The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Water scarcity forces villagers to fell trees, abandon cattle Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service Gaindawas (Bhiwani), May 7 Residents of nearly 40 villages in the Siwani block of Bhiwani district have been facing the wrath of nature for the past eight years. Scanty or no rainfall leading to repeated crop failures year after year has forced the villagers to migrate to other places or resort to desperate measures. For instance, a number of farmers have been felling green trees standing in their fields in order to earn a livelihood. Many others have migrated to the nearby cities or other places to work as labourers. A visit to some villages under the block revealed that acute water scarcity and shortage of animal fodder were the main difficulties being faced by the villagers. The state government had released a special grant for providing animal fodder, but the villagers allege that it has not been distributed properly to them. The problem of water shortage is so intense that the villagers get water once in a week or in 10 days. Many of them have to arrange water from other areas. Since the villages are located on the tail-end of the irrigation canals, these get very little water for irrigation. Owing to the scarcity of water, many villagers have even abandoned their cattle. “We didn’t have any alternative as there is hardly any water or fodder for the cattle,” said a farmer of Gaindawas village. The situation is equally bad in Budhseli, Dhani Selawali, Sainiwas, Motipura, Mithi, Metani, Morka, Jhumpa, Naloi, Gurera, Bakhtawarpur, Khera and other villages falling under the block. “A special package was granted by the government, but the money was not distributed properly by the officials concerned. The residents here are in dire straits and the authorities concerned should find a permanent solution in the larger interest of the people,” says Mr Dayanand Poonia, secretary of the state chapter of the All-India Kisan Sabha, which has raised the issue on numerous occasions.
	Villagers block highway Our Correspondent Jhajjar, May 7 Hundreds of residents hailing from three nearby villages today blocked the Jhajjar-Bahadurgarh road, near the Rasalwala turn, to protest against the unavailability of canal water for irrigation. According to information, farmers belonging to Bhadana, Bhadani and Kheri Asara villages were complaining that water in the Chhara minor was not reaching its tail-end, thus they could not irrigate their crops. They alleged that residents of the villages along the canal route were stealing water. However, a Tehsildar along with some district officials reached there and assured the farmers that measures would be taken to ensure supply of canal water to them. The jam was lifted after two hours.
	Low discharge of water affects power houses Tribune News Service Yamunanagar, May 7 Power generation from the four hydel power generation houses located on a link channel of the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) is less because of low discharge of water in the river Yamuna . Meanwhile, on demand of more water by Delhi, the supply has increased by 100 cusecs, said sources in the Central Water Commission office at the Hathnikund Barrage, located about 50 km from here. Water of the river is distributed among share-holder states. The four generation houses could produce 64.4 MW (about 64,000 units per hour) of power if the discharge in the hydel-link canal was 5,400 cusecs but on Sunday the discharge was only 3,500 cusecs. The four units together were producing 40,000 units per hour. The sources said water discharge in the river had increased to 6,000 cusecs on Friday but the discharge fell to 2,500 cusecs the following day, but by this afternoon, the river had begun surging and the discharge was over 4,000 cusecs.
