What transpired during Vidhan Sabha session

* Govt comes out with vision for good governance through Governor’s Address

* First-time MLA Manohar Lal Khattar able to carry House with him on certain issues

* Hooda’s wit at full display during the session

* Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu reiterated state govt’s resolve to investigate all cases of ‘wrongdoings’ by the previous govt

* Hooda vociferously defended his government, alleging INLD had no moral right to speak on corruption as its top leadership was behind bars

* Attempts to rake up RSS agenda in Governor’s Address scuttled

Chandigarh, November 6
Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kavita Jain has clarified that the beneficiaries of various social security pension schemes are not required to produce Aadhaar cards for availing the benefit . The pension for October is being disbursed these days.

She said as the beneficiaries were being asked to produce their Aadhaar cards at the time of disbursement of pension, there was resentment among the beneficiaries.

Jain said those beneficiaries, who did not have Aadhaar cards, would also be given pension. The government would prepare the Aadhar cards of those beneficiaries who were yet to get their cards prepared.

No beneficiary would be deprived of pension for want of Aadhaar cards.

She said a number of welfare schemes were being run by the department. These included old age allowance, widow pension, handicapped pension, financial assistance to destitute children, ladli social security allowance, allowance to dwarf and eunuchs etc.

Over 22.26 lakh beneficiaries were currently getting pension and allowances under these schemes. 

Karnal, November 6
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (in pic) will visit his constituency, Karnal, on November 8 to hold his first “janata darbar”. City residents have been waiting for this since their representative bec-ame the Chief Minister.

They, along with representatives of several social and religious organisations, have prepared their lists of demands to be presented to Khattar.

Sources said the Chief Minister would devote the entire day to the people of his constituency. He will first meet officials at Panchayat Bhawan.

Later, he will listen to people’s grievances at Canal Rest House, says a source. All preparations for CM’s visit have been made.

Yamunanagar, November 6
The Kapal Mochan Mela concluded today with about seven lakh pilgrims taking dip in sarovars near Bilaspur town of Yamunanagar district on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.

Pilgrims, mostly Sikhs and Hindus, came from different parts of Punjab, Haryana and other neighbouring states. They took dip in Kapal Mochan, Rin Mochan and Surajkund sarovers. They then performed the ritual of lightening earthen lamps on the banks of sarovars and offered prayers in gurdwaras and temples.

Mandip Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner and chief administrator of the Shri Kapal Mochan Shrine Board, and superintendent of police Shashank Anand visited the mela and held a meeting with the officials on mela duty.

Councilors may withdraw support

* During Assembly polls, Ramesh Mal resigned from Cong to join Jan Chetna Party, thereby losing majority

* There is difference of opinion among Cong councillors to continue supporting the Mayor as he played key role in the defeat of the Cong candidate

*n Presently, Congress has 10 councillors in the House while BJP has four and Jan Chetna Party has three

Mahendragarh, November 6
The government promise to resolve the SYL issue during the Assembly session has raised the hopes of people of the Ahirwal region of getting canal water.

The residents of this region, especially Mahendragarh district, have been bearing the brunt of acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water.

The locals have been demanding the SYL canal water for a long time but successive governments did not show much interest. The worst affected areas are Nangal Chaudhry, Ateli and Narnaul assembly segments of this district. However, former minister Kiran Choudhry and her daughter — former MP Shruti Choudhry — had taken an initiative to redress this long-lasting problem of the area.

Most of the villages here are dependent upon groundwater to meet their water requirements but the rapidly depleting water table is adding to their woes. The water table has gone down by over 1400 feet in many villages of this district.

“The BJP government has infused a new hope among the people of South Haryana by taking up the issue. The falling water table has taken a toll on the farmers who have no other option but to switch over to other professions to make both ends meet,” said Om Prakash, a farmer in Nangal Chaudhry.

Rajender Singh, another farmer, said “We have been waiting for the canal water for a long time since there is a lot of potential in farming if such water is available. It’s unfortunate that politicians did not take pains to resolve this decade’s old problem,” he added.

