Sirsa, August 19
Trade unions and associations of government employees are gearing up for tomorrow’s nationwide strike on a call of the All-India State Government Employees Federation.

The strike is being organised against the rising inflation and the alleged anti-worker policies of the government.

The employees have announced a “chhaka jam” of the Haryana Roadways and also to bring the work in all government offices in the district to a halt.

A meeting of various associations of government employees affiliated to the Sarva Karamchari Sangh, Haryana, was held a the 33 kV substation here today.

Surjit Singh Bedi, secretary of the Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union, presided over the meeting.

He said 20 teams of employees had been set up to make the strike a success.

He said the employees had been forced to go on a strike because the government was not willing to hold negotiations with them over their problems.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)has also announced its decision to support tomorrow’s strike.

Rohtash Shekhupuria, district secretary of the DYFI, said the UPA government had failed to control inflation and had been following “policies detrimental to the youth”.

FATEHABAD: Activists of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh on Tuesday organised a motorcycle rally to mobilise support for Wednesday’s strike.

The motorcycle rally started from the 33 kV substation of the DHBVN and culminated at the mini-secretariat after visiting all government offices in the town.

BSNL and LIC employees have also announced their decision to participate in the strike.

Gurgaon, August 19
A local court today passed an order restraining Haryana Roadways employees’ unions from obstructing the movement of state-owned buses and holding demonstrations in the vicinity of any roadways’ premises in the district in view of the call given by trade unions for a nationwide strike tomorrow against government policies.

The order was passed by the court of Civil Judge (Junior Division), Gurgaon, Pawan Kumar on a petition filed by the State of Haryana through the collector, Gurgaon, the Haryana Roadways through its transport commissioner and the GM, Gurgaon, for perpetual injunction for restraining roadways employees’ unions from affecting ingress and egress of buses, passengers or indulge in any illegal activity creating any obstruction.

The order said no demonstration, meeting or dharna would be held within a radius of 200 metres from the boundary of the Gurgaon bus stand, the workshop and other roadways premises.

The unions were also restrained from causing any damage to the roadways property during the strike. Presidents of the Haryana Roadways Workers Union and the Haryana Roadways Karamchari Mahasangh Murari Lal and Satish Kumar, who appeared in person, gave assurance to the court to this effect in their statements recorded in the court.

As part of the proposed strike, the Haryana Roadways workers’ unions had been making hectic preparations for keeping all state-owned buses at 20 depots in the state off the road tomorrow. 

Chandigarh, August 19
Emphasising the need for adopting non-conventional energy resources, union minister for new and renewable energy Vilas Muttemwar said today that Nagpur would soon have Asia’s biggest solar thermal generation project of 10 MW which would help meet the rising demand for energy.

Speaking on the eve of Akshay Urja Diwas, celebrated on August 20 every year on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday, Muttemwar said a special economic zone housing industries making equipment for non-conventional energy products was in the making at Nagpur.

Addressing a joint press conference with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the minister said India stood fourth in the world in terms of solar energy generation.

In the city for tomorrow’s national-level function of Akshay Urja Diwas being held in Panchkula, Muttemwar added that in view of the great potential of solar energy in the country the Government of India was taking steps to promote solar energy generation with the help of the private sector.

He said since solar power would be the cheapest energy resource, it would not only contribute to major development programmes of the country but also cater to the needs of common consumers.

Praising Haryana’s initiative in the non-conventional energy sector, Muttemwar said 10 per cent of the total power generation budget was being spent on renewable energy by the state government. The minister also said Haryana was the first state to give 90 per cent subsidy to non-profit earning social institutes and charitable institutes using solar energy systems.

Hooda said Haryana was given three first prizes by the President of India for its solar urban programme, the solar cooker programme and the solar photovoltaic demonstration programme last year.

He said the state government had also signed more than 30 MoUs with private investors in the renewable energy sector. He said Haryana was the first state in the country to install solar streetlights in scheduled castes colonies in the rural areas of the state.

The Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja National Marathon, the Renewable Energy Rally, the Renewable Energy Pledge by nearly 50,000 school students and a rally of battery-operated vehicles developed and manufactured in India will be the highlights of tomorrow’s programme.