	Make findings in Chautala assets public, says Selja Sirsa, May 7 Union Minister of State for Poverty Alleviation and Urban Employment Selja today said that all findings of the investigation being conducted by the CBI regarding the property of former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and members of his family should be made public. Answering to questions of the mediapersons at Dabwali here, where she had come to attend the condolence meeting of Congress leader Chand Singh Brar, she said the people should know the truth about the alleged misdeeds of the INLD President. In reply to a question regarding the murder of Chand Singh Brar, she said the state police had been looking into the whole issue and the state government would not interfere with the investigation. To another question regarding the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, she said that Rs 15,000 crore would be spent under the scheme in the whole country during the current financial year. The government intended to benefit a maximum number of people in the country. She urged the Sirsa district administration to provide employment to the beneficiaries under the scheme at the earliest possible. — PTI
	Hooda lays stone of hospital Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Mahendragarh, May 7 The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today talked about “discrimination against Mahendragarh by successive governments in Haryana” and promised to put an end to the discrimination. The Chief Minister was speaking at a rally organised here by the local MLA, Rao Dan Singh, who is also a Parliamentary Secretary in the state government. Braving the scorching heat, a large number of persons gathered for the rally. The feeling of the people of this area of being ignored by the political parties is not new. Mr Hooda endeared himself to the public by saying he was grateful to the people of this area for their unflinching loyalty to the Congress. Earlier, he laid foundation stones of a 55-bedded hospital and a mini secretariat. Mr Hooda conceded to demands of Rao Dan Singh, who spoke earlier. Mr Hooda’s promise that a stadium would be constructed in the town got loud applause. The other important announcements made by the Chief Minister were the construction of a bypass at a cost of Rs 16 crore and the renovation of wholesale vegetable and grain markets. The Jatusana MLA, Mr Yadavindra Singh, who is a brother of the Minister of State for Defence, Rao Inderjeet Singh, also raised some demands and these, too, were accepted by the Chief Minister. Mr Hooda announced that an ITI would be set up at Jatusana. He announced that Hafed would construct a shed at the Jatusana mandi. Mr Hooda said he had made Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, who belongs to a place in the neighbourhood of Mahendragarh, the Irrigation Minister so that the water shortage problem of southern district could be addressed with seriousness. He added that the Hansi-Butana link canal was being constructed to supply more water to southern districts. “I am trying for equitable distribution of available water in the state,” the Chief Minister remarked. Rao Inderjeet Singh, Mr Dharam Bir, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, and Mr Radheshyam Sharma and Mr S.S. Jaunpuria, both Independent MLAs, also addressed the rally.
	BJP to chargesheet Hooda govt Our Correspondent Rewari, May 7 The Haryana BJP will soon hand over a charge sheet to the Governor, Dr A.R. Kidwai, against the Hooda government seeking its dismissal in the interest of disillusioned residents of the state. The charge sheet will contain a graphic account of failures as well as numerous acts of omission and commission of the Congress government of the state. This was stated by the state BJP spokesman, Dr Sarvadanand Arya, at a press conference here today. He informed that incriminating material was being actively collected for the charge sheet which would then be formally drafted by a high-level committee of the party. Listing the failures of the Hooda government on various fronts Dr Arya asserted that with an alarming hike in the incidence of heinous crimes, the law and order situation had almost touched its peak during the past fourteen months. Mentioning the shoot out incident which occurred in the court complex at Gurgaon as well as killing of several political activists in various parts of the state, he said all that showed the total incompetence of the state government to tackle the law and order situation efficiently. As regards the anti-farmer policy of the government he said it was quite shameful on its part that HAFED recently sold at high premium the stock of wheat which it had purchased from farmers at the MSP. Taking a dig at the Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and his MP son, Mr Deepender Singh Hooda's visits to the Gurgaon region, Dr Arya said such frequency was being viewed with skepticism in the wake of the NCR mater- plan leakage. He also demanded immediate publication of the list of total assets owned by ministers, and other parliamentary secretaries of the Hooda government.
