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I’ll contest poll only to be CM: Bhajan
Power-less wires could give Chautala a shock
7-8 hour power
cuts in Haryana from today
Chautala gives relief to encroachers
1 killed, 2 hurt in road mishap
Short circuit claimed girl’s life: report
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Give up plans to celebrate Devi Lal’s birth anniversary: Hooda
Roads in vegetable market encroached upon
Rs 1.40 lakh looted from cashier
Police transfers
Lawyers abstain from work
Sweating residents have no water either
M. Pharmacy course allowed
Doctors’ convention at Hisar on Sept 19
Man stabbed, robbed of Rs 30,000
Jat College win yoga tourney
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I’ll contest poll only to be CM: Bhajan
Hisar, September 7 He was speaking at a function organised to mark the birth anniversary of Guru
Jambheshwar, which falls on the same day as Janmashtami. The function was organised at the Bishnoi temple here today. His son and Bhiwani MP, Mr Kuldeep
Bishnoi, was also present. The former Chief Minister exhorted the Bishnoi community to take inspiration from the Sikhs, who were celebrating the 400 years of Guru Granth Sahib. He said by organising such functions the Sikhs renewed their faith in the teachings of their Gurus. Later, addressing mediapersons at his residence here, Mr Bhajan Lal asserted that there was no move to change the state party chief. The HPCC president said the state Congress had urged the Governor, Dr
A.R. Kidwai, to take action against the Chautala government move to conduct panchayat elections before schedule. He said if the Governor did not act, the Congress would move the High Court in this regard. Meanwhile, the Hisar MP, Mr Jai Prakash, attended a Janmashtami function organised at Yadav Dharamshala here today. The function was organised by the local Yadav Sabha. |
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Power-less wires could give Chautala a shock
Rohtak, September 7 Despite desperate efforts by the government, most parts of the state have been reeling under severe power cuts after the recent Lok Sabha elections. Tall claims regarding the power position notwithstanding, the ground reality is that most districts these days are without power for up to 15 hours a day. While the rural areas are the worse affected, the situation in the cities is not comforting either. Till a few weeks ago, when drought conditions prevailed in the state, the government plea that power was being diverted to the agriculture sector to save crops helped it blunt criticism for a while. However, now that the agriculture sector requires much less power following last month’s heavy downpours, the government is unable to explain the acute shortage. The power utilities now rarely make power cut schedules public. This too is going against the government since the utilities switch off the supply without prior notice, making life more difficult for consumers who cannot even plan their routines. The supply to this town was shut off at 10 a.m. yesterday and restored after six hours, only to be followed by another two-and-a-half-hour shutdown 45 minutes later. In the rural areas, the situation is worse. Inquiries reveal that most of the villages around the town went without power almost the whole of last night. Local residents are not taking to the streets on this issue —they generally protest only when mobilised by political parties. Also, technology helps them cope with the power cuts, thanks to the advent of heavy-duty power inverters. Nevertheless, resentment is gradually building up and is certain to impact the battle of the ballot. However, it’s not the same with villagers. They do not need political parties to bring them to the streets. They gather spontaneously and block roads to give vent to their ire. Such protests, which were sporadic till recently, are now a regular feature. These protests being more frequent in the Jat heartland of the state puts the ruling party on a slippery wicket on this issue. Haryana has been perennially short of power since its inception. Barring the first few elections, when the state was yet to achieve full electrification, paucity of power and water has been one of the most crucial issues in the Vidhan Sabha elections. Even in 1982, when there was a sympathy wave for the late Devi Lal, it was his slogan
"Bjli paani ka prabandh karo, bhrashtachar bandh karo" that clinched the issue. It is another matter that he was pipped to the post by a Machiavellian governor. Again in 1987, power played an important role in the elections. The only period when power was not much of a problem in the state was after Devi Lal came to power in 1987. For almost two years power cuts remained a rarity. Even after the 1991 defeat of his party, people reminisced the days when power was available in plenty giving Devi Lal reason to boast later on that he had a magical wand that made power follow him when he was in power. After the 1996 elections, the Bansi Lal government was haunted by power shortage. Towards the end of his brief tenure, he set a deadline, after which, he claimed, power would not be a problem any more. His government did not last long enough to meet the deadline. It is now the turn of Mr Chautala to make similar claims. To be fair to him, there has been an unprecedented strengthening of the transmission system in the state during his rule. While this has helped improve the quality of power supplied, it can in no way help him generate more power. With elections drawing worryingly close, electric power appears to be preparing for administering political shocks. |
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7-8 hour power
cuts in Haryana from today Panchkula, September 7 Officials sources said all industrial units having a load of 1 MW and above would remain closed for the next 15 days, beginning tomorrow. The demand for power had increased substantially because of the watering of kharif crops. It is learnt that the daily demand had increased to 7 hundred lakh units though the availability from various resources is nearly 6.40 lakh units. Power restrictions have also been imposed on other industrial consumers. Light load restrictions (only two-phase power supply) will be imposed on all industrial units in Haryana between 7 pm and 6 am. Other than this, domestic and commercial consumers, too will have to deal with power cuts for seven or eight hours daily. Senior officers of the department say it is only after imposing these power restrictions that they will be able to provide eight-hour power supply to the agricultural sector.
