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Assembly
Health issues dominate Q-Hour
Hooda rules out mid-term assembly polls
8 Bills passed
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Separate Gurdwara Panel
Paswan opens state’s first Jan Aushadhi store
File detailed affidavit, court tells Haryana
2 girls kidnapped, gangraped
Police ‘Atrocities’
Now, year-long contract for guest teachers
Teachers: Implement pay panel recommendations
Govt docs to get more
Mills falling prey to sugarcane shortage
Rasam pagri of Vidya Devi held
Train services disrupted
Proclaimed offender arrested
Minor escapes kidnap bid
CRPF constable cremated
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Assembly
Chandigarh, February 20 This was stated in the interim report submitted by a committee of the Haryana Assembly placed before the House today. The committee was set up by the House to examine the circumstances under which the MoU on the Yamuna waters was signed and how the Haryana Cabinet was misled on the agreement which reduced the share of the state in the Yamuna waters from 67 per cent to 47 per cent. Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee, Speaker Raghuvir Singh Kadian, said due to the non-cooperation of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, who had signed the MoU, the report could not be submitted during the September 2008 session of the House. Later Irrigation Minister Ajay Singh Yadav said following the view of the Law Ministry, Haryana would be able to press its demand that it should be given its share in power and water from the proposed Kishau and Lakhwar Vyasi Dam in proportion to its share in the Yamuna waters. He said Haryana also wanted that these dams should be controlled by an agency on the pattern of the Bhakra-Beas Management Board. Meanwhile, the Union Government has decided that these projects would have the status of national projects and it would give 90 per cent of the cost as grant while the rest would be shared by the partner states.
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Health issues dominate Q-Hour
Chandigarh, February 20 Congress MLA Karan Dalal was the first to lift the lid on the health issue, seeking to know if a 1200-bedded hospital was under the government’s consideration in the newly created district of Palwal to which the reply was affirmative. However, he followed this up with a supplementary, wanting to know the status of a trauma centre sanctioned for Palwal. INLD MLAs - Dr Sushil Indora and Dr Sita Ram - sought to know why doctors were quitting government jobs and why new recruits were not joining despite selections. They wanted to know the fate of the Chief Minister’s announcement that doctors would get salaries on par with their counterparts in Punjab. To this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala replied that doctors chosen against vacancies were in the process of joining. “For the first time, we have introduced a system of recruitment by way of which doctors will be recruited all year through. As many as 190 doctors have already joined. We are hoping to fill up the vacancies very soon and members are free to write about the demand for doctors in their areas and forward the requirement to the Health Department,” he explained Shamsher Singh Surjewala too raised the issue of a trauma centre sanctioned for Kaithal to which Sumita Singh said though a trauma centre was in place in Karnal, there was no CT scan available. The minister assured all members that adequate funds were available with the department and demands of all areas, hospitals and dispensaries would be taken care of. On the issue of upgrade of a primary health centre to a community health centre in Pundri, raised by Dinesh Kaushik, Surjewala said the file for sanction of staff had been moved and the government would try to hasten the process in this financial year. Surjewala said there should be no discrimination within districts on subsidy in agriculture implements, weedicides and pesticides.
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Hooda rules out mid-term assembly polls
Karnal, February 20 Hooda, who was here to flag off the “shukrana yatra” of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (ad hoc) told mediapersons that any such move was not even in his remote thought and blamed the opposition for spreading canards. Asserting that the government would complete its full term, he asked the people not to be misled by false propaganda. Referring to the vexed issue of a separate gurdwara committee for Haryana, Hooda said any decision on the issue would be taken on the basis of the Chattha Committee report, which was yet to be submitted. Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off the “shukrana yatra” from Dera Kar Sewa. The yatra, which commenced from Sirsa, Dabwali, on February 1, had arrived here last night. A large number of devotees paid obeisance to relics of Guru Gobind Singh and other religious symbols collected from different Sikh shrines. These symbols adorning the yatra were displayed to enable the people to learn about these symbols. Hooda was presented a siropa by Jagdish Singh Jhinda.
