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February 28, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Power reforms hinge on making the user pay New Delhi, February 27 “Reform measures as yet are nascent efforts, and it is not yet clear that such privatisation will succeed in obtaining more effective enforcement,” the survey said. “The key bottleneck faced today lies in the enforcement of user charges in distribution,” the survey said, adding if the power sector could work in a reliable manner, it would serve to increase the efficiency of capital utilisation.” The survey said the distribution was privatised on the business valuation method for the valuation of assets of the DVB. The essence of this valuation methodology is to set targets for five years in terms of efficiency gains, make assumption about plausible retail tariff increases and all heads of expenses and then calculate the value of the liability which can be met through the earnings projected, provided efficiency targets are met. The key to a turnaround in the distribution business lies in controlling theft, improving collections and reducing technical losses. The efficiency gains have been ‘incentivised’ by providing that extra revenue collected over and above the prescribed aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) reduction path would be shared equally between the consumer and the distribution companies. The survey, however, pointed out that once reforms in transmission and distribution were in place, it would not be difficult to elicit private investments in generation. “Improvement in the power distribution area alone could account for over 1.5 per cent of GDP of the fiscal correction,” the survey said while emphasising the need for increased privatisation in the distribution sector in the country. The government has drawn up an ambitious programme to address the problems entailing new generation capacity of 1,00,000 MW (which would roughly double the existing generation capacity), and substantial investments in transmission and distribution. Concerned over the whopping annual losses of Rs 40,000 crore of State Electricity Boards, the survey today asked the government to push for reforms and payment of user charges in the power sector. The total fund requirement to achieve this would be Rs 8,00,000
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Partial
response to VAT bandh New Delhi, February 27 “We are against the implementation of VAT since it would give arbitrary powers to tax authorities regarding penalties, search, seizure and prosecution,” he said. Asking the government to come out with a “white paper” on the reasons for implementing VAT, Mr Khandelwal demanded that it must be deferred till the next fiscal. However, Delhi Industry Minister Deep Chand Bandhu said: “The government would take all possible steps to prevent the implementation of VAT in Delhi, so that the interests of traders are protected.’’ The bandh was called jointly by the Confederation of All India Traders, the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh and the Forum of Delhi Trade Associations. Vice-president of the Federation of All India Automobile Spare Parts Dealer’s Association (Faiaspda) Pushpinder Singh has also voiced his reservations on imposing VAT on automobile spare parts. In a release, Mr Pushpinder Singh said that even the Jha committee report mentions that spare parts wholesalers and traders are housed in overcrowded lanes, employ the poorest of the poor, have no proper accounting system and operate with a margin of just five per cent. Therefore, VAT should not be imposed on the spare parts dealers. He went on to add that VAT is not a self-administering system. Without careful planning, it will fail and will considerably increase the number of assessees, which the department cannot cope with. |
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Congress
leader gets anticipatory bail in graft case Sonepat, February 27 According to the case, the bureau found during investigations that Mrs Krishna Gehlaut, as chairperson of the Haryana State Social Welfare Board between 1990 and 1995, had misappropriated Rs 80,000 from the board’s funds, enrolled her relatives in board services without advertising the post or demanding the names from the employment exchanges. It may be recalled that Mrs Gehlaut was appointed as the chairperson of the board in 1990 during the rule of Chautala’s party in the state. Though there was a change of guard in 1991 and Mr Bhajan Lal became the Chief Minister, Mrs Gehlaut continued in the post as her appointment was for five years. She also reportedly made it a point to maintain cordial relations with the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders. However, in 1996, she joined Bansi Lal’s Haryana Vikas Party and successfully contested the assembly elections from the Rohat Assembly constituency in Sonepat district. She had been a Minister of State in the Bansi Lal government. After its fall, she left the HVP and joined the Congress in 2000. At present, she is the general secretary of the All India Mahila Congress. |
