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New industrial policy on June 6: Hooda
SAD threatens morcha against Hooda
Cong leader seeks probe into land deals
Haryana’s medical reimbursement policy implemented
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4 rape accused get 10-yr jail term
He paid for sin he never committed
Sind sparrow now common in Haryana
Pvt contractor to collect market fee
Red Cross Society distributes tricycles
NGOs urged to work for women empowerment
Villagers lock school over poor result
2 shops gutted in fire
Delhi’s most wanted nabbed in Panipat
2 killed in car mishap
3 held for killing youth
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New industrial policy on June 6: Hooda
Hisar, May 8 Addressing a conference of the Hisar Industries Association here today, Mr Hooda said a new industrial policy would be announced on June 6. He promised to remove red tape and procedural bottlenecks. The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by the Union Minister of State for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, Ms Selja, the Haryana Industry Minister, Mr Lachhman Dass Arora, Hisar MP, Jai Prakash and Congress MP Naveen Jindal, assured the gathering of clean governance. Mr Kuldeep Bhargav, president of the Hisar Industries Association, and other industrialists aired their grievances before Mr Hooda, who assured them of support. Earlier, Mr Hooda attended a state-level conference of the Haryana Pradesh Vyapar Mandal where he told traders that he was aware of their problems and that the government would redress their grievances. Owing to his tight schedule, the Chief Minister was in a hurry during the conference of the Hisar Industries Association. Thanks to the model code of conduct, he could not make any specific announcements for the benefit of the industrialists. Therefore, in the end of his brief speech, he quipped: “Aaj to bas hajri-hajri lagaa lo, tafsil se phir baat karenge” (As for today, just mark my attendance. We’ll talk in detail later). |
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SAD threatens morcha against Hooda
Kurukshetra, May 8 Referring to the statement of the state Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, during his recent visit to the Golden Temple, Amritsar, the party president said that it was unfortunate that the Congress had again started its old game of dividing the Sikhs. “I hereby on behalf of the state unit of the party warn that if Mr Hooda intends to favour those who demand a separate gurdwara managing committee for Haryana, we will launch a morcha against the Congress government”, he said. He also lashed out at Congress President Sonia Gandhi and said that the Congress leadership of Haryana was interfering in the religious matters of Sikhs on her directions. He said, “Who is Sonia Gandhi or Hooda to interfere in our religious matters? Legally also they do not have any right to interfere in our religious matters”. Mr Raghujit Singh Virk, president of the youth wing of SAD, and executive member of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC), alleged that the Congress leaders of Haryana were misleading the Sikhs against the SGPC with the sole motive to divide the Sikh community. “The SGPC is concerned about the problems of Sikhs residing in Haryana even more than the Sikhs living in Punjab. There is no question of any neglect. The SGPC has sanctioned a medical college at Shahbad, two schools at Kaithal and Sirsa, besides, a women degree college at Nissing and a Gurmat Sangeet Vidhalaya in Karnal district,” he said. Among those who were present at the meeting were Harbhajan Singh, Tejinder Pal Singh, both senior vice-presidents, Bhupinder Singh, vice-president, Surjit Singh Niddar, general secretary and Sukhbir Singh, secretary of the state unit of the party. |
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Cong leader seeks probe into land deals
Faridabad, May 8 Mr Vidrohi said here yesterday that property prices in Faridabad and Gurgaon had increased manifold over the years and this was due to many factors. A number of land allotments to certain societies, boards and trusts had been done setting aside the norms and rules. The Congress, in its charge-sheet prepared against the previous state government just before the last Assembly elections, had highlighted some of the cases of alleged land grab or suspected deals. He said it was the duty of the present government to probe such cases and expose politicians and officials involved. He said the government should immediately order a high-level enquiry into the reports that some influential persons were still selling the unconsolidated land in the Surajkund area to private parties and builders. |
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Haryana’s medical reimbursement policy implemented
