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Sunday,
October
19, 2003,
Chandigarh, India
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Refinery
oustees allege raw deal High
prices mills’ undoing: Sugarfed Sikh
convention to focus on violation of ‘maryada’ For
them Mother was already a saint
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NHRC
chief moots rights’ panel for Haryana Farmers
block traffic Bajra a
political tool, says Hooda Haryana
releases Rs 4 crore for drains Man
clubs wife, son to death Varsity
staff hold rally Woman
gets Rs 60,000 for tubectomy failure CBI to
probe foodstuff scam 
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Refinery
oustees allege raw deal Panipat, October 18 Displaced from their ancestral fertile land and residential plots for a song, a section of the oustees was a disappointed lot with IOC allegedly turning a blind eye to their repeated pleas to provide job to one person from each displaced family, besides providing a residential plot and provision of basic civic amenities at the new settlement at New Baholi. Pitted against the powerful IOC, the oustees, who could not petition the Prime Minister for security reasons today, seemed to have lost all hope and urged Mr Vajpayee to intervene in the matter. One of the oustees, Mr Nirmal Singh Virk, whose five acres were acquired at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre, alleged that IOC had failed to keep the promises of providing job to one “eligible” member from each affected family and development of New Baholi. The most shameful aspect of the lack of amenities was the absence of a cremation ground at New Baholi and in its absence people had to cremate the dead in the most inhuman manner, rued Mr Virk. However, Mr Virk was lucky with the compensation as a substantial number of displaced persons were awarded compensation at the rate as low as Rs 5,000 per acre. Echoing almost similar sentiments, another oustee, Mr Jai Narain, complained that his house measuring around 600 square yards was acquired for just Rs 60,000 and he had been waiting for a job for his son for over five years now. Similarly, they had no place to skin the dead animals, he alleged. Mr Surender Hooda, chief convener of the Berozgari Hatao Rashtra Bachao Samiti, who had been spearheading the campaign of the oustees, told The Tribune that since a majority of oustees belonged to the poorer section of society they ought to be rehabilitated in a proper way. Alleging a raw deal to the oustees, Mr Hooda, in an open letter to the Prime Minister, asked the latter to come to the rescue of the hapless oustees. It may be mentioned that IOC had acquired about 2,200 acres including a substantial panchayat land, for setting up the state-of-the-art refinery at Baholi, near here, about a decade back. At the time of the acquisition of land, all sorts of promises were made to gullible villagers. However, when the first phase of the project was completed at a cost of Rs 3,868 crore in 1998 IOC showed its true colours. Caring two hoots for promises made, the corporation allegedly ignored the demands of the oustees. As a sequel to this Mr Hooda and the oustees were forced to launch a protest by way of representations of the IOC authorities and other civic authorities up to the level of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Miffed at the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned, Mr Hooda and 70 oustees had sat in a dharna outside the refinery continuously for 45 days in 1999. However, they were picked up by the police for disobeying the prohibitory orders and sent to the Ambala jail for 15 days. |
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High prices mills’ undoing: Sugarfed Chandigarh, October 18 In view of the moribund condition of 11 out of the 12 cooperative sugar mills in the state, Sugarfed was asked by the Cooperative Department to study the problem and prepare a proposal for their rehabilitation. The report, submitted by Sugarfed to the state government on August 28, says most of the mills, except those at Panipat, Rohtak, Kaithal and Bhuna, were earning profit and had good financial position up to 1997-98. However, the position of the mills started deteriorating 1998-99 onwards due to heavy cash losses. According to Sugarfed, the losses occurred due to the INLD government's decision to pay state advised price (SAP) to the cane growers instead of the statutory minimum price (SMP) fixed by the union government. The SAP in 1999 was increased to Rs 110 per quintal for the early variety, Rs 106 for mid-variety and Rs 104 for the late variety. Good sugarcane crop and improved performance of the mills led to increased production of sugar in Haryana. However, sugar prices also came down considerably during the past three years. Thus, a high SAP combined with low sugar sale realisation and high carrying cost adversely affected the financial health of all the mills, the report stated. From 1999-2000 to 2002-03, the cooperative sugar mills paid Rs 503.70 crore to farmers over and above the cane price due at the SMP by taking loans from various sources. The state government paid Rs 144.45 crore as loan to mills at 11 per cent interest. The remaining fund was arranged by the mills by borrowing from central cooperative banks at 14-15 per cent interest, the Sugarfed report