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Haryana Govt sanctions Rs 65 lakh for pillars
State Cabinet may increase compensation money to farmers
Haryana may hike relief for farmers
Hooda wants all roads to be repaired by May 15
Suicide bid by ‘drunk’ IAF officer
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Teachers want transparency
in selection of VCs
Reservation for women in panchayats fails to show desired results
Govt to check illegal fishing
Landlords hooking workers on drugs
Funds no
constraint for Haryana: Selja
Jindal lays stone of dharamshalas
Dept fails to clear clogged sewerage
CITU demands Rs 4,500 as minimum wages
40,000 kg poppy husk seized, two held
Spurt in thefts in Karnal
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Haryana Govt sanctions Rs 65 lakh for pillars
Karnal, April 24 Revealing this, Mr Shyamal Mishra, District Magistrate of Karnal, said the Survey of India was carrying out fresh demarcation of the inter-state border and the pillars would be constructed as per the report submitted by it. Pillars were also constructed few decades ago but got eroded with the passage of time. The Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1979 was also enacted to notify the border. Since, the river changes its course frequently it becomes difficult to identify the land of border farmers. Numerous clashes had taken place resulting in deaths of farmers of both states. Later, in accordance with the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1979, the Revenue Department of Haryana had issued a notification on August 26, 1987, for transferring certain pieces of land to Karnal district. The then Collector of Saharanpur, Mr V.K. Sinha, and the then Deputy Commissioner of Karnal, Mr Krishna Mohan, on February 28, 1986, finally handed over the papers of the original revenue record of the territories transferred to each other. The District Magistrate said the revenue authorities of both Saharanpur and Karnal districts would construct the pillars. The odd numbers would be constructed by the authorities of Karnal while the even numbers would be constructed by the authorities of Saharanpur district, he added. |
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State Cabinet may increase compensation money to farmers
Gurgaon, April 24 With the Cabinet okaying the increase in the compensation money, this move would be beneficial for the farming community. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the man behind the move as he was concerned about the welfare of the farming community. Also, this would be the first major step of the present government in the interests of the farming community. It was, however, not known whether the possible decision of the Cabinet would apply post-facto or with retrospective effect. According to one estimate, thousands of farmers, a good number of them in Gurgaon district, would be beneficiaries of the decision in the immediate context as their land was in process of acquisition. According to sources, the government was thinking of increasing the money so that the compensation to the state farmers was on a par with the amount given to the farmers in the villages falling in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by the government concerned. The government was inclined to fix a “floor price” on the land in the state for determination of the compensation on acquisition. In effect, this would mean that the government or its agencies would have to now observe the bottom line in terms of paying compensation to the farmers in case if it acquired their land. The farmers would be saved from the whims of government machinery with regard to settling the price of their land. However, the available indication was that Haryana could be divided at least into two zones, each having a different category of floor price. The classification of land could be based on in the areas falling in National Capital Region (NCR) around the national capital and those areas falling outside it. The thought behind the zoning system stemmed from the difference in the market values of the land in the NCR and other parts of the state. According to many, the move of the Haryana Government to increase the compensation money was radical in nature. The farmers of the state had been agitating for more than a decade for increase in the compensation money paid by the government. Just before the Assembly elections, many farmers’ associations and representatives from Delhi and other parts of the state had also espoused the cause of their brethren in Haryana with Mr Hooda on the issue. According to Jagat Narayan, a farmer from Nathupur village, the proposed move to increase the compensation money would extirpate the chances of the farmers from being victimised by vindictive governments. At present a government, if it so desired, could single out any one for acquisition of his land and victimise the target group by giving meagre compensation money. With the settlement of the price of the land being guided by ‘collectorate’ rate formula, the farmers had only the court to look up to. Also, the present collectorate rate was comparatively so meagre that the court’s intervention in enhancing the money did not measure up to the expectations of the farmers. With farming land gone and the kids lacking education, a large number