Chandigarh, May 8 In a statement issued here today, the Haryana Health Minister, Ms Kartar Devi, said under the new policy, full reimbursement would be allowed for treatment in all government hospitals in the state, the PGI and Sector 16 General Hospital in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She said full reimbursement would also be allowed for treatment in all government hospitals even outside the state provided the claimant produced a certificate from the Medical Superintendent or the Head of the institution declaring it as a government-run hospital or institution. Full reimbursement would also be allowed for treatment in all government medical colleges of the country, subject to the condition that the claimant produced a certificate duly signed by the Medical Superintendent of that institution declaring that it was a government-run medical college and hospital. She said one of the salient features of the new policy was that in the case of kidney donors, reimbursement of expenditure for operating upon the donor would be permissible only if the treatment had been taken in a government or approved hospital, as it was a planned procedure. Now the reimbursement of the expenditure incurred on the purchase of medicines for seven days after discharge from hospitals would also be allowed. In case laboratory tests and investigations for indoor patients or those suffering from chronic diseases were not available in the government hospitals, the reimbursement would be allowed equal to the rates of the PGI, Chandigarh, after obtaining the non-availability certificate. She said the reimbursement of the expenditure incurred for treatment in any of the non-government hospitals, out of the 27 hospitals approved by the government in 1986 and 2003, would be made at the rates equal to those of the PGI, Chandigarh. Ms Kartar Devi said the actual cost of the intraoccular lenses was reimbursable. While referring to the treatment taken at unapproved hospitals, she said the reimbursement for treatment taken in an emergency in any of those would be allowed at a rate equal to that of the PGI, Chandigarh, with the approval of the Finance Department. The Head of the department, in consultation with the Civil Surgeon concerned, would be competent to certify any emergency. The expenditure incurred on physiotherapy would be reimbursed fully for indoor patients at government hospitals or approved hospitals. She said with a view to expedite reimbursement, the bills of Out Patient Department (OPD) related to the chronic diseases would be countersigned by the Civil Surgeon or Medical Superintendent. There would be no need to visit the office of the Director General, Health Services in Panchkula for this purpose She said reimbursement of charges for immunisation and prophylactic purposes for hepatitis, rabies and meningitis was allowed irrespective of the option of the claimant. While referring to the issue of financial advances to the employees for treatment, she said utilisation certificate should be obtained by the administrative department or Head of the department within three months of the sanction of the advance for the treatment failing which penal interest would be charged. No financial advance would be admissible to the ad hoc or contractual employees. The advance to temporary employees would be given subject to the submission of one surety of any regular state government employee. In case of pensioners, she said, an affidavit along with two sureties of permanent state government employees would be required before the sanction of advance for the treatment. She said in case any rate list was not available at the PGI, Chandigarh, the rates charged at AIIMS, New Delhi, would be reimbursed or vice versa. If such rates were not available with the PGI, Chandigarh, as well as AIIMS, New Delhi, the matter would be referred to the Commissioner and the Secretary, Haryana Health Department, for necessary advice. |
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4 rape accused get 10-yr jail term
Sonepat, May 8 The four were accused of gangraping a Muslim woman Nirmala of the same village on April 16, 1998. According to a report, the Judge also convicted all the accused under Section 323 IPC and sentenced them to six-month rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 500 each or to further undergo one-year rigorous imprisonment for non-payment of fine. Both the sentences will run concurrently. While pronouncing the judgement, the Judge observed that the woman belonged to the Muslim minority community and the case of rape was just like the Best Bakery murder case of Gujarat. The Judge criticised the role of the police for concealing the facts about the rape of the woman. He also took serious note of the police’s role and directed the DC and the SP to send a report about the unsatisfactory working of the police when the medical examination of the woman revealed the rape of the victim. The Judge also ordered the holding of an inquiry against the then SHO, Ganaur, Sube Singh,and Inspector Satywati of the ‘Mahila’ police. According to the prosecution story, Nirmala was going towards the canal for fetching water on the morning of April 16, 1998, when she was waylaid and draged to a nearby house by all the accused where they gangraped her. She sustained multiple injuries on her private parts when she was assaulted with sword. After gangraping her, the accused threw her on the road in naked condition. Thereafter, she was hospitalised. The police registered the case of molesting only against all the accused on April 19, 1998, when people lodged a protest. |
