 |
|
VAT is Haryana chemists' dilemma
Private schools on HUDA plots face closure
Voters’ list for MC poll has 1,432 names missing
No recounting in Garhi Sikanderpur: DC
BJP criticises removal of Vice-Chancellors
PGIMS may have new trauma centre soon
Haryana to set up panel on police reforms
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
With Registrar gone, rumours fly on campus
Acting school inaugurated
Mustard growers block traffic
MC candidates to avoid
use of loudspeakers
Give cadre post to Chief Conservator of Forests: CAT
Hooda to perform Navratra puja
Health a thrust area, says CM
|
|
VAT is Haryana chemists' dilemma
Chandigarh, April 6 Chemists all over the state have kept new purchases on hold in the hope that the state government will come out with an amendment in VAT on medicine shortly and lower tax rates from 10 per cent to 4 per cent as is the case in neighbouring states. With new stocks not added to chemist shops since March 15, patients are facing the music as medicines meant for controlling blood pressure and epilepsy as also anti-biotics used in surgery and painkillers, are almost out of stock. While fast-moving drugs are near exhaustion, the prices of life-saving drugs are the highest in the state, courtesy 10 per cent rate of VAT. Most of these as well as the slow-moving drugs are only likely to last for another week to 10 days before shops virtually run short of the drugs, the chemists rue. The President of the Haryana Chemists and Druggists Association, Mr RK Khera, says,"Haryana was the first state to introduce VAT two years ago. At that time, 10 per cent tax was imposed on medicines and we accepted it. However, with VAT coming into force in 21 other states on April 1 and medicines being taxed at 4 per cent, we are at the receiving end of the new policy since the state government is yet to notify the new tax rate," he says. While this has made medicines comparatively cheaper in adjoining states, Haryana continues to reel under the high tax rate. There is apprehension that chemists will buy their stocks from HP and Punjab and sell these at higher costs in the state. "If we place our orders with the company today at 10 per cent tax and the state government announces its decision to lower the tax to 4 per cent tomorrow, where will the remaining 6 per cent tax come from? We don't have profit enough to meet the loss of 6 per cent. Also, VAT means there should be no inter-state tax barrier and a uniform tax rate prevalent throughout. If the state doesn't change this rate, the whole purpose of VAT would be defeated," maintains Mr BB Singhal, president of the District Chemists Association, Panchkula. The District president of the Pharmaceutical Distributors Association, Panchkula, Mr Sanjeev Goyal says, "At a given time, we make purchases for 20 to 25 days. Now, we are being forced to turn away patients for want of drugs. Then, life-saving drugs in the tax-free zone in Delhi have now come under the 4 per cent VAT net. Added to that is the state's 10 per cent and the prices have shot up by 14 per cent, the highest in the country." To hasten the notification of the new tax rate, the chemists' association has met everybody from the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, to the Finance Minister, Mr Birender Singh, and the Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Venod Sharma. They have assured the delegation of redressal of their grievance shortly. When contacted, the Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Sharma, said the government and his department was on the job. "We will hold a meeting sometime next week and decide the issue of the tax rate," he said.