of families had been pushed to the brink of penury. The pro-active move in the interest of the farmers was rooted in the claimed philosophy of the government to ensure balanced growth of all sections of the society. With the rapid modernisation and urbanisation of the state, the farmers appeared to be getting a raw deal. Their land was acquired by the government and its agencies in the name of development at virtually a peanut price. The agencies like Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) used to sell plots on this land at astronomical prices. The government used to also sell the acquired land to private colonisers and builders at prices of its choice. All these had a vast scope of corrupt practices as the entire system lacked consistency and transparency. Also, with the government paying meagre compensation money the farmers were constantly under pressure to sell off their land at the first opportunity to private parties offering them even a modicum of higher price. Examples are legion, especially in Gurgaon district, where higher ups in the government allegedly colluded with the land mafia to browbeat the farmers to sell off the land to them (mafia) under duress. |
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Haryana may hike relief for farmers
Gurgaon, April 24 With the Cabinet okaying the increase in the compensation money, this move would be beneficial for the farming community. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the man behind the move as he was concerned about the welfare of the farming community. Also, this would be the first major step of the present government in the interests of the farming community. It was, however, not known whether the possible decision of the Cabinet would apply post-facto or with retrospective effect. According to one estimate, thousands of farmers, a good number of them in Gurgaon district, would be beneficiaries of the decision in the immediate context as their land was in process of acquisition. According to sources, the government was thinking of increasing the money so that the compensation to the state farmers was on a par with the amount given to the farmers in the villages falling in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by the government concerned. The government was inclined to fix a “floor price” on the land in the state for determination of the compensation on acquisition. In effect, this would mean that the government or its agencies would have to now observe the bottom line in terms of paying compensation to the farmers in case if it acquired their land. The farmers would be saved from the whims of government machinery with regard to settling the price of their land. However, the available indication was that Haryana could be divided at least into two zones, each having a different category of floor price. The classification of land could be based on in the areas falling in National Capital Region (NCR) around the national capital and those areas falling outside it. The thought behind the zoning system stemmed from the difference in the market values of the land in the NCR and other parts of the state. According to many, the move of the Haryana Government to increase the compensation money was radical in nature. |
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Hooda wants all roads to be repaired by May 15
Chandigarh, April 24 Mr Hooda, who was reviewing the vision document and action plan of the department here today, also directed the officers to find a long-term solution to frequent damage to the roads. Drains should be constructed to protect roads. The document says that the department would set up a State Academy of Research and Training, raise an ultra-modern planning and design unit, establish two revolving funds for buildings and deposit works as well as roads and update the PWD Code and Manual of Orders and Haryana Schedule of Rates so as to reorient its functioning with the changing scenario. Mr Hooda said the functioning of the department should be made more efficient and transparent in view of the growing competitiveness and aspirations of the people. Mr Hooda also directed that additional flats for MLAs should be constructed in Chandigarh as their present number was insufficient. He also directed that all construction works should be completed on a priority basis. The Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary,
PWD, Mr Dharamvir, said there was a plan to develop the existing research laboratory at Hisar as a State Academy of Research and Training so as to cope with the emerging trends in the field of construction technology and quality-assurance techniques. He said there was also a plan to activate the Haryana State Roads and Bridges Development Corporation, which would provide several services to the department in the execution of works. The corporation would raise a planning and design unit to provide consultancy services. He said five post-graduate structural engineers and highway engineers would be employed for this purpose. The entire department would be computerised in a phased manner. The thrust areas had also been identified. He said with a view to ensuring efficient cash-flow management, two revolving funds could be set up. While one revolving fund having an outlay of Rs 7.5 crore would be for buildings and deposit works, the other of Rs 10 crore would be for roads. He said there was a plan to invite tenders on turnkey basis for projects costing more than Rs 1 crore, with five years’ post construction maintenance and quality guarantee. This system would deter the contractor from using sub-standard material. Mr Dharamvir said 36 bridges would be completed by the end of March next. He said there were 193 bridges in the state which required either remodelling, widening or strengthening for which funds were being sought from NABARD. |