	Farmers sow success story Ruchika M. Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 7 A group of 70 farmers is quietly reaping rich dividends of success. While others in their villages have sold off their wheat crop for Rs 700 a quintal, these 70 farmers have been able to sell their organic wheat for Rs 1400 a quintal. These farmers — from the Barwala and Raipur Rani subdivisions of Panchkula — had brought about 32 acres of land under cultivation of C-306 variety of wheat (desi wheat) in this season. This wheat was sown without the use of chemicals, insecticides or pesticides, only after a market had been created for its sale by the Agriculture Department. The organic cultivation of wheat started in November last year, only after the Agriculture Department and the Pragatisheel Kisan Club (farmers club supported by Agriculture Department) received orders for the supply of 75 quintals of this wheat in April, 2006. Interestingly, the farmers were able to produce about 200 quintals (with a yield of 6.5 quintals per acre) of organic wheat. It may be noted that because of the sandy soil in Panchkula, the yield of normal wheat varies between 8-10 quintals per acre. Said Mr Raghunath Saini, President of Zila Kisan Club, “Though the yield of organic wheat is less, but sowing it is helpful for the soil health. Also, this time we did not take into account the cost on transportation and packaging of wheat, which has cut into our profit. Next year, we propose to keep a higher value for the produce, so that the profits are better. After all, the retailers and departmental stores sell organic wheat flour for Rs 60- Rs 70 per kg.” As the news of successful sowing of the organic wheat spread, many retailers, mainly departmental stores, approached the farmers directly in March, and began offering them higher renumeration, as promised by their buyers (arranged by the Agriculture Department for Rs 1300 per quintal). The department was marketing this produce, and the Pragatisheel Kisan Club had invited orders for organic wheat from residents as well as shops in October, 2005, to book their organic wheat requirement at the rate of Rs 1300 per quintal (Rs 13 a kg). This success of the pilot project conducted by the Agriculture Department, Haryana, in Panchkula district, has now enthused the department to run similar programmes in Gurgaon and Faridabad.
	Mercury soars to 47°C in Hisar Chandigarh, May 7 Hisar in Haryana today came under the grip of an intense heatwave as the mercury rose to a record 47°C, even as there was no respite from the ongoing heat conditions in most of the northern region. The maximum at Hisar shot by six degrees above the normal range, the Meteorological Department said, adding Karnal, too, braved the heat at 43°C, up by four degrees. Ambala recorded a maximum of 39.8°C. Delhi continued to suffer under blistering heat and the high there touched 44.4°C, up by four degrees from normal. The ongoing heatwave continued unabated in Punjab, with the mercury at Amritsar soaring to 44.5°C, seven degrees above normal. Ludhiana also had a hot day at 42.8°C, up by three degrees, while Patiala recorded a high of 42.5°C. The mercury in Chandigarh fell by over a degree since yesterday, but it was still hot at 40.4°C, up by three degrees. Shimla has been witnessing some unusual maximum temperatures during this part of the year and today the high settled at 28.5°C, seven degrees above normal. — PTI
	Mercury pushes up power demand Tribune News Service Panchkula, May 7 The unprecedented rise in the mercury level has raised the average demand of electricity by 50 to 60 lakh units per day in the state. Besides, the frequency of the northern grid has been adversely affected, claimed Ms Jyoti Arora, Managing Director of the Haryana Power Generation Corporation. She disclosed that the demand of electricity had gone up during April and May as compared to the corresponding period last year. This had resulted in tremendous increase in power consumption. Ms Arora said the frequency level of the northern grid was 49 Hz against a normal of 50 Hz. “It becomes necessary to curtail the load from the system when the frequency comes down to 49.5 Hz. It is not possible to declare in advance frequency-based cuts,” she said. She said the Power Utilities had been arranging electricity on higher rates due to the low frequency. Emphasising the need for energy conservation, she said optimum use of electricity had become a national cause and everyone should contribute to it.
	Abducted girl recovered Our Correspondent Rewari, May 7 The Kolsi police has arrested an alleged kidnapper Bhoma who had eloped with a teenaged girl (16), from Toomna village, near Kosli, on April 25. The girl who was recovered from his possession, has now been restored to her parents. After the medical examination of the girl, Section 376 (rape) has also been added to the FIR earlier registered for the girl's abduction under Sections 363, 366 of the IPC.
