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Oppn takes Congress head-on
Governor’s
Address
Colourful House, indeed
Chatha third-time Speaker
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HC makes Chautala pay for arrogance
Tardy procurement has farmers in a fix
Wheat seed shortage may delay sowing
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Oppn takes Congress head-on
Chandigarh, October 28 Unlike the last assembly when the Opposition was an apology of its present strength and hardly made an impact, the Opposition conveyed that it would need answers and ask unpleasant questions to make the government more accountable than it was in its previous term. This was evident from the manner in which INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala took on the government and slammed it for everything from water woes to power problems, for “cheating” farmers and even the poor in the name of giving 100 sq yard plots during the debate on the Governor’s Address. The BJP, too, lashed out as an aggressive Krishan Pal Gurjar, president of the state unit of the party, urged the Congress leadership to rise above merely being a “government of announcements”. Chautala raised the hackles of the Treasury Benches by stating that the Congress was wasting money on the Hansi-Butana link which was yet to get water and alleged that the party was sitting over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue. Chautala added that the government had wasted money by giving its share in the construction of the international airport at Mohali and throwing away money for the metro project. He criticised the education hub and said the Rajiv Gandhi Education City and the SEZ had been non-starters. Acrimonious scenes were witnessed in the House as leaders from the Congress rose up in defence of the government and the Chief Minister, too, had to intervene several times. The Speaker repeatedly expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted with members indulging in verbal duel rather than addressing the chair. Later, Randeep Singh Surjewala, coming to the defence of the government, gave an issue-wise detailed reply stating that Haryana was worse off during Chautala’s time and the Congress had only given every section, especially farmers, its due whether it was by raising the MSP of wheat and paddy or setting up power plants or even pursuing the SYL issue to get Haryana’s rightful share. Typical of his melodramatic style, Gurjar highlighted the complete collapse of the law and order situation in the state where “women were raped in police stations and a woman needed to commit suicide to be heard”. He said the ground reality of every scheme was in complete contrast to what was presented by the government. Later, in his reply, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced that cooperative loans up to Rs 10,000 of non-agriculturists such as small shopkeepers and artisans would be waived off. He also announced that the grant being given to BPL SC persons under the Indira Gandhi Vivah Shagun Yojna would be increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs.31,000. The Chief Minister, replying to the debate on the Governor Address, said the Central Government waived loans of farmers and his government had given 2,32,799 residential plots to BPL families. Outstanding electricity bills had been waived off and the government had a pro-farmer approach and that big investment had come to Haryana in the past nearly five years. He said the Congress had tried to undo the wrongs of the governments in the past and was doing the needful on the SYL and the Hansi-Butana canal while also addressing power shortage by setting up plants. Later, the session was adjourned sine die.
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Govt to launch coop
loan waiver scheme
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 28 This was stated by Governor Jagannath Pahadia while addressing newly elected members of the 12th Haryana Assembly here today. The loan waiver scheme will provide for waiver of principal amount up to Rs 10,000 and interest thereon. In case the loan is more than Rs 10,000, the relief will be available on payment of the balance principal amount. Besides, the loan limit for rural artisans and petty shopkeepers will be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000. Indirectly pointing towards the not-so-comfortable financial position of the state, Pahadia said the economic slowdown adversely impacted the pace of development and the pay revision put additional financial strain on the state’s resources. “In spite of these constraints, my government commits itself to enhancing the pace of development in the state. This will be achieved by raising additional resources and by better fiscal management.” The government reiterated its commitment to accelerating the pace of development with clear focus on the creation of employment opportunities, socio-economic justice and welfare of weaker sections. It also reiterated its commitment to providing transparent and people-friendly governance. Pahadia said the government would ensure an inclusive growth for all sections of society. Efforts would be made to increase the growth rate of the agriculture sector. Of course, the address had a ritual annual reference to the government’s commitment to secure the state’s due share in the Ravi and the Beas and to complete the construction of the SYL Canal. It also promised to make renewed efforts to remove all legal hurdles blocking the commissioning of the Hansi-Butana Link Canal at the earliest. Pahadia said a new agreement on the Renuka Dam water would be entered into for enhancing water availability in the state. He also promised adequate quality power supply to all consumers at the earliest. The state had embarked upon an ambitious programme of creating additional health infrastructure at a cost of more than Rs 1,500 crore. To encouraging people living in the urban areas to obtain sewerage connection, it had been proposed to waive off sewer connection charges of Rs 500 for one year.Pahadia said the government had framed a policy under which 15 per cent of the total number of dwelling units would be provided to persons belonging to the economically weaker sections at a cost not exceeding Rs 4 lakh per unit. The remaining 85 per cent units would be sold at a cost not exceeding Rs 16 lakh each.
