The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Bhiwani Rally
Cong to project Venod Sharma as non-Jat face of party
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Bhiwani, May 16
With parliamentary elections as well as poll for the state Assembly due next year, the ruling Congress, it seems, has initiated efforts to woo urban voters, particularly those belonging to the Brahman, Punjabi and Agarwal communities.

Incidentally, these communities were feeling let down after the Haryana Government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced 10 per cent quota in jobs for Jats, Sikhs, Rors, Bishnois and Tyagis.

However, soon after announcing the quota for Jats and others, the state government tried to perform a balancing act by announcing 10 per cent quota in jobs for Brahmans, Punjabis, Agarwals and Rajputs on economic basis.

The tone and tenor of various speakers in a recent rally held in Bhiwani on the occasion of Parsuram Jayanti suggested that the ruling party has a plan to project former Union Minister and Ambala MLA Venod Sharma as the urban face of the party for wooing voters of Punjabi, Agarwal and Brahman communities living in various cities and towns of Haryana.

The rally was organised to mark the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Parshuram, but it turned out to be a rally of non-Jats.

Social bodies representing members of the Punjabi community, Agarwal community and Rajput community besides the Brahmin community felicitated Venod Sharma, who was the chief guest at the function, and Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma, who presided over the programme.

Venod Sharma, too, left no one in doubt that he planned to play a bigger role in the coming elections in Haryana as far as wooing non-Jat voters was concerned.

In an apparent bid to project himself as a leader of non-Jats in Haryana, Venod Sharma referred to the efforts that were made to get special reservation for these castes.

The Congress's move to project Venod Sharma as a leader of non-Jats in Haryana is being seen as a move to counter the effect of the HJC-BJP alliance.

The Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldeep Bishnoi being the heir of the political legacy of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, the tallest non-Jat leader Haryana has ever had, commands influence over Punjabis, Agarwals, Brahmins and other non-Jat communities.

Similarly, the state BJP chief, Ram Bilas Sharma, too, is making all-out efforts to mobilise voters of his Brahman community and other non-Jat communities.

Whether the ruling party's efforts to woo non-Jat voters succeed or not, will be known only at an appropriate time, but the developments clearly suggest that the Congress is going to project Venod Sharma as its new non-Jat face in Haryana.

Jhajjar coaches given the task to train budding players
Ravinder Saini

Jhajjar, May 16
With a view to promoting sports activities and grooming budding players here, the Jhajjar district authorities have directed the coaches posted at Rajeev Gandhi Sports Stadiums across the district to train at least 100 players of their area concerned.

Direction to this effect was issued by Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi while holding an official meeting at the mini Secretariat here recently. He said his office had received several complaints, wherein it had been alleged that the coaches and other staff posted at sports stadiums were not making sincere efforts to promote sports in their area.

He maintained that now every coach posted at the stadiums would have to train at least 100 players of their area in different games. "These coaches will have to prepare a monthly report about the trainee players who come to stadium daily for practice. They will also send a report to my office on regular basis so that performance of all coaches could be judged," said Joshi, adding that surprise visits would also be carried out to verify the authenticity of the report.

A stern action would be taken against the coaches for dereliction of duty as the government had deputed them to train and identify the budding players in villages, the DC added.

Joshi said that as many as 16 Rajeev Gandhi Sports Stadiums had been constructed in the district to provide basis sports facilities to groom the rural talent.

"We are also planning to organise village, subdivision and district-level sports tournaments of traditional games at these stadiums to inspire people to use the sport facilities at the stadiums," said Joshi.

Ateli to be made tehsil, Kanina subdivision
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Mahendergarh, May 16
Kanina township of Mahendergarh district will be made a subdivision while Ateli will get the status of tehsil. Rs 43.55 crore will be spent to improve the condition of five major roads of this area. A 50-bedded hospital will be constructed in Kanina on availability of land.

Announcements to this effect were made by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while addressing the gathering at a rally organised by local MLA and chief parliamentary secretary Anita Yadav at Ateli recently.

The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 10 crore for the development the villages of the Ateli constituency and Rs 2 crore each for the municipal committees of Ateli and Kanina. He also stated that Kanina would soon get a grain market and a vegetable market and Ateli would get a vegetable market.

Hooda further announced that Pitamah Kanha College, a privately managed college, would be made a government college. He also announced Rs 10 lakh for each of three cowsheds.

Bhiwani-Mahendergarh MP Shruti Chaudhary maintained that the development of south Haryana had been ignored by the previous governments, but now, several development projects were being planned for the region.