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8 Bills passed
Chandigarh, February 20 The INLD members were protesting against what they called the endeavour of the government to help certain private persons by amending the Private Universities Act by reducing reservation for Haryana domicile students in the universities having collaboration with reputed foreign universities or institutions. The House passed the Haryana Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Bill, 2009, which prohibits the sowing of paddy nurseries and transplantation before June 15 of the year, or on such date as may be notified by the state government. It also approved the Haryana Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2009, to protect doctors and medical institutions from any kind of violence. The Haryana Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2009, and the Haryana Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2009, introduced by Finance Minister Birender Singh were also passed. Among the other bills passed by the Assembly were the Haryana Service of Engineers, Group A, Public Health Engineering Department Bill, 2009, the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2009, and the Haryana Private Universities (Second Amendment) Bill, 2009, the Haryana Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2009, and the Haryana Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2009. Later the House adjourned sine die. |
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Separate Gurdwara Panel
Chandigarh, February 20 About three years ago, a committee was set up by the government under the chairmanship of Chatha to examine the issue as a first step towards setting up a body independent of the Amritsar-based SGPC for Haryana. For all these years, the committee sat on the report, perhaps in view of the strong opposition by the Punjab Akalis. But the journey is still long. Chatha has himself suggested that his report should be examined by a three-member committee headed by the Advocate-General of the state. During zero hour of the last day of the budget session of the Assembly, Chatha made a suo motu statement that he had submitted the report to Hooda in a sealed cover. He refused to disclose its contents but added that he had advised the Chief Minister to set up the three-member committee. Later he told The Tribune that the report did not mention anything about the committee. It was his personal suggestion to the Chief Minister. He said under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, Haryana had the power to set up the separate SGPC. Hooda also said he would set up the AG-led committee today itself and its report would come before the next session of the Assembly. The Chatha committee had received over 1.25 lakh affidavits in support of the separate SGPC. The maximum number of affidavits (41,206) were received from Sirsa district, followed by Kurukshetra (27,325), Kaithal (15, 250), Hisar (13,493), Ambala (12,742), Yamuanagar (12,000) and Karnal (10, 540). There are about 100 gurdwaras in Haryana, out of which about 50 are under the control of the Amritsar-based SGPC.
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Paswan opens state’s first Jan Aushadhi store
Gurgaon, February 20 Generic medicines will be available at rates much lower than the prevailing market prices at the store, which will remain open round the clock on all seven days of week. Paswan lamented that medicines were sold to people at prices many times higher than their cost of production. “Hence, in an attempt to provide quality medicines available to common people at affordable costs, the Union Government has launched a campaign to open such stores in all districts of the country,” Paswan maintained. He revealed that this store was third in the country after Delhi and Amritsar. Haryana Governor AR Kidwai, who was the chief guest on the occasion, described the opening of the store as a revolutionary step. He pointed out that the Haryana government had ensured that OPD patients got their prescribed medicines free of cost at the state hospitals. Ashok Kumar, secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, said the underlying idea behind the opening of the store was to reduce per capita expenditure on healthcare, thereby increasing its reach and radius. Addressing a press conference after the inauguration ceremony, the Union Minister asserted that necessary provisions were being made in the law to introduce life imprisonment for persons found involved in manufacturing spurious drugs.
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File detailed affidavit, court tells Haryana
Chandigarh, February 20 Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia has asked the state counsel to inform the court when the meeting of the state-level committee, headed by the state Chief Minister, was held for the purpose of considering
the issue. The directions follow a petition filed by a Rohtak resident, on whose plea the high court had on October 30, last year, directed the competent authority to consider premature release. During the course of hearing of his present plea, an affidavit was filed before the high court stating the Director-General of Police was not the competent authority to decide the premature release cases of life convicts. It was to be considered and decided by the state-level committee constituted for the purpose. The committee, it was added, comprised the Chief Minister, the Financial Commissioner, the Director-General of Prisons and others. As the matter came up for hearing, Justice Ahluwalia observed the affidavit was filed in December last year. The case was listed for hearing after a gap of over a month and a half. But the state counsel had not been able to divulge the latest information. Otherwise also,