	22 hurt in clash Kurukshetra, May 7 At least 22 persons were injured following a clash between two groups belonging to the Pal Gadaria community here today. According to the police, the clash took place inside Haryana Pal Gadaria Dharamshala here where a meeting of the community members of one faction was in progress. Members of the other faction entered the dharamshala and started raising slogans which led to a clash between the two groups, leaving 22 injured. The police reached the spot to restore order and later sealed the offices of the community in the dharamshala. Several vehicles parked outside the dharamshala were also damaged. — UNI
	Police remand for looters Our Correspondent Kaithal, May 7 The local police arrested six persons while they were planning to loot a petrol station here last night. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Navdeep Singh Virk, said that two illegally possessed pistols, two iron rods and a torch were seized from them. They were produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate Surya Pratap Singh today, who remanded them in police custody for three days. A police party, led by Inspector Krishan Lal, was tipped about a gang of six persons sitting in a deserted room on the periphery of the town and planning to loot a petrol station situated on the Ambala road here. The police party raided the room and arrested the six persons. The accused have been identified as Chander, Ram Nivas, alias Mana, Surinder, Kanwarpal, Shamsher and Subhash.
	Dairies reluctant to shift out Our correspondent Ambala, May 7 Cattle dung, flies, mosquitoes, filth and a blocked drainage are part of the city, courtesy dairies running in the interiors. The dairies could not be moved out of the city in spite of repeated efforts by the district administration due to the adamant attitude of dairy owners. Around four years ago, the then Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had earmarked land and laid the foundation stone for dairy sheds in a nearby village. The shifting of around 100 dairies was in the proposal but it is still hanging fire. The administration has already acquired land at Kola village and Khatoli. Roads were also constructed there but other basic amenities have not been provided so far. Most of the dairy owners are not prepared to shift outside the urban limits. They are of the view that it will ruin their business. The president of the Milk Dairy Union, Mr Karnail Singh Bai, said the dairy owners were ready to shift outside the urban limits if they were provided all basic facilities there.
	Caste-based quota opposed Tribune News Service Ambala, May 7 Reservation on the basis of caste was strongly opposed by various organisations at a meeting held here today. Representatives of the organisations, including those of the Akhil Bharatiya Railway Samantar Manch, the Jan Kalyan Sangathan, the Kayastha Sabha, the Uttaranchal Sabha, the Punjabi Sabha, the Brahman Sabha (Railway) and the Indian Medical Association, Haryana, were present. The meeting decided that a delegation would submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner Ambala on May 9 to oppose caste-based reservation. Also, a march would be held in Ambala on May 17 to highlight the issue. Dr D.S. Jaspal observed that reservation should not be on the basis of caste. He suggested that merit should be the sole criterion. He pointed out that the policy of reservation was intrinsically flawed since it was at the cost of those students who were from the general category.
	Online counselling for technical courses Our correspondent Ambala, May 7 Admission to postgraduate, undergraduate and diploma-level courses of Haryana technical education will be held through on-line off-campus counselling to minimise the travel and financial inconvenience to students and parents. Mr M.P. Gupta, Director, Technical Education, Haryana, while talking to mediapersons here today said the new admission system would ensure transparency in admissions. He said Haryana would be the first state to introduced the online admission facility up to diploma-level courses. He said there were 15,500 seats in various streams in engineering colleges in the state whereas 9,500 seats lay with 42 polytechnic institutions. He said around 40,000 students applied for admission to various engineering courses of polytechnics and now they would not have to waste their time to appear in interviews. Mr Gupta said for the first time the department had decided to reserve 10 per cent seats in various polytechnics for ITI students so that they could improve their status. To a question, he said the state government was serious regarding improving technical education. The government had almost doubled the budget for technical education this year, he added. Referring to the placement record of polytechnics, he said opportunities for students of polytechnics had increased and at present, 60 students had been placed in various prestigious industrial units.
	Degrees conferred upon students Ambala , May 7 The annual convocation of SA Jain College, Ambala City, was held today in which graduate and postgraduate degrees were conferred upon students. The Commissioner, Ambala Range, was the chief guest on the occasion while Mr R. C. Gupta, District and Sessions Judge, Ambala, was the guest of honour. Addressing the convocation, the chief guest asked students to focus on their mission. The president of the management committee, Mr Sushil Kumar Jain, presented a role of honour to the chief guest.