Rohtak, August 15
Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia hoisted the national flag, inspected the Guard of Honour and took salute from security contingents at the state-level Independence Day function held in the Police Lines Ground here today.

Paying his tributes to the martyrs and freedom fighters, the Governor said, “We are indebted to them and we should never forget the role played by our national leaders, who suffered innumerable ordeals and even sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

Appreciating the role of the people of the state during the freedom movement he said Haryana was not only proud of its participation in the freedom movement but also its role in defending the frontiers from the foreign invaders after freedom.

The leaders from the state, who participated actively in the movement, included Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram, Dada Ganeshi Lal, Pandit Neki Ram Sharma, Lala Shyam Lal, Choudhary Matu Ram, Pandit Siriram Sharma and Choudhary Ranbir Singh and many others. Haryana was also proud of the fact that 11 per cent of the Jawans in the Indian Defence Forces were from here, he added.

The Governor said the state government had been providing a number of concessions, facilities and other financial benefits to families and dependents of the freedom fighters and ex-servicemen. He said the present state government had increased the monthly pension of freedom fighters and their widows from Rs 1,525 to Rs 6,000. Similarly, the state government has increased financial aid to Rs 51,000 for the marriage of orphan daughters of ex-servicemen, he added.

The Governor said the country and the state had produced record production of foodgrains, which was adequate for meeting the food requirements. He also highlighted the importance of drinking water and asked the people to save it.

The contingents of the Haryana Armed Police, Haryana Women Police, Home guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides presented an impressive march past on this occasion. The Parade was led by Shashank Anand. The Jawans of the Haryana police showed a unique PT show.

The horse riding, motor bikes and yoga feats were also performed by the Jawans of the Haryana police. Schoolchildren participated in a variety cultural programme projecting the national and patriotic spirit on theoccasion.

The Governor said that Monday would also be a holiday for the educational institutes of the district. An award of Rs 51,000 was also announced for the police Jawans who participated in the unique PT show at the function.

Jind, August 15
As many as 43 persons from various fields were honoured at the Independence Day function held at Government College grounds here today.

Parliamentary Secretary Rao Dan Singh was the chief guest at the occasion.

Those who were honoured included Sachin Kumar, a student of a private school in Julana town. He had secured top position in the class X exams of the Haryana Education Board.

Vandana, another student who secured 85.58 per cent marks in BA exams of Kurukshetra University, was among those who were given appreciation award at the function.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Sahdev Singh, who managed to apprehend as many as 15 proclaimed offenders and 55 other criminals during the past one year, was also honoured by the chief guest on behalf of the state government.

Three more policemen, including an ASI, a head constable, a constable, about nine officials of various departments, including APRO Sube Singh, several teachers and employees of the district administrations were also honoured for their services.

Earlier, the chief guest took salute of the parade after unfurling the National Flag at a function organised here by the district administration.

He appealed the people to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and martyrs. He said the government was making all efforts to recognise the services of soldiers and their dependents through various schemes.

He said the state government would ensure round-the-clock power and water supply to every part of the state and the district besides providing all basic amenities.

Gurgaon, August 15
In an initiative aimed at inducing a scientific approach in the functioning of government agencies, the local HUDA authorities have joined hands with an NGO to repair potholed roads here.

The NGO, the Navyug Nirman Charitable Trust, submitted a report on potholes on 79 Gurgaon roads along with photographs and global positioning system (GPS) information regarding these to the local HUDA Administrator, Deepti Umashankar, at her office here recently.

The president of the NGO, Kunal Bhadoo, said 550 potholes were found on 52 of the city roads surveyed with the help of a GPS receiver. Of the remaining roads, the survey found 20 without any potholes, while seven were under construction.

Talking to The Tribune, Umashankar asserted that with the specific information provided in the report, the spots that needed to be repaired could be pinpointed.

“The roads constructed during the past one year can be got repaired as the contractors entrusted with the job are liable to carry out the repair work on the roads made by them for a year after their construction,” she said, adding that that they would soon invite tenders for the remaining repair work.