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Chautala gives relief to encroachers
Chandigarh, September 7 Mr Chautala, who was presiding over a meeting of the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, said while identifying genuine beneficiaries, the names of the defaulters or those who had passed away should be deleted. While describing the DC’s and SP’s as his “eyes and ears”, the Chief Minister urged them to maintain coordination among themselves for effective administration. He said due regard should be given to elected representatives. Mr Chautala also announced a concession in the anti-encroachment policy of the government. While he said all encroachments must be removed from the public land, but if someone had constructed a house by encroaching upon a land and it was not creating any hindrance to the public, the DC’s might regularise such encroachments by seeking charges from the defaulter in the presence of members of the panchayat or the municipality. He directed the DC’s to implement the announcements made by him on priority basis so as to further accelerate the pace of development and complete the projects within a stipulated period. Mr Chautala also directed that adequate water and power should be provided in the areas of Fatehabad and Sirsa districts and parts of Hisar district as drought- like conditions prevailed in these areas. The police patrolling should be conducted along canals to check theft of water. He said that as the crop of ‘taramira’ had been damaged, the affected farmers would be suitably compensated. He expressed satisfaction over the prevailing law and order situation in the state. He said brave police personnel should be suitably rewarded. It was also announced at the meeting that the “Niyojit Gram Yojna Scheme” would be implemented in all the 116 blocks of Haryana to develop residential sectors in villages so as to provide basic amenities in the rural areas at par with urban areas. If no panchayat land was available, private land, Mr Chautala said, might be acquired the purpose. Private banks should be involved in the scheme. He directed that the scheme of shifting of dairies to the outskirts of municipalities be expedited. Mr Chautala asked the district administrations to submit the reports on girdawari in their respective areas at the earliest possible so that necessary compensation be given to flood-affected farmers. However, he was silent about compensation to flood-affected people in the urban areas. He directed the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Mr K.S. Bhoria, to take effective steps for educating the farmers about the modalities of the crop insurance scheme introduced in the state. He was informed that about two lakh farmers were under the ambit of the crop insurance scheme. It was disclosed at the meeting that the state expected a production of 40 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the current year and out of it 30 lakh metric tonnes of paddy would arrive in the mandis for procurement. The DC’s were directed to review and coordinate the procurement operation on day-to-day basis. The Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Food and Supplies, Mr H.C. Disodia, said the procurement season as well as milling season would commence from October 1. Out of the total arrival of paddy, there would be 11 lakh metric tonnes of basmati and 21 lakh metric tonnes of leviable paddy. He said that out of the leviable paddy, 12.60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy that is 60 per cent would be purchased by millers and 8.40 lakh tonnes by the government agencies. The cash credit limit of Rs 800 crore was being arranged for the of procurement of paddy. |
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Jhajjar lawyers to boycott Chautala’s function
Jhajjar September 7 An urgent meeting of the Bar Association, headed by its president Mr Naseeb Singh
Kadian, passed the resolution regarding the boycott of the inauguration function and also decided to suspend work on September 9 to drive their point home. The resolution alleged that the state government had not taken appropriate steps to ensure proper infrastructure for lawyers, as they were facing hardships in absence of the judicial complex. The lawyers also renewed their demand of an early construction of the project which was hanging fire for about six years. The Association also decided to suspend work today and tomorrow to express solidarity with the lawyers of the Awadh Bar Association in Uttar Pradesh. |
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1 killed, 2 hurt in road mishap
