Water for ten minutes in morning and evening!
Parmindar Singh

Ghaziabad, June 15
Vasundhra and Vaishali, the residential colonies developed by UP Avas Vikas Parishad and Ghaziabad Development Authority, are facing an unprecedented water crisis.

Ever since these colonies were handed over to the Nagar Nigam, Ghaziabad, the flats in the high-rise complexes get water for about 10 minutes each in the morning and evening.

Although the Nagar Nigam is aware of the precarious situation, yet it has done precious little in the last two months, except raising the water tax.

The work on the crucial Ganga water pipeline is still in the lurch; this pipeline was extensively publicized to lure allottees to the two colonies. In fact, the allotment was made on the promise of full supply of water, it is pointed out.

However, by the time the applicants were allotted flats in Sector-16, the work on water mains had stopped. At that time, the allottees were assured by the GDA and the UPAVP that as soon as Vasundhra and Vaishali were complete, the water mains would be in place.

But even though all the sectors of both the colonies are complete, the water lines have not been commissioned, allege residents. The water is currently being supplied to Vasundhra and Vaishali via a Toli mode.

The Vasundhra Residents Welfare Associations’ Secretary General, Mr Chetenya Chaturvedi, says that the “water supply is restricted to 30 to 40 minutes in a day and we all have hired `rekshas’ to ferry water; the latter charge Rs 50 for fetching 100 litres of water.”

“Even after purchasing flats for Rs 12 to 14 lakh each, we have to get potable water from Delhi. There is no place in the house where one can drill for water. Even if one succeeds, the water pumped out is saltish or brakish.”

Though a complete plan for obtaining Ganga water has been prepared, the Nagar Nigam has failed to get the work completed. Another resident, K. Pant, lamented that only water from bore wells was being supplied to the residents ever since the colony had developed. Though trenches have been dug for laying the pipelines, things have not progressed beyond that, the residents alleged.

Flare-up over custody of body of dowry victim
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 15
A flare-up between the parents and in-laws over the custody of the body of an alleged dowry victim turned ugly in the civil hospital here yesterday, forcing the local cops to intervene.

The row erupted when the parents and in-laws of the victim insisted that they would take the body to their respective village for cremation. This led to a heated exchange which might have resulted in an altercation were it not for the timely intervention of the police. A large number of people, who had assembled at the site, were witnesses to the incident.

Meena, a young housewife, sustained serious burn injuries in her house on Friday night; the in-laws took her to the Civil Hospital where she was declared brought dead.

On the report of Mr Attar Singh, a resident of Kanada village and father of the victim, the Sadar Police had registered a dowry death case against Vijay Singh, husband of the victim, and five others. However, no arrest had been made and all the accused are still at large.

Mr Attar Singh, in his complaint, stated that his daughter was married to Vijay Pal of Roht village on February 25, 1998, and since then she had been harassed for dowry; the in-laws kept demanding Rs five lakh in cash and a car.

When these demands were not met, she was allegedly burnt to death by her husband and other members of the family.

Yet another woman sacrificed at the altar of dowry
Our Correspondent

Jhajjar, June 15
Yet another incident of dowry death was reported in the district on Friday when a resident of Thana Kalam in Sonepat district accused the husband and in-laws of her daughter of killing her for dowry.

According to information, Gayatri, daughter of Jagdev Singh of Thana Kalan was married to Harivesh in Dighal village some years ago.

The family of husband started harassing her for dowry just after the marriage and demanded to bring Rs 4 lakh. She was sent back to her parental home after sometime. Gayatri, a government teacher, took two months’ leave from school where she was posted in Sonepat district.

In the meantime, her parents tried to save her daughter’s marriage and sent her to her marital home.

However, the father of the woman reported to the police that on the evening of June 12, the in-laws of her daughter phoned them their daughter had committed suicide.

The victim’s father lodged a complaint to the police that she had reportedly been killed by her husband and in-laws for not fulfilling their demands for dowry.

The police registered a case in this connection and arrested husband Harivesh, and his parents, Dharamvir and Sajni.

REMOVAL OF SLUMS
BJP denies pressure on EC
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 15
The Delhi Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today denied having put any pressure on the Election Commission (EC) for removing slums in the Capital and termed the Government of NCT of Delhi’s allegations as an “absolute farce and white lie.”

