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Fatehabad receives Hooda’s bounty
Cotton farmers holding back crop for better returns
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Yarn prices expected to stabilise soon
Panipat, December 5 With cotton exports reaching the upper ceiling set by the Centre, the prices of cotton and cotton yarn may soon stabilise, bringing a sigh of relief to local manufacturers and exporters.
Once a dacoit, now apostle of peace
It’s sheer gimmickry by Jhinda, says SGPC
Man hacks wife to death
Power utilities save over Rs 1,000 crore
Government has curtailed corruption, claims Venod
Rs 200 cr power plan for Ambala dist
Runaway couple in protection home
Class IV student ‘thrashed’ by teacher, hospitalised
Saurabh Khatri tops judicial exam
LPG supply stopped to suspect consumers
Fatehabad DC honoured
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Fatehabad receives Hooda’s bounty
Fatehabad, December 5 The Chief Minister, visibly elated at the people’s response at the rally, said: “I’m here to give today.” Hooda gave his nod to Government Engineering College at Dhangar, subject to the availability of land with the village panchayat, upgrading of the local General Hospital, a PWD rest house, an industrial sector by the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), MC status for Bhuna town and a veterinary hospital there, a new bus stand, community health centres at Bhattu and Fatehabad and several road and power projects.Hooda began his speech greeting the people “Ram, Ram” in the local Bagri dialect. He said he was grateful to the people of Fatehabad because although they defeated his party’s official candidate Dura Ram in the 2009 assembly election, they did not give the seat to the INLD and elected Independent Gillankhera instead. An interesting tug-of-war was witnessed in the speeches of Dura Ram and Gillankhera with both claiming credit for the rally as well as the announcements by Hooda.Dura Ram, who spoke first, said the large turnout was because of the popularity of the Congress. Hooda said his second term in office would be devoted to inclusive development. Neither Hooda nor any other speaker, except Sirsa MP Ashok Tanwar, spoke a word about the proposed nuclear power plant at Gorakhpur or the agitating farmers . Hooda, whose state helicopter landed at the Police Lines, was taken to the rally venue from a route different from where the agitating farmers were sitting. Tanwar appealed to the farmers to give up confrontation in the larger interest of the state. The HPCC president and working president, Phool Chand Mulana and Kuldeep Sharma, ministers Paramvir Singh, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Gopal Kanda, MLAs Sampat Singh and Naresh Selwal, Sunil Jakhar, an MLA from Punjab, former legisalators Mani Ram Keharwala, Sushil Indora and Lal Chand Khod and DCC president Randhir Singh also addressed the rally. Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a 7.3 km-long bypass on the national
highway. |
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Cotton farmers holding back crop for better returns
Sirsa, December 5 This is much less than the 5 lakh bales that had arrived in the markets by this date last year. So far 57.67 lakh bales of cotton have arrived in the country, out of which 12.95 lakh are from
North India. According to the Cotton Advisory Board-2010-11, of the expected 325.48 lakh bales in the country, 13.84 lakh bales are expected from Haryana. Sirsa has a major share in the cotton produced in Haryana. Farmers have been holding back a major portion of their crop in the hope that it would bring them better returns. The escalation of prices in the past three months has raised their hopes further. From last year’s average price of Rs 3,100 per quintal, the prices of cotton went up to Rs 4,715 in the local market today. The prices spiralled up to Rs 4,925
last month. “Farmers have become wise. They inquire about the rates of cotton prevailing in different markets of the country and in the international market before taking a decision to sell their produce,” said Gurpreet Nagpal, from Royal Cotgin, Sirsa. Ram Dayal, a farmer, said he had grown cotton on 50 acres and the total production was nearly 400
quintals. “I sold 100 quintals and received enough money to meet my requirement. I will sell the remaining produce when the rates cross Rs 5,000 per quintal,” he said. Farmers expect the prices to reach Rs 5500 - Rs 6000 soon. Their calculations are based on the trends
witnessed in the international market. Sanjeev Dutt, director, North India Cotton Industries Association, however, said the calculations were misplaced. “The Ministry of Textile has issued a notification yesterday discontinuing the registration of cotton yarn. The export of cotton lint is likely to remain much less than the registration as the last date of shipment is December 15 and several exporters have expressed their inability to ship consignments by then,” Dutt said. He maintained that the prices were bound to fall and the situation would ease out after December 15. |