Yamunanagar, September 7 According to the police, residents of Gharaong village, Sandeep (20), Praveen Kumar and Sureshpal were returning home after loading a tractor-trailer with bricks. When they reached near Aurangabad village on the Sharanpur– Kurukshetra road, a truck rammed into their vehicle. The impact of the accident was such that the tractor – trailer overturned. Sandeep was crushed to death on the spot, while his two co-passengers sustained serious injuries. The truck driver also sustained injuries. A case has been registered. In another accident, Chamili Devi (80) of Gandhinagar was reportedly crushed under a train last evening. The accident took place near Gandhinagar level crossing. Meanwhile, Sanjeev (21) of Bradi village, who had sustained serious injuries after being hit by a train about a month ago, died at a private hospital yesterday. Sanjeev’s body was found lying along a railway track by the Railway Police. At first he was given treatment at the General Hospital but was later referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. His relatives, brought him back to Yamunanagar for treatment. In another accident, a conductor with the Haryana Roadways, Karan Singh (50) was electrocuted when he went to switch on a tubewell to water his fields in Khurdi village yesterday. |
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Short circuit claimed girl’s life: report
Rohtak, September 7 The five-member probe panel was appointed after the incident. It was headed by Dr V. P. Das and included the District Fire Officer. The PGIMS Director Major Gen (retd) Dr V. S. Poonia said the probe had revealed that the fire started from a junction box and spread to an electric cable which fell on the bed of the patient. The plastic sheet under the bed sheet also caught fire causing severe burn injuries. Since the patient already was on support system, she could not be resuscitated. He said the fire could be the result of voltage fluctuation. Dr Poonia said the PWD personnel were supposed to carry out a power drill every morning to test the power supply system. However, this was not obviously done properly. The report has been sent to the Health Commissioner. A detailed probe was likely to follow by another panel to be appointed soon. It would include the Range Fire Officer. The panel would also suggest improvements in the fire safety system in the institution, he added. Angoori, an 18-year-old girl was killed when an overhead burning electric cable fell on her bed in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit. Three others were injured in the incident. |
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Give up plans to celebrate Devi Lal’s birth anniversary: Hooda
Rohtak, September 7 In a statement issued here today he said the power situation in the state had been deteriorating day by day and under such circumstances any celebration was uncalled for as it would hurt the sentiments of public. Mr Hooda said during February, 2000, Assembly poll the INLD had promised round-the-clock power supply but as things were, there was no power for up to 15 hours a day in most parts of Haryana. He said the Chief Minister should publicly explain the reasons for the unprecedented shortage of power in the state before deciding on celebrations. He said if the Congress was voted to power it would order probes into all “misdeeds” of the Chautala government. The role of the government in boosting crime would also be probed and the guilty punished, he added. |
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Roads in vegetable market encroached upon
Kaithal, September 7 It is alleged that a number of vegetable sellers, who have occupied the major portion of the roads and do not use the big platforms, oblige the market committee staff and continue to enjoy their favour. The fruit rehris standing at the entrance of the
mandi, are another source of nuisance for the people. One side of the road from New Mandi to Kabootar Chowk remains closed due to negligence of the officials concerned. Municipal council officials said the road was under the jurisdiction of the Market Committee, hence they were unable to take any action. Residents have demanded strict action against those indulging in encroachments and the market committee officials who turn a blind eye to this problem. |
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Rs 1.40 lakh looted from cashier
Rohtak, September 7 The cashier, Rajesh Kumar was on his way to a bank. As he approached the Arya Nagar-DLF colony crossing, two motor cycle riders pointed a gun at him and asked him to hand over the cash he was carrying. When he resisted, they assaulted him and fled after snatching the cash. The motor cycle did not bear a registration numberplate. Shopkeepers in Anaj Mandi downed their shutters in protest against the incident. Mr Raj Kumar Mehamia, president of the Anaj Mandi Association condemned the incident and criticised the police for its inability to check crime. |
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Police transfers
