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Financial aid for non-school going differently abled
Chandigarh, January 1 According to a spokesman for the social justice and empowerment department, the government has also decided to construct day care centre and clubs for the aged in all districts and buildings for these clubs are under construction at Panchkula, Sonipat, Hisar, Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Rohtak. He said management groups were being set up under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners under the scheme of senior citizens voluntary services associations. The services of the management group would be on voluntary basis under which willing senior citizens would take part in day-to-day management. A sum of Rs 3.60 lakh would be provided to each management group annually under the scheme. Identity cards would also be issued to all senior citizens free of cost in order to facilitate them to avail themselves all benefits being given to them under various schemes. He said spectacles costing Rs 200 each were also being provided free of cost to the senior citizens of 60 years or above and who were living below poverty line. Women of 60 years of age and above were being given 50 per cent concession in bus fare. He said the department had spent Rs 469.05 crore up to November 2008, out of the total budget of Rs 706.46 crore earmarked for 2008-09 for the implementation of various welfare schemes. Giving details of the various welfare schemes being implemented by the department, he said old age allowance, handicapped pension and widow pension were being given to the beneficiaries at their doorstep on or before 7th of every month. As many as 1,97,067 new beneficiaries under old age allowance scheme had been identified. Old age allowance and handicapped pension were being paid at the rate of Rs 300 per month, whereas widow pension had been increased from Rs 300 per month to Rs 350 per month. The department every month received applications under widow and handicapped pension scheme and the eligible candidates were sanctioned allowances from the same month. Similarly, the pension to 100 per cent handicapped had also been increased from Rs 300 per month to Rs 600 per month and scholarships ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 750 per month were being provided to the handicapped students. A sum of Rs 500 per month was being given to the families having only girl child/children under the Ladli Social Security Allowance Scheme. He said Kashmiri families, who had migrated from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana and were living in various cities of the state, were being given financial assistance at the rate of Rs 1,000 per month per family. The rate of financial assistance given to the destitute children had also been enhanced from Rs 30 to Rs 100 per child per month and retirement age of employees with 70 per cent or more disability had been increased from 58 to 60 years. The department would set up a state level project for mentally retarded children at Rohtak for which construction of building at a cost of Rs 2.18 crore had already been completed. Two new observation homes for undertrial juveniles would be set up at Ambala and Hisar. Grant for marriage of young widow or daughter of inmates of Mahila Ashrams, Karnal, Rohtak, and Kasturba Sewa Sadan, Faridabad, and young inmate of state After Care Home for girls, Karnal, had been enhanced from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
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HUDA’s horticulture wing in full bloom
Chandigarh, January 1 It is proud of the fact that the responsibility of maintaining gardens at the official residence of the Chief Minister wrests with it. Impressed by its work at the Chief Minister’s residence, even Governor wanted HUDA’s horticulture wing to maintain the lawns and gardens of the Raj Bhawan also. But the government decided that the Raj Bhawan should be looked after by the horticulture wing of the Public Works Department, which is slowly loosing its shine. Besides looking after the development and maintenance of neighbourhood parks, open spaces, green belts and roadside plantation in all urban estates developed by HUDA, its horticulture wing earned a name for itself by developing several special gardens in various towns of the state. In Panchkula alone, it has developed special gardens in about 510 acres, which include Town Park, Nirjar Vatika, City Fountain, Silver Jubilee Garden, Topiary Park, Cactus Garden and Herbal Park. Among the projects under way in Panchkula are Rajiv Gandhi Walkers Paradise Park in 140 acres in Sector 1, Mansa Devi Complex (MDC); special garden in 30 acres near Health Club in the same sector; Modal Park in Sector 4 of the MDC; and Bougainvillea Garden in Sector 26. When one drives along the GT Road, one is pleasantly surprised to find at least one large park along the national highway in each district. The credit goes to the horticulture wing. The wing expanded its wings outside the HUDA areas when the Chief Minister entrusted it with the maintenance and development of parks and gardens owned by other departments also. Some of them are Rao Tula Ram Park in Rewari; Mansarovar Park and D Park in Rohtak; Amty Talak Park in Hansi; Town Park in Meham; Town Park in Kalanaur; Dussehra Ground park in Palwal; Town Park and Shahidi Park in Jhajjar; Bansi Lal Memorial Park, B.D. Gupta Memorial Park and Bhojawala Park in Bhiwani. It also organises annual flower shows at most of the district headquarters.