“Canal water will work like oxygen to give a fillip the farming sector if SYL canal water reaches South Haryana. After declaring this area as a dark zone, water is need of the hour to protect the farmers in this region,” said Naresh Yadav, a former MLA.

Hope floats for parched South Haryana

* Residents of this region, especially Mahendragarh district, have been facing acute water shortage

* Most villages depend on groundwater, but the rapidly depleting water table is adding to their woes

* The worst affected areas are Nangal Chaudhry, Ateli and Narnaul assembly segments of this district

Sonepat, November 6
Local train passengers caught a child-lifter at Sonepat station late last evening with a two-year-old girl. The child’s custody has been restored to her father while the accused has been arrested and booked for kidnapping.

The alleged accused, identified as Bhanwar Singh who belongs to Uttar Pradesh, lives with his brother at Narela in Delhi.

He boarded the train from Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi. Co-passengers said Bhanwar Singh was intoxicated and could not satisfactorily answer questions about the child, which created suspicion.

When cornered, he said he was under the influence of drugs and got the child along by mistake. He was handed over to the Government Railway Police by the passengers.

The police found out that the child’s father, Ganesh Lal, a resident of Lal Bagh Colony in Adarsh Nagar, last night registered a case of his daughter going missing from near the railway station.

A Government Railway Police team led by investigation officer ASI Manjit Singh today took the child to Adarsh Nagar police station and reunited her with her family.

Bhanwar Singh was handed over to the Adarsh Nagar police and has been booked for kidnapping.

Accused was intoxicated

* The accused, identified as Bhanwar Singh (in pic) is from Uttar Pradesh, but lives with his brother in Delhi

* He boarded the train from Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi

* Co-passengers said Bhanwar was intoxicated and could not answer questions about the child, which created suspicion

* He has been booked for kidnapping and handed over to the Delhi police

Chandigarh, November 6
The Haryana Government on Wednesday cleared the name of senior advocate Baldev Raj Mahajan for appointment as Advocate-General. He replaces Hawa Singh Hooda, who remained Advocate-General with the Congress-led government in Haryana for almost a decade.

Mahajan will represent Haryana before the High Court and even the Supreme Court in cases involving the state. Mahajan said as a formal notification on his appointment was yet to be issued, he was not in a position to elaborate on his priorities as the Advocate-General.

He, however, said the law officers should specifically be asked to render complete assistance to the court for ensuring expeditious disposal of cases. Attempts should also be made by the AG office to cut down on needless litigation and identify cases that have been rendered infructuous.

A product of DAV College, Chandigarh, Mahajan did his masters in political science before doing law from Rajasthan University. Practising primarily on the civil side, he was designated senior advocate by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in May this year. 

Karnal, November 6
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Women and Child Development Kavita Jain today paid a surprise visit to Nari Niketan and found several shortcomings.

Jain interacted with inmates of the state’s lone shelter home for girls and women inmates and asked about the facilities available and behaviour of the staff. She said some inmates raised the issue of unhygienic and poor quality food.

“Quality of food and standard of hygiene must be maintained on the premises. These girls and women need to be given extra attention,” she said, as she directed officials to resolve the inmates’ problems. The minister was on her way to Sonepat when she stopped at Nari Niketan.

Replying to a question about overcrowding at Nari Niketan, the Cabinet Minister said a new building with a capacity of 50 was ready and would start functioning soon. At present, around 70 inmates are living in Nari Niketan as against its capacity of 25, it is learnt.

Jain directed officials to provide all facilities to inmates. She said surprise visits would continue to ensure no Rohtak ‘Apna Ghar’-like incident happens again. “I will pay surprise visits to this shelter home as well as private ones run by NGOs,” she said.

When asked about the status of the probe into the suicide by two inmates last June, she said, “We will review the incidents. We are committed to provide better facilities to the inmates so they can be brought into mainstream.”

‘Overcrowding, poor-quality food’

* Nearly 70 inmates are living in Nari Niketan as against its capacity of 25. Some inmates raised the issue of unhygienic and poor quality food

* Cabinet minister Kavita Jain said she would visit this shelter home as well as private ones run by NGOs to prevent a repeat of Rohtak Apna Ghar-like incident

Chandigarh November 6
On the basis of reports submitted by the State Vigilance Bureau, the Haryana Government has suspended seven Irrigation Department officials for irregularities.

