H A R Y A N A

Rajasthan woos Haryana industrialists
Gurgaon/Bhiwadi, April 9
The recently established Bhiwadi Industrial Development Authority in Rajasthan is making efforts to woo entrepreneurs from Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana, giving the state government a run for its money in the process.

Anti-blindness drive yet to achieve target
Bhiwani, April 9
The state-level anti-blindness drive has yet to achieve its target as no special eye camp has been organised so far. Sources say it is for want of funds. However, departmental functionaries claim that patients are being diagnosed at an eye hospital and at the Civil Hospital.

Army station organises health run
Ambala, April 9
Brig A.K. Sinha, Senior Executive Medical Officer, Commandant, Military Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, this morning flagged off a health run for schoolchildren. The run was organised by the Station Health Organisation on mark the WHO Day.

Brig A. K. Sinha, Commandant, Military Hospital, flagging off a health run organised by the station health organisation in Ambala cantonment on Tuesday morning. — Photo N Chopra

IMA unit chief elected
Kurukshetra, April 9
Renowned orthopaedic surgeon Himanshu Anand was unanimously elected President of the Indian Medical Association, Kurukshetra unit, for the second successive year. Newly elected Secretary Dr Surender Mehta said the elections were held at a meeting of the unit here yesterday.

Plans to check river pollution
Chandigarh, April 9
The Public Health Department of the Haryana Government has submitted reports on two projects costing Rs 703 crore for the Ghaggar river and Yamuna Action Plan - II to the National River Conservation Directorate for checking pollution in these rivers.

4.5 crore saplings to make state greener
Narwana, April 9
The Haryana Government has decided to plant 4.5 crore saplings this year to make the state ‘greener’ and improve environment.

• No general transfers

• Record small savings

• Civil Judge test result declared

Rajasthan woos Haryana industrialists
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon/Bhiwadi, April 9
The recently established Bhiwadi Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) in Rajasthan is making efforts to woo entrepreneurs from Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana, giving the state government a run for its money in the process.

BIDA attracted a good turnout in its industrial promotion camps organised in Gurgaon and Faridabad a few days ago. Incidentally, the local unit of Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd was recently converted into BIDA, on the pattern of Noida in Uttar Pradesh. Senior Regional Manager of RICCO M.L. Mina, told TNS that in the two camps organised in Gurgaon and Faridabad, BIDA was able to dispose of six industrial plots in Bhiwadi on the spot. While four buyers of the plots were from Gurgaon, two were from Faridabad.

While the industrialists from Gurgaon bought plots ranging from 500 sq metres to 15,000 sq metres in proper Bhiwadi industrial complex and the adjoining newly developed industrialised complex of Chaupanki, those from Faridabad bought plots at Khuskhera industrial estate. He said seven more plots in the three complexes would soon be sold.

The fact that BIDA has been trying to woo the industrialists from Haryana was highlighted by the president of the Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA), Mr J.N. Mangla, a few days ago, to the Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr L.M. Goyal. The occasion was a industry-related function organised by the CII. The top bureaucrats relating to industry from Haryana attended the function. The issue was raised by way of comparison of the facilities given to the industrialists in Rajasthan and Haryana and problems faced by the local units on account of the policies of the state government.

Mr Mina said power, the vital input provided for the units in Bhiwadi, outscored what was provided in Haryana. Gurgaon had an edge on account of its proximity to the airport. But with the expansion of the national highway, Gurgaon could lose much of its glamour as Bhiwadi would also come in the coveted zone.

There are many who feel that the Haryana Government will have to wake-up soon as its much-touted industrial model township at Manesar could face a stiff competition from the neighbouring complexes in Rajasthan.

The authorities of BIDA, led by its Vice-Chairman, Mr Sohan Lal, impressed upon the industrialists of Haryana at the camps the other incentives like rebate on the purchase of plots and the operation of single window system at Bhiwadi.

There is apparently a deep sense of resentment among the captains of industry in Haryana on the alleged imposition of levies on the units without taking the entrepreneurs into confidence. The local industrialists cite the recent case of imposition of external and internal development charges imposed by HUDA and the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) along with erratic supply of power and frequent hike in the tariffs. HUDA and HSIDC, however, have made out a strong case for charging the external and internal development charges, along with other levies on grounds that the state has to charge extra to provide facilities in its areas.

