Chandigarh, August 18
The state government has decided to formulate an advanced healthcare policy to upgrade and provide better facilities in civil hospitals and bring them on a par with the services offered by private medical institutions.

The government seeks to provide the best possible advanced facilities to patients and gear up the machinery for meeting any emergency-like situation, Health Minister Rao Narender Singh said at a review meeting of district medical officers here recently.

He directed senior medical officers to regularly visit the OPDs in civil hospitals and examine patients. The director-general, health services, and civil surgeons should visit the OPDs and examine patients to encourage junior medical officers. The issue of shortage of doctors would be addressed through better management, he said.

Rao Narender Singh said 111 new vehicles had been purchased by the Health Department to beef up medical infrastructure. These would be provided to community health centres and made functional in their respective areas. Primary health centres would also be provided such vehicles, he added.

He also emphasised the need for providing factual data of mother mortality rate (MMR), infant mortality rate (IMR) and total fertility rate and directed the officers to prepare factual data without hiding any case to help reduce MMR and IMR in the state. Stating that the government had adequate funds for improving healthcare facilities, he warned against misutilisation of government funds. Stern action would be taken against those found guilty. Steps should be taken to ensure success of the Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.

Rao Narender Singh directed civil surgeons to focus on the working of private hospitals in their respective areas and notice patients with what types of diseases visited them for treatment. They should also find out what kind of facilities should be provided in the civil hospitals. “The healthcare facilities should be further strengthened to enable the state to rank among the top three positions in the country in terms of medical facilities”, he said.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Fauji, who was also present on the occasion, said that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda wanted to make Haryana number one in terms of healthcare facilities. “Since the number of patients has increased in OPDs, it is our responsibility to provide them the best healthcare facilities. Messy curtains, bed sheets and pillows should be changed and toilets in hospitals must be made to look clean. The newly recruited medical officers should be trained to improve their working skills,” he added.

Kaithal, August 18
As many as 21 farmers were found stealing canal water during a special campaign launched recently by Irrigation Department officials to check the pilferage of canal water.

The team led by Arun Malik, superintending engineer, Bhakhra Water Services Circle, Kaithal, confiscated machinery and other articles worth lakhs of rupees which were being used by farmers in the Kole Khan and Bhana village areas in the Kalayat sub-tehsil to steal canal water.

The confiscated property included engines, electric motors, cables, centrifugal pumps, plastic pipes, etc.

Malik also recommended the suspension of Ram Pal, JE in the Pundri Division, for the dereliction of duty.

In a press conference held here recently, SP Simar Deep Singh and SE Arun Malik said they had received information that farmers in some villages were stealing water from Sirsa branch by installing engines and electric motors.

Following this information, a team of the Irrigation Department with heavy police force reached the affected villages. The department officials found that canal water was being stolen in a big way and as many as 21 farmers were involved in this illegal activity.

However, the farmers attacked the team members and some of them used women as a shield to oppose this move. They also pelted government vehicles with stones.

The officials warned the farmers of strict action and confiscated four engines, 10 electric motors, centrifugal pumps, hundreds of metres long cables and plastic pipes.

Dabwali (Sirsa), August 18
For Abhilash and Abhishek, two minor siblings from this town, an anonymous call to the front office of the Legal Service Authority came as a much-needed help to save them from their despairs.

Aged 16 and 12, respectively, the two brothers lost their mother in a road accident six years ago and later, their father, a municipal employee in Bathinda, lost a legal battle for their custody to their maternal grandfather.

The anonymous caller told the advocate on duty that the children were in distress and were being ill-treated. The caller alleged that Manohar Lal, the maternal grandfather of the two siblings, had forced them to drop out from school and they had been made to work as labourers in shops.

Judicial magistrate Atul Mariya has set up the front office of the Legal Service Authority recently in a room provided by the local Bar Association, where advocates and paralegal staff receive calls from those in need.

Mariya appointed SK Garg, a former president of the local Bar Association, as amicus curiae to gather information about the children.

Incidentally, a man appeared before the court the next day and pleaded that his father-in-law was not allowing him to meet his two sons, despite a court’s orders.

The man turned out to be Vasudev Dhawan, father of the two siblings, Abhilash and Abhishek, and he told the court that he had been religiously paying maintenance for his two sons, including their school fees, and yet he had come to know that Manohar Lal had stopped sending his children to school.

He said while giving the custody of his sons to their maternal grandfather after his wife’s death, the court had ordered him to pay maintenance and directed Manohar Lal to allow him to meet his sons once in a week.

Meanwhile, the amicus curiae appointed by the court

confirmed that Manohar Lal and his family members have not been sending the children to school since May this year, though the school authorities had offered free education to them in view of their brilliance.