BJP parliamentary party spokesman and South Delhi Member of Parliament Vijay Kumar Malhotra said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, her Cabinet colleagues and other Congress MLAs have been accusing him and Delhi Pradesh BJP President Madan Lal Khurana of exerting pressure on the EC to remove the slums.

Malhotra said Dikshit had made a fervent bid to stop the removal of the Rahul Gandhi Jhuggi (slum) cluster in Vasant Vihar that was being carried out as per the orders of the Delhi High Court. The chief minister’s protest was despite the fact that the people residing in this slum were being relocated to other places, he added.

However, it was observed that after the demolition carried out on March 21 and 22, due to encouragement given by a section of political leadership, more public land in Block 1 on Munirka Marg had been encroached upon.

After its earlier order was not complied with, the high court once again asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to carry out the demolition and remove the encroachments on government land. And it was on the basis of this order that the slums were removed on June 12, which angered the Congress and they criticised him and Mr Khurana, he alleged.

Can women’s power see a bill through?
Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 15
Determined to see more women in power, women activists from over a dozen women organisations will assemble on Parliament Street on Monday forenoon to remind the government of its promise on the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the 13th Lok Sabha.

The demonstration will coincide with the all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi here tomorrow to evolve a political consensus on the controversial bill which has been deferred four times.

The decision to hold the demonstration was taken jointly by the leadership of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDA), the Mahilla Dakshita Samiti, the All India Women’s Conference, the Muslim Women’s Forum, Joint Women’s Programme, Young Women’s Christian Association and Jagori.

The AIDWA and the NFIW have also given a call to women activists across the country for similar action to press for the expeditious passage of the bill in the 13th Lok Sabha in its present form, minus any dilution or modification.

Sources in the National Federation of Indian Women told TNS here on Sunday evening that the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Manohar Joshi, had promised to hold consultations with various political parties and women groups.

They said that Mr Joshi gave this assurance when they called on him following the deferment of the Women’s Reservation Bill on May 6 during the Budget session. ``We have not yet got a call for a meeting.

We told the Speaker to expose those who are opposed to the bill by putting it to vote. We also met Congress President and leader of the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Manmohan Singh, and leaders of Left parties to garner support for the bill,’’ said NFIW Assistant Secreatry, Annie Raja.

Women organisations had lodged a strong protest against the deferment of the aforesaid bill last month on the pretext of lack of consensus. While alleging that the government had betrayed them, they voiced their opposition to any alternative proposal to the pending bill. 

CRIME SPIRAL
Gang of daytime burglars busted
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 15
With the arrest of three suspects, including a notorious criminal, the Special Staff of South district today claimed to have busted an inter-state gang of robbers, just as they were about to strike in Munirka.

The suspects — Saleem Pandit, his associates Mohammad Sagir alias Sibbi and Inderjit — were arrested from near Hill Point Apartments yesterday. The Maruti car in which they were travelling has also been seized, the police said.

The gang was adept at committing daytime burglaries in flats by breaking the locks and even inter-locks with a specially designed device weighing around 5 kg. The gang would commit burglaries at random in locked flats. The members would make proper entries in the gate register of the flats and furnish fictitious names. They would often use plush vehicles like Ford Ikon and wear coat, pant and ties. The jewellery and other costly items were palmed off to permanent receivers at Hapur, Ghaziabad and Meerut at half the market value, the police said.

The police had been tipped off that the gang would be driving to the Hill Point Apartments. Accordingly, a special team led by inspector H.S. Gill laid a trap near the T-point on Munirka Marg. The vehicle (DNH –3291) was intercepted while it was heading towards Priya Cinema. The occupants, including the driver Inderjeet Singh, were overpowered and a loaded country made pistol of 12 bore was seized from Saleem Pandit.

Saleem later disclosed that he was involved in more than 150 cases of burglary and theft in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. He has 27 members in his gang and they operate in a group of three or four. His associates belong to Hapur, Ghaziabad and Meerut. They have committed six to seven burglaries in a day in the Capital as well as adjoining areas. The other members were identified as Mulla Shakeel, Arif alias Kallu, Hasim, Ehsan alias Setan Pehlwan, Vakeel, Tonni, Javed, Brij Kishor alias Birju, Baksh Elahi, Nadeem, Irsad, Kali Charan, Shahab, Alimuddin, Mehraj, Munna, Iqram and Mehar.

Their lock-breaker was euphemistically called “Farma Vardar.” 

