Cane price hiked

NEW DELHI, Nov 19 (UNI) — Effecting more than 6 per cent increase in the statutory minimum price (SMP) for sugarcane, upward revision in the ex-factory levy prices of sugar to Rs 1050.99 per quintal, inclusion of 126 subcastes on OBC list were the major decisions taken by the government today, apparently favouring farmers, industry and backward castes.

The Cabinet, which met here this evening with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in chair, has also cleared introduction of three Bills — the geographical indication of goods (registration and protection) Act 1999, electricity regulatory commission (amendment) Act and legislation for a sui-generis system for protection of plant varieties — in the winter session of Parliament.

However, the Cabinet deferred its decision on the national population policy. It is expected to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, likely to be held in the coming week.

The geographical indication of goods bill will provide compulsory registration and protection of geographical indications of goods and ensure better protection of industrial property inherent in geographical indications. This will also give impetus to export of goods and will meet the obligations under the Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement relating to the protection of geographical indications.

The electricity regulatory commission Bill seeks to amend section 17(1) of the 1998 Act to enable two or more states and UTs to establish a joint electricity regulatory commission.

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for enacting a law for protection of plant varieties and farmers rights. The proposed legislation will stimulate investment for research and development.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved the negative adjustment of molasses prices in determination of ex-factory prices of levy sugar in future, based on previous sugar seasons average realisations, besides increasing the levy price of sugar for 1998-99 sugar season at Rs 1050.99 per quintal (all India average).

The CCEA also hiked the SMP of sugarcane to Rs 56.10 from Rs 52.70 per quintal linked with basic recovery of 8.5 per cent subject to premium of Rs 0.66 for every 0.1 per cent increase in recovery above that level for the sugar season 1999-2000.

The CCEA also approved the proposal of revised cost estimates of "transmission system associated with Salal hydro electric station-second phase and Chandrapur HVDV back to back project.’’

The CCEA also approved a proposal to provide a capital investment subsidy for construction, expansion and modernisation of cold storages and store homes for horticulture produce through the National Horticulture Board. A provision of Rs 175 crore has been made for this project, which is expected to minimise the post-harvest losses of horticultural produce thereby increasing the income of the farmers.

It has also approved a proposal to acquire a passenger vessel by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for inter-island traffic.

Rs 2.5 crore fraud detected
SDO, other officials blamed
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Nov 19 — The inquiry conducted by the district administration into the 13 works of Teona canal subdivision in Bathinda has led to the detection of embezzlement of more than Rs 2.5 crore allegedly by the SDO, Mr G.S. Bains, and certain other officials.

Official sources said the embezzlement was detected during on-the-site inquiries and checking of arms.

The sources said Mr Tirath Singh Brar, Extra Assistant Engineer (EAE), Mithri, Teona canal subdivision falling under the Bathinda canal division, in a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner alleged that Mr Bains along with certain members of the staff had embezzled a huge sum while executing various works in the past few years.

Dr Brar in his complaint alleged that Mr Bains, along with other officials, had embezzled the money by way of bogus payments, bogus entries in work charge rolls of the Theri minor, bogus project estimates, bunglings in measurement books (MBs) and wrong entries.

Sources said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, on receiving the inquiry report from the district administration, has asked the DIG, Ferozepore, the Superintendent Engineer, Canals, Ferozepore, and a gazetted officer to further investigate into the matter.

Mr Brar handed over a cheque for Rs 50,000 to Mr Badal yesterday here, confessing in public that he had collected the money “through commission” in various works.

The sources said some of the officials whose name figured in the inquiry report had confessed their involvement in the bunglings in writing.

Mr G.S. Bains, when contacted, said the inquiry was “one sided”. He said the complaint by Mr Brar was “baseless and untrue”. He said he had gone “underground” fearing action from the authorities concerned.

On the other hand, Mr Tirath Singh Brar, in an application to the Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court, has alleged that the inquiry is being hushed up on political considerations and has prayed that a CBI probe should be ordered into it. He has sought security for himself and his family members.

He has also prayed that all officials involved in the scam be booked as per the law and records pertaining to the inquiry be seized as these could be tampered with.