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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Sunday, April 4, 1999 |
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Free power not possible: CM KURUKSHETRA, April 3 — The Haryana Chief Minister today announced that no government could provide power and water free of cost and this was neither possible nor desirable as the generation of electricity infrastructure cost a huge amount. Rs 1 cr deficit budget for GJU passed HISAR, April 3 — There is deficit of about Rs one crore in the budget of the Guru Jambeshwar University for 1999-2000. However, the Vice-Chancellor expressed the confidence that the gap would be made up. |
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Hike sought in procurement
price of wheat ROHTAK, April 3 — The Meham Chaubisi Jansangathan has urged the Centre to enhance the minimum procurement price of wheat to Rs 950 per quintal and supply the commodity to the economically poor and middle class consumers at subsidised rates. Haryana to enhance power generation Term
of AIDS-hit prisoner relaxed Plea
to follow Guru's ideals |
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Free power not possible: CM KURUKSHETRA, April 3 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, today announced that no government could provide power and water free of cost and this was neither possible nor desirable as the generation of electricity infrastructure cost huge amount. He further said that round the clock power would be made available to the people of the state after eighty seven days i.e. by June 30 next. Addressing a public meeting here today, the Chief Minister said these several steps had been taken to accelerate the pace of development in various fields with priority to power, irrigation, flood control and social welfare sectors. He reiterated that his government was committed to all-round development of the state to make it a model state in the country. He said that his Government had initiated action plans to increase power generation and replace transmission lines laid way back in 29 years ago. He said that the 402 MW power generation plant at Faridabad costing Rs 1200 crore was in progress. Its first unit of 143 MW would be completed by June 30 next and the last unit of 146 MW would also be ready be the end of March next year. He said that 25 MW liquid fuel-based power generation plant at Gurgaon had already been commissioned. Maruti Udyog Ltd was also providing power to the state, beside meeting its own requirement. Sixth unit of 210 MW of Panipat thermal power plant was in progress which would be ready in next 11 months. All four 110-110 MW unit of Panipat Thermal Plant under renovation would provide 250-270 MW of power when completed in December next. He said that the state government had reached an agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation for providing 310 MW power to the state. The power generation would be a byproduct of Panipat Refinery. He disclosed that the state government had invited tenders for 500 MW thermal plant at Yamunanagar which would be finalised by May 31st next. Similarly steps would be taken for the installation of a 500 MW power plant at Hisar. Mr Bansi Lal said that the previous governments had not initiated any step for augmenting power generation in the state. The neglect of this vital sector had resulted in power shortage. As a result of the efforts being made by his government, the state would become a model state in power generation in the next one and a half years. He said that Haryana was one of the states in northern region where maximum number of industries were set up during past three years and no old industry had shifted from the state. He said that all the major promises made by HVP-BJP alliance before election had already been fulfilled. He said that the maintenance and repair of roads in the state was the next priority of the government and Rs 80 crore had already been spent on construction and maintenance of national highway in Kurukshetra district alone. A sum of Rs 20 crore had been spent on power reforms in Kurukshetra and a sum of Rs 30 crore would be spent in this sector during the next two years. He said that with the desilting and cleaning of canals and drains, six lakh acres of additional land could be irrigated. As a result of which, the income of farmers increased by Rs 300 crore per annum. The Warehousing Corporation was providing 75 per cent of the produce brought to the mandis as loan to check distress sale of the crop. His government had also raised the commission of the foodgrain traders from one and half per cent to two and a half per cent. Welcoming the Chief Minister, Vaid Kapoor Chand, Minister of State for Industrial Training and Vocational Education, said that the interests of people of the state were safe in the hands of Mr Bansi Lal, Chief Minister. He presented a purse of Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister on behalf of the area. He returned the same to the BJP workers. Another purse presented by Mr Sher Singh a HVP leader to Chief Minister returned to the HVP workers for development works in their respective areas. On demands raised by Vaid Kapoor Chand he assured that these would be considered sympathetically. Others who spoke on the
