Chandigarh, December 15
Houses and flats constructed by the Housing Board, Haryana, will now be allotted to the homeless alone. The board has decided that no allotment of property will be made if the applicant already has residential property in his name, his spouse’s name or in the name of his dependent children, anywhere in the country.

It has been decided that even if the applicant is a part-owner of a property (owns property in joint name), he will be ineligible for allotment of a house/ flat by the board. In case the applicant is found to have concealed information for allotment of property, it would result in cancellation of allotment and forfeiture of the amount deposited by the applicant.

Carrying forward its social obligation of providing housing to all, the board has said that the interest earned through deposits of applicants in various housing schemes, will not be treated as income. “A separate account will be created for such net proceeds, which will be used for construction of houses for poor families or for families affected in case of natural calamities, through the Prime Minister’s or Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” said Mr Ashok Khemka, Chief Administrator, Housing Board.

These decisions come at a time when other government agencies in the housing sector have been earning thousands of crores as net proceeds by launching housing schemes in the state. In 2005, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) reportedly earned Rs 350 crore as interest on the application money for its freehold residential plot scheme and Group Housing Scheme- 2005. In addition, it earned Rs 565.10 (approximately) from the sale of plots under these schemes.

It has also been decided that the scope of 33 per cent reservation for women in various housing schemes of the board be expanded. Unsuccessful women applicants would now also get a chance to participate in the draw of lots for the general category. “By granting two chances to a woman applicant, we will ensure that maximum applications are received in the name of women. We had initiated 33 per cent reservation for women in all housing schemes last year, following which 80 per cent have been women. By extending the scope of reservation, we hope to further increase the number of women applying for our schemes,” said Mr Khemka.

Other initiatives approved by the board include fixed price with zero risk of future price escalation (no enhancement costs on land or construction charges) and a fixed delivery scheme. Also, the board has decided to finance the applicants for the application money.

The applicants will have to deposit a small sum with the board, which will be non- refundable and non-adjustable against the payable amount. If successful, the applicant will have to pay full application money after draw of lots. The amount deposited earlier would be used for charitable purposes.

Hisar, December 15
Preparations are in full swing for the state Congress rally to be held at Balsamand village in the district on December 17. The rally, slated to be addressed by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is being organised in the Adampur segment which has been a stronghold of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal.

A number of local as well as state-level leaders of the ruling party are leaving no stone unturned in creating the impression that they are working hard for the rally's success. With only one day left for the rally, members and supporters of the Congress are devising different ways and means to surpass others in creating a lasting impression.

For instance, a local Congress leader, who is considered close to Mr Hooda, has arranged for a helicopter to shower rose petals on the Chief Minister when he arrives for the rally. Flowers equal to Mr Hooda's weight (81 kg) will be brought from Delhi for the purpose. The especially arranged helicopter will wait at Hisar and on getting a signal from the rally site, it will reach Balsamand and shower petals on the Chief Minister. Many such novel methods of other leaders are expected to unfold during the event.

As of now, press conferences on the preparations for the rally are being frequently organised to garner good media coverage. Numerous advertisements about the rally are appearing in various sections of the media, with the inserters hellbent on getting their names registered in the mind of state leadership. Expenditure is obviously an investment.

Specific directions of the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court notwithstanding, a large number of big and small hoardings have been put up along busy roads and highways, announcing the time, venue and grandness of the "historic" rally.

True, idol-worship (read sycophancy) has been an old tradition with the Congressmen, but this time they are stretching the things a bit too far. Or perhaps, it is the beginning of a new era - who knows?

Yamunanagar, December 15
Sanction had been given to fill all vacancies in the Haryana Power Generation Corporation and the government has approached the Union Government to sanction another gas-based power plant at Faridabad. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated this after inspecting the work at the 2 X 300 MW Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Plant being set up by the Reliance Energy Limited (REL), here today. He also inaugurated the Boiler drum lifting of the second unit of the plant. The first unit of plant (300 MW) is expected to be commissioned in November 2007 and the second in February 2008. The units when ready will generate 1.44 crore units of power daily. The Chief Minister said 63.5 per cent work of the project had been completed. He lauded the REL and officials of the HPGCL and the Central Electricity Authority for ‘speedy work’. He said the project would be ready before the schedule.

Mr Hooda said there would be no power shortage in the state after three years as government had envisaged projects for generating 5,665 MW of power.

Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Power) Ashok Lavasa informed Mr Hooda turbine of the first unit would be set up by October 2007 and the turbine of second unit would be installed by January 2008.

Panipat, December 15
A teacher at a government school here allegedly tried to molest a 14-year-old student of the school yesterday. The student and his friend lodged a written complaint in this regard to the Principal, who forwarded it to the District Education Officer, Panipat, for further action.

According to information, a teacher of Government Senior Secondary School situated at the Tehsil camp allegedly tried to molest a girl on Wednesday last after calling her to his home for household chores saying his wife was not well. The teacher reportedly had asked the student to come to his home after school hours.

When the student reached the teacher’s house with another student the teacher sent the other one to the first floor. He later tried to molest the girl. The girl raised the alarm and before the other student could come down he managed to escape, the students alleged in the complaint.

Mr Ram Niwas Garg, Principal of the school, confirmed that he got the complaint from the students yesterday. However, the teacher could not be contacted as he was sent on survey duty for the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. Meanwhile, the Principal has started an inquiry into the matter.

Ms Chandna Chaudhary, DEO, Panipat, said she had asked the Principal to inquire into the matter.

Fatehabad, December 15
Four students were injured in a clash between two groups of students at Bothan Kalan village in this district today. Both groups used firearms.

The police has registered a case of attempt to murder under Section 307 of the IPC and has rounded up some students.

According to reports, college students from Nadori village had an old enmity with students from Bothan Kalan village. They had an altercation on an earlier occasion too.

Today, when students from Nadori village were coming to Fatehabad town in a bus, the other group stopped them at the Bothan Kalan bus stop.

After an exchange of hot words, the two groups came to blows and later opened fire at each other. Four students were injured in the incident.

Ramesh and Rakesh received gunshot injuries, while two others received injuries inflicted by a blunt weapon.

The SP, Mr Saurabh Singh, informed that an FIR had been registered under Section 307 of the IPC against Vinod, Sadhu and some other students. He said the DSP, Mr Samunder Singh, had been sent to take stock of the situation.