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Add a pinch of haldi or a dash of methi to be in the pink of health New Delhi, February 27 Says Dr Kamala Krishnaswamy, Emeritus Medical Scientist (ICMR), National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad: “Spices and plant foods are rich sources of phytochemicals which have numerous biological benefits: they reduce the risk of chronic diseases, cancer and cardiovascular problems.” “Curcumin, the main colouring component of turmeric (haldi), was evaluated for its preventive effects in cancer and examined for its anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects in biological systems in animals and humans. It was found to increase detoxifying enzymes in the liver and intestinal mucosa, besides preventing DNA damage, improving DNA repair and decreasing mutations and tumor formation. “Preliminary clinical trials in humans have shown that turmeric in a small dose, even one gm per day, can have a perceptible impact on the excretion of mutagens in urine, besides reducing cholesterol and triglycerides,” Dr Kamala says. Besides turmeric, other foods like garlic, onions and mustard seeds have been identified as possessing anti-carcinogenic potential. Fenugreek (methi) seeds can have a significant impact on glucose and lipids, and can be used as a food adjuvant in diabetics. Dr Krishnaswamy believes that “Diets rich in phytonutrients used commonly in traditional Indian cuisine may help in dietary prevention of chronic ailments. Adding a dash of garlic or a pint of spices to our food not only enhances the taste but also the nutritional content of the food significantly.” Agrees Dr H. Ohigashi of Kyoto University, Japan: “Chemo prevention, one of the most promising techniques for cancer control, has been the subject of extensive research. We have witnessed some very encouraging results with the phytochemicals in vegetables and fruits, especially in Asian countries. In particular, the plants in the families of Zingiberaceae, Rutaceae, Labiate, Cruciferae and Umbelliferae have been found to contain high quantities of possible anti-tumor promoters. The concentration has been found to be significantly higher in Southeast Asian countries.” More than 30 such compounds, including curcumin, cardamonin and coumarins, have so far been isolated and identified, Dr Ohigashi elaborated. Commenting on the specific role of medical plants in the food for the armed forces, Dr W. Selva Murthy of Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, said, “Various natural products, called adaptogens, have been used traditionally to reduce stress-related disorders in the armed forces. During extreme conditions, adaptogens enhance resistance to general stress and promote mental performance. Notable among these is Seabuckthorn (Happophae rhamnoides), a naturally occurring high altitude plant, that holds great promise in nutraceuticals and agro-based industry for its marked antioxidant and immuno-modulatory properties.” However, India is not the only country rich in these medicinal plants. Says Dr Huo Junsheng of Chinese Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, “The term ‘medicinal food’ appeared frequently in the literature of the East Han dynasty as early as 100 BC. At around the same time, the term ‘food therapy’ was also in vogue.” Agrees Dr Hyong Joo Lee of Seoul National University, Korea, “Prominent among the promising health foods of Korea are soybean foods, fish sauces, Kimchi and ginseng products. Soybean, in particular, has been shown to help reduce hypertension. It is also found to be helpful in protecting against formation of tumor cell lines, and even reducing the cholesterol level.” |
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Dial 198 for getting exasperated Panipat, February 27 Moreover, the telephone department is indirectly favouring their competitor as majority of cable faults have been created by the new company of a big industrial unit of India, which is coming in a big way and have invested thousand of crores of rupees for their infrastructure. In the town and suburbs, most of the lines have developed faults due to digging, laying of their cables; a subscriber alleged whose phone was out of order for the last 25 days. According to available information, there are reports of faults in telephone lines and cable faults from Samalkha, Israna, Bapoli and Panipat town. In Samalkha town, for the past 20 days, the number of telephone fault cases has gone up to 50 per cent, which include 35 per cent line faults and 15 per cent cable faults. The authorities claimed that all kind of faults would be removed within a short period. But the number of faults has been increasing with subscribers not getting any relief. The two branches, falling under the Israna exchange, are reported to be out of order for the last many days. The Didwadi village Sarpanch alleged that whenever they go to lodge the complaints at Naultha telephone centre, most of the time it is found locked. The villagers have planned to meet the Union Communication Minister regarding the uncompromising attitude of the BSNL authorities. The villages located in Yamuna basin, falling under the Bapoli telephone exchange, are also the victims of department’s apathy. The situation in Panipat town is also pathetic as a large number of complaints are pouring with BSNL offices. The PCO operators are also suffering a lot due to the indifferent attitude of the BSNL authorities. One of the complainants, who runs a PCO