4 crushed by truck while chatting at bus stop

Ghaziabad: Four persons, including a brother and sister, were killed in a road accident in Ghaziabad. One of the injured is lying in a critical condition at MMG Hospital, Ghaziabad.

State govt to launch agri project for BPL families
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 15
The State government is all set to launch an integrated project of floriculture, fisciculture, animal husbandry, bio-fertilizers and bee keeping for the socio-economic upliftment of the families living below the poverty line (BPL) in the Sonepat district.

For the initial phase, the project has been timed for three years. As many as 1,530 BPL families in the district will be directly benefit from this project. The beneficiaries would include small and marginal farmers, women, and weaker sections of the society.

According to official information, under the project, a training centre will be set up at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jagdishpur, to impart basic training to the families or groups before advancing financial assistance to them.

There are 20,792 BPL families in the district of which 135 self help groups (SHG) would be formed under the project. After training, the SHGs will start their occupation under direct supervision and guidance of the experts from the different fields.

As per the plan, Rs 209.5 lakh are proposed to be spent for the construction of the training centre. The amount would include Rs 52.4 lakh as state government’s share and the remaining Rs 157.1 lakh would be contributed by the central government.

Under the floriculture scheme, as many as 60 SHGs would be linked and an amount of Rs 252 lakh is proposed to be spent on the scheme. In this amount, the shares of the Central and state governments would be Rs 182.7 lakh and Rs 60.9 lakh respectively.

The SHGs will contribute the remaining amount of Rs 8.4 lakh.

For fisciculture units, it is proposed to include 30 SHGs, with total financial involvement of Rs 43.1 lakh, which Will include Rs 25.5 lakh as Central government share, Rs 8.5 lakh of state government and Rs 9 lakh contribution of the SHGs.

As many as 45 SHGs will be for animal husbandry units, with financial involvement of Rs 223.2 lakh, by including central government’s share of Rs 161.9 lakh, state government’s share of Rs 53.9 lakh besides contribution of and Rs 7.2 lakh by the SHGs.

The bee-keeping and bio-fertilizer units would be directly linked with the animal husbandry and floriculture units as a multi-purpose use strategy.

The project has also specified that each SHG can spent Rs 4.2 lakh on each floriculture unit; Rs 1,43,750 on each fisciculture unit and Rs 4.9 lakh on each animal husbandry unit.

For successful implementation of the project, the district Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has conducted an extensive survey of the BPL families before finalising the project report.

Before implementation of the project, which is likely to commence soon, the DRDA will also conduct another survey of the specific families, panchayats and villages where the units would be made operational.

Other rural development related programmes will also be linked with this project to ensure an all round development of the village concerned.

Apart from imparting occupational trainings, the SHGs would be equipped with the know-how of the marketing, production, supply of raw materials through expert guidance of the subject matter specialists and the entire process of implementation would be executed under the directions of the DRDA and Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the HAU Hisar at Sonepat.

SPECIAL FOCUS ON SONEPAT
Ponds in Haryana to be filled with canal water
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 15
The Haryana Government has directed the Irrigation department to take immediate and effective steps for filling the ponds with canal water in all the villages of the state.

This was disclosed by Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Agriculture Minister, while presiding over the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievances Committee held here yesterday.

He said that filling the ponds with canal water was necessary, for providing drinking water to the milch animals and other cattle in the summer season, as there has been an acute shortage of water in every village of the state.

He informed that the state government has also directed the authorities of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and the Dakhshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam to ensure speedy installation of damaged electricity transformers in the villages so that people living in the rural areas- both in domestic and agricultural sector- do not have to face erratic power supply.

Earlier, the Minister disposed off 11 of the 14 complaints, on the spot, and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate action in disposing off the remaining three complaints on priority basis. The sarpanch of Rathdhana village, Indu Devi, demanded regular supply of electricity in the

Harijan basti and adequate drinking water supply in the village. Other demands included payment of old age pension and imposition of a ban on the manufacturing of sub- standard ice in the Krishna ice factory.

On public complaints, the Minis ter also directed the authorities to remove the diesel-run generator of a mobile phone company. 

‘Fair deal’ promised at fair price shops
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 15
In a bid to streamline the public distribution system (PDS), the Food and Supplies Department has undertaken a series of steps for random checking of the fair price shops, petrol pumps and the LPG shops in the city and other parts of the district.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, told mediapersons here that the officials had checked as many as six fair price shops during the last month and cancelled the licences of two of them for serious irregularities in the distribution of the rationed commodities.