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He paid for sin he never committed
Chandigarh, may 8 She even went to the police with her side of the story, following which Rattan was handed out a life term and a fine of Rs 10,000 by a Rewari court in February, 1999. However, his travails are set to end as the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that faulty investigation by the police officer investigating the case dishonoured Mr Rattan. The court has further ordered that he is acquitted of the charges framed against him honorably. Mr Rattan’s story is unique. In July, 1997, just two months after she got married, his daughter went to police station, Rewari, accusing him of having raped her repeatedly. She also claimed that he had even got her pregnant when she was 12-year-old and an abortion was done. She also alleged that even after her marriage, he used to call her to his house. She went to the police after the alleged misdemeanor came to the notice of her husband and father-in-law, who turned her out of their house. Mr Rattan’s pleas that he was being framed at the behest of his daughter’s in-laws for dowry found no favour. What apparently also went against him in the court was some letters purportedly written by his wife in which she accepted that he had raped his daughter. The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Rewari, convicted him for the offence and sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. However, in a hard-hitting judgement, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and Mr Justice Surya Kant ordered his release. Noting that the investigation officer (IO) acted in a mechanical manner, the Bench added that it was distressed by the fact that a religiously sacrosanct and pure relationship of father and daughter has been maligned and tarnished. “The IO did not have the courage to look into the facts and a false case was hoisted upon the appellant (Mr Ram Rattan),” the Bench noted. Saying that the prosecution failed to prove the charge beyond doubt, the Bench set aside the order of the Rewari court.
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Sind sparrow now common in Haryana
Chandigarh: Even though the decline in the habitat of the house sparrow is worrying ornithologists, a bird which bears close resemblance to it, the Sind sparrow, has extended its habitat. The Sind sparrow till the 1930s was considered endemic to areas along the Nara canal in Sindh province of Pakistan and up to the Harike wetlands, near Ferozepore. Now various parts of Haryana are being colonised by the bird.
Mr Suresh C. Sharma, a member of the Delhi Bird Club, says the Sind sparrow is successfully breeding in several districts of Haryana, including Sonepat, Panipat, Jind, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Hisar, Ambala and Yamunanagar. “My discovery of the bird on January 3, 2001, in Sonepat district and later on its sighting in various parts of Haryana, Punjab, New Delhi and recently in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan and Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh indicate that in future the bird will spread to many more areas along canals, lakes and ponds,” says Mr Sharma. The 13 cm riverine bird, also known as junglee chidi, is similar to a house sparrow. But it is conspicuously slimmer and smaller than a house sparrow. Its head looks remarkably smaller. Below the grey-coloured crown is a broad chestnut-brown stripe on the sides of the head and nape. Its call is much clearer than that of a house sparrow. Its habitat is babool trees along water channels and waterlogged areas with tall grass in the vicinity. Unlike the house sparrow, it prefers to stay away from human habitation. Mr Sharma says during his visit to various parts of Haryana and Punjab in January and February this year, he frequently sighted the bird along the Ghaggar. Dr Satnam Singh Ladhar, Principal Scientific Officer (Environment), Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, says the Sind sparrow can now be commonly seen in the Harike wetlands. Regarding its habitat expansion, Mr Sharma says the bird became a common sight with the construction of canals. “Its territory may have expanded in Haryana due to canals of Punjab entering parts of Haryana,” he believes. |
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Pvt contractor to collect market fee
Sonepat, May 8 According to a report, initially it would be handed over to the private contractor for 10 months and if the experiment proves successful, this process would continue further. The decision of the board has caused resentment among arthtiyas and retailers of the local market. Sources say that the board has fixed May 19 for the auction of the fruit and vegetable market and the highest bidder will be handed over the work of collecting the market fee and the Haryana Rural Development Fund for 10 months. Many arhtiyas alleged that the decision of the board would cause hardships to them as they would be harassed by the private contractors on one pretext or the other. Some of them also said they would have no alternative but to stop the work. Meanwhile, representatives of various farmer organisations have welcomed the board’s decision and pointed out that the money would be spent on the development of urban and rural areas of the region. |