occasion includes Mr Ved Pal and Mr Ratan Lal Kataria,
Chairpersons of Haryana Agricultural Marketing Board and
the Warehousing Corporation, respectively and Mr Jitender
Singh Khurdban General Secretary, HVP and Mr Sahib Singh
Saini, District President HVP, Mr Bharat Bhusan, District
President BJP. |
Rs 1 cr deficit budget for
GJU passed HISAR, April 3 — There is deficit of about Rs one crore in the budget of the Guru Jambeshwar University for 1999-2000. However, the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Dharamvir, expressed the confidence that the gap would be made up by mobilising additional resources. Briefing reporters, after the meeting of the Executive Council here yesterday, Mr Dharamvir said, the total budgetary estimates were put at Rs 9.12 crore against the total income of about Rs 8.13 crore. The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that Rs 30 lakh would be generated from the Department of Distance Education. The university plans to start some new courses to generate more resources. Besides, about Rs 20 lakh are likely to be earned by way of introducing various short term computer-related courses in the university. The university, has acquired one of the best computer infrastructure for training purposes. Mr Dharamvir said that he had held detailed discussions with the officials of the University Grants Commission and some departments of the Government of India. He has been assured of sufficient financial assistance to bridge the income-expenditure gap. The Vice-Chancellor sought to play down the reports that the funds to the universities had been cut on a massive scale. He pointed out, there was a cut of only about Rs 50 lakhs to the GJU by the government. This year the university got only Rs three crore against Rs 3.5 crore last year. The Vice-Chancellor claimed that funds were sufficient to impart best education. He said, the proposed budgetary estimates included the expected hike in the salaries of the teachers, besides the construction of a laboratory building. The University which has come in just four years plans to introduce internet and website creation course in the near future. The course will be exclusively meant for women. The university is likely to start a course in computers for Scheduled Castes also. Mr Dharamvir disclosed that the university had already planned its academic calendar for the next year. It includes 205 teaching days. Besides, for the first time the university will be organising cultural festival and the sports festival. One of the important steps taken by the university after Mr Dharamvir took over, includes regular updating of the syllabus to fulfil the modern needs in the university, the students needed to be taught strictly according to the industry demands. He disclosed that the university would start refresher and orientation programmes for its teachers also in this year only. The university has also
decided to absorb all employees of the Kurukshetra
University, who had joined here on deputation. Their
seniority will include their service put in the
Kurukshetra University. The Vice-Chancellor said, all the
formalities in this regard had been completed. |
MBA course faces closure ROHTAK, April 3 — The Master of Business Administration (MBA) course at Maharshi Dayanand University might face closure if the teaching staff required for it was not appointed by the authorities. The university has been running this course for the past five years under three categories-two-year, three-year and five-year course. Nearly 300 students have been studying in different semesters under these courses. It is learnt that the department does not have staff to teach 48 subjects under this professional degree course to the students. The department requires at least 19 teachers immediately. To avoid loss of studies to students after a ban on recruitments imposed by the government in August 1998, the department deputed four teachers on contract basis. The registrar of university asked for a clarification regarding this appointment. Prof (Dr) Dalip Singh, Director, Institute of Management Studies and Research Department of university and Dean of Faculty of Management Science admitted that the Registrar had objected to these temporary appointments. However, he said he had submitted a written clarification in this connection. He said he had categorically stated in his clarification. That he would be forced to close the department in case the required teaching staff was not appointed in time. He said three posts of professor, three that of reader and nine that of lecturer were approved for the department. He said according to recommendations of the University Grants Commission, a professor, a reader and a lecturer were supposed to teach one, two and three courses respectively daily while, at present, the staff had been teaching 60 courses of different semesters daily. This has resulted into "overloading" on the teaching staff. Besides, the teachers of certain other departments had been assisting the staff relating to the rest of the courses, he added. He lamented that the department had been suffering an acute shortage of staff despite the fact that it had been earning Rs one crore annually for the university. He said the department had been paying Rs 6,000 per month to each of the four teachers appointed on contract basis. Same is the situation at Master of Computer Application (MCA) Department of the university. The students have reportedly been suffering due to shortage of teachers. The government imposed a ban on recruitments on the three universities of Haryana in August 98. The university court, at its recent meeting, demanded to lift the ban in the interest of students but the government did not seem to be in a mood to lift the ban. Dr Virender Pal, an
