Chandigarh, January 19
A step suggested for avoiding delay in the movement of files in government offices, believe it or not, has not been implemented during the past 50 years!

No wonder things move in the government at an inordinately slow pace unless political or other extraneous considerations make the functionaries concerned take special interest in a subject.

It is learnt that in 1956 an instruction, under the Secretariat Instructions, was published for attaching a printed calendar of dates of disposal with each file so that the time taken at different stages could become clear and delay avoided. The instruction, issued before Haryana came into being, was reiterated from time to time in Haryana. A separate form containing the calendar was prescribed for use in the Secretariat and another for the offices of the heads of departments and subordinate offices.

The late Bansi Lal, during his last stint as the Chief Minister of Haryana, had also reiterated the instruction in 1996 to generate speed in the movement of official files. Officials were told to ensure that all files contained the calendar before being submitted to the higher authorities. They were told that the files that were to be put up before the Chief Minister must have a chart of the datewise movement attached with them.

But even the shrewd administrator could not persuade the officials to follow this instruction that would have exposed their lethargy in the disposal of files.

The present Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has now taken it upon himself to implement the instruction. The government, it is learnt, has warned officials that a serious view would be taken if they do not follow the instruction on using the calendar on the files.

Chandigarh, January 19
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here today, decided to enhance the discretionary grant of the Chief Minister from Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore per annum; that of the Speaker and Cabinet Ministers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 75 lakh each; and that of the Deputy Speaker and Ministers of State from Rs 35 lakh each per annum to Rs 50 lakh each per annum. The Cabinet decided that now the Public Works (Public Health) Department would be known as the PW ( Water Supply and Sanitation) Department to remove confusion between it and the Health Department.

It decided to provide Rs 150 crore for the development of model villages in the state on the basis of the recommendations of the Second State Finance Commission. It was decided to provide Rs 75 crore each for 2006-07 and 2007-08 for this purpose.

The Cabinet amended the Haryana Medical Education Service Rules, 1988, to provide better promotional avenues and improve the service condition of the faculty of Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak. Now a lecturer would be known as Assistant Professor and a Reader as Associate Professor. Similarly, an Associate Professor would be Professor and a Professor would be known as Senior Professor. Their retirement age has also been increased from 58 to 60 years.

It also approved an amendment to Sections 2 and 3 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and added new Sections 22 to 34 so as to make the law more effective.

Ambala, January 19
The wife of Flt Lieut Serrao, who was killed in a Jaguar crash yesterday, Flt Lieut Nikita, visited the town this afternoon.

It was a poignant moment for her when she went to the residence of Flt Lieut Serrao, accompanied by a few other Air Force officers.

Flt Lieut Nikita, a transport pilot herself, is currently based at Chandigarh. After visiting the town, she left for Bangalore. The mortal remains of Flt Lieut Serrao will be consigned to the flames at Bangalore.

Flt Lieut R.K. Serrao belonged to 5 Squadron based at the Ambala Air Force Station.

He was part of a detachment sent recently to Rajasthan for exercise.

He had been staying at the Double Decker Air Force officer’s accommodation in Ambala Cantonment. The residence had been sealed after the news of his death was received here.

Terming the pilot a fine human being, Sohan Lal, watchman at the Air Force officer’s accommodation, said he was shocked at hearing the news of the pilot’s death. He learnt about it on television last night.

An Air Force officer said Flt Lieut Serrao had gone to Rajasthan for exercise, which is undertaken annually.

The pilot had put in around five years of service, he said. He added that Flt Lieut Serrao had got married less than a year ago.

Flt Lieut Serrao was killed when his aircraft blew up mid-air during a live air-to-ground firing exercise in Pokharan range in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.

He had taken off from Naal airbase and the incident took place soon after.

He is the third officer from the Ambala Air Force Station to die in plane crash in the past three years.

On April 2, 2004 two Jaguar aircraft had crashed in Kashmir valley, killing Flt Lieut Gagan Oberoi and Flying Officer Mayank Mayur. The two aircraft were part of a four aircraft formation that had taken off from the Ambala airbase.

Panipat, January 19
The city-based transporters, who were demanding allotment of plots for running their business in Transport Nagar, staged a protest march. They carried out the protest march even though the administration had asked them to buy these plots in auction. The SDM, Mr Shakti Singh, said today that the transporters were operating from residential areas despite the fact many of them had agreed to shift their operations in the past.

The transporters declared to go on strike on Tuesday when residents of the Gangapuri Road got a barrier erected so that heavy vehicles could not ply in the area. As more than 50 transporters operates from the locality they were demanding its removal.