Jhajjar, August 19
Owing to slow pace of drainage of accumulated rainwater, the situation has deteriorated in several villages of the district. As many as 12 houses at Mundaheri village have reportedly collapsed due to stagnant water. Besides, cracks have appeared in several houses at Guda and Badli villages within a couple of days.

Apart from rural areas, the situation in several low-lying residential localities of Jhajjar city also remains similar to rain-hit villages.

Though the district administration has been taking steps to remove water, these are not proving adequate to control the situation.

Hundreds of acres of agricultural fields in many villages of the district have been inundated with rainwater due to which standing crops of paddy, sugarcane, jowar and bajra have been affected.

As per sources, Naanawas, Bhaghpur, Wazirpur, Gochhi, Sehriya, Dhandlan, Phadipur, Jahajgarh, Mundahera, Khatiwaas, Mudhsa, Aachhej, Dujana, Bhaghalpuri, Ladayan, Birhad, Amadal Shahpur, Mundsa and Bakra are those villages where the accumulated rainwater inundated the considerable area of the villages causing hardships to the residents.

Meanwhile, the district administration claimed that sufficient steps had been taken to drain out the rainwater from the fields.

In a press statement issued here today, deputy commissioner Nitin Yadav said officers concerned had been directed to deal with the situation. Several disposal pump sets had been installed at Mudhsa, Aachhej, Dujana, Bhagpur, Bhaghalpuri and Bakra villages by the Irrigation Department for draining out the accumulated water.

“Residents of the affected villages are urged to help the district administration in draining out the accumulated water,” Yadav said, adding that water would be cleared soon.

Faridabad, August 19
The district administration today heaved a sigh of relief following assessments by technical teams suggesting that there was no threat to the villages in spite of the Yamuna river flowing at near about danger level mark.

The administration was informed by concerned quarters last week that the Yamuna was flowing just above danger level. The cause for concern for the administration was the location of over 12 villages near the banks of the river. Some of the villages now fall in the newly created Palwal district. The villages include Munjeheri, Phaisa and Muhali. There was panic in the administration since the report of Yamuna flowing above the danger mark. The release of water in the river from the Tajewala and Okhla dams coupled with incessant rains recently had caused the rise of water in the river.

Faridabad deputy commissioner Brijender Singh had called an emergency meeting of the sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) of Faridabad and Ballabgarh yesterday and directed for comprehensive surveys of the spate of water in the river and monitoring of preparatory measures to deal with any exigencies. However, the preparatory works had started in the two subdivisions even before as the office of the deputy commissioner had started getting information on the rise of water level.

Works started full swing since Monday and the administration today sighed relief on the study by technical groups that things were under control.

Yamunanagar: People living on the low-lying areas of the river heaved a sigh of relief as the water level of the Yamuna today reduced drastically here.

The inflow of the water at the Hathni Kund barrage headworks was recorded maximum 40,000 cusec while the water level of the river was 88,000 cusec yesterday. The administration has sounded alert in the district since Thursday when the water level of the river crossed the danger level.

Chandigarh, August 19
The Haryana Vidhan Sabha Committee, assigned the duty to look into the terms and references of the Yamuna Water Accord 1994, today decided to finalise its report and table it during the Assembly session slated for September 1.

With former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal failing to appear before the committee that met here, it was decided not to serve any more notices to Bhajan Lal for his reply in the matter but to proceed on the basis of whatever information was available with the committee.

Sources said the committee also decided to hold its next meeting on August 29 to give final shape to its recommendations and findings in view of the “non-cooperative” attitude of the former Chief Minister. The committee also considered referring the matter of Bhajan Lal’s non-appearance before the committee to the Privileges Committee of the House.

The 11-member all-party Haryana Vidhan Sabha Committee was constituted to go into the details of the circumstances that led to the signing of the 1994 Yamuna Water Accord, which reportedly led to loss of water to Haryana.

Incidentally, Bhajan Lal was the Chief Minister of Haryana when the controversial agreement was signed between Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

With fingers being pointed towards Bhajan Lal for the water accord, the former CM had faced the ire of the fellow Congressmen when the issue had come up for discussion in the previous Haryana Vidhan Sabha session.