Haryana Congress president Phool Chand Mullana and ministers Capt Ajay Singh Yadav and Rao Narender Singh also spoke.

‘Fake’ Meghalaya varsity PhD degrees
Teachers’ jobs in peril
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, May 16
Reports of raids in CMJ University at Shillong in Meghalaya by the Criminal Investigation Department of that state have sent teachers working in Sirsa and other districts of Haryana getting their jobs on the basis of PhD degrees obtained from this university in a tizzy

As many as three teachers who secured their jobs based on PhD degrees from CMJ University have been working in Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, and sources said many more had been working in universities or private colleges in Sirsa, Hisar and other districts of Haryana.

According to media reports coming from Meghalaya, the raids by the CID followed an FIR lodged by the Meghalaya Governor’s Secretariat for alleged lapses and fraud involving fake degrees for students.

Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, who is also university’s visitor, exposed various irregularities in its functioning, said media reports.

Established in 2009, the university, according to reports, has created a record of sorts by awarding PhD degrees to 434 candidates in 2012-13.

The reports further said that the CMJ University Registrar and another senior functionary has already been arrested, while its Chancellor is evading arrest.

The developments in Meghalaya had sent tremors in Haryana, as a good number of candidates, who obtained PhD degrees from this university, belonged to this state.

The university had its agents in different towns of Haryana, including Sirsa, where candidates were allegedly awarded PhD degrees without any research work.

Many of them have managed to get jobs based on these PhD degrees in colleges and universities, as a candidate has either to clear NET exam or hold a PhD degree to be eligible to become Assistant Professor under the UGC guidelines.

“We have three teachers – one in the English Department and two in Computer Science and Application – who have obtained their jobs on the basis of PhD degrees from CMJ University, confirmed Dr Manoj Siwach, Registrar of Chaudhary Devi Lal University. He, however, said that the university did not have any information about the alleged fakeness of their degrees so far.

MC poll: BJP isn't taking chances, goes for survey
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 16
Making an all-out bid to field winning candidates with a clean image for elections to seven Municipal Corporations, the BJP has decided to be doubly sure of the standing of the candidates and select them on the basis of a survey conducted by a private agency, recommendations of Mandal units and suggestions of the seven-member committees constituted for wards.

“The elections to 144 wards of seven Municipal Corporations of Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, Hisar and Rohtak will be held on June 2 and there is a lot of enthusiasm among the BJP workers with 66 candidates applying for tickets from 20 wards.

Karnal district BJP president Ashok Sukheja said there were other parameters like merits of the candidate, voter trends in different wards, public image and record of public service and providing basic facilities and civic amenities to the comman man. This would be the priority agenda of the party, if voted to power, he added.

Sukheja said addressing chronic problems like shortage of drinking water, environmental pollution, poor maintenance of roads and buildings, construction of concrete streets, proper sewerage system, street lighting with solar energy and regulating traffic would be the foremost task of the party after winning the MC poll.

The Municipal Corporation being primarily a public-service institution, complete transparency in the functioning of various wings of the corporation would be ensured and the officials concerned would be made responsible and accountable to save people from delays, wastage of time and having to pay bribes. Time-barred public services would be ensured, Sukheja asserted.

He further said that the single-window system would be introduced for providing public services and removing grievances within a time-barred period. Fifteen days' time limit would be fixed for approval of building maps or for raising objections while the maximum time limit for issuing birth and death certificates would be seven days.

Salaries of safai karamcharis would be deposited directly into their bank accounts to remove middleman, stress would be laid on improving quality of primary education and health centres and it would be ensured that every block had a primary health centre providing free medical care and medicines, upgradation of the Municipal Corporation building, which has not been done for decades.

Residential buildings with a carpet area up to 150 sq yards would be exempted from house tax, community centres would be constructed to provide affordable places for marriages to the comman man. A 'rain basera' would be raised for providing shelter to poor people for night stay.

Govt mulls over recruiting blind persons
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, May 16
Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said a coordination meeting of departments concerned would be conducted shortly to fill up reserved posts which were lying vacant for blind persons in different departments in the state.

Bhukkal was presiding over a meeting with representatives of the National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch, here recently.

The minister said the state government was concerned to fill up vacant posts for blind persons. The state government is effectively implementing the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 so that all such people could be brought in the mainstream. Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had also honoured the department with certificate of appreciation for the work done with regard to implementation of provisions of the act. The officers concerned should ensure the implementation of various schemes with the same sensitivity with which they had been framed for persons with disabilities, she added.

