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INLD, BJP seek to strengthen hold
Gurgaon, October 30 The rally marks the beginning of yet another electoral alliance between the BJP and the INLD, their past bitter experiences together notwithstanding. As the political atmosphere of the state hots up for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders are weighing the options before them. The Congress, on the other hand, seems to be playing the wait-and-watch game, at least for the time being. However, neither the BJP nor the INLD can afford to go in a casual manner at this crucial juncture. The seriousness (read compulsion) of the INLD and the BJP can be gauged from the fact that the top leaderships of both parties have decided to go in for a pre-poll alliance after indulging in mudslinging at each other for several years. While many veteran leaders of the BJP were opposed to the tie-up, the leaders of both parties had been harping on the slogan of “going it alone” into the poll arena. These leaders, who were publicly issuing statements like “we don’t need the crutches of any other party” and “we’ll tie up only with the people of the state” have been left with no option but to eat their words. Nonetheless, the INLD cadres are upbeat over the alliance and are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the rally. On the other hand, the BJP men are finding it tough to convince the people (and even themselves) that they and INLD were “natural allies”. In the given circumstances, the “adjustable” stance adopted by the INLD as well as the BJP clearly indicates that both parties were left with no other option but to embrace each other. The INLD leaders are worried over their slipping mass (read Jat) support base, especially in the Deswali Jat belt comprising Rohtak, Jhajjar, Jind and Sonepat districts. This shows that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has been successful in making a dent into the INLD’s loyal vote bank. On the other hand, Advani, often touted as the PM-in-waiting, obviously does not want to take any chance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. Going by the emerging political scenario, it seems that the HJC as well as the BSP leaderships will have to do some serious rethinking over the future course of action if they want to have some say in the state politics. All in all, the politically aware people of the state will have much masala to much on even as they form an opinion to decide the future of political parties and their leaders in the coming few months.
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Monumental Neglect
Yamunanagar, October 30 Though the administration had sought grant from the union ministry of tourism and cultural affairs a few years ago, it did not yield any result so far, say official sources. This place has greater potential as pilgrims from various parts of country and from abroad come here especially on the occasion of Biddha Purnima. Unfortunately, all roads leading to this place of religious importance mainly through Jagadri are in a bad condition. Besides, no attempt has been made to facilitate pilgrims. Moreover, developing this place as a tourist destination would generate revenue for the state. Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang had mentioned in his travel account that he found this stupa built by Ashoka in the kingdom of Srughna (Sugh). Now, this place is situated 3 km from Chaneti. Ashoka built this stupa as Gautam Budha had preached here. According to religious belief and Budhist literature, 10 stupas were erected at different places following Budhha’s Parinirvana. Ashoka had collected relics from seven stupas and redistributed them to 84,000 stupas that he had built during his regime. This stupa, built in 1st century BC in hemispherical shape, reflects the ancient archaeology marvel. Normally every stupa was fenced with stone or wooden railings, but no railing was found here. This stupa came to the notice of the ASI in 1974 and under state protection in 1980. The state archaeological department and the ASI have been jointly taking care of scientific clearance, preservation, conservation and restoration work here. Though a lower portion of the stupa has been renovated, maintenance of a major portion is yet to be done. The non-availability of particular kind of bricks required in the stupa is cited to be the reason behind it.