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Red Cross Society distributes tricycles
Kaithal, May 8 In an another programme organised by the District Red Cross Society, the Deputy Commissioner distributed 50 tricycles and artificial limbs among 62 physically handicapped persons. Rewari: A special function was organised to mark World Red Cross Day in Hemchandra Vikramditya Hall here today. The Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the District Red Cross Society, Mr Mahender Kumar, and the President of the District Hospital Welfare Section, Dr Shashi Kalia, distributed 63 tricycles, 12 hearing aids and 32 artificial limbs among disabled persons. Thirty sewing machines were given to poor women. Besides, 51 destitute children were given a financial assistance of Rs 500 each. The Deputy Commissioner exhorted the people to contribute liberally to enrich the coffers of Red Cross Society to enable it to provide substantial succour to the needy people. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner inaugurated a Red Cross medical store in the Civil Hospital here. Prior to this the DC flagged off a rally of junior Red Cross cadets at Government Girls Senior Secondary School here. |
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NGOs urged to work for women empowerment
Kurukshetra, May 8 The Governor was speaking at a state level function organised to mark the World Red Cross Day at Bal Bhawan Complex here on Sunday. Stressing upon the need for educating women he said that their empowerment was of utmost importance for the welfare of society. By educating girls, he said, we educate two families. The Governor said that the woman should themselves take initiative for their socio-economic uplift and fight for their rights. He said that although Haryana comprised only 2 per cent of the total population in the country yet the state was ahead of others in implementation of welfare schemes of the Red Cross. This was the reason that the President had awarded Haryana Red Cross Society for its outstanding performance recently, he added. Dr Kidwai also distributed prizes to the winners of the painting competition organized on this eve. He gave away tricycles to 52 handicapped persons and also distributed 24 wheelchairs and hearing aids as well as artificial limbs to 54 persons. Earlier, he flagged off a junior Red Cross Awareness Rally. He inaugurated an exhibition organised by the Red Cross Society on these subjects. The President of District Red Cross Society, Mr T.K. Sharma, spoke about various programmes being implemented by the Red Cross Society. He said that relief supplies worth Rs 14.68 lakh were sent to the people affected by tsunami in the country.
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Villagers lock school over poor result
Jhajjar, May 8 The villagers complained that several posts of teacher in the school had been lying vacant for a long time. Only a drawing teacher, a shastri teacher and a physical education instructor were running the school. The DEO, Mr J.S. Sahu, and other officials reached the scene and assured the villagers that vacancies would be filled soon. Following the assurance the villagers opened the gate. |
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2 shops gutted in fire
Bhiwani, May 8 The fire which started from the third storey of the building destroyed goods even at the first and ground floors. Later the neighbouring shop also got engulfed in the fire. The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police reached the spot to supervise the operation. |
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Delhi’s most wanted nabbed in Panipat
Panipat, May 8 The SP said that the criminal was active in several parts of the national Capital for the past some time and had committed a number of robberies and stolen a number of vehicles from different parts of Delhi. The Panipat police received secret information that he had boarded a bus to reach Panipat. Following which, the CIA staff arrested him from the bus at
Samalkha. Two pistols and several live cartridges were seized from his possession. An FIR had been registered against him at Thana Phase Bazar on November 8 last year. |
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2 killed in car mishap
Sonepat, May 8 According to a report, the deceased were identified as Vijay Partap (70) and Adarsh Lata (65). Both belonged to Vasant Kunj of Delhi. The police has registered case against the driver of the vehicle. According to another report, Rakesh (30) of Dwarka (Delhi) was killed in an accident on the GT Road near Kundli village, about 25 km from here, today. |
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3 held for killing youth
Panipat, May 8 The SP said all three accused were arrested yesterday. They were Ravi of Bharat Nagar, Tehsil Camp, Rajiv and Tikku of Wadhwa Ram Colony. The deceased was running a PCO in Tehsil Camp. |
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