Mr Ranvir Singh, president, transporters’ association, said 52 transport companies had opened their offices on the Gangapuri Road during past five years. The residents of area had themselves rented their premises to the transporters for this purpose. Now, a few of them were creating hurdles for them, the association’s president alleged. On the other hand the residents had their own woes to tell. Mr Harbhagwan Chaudhary, a resident of the locality and former municipal councillor, said transporters had agreed to shift from here by January 2006. The transporters had also signed an agreement in this regard. But, the transporters kept on breaching the agreement by running their business from the locality. Mr Chaudhary said residents, including children of the locality, were at risk as heavy trucks ply in the locality.

The local industry had also started feeling the heat of the strike as the stocks had started piling up with the manufacturers. More than 200 trucks loaded with different articles leave for different locations in the country from here every day. Mr Kaku Bansal, president, Blanket Manufacturers Association, said the strike would cost them heavily as the goods meant for the winter season were not being dispatched to their destinations.

Orders for despatching Rs 1 crore worth of blankets were lying undespatched, Mr Bansal added.

The SDM said at least 15 transporters had agreed in written to shift to other places a year ago but they were found to be operating from the same place. Later, other transporters also joined them.

Many transporters might be operating from the residential area even after getting the plot in the Transport Nagar, the SDM added. While refusing the transporters’ demand for allotting the plots in Transport Nagar, he said anybody who intended to run his business could purchase plot in auction. 

Jhajjar, January 19
The khap panchayat, which effected compromise between the policemen guilty of killing an innocent youth in an encounter and victim’s family, today clarified that the family of victim Vikas had refused to accept the compensation and the “bhaichara” (brotherhood) had been resumed between both parties.

Though the policemen who were involved in the killing did not appear in front of the panchayat even today, it is apparent that the entire issue is being managed behind the scenes.

The guilty policemen have reported to have roped in some influential khap persons to resolve the controversy as some of them are on the verge of getting promotions and the case could jeopardise their chances.

Today’s panchayat was presided over by pradhan of Dalal khap Hosiar Singh and attended by pradhans of Bohar and Ismiala khaps - Azad Singh and Ranbir Singh.

Umed Singh Deswal of Dulhera village, who represented the victim’s family, maintained that family members of the guilty policemen were also present in the meeting and realised the mistake of the policemen before the father of Vikas.

Umed Singh said the father of Vikas, Jaibir, and his four brothers had “forgiven” the policemen after today’s meeting. He said it was up to the policemen if they wanted to donate Rs 51,000 to the gaushalas in Jhajjar and Mandothi and the panchayat would not bound them to do so.

He said no pressure was being put on the victim’s family, while adding that the family would withdraw the case against the policemen.

Ambala, January 19
New Deputy Commissioner R.P. Bharadwaj today directed officials to expedite and complete development works on time.

He said delay and mismanagement would not be tolerated.

He said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had announced 99 development works out which 16 were for Naraingarh, 38 for Barara, 39 for Naggal and six for Ambala City.

Mr Bharadwaj said roads were being constructed and veterinary hospitals repaired.

He said works up to Rs 3 lakh were being executed by gram panchayat, while works costing over Rs 3 lakh were being carried out by the district administration.

He said 75 per cent of Panjokhra Minor had been completed and it would help farmers get water even for those living at the tail end.

He said the Naneola Minor was also being repaired. Water works in Barara would be completed in six months, he added.

Mr Bharadwaj said out of the outstanding amount of Rs 1 crore from Naraingarh sugar mill, more than Rs 80 lakh had been paid to farmers while the process was on for the remaining amount.

A sum of Rs 537 lakh had been released by the Haryana Government for construction of SDM Complex and Judicial Complex in Naraingarh.

Sirsa, January 19
After facing an acute shortage of canal water for the past 10 years, residents of seven villages in the district have finally got the much-needed water to irrigate their fields. The farmers of these villages, located on the Rajasthan border and also on the tail end of canals, have started sowing wheat and other crops once again.

Thanks to persistent efforts of the district administration and officials of the Irrigation Department, water has started flowing into the Nathor Minor and Mammad Khera Minor canals - known as the lifelines for the area - which had dried up nearly a decade ago.

Due to the non-availability of the canal water, the farmers of these villages were left with no alternative but to use tube well water for irrigation. “However, we could not sow wheat and several other crops as the tube well water is saline. After a long dry spell, water has started flowing since October last,” said Shishpal of Sainpal Kothe village.