Bhukkal assured that all their demands would be considered sympathically. A meeting would soon be conducted to settle the issues relates to other departments. She said the matter regarding upgrade of Government Blind School, Panipat, upto class XII was under active consideration of the government and a decision would be taken shortly in this direction.

Apart from this, referring to the demands of giving benefit to master trainers at par with government employees, she said all the master trainers had been adjusted in the Indian Red Cross Society, Haryana Branch.

Expressing gratitude towards the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, General Secretary, National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch, Jage Ram said the Haryana Government was quite sensitive towards blind and disabled persons. He urged that the department should consider their demands on time so that all eligible could get benefits of policies and programmes being implemented by the state government for persons with disabilities. He thanked the minister for sympathically considering the federation demands.

Those present included officers of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department and representatives of the National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch.

22 students get placement

Ambala, May 16
A joint campus placement drive was organised at E-Max Group of Institutions by Spanco Ltd for picking up ECE, EIE, BTech (electrical) and diploma students of the region. Over 185 students from various colleges of the region participated in the joint placement drive and 22 students were selected.

The selected candidates will join as Process Associates with a salary packages of Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh per annum.

Pradeep Aggarwal, managing director of the E-Max Group, thanked the officials of the company and stressed upon the students to work with a clear vision and focus to succeed in today's highly competitive scenario. Rajiv Bansal, finance secretary
of the E-max Group, congratulated the selected students. — OC

Nishant gets NIT Best Student's Award
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, May 16
The Training and Placement Cell (TPC) of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, presented 'TCS-100 Best Student's Award' to Nishant Aggarwal, BTech final year (Mechanical Engineering), for the academic year 2012-13 at a function inaugurated by the chief guest, NIT Director Anand Mohan on the NIT campus recently.

Officials of The Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) comprising Rajit Sikka, academic relationship manager, Kapil Kochhar, senior general manager, and Gaurav Sehgal, campus leader for northern India, presented a gold medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10,000 to the winner.

In his address, Sikka said TCS was keen on developing a strong relationship with academic institutions and in helping institutions develop competent professionals. The "TCS-100 Best Student's Award" was an initiative through which TCS was trying to reach out to students across the country to encourage them to focus on all-round development during their education, he added. Kapil Kochhar conducted an interactive session with the students pertaining to current trends and future prospects of the IT industry.

Anand Mohan emphasised on further improving the placement of the institute in terms of package and the quality of companies. He was also emphatic on developing better institute-industry interaction with reputed national and international companies.

HK Sharma, Prof In-charge TPC presented a brief report of the TPC for the year 2012-13.

CM to inaugurate Centre of Excellence for Fruits
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, May 16
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will inaugurate the Centre of Excellence for Fruits at Mangeana village in Sirsa on May 21.

The Centre of Excellence for Fruits has been set up in collaboration with Israel over an area of 72 acres at a cost of Rs 9.7 crore under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Alon Ushpiz, Israel's Ambassador in India, will be present on the occasion. Sirsa Deputy Commissioner Dr J Ganesan said setting up of the project would go a long way in promoting horticulture in the state. Saplings of citrus fruits, pomegranates, olives, guava and dates have been planted at the centre.

Apart from the shed net house, anti-insect house and high-tech greenhouse had also been set up at the centre.

Micro-irrigation with automatic system had been installed in separate blocks of orchards and nursery.

A spokesperson of the Horticulture Department informed that plants of different varieties of citrus fruits had been set up over an area of 23 acres of land, pomegranate on four acres, olive on six acres, guava on three acres and dates over an area of five acres.

He said horticulture farming would enhance the income of farmers and fresh juice would be available to the people of adjoining areas.

Ganesan said with a view to promote horticulture activities, Rs 90 crore had been spent so far under the NHM in the district as a result of which 8,300 hectares of land was under the Horticulture Department in the district.

Sirsa has been producing the highest kinnows and maltas in Haryana.

The district had produced record 1.80 lakh metric tonnes of kinnows and maltas in 2012-13.

Drip irrigation facility for horticulture had been provided on maximum area of land in the district.

DHBVN to install five 33-KV substations
Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 16
The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has approved the construction of five 33-KV substations in Sector 19 Sirsa, Agon and Hirwari in Gurgaon district , Nawan in Mahendragarh district and Kharkhara in Rewari district at a cost of about Rs 15.25 crore.