Manohar Lal did not bring the children to the court at first instance, even after the judge ordered that they must be produced before him.

However, the children were brought to the court, when the judge showed some sternness and what the two siblings said in their statement before the court was shocking.

The children said not only they had been stopped from going to school; but also they were ill-fed as their maternal aunt refused to provide them two square meals. After forcing them to leave their school, they were being subjected to manual labour in two different shops, they complained. After the intervention of the court, Manohar Lal agreed to handover the custody of Abhilash and Abhishek to their father, and they happily went to Bathinda with him.

Karnal, August 18
The Sugarcane Research and Breeding Institute here has developed a new disease-resistant variety of sugarcane with a higher sweet content and productivity.

The new variety, CO 0237, developed after research and experimentation was ready for release and only a nod from the headquarters of Sugarcane Breeding Institute at Coimbatore was awaited.

The declining productivity of sugarcane coupled with global warming were posing a big challenge to scientists and sustaining production has become a daunting task.

The scientists took up the challenge and the Karnal breeding centre evolved new varieties like CO-118, CO 0238, CO 0239 and CO 0724, which proved beneficial for farmers but CO 0237 is the best and suitable for cultivation in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states, Dr Bakshi Ram, director of the institute, said.

He said the sweet content in CO 0237 was 80.78, which is five to 10 per cent more than other varieties, while the production was 71 tonne per hectare.

Sonepat, August 18
The Department of Biotechnology of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, recently organised the first-ever international-level training programme in the university.

A group of 10 international students from the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Malaysia, Sabha (UMS), were on a visit to the department for carrying out their internship programme scheduled for a period of two-and-a-half months. The training schedule, coordinated by Prof JS Rana, consisted of 1-2 lectures daily followed by independent research in the form of small projects.

With an aim to update the students on various developments in the field of environmental biotechnology, a total of 25 lectures were delivered by the faculty members of the Department of Biotechnology on the topics of upcoming research interest such as environmental bio-contaminants, bio-pesticides, role of biotechnology in biodiversity conservation, industrial microbiology, enzyme immobilisation, waste water treatment and management, bio-plastics, and nanotechnology for environment biotechnology to name only a few.

Besides the daily lectures, a major component of the training included an independent minor research project by each student for which they were guided by the faculty members of the Department of Biotechnology.

The students conducted their research in various fields of environmental sciences like bioremediation, microbial ecology and biodiversity studies, effluent treatment, industrial biotechnology, etc. Each project was designed with certain objectives, the results of which were compiled by the students in the form of reports and they would soon be communicated to scientific journals for their publication.

To enhance their knowledge and to polish their technical skills, the students were given an exposure to the research being conducted at different places by taking them on educational tours to various institutes of repute, viz. IGIB, New Delhi; Indo-Israel Technology Centre, Gharonda; Mushroom Centre, HAIC, Murthal; Remote Sensing and Application Centre at CCSHAU, Hisar; GJUS&T, Hisar; and YS Parmar University, Solan.

In addition to the educational trips, Malaysian students were also exposed to the culture and heritage of India by organising visits to various historical places like Red Fort, Qutab Minar in Delhi; Golden Temple, Amritsar; Taj Mahal in Agra, Wagah Border; and Shimla. To provide a taste of Indian festivals, a small function was organised on the occasion of “Teej” on the university premises.

Addressing the valedictory function of the training programme, HS Chahal, vice-chancellor of the university, applauded the entire faculty for their contribution in making this programme a success. “This programme will go a long way in establishing academic collaboration between the participating institutes,” he added.

The vice-chancellor distributed certificates and mementos among the Malaysian students.

Sirsa, August 18
Over 2,500 schoolchildren from all over the state are participating in a three-day tournament being held in Sirsa.

Deputy commissioner Yudhvir Singh Khyalia opened the 46th Haryana State School Sports Tournament at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Stadium here on Wednesday. The tournament will conclude on Friday evening.

Boys in the age group of 19 years participated in hockey competition and girls in the age group of 14, 17, 19 years and boys in the age group of 17 and 19 years took part in judo competition organised at Chaudhary Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium.

Similarly, both boys and girls in the age group of 14, 17 and 19 years are taking part in swimming competition. Boys in the age group of 19 years are participating in water polo sports competition being organised at Shah Satnam Ji Boys Senior Secondary School, Sirsa.

Inaugurating the tournaments, Khyalia said the government had implemented a number of schemes for the promotion of sports in the state. Haryana Sportspersons Development Fund had been announced by the government with the corpus of Rs 10 crore contributed by Amity University. He said as many as 175 rural sports stadia had been constructed in the state to promote sports in villages and 100 more such sports stadia would be constructed.