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Escape bid raises questions over security
Ambala, October 30 Mahatma Gandhi’s assassinator Nathu Ram Godse was hanged in this jail. Recently an attempt of escaping by some hardcore prisoners by digging a tunnel in the jail premises has raised questions on the security arrangements of the jail. It is to be mentioned that on October 21, four prisoners, including one Pakistan-based spy, conspired to escape through a tunnel. Around 6-ft deep and 3-ft wide ditch was dug by the prisoners close to condemned cells where strict security arrangements were supposed to be made. There are 32 condemned cells in the jail premises surrounded by a 10 feet wall. Prisoners from these cells are taken out hardly for one hour daily. It was not an easy job to dispose of the soil of 6-ft deep ditch. The authorities came to know about the conspiracy when they got a tip-off through an informer prisoner. The conspiracy was foiled in the beginning otherwise a big incident could have taken place. A few months back the administration had raised boundary-wall of the jail by 3-feet for the security reasons. A few years back close circuit TV cameras were installed in and outside of the jail premises so that the activities of the prisoners could be scanned round the clock. The system had been lying out of order for last two years. Sources said the authorities had written letters to senior officers of the department a number of times but to no avail. During last few years, two
The authorities had planned to install jammer in the jail to jam the mobile signals. Around six months back it was installed on trial basis but it started affecting the the Air Force station. The residents of adjoining colonies had also objected over it as the working of their mobile phones was affected. Jail superintendent SPS Chauhan said the vigilant jail authorities foiled the tunnel-digging attempt in the initial stage. He claimed that there was no lapse in security arrangements. |
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PUSA-1121 growers a dejected lot
Chandigarh, October 30 The exporters not only mix this variety in basmati rice but also export this variety as such claiming it to be original basmati. As a result this variety fetched good prices for its growers last year. The union government suddenly declared PUSA-1121 as non-basmati paddy just before the beginning of the paddy season this year. After it was declared a non-basmati variety, its export was also automatically banned as the export of non-basmati rice was banned early this year when the prices of essential commodities skyrocketed, putting the government on the mat. The government’s decision to declare PUSA-1121 as non-basmati variety naturally pushed down its prices just when the new crop started coming to the mandis. The growers had to sell their produce at the prices that were lower than those of the last year by about Rs 500 per quintal. This year this variety was being sold for Rs 1,600-1,700 per quintal. Farmer organisations protested against the government’s decision. Chief Minister also put pressure on the union government to declare PUSA-1121 as a variety of basmati. President of the All-India kisan khet mazdoor Congress Shamsher Singh Surjewala too raised the issue with the Prime Minister. Sources said when about 40 per cent of the total PUSA-1121 crop had been sold this year, the union government reversed its decision and re-conferred the status of basmati on this variety. The price of PUSA-1121 has now risen to about Rs 2,900 per quintal. Exporters have again started purchasing this variety. As this variety is now a basmati variety and could be exported after paying custom duty. The sharp increase in the price of PUSA-1121 is also attributed to the fall of rupee against the US dollar. The sources said the falling rupee had increased the margin of profit for the exporters, who had passed on a part of this to the growers. But certain questions do remain
While these questions need a probe, people do impute motives to the government. Even Surjewala, who being part of the ruling party, understandably cannot level direct allegations against his government, said that steps should be taken to ensure that no government should be able to declare PUSA-1121 as non-basmati in future. Haryana Janhit Congress spokesman Satpal Kaushik has no such compulsion. He openly said the union government declared PUSA-1121 as non-basmati so that its prices were subdued in the mandis and the exporters could make a quick kill. After almost half of the crop was sold, the decision was reversed. The government had cheated the farmers to benefit the exporters and traders. Kaushik, who incidentally was a general secretary with Surjewala when the latter headed the state unit of the Bharat Krishak Samaj, said in certain mandis the millers who had purchased large quantities of PUSA-1121 variety earlier were now selling the paddy of this variety instead of milling it. This way the millers are making more profit per quintal of PUSA-1121 within a few weeks, while the growers who put labour for several months to raise the crop were denied their due. Unanswered questions n What led the government to declare PUSA-1121 as a non-basmati variety?