The committee was also to analyse the circumstances which led to the signing by the then Haryana Chief Minister of the 1994 MoU regarding sharing of Yamuna waters and the discrepancy between Cabinet decisions and the signed document.

Chandigarh, August 19
“Blessed with a vision and impulse for creation, litterateurs are omniscient persons whose patriotic writings catalysed the freedom struggle and now I urge them to awaken people against the prevalent social evils in society,” said Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while presenting the Haryana Sahitya Akademi annual awards at a function at Haryana Niwas here today.

He also announced the institution of a writers’ welfare fund with an initial grant of Rs 10 lakh.

Haryana education minister Mange Ram Gupta called upon contemporary writers to emulate the likes of Tulsi Das and Kabir among others whose writings have influenced life across centuries. Eminent litterateur and critic Namwar Singh urged the Chief Minister to run the existing sahitya akademies on the pattern of three national akademies.

Earlier, Rajan Gupta, akademi vice-chairman, welcomed the guests while akademi director Desh Nirmohi detailed the achievements and future plans of the akademi.

The following were presented with awards:

(A category)

Sansar Chandra, Chandigarh, - Haryana Sahitya Rattan (Rs 2 lakh); Manmohan, Rohtak, - Mahakavi Surdas Award (Rs 1 lakh); Tara Panchal, Kurukshetra, and Rajkishan Nain Azaib - Balmukand Gupt Award; Kanwal Haryanvi Bhai and Shyam Sakha Shyam, Rohtak, - Pandit Lakhmi Chand Award - (all Rs 50,000); and Abhay Maurya, Hyderabad - Haryana Gaurav Samman - Rs 51,000.

A plaque, citation and Rs 21,000 were presented for books by the following authors: Hare Ram Smeep, Faridabad; Ashok Kumar, Ambala; Kamal Kapur, Faridabad; Amritlal Madan, Kaithal; Madan Lal Kapur, Karnal; Ghamandi Lal Aggarwal, Gurgaon; Om Prakash Kadyan, Hisar; Rajbir Singh Dhankhad, Rohtak; and Mahender Pal Sarswat.

A Harynvi kavi sammelan was held at the akademi complex in Panchkula in the evening.

Kaithal, August 19
Haryana minister for power, water supply and sanitation Randeep Singh Surjewala today launched the Indira Gandhi Pey Jal Yojna (Urban) by providing a water connection at the residence of a Dalit in Balmiki Basti near the railway station here.

The scheme has been launched to provide the drinking water facility to SC families in urban areas of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Surjewala said when the present government took over the reins of the state, the annual water supply budget was only Rs 68 crore, which had now reached Rs 632 crore.

He said Rs 110 crore had been spent on water supply and sewerage schemes in Kaithal district during the past three years.

Highlighting the scheme launched today, the minister said as many as 4,858 families would benefit from it.

No connection fee would be charged from the beneficiary and the monthly charges would be Rs 10.

Besides, the department would provide a 200 litre tank to each SC house, which would be fitted with a tap.

The minister also laid the foundation stone of a boosting station at Chandana Gate. He said the estimated cost of this project was Rs 55 lakh and it would benefit 4,244 families living in Chandana Gate, Balmiki Basti, Gyarha Rudri Mandir, Dayanand Colony, the Railway road, the Shilla Khera road and Shakti Nagar in the town.

He said people of 36 villages in the Kaithal constituency, 31 in Kalayat, 53 in Pundri, nine in Rajound, 43 in Pai and 110 in Guhla had benefited under the Indira Gandhi Pey Jal Yojna.

Shamsher Singh Surjewala, president of the Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress and local MLA, Urmil Amel Kaulia, chairperson of the municipal council, Surinder Ranjha, vice-president of the MC, and Kavi Raj Sharma, DCC president were among those present on the occasion.

Hisar, August 19
Haryana Governor and chancellor of Haryana Agricultural University A.R. Kidwai today called upon scientists to develop high-yielding disease-resistant varieties of wheat which would use minimal natural resources.

Inaugurating a national-level meeting of wheat and jowar breeders here, he said this was necessary if the country was to achieve the target of producing 775 million tonnes of wheat by 2020.