says. According to Sugarfed, the slow release of sugar by the Government of India also aggravated the position and resulted in huge sugar stocks. The old stocks resulted in even lower sale realisation, further compounding the problem. The mills have incurred heavy cash losses and, the net worth of most of the mills has gone into the negative, making it difficult for the mills to operate and to obtain assistance from financial institutions. The report says that rehabilitation of the mills is needed to avoid “grim consequences” like loss to sugarcane farmers, unemployment in the rural areas surrounding the mills and loss of substantial revenue in the form of purchase tax, sales tax, excise duty, local area development tax, etc. The report suggests that in view of the prevailing price of sugar in the market, the state government may allow the cooperative mills to pay cane price at the SMP fixed by the Union Government. However, if the state government is keen to pay the farmers the SAP, the difference between the SAP and SMP may be paid to the mills in the form of subsidy or grant-in-aid to ensure smooth running of the mills. In addition, the state government loans to the mills may be converted into share capital of the respective mills. Sugarfed also proposes that the interest payable on account of government loans may be waived. It wants all the other loans of the mills, including borrowings from HUDA, Harco Bank and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, to be settled by converting these into share capital of the respective mills. The report also urges the state government to introduce professionalism in the mills. It says that HCS officers appointed as MDs of cooperative mills are frequently transferred. At times, these officers are given the MD's job in addition to other responsibilities. For running the mills in a businesslike manner, a panel of HCS officers having professional qualifications like MBA, CA or ICWA may be prepared. Officers from the panel may be appointed as MDs for a minimum term of three years by defining clearly their responsibilities and accountability, states the report. The report covers the issue of rehabilitation of all the cooperative mills in the state barring Shahbad, which is still earning profit. The 11 sick mills figuring in the proposal are Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Sonipat, Jind, Palwal, Meham, Kaithal, Bhuna, Sirsa and Gohana. |
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Sikh convention to focus on violation of ‘maryada’ Kurukshetra, October 18 Haryana State Sikh Forum, President, Jagjit Singh Virk stated here today the convention had been called to discuss and seek directions from the Sangat as functionaries at Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Shiromani Akali Dal had started acting contrary to the ‘Guru Maryada .’ Mr Virk said, the convention was being opposed by the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Mehta), the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Gill), the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Dharam Parchar Committee and Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, Convener of the Akali Dal of Ravi Inder Singh saying that the Convention was anti-Sikh/Panth. The International Human Rights Organisation had issued a notice to one of the organisers, Mr Joginder Singh, Chief Editor of the ‘Spokesman Weekly’ Journal in this regard. Mr Virk claimed that Akal Takht was supreme and would remain so but the Jathedars appointed to function as Granthis could not assume themselves to be Akal Takht and we could not allow the community to be used by our politically ambitious people. Our gurdwara managements have become an arena of politics. Individuals come to power and control policies. This system has to be changed and think-tank created. The Singh Sabha movement freed Gurdwaras and we now have control but the problem was of greed for Guru’s Golak and greed for community funds. These issues, he hoped, would not divide the community but keep them united as the leadership had not stopped Brahminical rituals. Growth of Babas and 'Deras’ was unchecked. |
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For them
Mother was already a saint Ambala, October 18 A special prayer will be held tomorrow after her beatification in the Vatican. The prayer will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Shanti, who is residing at the Shishu Bhavan, said for them Mother Teresa was already a saint. “Mother had done incredible amount of good work for humanity. It will be difficult to be like her,” she said. “All of us must learn from her she added. Her friend Tina said although she had never met Mother Teresa, she was aware of her contribution to humanity. Thirteen-year-old Stella is one of the fortunate few children at the Shishu Bhavan who has seen Mother Teresa. “I was residing in Delhi when I saw her during a visit there. I liked her a lot. I will cherish her memories forever,” she said. Sister Generosa, in charge of the bhavan, said, “I vividly recall that when I met Mother her presence gave peace, joy, serenity, calmness and happiness.” She said they had received Mother-General Sister Nirmala’s message through the regional house in this regard. Sister Generosa said Mother Teresa had visited the Shishu Bhavan a couple of times.
