8,689 metric tonnes of wheat procured
CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The wheat procuring agencies in Haryana have procured 8,689 metric tonnes of wheat till April 6 out of the total arrival of 11,511 metric tonnes. The rest, 2,822 metric tonnes, have been purchased by traders on a price higher than the minimum support price.

Gharaunda Assembly poll: recount started
CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today undertook a recount of votes for the Gharaunda Assembly seat.

Pensioners' medical allowance raised
CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Haryana Government has enhanced the fixed medical allowance admissible to pensioners and family pensioners from Rs 100 to Rs 125 per month from January 1,1998.

Chautala flays plan to close college
CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Mr Om Prakash Chautala, President of the Haryana Lok Dal (R), has condemned the Haryana Government's decision to close down the medical college at Agroha. He said the closure had been planned.

Survey on condition of power meters
CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Haryana-owned electricity companies have decided to conduct a pilot survey with a view to determine the condition of electricity meters and for obtaining the details of actual power consumption by various consumers in the state.

CRPF cop held for murder
GURGAON, April 7 — Khalik Hussain, a CRPF constable was arrested by the Gurgaon police for allegedly committing the murder of his 30 year old colleague, Khushal Singh in Rajiv Colony here last night.

• Bawal civic body chief removed

Dissidents returning to Bansi Lal's fold
By Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Haryana Chief Minister, Bansi Lal's strategy of using carrot and stick to discipline dissidents in his party has paid off. He used this strategy while reshuffling his Cabinet recently when he axed two light-weight Ministers of State, Mrs Krishna Gehlawat and Mr Jaswant Singh Bawal, and gave good portfolios to certain prominent dissidents like Mr Brij Mohan Singla and Mr Jaswant Singh Narnaund.

As calculated by Mr Bansi Lal and his advisers the axing of the two ministers of state created no ripples and the prominent dissidents, who had been placated, seemed happy in their new found glory.

Frustrated by lack of any response from those who claimed themselves to be the engineers of the aborted coup against Mr Bansi Lal on the eve of 1999, a number of former dissidents have started making efforts to patch up with the Chief Minister.

One such dissident, Dr Dharambir Yadav, who quit the Cabinet last year after virtually calling Mr Bansi Lal names, met Mr Bansi Lal in his office here yesterday. Informed sources say earlier Dr Yadav had met Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Bansi Lal's M.P. son and his political heir, in Delhi.

It may be recalled that when Dr Yadav and Mr Bansi Lal had fallen apart, the former had gone to the extent of describing the latter as a "Vanish Pursh (destructive man)" instead of a "Vikas Purhs "(Man of development)", as Mr Bansi Lal is commonly described by his admirers. Dr Yadav had even accused Mr Bansi Lal of nepotism, a charge which had deeply hurt the Chief Minister.

The sources say a few days ago the wife of a former aide of Dr Yadav had lodged a criminal case against him at Gurgaon for allegedly assaulting her. The state government had remained neutral and had allowed the law-enforcing agencies to do their legal duty.

Dr Yadav, the sources say, had been a frustrated man because he failed to get the kind of response he had expected to get from his supporters and constituents after his revolt against Mr Bansi Lal. The sources say he was further demoralised when he saw that no so-called dissident had come forward to take up the cause of the two ministers of state who had been unceremoniously packed off by Mr Bansi Lal.

Dr Yadav is the second Minister to make up with Mr Bansi Lal after resigning from his Cabinet. Earlier, the then Power Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh Narnaund, who quit the Cabinet in protest against what he called as the privatisation of the power sector in the state, had come back to the Chief Minister's flock. But Mr Jaswant Singh, who was reinducted in the Cabinet, had to remain content with a relatively unimportant department of Animal Husbandry for a long time before he was given the important portfolio of public health.

It is too early to say if Dr Yadav will have the same "pleasant" experience as Mr Jaswant Singh had on coming back to the Chief Minister's camp.

Even Mrs Gehlawat, who is generally projected as an ambitious woman and stormy petrel, is keeping silent, except for murmurs of protest by her supporters in her Assembly constituency on the day after her sack.

The petering out of a possible challenge from within his own party has encouraged the Chief Minister to go ahead with his schemes, described as a bitter but necessary pill, by his supporters, to restore the financial health of the state.

The Cabinet decision to ban general transfers this year has to be described as a bold step in the context of political milieu of Haryana. It is no secret that over the years general transfers in Haryana have become an industry for MLAs of the ruling parties and other political activists. Similarly the decision to virtually ban all recruitments for the time being will not normally endear a Chief Minister to his party MLAs. Transfers and recruitments in Haryana are considered to be two major sources available to the Chief Minister for "satisfying" his MLAs.