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Revised pay scales: PR officials allege discrimination
Sirsa, January 1 But the new pay scales of various government departments announced by the state government in pursuant to the recommendations of the sixth pay commission have left the officials of this department fuming. The public relation officers rue that they have been given a raw deal in the recent pay scales announced by the government without considering the nature of duties they have been performing. "With a view to meeting the requirement of their challenging job, the PR officers have to work hard round the clock under strenuous conditions to popularise the policies, programmes and achievements of the state government. In case of any calamity, unpleasant situation or disaster, the PR department does all the firefighting and damage control. But so far as the service conditions and pay and perks of the PR officers are concerned, they are the most neglected ones," said an officer. "The recent pay revision has further made the PR professionals feel that their services are not being recognised in the right perspective by the government as many classes of employees, who has now been placed in the same or higher pay scale are lesser qualified than their officers. So much so that the PR officers have been placed below the matron and masters, who used to be one grade less than them till this revision," he added. He said a case for pay revision was already under consideration for the past four years and recently, it was also approved by the Chief Minister, but things seemed to have been brought to square one with this decision as despite the district public relations officers being district level officers, they had been placed below their district counterparts. "This has not only left us poorer in terms of money but has also made the professional task of DPROs hard as it becomes difficult for a low paid officer to get the desired information from other district level officers due to their higher pay scales,” reasoned another DPRO. He said the essential educational qualification fixed for the direct recruitment of a PRO was higher than the officers, who had been granted higher pay scales and status. The minimum qualification required for the post of DPRO/PRO is postgraduation with second class and PG diploma in mass communication as well as two years experience. The public relation department have given their representations to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and chief secretary Dharmvir and have demanded that the assistant public relation officers be granted class-II status with pay scale of Rs 9300-34800+4200, the DPROs/PROs be granted class-I status with pay scale of Rs 15,600-39,100+5,400 and the deputy directors with class-I status and pay scale of Rs 15,600-39,100+6,000.
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MDU campus to be WiFi-enabled
Rohtak, January 1 MDU will be one of the selected universities in the country to have such a facility. The work of setting up the required infrastructure is in full swing and is likely to get completed by the end of this month. The system is likely to cost several crores of rupees. Sources say the initiative has come up after vice-chancellor RP Hooda acted on a proposal by members of the teaching faculty and officials, with a view to facilitating instant communication and e-governance on the campus. The project is being executed by HCL Infosystems. The major highlight of this project is the state-of-art integrated telephony and internet system on the campus. The integrated network system will pave the way for efficient office management system as well as video-conferencing. This system provides for high-speed high bandwidth and optic fibre connectivity to all offices/departments of the university. This new integrated telephony and internet system will provide wireless connectivity through access points at major locations viz. IMSAR building, central library, University Institute of Engineering & Technology, department of computer science and applications, faculty house, vice-chancellor's office and faculty of law.
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People ‘unaware’ of RTI Act
Sirsa, January 1 This was stated by Raj Kumar Siwatch, reader in the department of public administration of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, while addressing NSS volunteers of local Government National PG College on the concluding day of their winter camp recently. Ashok Bhatia, former principal of Government College, Shiv Lal Singla, RK Sharma, Shish Pal, Ramesh Kamboj, Samriti Kamboj and Sajjan Kumar, all college lecturers, were present on the occasion. Siwatch said due to a lack of awareness, only a few people like advocates, teachers and journalists had so far invoked the provisions of the Act. “Farmers, labourers, poor and downtrodden, who are exploited the most by the authorities, do not have the knowledge about the Act,” he said. “Lack of inquisitive nature is also a major factor for not using the Act,” he added. He said often people seek and even get the desired information from the authorities concerned, but they had no idea how to use that information to expose the erring officials. He also regretted the common trend of providing misleading information by certain authorities to scuttle the benefits of the Act to its users. He informed the students that certain categories of information like privilege communications between husband and wife, advocate and client and doctor and patient, besides information deterrent to national security were exempted.