The Administrator directed HUDA Chief Engineer Amreek Singh to carry out the formalities required for the purpose.

Gurgaon Additional Deputy Commissioner Praveen Kumar, who had been directed by the HUDA Administrator to coordinate the survey exercise, said the experiment could be replicated in many other aspects of local governance. He gave an assurance that the other government departments concerned like the PWD (B&R) and the Municipal Corporation would be asked to take prompt action on the report.

Yamunanagar, August 15
The wives of 32 martyrs of the district, who had lost their lives for the country, including Subedar Ranbir Singh, were honoured by State Cooperative Minister Meena Rani at a function to mark Independence Day at Tejli stadium here today. They were presented shawls.

Late Subedar Ranbir Singh got a distinguish place because of his extreme courage. He was a member of the team that had foiled a major infiltration bid by a heavily armed group of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on July 3, 2008.

Despite the fact that two of his teammates had sustained bullet injuries, he continued fighting with great courage. While fighting terrorists, Ranbir Singh sustained fatal gunshot injuries.

Meena Rani unfurled the National Flag and also took salute from the contingents of the police, home guards and the NCC led by DSP Mukesh Kumar at Tejli Stadium here.

Cultural items prepared by students of various schools and colleges were cancelled due to heavy rain.

Addressing the gathering, she highlighted the development works done by the state government and the central government in the state.

She said the power problem in the state would be solved after the completion of various power projects started by the government.

Martyrs whose wives were honoured include Ranbir Singh, Navin Kumar Mehta, Mangal Singh, Parveen Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Jattan Singh, Jagdish Ram, Iqbal Singh, Satbir Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Gurmej Singh, Jasbir Singh, Mohinder Singh, Joginder Singh, Mukhtiar Singh, Satbir Singh, Dayal Chand, Jagir Singh, Kartar Singh, Makhan Singh, Jit Singh, Rajender Singh, Neeraj Malik, Suraj, Sukhwinder Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Mangat Ram, Balwinder Singh, Harmel Singh, Mehar Singh, Baldev Singh and Ali Ahmed.

Rewari, August 15
Irate villagers, including family members of the deceased, blocked traffic on the Rewari-Narnaul road at Chandpura village, 32 km from here, yesterday in protest against the murder of Ranvir Khinchi (45), branch manager of the Gurgaon Gramin Bank of Gaud Balaha town of Mahendragarh district.

Ranvir Khinchi was shot dead by miscreants in the bank on August 13.

The two miscreants also looted over Rs 2 lakh from the bank after which they fled on a motorcycle.

Demanding a CBI probe into the case, Krishna Khinchi, wife of the deceased , alleged that hirelings of a legislator were behind the murder of her husband.

The blockade was lifted after the intervention of ASP Sukhbir Singh and SDM Sujan Singh of Narnaul, who gave an assurance that a full-fledged investigation would be conducted after which the guilty would be brought to book.

Rohtak, August 15
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, on the occasion of Independence Day, here today announced that all patients coming to the Pt. B.D.S.Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, for treatment at its Out Patient Departments (OPDs) would get medicines free of cost with effect from November 1, which happens to be Haryana Day.

Hooda said that at present free medicines were being given to the OPD patients at all other health institutes in the state, including district hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres since January 2009.

Free medicines were also being given to all patients coming to the emergency units and for all ante-natal services.Hooda said that on an average 5,000 patients visited the OPDs at PGIMS, Rohtak, daily for treatment.

He said that with the introduction of the facility of free medicines, the number of patients coming to the health institutes of the government had increased considerably.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while inaugurating the first mental health institute of the state in Rohtak today. — PTI 

Fatehabad, August 15
Certain officials of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) seem to be undoing the benefits of the government policy of electrification of houses of poor by providing power connections to families living below poverty line (BPL) free of cost.

The government has recently launched the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme under which the district rural development agency (DRDA) has been lighting the houses of rural poor living below poverty line (BPL) by providing electricity connections to them though the DHBVN without security deposit or meter costs.