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Suicide bid by ‘drunk’ IAF officer
Samalkha, April 24 The officer, identified as Fl. Lieut Sandeep Singh (24) of Dehra village, has been admitted to a private hospital in Panipat. He is unmarried and elder of two brothers. His father is a constable with the Railway Police Force and posted in Delhi. His paternal uncle, Mr Dharambir Singh, newly-elected Sarpanch of Dehra village, told The Tribune that he was selected as Flight Lieutenant in the IAF a few months ago and was undergoing training in Bangalore. He had come here on leave and was about to rejoin the training course in a couple of days. His maternal aunt, wife of the ASI, Mr Ranjinder Singh, posted at the SP office as in charge of the complaint cell, said they were not aware of the motive behind his attempted suicide. She said he had left the house to rejoin his training today morning but expressed surprise over how he reached the roof of the Dharamshala. She said someone might have encouraged him to drink. He under the influence of liquor might have tried to commit suicide. However, she added that he neither used to smoke nor drink. She ruled out any domestic reason behind his attempted suicide. Eyewitnesses said Sandeep with loaded revolver in his hand reached the roof of the Dharamshala at 12.30 pm. The police was informed. Several policemen, including the DSP, reached the spot and tried to persuade him but in vain. Subsequently, Sandeep’s maternal uncle and wife were called to persuade him to end the drama but he even refused to listen to them. All this continued for more than three hours. In the meantime, one of his acquaintances climbed the roof with the help of movable stairs and tried to overpower him. At this, he fired a shot in his abdomen. The police took the revolver into its possession and Sandeep was admitted a private hospital in Panipat. The doctors were trying to remove the bullet from his stomach at the time of filing this story. His condition was reported to be critical. |
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Teachers want transparency
in selection of VCs
Hisar, April 24 Dr Narsi Ram Bishnoi, president of the Guru Jambeshwar University Teachers Association (GJUTA), said though the government had directed the university authorities to form a search committee to select the Vice-Chancellor, the selection criteria were yet to be standardised. At a general body meeting of the association, it was demanded that the appointments of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar be made through a pre-determined and transparent procedure. It was resolved at the meeting that the norms and procedures of the career advancement scheme be quantified to rule out the possibility of discrimination or injustice. The association also demanded immediate steps in view of the acute shortage of teachers in various teaching departments. Meanwhile, the executive committee of the Haryana Agricultural University Teachers Association (HAUTA) has passed a resolution on the appointment of Vice-Chancellor. The resolution states: “A person having a clear vision with background of agricultural sciences, administrative capability and democratic and humane credentials would make a good Vice-Chancellor.” The HAUTA president, Dr
M. S. Narwal, said it was pointed out in the resolution that the Act and statutes of the university had the provision for the constitution of a search committee. Besides, there were recommendations of the UGC and several “It would be more refined, genuine and transparent if the empanelled candidates are facilitated to present their views at an appropriate forum,” states the |
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Reservation for women in panchayats fails to show desired results
Ambala, April 24 After the posts of sarpanch and panch reserved for women in villages were de-reserved in this panchayat election under the rotation process, a startling fact has emerged. Women contested in general seats in only half-a-dozen villages throughout the district. While women have contested the seats reserved for women, they have shied away from general seats. Although women sarpanch and panch have managed to discharge their duties to the best of their ability during their term, most of them have not contested following the seat being de-reserved. Women seem to have confined themselves to contesting in only the seats which were reserved for women this time. According to information available, women have contested in general seats in five villages in Ambala district and in three of the villages, the women candidates have lost. Two women have triumphed in general seats. Joginder Kaur of Berpur village and Kamlesh of Burj Shahid village have won in general seats. In sharp contrast, Sunita Devi stood third in Sherpur village, Reshmi Devi lost in Prail village and Damayanti lost her deposit in Samalkha village. It has been learnt that the women who lost in general seats, they had contested at the behest of some male member of their family. For instance, in Samalkha village, Damayanti belongs to a family which has been in active village politics for the last three decades. This time, her son apparently wanted to contest the election but as he had three children, he could not contest. So, Damayanti filed her papers for the post of sarpanch. But, the residents of the village did not repose faith in her and she lost. A perceived objective of reservation for women in Panchayati Raj was to empower them in the