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No shortage of coal for power plants, says Surjewala
Kaithal, January 1 He said all farmers in state who had submitted their test reports till December 31, 2007, had been granted tubewell connections. Under the power transmission improvement system, which was being introduced in the state, each tubewell would have its independent transformer, which would not only augment the power supply to the agricultural sector but also help in reducing power losses and benefit the consumer. Elaborating further about the ongoing and completed power projects in Kaithal district, the minister said the state government had made a plan to strengthen the transmission and distribution network of the district under which Rs 500 crore would be spent during the next 12-18 months. The major planned works included providing independent transformers to 37,354 tubewell consumers, setting up of 18 new substations, augmentation of five existing substations, provision of a transformer repair workshop, installation of new distribution transformers and central store and erection of new lines etc. Surjewala also laid the foundation stone of the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyut Bhawan at Pehowa Chowk, here, to be constructed by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam at an estimated cost of Rs 650 lakhs. Speaking on this occasion, he said the new building would be constructed on green building concept. It had been designed in such a way that there would be maximum use of solar energy. Besides, all energy saving gadgets required for the offices would be installed. He also said that the offices of the nigam would start functioning from one roof following the completion of the bhawan here. Surjewala said the government was making efforts to add 6,000 MW capacity by 2012 out of which the upcoming projects would start power generation from 2009 onwards every year. Simultaneously, the power for the state would be procured through long-term power purchase agreements. Starting a series of the developmental works, the minister also laid the foundation stones of four 33 KV substations at Kutabpur, Chandana, Lander Keema and Budha Kheara villages. These substations would be constructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore and mainly benefit the tubewell consumers. Referring to the works planned for the district, he said it would have 23 new substations within the next two years comprising 220 KV substations at Kaul and Batta near Kalayat, five 132 KV substations at Dhand, Kheri Gulam Ali, Habri, Sitamai and Khurana and 33 KV substations at Sangan, Deora, Sirta, Songri Guliana, Jagdish Pura, Kathwar, Sisla Sismor, Kutabpur, Budha Khera, Chandana, Deeg, Barsana, Kheri Raiwali, Mandi Sadran, Landar Keema and Harnola villages. It would also help minimise unscheduled restrictions due to overloading of the system. He said the UHBVN had completed the work of supplying electricity through aerial bunched cable-based system in seven villages and five residential colonies. Shergarh village of the district had the distinction of becoming the first HVDS village of the state. This has led to significant reduction in complaints relating to power supply and damage to distribution transformers. The results of implementing the new system i.e. HVDS and aerial bunched cable-based system were encouraging and the work was in progress at six more places. Referring to the works completed since April, 2005, he further stated that three 132-KV substations were commissioned at Rajound, Nauch and Rasina and 33-KV substations at Manas, Guhna, Karoda, Urlana, Mahmoodpur, Badsui, Mundri and Kurar. The existing capacity of 220-KV substation Kaithal, 132-KV substation, Kaithal, Pai, and Rajaund and 33 KV substation Daba, Keorak, Paprala, Pharal, Habri, Teontha, Teek and Kawartan had been augmented. As many as 4,091 new distribution transformers had been added to strengthen the distribution network. The UHBVN had also released 1,247 new tubewell connections during this period. Besides, 580-km long high-tension lines and 677-km long low-tension lines were added in the system. Parliamentary secretary and MLA Dillu Ram, Kaithal MLA Shamsher Singh Surjewala, MLA Pai Tejinder Pal Singh Man, Haryana Power Utilities chairman OS Lohchab, deputy commissioner Amneet P Kumar, SP Sultan Singh, UHBVN director AK Tandon, DCC president Randhir Rana and HPCC secretary Dilbagh Mor and senior officers of the district administration were present on the occasion.
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Kinnow processing plant to be set up in Sirsa
Sirsa, January 1 The kinnow pack house has been set up at a cost of Rs 7 crore and the government plans to set up a kinnow processing plant here soon. K.V. Singh, OSD to the state Chief Minister, who inaugurated the trials, said a kinnow hub would soon be developed at Abubshahr for which Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda would lay the foundation stone later this month. Prem Singh, chief engineer of the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board, said the kinnow pack house would be run on trial for a month. He said four cold storage units had been set up to keep the produce fresh. He said an information centre based on latest techniques would be set up in the pack house so that the farmers could know the latest prices of the fruits.
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Stress laid on safety of workers
Kurukshetra, January 1 Wadhwa was addressing a one-day workshop on safety, health and welfare of brick-kiln and rice mill workers, organised by the directorate of industrial safety and health, labour department, Haryana, at Panchayat Bhawan here recently. He said as these industries were seasonal in nature and had different working processes as compared to regular factories, the problem of safety and health faced by their workers were also peculiar. The brick-kiln and rice mill workers were exposed to dust, which sometimes led to occupational diseases such as silicosis and other respiratory diseases, he added. Wadhwa also stressed the need for providing protective equipment such as nose mask, safety shoes, gloves, goggles, helmets, etc. Safety and health expert SK Mishra, in his presentation, explained the various processes and hazards involved in the brick-kilns and rice mills. Dr Tanveer Singh, head, strategy, planning and coordination, also explained safe working procedures from the National Safety Council. Additional chief inspector of factories, Haryana, SP Arora explained various welfare schemes launched by the Haryana Labour Welfare Board as well as Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Vijay Setia, president, All-India Rice Miller Association, welcomed the delegates while Mewa Ram, former president, Brick-Kiln Association, Yamunanagar, presented the vote of thanks. Additional deputy commissioner Sumedha Kataria, additional director, labour department, DK Saini and district administration officers were among those present on the occasion.