The sources say though the MLAs are unhappy over these decisions, no one has the courage to tell Mr Bansi Lal to reconsider these.

Abohar, Sonepat face power cuts
From Tribune Reporter

SONEPAT, April 7 — The Sonepat region has been facing a series of power cuts.

The Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) has allocated 16 lakh units to the Sonepat circle as compared to a demand for 19 lakh units for all categories of consumers. Though the HVPN had launched a massive drive to check power theft there has been no improvement in the power supply to domestic and industrial sectors.

Since tubewells feeders are connected with domestic feeders, the drinking water supply to the city has also been disrupted. The tubewells at the main waterworks at Murthal have not been linked with diesel generators, leading to the disruption of water supply system.

The local authorities of the HVPN maintain that the decision to impose a three-hour power cut had been taken at a highest level. But they were making efforts to maintain the power supply in accordance with the allocated quota. Most of the transformers installed in various parts of the city had been replaced and the capacity of some others had been augmented to ensure regular power supply.

An official of the HVPN blamed the BBMB authorities for the erratic power supply. The BBMB, he said, was the controlling authority and the cuts were imposed by it. The low frequency at the Narela feeder of the Delhi Vidyut Board was another reason behind the power crisis in the region.

Representatives of various political parties, social and voluntary organisations today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, to intervene and order the allocation of more power to the Sonepat circle.

ABOHAR: Unscheduled power cuts have virtually crippled trade in this subdivision. Harvesting of crop has also been badly affected as the rural areas are getting power supply only for three to four hours. The working of the local telephone exchange and small-scale industries has also been affected.

Minister denies report on tax hike
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Haryana Prohibition, Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr O.P. Mahajan, has denied the news item that appeared in a section of the Press today that the Central Sales Tax (CST) was raised for political reasons.

Mr Mahajan said on the receipt of a representation from the Hisar Industries Association in October, 1996, the rate of the CST on certain stainless steel items was reduced to 1 per cent with effect from January 1,1997 on the assurance that this would increase the tax revenue of the state. Subsequently, on the receipt of a representation from the association in February, 1997, and from Jindal Strips Limited in May and June, 1997, the government decided to reduce the rate of the Haryana General Sales Tax (HGST) from 3 per cent to 1 per cent with effect from September 18,1997, initially for a period of three months on the categorical assurance of the association and Jindal Strips that the tax revenue would be more than double if the rate was reduced to 1 per cent.

Mr Mahajan said this concession was further extended by the government up to March 31,1999, with the hope that the tax revenue would increase. The department collected the figures of sales tax receipts from these items from all districts and it was found that during October 1,1997, to September 30, 1998, when the reduced rate of 1 pc of tax on these items was operative, the tax collections came down to Rs 173.44 lakh from the Rs 348.74 lakh collected during the corresponding period in the previous year. This indicated a decline of more than 50 per cent. Since the sales tax receipts as a result of the reduction showed a sharp decline, the department on February 8,1999, recommended to the government not to extend the concessional rate of 1 per cent tax beyond March 31,1999.

The minister said accordingly, the government had decided on March 15 last not to extend the concession as the government could not afford the continuous loss of revenue from such reduction. He also refuted the charge that the rate was enhanced only after Mr O.P.Jindal joined the Congress. The decision was taken by the government on March 15 purely on revenue considerations whereas Mr Jindal joined the Congress much later. Had the tax revenue increased by reduction of the sales tax on these items, the government would have extended the concession even beyond March 31. The allegation levelled by Jindal Strips Limited and other vested interests in this regard was totally politically motivated, misleading and not based on facts, he said.

8,689 metric tonnes of wheat procured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The wheat procuring agencies in Haryana have procured 8,689 metric tonnes of wheat till April 6 out of the total arrival of 11,511 metric tonnes. The rest, 2,822 metric tonnes, have been purchased by traders on a price higher than the minimum support price.

While stating this here today, Prof Ganeshi Lal, Food and Supplies Minister, said all the six procuring agencies, the Food Corporation of India, Food and Supplies Department, Hafed, Haryana Warehousing Corporation, Haryana Agro Industries Corporation and Confed, had been redirected to gear up their machinery fully. They had also been asked to carry out inspection in the mandis and purchase centres allotted to them and to ensure that all mandis and purchase centres in the state were functional.

He said the FCI had also been asked to ensure maximum local deliveries of wheat in their depots and also to ensure adequate movement programme of foodgrains from Haryana. The heads of the procuring agencies had been particularly directed to ensure that there was no distress sale of wheat in any mandi or purchase centre allotted to them.

36 cr for repair of Haryana roads
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has earmarked Rs 36 crore for the construction, repair and maintenance of rural as well as urban roads during the current financial year.