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NHRC chief
moots rights’ panel for Haryana Ambala, October 18 Talking to mediapersons after inspecting the Central Jail here, Justice Anand said in the country there were 14 states which do not have a human rights commission and Haryana was one of them. “It is better to have a state human rights commission,” he opined. Justice Anand observed that there was overcrowding in jails in Haryana. “In Ambala Central Jail there is overcrowding up to 78 per cent. While the jail is meant for 1,228 inmates there are 2,191 lodged in the Ambala Central Jail,” he said. He said there was a need for a female doctor in the jail. “Although there are four posts for doctors, there is no female doctor. There are 111 female prisoners in the jail. Also, a psychiatrist is needed as mentally challenged prisoners are also lodged here,” he said. “I am told that overcrowding is likely to be eased once the jails in Gurgaon and Karnal are established,” he added. Justice Anand said the Ambala jail had partially started cooking food on gas. “This is important as it is environment friendly. There is room for a creche and we have suggested that there should be a regular attendant. The teacher can be paid minimum wages. We have also recommended that there should be a nutritionist for the children so that a diet chart can be prepared,” he said. To a query Justice Anand said guidelines had been issued by the NHRC regarding custodial deaths. He said one of the problems raised by the prisoners was that those who were from outside the state or the district should be sent back to where they belong. “Jail courts are being held regularly. It helps in reducing pendency. If there is a requirement the frequency of jail courts can be increased,” he said. He directed the jail authorities to prepare a proposal for vocational training of female prisoners. “The prisoners are being taught carpentry, printing and tent making. “The prisons must be treated as nurseries for reformation,” he said. Justice
Anand said there had been a significant increase in the number of
complaints received by the NHRC. “While we received only 490
complaints in 1993, we have received 72,000 complaints this year”,
he said. |
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Farmers block traffic Kaithal, October 18 The agitated farmers sat in dharna at the bridge of canal minor on the Kaithal -Patiala road outside the mandi and raised slogans against the local administration for their problems relating to paddy purchase . They alleged that the government agencies were not making substantial purchases and even refusing to purchase even good quality crop calling it substandard and not according to specifications. They were left to sell their produce to rice millers and private traders, who did not pay them reasonable price . Sensing the mood of the farmers, police force from the neighbouring police stations was called and the local Naib Tehsildar talked to the agitating farmers who refused to listen to him . Later the SDM, Guhla, Mr Pankaj Yadav succeeded in breaking the deadlock after a group of farmers met him at the Cheeka market committee. He assured the farmers that their grievances would be looked into on priority basis. He said the administration would ensure that they were not exploited by the traders and they got remunerative price for their crop. Following the assurance the blockade was lifted and the traffic restored. |
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Bajra a political tool, says Hooda Chandigarh, October 18 In a statement here today, Mr Hooda said that the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had announced that bajra would be purchased by government agencies by paying a minimum support price of Rs 505 per quintal. However, while bajra grown by local farmers was not being purchased, unscrupulous elements were purchasing bajra from Rajasthan at lower rates and selling it in Haryana mandis. Paddy was also being sold at the mandis by farmers at Rs 200 or Rs 300 less than the minimum support price, Mr Hooda alleged. The Congress leader also criticised the Health Department for failing to check the spread of dengue in the state. He said INLD leaders as well as government officers had been engaged for helping the INLD in the elections in Rajasthan. If an employee approached the Chief Minister for transfer, he was asked to do his bit for the INLD in Rajasthan and then seek transfer, the statement said. |
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Haryana releases