The irregularities pertained to preparing bills and using substandard material in flood-protection works at Tajewala complex under Hathnikund barrage circle in Yamunanagar district .

Action would be taken as per service rules against six officers who have retired. The cost of work was over ~31 crore which was allotted in 2010-11. A spokesman said those suspended included Executive Engineer RK Bhoria, Subdivisional Engineer Chaman Lal Gupta, junior engineers Rakesh Kamboj, Satpal Singh, Rajiv Kumar, Ved Pal and Jasbir Singh.

Those who would face action post-retirement included Chief Engineer Rajinder Singh, Superintendent Engineer Balbir Singh, Subdivisional Engineer Attar Singh and junior engineers Yogesh Bhardwaj, ML Sharma and Rajender Singh. — TNS

Jind, November 6
The district jail that has a capacity of 400 prisoners is accommodating 750 inmates, making things difficult for both authorities and inmates. On several occasions, the figure has touched the 800 mark and in such a scenario, the administration shifted some of the prisoners to other jails.

Of the 23 barracks in the jail, 19 are for men, three for women and one for juveniles. All barracks are accommodating almost double the prisoners than their capacity. Several years ago, the jail administration had prepared a plan to construct more barracks, but it remained on paper.

The jail authorities claimed it had been taking steps to improve the situation such as construction of more toilets, increasing water supply and upgrade of the canteen. Sources, however, said several prisoners still faced problems.

During summers, prisoners sleep in the verandah owing to space crunch. But in winters, it becomes difficult to sleep outside. So every prisoner has to adjust inside the barracks, leading to arguments among them sometimes.

“There is no space for new prisoners. The authorities have constructed some toilets and are trying its best to provide all facilities to prisoners,” DSP (jails) Sewa Singh said.

“Our seniors have asked us to prepare a estimate of the new building. The PWD authorities have been tasked for this. Hopefully, four barracks with a capacity of 500 inmates will be constructed soon,” said Jind SP (jails) Harish K Ranga.

Testing times

* The District Jail, Jind, (in pic) has sanctioned capacity of 400, but presently 750 prisoners are lodged

* In summer, prisoners sleep in the verandah due to space crunch, but in winters every prisoner has to adjust inside the barracks, leading to arguments

* Proposal for expansion prepared many years back, but no new construction undertaken

Yamunanagar, November 6
The family of a 25-year-old youth is running from pillar to post to get his body back from Saudi Arabia since the last two months. They have met the local MLA, Ambala MP and officers of various departments seeking help, but in vain.

Pradeep Kumar's family and residents of his native Sudhal village met DC Mandip Singh Brar and SP Shashank Anand, demanding help to bring back Pradeep's body.

Pradeep's father, Ram Chander, told the DC and the SP that his son had gone to Saudi Arabia in 2012 and joined Al-Yamama Company as a plumber. He returned to India for a three-month holiday in March 2014. He got married on May 20 and returned back to Saudi Arabia on May 27.

Chander said on September 3, his son's roommate Kuldeep Singh told them over phone that Pradeep had committed suicide on August 30. Chander said his son wanted to return home and was demanding his passport from the company, but instead of returning Pradeep's passport, the company tortured him.

The deceased's younger brother, Surjeet said they had met the local Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana, Ambala MP Ratan Lal Kataria and other politicians and officers, but no one had helped them solve the problem.

"My brother's body has been was lying there for the last two months. We are running from pillar to post to get the body. Besides meeting the officials, we have met the Ambala MP and the MLA from Radaur, but this has all been in vain," said Surjeet.

He said MP Ratan Lal Kataria had written a letter to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to ensure the return of the body. The Foreign Ministry gave them a number and asked them to check the status of their case over the internet, but the number didn't work on the said site.

"We also met the travel agent who sent my brother to Saudi Arabia; he too assured us that he would get the body soon, but all in vain," said Surjeet.