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Teenage boxer battles cancer
Sirsa, October 30 But, the family of the boxer needs much more help as she is undergoing costly therapies in Jaipur and her father is now planning to shift her to the Tata Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai, after treatment in Jaipur has failed to show the desired results. A student of local Maharaja Agarsen Senior Secondary School, Megha once aspired to become a boxer of international repute like Laila Ali, the famous boxer daughter of former world heavyweight champion Mohammad Ali. Although the infliction that has besieged her has put a speed breaker in her boxing career, the dream still haunts her and she asks her parents when she will get rid of the uninvited guest in her body and go back to the ring again. Megha was a confident girl of 13 studying in class IX and was a good boxer too. Full of life and energy, Megha played up to national level in the sub-junior level. Today, she is a pale shadow of her past self. She still remembers the day when she first noticed a small tumour on her thigh after coming back from Mumbai, where she had gone to participate in the nationals. “My father had brought me a new pair of jeans and it was while trying it that I noticed the tumour and informed my mother. I could never fathom at that time that the small innocuous looking tumour will make my life so painful,” Megha says with tired looking eyes. Megha’s disease has not only given pain and sufferings to her but has also changed the entire life of her small family, comprising father Dinesh Bhardwaj, mother Meenu and sister Hina. Dinesh Bhardwaj, who has to take her to Jaipur after every 15 days, had to leave his job in a private company as he has to remain with Megha there for 6 to 7 days every time for chemo and radio therapies. Meenu, a schoolteacher, had to sell her jewelry to meet the heavy expenditure on Megha’s treatment, which is around Rs 20,000 every fortnight now and will increase to almost double after she is taken to Mumbai. After the family savings and a residential plot were devoured in the treatment of the young girl, his father had been continuing the treatment of Megha by seeking loans from friends and relatives, before The Tribune carried a news item highlighting her plight in August. Several benevolent hands have come forward to help out the family and financial help has come in from Karnal, Kalanwali and also from some local people. Priyanka Chaudhary, a national boxing champion in her weight category, who once played with Megha, has set an example by donating her scholarship of Rs 30,000 to the ailing boxer. The family, however, needs more help to treat Megha in the Tata Cancer Institute, Mumbai. Surprisingly, no help of any kind has come from the government so far. Amidst all these tribulations, Megha has not allowed the indomitable spirit in her to die. “I have two daughters in Hina and Megha and I never thought of having a son. Megha has been more than a son to me, a courageous and confident girl,” says Dinesh. “Whenever I or my wife feels distressed at the state of affairs, Megha provides us the courage and assures she will be fine again and soon be back to the boxing ring,” he adds.
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Drive against polythene gains strength
According to deputy commissioner Vijay Singh Dahiya, various NGOs working in different fields had joined hands with the administration to generate awareness among the city residents against the ill effects of using polythene bags. He said NGOs had a wider reach amongst the populace and these could make a huge contribution in
the drive. The local civic body has also started organising awareness rallies at various places in the city. Senior officials of the MC exhort the residents to discard the use of polythene bags. They are even picking up polythene bags themselves to motive people. The DC said though shoppers found polythene bags to be indispensable, going by environmentalists’ view, the administration felt that polythene bags especially the black ones made from recycled polythene should go. Local environmentalists are jubilant with the decision. They want to see the return of biodegradable packaging material like jute, cloth and paper bags that were widely used before the plastic bags took over, the DC said. According to the reports, there are more harms than benefits of using plastic bags. Plastic is not biodegradable and releases harmful dioxin into the air. Naresh Kumar, a local resident who is concerned about the degrading environmental condition of the city, said polythene bags were an
urban nightmare. These bags clog sewerage lines and drains, making life more difficult for the local residents, he said. The DC said some places where the government had banned the use of plastic bags proved to be a boon to the environment. He said though the progress being made in the
eradication of polythene bags was slow, it would soon start showing positive results. However, activism in the favour of banning plastic bags has not gone down well with dozens of plastic industries and shopkeepers who find it more convenient to use polythene bags. Ravinder Kumar, a local shopkeeper, said customers were not in a habit of bringing there own bags and paper bags could not be used for carrying certain items. He said till the customers themselves discard its use, it would be difficult to impose a complete ban on these bags. The administration said it was aware of this phenomenon and thus it had decided to implement the decision by generating awareness and not by invoking the law that had the
provision of imposing fine up to Rs 5,000.
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Rural Mewat finds support in dairying
Mewat, October 30 Run with the help of the Mewat Development Agency, Nuh, at the instance of the Governor of Haryana, Dr A.R. Kidwai, the “improved” prices of milk are bringing the much-needed income for the people in these blocks. With fresh milk collected in Ghagas village after the installation of a bulk milk cooler (BMC), villagers say it has ended their exploitation at the hands of milk vendors who used to pay less. “The minimum rate of buffalo milk is Rs 19 per litre at 6.5 per cent fat and it enhances as the fat percentage increases up to Rs 30 a litre. Cow milk is sold at Rs 13 a litre at 3 per cent fat on the basis of fat and
SNF,” explains Iqbal, a villager from Ghagas. Sarpanch Jaikam adds, “Farmers in and around our villages are happy with the installation of BMCs as they are getting a much higher price compared to milk vendors’ price, which was Rs 9 to 11 a litre for buffalo milk and Rs 7 to 9 for cow milk depending on fat content”. So far, 15 BMCs have been installed in villages, which take care of the milk supply from 37 villages. The installation of more such BMCs is in the pipeline to cover all villages of the two blocks. The villagers now have a double advantage as the milk vendors, too, are falling in line and increasing their rates from Rs 12 to 20 per litre in the past three months. The MDA is coordinating with the National Dairy Development Board and two persons from the village where the BMC has been stationed have been employed as computer operator and fat-testing helpers. The payment to farmers is made every week through banks to ensure that they are not cheated. At every location of the BMC, one depot of cattle feed has been provided to one farmer from which he is further earning Rs 30 per bag of 50 gm. This commission is being provided by the NDDB. The CEO, MDA, Dr Attar Singh Ahlawat, says employment avenues will further increase with the installation of more BMCs. The Governor, who is also the chairman of the MDA, is monitoring the scheme fortnightly. “Milk producers’ institutions are being formed in every village and their number has already crossed 500. We began with 26 MPIs and had a milk procurement of 75 litres only. Within five months of bringing the BMCs to Mewat, the milk procurement has crossed 3,000 liters
and it will go up with time,” Ahlawat maintained.