Sirsa Deputy Commissioner V.Umashankar, who had gone to hold an open ‘darbar’ in the Ellenabad area, got an overwhelming reception at Sainpal Kothe, which is one of the seven villages to have benefited from the scheme. The other villages are Nathor, Mammad, Darewala, Keharwala, Mattuwala and Kaluana.

Residents of these villages informed the team of district officials that while only 10 per cent of cultivable land could be used for sowing wheat in the past years, nearly 45 per cent of it had been brought under wheat cultivation this year.

Mr Umashankar directed the officials of the Irrigation Department to ensure that the villages continue to get adequate water during summers as well. Interestingly, after having had strained relations with the Irrigation Department officials for quite some time, the grateful villagers honoured them along with the Deputy Commissioner and officials of other departments.

Rohtak, January 19
Tension prevailed in Kalanaur town in this district today following clashes between a group of Dalits and residents of Gudhan village which left about a dozen hurt.

According to reports received here, two students of a government school had a quarrel yesterday. One of the boys was a Dalit while the other belonged to a Jat family.

It is alleged that a few residents of Gudhan village came to Kalanaur today and roughed up a few Dalits who retaliated by assaulting some persons hailing from Gudhan village. However, residents of Gudhan alleged they were assaulted first.

Two persons have been admitted to the PGIMS here, while several others were being treated at Kalanaur itself.

Chandigarh, January 19
Haryana never had it so good. It has checked not only the continuously declining wheat productivity (yield per hectare) but is also expected to achieve a landmark equalling the wheat productivity of Punjab, if not bettering it, this year.

When Haryana came into existence in 1966, its wheat productivity was merely 14.25 quintals per hectare, which reached a peak of 41.65 quintals per hectare in 1999-2000. Since then, the productivity had been continuously declining and had reached 38.44 quintals per hectare.

This rabi, the state expects a wheat productivity of over 41.50 quintals per hectare. Last year, the wheat productivity in Punjab was 41.79 quintals per hectare. The wheat productivity in Punjab has declined from 46.96 quintals per hectare in 1999-2000. If this downward trend continues, Haryana's productivity may overtake that of Punjab this year.

The Haryana Agriculture Department identified various reasons behind the declining trend of wheat productivity. These included a sudden rise in temperature during February and March, the period of grain formation and maturity; late sowing; the use of untreated seed; the imbalanced use of fertilisers; and poor soil health.

After identifying the causes, the department launched a campaign this year to reverse the declining trend in wheat productivity. The Director, Agriculture, Mr R. K. Khullar, says it has been estimated that if wheat is sown after November 15, the yield is reduced by 17.25 kg per hectare per day. And delay beyond November 30 results in a drop of 35 kg per hectare per day.

Various methods, including involving students of Class X and above in the rural areas, were employed to press the farmers to complete sowing before November 15. They were also told to ensure the treatment of seeds as protection against termite attack and damage by birds and fungal diseases. More area was brought under the zero tillage technology, which increases the yield.

Already, the state has achieved a record productivity of various kharif crops. The state has produced 44.98 lakh metric tonnes of various foodgrains this year, a 12 per cent increase over last year's production of 39.87 lakh tonnes. This achievement is more creditable considering the fact that the rainfall this year was more than 40 per cent deficient. The productivity of rice at 32.38 quintals per hectare.

Rewari, January 19
Booda Ram, a resident of Jhunjhunoo district in Rajasthan, was reportedly robbed of Rs 4,100 by three swindlers on the National Highway No. 8 near Kasaula police station of the district yesterday.

On being persuaded by the two swindlers, Booda Ram boarded a Maruti van, which they claimed was going to Sikar in Rajasthan.

However, soon after crossing the Kasaula Chowk, the three put their cash inside a polythene bag. Then, they prevailed upon Booda Ram to put his Rs 4,100 into the bag to avoid frisking by the police at the next check post.

As soon as he put the money inside the bag the cheats replaced it with another one and handed it over to Booda Ram. They then made Booda Ram to get down.

Ambala, January 19
The following have been elected office-bearers of the local unit of the MES Civilian Workers’ Union: president - Roop Chand; vice-presidents - Brij Mohan Sharma and Yoginder Singh; general secretary - Om Prakash Sundriyal; additional secretary - Surendra Pal Gupta; press secretary - Gopal Kumar; treasurer - Sohan Lal; and additional treasurer - Reepan Kumar. Members - Om Prakash Sahota, Ram Das, Amrik Singh and Ashok Kumar Passi. — TNS