Attendance sheet spills the beans

* Many government officers, including judges, administrative and police officials, have deployed municipal sweepers at their houses

* Out of 40 sweepers deployed at Housing Board colony, Sector 13, Adarsh Nagar, Improvement Trust Market, Old HBC, Officers Colony and some other localities, 35 are working at the residences of VIPs

* This leaves only five sweepers to clean the public places in about seven-eight localities of the town 

Sirsa, November 6
Charanjit Singh Rori, INLD Sirsa MP, has decided to adopt Gudiakhera village in the Ellenabad assembly segment of this district under the “adopt-a-village” scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the scheme, each MP is to adopt and turn three villages of his constituency into “model villages” during his or her term ending 2019. One village will be developed by 2016 and the other two by 2019.

Situated nearly 18 km from Sirsa, Gudiakhera has a population of nearly 4,600 and lacks basic facilities.

People have to go to Sirsa or Nathusari Chopta for medical facilities while children have to go out for higher education. The transportation facilities are also poor.

Hanuman Poonia, a member of the Samaj Sewi Yuva Club of the village, said: “Our village is facing an acute water scarcity and we are forced to drink underground saline water. The village also faces a power shortage.”

Rohtak, November 6
Morning walkers spotted the body of a man lying in the fields near a private township here this morning. The throat of the man was slit. A Scooty, a dagger and a container of insecticide tablets were found nearby.

The police was informed and a team reached the scene of crime.

The deceased was identified as Sadhu Ram, a local property dealer, on the basis of documents found from his pocket.

The investigators said the circumstantial evidence indicated that it could be a case of suicide. Further investigations are on in the case.

Karnal, November 6
As many as 77.47 per cent residents of Karnal, Kurukshetra and Panipat districts blamed male-dominated society, women illiteracy and feeling of insecurity among women for female foeticide in the society, as per a survey by Swayamsiddha, an NGO working for women and child welfare.

The NGO spoke to 21,056 persons — 12,464 females and 8,592 males — of rural and urban areas in the three districts. President Dr Ranjana Sharma, accompanied by Anju Dhawan and other members of the NGO said the questionnaire had five questions on reasons for female foeticide and ways to stop it. NGO members visited several villages, urban localities, colleges, schools and households for views of the respondents.

Sharma said 77.47 per cent considered dowry system, male-dominated society, female illiteracy and insecurity among women as the main reasons for foeticide. As many as 68 per cent respondents said schemes in which the government provided financial assistance on the birth of a girl child did not help check this evil, she said.

As many as 66.55 per cent respondents agreed doctors, society and mothers could play a key role in eradicating foeticide. A majority of respondents (75.86 per cent) agreed that the skewed sex ratio could lead to several problems such as increase in sexual offences, non-availability of brides and gender bias, Sharma said.

On how to stop foeticide, as many as 55.29 per cent said only change in people’s mentality could make a difference. 

Hisar, November 6
The district authorities and representatives of Sant Rampal met today to avoid any untoward situation in the wake of non-bailable warrants issued against Rampal by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

There seems to be no breakthrough after two rounds of dialogue as the district authorities remained on alert while Rampal’s followers too have been toughening their stand against the court’s orders.

In a statement issued today, the Rashtriya Social Service Samiti (RSSS) stated Sant Rampal and the RSSS president Ramkumar Dhaka would not appear in court alone at any cost.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Haryana police to ensure that both of them were arrested and brought before the court for the hearing as Rampal had been facing allegations of interfering in judicial proceedings during the hearing of another case (Rampal is facing murder charges in this case).

While the police and district authorities remained on alert today, sources said a five-member delegation met Deputy Commissioner ML Kaushik and other top officials twice today to find an amicable way out of the present situation.

The sources added that Rampal’s followers want the state government to intervene in the situation as they were disinclined to let the godman go to police custody for execution of the court orders.

“The state government has seized upon the matter in view of the seriousness of the case,” a source informed adding the local authorities would take action as per the instructions from top.

Meanwhile, ML Kaushik confirmed that discussions were held with a delegation of Rampal’s followers, but he refused to divulge the details of the meeting. He denied that there was any kind of tension in Barwala or any other part of the district.