The officials, he said, also issued show cause notices to owners of two other fair price shops, asking them to explain their indulgence in malpractices. Security deposits amounting to Rs. 6,250 were also confiscated following the detection of irregularities of some fair price shops.

He also disclosed that the officials of the department had also checked as many as 10 petrol pumps and eight shops of LPG dealers during the month under review and taken action against the erring owners.

According to the DC, there are 257 brick kilns in this district and the prices of bricks have been fixed under the Price Control Order. The price has been fixed at Rs 1,350 per 1,000 (first quality bricks) for government works and between Rs 1,350 and Rs 1,450 for 1,000 bricks for general public.

Many people alleged that the owners of brick kilns were selling bricks between Rs 1,750 and Rs 2,000 for 1,000 bricks (first quality) to the general public in violation of the District Magistrate’s order.

Meanwhile, non-supply of rationed commodities, particularly levy sugar, kerosene oil, and other food grains, to a large number of families living below the poverty line (BPL) by certain depot holders, has caused widespread resentment among the holders of ration cards in this city and elsewhere in the district.

Many consumers alleged that the bulk quantity of the rationed commodities supplied to these fair price shop owners in the urban and rural areas of the district finds its way into the black market, instead of reaching the poor and downtrodden families for whom it is meant. It is estimated that around 30 per cent of the ration cards in the district are bogus, while another 20 to 25 per cent card-holders do not draw their rations regularly.

Thus the supplies of rationed commodities for more than 50 per cent ration cards are at the disposal of the fair price shops owners, who merrily sell them off in the open market at high profit. Kerosene oil is perhaps the most thriving black market racket as the bulk quantity of the kerosene oil is being sold to the sweet-shop owners and owners of commercial establishment by most of the depot holders. Surprise raids on sweet shops and other commercial establishments are likely to expose the scandalous working of the department and misdeeds of the officials as well as owners of the fair price shops.

Thanks to the nexus between unscrupulous ration shop owners and corrupt officials of the concerned department, the massive racket in the Sonepat’s PDS is flourishing while the poor masses are deprived of their just ration. Many ration card holders complained that most of the depot holders keep the commodities stored in their godowns and sell them at huge profit in the market. They have time and again made complaints to the authorities concerned but no action has been taken against the erring depot holders.

Seminar to analyse impact of Delhi’s satellite hubs
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 15
How does the accelerated development of satellite towns impact on the idea of National Capital Region? Are these urban hubs complimentary to Delhi or are they competitors?

Politicos, academics and bureaucrats will ponder over these and other issues in the course of a seminar being hosted by the Institute for Human Development (IHD).

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will deliver the inaugural address. Prof Yoginder K Alagh, chairman of the IHD and a former Union Minister, will chair the plenary session.

By the end of the two-day event, says the IHD, everybody would have answers to these questions and prepare a framework for appropriate policy decisions.

Senior Fellow at the IHD Dr Shipra Maitra says the seminar will analyse Delhi’s growth and look into the institutional framework responsible for managing Delhi’s affairs.

“To trace the components of sustainable development; to consider the development of National Capital Region; and to provide an agenda of action for sustainable development of Delhi, will be the objectives.”

The technical sessions, adds Dr Maitra, will delve into relocation of industries, infrastructure, environment, governance and participation. Some 25 papers will be presented in eight sessions.

Bring quacks to book, orders CM 
Shiv Sharma

Bhiwani, June 15
Haryana Chief Minister has directed the Civil Surgeon, Bhiwani, to register a case against a quack Kapoor Singh of Pichopa Khurd village. The Chief Minister, Mr O P Chautala, while presiding over the monthly meeting of the District Grievances Committee on Saturday, asked the authorities to take stern action against the quacks who are playing with the lives of people. He also directed them to take action against such officials of the Agriculture and Rural Cooperative Bank, Badhra who have failed to disburse the loan amount to Mahender Singh of Pichopa Khurd village despite depositing the required security.

Mr Chautala, on a complaint of the residents of Jhinjhar village directed the superintending engineer of the irrigation department that preference should be given to the complaints registered by the common man.