educationist and an Indian National Lok Dal MLA, alleged
that the government had vitiated the academic atmosphere
of the university by undue interference in its
functioning. He said it was surprising that the teaching
and non-teaching staff of the university had not received
salary in time. |
Hike sought in procurement
price of wheat ROHTAK, April 3 — The Meham Chaubisi Jansangathan has urged the Centre to enhance the minimum procurement price of wheat to Rs 950 per quintal and supply the commodity to the economically poor and middle class consumers at subsidised rates. The jansangathan president, Ms Meena Chaudhary, said here today that the cost of production of wheat had increased manifold following hike in the prices of diesel, power and other inputs. Therefore, the procurement price should be determined in consonance with the cost of production, she said. Ms Chaudhary pleaded for fixing the procurement price before the sowing of a crop so that the farmers could produce any crop keeping in view the value it could get in the market. She alleged that the Meham Sugar Mills was not making payment to the sugarcane suppliers and threatened to stage dharna at the mill gate if no immediate efforts were made to make payment to the sugarcane growers. The Jansangathan criticised the government for non-payment to compensation suffered by the farmers due to un-seasonal rains last year. Ms Chaudhary said that the central team had visited over 18 villages to assess the loss and despite collecting first-hand information about the damage to crops, no compensation had been paid so far. She said that a large
tract of agricultural land in the Meham Chaubisi area has
become un-cultivable after the devastating floods of 1995
and regretted that the administration has not made any
arrangement to drain out the flood waters from that area.
The digging of the link drains had not yet started in the
Gugaheri, Nidana, Ghirawar, Ajaib, Bharan and Ballambha
villages although the projects were sanctioned by the
government long ago. |
Haryana to enhance power
generation SONEPAT, April 3 —
The Haryana Government has decided to generate more power
and strength the transmission lines in order to provide
round the clock electricity to consumers by June 30 this
year, this was stated by Mr Rajiv Jain, Political Press
Adviser to the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, stated at a
public meeting at Raipur village, about 6 km from here on
Friday. Mr Jain said the work on the construction of 220 KV grid power sub-station had been speeded up and it would be completed soon. With its completion the consumers would get better power supply. Referring to the demands of the people, Mr Jain said the state government had already upgraded the village schools for providing better educational facilities to the people of Raipur, Shahpur, Garh Shahjahanpur, Fazilpur and Rewli villages. He called upon people to promote girls education. He also cautioned people against the misleading propaganda of the Opposition. Mr Jain said the
development of the state was linked to the progress and
prosperity of the rural areas. |
Term of AIDS-hit prisoner
relaxed ROHTAK, April 2 — Detection of HIV positive helped an undertrial prisoner to get released nearly two months before the completion of his one-year imprisonment at the district jail here. Kapoor Singh, undertrial, was due to be released on May 14 next. But his jail term was relaxed owing to the seriousness of his disease and he was released on March 23 last. According to jail sources, the accused, a truck driver, was lodged in the district jail on June 2,1998 in connection with the death of a person in his truck accident. He was admitted to the PGIMS on December 20, 98 as he was affected with some skin disease. He was retained at the PGIMS till January 30 last and various tests were conducted during this period. The doctors found him HIV positive after his blood test. The AIDS Surveillance Centre at the PGIMS also confirmed that the patient was affected with the deadly disease. The doctors of the institute also tested the blood of his wife and wards residing at Khanpur Khurd village. However, they were found to be free from disease. Commenting on the
relaxation in his term Mr Dayanand Beniwal, Jail
Superintendent, said that there was provision of 90 days
relaxation in the Jail Manual for a prisoner who was
undergoing one-year jail term. He clarified that Kapoor
Singh was released 53 days before the completion of his
term to enable him to receive proper treatment of the
disease. |