democratic system and to allow women to not only participate but also to lead the village. The objective seems to have taken a beating. The extremely low number of women contesting the panchayat poll in general seats shows that all is not well. A former woman sarpanch in the Saha block stated she knew it from the outset that her husband will contest in the next term. “The truth is that my husband performed all the duties of the sarpanch and I was required only when some documents had to be signed. I followed whatever he advised me,” she said. “What is the point of having reservation for women in panchayats, if women get to have a say in the system only during the reservation period and not after that. The reservation is meant to strengthen the system and not to act as a temporary reprieve,” she added. Dr Ramesh Madaan, a social scientist, stressed that there is an urgent need for a re-think so that women can genuinely be empowered to come forward in villages. “The writing is on the wall. We need to make additional efforts so that women feel confident enough to contest from general seats in villages,” he opined “A host of factors can be attributed to women not contesting from general seats in villages. Male-dominated mindset in villages is
definitely a hindrance, he said. The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ambala, Mr Satbir Saini, however, opined that things take time to change in villages. “There has indeed been an improvement after reservation was introduced for women in panchayats. I firmly believe that we are moving in the right direction,” he said. “The only aspect which is required is for more sustained awareness generation among women in Panchayati Raj system,” he added. |
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Govt to check illegal fishing
Dadupur, April 24 Illegal fishing is believed to be a major cause behind the reducing number of species of fish in the state. Last year, the department had challaned 180 persons. When Haryana was created in 1966, there were 112 species of fish in the state but today only 55 species are left. An awareness centre-cum-aquarium costing about Rs 2.20 crore will be set up in Gurgaon and Rs 60 lakh has already been deposited with HUDA, Mr H.C Disodia, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, said. He was here to preside over an awareness camp for conservation of riverine fisheries today. He said the department would be dealing strictly with those who poach in the government waters. He said officials, too, would be held guilty if poaching was reported from their areas. The department would set up a modern fish laboratory at Hisar. There was no provision for fish healthcare in the state. He said steps would also be taken to ban fishing in natural water resources in July and August so that the breeding of fish did not get affected. To expand the network, four new markets would be set in Gurgaon, Bahadurgarh, Ambala and Hisar. Three such markets were already functioning in Panipat, Yamunanagar and Faridabad. Earlier, Mr Disodia released 10,000 seeds of Golden Mahaseer fish brought here from Lonavla, Maharashtra. Besides, 15, 000 seeds of Rohu, Mirgal and Catla (varieties of fish) were also released into the Yamuna. The Director, Fisheries, Dr S.C. Aggarwal, said a new project to identify the disease among fish had been implemented by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Among others who also spoke included Dr M.S. Johal, Dr Brij Gopal of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Delhi, Dr. Usha Mohra, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Karnal, Dr S.N. Ogle of Maharashtra, Mr Golden Jacob of Dehradun and Mr Amir Ahmad from Saharanpur. |
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Landlords hooking workers on drugs
Sirsa, April 24 Bhag Singh’s case is not an exceptional one, but describes the general state of workers in the district. Landlords allegedly offer poppy husk, a commonly available narcotic and power-enhancing masala to workers to extract more work from them. Labourers are reportedly being oppressed by being offered poppy husk in lieu of a major part of their wages. Labourers admit that drugs enhance work their performance. “If we get required dose, we can work twice than a common man,” said a labourer. We are introduced to narcotics by greedy landlords. I was a teenager when I first tasted husk without knowing much about it. The landlord used to daily offer young workers tea mixed with husk. Initially, we enjoyed working and did not feel tired, but later got addicted to it.” said Sewa Singh (name changed) aged 63. Poppy husk is commonly available in the district. Smugglers sneak into the state from the neighbouring Rajasthan, where poppy is legally available in the open market. Labourers blame landlords for making them drug addicts. “Initially they gave us poppy husk free of cost, but later start exploiting us,” said a daily, wage earner from Bathinda. Interestingly, landlords admit to giving drugs to workers. “After all we have to get our work done and poppy husk is quite effective. As daily wage earner cannot afford ghee, dry fruits and other essentials to keep their body fit, “bhukki (poppy husk) is the best alternative,” said a landlord on condition of anonymity. Despite knowing that the police keeps tabs on drug peddlers, landlords are ready to take the risk. |