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Aggarwal Sabha holds matrimonial convention
Rewari, January 1 Radhey Shyam Gupta, chairman of the organising committee, along with activists of the Aggarwal Sabha made the convention a success. The convention mainly aimed at active consolidation of members of the Aggarwal Samaj as well as removal of marriage related social evils through the promotion of introductory meetings among marriageable couples and consequent solemnisation of mass marriages. While nearly 50 nubile girls along with their parents participated in the convention, the involvement of marriageable boys along with their guardians went beyond 200. The participants belonged to various parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. As regards lesser representation of girls, Murari Lal Aggarwal, general secretary of the sabha, said one main reason behind such inequality was reluctance on the part of girls’ parents, many of who remained in a state of indecision till the last moment. Educational advancement of girls in the Aggarwal Samaj was quite conspicuous as most of the participating girls were well qualified, possessing postgraduate degrees in arts, science and business management, in sharp contrast to the boys, most of whom were only matriculates. While 50 per cent of the girls were in service, most of the boys were running shops and other business establishments. Personal meetings were also held where boys and girls interacted with one another in the presence of their guardians. Prospective couples and their parents were given five weeks’ time by the sabha to clinch their tie-up following which mass marriage of all such couples would be held in February. Local minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, who addressed the inaugural session of this two-day convention, announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh as “shagun” for the couples on the occasion of their wedding ceremony. Addressing the valedictory session of the convention, Rajya Sabha member and national president of the All-India Vaish Maha Sammelan, Girish Sanghi expressed concern over female foeticide. He exhorted elders of the samaj to lend their assistance in the constitution of such panels as could be instrumental in resolving matrimonial discords. Ashok Buwaniwala, media coordinator to the Chief Minister, who presided over the concluding session, complimented the Aggarwal Sabha for organising such a convention which, he said, was a stepping stone in bridging the gap between the poor and the affluent sections of the Vaish
Samaj.
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NSS camp
Jhajjar, January 1 As many as 100 NSS volunteers from both sexes toiled hard during the camp taking part in cleanliness drive as well as imbibing important lessons of life. Chinki of BA final year and Ram Avtar of BA IInd year were adjudged the best NSS volunteers of the camp. Earlier, college principal OP Ahlawat in his inaugural address said the NSS provided a platform to do social work. Senior faculty member Dr Bimla Deswal called upon the students that they must utilise the NSS to develop their personality and to do social service. Corporate trainer and faculty, INC, Rohtak, Harish Gaur, in his special lecture recently dwelled on various aspects of personality development. Maharshi Dayanand University’s NSS programme co-ordinator Dr Suresh Chander Malik visited and inspected the camp. He urged upon the volunteers to stand up and fight corruption in society. Lecturer Sunit Mukherjee exhorted the students to stand up and take action against injustice in society, fight against wrongdoing, be vigilant against anti-social elements and develop themselves as law-abiding and dutiful citizens of India. Later, the principal gave away certificates and prizes to volunteers. The camp was conducted by programme officers Ashok Kumar and Nirmala. Both programme officers guided the volunteers about the aims and objectives of the
NSS.
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Management college to organise staff development programme
Chandigarh, January 1 According to chairman of the institution, MK Sehgal, the programme intends to facilitate upgrading of knowledge, skill and to provide opportunities for induction training to teachers employed in engineering and technology, pharmacy, MBA, hotel management and catering technology, architecture, town planning and applied arts and crafts. The programme will cover areas such as technical education policy and programmes, new concepts, methods and techniques, theory and skills enrichment and improvement in pedagogy educational technology, motivation, communication skills, management and other relevant issues to keep pace with the changing scenario in technical education. Newly recruited teachers having less than or up to five years of experience in technical education in the AICTE-approved institutions are eligible to participate. At the end of the programme, the participants will be awarded certificates.
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The wing, which came into existence with just two subdivisions in Panchkula and Faridabad in 1979, has come a long way. Now, it has a full-fledged circle assisted by three divisions, one each in Panchkula, Gurgaon and Hisar, and 10 subdivisions.