Plea to follow Guru's ideals YAMUNANAGAR, April 3 — Haryana Government has drawn up a Rs 10.30 crore plan for the development of all important historical places in the State which were visited by Sikh Gurus and where they had preached piety. This was disclosed by Mr Mani Ram Godara, Home Minister Haryana while addressing a religious congregation at Jagadhri today, where the Shobha Yatra' taken out as part of tercentenary celebrations of birth of Khalsa halted on its way from Patna Sahib to Anandpur Sahib, the place where Guru Gobind Singh founded Khalsa Panth 300 years ago. The plan was part of the Khalsa celebrations in the state, which also included construction of a Marshal Arts Museum at Kapal Mochan in Yamunanagar district. The entire proposal by the State Government has been sent to the Government of India for financial assistance. Earlier, Mr Godara received the Shobha Yatra at Buria Chowk at Jagadhri which entered in Haryana from Paonta Sahib in Himachal after passing through many states. Referring to the history of the state and its rich cultural heritage, Mr Godara described Haryana as a sacred land where Lord Krishna gave message of karam yoga to Arjuna enshrined in the Gita. He said that six out of 10 Sikh gurus had visited Kurukshetra and showered blessings. He said that Haryana was proud that maternal relations of Guru Gobind Singh hailed from Panjokhra in Ambala district. He urged the saints and sages to show a new path to humanity and infuse in them moral values of life. He lamented that in this age of materialism respect for moral values was falling. The Minister said that to celebrate the tercentenary state-level committee had been set up under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. The Government had decided to set up a chair at Kurukshetra University after the name of Guru Gobind Singh. He said that a book to propagate ideals and principles of Guru Gobind Singh would be published in Hindi as well as in Punjabi. He disclosed that Mr Dharam Dass Jat of Rohtak was one of the five beloved ones (Panj Pyare) of Guru Gobind Singh. Mr Shashi Pal Mehta, Industries Minister Haryana urged the people to spread the message of Guru Gobind Singh and imbibe high ideals of Guru Gobind Singh. He said that Guru Gobind Singh stood for unity and integrity of the country, sacrificed his four sons and never bowed against injustice. He said that we should derive inspiration from the life of Guru Gobind Singh. Swami Parmanand Saraswati, President of All India Nayas stressed the need to imbibe the high moral values in the life. He lamented that moral values were deteriorating. He said that Guru Gobind Singh preached that humanity was one and Khalsa Panth was based on equity. He urged the people to follow ideals of Guru Gobind Singh who waged a crusade against caste system in society. To propagate principle of Khalsa Panth and great Gurus seminars, declamation contests, essay writing, cycle rally, poster competitions and exhibitions on bravery of Sikh Gurus and the places they visited would be organised throughout the year. Jagadhri and Yamunanagar were tastefully decorated. Warm welcome was accorded to Shobha Yatra by representatives of the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, the Bajrang Dal the Go Raksha Samiti and several religious and social organisations of Jagadhri and Yamunanagar. The holy procession passed through main bazaars. Various establishments and associations had put up banners and welcome gate en route the sacred yatra. The yatra will proceed to Chandigarh via Ambala. Swami Maheshashram
Maharaj, Patron of Sanatan Sant Samaj Mr Rajiv Sharma
Deputy Commissioner and Mr KK Sindhu Superintendent of
police Yamunanagar accompanied the procession. |
Rs 50,000 demanded for boy’s
release ROHTAK, April 3 — The kidnappers of a teen-aged boy of Bahadurgarh, 40 km from here, have demanded a ransom of Rs 50,000 for his release. According to information, Anil Deswal (17) was kidnapped from the senior secondary school ground at Bahadurgarh while he went there for playing cricket on March 30 last. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom and threatened the family of the victim with dire consequences on telephone. The police has registered
a case under Section 364 of the IPC. |
Haryana denies report on tax hike
on CHANDIGARH, April 3 — An official spokesman of the Haryana Government said here today that reports appearing in a section of the press alleging that the increase in the tax rate on certain stainless steel items from 1 per cent to 3 per cent had been made to harm the business interests of Mr O.P Jindal, a former MP, were incorrect and baseless. He said there was no political motive behind the increase in the rate of tax. The raise had been effected purely on revenue considerations. The spokesman pointed out that the government had reduced the rate of tax on stainless steel items about two years ago on the explicit assurance of the trade that the reduction of ST on stainless steel items would increase the tax revenue of the state. He said instead of showing any increase, the tax revenue from the stainless steel items registered a sharp decline as a result of the reduction of sales tax. In the past two years when the reduced rate of 1 per cent sales tax was operative, the tax receipts on these items came down by 50 per cent. The spokesman said it was
in this context that the government decided not to extend