A DHBVN spokesperson said about 35-km 33-KV transmission lines would be erected to connect the new substations with their feeding substations.

The spokesperson said each substation would have one 10 MVA transformer to feed consumers in its command area. A provision for setting up of an additional transformer at each substation would be made to meet the future needs in the area.

The spokesperson said these substations were likely to benefit over 30,000 consumers of different categories directly or indirectly by way of improved voltage and regular power supply.

Workers on strike, seek formation of union
Our Correspondent

Rewari, May 16
Tension has been prevailing at Goshi India Auto Parts Private Limited in Sector 3 of the Bawal Industrial Estate here for the past five days due to an agitation by the workers of the company.

The workers are demanding the formation of a full-fledged workers’ union while the management of the firm is opposing their demand. While 200 workers of the company are on a "tool down" strike inside the factory since May 12, more than 200 workers have been staging a dharna outside the factory in support of their demand.

Meanwhile, Deputy commissioner CG Rajini Kaanthan and other senior officials of the state Labour Department are working hard to bring the two factions closer to an agreeable agreement to end the the impasse.

As many prominent trade union leaders from various industrial estates of the region have extended their support to the cause of the agitating workers, the management has started resorting to ‘pinpricks’ by issuing show cause notices to 12 workers, who are leading the agitation.

Maruti donates 4 ambulances to Civil Hospital
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, May 16
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) donated four Eeco ambulances to the Civil Hospital, Gurgaon, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The vehicles were handed over by SY Siddiqui, chief operating officer (administration), MSIL, to the Gurgaon Civil Surgeon, Dr BK Rajora, here recently. Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner PC Meena was also present on the occasion.

Programmes covered under the company's CSR umbrella give specific attention to education, infrastructure improvements, health and sanitation, he said, adding that Maruti Suzuki undertook community-development activities in eight villages of Gurgaon and Manesar.

'Family disputes a major cause of increase in crime'
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 16
"The rising graph of family disputes is emerging as a major cause of overall increase in the crime in the state, putting undue pressure on the police and there is need to evolve some mechanism like setting up of family counselling centres and helplines to resolve family disputes," said Laik Ram Dabas, Director, State Crime Records Bureau.

"Bitterness in family relations, jealousy and enmity are resulting in domestic violence, rapes, abduction, loot, dowry deaths, suicide, especially among elderly persons," he said while speaking on the "Family Day".

Stressing on the need to resolve disputes through counselling, Dabas observed that tension and bitterness in families was driving the youth towards drug addiction and the number of youth running away from home had increased significantly.

"It is well known that children, women and old-aged people are worst affected by domestic and family disputes and in several cases, these disputes lead to disintegration of families and affected children are being exploited by unscrupulous people," he said.

The family disputes consumed a lot of time and energy of investigating agencies and added to the pressure on the police as most of the non-cognisable cases were related to family matters, Dabas said and added that while families should take lead in settling the disputes, the police should also set up family counselling units, flying squads and helplines to settle the disputes.

128 poor students get financial assistance

Kurukshetra, May 16
At a function organised by the Shri Vaish Aggarwal Panchayat (SVAP) under the Maharaja Aggarsain Shiksha Samman Yojana (MASSY) as many as 128 poor boys and girls were rendered financial help of about Rs 4 lakh in cash and kind to enable them to continue their education. The function was held on the premises of Gita Niketan Aavasiya Vidyalaya here recently.

Out of the128 students, 10 were given books, four bicycles, six school uniforms and one a hearing-aid machine while rest of them were given cheques to pay for their tuition fee for six months each.

In his address, the chief guest, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Yash Garg, called upon the people to come forward in helping the deserving and brilliant students who were the future of the country.

Garg said service to mankind was the real service and was equivalent to worship of God. The person who served the needy need not go to any place of worship, he added.

Thanesar Subdivisional Magistrate Ashok Bansal said MASSY was launched by the SVAP to encourage brilliant and deserving students and the panchayat was always known for its social service to society. — OC

33 volunteers get NSS merit certificates
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 16
The National Service Scheme (NSS) of the Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology organised a programme 'PRERNA-2013' for providing NSS merit certificates to volunteers here recently.

Dr ML Ranga, Vice-Chancellor of the university, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Dr Ranga said NSS volunteers play a very important role in creating awareness of the ill-effects of social evils.

He emphasised that the NSS was helpful in providing the information of beneficiary state and national polices to the people at grassroot level. He said the NSS provides a platform for personality development to students.