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Yarn prices expected to stabilise soon
Panipat, December 5 The Panipat Exporters Association, which observed a one-day strike on November 25 against the sharp rise in cotton prices, said the news had brought cheer to the exporters of this industrial town. President of the association Prem Sagar Vij said the government had imposed an upper ceiling of 720 million kg on the export of cotton and cotton yarn. This target had already been met and further registration of cotton for exports was unlikely, which would probably bring down
the prices. Earlier, brisk export of cotton and cotton yarn had resulted in an almost 60 per cent hike in prices in the local markets. The increase in cost had also pushed up the cost of finished products, which meant reduced profits
for local industrialists and exporters. The exporters have been demanding a ban on export of raw cotton, cotton waste and cotton yarn. The Union Government had placed cotton in the restricted category and imposed an export duty of Rs 2,500 per tonne on raw cotton in April. The Textiles Minister had promised to bring down the cotton prices for which a Group of Ministers (GoM) chaired by the Minister of Finance was constituted. The registration of cotton export contracts commenced on October 1 and actual exports started on November 1. The government expects the domestic consumption of raw cotton to touch 266 lakh bales and production 325 lakh bales. Vij said estimates showed that about 3 lakh kg of raw cotton was consumed in Panipat everyday and the sharp increase in its prices had led to closing down of 30-35 looms of home furnishing industry, affecting two lakh workers, directly and indirectly. However, things are now likely to looking up for the local businessmen, he said. |
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9 institutions get land for education city
Chandigarh, December 5 In all, 31 applicants had applied for land at the RGEC, and all had been called for interview. However, 26 applicants attended the interview and made presentations before the allotment committee. Based on the recommendations of the committee, the state government decided to allot plots to nine of them. An official spokesman said here today that while Thapar University topped the ladder with allotment of 52 acres, the Lala Nemi Chand Educational Trust figured at the bottom with 2.5 acres. Almost all institutions considered for allotment had a foreign tie-up with renowned universities and industries to enable the students to have global standard education. The Expression of Interest for setting up educational institutions/universities had been invited from eligible organisations for allotment of plots in three different categories. Envisaged as a hub of higher learning and centre for research in cutting-edge technologies such as nano-technology, biotechnology, genetics, engineering, technology and medicines, the RGEC is coming up fast. While infrastructure works worth Rs 110 crore have been awarded, development works on 10 plots in Phase-I have already been completed at the cost of Rs 78 crore. The seat reservation policy and fee structure at these institutes will be determined by the Haryana Government to facilitate quality education and research and provide social justice. Though autonomous, these institutions will be required to adhere to the broad master plan stipulations that will safeguard functional affinities and environmental system at the city level. |
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Once a dacoit, now apostle of peace
The transformation came about when he joined the Brahma Kumari sect. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said he had laid down arms on the persuasion of Jayaprakash Narayan in 1972. The latter had assured him on behalf of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that after the surrender, he and his gang members would not be sentenced to death. They were also promised rehabilitation. And the government kept its word. Along with gang leader Mohar Singh he was sentenced to death by court but on government intervention the death penalty was converted it life
sentence. He was released after eight years for good conduct. "I decided to join the Braham Kumaris to repent for my sins" he said. He said he took to arms when in 1958 during panchayat elections in Bhind some politically influential people thrashed him mercilessly. The police also turned a deaf ear to his complaint. Enraged, he joined the dacoits in the Chambal valley. To a question, he said some “clean” leaders were no different from the dacoits. He would never take to the gun again as spirituality alone could conquer all, he added. |
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Project to drain out rainwater