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Colourful House, indeed
Chandigarh, October 28 The premises vibrated with enthusiasm as the MLAs began arriving in the morning. For once, all difference in ideology was brushed aside and members greeted one another with folded hands, some shook hands and hugged. Inside the House, colour reigned supreme. The six MLAs of the HJC led by Kuldip Bishnoi arrived together sporting yellow scarves and occupied seats even as Congress men, mostly in white, strolled in all by themselves. In a show of strength, all 31 members of the INLD arrived together, all in green turbans. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the first to take oath followed by women MLAs, most of who came late. Ateli MLA Anita Yadav was the first to be administered the oath among the women. While Congress men shook hands with Hooda, some touched his feet. Most INLD members also touched their leader Om Prakash Chautala’s feet. The HJC, standing out in the bright yellow scarves, thumped their desks with might when an MLA from the group was administered oath.Nalwa MLA and former finance minister Sampat Singh, who switched over to the Congress from the INLD, greeted Chautala as did Kaithal MLA and former Power Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala. He went over to shake hands with Ajay Chautala. If Yamunanagar MLA Dilbagh Singh stood out wearing a casual shirt and jeans, Congress working president Kuldeep Sharma caught the eye for wearing dark glasses right through thesession. Most MLAs took oath in Hindi, including the CM, while Parmvir Singh, Raghubir Singh Kadian, Harmohinder Singh Chatha, Aftab Ahmad, Yadvinder Singh, Kuldeep Sharma, Akram Khan, Kiran Choudhary and Sharda Rathore took the oath in English. The lone MLA of the SAD, Charanjeet Singh Rodi, took the oath in Punjabi. |
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Chatha third-time Speaker
Harmohinder Singh Chatha was unanimously elected Speaker of the 12th Haryana Assembly here today. It is for the third time that Chatha has become the Speaker. Earlier, he remained Speaker from 1987 to 1991 and from March 2005 to January 2006.
He was the first Haryana Speaker to invoke the anti-defection law to disqualify three MLAs in 1991, which brought the then Chautala government in minority, which led to the imposition of President’s rule in the state. Chatha’s name was proposed by former parliamentary minister Randeep Singh Surjewala and seconded by Raghuvir Singh Kadian, former Speaker. Immediately after the MLAs were administered oath, it became clear that the ruling party’s nominee would face no hurdle in his election because the HJC MLAs had left the House by then. The INLD, did not propose any candidate. He proved his mettle shortly after Governor’s Address. After the motion of confidence was moved, Chatha tackled INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala tactfully and firmly.