the affidavit too lacked information. Justice Ahluwalia granted liberty to the state to file a “better affidavit”. Elaborating, Justice Ahluwalia directed the affidavit should specify when, in the petitioner’s case, the copy of the order dated October 30, last year, was received and when was the “necessary proposal put up before the state level committee”. The affidavit should also specify when the committee held the meeting and whether the petitioner’s case was considered or not, the Judge added. Before parting, Justice Ahluwalia asserted: “Copy of the order be given to the state government for compliance, failing which the inspector-general of police, Haryana, and member secretary of the state-level committee shall remain present in court…. Necessary affidavit be filed within a week”. The case will now come up for further hearing on March 4. It may be recalled the Apex Court, in Mahender Singh’s case, had recently held the policy in currency on the date of conviction would govern a prisoner’s plea for premature release. |
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2 girls kidnapped, gangraped
Sonepat, February 20 The police has reportedly registered a case against Rakesh and Dinesh of Baghru village and Ravinder, Bijender and another Ravinder of Tihar Khurd village on a complaint of the fathers of the victims. However, no arrests have been made so far. According to the complaint, the girls had gone out of their houses on February 17, but did not return home. They reached home the next day and informed their families that they were allegedly abducted in a car by the alleged accused and gangraped near Bhatgaon village. The alleged accused dropped the girls near their village the next morning. The fathers of the girls lodged a complaint with the police on Wednesday. A medical examination was conducted in the local Civil Hospital, which confirmed rape. The police has registered a case against the alleged accused. |
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Police ‘Atrocities’
Gurgaon, February 20 He was transferred to Karnal after the incident on December 23 after the people had protested here. A team under the leadership of the ACP had entered Jama Masjid and beaten up people residing there. They also detained 150-odd persons in one room for the whole night. They were released the next day, as the police had failed to recover or establish anything. The move of the police was criticised by political, social and religious leaders of all communities. Later, several panchayats under the leadership of Ch Zakir Hussain, former MLA and candidate for the BSP Gurgaon Lok Sabha seat, were held against the incidents of police atrocities demanding suspension of the ACP and lodging of FIR against erring police officials. However, the government only transferred the ACP and suspended two constables, which were reinstated back in a few days.
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Now, year-long contract for guest teachers
Chandigarh, February 20 Announcing that guest teachers would now be taken on a year-long contract instead of being paid on a period basis, Hooda said weightage in the fresh recruitment of teachers, enhancement in remuneration and the facility of gazetted holidays and casual leave would also be extended to them. The Chief Minister, who made the announcement on the floor of the House, said lecturers would be paid Rs 13,500 per month, masters would get Rs 11,000 per month and JBT teachers Rs 10,000 per month.These would come into force from April 1. Later, speaking to mediapersons in the press gallery, he said the government would start the process to recruit 1,607 lecturers, 3,000 masters and 11,000 JBT teachers. While making this recruitment, the guest teachers would be exempted from passing the State Teachers Eligibility Test and they would get weightage for experience. The guest teachers would also get relaxation in the maximum age limit, which would be equal to their teaching experience in government schools. Adding another Rs 501 to the kitty of pensioners on a one-time basis, he said the amount would be given to all senior citizens on April 1 to buy a turban, a walking stick and a shawl of their choice under the Vridhavastha Samman Bhata Yojna. Making light of a question on whether the Assembly elections could be held with the parliamentary poll, Hooda said everything was a possibility in politics but as of now, there was no likelihood of holding Assembly elections immediately. “However, tomorrow is another day. How can I comment on it today?” he quipped. Hooda added that a communication had been sent to the Central Government to give minority status to the Jain community in the state.
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Teachers: Implement pay panel recommendations
Kurukshetra, February 20 Dr Kaushal said the state government had already given the benefit of the pay panel recommendations to all its employees while the decision for the university and college teachers was awaited. He said the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India, in its notification dated December 31, 2008, had clearly mentioned about the early implementation of the pay panel recommendations in the light of the UGC pay review committee. In response to a call given by the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation for the early implementation of the pay panel recommendations for the teachers of universities and colleges, a large number of teachers would participate in the demonstration scheduled to be held on the premises of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on February 23, 2009, Dr Kaushal added. KUTA secretary Parmesh Kumar said the MHRD notification had already been sent to all states for implementation. Out of the total outlay, 80 per cent of the additional burden caused by the revised pay scales would be borne by the Central government and a majority of the state governments had already started the process of its implementation.