Jhajjar, December 5 Haryana Education and Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal, interacting with mediapersons, said here today that pumping stations would be set up at Kosli Road, Rohtak Road, Sample Road, Gazi Kamal and Kaccha Beri Road for smooth drainage of storm- water. “An RCC sewerage pipe will be laid. Another project has been formulated to construct a bundh around the sewerage treatment plant near Kosli Road,” said the minister. She said the capacity of the link canal near the town would be increased from 110 cusecs to 150 cusecs to ensure speedy drainage of stormwater. A sum of Rs 14 crore had been sanctioned for improvement of city roads, the minister added. |
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It’s sheer gimmickry by Jhinda, says SGPC
Karnal, December 5 The HSGPC led by Jhinda had no support of Haryana Sikhs and the agitation for a separate gurdwara committee was confined to some self-styled leaders who were out to create trouble, he alleged. Virk asked Jhinda to explain why he nominated a Maharashtra-based Sikh leader, Mangal Singh, to represent Haryana in the SGPC executive on November 16 and whether there was no Sikh leader in Haryana, including Jhinda, to represent the state. Denying that any attempt was made to stop Sikhs from reciting “path” in Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi, Virk said every Sikh was free to recite the “path” but making it a tool and making provocative announcements to incite people could not be allowed. Accusing the supporters of Jhinda of violating the sanctity of “path” by reciting it while wearing shoes, he said they took off their shoes only after the administration pointed it out to them. He said Jhinda had announced to forcibly take over Haryana gurdwaras several times during the past three years, but every time his announcement came a cropper, exposing his tall claims of being the sole representative of the Sikhs in the state. He said the SGPC was taking care of the interests of Haryana Sikhs and a large number of development projects were under execution, and educational and professional institutions were coming up. He appealed to the Haryana Sikhs to see through the “game” being played under the garb of a separate gurdwara committee and not to be misled by it. The president of the rival faction of the HSGPC, Didar Singh Nalvi, said, “Most of us had already had a term and Mangal Singh is a competent man to oppose the ‘wrongdoings’ of the SGPC.” He said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had no right to stop Sikhs from reciting “path” in a gurdwara and this act was illegal. |
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Man hacks wife to death
Jhajjar, December 5 The police has registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC against Surender on the complaint of the deceased’s son and started investigation. The incident took place when Rajbala was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Surender, who had been living separately from his wife on the first floor of the house, suddenly came down and attacked her with a sharp-edged weapon. On hearing his mother’s cries, Ashish, son of the couple, rushed to the kitchen and tried to save her, but failed to do so. Surender fled from the house after causing injuries to Ashish as well. Rajbala reportedly died on the spot. Thereafter, Ashish informed the village sarpanch and other villagers about the incident. The Dighal police rushed to the spot and sent the body for a postmortem to the Civil Hospital after taking stock of the situation. Later, Surender was arrested. “As per preliminary investigations, Surender doubted Rajbala’s character, therefore he committed the crime,” said Jhajjar SP Sourabh Singh, adding that Surender was being still interrogated. |
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Power utilities save over Rs 1,000 crore
Chandigarh, December 5 The power utilities recover this loss from the consumers in the form of fuel supply adjustment (FSA), which is levied next year after the approval of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission. The FSA is a euphemism for increase in the tarrif, which continues till the utilities are able to recover their loss. This year, the utilities purchased power from April to October at an average cost of Rs 2.90 per unit against the average cost of Rs 3.31 per unit last year. This will help the consumers in the shape of either low fuel surcharge or no surcharge at all next year. According to MD, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), Arun Kumar, the utilities purchased 2,04,348.43 lakh units from April to October this year at a cost of Rs 5,934 crore against 2,11,403.06 lakh units purchased during the corresponding period of last year, which had cost the utilities Rs 6,998 crore. This year, the utilities saved about Rs 1,040 crore. More than one-third of the total power to the state’s kitty was contributed by the generating stations of Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (HPGCL). Elaborating the reasons for less expenditure, he said the UHBVN and DHBVN made maximum possible banking arrangements under which the electricity was procured from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Good monsoon also helped the utilities to supply more power to the consumers this year at a lesser cost because the demand of the agriculture sector had come down substantially during this period. He said on an average electricity was supplied for more than 20 hours daily to the industries during April to October this year as compared to 17.17 hours daily during the corresponding period last year. Similarly, power was supplied for 21.57 hours daily to urban domestic consumers against 21.40 hours last year. |