— TNS |
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HC makes Chautala pay for arrogance
Chandigarh, October 28 Holding the then CM and other functionaries liable to pay 10 per cent interest on his pension and related benefits delayed by almost five years, the high court also paved way for the petitioner to seek compensation from them, while granting him Rs 25,000 as costs. Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: Arrogance of power by the chief minister seems to be at play in this case. The visit of the then chief minister to Yamuna Nagar on February 4, 2001, with slogan “Sarkar aap ke dwar” came with a bitter pill for the petitioner, Kanwar Bhan. “The chief minister made certain allegations against the petitioner and ordered his suspension there and then at a press conference…. The Deputy Commissioner sent a memo on February 4, 2001, for issuing a formal order placing the petitioner under suspension. “The financial commissioner-cum-secretary meekly succumbed and obligingly issued the order dated February 6, 2001, placing the petitioner under suspension with immediate effect. A senior functionary, working as an assistant registrar in the co-operative society was, thus, shown disdain; and humiliated in public without any officer coming to his rescue. “They all, rather, became instrumental in perpetuating this arrogated illegality. This in a democratic set up governed by the rule of law would make it look as if we are living in some doctorial era of archaic vintage”. The judge added: “The department was on lookout for reasons for justifying the suspension, as the same was ordered without any jurisdiction. The chief minister would not care to know these niceties of law and officers would not dare to point out the same…. “The respondents have made themselves fully responsible for this plight of the petitioner on account of the illegalities, which the respondents have failed to justify in any cogent and reasonable manner. They are all held accountable for this. It would include even the chief minister, who initiated the illegal process. The petitioner is entitled to receive all pension and pensionary benefits, which have been denied to him for almost five years now”. Directing the release of the amount within a month of receiving the order’s copy, the judge awarded interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from the due date till the payment. “The interest awardable shall be recovered from all officials including the chief minister, who were responsible for placing the petitioner under suspension”, the judge ordered, while granting the petitioner liberty to seek compensation even from the chief minister.
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Tardy procurement has farmers in a fix
Yamunanagar, October 28 He had brought 150 quintals of paddy, but had to keep it outside on the road due to lack of space in the grain market as no official came for procurement or to check the condition. Gurdev Singh, who owns 38 acres, is the lone earning member in the family as his son had died in an accident a few years ago and agriculture is the only source of income for them. This is not the condition of Gurdev alone. A large number of farmers have been facing harassment due to non-procurement of paddy or slow procurement due to moisture and other reasons in different anaj mandis in the district. Farmers have alleged that they had been getting almost half the price of basmati. So far, 1,44,534 tonnes of paddy have reached different grain markets in the district. Aggrieved farmers said they even decided to launch a protest if the government failed to lift paddy within two days. The circumstances have further worsened for farmers due to poor conditions and lack of facilities in anaj mandis, including that in Jagadhri, Yamunanagar, Bilaspur, Chhachhrauli, Mushtafabad and Radaur. They have no protected place to take shelter during night. Moreover, these markets also lack proper drinking water facility and toilets. “We have been suffering more damage due to plying of vehicles on roads. Due to non-procurement of paddy, there is hardly any space left in the anaj mandi in Jagadhri,” rued farmers. “The government should take note of the plight of farmers, who have been suffering due to indifferent attitude of the officials. Besides, we are being offered half the price of grade A paddy this time in comparison to last year. We sold grade-A paddy for Rs 3,400 per quintal last year. However, this time, we are being offered just Rs 1,700 per quintal. Moreover, procurement process is very slow,” complained farmers. Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Agarwal said farmers had already been advised to bring only dry and clean paddy in anaj mandis, so that they do not face any problem. Besides, different government agencies have purchased much of paddy from farmers at different anaj mandis. |
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Wheat seed shortage may delay sowing
Ambala, October 28 The government has authorised several government agencies to supply seeds and DAP to famers on prescribed rate. The farmers, who have been visiting the sale centers of these agencies almost everyday, are told that there has been no supply from the headquarters. The farmers are much annoyed and say if they are not supplied the seeds in time, the quantity of their produce may be hit due to late cultivation. Ashok Chauhan of Samrehri said the administration was not taking their problem seriously. The seeds and DAP were available on the black market. A number of farmers of villages adjoining the city said they would met the local MLA, Venod Sharma. Another famer from Samalkha, Om Prakash, said earlier his paddy had been destroyed due to delayed mansoons. The former MLA of the INLD, Jasbir Malore, said the district administration should take immediate steps to sort out the problem. |
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Harmohinder Singh Chatha was unanimously elected Speaker of the 12th Haryana Assembly here today. It is for the third time that Chatha has become the Speaker. Earlier, he remained Speaker from 1987 to 1991 and from March 2005 to January 2006.