|
|
|
Private schools on HUDA plots face closure
Panipat, April 6 Mr Mulana said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the state government to close down all private schools running from residential buildings of HUDA. At the same time, he said the rest of the private schools situated in other residential buildings had been provided relaxation for one year. However, these schools would have to provide required facilities to the students and would have to pay proper salary to the teachers, he added. Mr Mulana said the state government would formulate new guidelines for the private schools during the relaxation period of one year. The Education Minister further said recruitment of teachers to fill vacant posts in government schools would begin shortly. However, he did not say anything about when the process would begin and how many teachers would be appointed. Mr Mulana said the state government had already agreed in principle to depute at least one teacher against 40 students. Earlier, one teacher had been deputed against 60 students. Mr Mulana said his department would ensure presence of teachers in the government schools as it had come to his notice that some of the teachers remained absent from the schools after marking themselves present. The inspection wing of the Education Department would be made strong to ensure their presence, he added. A delegation of the Niji School Sanchalak Sanjha Manch, led by its president Ramdutt Sharma, handed over a memorandum to Mr Mulana demanding to include at least one member of the manch in the committee which would formulate new guidelines for the private schools. Some of the part-time lecturers of Arya College, including Dr Rajender Kumar and Pawan Khurana, demanded to issue directions to private colleges to lift ban imposed since 1998 on appointment of regular lecturers. The Education Minister assured them to consider their demands sympathetically. Earlier, he directed the district officers to work more efficiently while addressing them at a meeting held at Bal Bhavan. |
|
Voters’ list for MC poll has 1,432 names missing
Hisar, April 6 The names of as many as 1,432 voters of this locality are missing from the voters’ list of Ward No 21, which has caused resentment among the local residents, apart from raising serious concern over the matter. The residents have written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, wherein they have urged him to include their names in the voters’ list or postpone the municipal elections for their ward till the right to vote is restored. The left out voters had earlier approached the local authorities but were not able to resolve the issue. According to the residents, the district officials kept on telling them to locate their names in the lists of neighbouring wards. Mr Janak Raj Jangra had brought the matter to the notice of the authorities for the first time on February 19. Several delegations of local residents also met senior officials of the district but to no avail. The residents allege that despite making several rounds of the Deputy Commissioner’s and municipal council offices no action has been taken on their complaints. A resident of the ward, Ms Meena Kumari, wife of Mr Dev Raj, filed her nomination paper for the post of municipal councillor but it was cancelled as her name was not on the voters’ list. A resident of Krishna Nagar, Mr Vijay Sharma, asserts exercising their franchise is their constitutional right and it is the responsibility of the Electoral Officer to ensure that. According to certain residents of the locality, their area was earlier part of Ward No 22. However, in the delimitation, it was shifted to Ward No 21. Perhaps the names of these voters were struck off from the old ward’s list, but could not be entered in the new list. Resentment prevails among residents whose names have not been included in the voters’ list and they plan to move the court or stage a dharna on the day of polling if the issue is not resolved by then.
|
|
|
No recounting in Garhi Sikanderpur: DC
Panipat, April 6 Two of the defeated candidates, Ms Bala and Ms Roshni Devi, had been demanding recounting since Sunday evening. They alleged that irregularities had been committed during counting of votes and Ms Krishna Sharma had been declared victorious before the counting of the total votes polled during the first phase of the panchayat elections on April 3. However, the Deputy Commissioner said had any complaint of irregularity been made before the declaration of the result, recounting would definitely have been done. He said the SDM, Mr Satpal, was also present during counting. Had any irregularity been committed, he would have directed repolling. On the other side, Bijender, son of defeated candidate Bala, alleged that some members of the counting staff called the SDM during counting when some irregularities had been committed. He said the SDM had assured them that recounting would be done at Arya School on Monday at 3 p.m. but no officer reached there and no recounting was done. A large number of villagers demonstrated at the Bal Bhavan even this morning in favour of their demand for recounting. Bijender alleged the connivance of some of the election employees with the victorious candidate. |
|
BJP criticises removal of Vice-Chancellors
Chandigarh, April 6 He said it was unfortunate that every government after coming to power made the removal of the Vice-Chancellors its topmost agenda while other priorities like development and law and order took a back seat. Dr Arya said the most unfortunate part of the removal process was the discrimination and the whims of the ruling party. He said there was no set criteria for the removal of the Vice-Chancellors. He said the Bansi Lal government removed the Vice-Chancellor of the Haryana Agricultural University but spared that of the Kurukshetra University. He was so adamant in removing the Vice-Chancellor of the MDU that the police force was used and the Vice-Chancellor was allowed to complete his term only after the intervention of the high court. Similarly, the Chautala government removed the Vice-Chancellor of the HAU and allowed others to continue. The present government also asked the Vice-Chancellors of all universities to resign except the Vice-Chancellor of MDU for reasons best known to it only. |
|
|
PGIMS may have new trauma centre soon
Rohtak, April 6 A trauma centre was approved for the institute several years ago and a building was specially constructed here for the purpose at a huge cost. However, at the last moment it was shifted to Karnal by the Chautala regime on the plea that it would serve a better purpose if it was located on National Highway 1. This argument did not cut much ice with the public as the decision was politically motivated. After the new government came into being, the demand for setting up a trauma centre here was raised again. According to sources, the government now feels that while the Karnal trauma centre should continue to meet the needs of that area a new centre is required for the PGIMS for several reasons. First, traffic on National Highway1 has grown over the years and that is a big reason enough to locate a centre here. Secondly, the state’s lone PG medical institute receives a large number of trauma cases from several districts located along this highway and the neighbouring areas of Punjab and
Rajasthan. The government also feels that the state’s only post graduate medical institute should not be without a trauma centre. The sources said the PGIMS administration was already planning to seek funds for this project in the current year’s budget which is likely to be finalised soon. Meanwhile, the PGIMS administration plans to take up the issue of higher pay scales for the PGIMS doctors to attract more talent. At present, the PGIMS doctors’ pay scales and other perks are much lower compared to the neighbouring states. The gap is even more when the scales are compared to the packages offered by private hospitals and medical colleges. As a result, a large number of posts remain vacant. The sources said the condition of furnishing a bond of Rs 5 lakh for serving the institute for a minimum number of years was also a disincentive for younger doctors. This condition is now proposed to be waived. The PGIMS authorities are of the view that better working conditions and higher pay scales are enough to retain talent in the institute. It is also learnt that the PGIMS can expect a bonanza in this year’s budget to create more infrastructure, which is currently bursting at the seams. The number of patients coming to the PGIMS hospital is so huge that unless new infrastructure is created immediately the quality of service will deteriorate soon. Strangely, the PGIMS faculty notorious for groupism and infighting has welcomed the appointment of a senior bureaucrat as the new Director. The Commissioner, Rohtak Division, Mr N.C.