at Panipat railway station, said for a minor fault, his telephone remained out of order for more than a fortnight. On General Manager’s intervention, the fault was repaired, that too on third day, which otherwise had been kept pending, he said. Similarly, so many cable fault cases are pending in Babarpur exchange area, Old Housing Board Colony, Noorwala, part of G. T. Road, forcing subscribers for a revolt. The computerised complaint service line “198 ” either remains out of order or the bell keeps on ringing. All this could be because the authorities want to keep the fault rate down, says a subscriber. According to sources, the linemen and technicians are reportedly approaching to the subscribers to bear the cost of cable, purchase the requisite items from the market and pay labour charges as the spare cable was not available in the stores. On the contrary, the competitor of BSNL has started laying underground cables. When the GM was approached for his comment, he was not available on phone, however, his PA confirmed that action has been taken against that company and a FIR has been lodged. Ironically, the city police station Incharge denied it, saying that no such FIR has been lodged against that company by the BSNL so far. Some subscribers even faxed their data to the Chief General Manager of BSNL, Ambala. |
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Mock crash landing
exercise held New Delhi, February 27 A call was received around 2.30 pm today that an aircraft had crashed and rescue activities were being carried out. According to the police, the exercise was a routine one and done every year to check the general preparedness of the officials.
Raj Bhasha Shield The Language Department of the Delhi Government awarded “Raj Bhasha Shield to four senior officers and a few junior officials for using the Hindi language while working in the Delhi Police Headquarters. The officers are Joint Commissioner of Police, Seva Das; Additional Commissioner of Police, Mansoor Ali Sayed; and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Baldev Chand Kalra. The officials are inspector Arun Kumar, head constables Kaptan Singh, Ram Bali and Brij Mohan and constable Gajender Singh. |
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SONEPAT Sonepat, February 27 According to official sources, a sum of Rs 8 lakh is being spent in four slum-ridden wards. The Sonepat Municipal Council had completed the development works in two slum wards and similar works were in progress in two other wards and they would be completed soon in accordance with the announcements of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Official sources also revealed that the state government has already approved the development works at a cost of Rs 16.50 lakh and they would be undertaken soon by the Sonepat Municipal Council. The 11th Financial Commission has released a sum of Rs 29.70 lakh to the Sonepat Municipal Council for undertaking the works in Sonepat city. Of it, a sum of Rs 7.13 lakh would be spent on the construction of a slaughterhouse. The remaining amount of Rs 22.51 lakh would be spent on the works to be carried out in the city. Under the scheme, each ward would be allotted Rs 2 lakh for the purpose. The state government has earmarked Rs 22.68 lakh for the repairs and construction of the roads in the city. The Sonepat Municipal Council had already spent Rs 19.05 lakh on the repairs and construction of the roads in the city. All the works would be completed by the end of March. Meanwhile, representatives of various political, social and voluntary organisations and trade unions have urged the state government to order a high-level probe into the scandalous works executed by the Sonepat Municipal Council and punish the officials found responsible for the substandard works. HUDCO has sanctioned Rs 45.23 crore for the implementation of solid waste management schemes in 10 towns and cities of the state. According to official sources, these cities and tows are Thanesar, Yamunanagar, Jagadhari, Kithal, Karnal, Hansi, Bhiwani, Narnaul and
Hisar. Under the solid waste management scheme, dairies would be removed outside the cities. Similarly, a sum of Rs 45.63 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of concrete roads and improving the drainage system in 23 towns of the state. The towns are Kalka, Pinjore, Naraingarh, Shahbad Markanda, Ladwa, Peohwa, Cheeka, Gharaunda, Taraori, Asandh, Charkhi Dadri, Narwana, Safidon, Barwala, Fatehabad, Tohana, Ratia, Dabwali, Ellanabad, Kalanwali, Ranian, Ferozpur Jhirka and Mahindragarh. Under the NCR Development Scheme, a sum of Rs 56.56 crore has been sanctioned for the repair of roads in 16 cities and towns of the state. Under the scheme, 75 per cent amount would be given as loan and the remaining 25 per cent would be spent by the civic bodies concerned. For this purpose, the first instalment of Rs 21.20 lakh had already been released. The state government has already distributed Rs 10.23 crore among the civic bodies concerned for undertaking the repair. Official sources also revealed that the Solid Waste Management Scheme would be implemented at Rewari, Sonepat, Panipat and Karnal. Moreover, a sum of Rs 142 crore had been sanctioned for the beautification of 26 cities and towns in the state. The state government is also planning to beautify the cities on the pattern of the cities abroad. As part of the plan, the government has decided to remove the piggeries outside the cities. |