Kidwai said India needed a second Green Revolution as the demand for foodgrains had gone up tremendously due to an increase in population. He said scientists needed to learn lessons from the first Green Revolution and address issues such as deteriorating soil quality and rising water table.

Recalling wheat imports from the USA in the past, he said the country was repaying the debt to the USA till now. But times had changed and India was poised to become one of the three superpowers in the world on the basis of its agricultural and economic progress.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) chief Mangala Rai said the wheat production in the country had risen by just 4 per cent compared to fruit and milk production which had gone up by 6 per cent. Likewise meat production had gone up by 8 per cent and egg production by a whopping 27 per cent.

He said Indian agricultural scientists faced the challenge of increasing wheat production by 40 per cent in the next decade even as the global warming level had risen at 0.7°C.

HAU vice-chancellor J.C. Katyal, in his address, raised the issue of nourishment and said this angle should be kept in mind while finding ways to increase production.

Ambala, August 19
Seelak Ram and Baljeet, accused in the Sarita suicide case, were produced in the CBI court here today. Special Magistrate Abdul Majid, while extending their judicial remand, fixed September 3 for the next hearing.

CBI counsel S.P.S Verma requested the court to adjourn the hearing as the report of DNA tests of both accused had not received so far.

A fortnight ago, the CBI, in an application, had requested the court to permit it to collect the blood samples of both accused so that their DNA tests could be conducted. The court had directed the Ambala jail authorities to take both accused to the Civil Hospital at Ambala City in the presence of CBI officials for collecting their blood samples.

According to DSP (CBI) Satish Dagar, who is also the inquiry officer in the case, the blood samples have been sent to a national laboratory for DNA tests.

Sarita, a resident of Rohtak, had committed suicide in front of the Police Headquarters in Panchkula on June 9. Her husband had alleged that the two accused (suspended police officials) had raped his wife and she had committed suicide because the police had not taken action against the accused.

The accused have, however, alleged that they were falsely implicated by two police officers.

Jind, August 19
A district court has sentenced three members of a family (a couple and their son) to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of a youth, who was shot dead after a quarrel in May 2006 in Julana Mandi town in the district.

Another member of the family has been sentenced to seven years in jail, while a woman member of the family has been acquitted in this case. The court has also imposed a fine ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 19,000 on the guilty.

The accused, Manoj, son of Ram Niwas, a resident of Julana Mandi, had been involved in a dispute with his neighbour Subhash and the latter’s two nephews Anil and Ankit over some allegations levelled against him.

It is alleged that Manoj, accompanied by his father, mother and brother, had assaulted the complainant and his nephews while they were returning to their house on the night of May 26, 2006.

Manoj had allegedly opened fire on the trio and he was asked to do so by his parents and brother. While Anil and Ankit received serious injuries, Subhash escaped the murder attempt. Ankit, aged about 22 years, succumbed to his injuries later.

It is alleged that the dispute arose after the complainants objected when Manoj allegedly passed lewd remarks against women customers who visited their saree shop in the locality. District and Sessions Judge B.B. Prasoon delivered the judgment today.

While Manoj has been ordered to deposit a fine of Rs 19,000, his father Ram Niwas and mother Prem Lata have been asked to pay a fine of Rs 17,000 each, besides the life sentence. Mukesh, brother of Manoj, has been sentenced to seven years in jail and a fine of Rs 7,000.

Kurukshetra, August 19
Following the arrest of a person, the mystery shrouding the murder of Sunita, a resident of Pipli, 5 km from here, has been solved.

Stating this here today, district police chief K.V. Ramana said the arrested person had been identified as Ramjatan, son of Prakash, a resident of Meghona village in Bihar.

Ramana said during interrogation, Ramjatan told the police that he had been working as a help at a meat shop near Umri Chowk, 3 km from Pipli.

During this period, he and Sunita fell in love. However, after some days, Ramjatan reportedly got suspicious that Sunita had illicit relations with another boy, which he could not tolerate.

Ramjatan told the police that when he asked her to mend her ways, she scorned his advice.

Ramjatan told the police that to take revenge, he called her behind a cold storage near Pipli, raped her and beat her up severely. Later, he strangled her to death and buried her body and escaped.

He was produced in a local court today, which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.