On this occasion, Dr Sandeep Rana, programme coordinator, NSS, emphasised that NSS activities were helpful in making the mindset of students more rationale.

As many as 33 students were provided NSS merit certificates.

Naina Gupta was the best NSS volunteer in the female category. Tarun Kumar got the best volunteer certificate in the male category. Prof MS Turan, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof Kuldeep Bansal, Dean Students Welfare, Dr Anil and Dr Ashwani, programme officers were also present on the occasion.

Ceiling fans donated to school

Kurukshetra, May 16
As many as 10 ceiling fans were donated by the State Bank of India, Sector 5, Kurukshetra branch, to Government Primary School, Devidaspura.

The branch manager of the bank, Nayab Singh, said the ceiling fans were donated by the bank under its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme.

The school staff and students appreciated the bank's gesture to school. — OC

Nurses should have missionary zeal for patients: Doctor
Our Corespondent

Sonepat, May 16
Nursing Day was observed recently at Bhagat Phool Singh Government Women Medical College, Khanpur Kalan, with the students, faculty members and hospital staff committing to providing selfless service to the patients inside and outside the college and on the hospital campus.

An orthopaedician, Dr PS Maini, and his wife, Dr BK Maini, were the chief guests in the programme. The programme was presided over by the Director of the medical college, Dr RC Siwach.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Maini and Dr (Mrs) Maini said there was no better auspicious moment other than rendering selfless service to the patients by members of the medical community. “We should be very thankful to the Almighty who provides us opportunities to serve people," they remarked.

They also praised the efforts of Dr Siwach for establishing the women medical college and hospital in just three years and gaining rapid popularity for the rural medi-city among the people.

Dr Siwach said doctors and nurses played an important role in saving the precious lives of the people, adding that the nurses should have a missionary zeal for their patients. He announced that any MBBS student getting the first position in his class would be awarded a gold medal.

The BPS Mahila University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Balbir Kaur, and the Registrar, Prof Asha Kadian, also exhorted the students to devote their knowledge and energy to the service of the needy.

The Dean, Academics, Dr Renu Garg, the Medical Superintendent, Dr Sunder Lal Goyal, doctors, students and nursing staff were present on the occasion. College students and the nursing staff presented a cultural programme.

DC reviews development projects' progress
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, May 16
Pankaj Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, has asked the officers of the concerned departments to ensure that work was completed within the time schedule of all the proposed projects for the district's development which were announced by the Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda since 2005.

The DC reviewed the progress of these projects in a meeting of the officers of the concerned departments in the district recently. He informed the CM had announced 390 projects including 19 in 2005, 74 in 2005, 34 in 2007, 28 in 2008, 31 in 2009, 22 in 2010, 144 in 2011, 25 in 2012 and 13 in 2013 and out of these only 204 have been completed.

Work on the remianing120 projects was in progress and the process was being initiated to start work on 31 other projects, he said. He added the starting of the work on remaining 35 projects was not feasible. He directed that all those projects where the work was going on must be completed within 2013.

The DC also asked the SDMs to get status reports for the ongoing work on the unfinished projects and submit these reports to him for appraisal of the CM’s office about the progress report.

He also cautioned that the officers must personally monitor the progress of these projects and there should not be any compromise in the quality and quantity of the material being used in completion of the projects’ work.

Create posts of physical education teacher in schools
Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 16
The Haryana Physical Education Teachers' Sangh has urged the government to create the post of physical education teacher in all senior secondary schools and fill all vacant posts of physical education teacher (PET) to give a boost to sports and physical activities in schools.

In a memorandum submitted to the government through the district administration, the association demanded that the designation of physical education teachers should be changed from PTI to PET and the post of PET should be created at the block level.

Three of family booked for fraud
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, May 16
The police has registered a case against three persons for allegedly duping a woman of Rs 16 lakh in a land deal case.

District police chief Rakesh Kumar Arya said Sanyogita Devi, wife of Ashok, a resident of HUDA Sector 3 here, in a complaint said Jasvinder Kaur, her husband Kamal Kumar and their son Golu, all residents of Ambala, had committed a fraud by selling her plot situated at Didar Nagar here by preparing fake documents of the plot.

Discoms to minimise overloading on distribution transformers
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 16
In order to ensure reliable power supply to consumers, the Haryana Power Distribution Corporations (Discoms) have made an ambitious plan to minimise overloading on distribution transformers and divide load on all overloaded feeders in the state within one year.