Wadhwa, took over as Director on Monday following the retirement of Maj-Gen V. S. Poonia
(retd). Senior doctors said the work culture in the institute had deteriorated over the years because of infighting among senior faculty members and political interference. The institute needed to be disciplined and a bureaucrat was in a better position to create a new work culture than a doctor. |
|
|
Haryana to set up panel on police reforms
Chandigarh, April 6 It was learnt that a communication in this regard was issued recently by the Chief Minister’s office. It said the Financial Commissioner, Home Department, in consultation with the Director-General of Police, would suggest the constitution of the committee and its terms of reference. The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had also given directions that experts from outside the government should be included in the committee. The communication, according to sources, quoted the Chief Minister as having expressed serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state during the past few years. The Chief Minister apparently felt that the present police apparatus was characterised by rampant corruption, red-tapeism, inefficiency and an indifferent attitude towards the public at large. The communication, it was learnt, said that adopting a more professional approach was the need of the hour for policing in general and crime detection in particular. With the advancement in technology, especially in the fields of telecommunications and information technology, the situation had becomes more complex with the drastic change in the nature of crimes itself. Since the government proposed to embark on a fast track of development in the state, it was imperative that the security environment should be changed for the better. The communication, according to sources, said that in order to achieve these objectives, the area of concern would have to be delineated, action plans for the short term and the long term drawn up, indicators for improvement determined and a process of continuous monitoring introduced. The communication said that to address these issues, the Chief Minister had desired that a committee should be constituted to examine the entire
functioning of the police force and make specific recommendations for revamping it. |
|
With Registrar gone, rumours fly on campus Sirsa, April 6 Though the state government has assigned the charge of the officiating VC to Mr R.R. Fuliya, Commissioner (Hisar Division), he remained absent from office. Sources said after joining office last evening he had left for Mount Abu to attend a religious function. Mr Vishnu Bhagwan had earlier resigned from the post of Vice-Chancellor and Professor Rajan quit the job late last evening. The resignation of both the top officials has further worried the students as the final exams are round the corner. The gradual resignations of the officials has further created an atmosphere of uncertainty over the future of the university. The office of the Controller of Examinations has been also lying vacant since last month. Talking to this correspondent, a number of faculty members and students expressed serious concern over the “uncertainty’’ in the university. The “removal’’ of top officials at this juncture when final exams are round the corner has messed up everything. Though the decision seems a political in nature it has spread panic, certain faculty members said. The scene had further caused panic among students as they are worried over the future of the CDLU. Today, most of the classrooms more a deserted look with rumours doing the rounds among the students. “We are worried and do not know whom to approach to clear the position. There are rumours connected to the existence of the university,’’ said a number of students. Interestingly, Mr Fuliya is the sixth VC in a row in the past three years who had quit the top office of the “controversial’’ university. Setting a record of sorts the university has so far witnessed six VCs and two Registrars in the past three years. This has seriously affected the image of the university. Followed by the then Commissioner, Hisar Range, Mr P.K. Das, the CDLU had Dr R.P. Dahiya, Chief Secretary, Mr Sunil Ahuja and Mr Vishnu Bhagwan, who held charge twice. The CDLU has always been mired in controversies ever since it came into being during the regime of the INLD. Established in the hometown of former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, the university failed to grow due to poorly conceived plans in appointing a regular VC. Out of the five persons who have held the office of the VC Dr Dahiya alone had an academic background while the rest of them were bureaucrats (including Mr Bhagwan, former Chief Secretary of the state). Dr Rajan was the second person who took charge after Dr R.C. Punia, who was “forced’’ to quit by the previous government. Interestingly, the office of the Controller of Examinations is also vacant.
