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Bird flu: Haryana sets up 3-member team
Flu scare: fresh survey of migratory birds launched
Haryana earmarks Rs 82 cr for repair of govt schools
State will be on top in 3 years: CM
Massive rally planned for Hooda’s 1 year in office
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Promotion rules of medical teachers to be amended
Farmers not receiving canal water
Bureaucrats take part in cycle rally
5 killed as car rams into truck
Child’s body found in
abandoned house
Sampat Singh’s son joins politics
Vikas Parishad for better
police patrolling
Yoga camp concludes
Engine derails in railway yard
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Bird flu: Haryana sets up 3-member team Chandigarh, February 19 The Haryana Government has constituted a three-member Rapid Action Team (RAT), besides reactivating the state and district-level committees on animal diseases emergency and district vigilance team. Haryana, which has a major poultry centre near here at Barwala, had sent 394 samples of poultry to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal, for testing. None of these has been found positive for bird flu. The Forests Department had also sent samples of migratory birds for testing and these too were found to be negative. Punjab, which is again, a major poultry state, has taken all-preventive measures, besides activating its state and district-level committees. Like Haryana, the Punjab Forest Department had been taking samples of migratory birds, that in many cases, have been suspected to be carriers of the virus. Besides Ropar and Harike, there are other pockets which attract migratory birds. The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, for example, also beckons migratory birds from Siberia. Though migratory birds are now flying back from the water bodies , including Bhindawas and Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary in Haryana, both state governments will continue to draw samples of birds and send these to Bhopal for testing. The number of migratory birds in the region may be in the range of 20,000 to 30,000, including about 10,000 migratory birds at the Bhindawas lake. However, a constant vigil is being maintained by wildlife officials at all wetlands and temporary abodes of these migratory birds. In case of finding any dead bird, it will be picked up and sealed in a prescribed manner and sent to the designated laboratory for testing. Meanwhile, the Haryana Government has, as a preventive measure, advised people to restrict their movement and that of material between poultry farms, eat only hard-boiled eggs and fully cooked chicken and mutton. The departments concerned are maintaining close liaison with one another. The Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Health, Ms Urvashi Gulati, who presided over a meeting of senior officers of the Forest and Wildlife, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Health Departments here today, said there was no need for panic, but one must remain vigilant. She said members of the Rapid Action Team would include the Director, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Chief Wildlife Warden and Director, Health Services.
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Flu scare: fresh survey of migratory birds launched
Panchkula, February 19 Senior officials in the Forest Department informed TNS that fresh surveys would be conducted again in these bird sanctuaries. Though most of the migratory birds have left these bird sanctuaries as the mercury continues to soar, the wildlife officials posted here have been asked to be on the lookout for any dead birds and collect samples for the H5N1 virus strain (this leads to avian flu). Wildlife officials have been asked to conduct thorough surveillance in their areas and report any sick birds or bird mortality (especially the Gulls, Cormorants or Bar Headed Geese-suspected carriers of the virus). The field staff was given instructions on how to handle the dead birds (if found), while protecting themselves. Birds like painted stork,
openbill, cormorant, the black headed ibis, bar-headed goose, greylag goose, common teal, pintail,
wigeon, shoveller, mallard, common crane and the coot are some of the birds that visit the lush wetlands of Haryana each year. Last year, 26,000 migratory birds visited Sultanpur and 36,000 visited
Bhindawas, including the Gulls, Cormorants and Bar Headed Geese. The deadly virus in birds is known to jump from birds to territorial animals and even human beings. Mr R D
Jakati, Chief Conservator of Forests, Protection and Wildlife, informed TNS that samples of a number of sick or dead birds sent to the high security Animal Diesease Laboratory at Bhopal earlier had tested negative for the deadly virus strain. "There is no case of avian flu in Haryana. We are only ordering a fresh survey of the migratory birds as a precautionary measure," he said. Since the threat of avian flu was there since October, when the migratory birds had started arriving in the state, wildlife officials were provided with special uniforms, including headgear, shoe covers and gloves, to remove any (suspected) infected bird. Special thermocol boxes were also given to wildlife officials so as to put the dead birds (if found) and send them to laboratory for examination. Wildlife officials have also been asked to create public awareness about the disease. Boards have been installed near the wetlands in the state, asking visitors to report any death in birds. Since surveillance along the large expanses of the Yamuna river is difficult by the skeletal wildlife staff, help of the panchayats of villages located along the river, has been sought in surveillance. |