Devender Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of the UHBVN and DHBVN, said only 70 percent load would be allowed on distribution transformers to avoid overloading and to bring down the damage rate.

The Discoms would conduct a statewide survey of all the transformers and add additional transformers in the system wherever necessary.

More transformers of various ratings would be procured for the purpose.

He said the installation of additional transformers would help improve voltage of electricity and continuity of power supply.

In the meantime instructions have already been given to the field staff to carry periodical maintenance of the transformers.

Singh also said,"With the use of more electrical gadgets the load on system is increasing in urban as well as rural areas day by day. A significant load growth of 10 to 30 percent in recent past has been witnessed in various parts of the state. Due to abnormal load growth many feeders were having load of more than 250 amperes.

It has been decided that all the 11 KV feeders having load of more than 250 amperes will be bifurcated in a phased manner. It would minimise the cases of feeder breakdown which leads to consumer inconvenience and loss of revenue to the Nigam."

He further stated the Discoms were committed to providing better services to the consumers for which an action plan is being prepared.

The Discoms would plan short term and long term works to be executed in the next 12 months, he added.

Karnal officials told to remove encroachments, hoardings
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 16
Karnal Deputy Commissioner Renu S Phulia has directed the officials concerned to remove all encroachments, unauthorised constructions, banners, hoardings and advertisements creating traffic hazards on highways and strictly implement the orders of the High Court in this regard.

Addressing the monthly meeting of district officers, she said strict vigil should be maintained on unauthorised constructions and encroachments and immediate action should be taken against the violators.

She directed the Municipal Corporation and Panchayati Raj Department officials to get the roads, lanes and roads cleaned in their areas and be strict on the construction of unauthorised structures and complete all ongoing works.

In view of possible threat of outbreak of diseases during the summers, she asked the Civil Surgeons to take samples of halwais, fruit sellers, ice sellers and initiate action in case the samples failed.

The mining officer informed that 64 cases of illegal mining were detected during April and a fine of Rs 11.81 lakh was recovered, while a fine amounting Rs 2.22 lakh was recovered in ten cases of illegal mining in first fortnight of May.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the Irrigation and Public Health Department officials to cut water supply by two hours to avoid waste of water and caution people against wastage of drinking water.

She said the Agriculture Department was providing 25 per cent subsidy on the purchase of happy seeders for direct sowing and informed that 40 happy seeders were available for sale in the district.

HAU to organise three-week refresher course in computer application

Hisar, May 16
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, has invited applications for a three-week refresher course on Computer Application, which would be organised from June 5.

The university has invited applications by May 27.

While stating this today, a spokesperson of the University said the course is being organised by the Academy of Agricultural Research and Education Management (AAREM) of the university.

It is exclusively meant for scientists, teachers and extension specialists of agricultural universities and institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). He said there are 20 seats in the course which would be filled on first-come-first serve basis. He also said the course intended to acquaint the participant with latest technology in the use of computers that would help improve their teaching, research and extension skills.

Also, they would be given training on scanning, printing and digital photography, he added. —TNS

Spirituality can reform judicial system, say judges
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Gurgaon, May 16
A three-day national convention of jurists on ‘Spiritual Prudence for Peace and Happiness’ organised by the Jurists Wing of the Brahma Kumaris institution at its Om Shanti Retreat Centre, Pataudi Road, concluded here recently.

Addressing the plenary session on “Incorporating Spirituality in Judicial System”, Justice AK Sikri, Judge, Supreme Court of India, observed that spirituality was a powerful means of empowering and reforming judicial people and the system for proper administration of justice and it should be adopted by lawyers and judges for better dispensation of justice.

Tracing the evolution of natural laws, spiritual laws and man-made laws, Justice Sikri said the third type of laws which were presently the subject matter in administration of justice needed to be supplemented by principles of spirituality for delivering complete justice to people.

He said the judges and advocates discharging the divine role and responsibility of dispensing justice should have the capacity and courage to incorporate spirituality in the judicial system if they wanted to ensure real justice.

In the valedictory address, Justice Sunil Gaur, Judge, Dehi High Court, urged the participants to carry with them some lessons of learning from the convention and implement the same to excel in their personal and professional life. He exhorted the legal fraternity to use spiritual prudence as the basis for administering better jurisprudence.

Earlier, while inaugurating the conference, Justice KS Radhakrishnan, Judge, Supreme Court of India, maintained, “In and around Delhi, maximum cases of dowry death, suicide and crime against women are taking place as compared to the rest of India. These insanities originate from family and marital differences where maintenance cases turn into criminal cases. For containment of such acts of criminality, spirituality is the only answer”.