Anti-blindness drive yet to achieve target
Our Correspondent

Bhiwani, April 9
The state-level anti-blindness drive has yet to achieve its target as no special eye camp has been organised so far. Sources say it is for want of funds. However, departmental functionaries claim that patients are being diagnosed at an eye hospital and at the Civil Hospital. Besides, directions have been given to the in- charges of the CHC, PHC and Civil Hospitals through letters to make the drive a success, they said.

A senior doctor said under the drive, people would be told about diabetes which directly affected eyes.

According to doctors, if one is not blind by birth and the vision diminishes gradually, it may be because of cataract. Such persons should immediately consult a doctor, they said.

It is learnt that the reduction of blindness in the state was 1.13 per cent in 1999-2000 whereas the target had been fixed to control it by 2000. The state government spent only Rs 1.46 crore out of the Rs 2,074 crore allocated by the Central Government for the removal of blindness between 1996 and 2000. Besides, District Blindness Control Committees could not utilise the allocated sum of Rs 32 lakh during 1996 and 2001.

Army station organises health run
Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 9
Brig A.K. Sinha, Senior Executive Medical Officer, Commandant, Military Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, this morning flagged off a health run for schoolchildren. The run was organised by the Station Health Organisation on mark the WHO Day.

The run terminated at MH Ambala Cantonment. Addressing the students, Brigadier Sinha said that physical activity is simple and enjoyable. On the directions of Brigadier N.D. Prasad, Commander PH & HP (I) Sub Area, Station Health Organisation, has held different competitions to commemorate the theme given by the World Health Organisation.

In the first category of classes VI and VII, Uday of Army School and Urvashi of Convent of Jesus and Mary stood first. In the second category of classes VIII and IX, Satinder of Army School and Alka of KV No. IV were first. In the third category of classes X, XI and XII, Utkarsh of Army School and Santa Kumari of KV No. II were first. The drawing competition was held at the Station Health Organisation Ambala Cantonment.

Lieut-Col Rajat Srivastava, Officer Commanding, Station Health Organisation, said physical activity reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke, besides reducing the risk of developing diabetes and hypertension. He said the health quiz completion would be held as inter-House competition within the school.

IMA unit chief elected
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, April 9
Renowned orthopaedic surgeon Himanshu Anand was unanimously elected President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kurukshetra unit, for the second successive year. Newly elected Secretary Dr Surender Mehta said the elections were held at a meeting of the unit here yesterday.

Dr Anand said members of the association had decided to dispose of biomedical waste of their respective nursing homes at the proper disposal area. In this respect, a Memorandum of Understanding had been reached with the Biomedical Waste and Energy Management Corporation.

The local unit contributed Rs 1,11,000 for Gujarat earthquake victims, he added.

Apart from informing about other activities of the unit, Dr Anand assured them that efforts to provide better medical facilities to patients would be undertaken.

Plans to check river pollution
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9
The Public Health Department of the Haryana Government has submitted reports on two projects costing Rs 703 crore for the Ghaggar river and Yamuna Action Plan - II to the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) for checking pollution in these rivers.

While stating this here today, an official spokesman said that another report on a project costing Rs 49.65 crore relating to interception and diversion sewers, a sewage treatment plant, proper drainage facilities and low-cost toilet complexes at Kurukshetra and 52 villages falling within 8 km radius of the historic town had also been sent to the NRCD for approval.

4.5 crore saplings to make state greener

Narwana, April 9
The Haryana Government has decided to plant 4.5 crore saplings this year to make the state ‘greener’ and improve environment.

This was announced by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala here yesterday during the course of his three-day whirlwind tour of this Assembly constituency to oversee wheat procurement arrangements. He said saplings would be supplied free by the Forest Department.

He advised the farmers to adopt dairy farming to improve their financial position. UNI

No general transfers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9
The Haryana Government has decided that there will be no general transfers during 2002-2003. However, such transfers as are considered essential for administrative and other reasons may be made after obtaining prior approval of the Chief Minister. This was stated in an official press note issued here today.

Record small savings
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9
The Haryana Small Savings Department achieved the highest-ever net small savings collection of Rs 1268.48 crore during the last financial year and decided to launch the new Haryana Small Saving Prizes Scheme for the current year.

While stating this here today, the Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh, said that the scheme would consist of 7,868 cash prizes worth about Rs 1 crore under each lucky scheme for investments made during April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003.

Civil Judge test result declared
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9
Only one candidate in general category, bearing roll number 692, has been recommended for appointment following the written test for 12 posts of Civil Judge (Jr Division) in the Haryana Civil Service (Judicial Branch) held in August, 2001, according to an official statement issued here.