridabad, July 31 The suspect identified as Badan Singh is posted at Bhadrola village office of the DHBVN. It is learnt that the JE demanded Rs 500 for releasing a power connection at the house of the applicant Bir Singh of Bhadrola village. The deputy commissioner when contacted by the applicant’s son, set up a ‘raid’ team consisting of the District Revenue Officer, Mr M. S. Maan, and the DSP, Mr Kuldeep Singh the team caught the suspect while accepting the ‘marked’ money from the applicant’s son at his house. |
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Norms for surplus
staff relaxed Chandigarh, July 31 An official press note said in the
retrenched employees beyond 50 years of age would now be allowed to
apply for posts to be filled by government departments and public
enterprises. Earlier, the government had announced that retrenched
employees having a maximum age of 50 would be eligible for applying for
government jobs. The state government also decided that the
retrenched employees would be eligible to apply for such vacancies
within five years from the date of retrenchment instead of three years
announced earlier. |
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HUDA offers plots Chandigarh, July 31 A spokesman of the HUDA said the last date for the submission of applications was September 3 for general and other categories and October 3 for defence personnel, ex-servicemen, para-military forces and NRIs. HUDA would also hold public auction of commercial booths and shop-cum-flats in Urban Estate, Bhiwani on August 8. |
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Ghee, butter
prices cut Chandigarh, July 31 She said that the price of a 15-kg tin of ghee had been reduced by Rs 30 per tin, in other packings, the ghee prices would be reduced by Rs 5 a kg. Mrs Jakhu said the federation had reduced the prices of ghee and butter in view of the requirement of consumers during the coming festival season. She said while the rates of ghee and butter had been cut, the federation had not reduced the purchase price of milk. |
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Two labourers
buried alive Jhajjar, July 31 According to information, four labourers were working at the tank when a side of the earth wall suddenly collapsed. Two of them, Mohan Lal (24) and Lampu (50) were buried alive. The other two, Pyare Lal and Dhani Ram, sustained injuries and were admitted to a nearby hospital. The bodies of the deceased were dug out later by the local labourers with the help of the Fire Brigade workers. The deceased hailed from Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. The contractor reportedly fled from the scene after the incident. The police has registered a case. |
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Youth found dead Fatehabad, July 31 According to the police, both youths, Ram Niwas and Jayant, were drug addicts. The police recovered a large number of intoxicants and a syringe in the hands of one of the youths. While Ram Niwas was found dead Jayant was found in a critical condition. He has been referred to the PGI, Rohtak for treatment. |
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Govt confiscates Bhondsi trust land Gurgaon, July 31 Following a Supreme Court direction, the Deputy Commissioner, revenue and panchayat officers and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel took possession of the land at Bhondsi village on the Delhi-Alwar highway, the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Mr Virendra Malik said. The direction was issued on July 24.
PTI |
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Murder
case against 6 Bhiwani, July 31 The SP, Dr Suman Manjri, told mediapersons here today that a case had been registered under Sections 148, 149 and 307, IPC, against Mukesh, Ghasi of Dhanana village, Surender, Devdutt and Bajrang of Bhuran villages for allegedly attacking Roshan Kumar of Dhanana village with sword, knife and bricks. A dowry case under Sections 498-A and 304-B, IPC, had been registered against Krishan, Santra, Indrawati, alias Chandro Devi, Raghbir, Surender and Bhula Ram Gujjar of Keharpura for allegedly murdering Savita (24) by poisoning her. |
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Gang of cattle lifters busted Kaithal, July 31 Speaking to mediapersons Mr A.S. Chawla, SP, said here today that on a tip-off that some miscreants had assembled near bus stop at Franlewala village and were planning to loot a petrol station at Padla, the police arrested three of them while the other three escaped under the cover of darkness. Those arrested were Pearu, Umru of Bannat in Muzaffarnagar district and Rhisu of Mandai in Meerut district. Two pistols, six cartridges and a sharp-edged weapon was seized from them. Mr Chawla said the gang members had confessed to having lifted cattle grom Shimla, Matour, Sisah in Panipat, Nagma in Jind and Mansa. A case has been registered against them under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC. In another incident, the police arrested four members of a gang at Pundri last night. When they were planning to loot a petrol station. Those arrested were Virender, Rajinder, Pawan and Vijay. However their another accomplice Rajesh managed to escape. a pistol and an iron rod were seized from their possession. |
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Improvement
Trust to be revived Karnal, July 31 The other members who have been nominated to the trust are Mr Manbir
Chaudhry, a hotelier, Mr Rajinder Sharma, son of a cinema owner Ram
Kishen, a representative of the Schedule Castes. The municipal committee has already nominated Mr Anand Prakash and Mr Saini as its two representatives on the trust. It may be added that the Chief Minister consulted the local MLA, Mr Jai Prakash Gupta, before finalising the names. The Chief Minister had also called a meeting of MLAs from three districts yesterday to discuss the development plans. |
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Dharna
against student’s murder Kaithal, July 31 |
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Rs 7 crore for highway Chandigarh, July 31 |
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New SP
(Vigilance) for Rohtak Chandigarh, July 31 |
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ICAR DG Paroda felicitated Karnal, July 31 |
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