|
|
|
Acting school inaugurated
Hisar, April 6 Talking to newsmen on this occasion, Bharati observed that owing to its rich cultural tradition, Haryana had immense potential for the promotion of all art forms. The need of the hour was to give proper direction to the talent, he added. He maintained that thanks to the advent and easy accessibility of technology, the education of art forms was no more
confined to a few big cities. He said the artistes could now grow while remaining attached to their roots. Bharati lamented the emergence of a faceless culture which was being marketed by various television channels. “People are unable to identify with such culture as it is not specific to any state, neither has it got any identity of its own,” he said. A number of local artistes, including Arvind Goswami, Ravi Chauhan and Ravi Mehta, besides Vikas Batra from Punjab, were present on the
occasion. |
|
Mustard growers block traffic
Rohtak, April 6 Even as the farmers were protesting, commission agents pitched in with their own protest saying that HAFED, which was procuring mustard for the central pool, was not paying them any commission. They too raised anti-government slogans. Farmers complained that their produce had been lying in the open as HAFED officials were not lifting their stock. They said on an average they had to wait for three days to sell their produce. The local authorities tried to dissuade them, but to no avail. Former minister and Congress MLA from Meham Anand Singh Dangi reached the spot and negotiated a settlement. It was decided that HAFED would ensure that the farmers’ produce was lifted with 24 hours. Officials of HAFED said under the rules they were not supposed to pay commission as it had to purchase the produce that was brought to its purchase centres only. It was then decided that the growers would pay Rs 15 per quintal to the commission agents. Farmers also extracted an assurance that HAFED would buy their crop at the minimum support price and that the entire stock brought to the mandi would be lifted. The blockade was lifted after about two hours. |
|
MC candidates to avoid
use of loudspeakers
Ambala, April 6 The SDM and returning officer for MC Ambala City, Mr Satbir Saini, today presided over a meeting of the candidates. The decision to avoid using the loudspeakers was taken keeping in view the examination of students. Mr Saini said that loudspeakers could only be used during the inauguration of the election office and for pre-designated public meeting. In Ambala City, there are 93254 voters out of which there are 48,557 male voters and 44697 female voters. As many as 91 booths are going to be set up. After the withdrawal of nominations, 115 candidates are in the fray for 31 wards. He said that polling would take place on April 16 from 8 am to 4 pm and the counting will take place after polling is over.
|
|
Give cadre post to Chief Conservator of Forests: CAT Chandigarh, April 6 He also stated that he had been harassed for detecting many wrongdoings in the department. Passing the order, Mr L.M.Goyal and Mr J.S. Dhaliwal, Vice-Chairman and Member of the tribunal, respectively, directed the government to post the IFS officer against a sanctioned post of Chief Conservator of Forests grade.
|
|
|
Hooda to perform Navratra puja
Chandigarh, April 6 The Chief Administrator and Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Mr Brijender Singh said today that Maa Bhagwati Jagran would be organised in the complex of Patiala Mandir on April 16 and the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chander Mohan, would be present on the occasion. He said bhajan sandhya programmes by the artistes of
Kalagram, Chandigarh, and the Public Relations and Cultural Affairs
Department would be organised in the premises of temple from April 13 to
April 15 in the evenings. |
|
Health a thrust area, says CM
Chandigarh, April 6 In a message here on the eve of World Health Day, which has the theme, “Make every mother
and child count”, Mr Hooda said that healthy mothers and children held the future of prosperous communities and nations. He said the state Health Department was committed to providing skilled care during pregnancy and delivery. |
|
Pope’s funeral: state mourning on April 8
Chandigarh, April 6 An official spokesman said here today
that the National Flag would be flown at half-mast in the state and there would be no
official entertainment on that day. |
|
Boy, girl jump to death
Yamunanagar, April 6 The girl died at a hospital. while efforts were on to trace the body of the boy when the reports last came in. Their identity was yet to be established.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