Under the scheme, the DHBVN authorities are supposed to provide electricity connections to BPL families at a payment of Rs 10 only and a sum of Rs 50 per connection is to be charged from them in their bills. Two CFLs are also given to them free of cost in a kit containing some other items.

The DHBVN authorities here have been provided files containing application and agreement forms (A&A forms) and they are supposed to provide these to the applicant families free of cost.

However, villagers from Bhirdana, Jhalnian, Majra and Bhattu Sottar alleged that they had been visiting the DHBVN (sub-urban) office for the past 10 days and they were being told that forms were not available with them.

Eventually, they were guided to a photostat shop, where the files were available for Rs 150 each, they alleged.

“We are not in a position to pay but are managing somehow so that we are not left out from the scheme,” said Gurdial Singh from Bhirdana.

Balwant Singh, superintendent engineer of the DHBVN, said the forms should be available in the office. He said he would look into the complaints. 

Sirsa, August 15
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh today celebrated Independence Day by launching a plantation drive.

The dera chief planted saplings near Kashish Revolving Restaurant of the dera to inaugurate the drive.

Pawan Insan, spokesman of the dera claimed that in a nationwide drive the dera followers planted 67, 34, 356 saplings in six hours.Reports from some places were still awaited, he added.

“The dera followers have planted 32,24,757 plants in Haryana, 24,44,529 saplings in Punjab, over 2 lakh in Delhi, 1.65 lakh in Rajasthan and 7 lakh plants in Uttar Pradesh,” Insan claimed adding that the Dera Sacha Sauda had broken the earlier world record of 54,1,176 plants held by Pakistan in the very first hour of the drive today. 

Kaithal, August 15
Power and Public Health Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala gave his consent for the installation of statute of a martyr of freedom struggle Madan Lal Dhingra at some prominent place in the town here.

Earlier, a delegation of the Punjabi community called on the minister here on Thursday night and made a request in this regard. He said he would ask the Municipal Council authorities to identify a place to install a statute of Shaheed Udham Singh as well as that of Dhingra at some prominent place in the town .

Later, speaking at a function at Partap gate Randeep announced a grant of Rs 2.50 lakh for the construction of a concrete road from partap gate to Shiv Vatika cremation ground and construction of the Khurana road at a cost of Rs 75 lakh.

He also announced a grant of Rs 16 lakh for the installation of streetlights and electric poles on the road connecting town wards with the Shergarh road.

He said the construction work of Bidhikiyar lake was in full swing and this place would become an attractive spot for residents.

Chandigarh, August 15
The Haryana government has transferred six IAS and 12 HCS officers with immediate effect.

Shrikant Walgad, awaiting orders of posting, has been posted as Special Secretary, Home-I, Director and Special Secretary, Archives and Archeology and Museums Department, in addition.

A Mona Sreenivas, SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Bhiwani, has been posted as ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Mahendragarh, vice RC Bidhan, who becomes ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Bhiwani, in place of Ashok Kumar Meena, who goes as ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Karnal vice WS Goyat, who goes ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Panipat, vice Sanjeev Verma.

Verma will be now inquiry officer, HSAMB, Panchkula, against a vacant post.

Atul Kumar, SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Sirsa, goes as SDM, Nuh, vice IP Bishnoi, who has been appointed as SDM-cum-Additional Collector, Firozpur Jhirka, in place of Umed Singh Mohan, who goes as SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Sirsa.

Dusmanta Kumar Behera, SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Jagadhri, has been posted as SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Bhiwani, vice A Mona Sreenivas.

Khetmalis Makrand Pandurang, SDM, Fatehabad, will be the new SDM, Ratia, vice JK Abhir, who goes as SDM-cum-Additional Collector, Fatehabad.

BB Kaushik, Additional Director (Admn), Urban Local Bodies, goes as ADC-cum-CEO, DRDA, Jind, vice Geeta Bharti, who becomes MD, Cooperative Sugar Mill, Karnal, in place of Satbir Singh Kundu, who becomes SDM, Indri, against newly created post.

Sunita Verma, Joint Commissioner, MC, NIT, Faridabad, will be the new MD, Cooperative Sugar Mills, Jind.