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Press club felicitates CDLU V-C
Sirsa, October 30 Bhardwaj, along with six others, was recently conferred Haryana Ratan Award by a Meerut based NGO in a function held at Chandigarh. The press club organised a function in the local Sirsa club for this purpose. The function was attended by several dignitaries of the town, besides the members of the press club. SDM H.C. Bhatia, patron of the Sirsa education society R.S. Sangwan, president of the Maharaja Agarsen education society Kulwant Rai Jindal, president of the beopar mandal Hira Lal Sharma and president and vice president Nand Kishore and Arun Mehta respectively of the press club and a senior journalist Surinder Bhatia spoke on this occasion and described Bhardwaj as an educationist committed to provide the best of the education facilities in the university. The speakers said the university was in doldrums when Bhardwaj joined here, but he had transformed it into an institution of repute. Bhardwaj thanked press club members and all social organisations for their support.
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MC shopping complex remains unused
Kaithal, October 30 When this reporter visited the building site recently, some walls appeared to have developed cracks and supporting pillars to have left their original places. During the recently concluded rainy season, extensive damage to the existing structure had been caused. After a long slumber the authorities have realised that this building cannot be rented out in its present shape and it needs modifications and renovation. Hence, the state government has been requested to grant more funds to make this building worthy. Meanwhile, according to reports, the building, which has been lying open from all sides, is being used by anti-social and unscrupulous elements at night. Some taxi operators who are unable to find enough space to park their vehicles elsewhere have also started making best use of this place. On the other hand, elected representatives and officials at the helm of affairs who have turned a blind eye to wastage of public money on the project have been strongly criticised. When contacted executive officer of the local municipal council S.K. Goel said this building was constructed much before he joined this posting. However, he confirmed there was a move to get more funds from the government to give final shape to this building that was presently in bad shape and needed modification before it could be used to generate rental income for the civic body.
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New railway over-bridge on cards
Sonepat, October 30 After its clearance from the state government, the project papers have been sent to the railway ministry for sanction. The cost of the ROB is estimated at Rs 24 crore and out of this, the expenditure of Rs 12 crore will be borne by the state government. According to the project report, the 850-m long ROB would be raised from near the main entrance of the mill and after crossing over the level crossing would end at the Sonepat road bypass. It would be 11 ft wide with 3 ft wide footpath on both sides. The town is virtually divided into two parts as the Delhi-Ambala railway track passes through the town and the railway station is also located at the centre of the town. The only and main level crossing of the town is adjacent to the railway station and near the Hindu College. Most of the vehicles in the town as well as the heavy and medium vehicles coming from and going to other destinations have to pass through this level crossing. With the rapid increase in vehicular traffic, people started raising demand for an ROB way back in 1980s. The project reports were prepared a number of times in the past, but due to opposition from shopkeepers of Geeta Bhawan, Mandi and Gohana roads as well as the Hindu College management for the want of alternative land, the authorities were forced to abandon the project. Though ROB was constructed at level crossing on the Rohtak road about two decades back as it was on the outer municipal limits, it proved not so useful for the people of most of the localities here.