Life term for burning wife: The District Judge, Mr R C Bansal, convicted three persons of burning a married woman and sentenced them to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. The convicts will have to undergo another six-month imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

According to prosecution, Anju was married to Girish, son of Prem Chand of Devsar in 1994. Anju had been burnt by her husband Girish, father-in-law Prem Chand and brother-in-law Rajesh. She was admitted to civil hospital Bhiwani with 95 per cent burns where doctor referred her to Medical College Rohtak. But she succumbed to her injuries on June 26. 

Housewife saved from ‘dowry demons’
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 15
On the warrants issued by Mr Anil Sharma, City Magistrate of Sonepat, the police have saved a young housewife Mrs Fatima from her in-laws’ house at Hara village in Meerut district (U.P).

According to a report, the woman was handed over to the parents in Idgah Colony of the city. Mrs Nazo, mother of Fatima alleged that her daughter had been harassed and beaten up by for dowry.

She also stated that she along with two other persons had gone to Hara village for getting her daughter back, but she was roughed up by her daughter’s in-laws.

She said thereafter she approached the city magistrate to rescue her daughter.

10 passengers held: As many as 10 passengers were arrested by the officials of the Railway Protection Force yesterday on the charge of violating the Railway Act.

According to a report, three of the passengers were found travelling in the women’s bogies whereas two others on the engine of the train. Others were arrested for crossing the railway track instead of using the overbridge.

The passengers were identified as Saram Singh of Lalganj (Bihar), Kiran Pal (UP), Kamal Singh of Sham Nagar, Sonepat, Narinder of Bankner (Delhi), Ram Kishore of Hardoi (UP), Rohit of Panipat, Satpal of Garhi village, Guman of Mundlana village and Jatinder Soni of Gorakhpur (UP).

Old-age home: Mr Balwant Singh Mayan, MLA and Chairman of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board inaugurated an old-age home at Rohna village about 15 km from here yesterday.

According to a report, he also planted a sapling on the premises of the Brijnand Ashram in the village.

Motorcyclist injured: A youth Arjun sustained injuries when his motorcycle was hit by a van on the road near Khanpur Kalan village, 30 km from here last evening. The police have registered the case and the person was hospitalised and stated to be out of danger.

NCR BRIEFS
Two get life term for murder
Our Correspondents

Bhiwani, June 15
Additional District Judge Kuldeep Jain sentenced two persons to undergo life imprisonment in a case of murder registered under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code on Saturday. According to prosecution, Surender was working at the field of the accused Mange Ram of Jamalpur. Mange had borrowed a sum of Rs 10,000 from Surender and had been refusing to return it. On January 14, 1999, Surender had gone to the house of the accused to take his money back and did not return. Later, his body marked with knife injuries had been recovered from a desert well on January 17, 1999. Jogender, a relative of the deceased had registered a report with the Buwani Khera police station on January 22, 1999 against the accused.

Four highway robbers held

Sonepat: With the arrest of four persons, the Murthal police have busted a gang of highway robbers operating in this area for the last few years. According to a report, the persons include Om Parkash and his son Ajit of Mehndipur village. The police have recovered two country-made pistols, two live cartridges and six empty cartridges. One of the associates, however, managed to escape under the cover of darkness. A hunt is on to apprehend him.

The police have registered the case against them and investigations are on.

Held for murder of sarpanch

The Sadar Police have arrested Jagbir, alias Seth, allegedly involved in the murder of Mr Anup Singh, a former Sarpanch of Jahri village in the district. According to a report, the culprit had been evading arrest since the murder of the former Sarpanch.

Sarpanch arrested

The police have arrested Mr Satpal Chauhan, Sarpanch of Manoli Tonki village on the charge of receiving Rs 2,000 each from the allottees of the houses built under the Indira Aawas Yojna in the village and other serious irregularities.

According to a report, this action followed an inquiry conducted by the authorities against him and found all the allegations correct.

Jaycees to plant 1 lakh saplings on July 7

Panipat, June 15
With a view to promote afforestation, the Jaycees, a leading youth organisation, with over 50,000 members across the country, has decided to plant over 1 lakh saplings on July 7, informed the national president of the organisation, Mr A V Vaman Kumar, here yesterday. Addressing a press conference, Mr Kumar said the after care of the saplings would be ensured by erecting tree guards around the saplings and the Jaycees had been asked to procure the tree guards. TNS

Lovelorn man stabs girl, self 
Our Correspondent

Rewari, June 15
A young man, Mukesh, resident of the Auto Market complex here, stabbed a girl with a knife and then injured himself on June 12. The man got hot under the collar after the girl had rejected his offer of marriage. Both the young man and the girl were admitted to the local civil hospital and stated to be out of danger. The police have registered a case of voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon under Section 324 of the IPC against the man.