He stressed that in a scenario when more and more heinous crimes were being committed by juveniles today, it was highly imperative that we need to teach spirituality starting from school days itself and it should constitute a part of the course curriculum and not simply made an option for schools, whether public or private.

Justice V Eashwaraiah, former Acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, said, “A judge should become a judge of himself.”

Rajyogini BK Asha, Director, Brahma Kumaris’ Om Shanti Retreat Centre, urged the audience to cultivate a clean and clear conscience with the help of spirituality to lead a contented life. Former CBI director DR Kaarthikeyan, P.B Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt. of India; Sandhya Bajaj , Advocate , Supreme Court of India; Advocate B.L Maheshwari , National Coordinator, Jurist Wing of Brahma kumaris from Jodhpur , Advocate Jai Prakash Sharma , National coordinator, Jurist Wing from Delhi also participated.

Technology cannot substitute human intellect: Dahiya
BS Malik

Sonepat, May 16
Technology has made communication faster and easier. However, technology cannot substitute human intellect. Technological tools can be used to hone communication skills, but the tendency of total depending on technological aids must be avoided. Instead, developing critical thinking and reasoning as a foundation for effective communication is needed.

This was stated by eminent scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Prof Bhim Singh Dahiya, in a valedictory session of an orientation programme here recently in the UGC’s Academic Staff College of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan.

Professor Dahiya in his scholarly and inspiring address said that content was very important in communication, as was the skill of listening. “Communication must incorporate moral values, or else it becomes a mere business process,” he said.

He said it was a good initiative of the UGC through which teachers could develop communication skills, enhance their capacities and knowledge in higher education and this programme would enable them to perform better in their respective fields.

In her welcome address, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Pankaj Mittal, said good communication skills were the key to success in every field including education. “Self-confidence, body language, knowledge of the subject and eye-to-eye contact with the students are the factors that contribute to becoming a good teacher,” she added.

Registrar Prof Asha kadyan, Prof Geeta Singh, Dr Shafali Nagpal, Rani Tokas and delegates from different universities/colleges were present on the occasion.

Property registration
Start e-stamping for smooth process, Gurgaon administration urges government
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Gurgaon, May 16
The Gurgaon district administration has requested the state government to introduce electronic stamping (e-stamping) in the district to make the property registration process swift and smooth.

In a letter to the state authorities, Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner PC Meena has urged them to introduce e-stamping in Gurgaon and also make provision of regular issuance of stamp papers from treasury and banks.

He has contended that with the fast and big-time development witnessed in Gurgaon, the collection of stamp duty had also increased. Last year, an amount of Rs 1,250 crore was received on account of stamp duty in Gurgaon, of which 40 per cent was deposited in cash in the bank and the rest was deposited either by way of cheques or through RTGS.

According to the present practice, the person making the payment through cheque gets the stamp papers on the third day, that too subject to clearance of cheque. And if he makes payment through RTGS, he is able to get the stamp papers on the second day, subject to the confirmation of money transfer.

In case of cash deposits also, the applicant is able to get stamp papers on the second day. So, a person needs two to three days to pay the stamp duty to the government as he has to wait for the stamp papers.

Meena pointed out that the person carrying cash is vulnerable to criminals and many a time, incidents of snatching or misplacing of cash had taken place in the district.

"E-stamping will help in curbing such incidents. Further, the chances of circulation of fake stamp papers will also be ruled out. Moreover, the Income Tax Act puts a bar on cash payment of over Rs 50,000," the DC maintains.

In the letter, he has stated that e-stamping will help in improving the registration process of sale deeds of immovable property, as after generating stamp papers, the person will have an option to seek online appointment from the office of the Sub-Registrar for property registration.

On the appointed date and time, the document would be registered, saving much of the time of the applicant. This will help in streamlining the registration process.

The letter further points out that many states have introduced the e-stamping system by which the stamp papers can be obtained through Internet by paying the stamp duty electronically.

Meena has contended that e-stamping will help in saving time of the person paying stamp duty to the government and the security issues regarding handling of cash will also be taken care of.

Youth Congress yatra to terminate in Safidon on May 20
BS Malik

Sonepat, May 16
Haryana had witnessed the most impressive era of development during the past eight years under the stewardship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and this will pave the way for scoring a hat-trick victory in the Assembly elections in the state.