“Sportspersons winning gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal in the Asiad Games are being given a cash prizes of Rs 25 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively, in the state,” he said.

“Similarly, sportspersons winning gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games get cash prizes of Rs 51 lakh, Rs 31 lakh and Rs 21 lakh, respectively,” Khyalia added.

Ambala, August 18
The district administration has decided to launch a campaign to remove encroachments on the catchment area of the lake near Municipal Park here. The lake that was initially spread on the three sides of the park in around 20 acres has been reduced to 16 acres. Strangely, the MC too constructed a market on a part of lake’s land a few years ago to enhance its income.

Deputy commissioner Samir Pal Sarao has directed the Revenue Department to conduct a survey of the lake and issue eviction notices to the encroachers. He said he was informed that a few buildings and structures were raised on the lake’s area. He said after removing the encroachments, a boundary wall would be constructed around the lake to check encroachments in future. He said strict action would also be taken against the persons discharging sewage into the lake.

According to information, some property dealers have also encroached upon the land of the lake. Most of the encroachments were made a few years ago when the Municipal Council had not come into existence and the park was being managed by the municipal committee. Some of the shops and other structures have also come up without approved site plans.

Recently, the MC started renovation of the municipal park. Besides boating arrangement, swings for children and colourful fountains are being installed in the park to attract visitors. The management of the park will now be handed over to the Tourism Department while earlier it was being managed by a private contractor. It would be developed as a tourist spot, the DC said.

The municipal park is like a green island for residents of the old part of the city. A large number of people go there for morning walk while many enjoy their evenings there. It is also a good picnic spot for schoolchildren and a meeting place for youngsters.

Rewari, August 18
Forest and Environment Minister Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav expressed concern over the increasing environmental pollution owing to the growing interference with natural phenomena while addressing a gathering at the district-level Van Mahotsava Samaroh at the Indira Gandhi Postgraduate Regional Centre (PGRC) at Mirpur village, near here, recently.

Describing trees as a valuable bounty bestowed upon humanity by the nature, the Minister called upon one and all to grow at least one plant each to save the environment from pollution.

Inaugurating the Van Mahotsava by planting a Triveni sapling at the PGRC complex, he said 20 lakh saplings of different varieties had been grown in 13 nurseries of the district. While 9 lakh of these saplings would be distributed among citizens free of cost, 1.5 lakh saplings would be planted at the fields of farmers, he added.

Enumerating the steps taken to promote the cultivation of herbal plants in the district, the Minister informed that while four herbal parks - one each at Dewlawas, Khalilpuri and Kakodia villages and the Masani Barrage Complex - had been developed, an Eco Tourism Centre at the above barrage was also being set up at a cost of Rs 12 crore.

While the Minister announced naming the PGRC’s main gate after Shaheed Rao Tula Ram and its girls’ hostel after late Sumitra Devi, sister of late Rao Birender Singh, he also made it known that a statue of Indira Gandhi would be installed at the Centre as well.

Yamunanagar, August 18
“If our future generation is well versed in its religion, only then the community can stay united”. This was stated by Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, while speaking at a function in Guru Nanak Girls College, Yamunanagar.

He said: “At present, the SGPC is divided and hence it is losing its strength. However, Sikhs from India and world over are its members and have faith in its working. There are a few elements who, with the purpose of weakening the Sikh community, desire to weaken the Akal Takht and misguide the common man. As a Sikh, it is our duty to keep the community united and for its betterment, we should ensure that the SGPC is not divided”.

While casting the vote during the SPGC elections, he said: “We should keep politics and religion separate and vote for a non-political, religious and a true Sikh”.

To mark the beginning of the session, a Sukhmani Sahib path and a kirtan were held on the college premises. While appreciating the efforts of the college, jathedar said this college was a precious gift to the community and Yamunanagar by Sant Nischal Singh.

Applauding the progress of the college under the guidance of Karmjeet Singh, general secretary of the college MS Sawhney and principal Dr Varinder Gandhi said the college had touched great heights. Sawhney said the aim of the college was to fulfil Sant Nischal Singh’s dream of imparting quality education to girls.

Sonepat, August 18
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that Medical College for Women in Bhagat Phool Singh Women University, Khanpur Kalan, will start functioning from the next academic session with the enrolment of 100 students. The working of the first phase of its 500-bed hospital would start on a trial basis from September 1, he added.

Talking to mediapersons after taking a round of the medical college and the hospital premises, Hooda said: “As per the requirement of the Medical Council of India, this hospital will have 300 beds and 18 senior and 16 junior doctors will be posted here by the end of November this year.”

