The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Rs 81-crore power plan for Sirsa Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service Hisar, June 7 To augment and strengthen the power transmission and distribution system in Sirsa district and to improve voltage level and quality of power supply, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) have chalked out a comprehensive plan of Rs 81 crore. A spokesman for the DHBVN stated here today that the power utilities planned to construct nine substations of 33 KV level, augment capacity of 15 existing substations of different levels, rehabilitate 25 overloaded and lengthier feeders of 11 KV level and replace old conductor of nine feeders. The new substations are planned to be set up at Badagudda, Mirzapur, Ahemadpur Road, Industrial Area, Sirsa, Mohamadpuria, Risalia Khera, Jamal, Desujodha, Khuyian Malkana and Kagdana. The rehabilitation work of the overloaded and lengthier feeders will be carried by dividing each feeder into two or three feeders of proper load and length and the complete system of feeders would be renovated. It would strengthen the power distribution system in the district considerably, thus, minimising breakdowns and tripping, besides improving the voltage level Augmentation of the conductors of nine feeders of 11 KV level would also improve quality of power supply considerably. Rehabilitation and augmentation work of feeders will involve a cost of Rs 6.37 crore. During the rehabilitation of the feeders, additional distribution transformers will be set up and additional distribution lines will be erected as per requirement so that there is no overloading of the distribution system. Five 11 KV feeders were rehabilitated last year. The spokesman said the DHBVN planned to add 6,217 new distribution transformers in the existing network of 11,343 transformers in Sirsa district by the year 2009-10 and 2,015 transformers of lower capacity would be replaced with those of higher capacity. The length of power transmission and distribution lines are also planned to be increased considerably by adding 1,115 km-long power distribution lines of high tension and low tension in the existing dense net work in the district. Capacitors of 38,200 KVAR capacity are also planned to be installed to improve the voltage level. The DHBVN also plans to release 19,600 new connections in the district, including 2,000 tube-well connections. The DHBVN plans to electrify 183 hamlets in the district during the current financial year. The Union Government has sanctioned a plan of Rs 12.34 crore to strengthen power distribution system in villages and provide domestic connections to people living below the poverty line category in the district under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna. Meanwhile, according to official sources, the Haryana Power Utilities yesterday supplied 180 lakh units more power in the state than the power supplied on the corresponding day of the past year. The power utilities supplied 802 lakh units of power on June 6, as compared to 622 lakh units supplied on the corresponding day of the past year. The power supplied yesterday was the highest in this year.
	Scholars resolve to publish biography of Amir Khusrau Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 7 The last day of most seminars is often too dull to justify a grand inauguration. But the one organised by the Haryana Urdu Akademi in memory of Hazrat Amir Khusrau managed to sustain the hype that marked its opening ceremony yesterday. The concluding day was all about resolves that will go a long way in reviving the legacy of Sufi poet and unraveling the mysteries behind his spiritual quest. All top scholars of Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi and English who marked their attendance at the seminar today promised to bring the entire body of the poet-philosopher's work together. To begin with, it was decided that the most celebrated Persian scholars of India would be roped in to prepare an authentic selection of Khusrau's Persian poetry. And that would not be all. The scholars also dedicated themselves to the publication of the thinker's first biography. Since no primary sources of information on Khusrau's life are available, it has been resolved that a biography be based on his existing literary corpus. Dr K.L. Zakir, secretary, Haryana Urdu Akademi, pointed out, "Khusrau lives in his poetry. His verse is the most vital link to his life and times. There cannot be a better mirror to Khusrau than his works." The biography will be brought out under the aegis of the akademi. Another area of concern for litterateurs like Dr Chandra Shekhar, Head of Persian Department, Delhi University, was the dearth of poet's translated works. Citing the universal appeal and relevance of Khusrau's poetry as reason enough to make his works available to all, the participants recommended that a selection of his works be translated in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. As of now, very few Persian anthologies of Khusrau are available in other languages, despite the fact that researchers in those languages are engaged with his philosophy. This and much more, Dr Zakir said, would become possible once the dream of establishing a cultural centre in Panchkula is realised. Backed by Haryana Finance Minister Birender Singh, the project will facilitate research and debate in the realm of linguistics. The centre will work on the broader agenda of enriching all three languages of the region - Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. This recommendation, and others were endorsed by attending scholars, including Dr Khaliq Anjum, President, Anjuman Taraqee-e-Urdu, Dr Sadiq from Delhi University's Urdu Department, Ghulam Nabi Khayal from Kashmir, Dr Nasseeruddin Azhar from Government College, Nuh and Dr Shahina Tabassum from Delhi University among others. For its part, the Haryana Urdu Akademi has been committed to the task of cultural resurgence in Haryana. To achieve this objective it has been working towards reviving the legacy of celebrated poets who still inspire people with the richness of their verse. One such attempt is underway at Panipat where the akademi is in the process of acquiring the ancestral house of the legendary poet Altaf Hassain Hali and converting it into a repository on his life and works. Second in line is Hazrat Amir Khusrau - the classic example of purity, both in life and in death.