Seeking govt’s intervention

* A five-member delegation met Deputy Commissioner ML Kaushik and other top officials twice on Thursday to find an amicable way out of the present situation

* Followers of Rampal (in pic) want the state government to intervene in the situation

* They said they were disinclined to let the godman go to police custody for execution of the court orders

SONEPAT, NOVEMBER 6
The week-long “Clean India,Clean University” drive of BPS Women University, Khanpur Kalan, ended today with the pledge that this movement would be continued till the dream of a “Clean India” was materialised.

Stressing the need for a clean and green environment, Dr Asha Kadyan, Vice-Chancellor, also flagged off a run-for-cleanliness race.

Starting with an oath of national unity and cleanliness on October 31, the university initiated a drive to clean the university and the surrounding areas.

The students also organised several “run-for-cleanliness” races, urging all to ensure a clean and healthy environment.. 

Chandigarh November 6
Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar has said that adequate quantity of manure and seeds for rabi crop would be made available to farmers in market.

Dhankar, who was redressing the grievances of people here today, said he had also sought the report of girdawari conducted to assess the damage caused to the cotton crop recently. He said adequate compensation would be given to the affected farmers. He said the present state government was committed to ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their crops, including paddy and cotton.

Blaming the Congress government, he said had the Congress not spread rumours about stopping export of paddy, farmers would not have suffered losses. —TNS 

Rohtak, November 6
Students of the State University of Performing and Visual Arts (SUPVA), Rohtak, have been boycotting their classes and staging a dharna on the university campus for the past three days.

The protesting students maintained that the university authorities had failed to provide even the basic facilities like hostels, placement cell, qualified faculty and adequate lab equipment despite repeated representations and reminders. The students also alleged that the university authorities lacked a well-defined academic roadmap and wanted to run the affairs with a dictatorial approach.

“Whenever we approach them with our grievances, they assure us of prompt action but no concrete measures are taken to address our concerns. Hence, we were left with no other alternative but to stage a demonstration,” said students.

The protesters being students of cinema and design, the manner of demonstration is also artistic. The protesting students play musical instruments, sing songs, raise slogans, paint and create art work and stage street-plays at the protest venue.

Umesh Saroj, SUPVA Registrar, refuted the allegations about lack of faculty members or lab equipment. He said land had already been acquired for university hostels and construction would commence in due course.

Referring to the students’ demand for doing away with the 9 am to 5 pm schedule, he maintained that the students were putting pressure on the university administration to get undue liberty of occupying campus premises round the clock, which won’t be granted.

Sirsa, November 6
The police last night arrested 29 persons for consuming liquor at public places here. Suresh Pal, station house officer (SHO), of the city police station, Sirsa, said the arrests had been made under a drive launched by the police against those who consume liquor at public places and create nuisance.

The SHO said during a raid in the Begu road area, the police arrested Dalip from Chandigaria Mohalla, Ajay from Subhash Basti, Satpal from Kelnia and Nirmal from Shiv Nagar. Sunny from Shiv Nagar, Rinku from Kirti Nagar and Shankar and Surinder from Kirti Nagar were arrested for consuming liquor at a public park in Kirti Nagar.

Bhojraj from Thehar Mohalla and Darshan, Krishan and Kashmir from the Rania road were nabbed from the Rania road area. Jandiwali Gali residents Rajesh and Ranjit were found consuming liquor near Gandhi Ashram and Sukhwinder of Bhangu village was found drinking near the bus stand.

In a raid near the Sirsa General Hospital, the police arrested Shiv and Vijay, both residents of Rania Gate, Yogesh of Balmiki Chowk, Jagdish of Ward 24 and Ravi of Ward 18 while drinking.

Suresh Pal said Pawan, a resident of Nejia, Vijender from Chatargarh Patti and Babloo and Aman from Kirti Nagar were found consuming liquor in the Auto Market area.

Sajjan of the Janata Bhawan road and Ajay of Old Housing Board were found consuming liquor near the Old Truck Union area.