Earlier while addressing a meeting on the university premises organised to mark the 69th death anniversary of Bhagat Phool Singh and 97th birth anniversary of Bhagat Phool Singh’s daughter Padamshri Subhashni Devi, the Chief Minister announced to open an Indo-Israel model agriculture park in the university to boost the production of agriculture and horticulture in the state.

The government would provide financial assistance of Rs 2 crore for setting up this park, he added.

“This university is my dream project and every possible effort will be made to provide financial assistance for the development and progress of the university,” he said and added that the government had already provided financial assistance of Rs 251 crore.

Paying tributes to Bhagat Phool Singh, Hooda said he was a social reformer, visionary educationist and a crusader who devoted his whole life for the spread of education and eradication of social evils. After his death, Subhashni Devi took the responsibilities on her shoulders for the progress of this institute.

He said the government was committed for the promotion of higher education in the state and for achieving this goal, the annual budget for the Higher Education Department had been increased from Rs 220 crore to Rs 892 crore this year.

Laying stress on the education of women for the all-round development and progress of society, Hooda said as a result of the efforts of the government, sex ratio in higher educational institutes of the state was 57 per cent in favour of the women. He hoped that this trend would pave the way for gender equality as well as create an awareness regarding foeticide.

Education and Social Welfare Minister Geeta Bhukkal said women in the state had touched great heights in various fields, including sports, education, etc., and the government was committed to upgrading the facilities for them. Dr Pankaj Mittal, vice-chancellor of the university, listed the achievements of the university and assured that it would be one of the leading institutions in India.

Sonepat MP Jitender Singh Malik, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jaiveer Balmiki, MLAs Jagbir Malik and Sri Krishan, Political Adviser to the Chief Minister Prof Virender, Hooda and Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Higher Education SS Prasad also paid tributes to Bhagat Phool Singh and Subhashni Devi.

The occasion was marked by the inauguration of the Centre for Indic Studies by Hooda. The Centre aims at reviving the lost tradition of Indian knowledge and culture. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of an administrative block and a sports complex on the university premises.

Karnal, August 18
Running behind schedule even after two extensions, Karnal Solid waste management plant being set up at Shekhpura village on the Meerut road is not likely to be fully commissioned by end of the year. However, it would be partially operational by November end.

The Rs 17-crore plant, spread over an area of about 16 acres, was slated for completion by the end of 2009, but the progress of work remained tardy and even after cost and time overrun of two years, the plant was far from becoming fully operational.

Deputy commissioner Neelam P Kasani, who inspected the plant site and reviewed the progress of work, was informed by officials of the National Building Construction Company (NBCC) that the plant would become partially operational by the end of November.

Kasni also initiated the spray of organic solution to keep tonnes of garbage free from bacteria and stink. A Panchkula-based company has started manufacturing 300 litres of organic solution through pro-biotic technology which would be soluble in 3,000 litres of water and the spray would continue for three months to keep the area bacteria and stink-free, Kasani said.

The spray would decompose the biodegradable waste and plastic and polythene waste would be segregated. The treated biodegradable waste would be used for manufacturing composite compost while the plastic waste would be recycled. "After the spray of organic solution, the garbage becomes stink-free and gets decomposed through a natural process within a month", said Deep Arora of the Panchkula-based company. He said such spray had been very effective and successful in Chandigarh and Panchkula.

Sohan Lal, deputy general manager, NBCC, informed that almost half of the work was complete. The garbage-filling tank had been built while the construction of a machine shed, office building, composite platform and a composite plant was in progress, he said, adding that the work would progress fast if funds were released in time.

The project being funded by the Centre and the Haryana government is a component of the Yamuna Action Plan-II under which seven Haryana cities along the Yamuna have been covered and accorded environment clearance in 2008. The plant with 150-190 tonne capacity, catering to the needs of Karnal and Indri, would convert solid waste into compost and the company executing the project would run it for 30 years on a turnkey basis.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had laid its foundation stone in August 2008, but the work did not pick up the desired pace.

Panipat, August 18
The NC and SD Group of Institutions organised an orientation programme to welcome the first-year students of B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, BBA, MCA and BCA courses. Parents of the students and principals of different schools and colleges were also present on the occasion.

Members of the management committee, including DV Gupta, ML Gupta, Vijay Gupta and Bhushan Gupta, said: The management believes in providing better facilities, good academic environment and helps in placement after the completion of courses for all students”.

DV Gupta said recently the NC College of Engineering had been granted a grant of Rs 4 crore by the World Bank for Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme.

Executive director BR Marwah asked the students to participate in extra-curricular activities, besides academics for the overall development. He said over 1,000 students had taken admission to various institutes of this group.

On this occasion, a dance competition was also organised and the first and the second position holders were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 11,000 and Rs 5,100, respectively.