Rs 4 crore
for drains Chandigarh, October 18 Stating this, an official release said today that out of the money released, about Rs 3 crore would be spent on 18 ditch drains and seepage drains under the Western Jamuna Canal (WJC) Phase II and Phase III covering Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Yamunanagar and Faridabad districts. Nearly Rs 1 crore would be spent for the construction of 11 ditch drains and seepage drains under the Bhakra Canal Command covering Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal, Hisar, Sirsa and Jind districts. The completion of these schemes would mitigate the waterlogging problem to a large extent and improve agricultural productivity, the release said. In addition to these works, lining of water courses falling in the Bhakra Canal Command was in progress at an estimated cost of over Rs 3 crore covering eight districts. Formation of a Water Users’ Association would also be taken up soon for future maintenance of the water courses by the Participatory Irrigation Management System. |
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Man clubs wife, son to death Hisar, October18 According to the police, Dhola Devi (65), her son Giri Raj (33) and grandson Dharmender Singh, all residents of the same village, were sleeping on the roof of their house last night, while her husband Ram Singh was sleeping in a room on the ground floor. Ram Singh allegedly clubbed to death Dhola Devi and Giri Raj with an iron rod at midnight. When their neighbours did not notice any activity in the house in the morning, they informed Giri Raj’s brother Krishan Kumar, who lived in the same village. Krishan Kumar found bodies of his mother and brother on the roof. He also found his father missing and later, informed the police. The reason behind the incident is not yet known. The Sadar police has registered a case against Ran Singh on the complaint of Krishan Kumar. Meanwhile, a person Dharampal Singh, committed suicide at the Dogran Mohala here last night by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his house. |
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Varsity staff hold rally Kurukshetra, October 18 Employees raised anti-university administration slogans and demanding a stern action against the culprits. Addressing the rally, KUNTEA president Karan Singh alleged that “gunda elements” had been getting the patronage of the university administration, which was spoiling the atmosphere. The employees returned to their work after the Registrar, Dr J.S. Kadiyan, assured them that the culprits would be arrested soon. Students had allegedly broken windowpanes of the hostel after consuming liquor on October 15. When a security guard objected, they beat him up. |
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Woman gets Rs 60,000
for tubectomy failure Kaithal, October 18 According to information Meelo Devi of Badsikri Khurd, underwent tubectomy at the Primary Health Centre, Kalayat, on January 24, 1997. However, despite tubectomy she gave birth to a child in October 2000. Following which she filed she filed a case before the District Consumer Forum against the doctor, the Civil Surgeon, Kaithal, and the state government through the Collector, Kaithal, and demanded compensation for facing physical and mental agony. The forum president and members held the
defendants in the case jointly and severally responsible for deficiency
in services and directed them to pay Rs 60,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 for causing physical and mental agony to her within 30 days of passing of the order. |
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CBI to probe foodstuff scam Chandigarh, October 18 Pronouncing the orders, the Bench, headed by Mr Chief Justice B.K. Roy, also directed the investigating agency to submit its report as early as possible. A public interest litigation in the matter was filed by Panipat-based advocate Ram Mohan Roy. |
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Encephalitis death toll now 11 Ambala, October 18 One girl Sunita, a resident of the Naggal constituency, reported to have died from high fever suspected to be encephalitis in her village, although the health authorities have not confirmed it. |
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Record profit Chandigarh, October 18 |
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One killed, five hurt in mishap Sirsa, October 18 |
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