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Haryana earmarks Rs 82 cr for repair of govt schools
Sirsa, February 19 Mr Khandelwal said that Rs 60 crore was being spent on the repair of government school buildings and the work would be completed by April. “Apart from it, Rs 22 crore will be spent on providing desks and benches at the government schools,” he said, adding that all high and senior secondary schools in the state would have desks and benches by 2007. The Commissioner asserted that the government schoolteachers would be provided activity books to encourage academic activities in schools. Moreover, with a view to promote sports activities at school level, sports calenders would be provided at the beginning of fresh academic session. “The Education Department will spend an amount of Rs 8.70 crore for provision of facilities for indoor as well as outdoor games in government schools,” Mr Khandelwal affirmed. Regarding the issue of sexual exploitation at government schools, the Director-General revealed that the government schoolteachers would undergo a training programme in this regard and a state-level camp on psychology would also be organised for them. “The Sociology and Psychology Departments of Kurukshetra University have been contacted regarding the matter,” he added. In response to a question, Mr Khandelwal maintained that the teachers would have to perform the statutory duties regarding census and poll-related operations. The Education Commissioner asserted that to check the dropout of students from government schools, Rajiv Gandhi schools would be opened in each of which 25 students would be educated. He said action was being taken against 4,368 such teachers whose results had been low or who had shown negligence towards duty. |
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State will be on top in 3 years: CM
Jhajjar, February 19 Mr Hooda was addressing a gathering on the occasion of civic reception of the Speaker of Haryana Assembly, Mr Raghubir Singh Kadian, who is MLA from Beri constituency here. The Chief Minister maintained that the first year of his government has been successful in providing a perfect platform in transforming the state in an industrialised and modern state. “The basic requirement for attracting the industrialists is to give them a conducive atmosphere. We have tried to improve conditions of by providing adequate water, electricity along with improving upon the law and order situation,” stated the Chief Minister. He disclosed that the Haryana would be on the top of the chart of developed states within three years time as the stage has been set for it. Mr Hooda held that the National Capital Region like Noida in Uttar Pradesh achieved major industrial success while the Haryana’s bordering district lagged behind. This differences was created by the government policies as not much attention was given to the Haryana. But now with Gurgaon already scripting a success story, other districts like Jhajjar, Sonepat and Panipat and Rewari are following suit. The major problem of unemployment could be tackled by a rapid industrialisation. Mr Raghubir Singh Kadian, Speaker, was given a warm reception by the gathering. Many other Congress MLAs and local leaders were present on the occasion. |
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Massive rally planned for Hooda’s 1 year in office
Chandigarh, February 19 Incidentally, Hisar is the native district of the former Chief Minister and Haryana Congress President, Mr Bhajan Lal, who was pipped to the post by Mr Hooda in race for the Chief Ministership of the state. Mr Hooda’s supporters, however, describe the choice of the venue as a mere coincidence. They say Rohtak, considered to be the political capital of Haryana, was not chosen for the rally because it also happened to be the native district of Mr Hooda. There was no fun in showing one’s strength on one’s home wicket. Mr Hooda has shown innumerable times in the recent past that it is he who is the Sultan of Rohtak. Therefore, the Chief Minister wanted the birthday bash of his government to be held outside Rohtak. Meanwhile, sources say, Mr Jai Prakash, MP from Hisar, insisted that the rally should be organised in his Parliamentary constituency. That clinched the issue. No wonder, Mr Jai Prakash is making special efforts to ensure a massive turnout at the rally. It is not to suggest that other Congress leaders are not enthusiastic about the rally. The working president of the Haryana Congress, Dr Ram Prakash, has convened a meeting of the party MPs, MLAs, office-bearers and other activists here on February 21 to discuss the measures to make the rally a grand success. The president of the Haryana Beopar Mandal, Mr Bajrang Lal Garg, has also given a call to traders of the state to reach Hisar in a big way. Mr Hooda is expected to announce concessions for various sections of society as well as to launch certain welfare schemes on March 5. |
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Promotion rules of medical teachers to be amended