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SPECIAL
FOCUS ON ROHTAK Rohtak, February 27 The accreditation of the other two universities in Haryana, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, and Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar, has already been done by the NAAC. While Kurukshetra University has been awarded four stars under the old five-star grading system, Guru Jambheshwar University has been given `A’ grading under the new grading system. The accreditation process has three stages. In the first stage, a self-study report by the institution concerned is submitted to the NAAC. In the second stage, a peer team of the NAAC visits the institution to validate the self-study report. And in the third stage, a sub-committee of the NAAC executive council examines the compatibility of the self-study report and the peer team’s report and submits its report to the executive council of the NAAC. At this stage, the NAAC conveys to the institution its grade and asks for its reaction. The institution has the option to accept the grade or ask for a review or reject the same. All this remains confidential till the institution accepts the grade. Thereafter, the NAAC puts the details of the institution on its website and the said institution becomes a part of the international accreditation system, which has 98 countries as its members. There are nine grades for accreditation. These are A++, A+, A, B++, B+, B, C++, C+ and C. For grading, the NAAC has seven criteria. These are curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resource, student support and progression, organisation and management and healthy practices. Under these seven criteria the major considerations for arriving at the score are the variety of course options, adoption of UGC model curricula, students’ admission through entrance test and career bridge courses offered, automation in examination work, memorandum of understanding with other institutions, a good library, good research potential, a health centre, good sports facilities, computer facility and training, employment guidance, financial support in the form of scholarship, good recreational facility, academic calendar adopted, the reservation policy followed, maintenance of democratic organisational structure and establishment of chairs. A cross-section of the university community is of the view that in totality the university deserves to be placed between the A+ and B++ grades. As regards the accreditation of individual university teaching departments, the views are again unanimous. Out of a total of 26 departments, there are at least seven departments which should get A grade. These are the departments of bio-sciences, economics, sociology, chemistry, law, IMSAR and Hindi. Another eight departments should get B+ grade. These are the departments of mathematics, physics, geography, history, Sanskrit, psychology, pharmaceutical sciences and English. The departments of commerce, statistics, fine arts, music, public administration and physical education can get B grade. The remaining five departments are unanimously termed as C grade, mainly because of acute shortage of teaching staff. These are the departments of political science, education, computer science, defence studies and journalism. Significantly, teaching is viewed as the best in all teaching departments of the university. Classes are held regularly. Students are disciplined and respectful to their teachers. Library facilities are excellent. Every one is of the view that the university has the potential to get A++ grade if the state government permits the university to appoint teachers at least in those departments which have acute shortage. Take the case of the Education Department where there is only one teacher. In the departments of defence studies and computer sciences, there are only two teachers in each department. Similar is the situation with a number of other departments. |
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Abhay cock-a-hoop about vikas rally Rohtak, February 27 Addressing newspersons here today, he said there was no possibility of mid-term elections. He claimed there was no substitute for the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. Without naming anyone, he said the people of Rohtak had rejected the Congress leader and even the AICC chief, Ms Sonia Gandhi, had removed him from the post of HPCC chief as he was losing grip among the masses. Mr Abhay Chautala ironically stated that the Congress party had ruled in the state for over 30 years but the matter of discrimination in distribution of water had now started worrying senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He refuted allegations of discrimination in the matter of disbursing drought relief to the affected farmers. Commenting on the recent charges levelled by the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, regarding the casual attitude of the state government in approaching him for the relief package, he said the government was not required to approach the Union Agriculture Minister for seeking compensation as it had direct access to the Prime Minister.