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5,947 benefit from free ambulance service
Sonepat, December 5 The service was introduced by the National Rural Health Mission on November 14, 2009, and managed by the District Red Cross Society and the Health Department in the district. According to Deputy Commissioner Ajit Joshi, the service has also been availed by 1,422 persons on payment at the rate of Rs 7 per km. As many as 15 ambulances travelled a distance of 4,78,047 km till November 13 this year. The DC said the service was availed by 3,275 women for delivery and 1,473 road accident victims free of cost. A control room had been set up in the local civil hospital and toll free number 102 had been provided in the room to receive the calls, he added. The DC said the mission had given 15 ambulances, including 10 to the Red Cross Society and five to the health authorities in the district. These ambulances were stationed in various health institutions in the district to ensure that the ambulance reaches the caller within 10 minutes. He said as the service had already completed one year, he planned to convene a meeting shortly to review the operation of the service. |
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Government has curtailed corruption, claims Venod
Gohana (Sonepat), December 5 Addressing “Sarv Jati Nagrik Abinandan Samaroh”, he said the state government was committed to promoting sports amongst the youth. The sports policy and the outstanding performances by the state’s youth in the Commonwealth Games and the Asiad were a testimony to the fact. He said besides other polices adopted by the state government under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the land acquisition policy of the state had earned commendations from various states and the union government. Some states were even trying to imitate this policy in their respective states too, he added. Lauding the state government for bringing down the corruption in the government machinery, Sharma said the menace had been curbed to a great extent and efforts were being made to eradicate it completely from the state. Making an appeal to the youth, he said there was a need to channelise their energies by involving them in works of national and state development. He said the youth was the untapped human resource of the state, who could play a vital role in bringing about a new revolution that would be marked by the overall prosperity of the state. Earlier, Sharma was felicitated with a garland and silver “mukut” by the organisers of the samaroh. A committee of 36 communities also honoured the legislator by presenting him a turban and a shawl. However, Sharma returned the “mukut”. The samaroh was organised under the chairmanship of Sonepat MP Jitender Malik, who also addressed the gathering along with Jagbir
Malik and Srikrishan Hooda, both MLAs. |
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Rs 200 cr power plan for Ambala dist
Ambala, December 5 She said under this plan, the nigams would construct five substations - one of 220 kV capacity at Saunta and 66 kV substations at Barkheri, Santokhi, Nanyola and Company Bagh in Ambala district. Talking to The Tribune, she said it had also been planned to augment the capacity of 66 kV substations at Sadopur, Lyalpur Basti and Saha. The UHBVN would install new distribution transformers of 200 kVA, 100 kVA and 25 kVA capacity to strengthen the system. Bifurcation of feeders having a load of more than 200 amperes in Ambala town had been planned for ensuring reliable and quality power supply. She said the HVPN had decided to install two transformers of 12.5/16 MVA in the 66 kV substation in Ugala, which had been constructed at a cost of Rs 15.12 crore. The substation would supply power to consumers of Ugala, Jalubi, Khanpur, Suhata, Tandwal, Yara and Yari villages. As many as 3,169 consumers, including owners of 605 tubewells, would be benefited by way of better voltage and continuous power supply, she added. Sources said during the past five years, the HVPN had constructed 231 substations and augmented the capacity of 430 substations at a cost of Rs 2,145 crore to strengthen the power transmission system in the state. The government planned to add 5,000 MW by 2011-12 to bridge the gap between demand and supply. Under this plan, power generation from the 600 MW Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant, Yamunanagar, and the 1,200 MW Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant at Khedar (Hisar) had already been started, the sources said. |