According to information available from a spokesman of the police, Mukesh had developed a liking for the girl when their families lived in a rented accommodation in the same locality here about two years ago. The spokesman said that the girl was then married. However, the marriage went on the rocks. It is then the second man Mukesh reportedly started paying courts to her. In the meantime, the girl’s family shifted to Kathmandi here. But this did not deter Mukesh who continued to pay his addresses to the girl. Incidentally, both Mukesh and the girl belong to different castes which might be the reason for rejection, the police spokesman added.

Husband booked for dowry: Following a complaint lodged by a young married woman, Anju Gupta, daughter of Brij Mohan Gupta, resident of Mohalla Bas Sitab Rai here, the Rewari City police have registered a case of harassment, criminal breach of trust and criminal intimidation under Sections 498-A, 406, 506, 34 of the IPC against her husband Puran Singh, father-in-law Kishan Lal , mother-in-law Kamla Devi and three others— all residents of Ferozpur Jhirka town of Gurgaon district. She complained that she had been subjected to harassment for dowry since her marriage.

Man ends life without wife!

Jhajjar, June 15
After being spurned by his estranged wife, a man reportedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous tablets in Sarola village of the district.

Carjackers again?

New Delhi: Three men snatched a Tata Indica car from its owner at a traffic intersection in Jahangirpuri area of north Delhi today. Raj Pahwa, a resident of Paschim Vihar, had gone to Azadpur to buy fruits in the morning when three persons in another Indica car entered into a verbal duel with him at the traffic signal in the area. One of them forced Pahwa to step out of his car and fled with the car. TNS

BUSINESS

Industry finds fault with IT policy 
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, June 15
The heads of the units of Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled Services (ITES) from Gurgaon, Noida and Delhi assembled here at a “Call Center/BPO Panorama,2003” organised by the Haryana IT Enabled Industries Confederation (HITEC) yesterday.

The HITEC brought to the notice of the Joint Secretary, IT, Haryana government, Dr Ashok Khemka, who was the chief guest on the occasion, that the state’s IT policy, though effectively framed, had not been implemented properly.

They pointed out that though the policy gave concession to the IT Sector with regard to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in terms of construction of the units, it was wrongly interpreted by the authorities, causing inconvenience to the industry.

The HITEC also alleged that although the government’s IT policy declared the units in the IT sector to be in the non-polluting category, the Haryana State’s Pollution Control Board was issuing notices, cautioning punishment like imprisonment, to its functionaries for using generator sets as backup arrangement at times of power cuts.

The industry demanded that the sanctioned power of generator sets be increased for the units to make them more productive and to help them work at their optimal levels.

A case was also made out for co-ordination between Haryana, Delhi and UP governments, to provide good transportation facilities, to the employees, as the three states have areas in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Dr Khemka assured governments’ sympathetic consideration to the demands raised by the industry. He also urged upon the IT and its allied industry in Haryana to generate more jobs for the Haryanavis.

IT is a sunrise sector for the state, which, Dr Khemka pointed out, effected exports to the tune of Rs 4,000 crores in the last financial year. Such exponential growth has pushed Haryana to the third position in the country after Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

According to the Chairperson of the HITEC, Mr Lalit Yagnik, the export projection for the current financial year from Gurgaon is almost Rs 6,000 crores. 

SHOWCASE
Listen with both ears! This sleek and stylish mobile phone is ‘the latest scream’

LG mobile handset company has introduced RD 7130 CDMA phone for the Indian market. The sleek and stylish RD 7130 will combine the most advanced research and development expertise and technology with aesthetics and performance.

“LG has recently joined the top five mobile phone-makers on the global chart. We have launched our CDMA product range in the country with the promise to offer the best to Indian customers,” said a company release.

Cream for dog days: Bio Fresh Herbals has come up with their brand-new Sun Block Cream to avoid the harmful UVA and UVB rays this summer. The cream is 100 per cent waterproof and non-greasy and one does not have to worry about stickiness after using the cream. The Sun Block Cream forms a protective layer on the skin and helps protect it from the hot sun.