ATM of HDFC Bank inaugurated The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ashok Yadav, inaugurated an offsite ATM of HDFC Bank at Bhiwani stand chowk here on Thursday afternoon. Mr Sanjeev Kumar, Assistant Vice-President of the bank, said it was the first offsite ATM in the town. He said the bank had 700 ATMs in 115 cities around the country.
Lecturer elected to MDU council Dr Wazir Singh Nehra, a lecturer in University College here, has been elected a member of the Executive Council of Maharshi Dayanand University for two years. Dr Nehra got 30 votes out of 75 in the election held on Thursday. |
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DELHI
DIGEST New Delhi. February 27 A fountain would be installed on the lawns on both sides of the Red Fort. There would be an underground complex near the main entrance. The complex will have drinking water, public conveniences, retiring space and cloakroom. Mr Goel said the design had been prepared by HUDCO and the CPWD was working on the project. Parking space would be provided on the left of the Fort. Tourists would be escorted from the parking space to the entrance in battery-operated buses.
New College building Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday inaugurated the new building of Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences (University of Delhi) at Dwarka. Established by the Government of NCT of Delhi to further the cause of technical and professional education, the college has shifted to a state-of-the-art modern complex that includes laboratories, audio-visual centre, auditorium, conference rooms and a library housed in three floors. Mrs Dikshit told the students that the university special buses would be started for the college.
Radha Swami Satsang The Delhi Traffic police have made some restrictions following the Radha Swami Satsang Beas to be held at Chhatarpur Bhatti Minesh Complex for three days on March 7. According to a release by the traffic police, no heavy vehicles will be allowed to ply on from SSN Marg – Annuvert Marg to Radha Swami Satsang Beas Complex and from Annuvert – Chhatarpur Mandir ‘T’ point to Radha Swami Complex, Pant Marg, Bandh Road to Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road from 6 am to 4.30 pm on these days. |
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NCR
BRIEFS Faridabad, February 27 In another incident, a girl identified as Arti, daughter of Sukhbir Singh of Kelly village, was crushed to death by an unidentified vehicle on Mathura Road. The police also recovered an unidentified body of a person run over by a train near the railway station.
Tempo driver killed Ghaziabad: A tempo driver was killed with a sharp-edged object in Ram Lila Maidan, opposite City Kotwali here last night. He was killed by the people sitting beside him. The deceased Brijesh was a resident of Ahata Patwari in Babupura.
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Yuva Shanti Doot Divas Rewari: Men and women from different walks of life participated in the Yuva Shanti Doot Divas celebrations organised in connection with the Shiv Shanti Mahotsava at the Rewari centre of the Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya here yesterday. Mrs Sarita Chawala, president of the Rewari unit of the Lioness Club, presided over the function.
Adhikar Rally Preparations for the Adhikar Rally to be held at Jhajjar on March 2, have reached a feverish pitch. Prominent Congress leader Rao Inderjeet Singh, said that the rally would mainly focus on the issue of equitable distribution of canal water.
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Broker rescued; kidnappers held New Delhi, February 27 The victim was rescued from a locked room in Sarai Pipal Thala in Adarsh Nagar. Victim’s brother-in-law lodged a complaint to the police that Arvind had been kidnapped and he identified the suspects. He also reported that the abductors were demanding a ransom of Rs 4.5 lakh for his release, police said.
Stabbed to death Lalit Kumar (19) was reportedly stabbed to death by his neighbour, Shyam Veer Singh following an altercation on a trivial matter in Ambedkar Nagar area last night. The victim was taken to AIIMS where he was declared brought dead. The suspect has been arrested. |
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Three held for betting, 20 mobiles seized
New Delhi Dairies shifted Faridabad: Several dairies operating in the residential areas of Ballabgarh town shifted out of the town on Wednesday. The municipal corporation authorities had given a notice to several dairy owners of Chawla Colony that they should remove the dairies by February 26, or the authorities would impound their cattle. It is learnt that the owners of as many as 13 dairies have removed their cattle.
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