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Govt docs to get more
Chandigarh, February 20 The basic pay plus NPA should not exceed Rs 85,000 per month. The NPA shall be treated as part of pay for the purpose of dearness allowance (DA), entitlement of loans and advances and TA/DA only. A notification to this effect was issued by the Finance Department this evening. |
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Mills falling prey to sugarcane shortage
Karnal, February 20 At least six out of 15 sugar mills in these areas were closed in January due to the unavailability of sugarcane for crushing. The shortage of sugarcane was so acute that the Phapharana Sugar Mill in the Assandh area of Karnal, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Sngh Hooda on December 19, 2008, was closed after just 22 days as the growers were not coming forward with their produce. The 2,500 TCD capacity mill, installed by HAFED at a cost of Rs 80 crore and commissioned within record time, was supposed to provide relief to cane growers but now it is waiting for a bail out. Baksi Ram, principal scientist with Sugarcane Research Institute, said farmers were more inclined to cultivate jeeri and ghaun as it fetched better prices. Moreover, farmers suffered losses in 2006-2007 in spite of record production of sugarcane as they failed to get higher prices and the increased cost of labour could not be neutralised. The diminishing returns in spite of claims of the Haryana government to give highest MSP for sugarcane forced the farmers to change the cropping pattern and shift to other crops. As per the available data, there was significant decline in area under sugarcane cultivation, which had gone down by 33 per cent from 1.40 lakh hectares in 2007-08 to 94,000 hectares in 2008-09. Compared to 2002-03, when area under sugarcane production was 1.89 lakh hectares, the area had been reduced by 50 per cent during the past six years. The sugar production, which was 355.5 million tonnes in 2006-07, marginally decreased to 345.6 million tonnes in 2007-08 but it was expected to dip to 294.7 million tonnes in 2008-09. Normally, the crushing season stretched up to the first week of April but it had shrunk to the first week of January, affecting not only sugar production but also the production of power and bio-diesel. A co-generation power plant with 12 MW capacities was to be set up with Papharana Sugar Mill, but all plans have gone haywire.
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Rasam pagri of Vidya Devi held
Bhiwani, February 20 Meanwhile, a havan was performed at Ch Bansi Lal’s residence. Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhry, Shruti Choudhry, Arunabh, Raghbir Singh, brother of late Bansi Lal, Brig Atma Singh (retd) and his wife Sarla Devi, parents of Kiran Choudhry, and her brother Ashok Choudhry attended the ceremony. Kiran Choudhry said it was a great loss to her and family. “My mother-in-law was a big shield for my family after the demise of my husband Surender Singh,” she added. Shruti, daughter of Kiran Choudhry, said this was the third incident during the past four years. “My grandmother was the backbone of our family and her demise has left a vacuum in our lives,” added Shruti. Condolence messages were sent by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Haryana Governor AR Kidwai, former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee and Union Ministers P Chidambram, Arjun Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Kamalnath, Prem Gupta, Hans Raj Bhardwaj and Renuka Chaudhary. |
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Train services disrupted
Sonepat, February 20 The train was scheduled to arrive around 2 pm at the Sonepat railway station but the train arrived around 5 pm. The protestors did not allowed other trains to cross and it affected the running of at least five other trains on this track. No sooner the train from the Delhi railway station reached at Khera Kalan, the women travelling in different compartments got down from the train and sat in dharna on the tracks. The protestors were alleging that despite their repeated pleas with the railway authorities to meet this demand, the authorities had kept their neglecting attitude. |
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Proclaimed offender arrested
Fatehabad, February 20 Accused Mukhtiar Singh had entered the house of a local lawyer on August 29, 2004, and had threatened to kill him. He had also opened fire at the residence of the lawyer and had been declared PO on November 5, 2007. Mukhtiar was to appear in a local court today in connection with a separate case and the fact was in the knowledge of the special staff of the police to nab proclaimed offenders. However, none of the cop identified the accused. When the court official announced the case of Mukhtiar, a man started moving inside the court. When a cop tried to nab him, he slipped away from his grip and tried to run away. However, the cops raised an alarm and the accused was nabbed inside the court complex.
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Minor escapes kidnap bid
Fatehabad, February 20 Today, the victim’s father lodged a complaint with the police in this regard and the police has registered an FIR under Sections 376, 511, 363, 354 and 34 of the IPC for attempt to rape, kidnapping and outraging the modesty of woman against two youths Prem and
Kala, both from the Samain village. Her father has alleged in his complaint that his 11-year-old daughter, who studies in class IV in the village school, was coming to her residence from the school on February 16, when Prem and Kala allegedly forced her into their car and took away to fields. The girl narrated the incident to her parents. Her father raised the matter before the village
panchayat, but when the matter could not be sorted out at the village level, he lodged a formal complaint with the police today. |
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CRPF constable cremated
Jhajjar, February 20 He had lost his life during an encounter with Naxals in the Conked sector of Chhattisgarh. A large numbers of villagers gathered to pay their last respects to the valiant soldier. Virender Yadav, elder brother of the martyr, lit the pyre. A contingent of the CRPF and the Haryana police reversed arms and fired shots in the air to pay tributes to the martyr. SDM Satyender Duhan laid a wreath on behalf of the district administration. |
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Gurgaon, February 20