HC Jain, GM, Haryana Roadways, Panipat, goes as SDM and Estate Officer, HUDA, Jagadhri, vice Dusmanta Kumar Behera.

Veena Hooda, Joint Commissioner, MCF, Ballabgarh, has been posted as Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Gurgaon, against a vacant post.

Yamunanagar, August 15
The industrial area in the district, which is considered to be the hub of plywood and metal industry of the country, is devoid of basic facilities required for smooth functioning of the industry.

Industrialists associated with 6,320 industrial units situated in the industrial area of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri complained that their business had been suffering due to poor conditions of roads, poor drainage, sewerage system, absence of one-window system to tackle their problems and a major power shortage in the area.

They rued that all attempts to highlight their grievances has been futile. They have been facing a lot of inconvenience and damages due to lack of proper drainage and sewerage system as rainwater accumulated on the roads usually entered into their industrial units during every monsoon. Many times they even had to close their units, they revealed.

Conditions of roads in the Industrial area are pathetic. Potholes have surfaced every where and carpeting and maintenance of the roads has not been done for years.

President of Yamunanagar-Jagadhri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Samira Saluja told The Tribune that the poor conditions of the state and national highway passing through the district was due to plying of hundreds of overloaded trucks carrying sand and stones from stone crushers. There was urgent need to prevent overloaded trucks from plying on these roads. The Industrial areas did not have streetlights, which was important for the safety of night-shift workers.

“We have given a representation for proper drainage and sewerage system to the HSIDC, the Municipal Council and administration however it did not yield any results, she added.

While president of the district plywood industry Devinder Singh said, “We have been facing long power cuts. The government should make special effort to provide regular power to industry so that we do not suffer losses. There was need of a bypass road to connect different state highways to reduce the traffic congestion here, he added.

“Even last year one industrial unit had suffered loses in crores due to damage of machinery triggered by rainfall, when overflowing rainwater from streets entered the factory. Many times during rainy days we have to close our units”, complain Rajesh Arora, an entrepreneur. 

Sirsa, August 15
The Haryana government has issued draft rules for the appointment of lecturers in colleges and universities, pursuant to the UGC minimum qualification required for appointment and career advancement of teachers in universities and institutions affiliated to it (Third Amendment Regulations - 2009).

The UGC, in its notification of June 1, 2009, had amended the regulations of 2006, which exempted PhD degree holders from clearing the NET examination for appointment as teacher at the postgraduate level and those with the MPhil degree for being appointed as teacher at the undergraduate level.

The latest guidelines of the UGC say that NET/SLET shall remain the minimum eligibility condition for recruitment and appointment of lecturers in universities and institutions affiliated to these, provided, however, that candidates, who have been awarded the PhD degree in compliance with the “UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for the Award of PhD degree) Regulation - 2009, shall be exempt from the requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/SLET for recruitment and appointment of assistant professor or an equivalent position in universities/colleges/institutions.

While the new rules were welcome by NET/SLET pass candidates, those pursuing the PhD degree and those having already completed it were shocked because the PhD degree of most universities is not in compliance with the new regulations of the UGC.

However, the state government, in its recent orders, has given several relaxations to those aspiring to get appointment as lecturers.

Besides incorporating the regulations of the UGC, the draft rules provide that candidates who have acquired the PhD degree up to May 31, 2009, shall also be exempt from the requirement of NET/SLET for recruitment and appointment to posts of lecturer or an equivalent post in universities, colleges and institutions.

The orders further provide that even the candidates, who have been enrolled for PhD up to May 31, 2009, shall become eligible for exemption from requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/SLET for recruitment and appointment to posts of lecturer or an equivalent position in universities, colleges and institutions only upon the acquisition of their PhD degree.

The government orders further said that NET shall not be required for such masters’ programmes in disciplines for which there is no NET.

The draft rules issued by the Higher Education Department said that the process regarding getting these draft rules notified was in progress with the government and in case any lecturer was recruited in the meantime, it shall be according to the draft rules issued by the government.