Glareproof glasses: Ray Ban has introduced new ‘High Street Metals’, sunglasses in India. The new range is simple yet aesthetically designed, preserving the functional aspect – protection from the sun glare and harmful UV rays. The smart designs are diffused with lightweight metal frames in Gun Metal, Silver and Black colour. The models are available with a choice of crash resistant Polycarbonate lenses in Orange colour or G-15 glass lenses.

The models launched are High-Street Metal Extreme (RB 3165), High-Street Down Town (RB 3168) and High-Street Curves (RB 3169).

Yum-yum! Kwality Wall’s has now come up with an innovation in Viennetta with the launch of the exquisite Viennetta Cappuccino Nut to offer the finest dessert experience. The Viennetta offers a unique coffee and chocolate combination that is perfect as an after-dinner dessert. For the first time, the Viennetta comes out with a generous topping of cashewnuts, an innovation.

As part of the launch initiative, Kwality Wall’s had conducted exclusive sampling in five cities at select Barista outlets, to know the preferences of the folks.

Comfy shave: Philips has launched Sensotec, a dry ‘Electric Shaver’ for men, under the Philishave range of shavers designed to meet the needs of frequent travellers and executives. Sensotec promises to make shaving a pleasurable experience.

The Sensotec range, the latest in the Philishave series, is designed to deliver a personalised close shave with unsurpassed skin comfort.

Rakesh Sharma, Business Group Head, said “Philips is one of the few companies that has an inbuilt capacity to cater to both the mass and niche markets.”

Diver’s delight: ‘Times of Lord’, the destination of Swiss watches in India has come up with a brand Breitling through its own boutique. Breitling SA recently accomplished a new technical feat with the launch of the ‘Avenger Seawolf’, a professional diver’s titanium watch that is water-resistant to 10,000 feet under water.

Four-burner model: Padmini has launched four-burner top model CS 416 RATR for the first time in both Automatic and Non-automatic versions incorporating the very best of Italian and Indian expertise with international sleek looks following the shifting lifestyle of Indian women with innovation and refinement.

Put your feet up: Oriflame, the Natural Swedish Cosmetic company has launched a complete foot care range which includes Cooling Foot and Leg Gel, Deodorizing Foot Powder, Smoothing Foot Cream, Foot Scrub and Smoothening Foot Bruch. Oriflame is the first multinational cosmetic company in India to introduce the entire beauty range for foot.

Peter Hauggaard, CEO, Oriflame said, “Our new foot care range that includes high quality range natural ingredients, would meet the growing demand of the beauty-conscious consumers who recognise the importance of foot care in their daily beauty regime.”

Burner gas stoves: Sunflame, a leading manufacturer of electrical appliances has introduced a complete range of Double, Triple, Four and Five burner gas stoves in ‘Spectra’ range with all the unique features. All the products in this range are available with glass top cover and auto-ignition. The burner tops are made of brass with three rows of flames (triple ring).

Chic shirts: LeeCooper has launched a whole range of ‘Men’s Short Shirt Collection’, as part of its summer collection 2003 comprising a range of comfortable and ergonomic styles with an urban, functional and trendy feel.

Harpratap Singh, MD, Lee Cooper said, “We have divided the Men’s Shirt category in three different styles– Blues, Checks and Solids to choose from a whole range.”

For optimum browning: Samsung India has announced the launch of its new unique 28 litre Toast and Bake Microwave Oven with three power grills. The PG 113 grill/combination microwave oven comes with a unique three-way power grill that adjusts itself automatically to ensure optimum browning and grilling action.

The empress of tea: Daks has come up with the empress of tea – Aura – the bud only tea. In contrast to the traditional “two leaves and a bud”, Daks tea is manufactured from only the freshest, mature yet unopened buds, that are plucked during special harvesting seasons.

For pearly smile: Oral-B has come up with Oral-B Battery Toothbrush. This exciting 30-day money-back offer is valid on products bought between June 1 and August 30, 2003 across all the outlets in the country.

Vipul Sabharwal, Regional Business Director, said, “The money-back offer on the new Braun Oral-B battery toothbrush provides consumers with a reassurance that Braun Oral-B battery toothbrush is superior to manual toothbrushes.”

Trendy trousers: Dezire has launched trendy trousers for women. Designed with special concentration on freedom fit that allows free and flexible movement of the body to provide freedom at workplace and beyond as well. The range is crafted out of 100 per cent cotton and cotton rich imported fabrics like lycra, chinoos, spandex, lelan.