Rohtak, February 19 According to sources the government has decided to follow the guidelines issued by the Medical Council of India in future. Thus far these teachers were covered by the Haryana government’s own rules which put super-specialists at a disadvantage vis a vis teachers who joined their departments after doing their graduation or post-graduation. It takes a super-specialist nine years of service to become a professor. However, those who joined without a super-speciality degree became professors in six years. The super-specialists who spent three years earning their degrees thus became junior to those less qualified than them. Because of this, most of the vacancies in super-speciality departments in the local Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) have been vacant for the past several years as no candidates were available. This hindered growth and development of super-speciality departments leaving the PGIMS way behind other comparable institutes. The sources said many of the senior teachers were not interested in the growth of super-speciality departments because it would have affected their own standing. Thus they ensured that Haryana kept following its outdated rules rather than follow guidelines issued by the MCI. When the panel appointed by the government to amend Haryana Medical Teachers Service Rules met last week, this amendment was not among the proposals it had finalized. This happened because none of the doctors on the panel was a super-specialist. Later, when the discrepancy was brought to the notice of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, he directed the Health Commissioner to study the matter closely. The Health Commissioner then contacted the Director of the PGIMS here who now has forwarded the draft amendment suggesting that the government follow the MCI guidelines. |
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Farmers not receiving canal water
Sonepat, February 19 As irrigation of the wheat crop that had already been sown in the area has been hit hard by the canal water shortage, some of the farmers who do not have alternative means of irrigation, have been compelled to purchase water from the owners of the tubewells for irrigating their fields. It is alleged that a number of farmers who allegedly enjoy the patronage of the ruling party MLAs and other politicians, are indulging in large scale theft of canal water. Farmers whose fields are situated at the tail-end bear the brunt as the water does not reach their fields. |
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Bureaucrats take part in cycle rally
Fatehabad, February 19 Volunteers of the Nehru Yuva Kendra had taken out a cycle rally to convey this message. The rally started from Dholpalia village in Sirsa district on February 17 and will conclude at Jind on February 23. The cycle rally is to cover 300 villagers during this period. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Fulia said that the old systems of water conservation in the villages like ponds and wells were becoming extinct now and there was no means now to conserve rain waters. Due to this reason, he said, the rain water was not only wasted but it also brought havocs like floods. He stressed the need for optimal use of water and as well as maintaining the purity of waters. |
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5 killed as car rams into truck
Jhajjar, February 19 The deceased, all aged between 18 and 21 years, were identified as Anil, son of Mr Maha Singh and Pradeep, son of Mr Raj Singh, residents of Jasaur Kheri village, Lalit son of Mr Pratap Singh, resident of Sarai Orangabad, Ashish, son of Mr Umed Singh from Sohati village and Rinku, son of Mr Rajbir, hailing from Bohar village in Rohtak. Another youth, Sachin, also received serious injuries. Ashish was driving the car. Reports stated that the driver of the car was in an inebriated condition as he was returning from a marriage party. However, he could not spot a truck parked near a dhaba between Daboda and Dulhera village and rammed into the truck at high speed. Three of the victims — Lalit, Anil and Pradeep — were cousins of the groom. Two of them were good sportsmen who had played at the state and national level. |
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Child’s body found in
abandoned house
Ambala, February 19 The child, a resident of the colony, had been missing since Saturday. Some children of the colony noticed the body while they were playing. They informed the victim’s parents. The SP, Ambala, Mr Rajbir Deswal, visited the incident site and met the parents of the victim. He deputed a senior police officer to investigate the case. A few injury marks were found on the body. It is suspected that someone might have murdered him and threw the body in the house.
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Sampat Singh’s son joins politics
Fatehabad, February 19 Addressing people, who had assembled in the village to welcome him, Mr Gaurav Singh said the Congress government in Haryana had failed to live up to the expectations of the people. He said the government had so far not been able to solve the power and water problems of the people. |
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Vikas Parishad for better
police patrolling
Ambala, February 19 A memorandum was submitted to Inspector-General of Police, Ambala Range, Mr S.S. Deswal, by a delegation of the Parishad led by former MLA, Mr Anil Vij. The memorandum states that there has been a significant increase in crime in Ambala. It was pointed out that there was hardly any patrolling at night. Citing 12 crime incidents from January 8 to February 3, the memorandum states that FIRs were not registered. Crime had increased in Ambala Cantt, the memorandum stated. |
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Yoga camp concludes
Ambala, February 19 He said that a number of diseases can be cured through regular practice of yoga. He said that yoga not only helps in keeping the mind and body fit, it also keeps diseases at bay. He said that yoga helps in easing tension, a press note said. |
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Engine derails in railway yard
Ambala, February 19 The traffic on the main line was, however, not affected due to the derailment. The engine derailed at about 1.20 pm in the railway yard. The derailed engine was put back on rails after about two and a half hours. |
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