This was stated by the Sonepat MP, Jitender Singh Malik, while addressing the participants of the “Yuva Sandesh Yatra-2013” when it reached Gannaur recently.

The yatra was undertaken by the Sonepat Lok Sabha Youyh Congress led by its president Devender Kadian on May 7 and during its 14-day sojourn, will cover a distance of 285 km to make people aware of the centrally sponsored welfare schemes, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and will terminate at Moana village in the Safidon Assembly constituency on May 20.

Appreciating the efforts of the Youth Congress activists, Malik said neither any field nor any region had remained neglected from the development and welfare activities during these eight years. “Works done during these years are visible on ground and there is no truth in the false allegations of the opposition parties,” he remarked.

“The state had become a role model for other states in many a field including per capita income, mobilisation of resources, promotion of sports, opening of the institutions of higher learning and incentives as well as scholarships for needy students,” he added.

On the occasion, national vice-president of the Youth Congress, Uma Shanker Pande, state vice-president Ravi Mehla, state secretary Sanjay Kamboj and other Youth Congress leaders, including Anoop Malik, Ramesh, Satpal, Santosh Gulia, Anand Nain, Joginder Purkhas, Neeraj Malik and Virender, were also present on the occasion.

Firm action to protect animals

Chandigarh, May 16
The Haryana Government has directed all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to check the illegal transportation of animals and ensure strict implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animal Act, 1960.

While stating this here yesterday, a spokesman of the Home Department said it had been found that a large number of camels were being transported from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh and other states for illegal slaughter. Moreover, these animals were being transported through Haryana. The inhuman manner in which these animals were handled clearly violated the provisions of the Act and should be curbed with a firm hand while following the provisions of law, he added.— TNS

Gurgaon to have 2 more bus stands, air-conditioned local buses
Inter-state bus terminus, modern air-conditioned bus stand on the cards
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Gurgaon, May 16
Gurgaon will soon have an inter-state bus terminus, which will be constructed near Rajiv Chowk along the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway No 8 passing through the city.

Another modern air-conditioned bus stand will be constructed in Sector 29, which will largely cater to the city bus service and super-luxury Volvo buses.

The number of city buses will be increased to 150 in the next four months. These will include 50 air-conditioned buses, which are not there in the city bus fleet as of now.

This was stated by Arun Kumar, Director-General of Haryana State Transport, in a recent media interaction here.

He said all bus stands in the state would be fitted with CCTV cameras so as to prevent any mischief on the premises. The state government would spend about Rs 4 crore on this facility.

CCTV cameras would also be installed in city buses plying in Gurgaon and Faridabad, he said, adding that GPS system would also be installed in the city buses.

He said apart from the increase in the number of city buses, the frequency of buses would also be increased on the routes having a greater traffic load.

Some buses would be borrowed from the Delhi depot of Haryana Roadways for plying on Dhaula Kuan to IMT Manesar route.

The rest of the new buses were being procured from Tata Motors. The state government would incur an expenditure of Rs 32 crore on these new buses.

A new 17th route of the local bus had also been introduced, which runs from the Sector 29 Metro Station to Badshahpur via Sectors 40, 41, Jharsa village, Medicity hospital, Bakhtawar Chowk, Mayfield Garden and Nirwana country.

Unfolding new projects for Gurgaon, Kumar said five more buses would be added to the fleet of super luxury Gurgaon-Chandigarh Volvo buses, taking their number to 20.

Besides, 48 staff quarters would also be constructed for the drivers and conductors operating the intra-city buses.

Movies This Week
Aurangzeb

A still from the movie, ‘Aurangzed’

Directed by: Aurangzeb
Directed by debutant Atul Sabharwal and produced by YRF , 'Aurangzeb’ has a star cast that includes Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, South star Prithviraj, Sikander Kher, Amrita Singh, Deepti Naval, Tanvi Azmi and Swara Bhaskar. The buzz is that this Arjun Kapoor starrer talks about the land mafia in Gurgaon. Arjun Kapoor’s double role is highlight of the film, that releases all over Haryana today.

I Don’t Luv U

Directed by: Amit Kasaria

Chetna Pande makes her Bollywood debut with the film, ‘I don’t Luv U’. The movie focuses on the younger generation. The film has a very strong combination of powerful script, screenplay and music. The buzz is that it is about transforming the mindset of the youth and tries to touch the heart of the youth. ‘I don’t Luv U’ also lays emphasis on the potential role of media in the common man’s life.
— Dharam Pal

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