the benefit of concessional rate of 1 per cent beyond
December 31,1999. |
Brick-kiln workers protest BHIWANI, April 3 — Thousands of brick-kiln workers staged a demonstration in the town yesterday in protest against the anti-labour attitude of the Labour Department officials towards their demands. The labourers assembled in Nehru Park and then proceeded to the residence of the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, on the Hansi road. As the labourers reached the Hansi Chowk they were stopped by the police. They submitted a memorandum to the city Magistrate who promised to forward it to the Chief Minister. Later, the protesters sat on a dharna at the Hansi Chowk and blocked traffic for one hour. Mr Satbir Singh, state general secretary of the CITU, condemned the high-handedness of the brick-kiln owners. He requested the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter. Meanwhile, the district
administration has decided to convene a meeting with the
Lal Jhandha Bhatta Mazdoor Union on Monday. |
Officials blamed for water scarcity PANIPAT, April 3 — Local residents alleged that an acute scarcity of drinking water had been created by officials of the Public Health Department in connivance with certain "influential" people. Due to very low pressure of water in pipes and the installation of motors on pipelines in residential areas by these people, other areas get decreased supply of drinking water. Another irregularity came to light when the supply of drinking water was found to be regular in a mohalla of ward no. 7 whereas in other wards the supply was limited to a few hours. On investigation it was established that the SDO concerned had "deliberately" connected the supply line of this mohalla with the main tubewell for which he had been allegedly by receiving monthly payments from the people of that area. The people have demanded
that the Chief Minister should visit Panipat and take
action against those found guilty. |
HFUCTO dharna on April 28 ROHTAK, April 3 — Teachers of university and colleges from Haryana will take part in the proposed national-level demonstration outside Parliament in New Delhi on April 28 in support of their demands. According to Mr Vazir Nehra, Convenor of the Haryana Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (HFUCTO), the demonstration was being organised by the All India Federation of College and University Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) for strengthening the public funded education system and more allocation of government funds for higher education. He said the decision was taken at a meeting of the executive committee of the HFUCTO held at Kurukshetra yesterday. He said the HFUCTO condemns the "police action" against college and university teachers of Punjab at Chandigarh recently. In another resolution, the HFUCTO appealed to the Haryana Government to immediately implement the revised pay scales as notified by the UGC. The union leaders from
Guru Jabheshwar University, Hisar, Kurukshetra
University, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, the
Haryana Government College Teachers Union attended the
meeting. |
BJP executive meets on April
10 ROHTAK, April 3 — The two day meeting of the state BJP executive committee will be held at Kalesar village in Yamuna Nagar district from April 10 to review political situation in the state. The party in a statement here today said that the members would be apprised about the decision to be taken by the national executive at its Goa session. The three-day meeting of the national executive committee is likely to conclude on Sunday. The meeting of the state executive has assumed importance following a call given by the BJP president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre to get ready for the elections. The state executive committee will prepare strategies for the Municipal Committee and panchayat elections scheduled to be held later this year. Besides the members of the
state executive committee, all ministers, MLAs and
chairmen of various corporations and boards belonging to
the BJP have been invited to the Kalesar meeting. The
presidents and general secretaries of the district units,
too participate in the proposed meeting. |
Unruly commuters stone train FARIDABAD, April 3 — Angry commuters last night stoned a train at old Faridabad railway station in protest against the late running of local trains between Delhi and Palwal. However, no one was injured in this attack. Only few window-panes of the train were damaged. The protest was started when the authorities concerned stopped the Palwal-bound EMU train at old Faridabad station for more than an hour and allowed a number of long-distance trains to proceed. The police, however,
persuaded them to board the train. |
Teachers threaten to boycott exams HISAR, April 3 — Teachers of various private and government colleges here today threatened to boycott the exams from April 7 in case the culprits involved in an alleged attack on Mr Vikramjit Singh, Lecturer, Dayanand College, on April 1 were not arrested. This was decided at a meeting of the teachers held in the local Jat College today. Officials sources said, an
FIR had been registered and the culprits had been
identified. |
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