	Pressure by Commissioner delays reshuffle Raman Mohan Tribune News Service Rohtak, June 7 Pressure mounted by a controversial Commissioner-rank IAS officer heading a revenue division against his impending transfer, has reportedly delayed the administrative reshuffle in Haryana. The officer was recently in news because of his wife’s love for shopping at the expense of her husband’s subordinates mainly Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars. The reshuffle was expected on Friday after the publication of electoral rolls in the state on May 31. Till then there was a ban on shifting a large number of officers as they were also returning or assistant returning officers of different Assembly segments. However, the reshuffle has now been held up because of the pressure mounted by the officer with the help of a Union Minister and a lobby of bureaucrats both in Haryana and the Centre, sources said. The senior bureaucrat is not taking any chances. He is busy invoking divine blessing. He was stated to be at a dera in a holy town yesterday. The Hooda government is stated to be in a quandary over the issue. If the bureaucrat is retained at his post, the image of the Chief Minister would suffer. If he is shifted, a lobby within the Haryana Congress would be upset. Sources in the bureaucracy, on condition of anonymity, said the public and the bureaucracy’s perception of the government had got linked to the case. The common man in Haryana has been looking forward to this reshuffle as it is being seen as the first major effort to tone up the administration after the government took over last year. Initially, when the postings to key offices were criticised, the Chief Minister had stated that these were on a 90-day probation. Thereafter, some changes were made but the government avoided a major reshuffle. Meanwhile, there is a report of another senior Chandigarh-based bureaucrat holding the rank of Financial Commissioner forcing Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars to collect Rs 1 lakh each for a trust he is associated with. Sources said the officer had been calling up his subordinates, stating in detail the social and cultural activities he planned to carry on after his retirement. Many Tehsildars and their deputies have stopped the collections after The Tribune exposed the activities of the controversial Commissioner and his wife.
	Cong infighting at new pitch Yoginder Gupta Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 7 The Haryana Congress infighting reached a new pitch today with the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, joining it. Mr Hooda, who was asked to comment on the corruption allegations levelled by Mr Kuldip Bishnoi, party MP from Bhiwani, against him in the land deal with Reliance Industries to set up a special economic zone (SEZ), said those who had been criticising the new initiatives of the state government aimed at rapid development, were not able to digest the unprecedented fast pace of development. He said the people now understood that who was corrupt and who was honest. “A person behaves in a manner the way he is,” he added. On the other hand, reacting sharply to his criticism by the Irrigation Minister, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, who had alleged yesterday that instead of raising the issues concerning Haryana in the Lok Sabha, he (Mr Bishnoi) was not even attending the sessions, Mr Bishnoi said Capt Yadav was a “mentally imbalanced person”. He said his attendance in the Lok Sabha was over 90 per cent. It was only during the last session that he remained absent because he was abroad. He said since the session was not scheduled earlier, he had already drawn up his travel plans. Mr Bishnoi said he had raised issues concerning not only Haryana but the entire country through several starred and unstarred questions as well as on other occasions. Certain other members of the Haryana Cabinet also joined the war of words against Mr Bishnoi today. The Health Minister, Mrs Kartar Devi, advised Mr Bishnoi to behave like a loyal member of the Congress and desist from publicly criticising the party’s government. She said if Mr Bishnoi had any personal opinion on the SEZ issue and had to air his views, he could do so at a platform of the party. It was astonishing that he joined hands with the Indian National Lok Dal to malign the image of the government. She said the Chief Minister had been providing a transparent and efficient administration and enjoying the support of all sections of society. The Minister of State for Forests and Tourism, Mrs Kiran Choudhry, supported the stand taken by Mr Hooda against Mr Bishnoi on the SEZ issue and said the decision for setting up of the SEZ was approved by the Cabinet. Mr Bishnoi should refrain from making irresponsible statements.