Stating this here today, the Minister of State for Horticulture and Marketing, Mr Jagbir Singh Malik, said while Rs 12 crore had been allocated for providing additional facilities in various mandis, Rs 8 crore would be incurred on the ongoing works in 11 market yards. In addition, development works in the mandis of Barwala, Ambala Cantt, Naraingarh, Safidon (Phase-I), Babarpur, Fatehabad, Ladwa, Seewan, Sampla, Charkhi Dadri, Narwana, Gohana, Uklana and Palwal were also likely be taken up during 1999-2000. A sum of Rs 5 crore had been allocated for the construction of an ultra-modern marketing and food processing complex at Rai.

He said a target had been fixed to collect Rs 120 crore as market fee during the current financial year. All possible steps would be taken to plug loopholes in the leakage of the market fee. He said a quality control board would be set up to monitor the quality of construction work.

Gharaunda Assembly poll:
recount started
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today undertook a recount of votes for the Gharaunda Assembly seat.

The recount was undertaken on the directions issued by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi on a petition filed by Mr Ramesh Rana, the defeated Samata Party candidate, who contested the election of Mr Ramesh Kashyap, a BJP candidate.

Mr Kashyap had won the election by a margin of just 11 votes. While the returned candidate had polled 20,230 votes, Mr Rana had got 20,219 votes.

The Judge had directed the District Judge (Vigilance), Mr Nirmal Singh, to ensure commencement of recount of votes from today. As directed, five officials of the Punjab CEO's office reported to the District Judge (Vigilance) and started the recount.

The counting will continue for a couple of days. All 87,150 ballots were stalked in court room No 29. The District Judge (Vigilance) is supervising the recount. He has been directed to submit his report on April 19.

Pensioners' medical allowance raised
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Haryana Government has enhanced the fixed medical allowance admissible to pensioners and family pensioners from Rs 100 to Rs 125 per month from January 1,1998.

Stating this here today, Mr Brij Mohan Singla, Health Minister, said the employees and pensioners drawing fixed medical allowance had also been allowed to change their option during April every year. Earlier, this facility was available only in the case of chronic patients.

Mr Singla said the employees, pensioners and family pensioners drawing open medical allowance had also been allowed from April 1, 1999, to avail fixed medical allowance of Rs 1,500 per annum against Rs 1,200 per annum. The pensioners would have to furnish their option within three months. If one does not furnish such an option, one will continue to draw medical allowance as he was drawing earlier.

Chautala flays plan to close college
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Mr Om Prakash Chautala, President of the Haryana Lok Dal (R), has condemned the Haryana Government's decision to close down the medical college at Agroha. He said the closure had been planned.

He cautioned the state government of serious repercussions if the interests of the medical students were not safeguarded.

He said the Congress, the HVP and the BJP had all proved to be against the Aggarwal community. while during the elections the ruling parties, the HVP and the BJP, had assured all kinds of concessions to this community, they had now totally forgotten these at the time of helping in the closure of the medical college, Mr Chautala said. he said both Mr Bansi Lal and Mr Bhajan Lal were making allegations against each other regarding the stopping grants to the college.

Mr Chautala took the credit for the starting of the college during the Devi Lal rule.

Survey on condition of power meters
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Haryana-owned electricity companies have decided to conduct a pilot survey with a view to determine the condition of electricity meters and for obtaining the details of actual power consumption by various consumers in the state.

Giving this information here today, an official spokesman said the decision had been taken with a view to eliminate billing complaints. For this work, which was being conducted on an experimental basis, the companies would utilise the services of volunteers, particularly those who had passed out of ITIs.

He claimed that this endeavour of the companies would certainly improve the credibility of the billing system and redress the grievances of the public at large.

CRPF cop held for murder
From Our Correspondent

GURGAON, April 7 — Khalik Hussain, a CRPF constable was arrested by the Gurgaon police for allegedly committing the murder of his 30 year old colleague, Khushal Singh in Rajiv Colony here last night.

According to police sources, Khalik Hussain, along with his brother, had hired a room in Rajiv Colony near the CRPF camp, where Khushal Singh came last night. They had tea following which a fight ensued between them. Khalik allegedly killed Khushal with a sharp-edged weapon and escaped. He was later arrested by the police from the CRPF camp.

Bawal civic body chief removed

REWARI, April 7 — Following a gazette notification issued by the Governor of Haryana, the President, Municipal Committee, Bawal, has been removed from his post under Section 22 of the Municipal Act on charges of abuse of his power and failure to perform his duties. Followings his removal the charge of presidentship of the municipal committee has been entrusted to Mrs Krishna Devi, Vice-President of the committee. Eight out of 11 municipal councillors of Bawal had earlier levelled serious charges of misappropriation of municipal funds.