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MDU turns down colleges’ plea on PG courses
Jhajjar, October 30 The directorate of distance education (DDE) of Maharshi Dayanand University had turned down their long-pending demand of running PG courses through distance education. Only those affiliated colleges had been allowed to start PG courses through distance mode where regular post graduation classes are being run. This decision had been taken keeping in view the recommendation of a committee, which was constituted for deliberations on the various features of
the demand. According to committee’s report, affiliated colleges that do not run regular PG courses could not be allowed to run the same in distance mode. Whereas the colleges are of the view that if they start regular PG courses on their campus then there would be no need to run the same courses through distance mode here. According to information, several colleges affiliated with MDU had made representation to the university, seeking permission to run PG courses. They urged the university that since they were not running any PG course, there was plenty of scope to run such PG courses. The colleges also maintained that it would not only help in generating income for the university, but also enhance the strength of students. Sources said a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of dean academic affairs Surender Kumar by the vice-chancellor to ponder over
the demand. After discussing the existing practice of offering post graduate courses through distance mode, the committee turned down the demand of affiliated colleges at its
meeting held recently in the university.
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Citizen’s Voice
People of Haryana are fond of literature and art and believe in the tenet of simple living and high thinking. The literature of this province is enjoyable and popular.
Folk-songs, legends and “swangs” of this area reflect contemporary life. A special characteristic of the folk literature of Haryana is that it reflects culture, traditions, way of life and the festivals of the state. All sections of the society are amply represented in its literature — be it the huts of farmers or mansions of the kings. Folk songs of Haryana give glimpses of India’s freedom struggle marriages, family relationship, and the pangs of separation experienced by a soldier’s wife. The proverbs and plays of this area are also very impressive “Swangs” and plays are staged in the open area in villages
and towns. It is but natural that many fairs and festivals are celebrated in this land of sages, saints and gods. These fairs and festivals can be categorised according to their national and regional significance. Evidently all national festivals are celebrated here with great gusto. At Kurukshetra, a solar eclipse fair is orgainsed and people come from all over the world to have a holy dip in the Sarovar. Pehowa, too, has a big festival in the month of March, where people donate money and materials to propitiate the spirits of their forefathers. In another important place, called Kalayat, a fair is organised in the memory of Kapil Muni. At Ram Rai, festivals of Pooranmasi are held during Baisakhi and Kartik. The state has been named as Haryana because Lord Krishna’s charoit passed through this land. Other people say that at the time of the excavation of the earth there had been a “yajna” continuously at this place. The Vedas were created here and the great teachings of Bhagwad Gita were also delivered here. Haryana has played a key role in India’s struggle for freedom. Mahatma Gandhi came many times to this area in connection with India’s struggle for freedom and the people of the state gave an overwhelming response to him. During the 1857 war of Independence, people of this area revolted against the British government, Raja Nahar Singh, the king of Ballabgarh, fought bravely against the British. The Nawab of Jhajjar was hanged to death during the freedom struggle. Many people were detained and their properties confiscated. During two attacks on free India by Pakistan and China brave soldiers of Haryana gave a tough fight to
the enemy. Haryana’s past has been glorious and dynamic. And so is its present, alive to every nuance of change that goes to make today’s Haryana bristling with social and economic development within a short span of 42 years. For the impressive strings of successes it has achieved. Haryana is known as “the fastest moving state” or as “the state where the action is”. Delhi is surrounded on three sides by Haryana. In fact, Delhi is only five hours driving distance from the farthest point
of Haryana. This locational advantage has placed Haryana on the national and international routes of communication. The proposed National Capital Region covers one-third of the area of Haryana, having the highest industrial growth potential and one-fourth of its population. With a strong infrastructure for power, water and transport, it is naturally a first choice today for
any enterprise. Since there is no hill station in Haryana, the government has very imaginatively developed the concept of highway tourism, using the states’ strategic location advantageously. — The writer is a former chairman of the Haryana Sahitiya Akademy |
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Citizen First
Amidst the present furore over BPL survey that turned into a hot issue among various political parties over the alleged wrong inclusion/exclusion of the names of eligible/ineligible candidates, one point seems to have skipped everyone’s mind. It is pertinent to mention that despite an undertaking given by the central government for evolving a new survey methodology in consultation with special commissioners appointed by the Supreme Court, no action has been taken so far, although it was to be devised latest by the commencement of 11th Five-Year Plan (April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2012). The present state of affairs in Haryana, where a fresh survey was ordered after the last list was scrapped owing to the change of regime, is highly deprecated. BPL has earned the acronym for “badlo purani list” (change the pervious list). This unhealthy practice needs urgent resurrection. The incentives and sops available to deserving BPL families should not be disbursed at the whims and fancies of powers that be.
Hemant Kumar,
Ambala city
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Panipat, October 30