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Funds no
constraint for Haryana: Selja
Ambala, April 24 Ms Selja said the Haryana Government would undertake development projects all over the state without any favouritism to any particular area. She said people were unhappy with the Chautala government. She said the Congress would work hard for fulfilling the aspirations of people who brought the party to power in Centre, Haryana and now in the Panchayat elections. Selja said due to the imposition of model code of conduct, there had been a slight delay in development work to begin with but in the coming days, a number of development works will be undertaken. She said she will speak to the Union Defence Minister regarding the land of 27 villages in Naraingarh area being acquired by the Army. She expressed sympathy towards the retrenched employees and said the Haryana Government is considering the matter. She said she is aware of the problems of sugarcane farmers and steps will be taken to solve the problem soon. |
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Jindal lays stone of dharamshalas
Kaithal, April 24 Later addressing a press conference Mr Jindal said the tempo of development in all Assembly segments falling under Kaithal district would be accelerated. He said the district would no longer remain a backward area. A master plan for the development of Kaithal town was being prepared and schemes like the Indira Aavas Yojna, SGRY, IWDP, NSDP, ELUS, CSRs, IDSMT would be implemented, he added. Mr Jindal said a 5 km-long bypass connecting the Kaithal-Khanauri road with the Jind road would be constructed at Rs 5.27 crore. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Deputy Commissioner to submit a master plan for constructing a big drain by May end to improve the sewer system of the town. |
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Dept fails to clear clogged sewerage
Yamunanagar, April 24 Sources in the department said the blockage had been cleared many times in the past, but the system again got clogged due to a meat market in the area. An official in the department said the municipal committee of Yamunanagar was also responsible for the problem as it had laid storm pipelines without screening chambers for solid materials. It is being alleged that meat shop owners throw leftovers, including bones, into manholes by removing covers. At several places, workers had to remove heaps of leftovers from the sewer system laid down 12 to 16 ft below the ground. Meat shop owners have been asked many times not to throw leftovers into the system. The SDO concerned, Mr Chauhan, said men were on work and the sewerage would be functional soon. |
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CITU demands Rs 4,500 as minimum wages
Sonepat, April 24 This demand was contained in the 17-point memorandum submitted to Mr Birender Singh, Finance and Labour and Employment Minister, by leaders of CITU here today. The memorandum also demanded the enforcement of all labour laws and Security Act, payment of 100 per cent dearness allowance, amendment in the Payment of Wages Act, withdrawal of bonus limit, 12 per cent interest rate on the Provident Fund, ban on lockouts layoffs, retrenchment of workers, opening of sick and closed units, including BSC, Ganaur, Jhalani Tools Limited. |
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40,000 kg poppy husk seized, two held
Sirsa, April 24 Mr K.K. Rao, SP, said that an operation was conducted following a tip-off. He said the duo, Balbir Singh and his son Kuldeep Singh, had a track record of indulging in narcotic smuggling. The confiscated poppy husk was stored in 100 sacks and was dumped in the fields surrounded with the sacks of wheat in Punjmala village in the Rori area. Mr Rao said that their third accomplice Leela Singh managed to escape. |
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Spurt in thefts in Karnal
Karnal, April 24 Says the Superintendent of Police, Mrs Bharti Arora: “My top priority is to solve all cases of crime, particularly organised crime, so that a sense of fear can be instilled in the minds of those indulging in it.” Another senior officer said, “Being understaffed, the police found the job tough.” He said the total strength of the Karnal police was just over 1,400 while the total population of the district was about 20 lakh. While a burglary took place in the house of a businessman on Friday morning, some persons robbed Ram Pal, a commission agent of the Assandh grain market, of Rs 10 lakh yesterday. |
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