	Haryana chamber opposes quota in industry Our Correspondent Ambala, June 7 The Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not in the favour of reservation in the corporate sector as it would affect its competitiveness and the quality of functioning . The newly-elected president of the Haryana chamber, Mr Rajinder Nath, while talking to mediapersons said here yesterday that globalisation had forced Indian entrepreneurs to maintain and upgrade the quality of their products lest they would lag behind in the global industrial race. He said the Indian industry was fit enough to compete the International competition but the government should also support and allow them to take decisions at their level. Mr Nath said the chamber was of the view that only competent and meritorious candidates should come forward to join the corporate sector otherwise it would be difficult to compete with multinational companies. He said that ‘politics of votes’ should not guide any decision related to trade and industry. He said India was a member of World Trade Organisation (WTO) and it was the duty of the government to provide sufficient infrastructure to promote the industry. “We have been importing luxury items like electronic goods and cars, whereas we should also think about the requirement of common people”. he added. Referring to the hike in oil prices and the scarcity of power, Mr Nath said it would affect the industry as well as to common man. He said the government and the entrepreneurs should work in tenure to prop up the industry and there should not be any confrontation between the two on any issue. He demanded that the state government should provide facilities like available in the Baddi industrial area of to Himachal Pradesh. He welcomed the decision of the government to set up an SEZ at Ambala City. He further demanded that the single window system should be reintroduced in the state to settle disputes and the problems of the industry quickly and amicably.

	Govt registering false cases: INLD Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 7 The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has condemned the Hooda government for allegedly registering false cases against its opponents. In a statement issued here today, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, secretary-general of the party, said it was well-known that for the past one month Haryana Olympic Bhavan had been under the occupation of unauthorised persons. However, instead of taking action against the illegal squatters, the government was displaying its desperation and vindictive attitude by lodging false complaints against office-bearers of the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA). Terming the cases lodged against Mr H.S. Bhadu and Mr Bhupinder Singh, Joint Secretary and Treasurer, HOA, respectively, as cooked up, Mr Chautala regretted that instead of taking action on the complaint lodged by Mr Bhadu regarding the forcible occupation of Olympic Bhavan by unauthorised persons, the government had resorted to harassing him. Mr Chautala said Mr Bhadu had lodged a written complaint with the SP, Panchkula, and the IG, Ambala Range, about the illegal occupation of the bhavan on May 6. When no action was taken, Mr Bhadu had again written to all concerned on May 18. However, instead of booking the guilty, the government had lodged a complaint against him. The INLD leader accused the Chief Minister of orchestrating the illegal occupation of the bhavan, holding of a “farcical” meeting where in utter violation of the constitution of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and in the absence of any of its representatives.
	Rape victim gives birth to baby New Delhi, June 7 A 12-year-old girl, who had been allegedly raped by her neighbour in a village in Haryana nine months ago, has given birth to an underweight baby boy at the Safdarjung Hospital here. The girl delivered the baby yesterday. Interestingly, the parents were unaware that she was pregnant. “We had no idea that she was pregnant. A local doctor had told us that her belly had bloated due to water retention”, Ramesh Kumar, father of the victim who hails from Bamnikhera village of Palwal district said. The girl got pregnant after she was allegedly raped by her neighbour Subhash, who had intimidated her against informing her parents about the incident. Subhash is married and has three children. Meanwhile, a team of police officials recorded the girl’s statement at the hospital on Monday night and registered a case on the charges of rape, trespassing and criminal intimidation against Subhash, who has absconded. — PTI