Chandigarh, September 7 Mr Ravi Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Railways, has been given the additional charge of Commandant, First Battalion, Haryana Armed Police, Ambala city. Mr Tejbir Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Headquarters, Karnal, has been posted as DSP, Headquarters, Rohtak, against a vacant post. Mr Surinder Pal Singh, DSP, City, Karnal, has been posted as DSP, Headquarters, Karnal. Mr Satpal, DSP, CID, has been posted as DSP, HPA, Madhuban. |
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Lawyers abstain from work
Kaithal, September 7 The lawyers demanded an inquiry into incident in which the police made a lathi charge on the advocates at Lucknow. Mr Ranvir, Parashar president, District Bar, and Mr Surinder Ranjha, secretary said that as per a decision taken at a meeting here today, the lawyers would abstain from courts tomorrow on Wednesday and will sit in dharna in support of their demands. Rohtak: The local lawyers continued their strike in protest against the police excesses on Lucknow lawyers for the fourth day today. |
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Sweating residents have no water either
Sonepat, September 7 Owing to frequent loadsheddings, breakdowns and low voltage, residents are forced to fetch water from distant places. Some even have to purchase a bucket of water for Rs 10 or more when the water supply is disrupted. The residents blame the Public Health Department for its failure to purchase generators for use during power shutdowns to ensure the supply of drinking water. They also allege that the authorities have made no alternative arrangements like tankers to deliver water. The entire city went without water yesterday. The supply was restored around 7.30 pm, but cut off soon. Taps in Mohalla Kalan and Ram Bazar delivered water only around 9 p.m. when the power supply was restored. The situation has caused resentment among residents of the city, who are critical of the state government for its failure to ensure a regular power and water supply. |
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M. Pharmacy course allowed
Rohtak, September 7 The course will be multi-disciplinary. Visiting faculty from pharmaceutical industry, Department of Law, MDU, Patent Office and Drug Control Department will be involved in the conduct of the course. The course offers academic training in law, regulation, economics, marketing and health policy to candidates having attained a graduate degree in
pharmacy. The course is highly relevant to the changing global scenario due to introduction of new patent regime from January, 2005. Experts in drug regulatory affairs will be in great demand all over the world, including India because of introduction of the new regime. |
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Doctors’ convention at Hisar on Sept 19
Rohtak, September 7 Dr Sharma said members of the Medical Teachers Association of the local Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and the Haryana State Dental Surgeon Association would also participate. He said the three doctors’ bodies of Haryana had decided to pursue common goals unitedly. The three categories of doctor faced similar problems and were desirous of taking medical care to the doorstep of the poorest in the remotest hamlet of the state. He said earlier the convention was to be held at Chandigarh but when the two other organisations decided to participate, the venue was shifted to Hisar. |
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Man stabbed, robbed of Rs 30,000
Jhajjar, September 7 The injured was rushed to the hospital who also identified the assailants by face as residents of Matan village. |
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Jat College win yoga tourney
Rohtak, September 7 The winners secured 391.5 points. GGDSD College, Palwal, finished runners-up with 336.75 points. UTD, Rohtak (308 points), and Government College, Hodal, got third and fourth positions, respectively. Twelve probables were also named at the end of the championship to attend a camp to select the university team. The probables: Pawan, Sandeep, Jayender, Sumit, Vikas, Parveen, Chander Bhan, Satish, Arun Kumar, Deshpal, Devi Lal and Gautam. |
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Fire in house Ambala, September 7 Mr M.L. Gupta and his wife had gone out when neighbours noticed smoke emanating from their house at about 11 a.m. The fire reportedly started from a computer and spread to other household items. The fire brigade was called. Nobody was injured in the incident.
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Villagers block traffic
Sonepat, September 7 The villagers were protesting against long spells of power cuts. A large number of vehicles were lined up on both sides of the road.
— OC |
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