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Measles Vaccination
Gurgaon, December 5 According to the president of the Haryana Chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Dr Ramesh Goyal, a single dose of vaccination provided only 80 to 85 per cent immunity. The second dose would boost a child’s immunity and there were no side-effects. He has recommended an additional dose for children from 9 months to 10 years, whether or not they have been vaccinated for measles before. A one-time measles catch-up campaign is being carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the state government in five districts of the state, including Gurgaon. Due to the widespread misconception among the parents of children as well as schools’ authorities, many private schools had refused to get their students vaccinated. City Magistrate KK Gupta had called a meeting of principals of private schools in Gurgaon in this regard. Gupta asked the principals of the private schools to cooperate in the campaign and ensure that all students were vaccinated. The Gurgaon Civil Surgeon, Dr Parveen Garg, said their target was to cover 4 lakh children in the district during the campaign, which would last till December 11. A WHO representative told the meeting that it was only in India that only one dose of the anti-measles was given to a child. She pointed out that in other countries, a booster dose of the vaccine was also given. She lamented that due to lack of awareness about the matter, nearly 1 lakh children in India die due to measles every year. |
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Runaway couple in protection home
Sirsa, December 5 Manju’s grandfather, Gian Chand, had lodged an FIR with the police under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC (kidnapping a woman and compelling her for marriage) in the Sadar police station here. The couple, however, married of their own free will and were residing in Punjab all these months. Manju and Naresh came back to Sirsa and moved Naresh’s anticipatory bail application in a local court. The couple also sought police protection, fearing physical harm from their families. District and Sessions Judge Shiva Sharma, while granting anticipatory bail to the boy, directed him to join police investigation. The court also directed the police to provide security to the couple. A police spokesperson said the couple had now been housed in the protection house with an assistant sub-inspector and a constable on duty for their
security. |
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Class IV student ‘thrashed’ by teacher, hospitalised
Sirsa, December 5 His father Ranjit Singh, a resident of Amritsar Kalan village, has lodged a complaint with the police. He has alleged that he was rebuked by the school principal when he complained about the teacher’s
misconduct. The police said an FIR would be registered only after a thorough inquiry. Despite the government ban on corporal punishment, several such incidents have been reported from various parts of
the state. |
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Saurabh Khatri tops judicial exam
Sonepat, December 5 He paased his LLB in 2008 with a gold medal from the Indian School of Law, Puna. On choosing judiciary as his profession, Khatri said he was influenced by his father Sat Pal Khatri, a senior advocate practising in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. His aim was to enhance the credibility of the judiciary in the eyes of the people, he added. |
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LPG supply stopped to suspect consumers
Fatehabad, December 5 Maingi said during checking of the records, 1,505 connections of Mukul Gas Agencies and 889 of Rasoi Gas Agencies were found to be doubtful. He said most of these connections did not contain the complete address of the consumers, while in several others the father’s name column was incomplete with only one alphabet written in place of the complete name. |
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Fatehabad DC honoured
Fatehabad, December 5 Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad honoured over 20 persons, including four District Collectors, from 22 states of the country, where RRE halted during its yearlong journey. The awards were given during the concluding ceremony at a platform in Safdarganj Railway Station, where the RRE concluded its journey. An official spokesperson said 23,883 persons had visited the RRE during its two-day stay at Jakhal in Fatehabad on November 25 and 26. In contrast, the number of visitors at Ambala, Panchkula and Panipat were 12,345, 18,595 and 17,290, respectively. |
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Ambala, December 5