• 46 CPM workers get regular bail
• Liquor seized

Conversion charges reduced
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 — The Haryana Assembly will meet for its winter session from January 28. This decision was taken by the State Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, here today. It is likely that the winter session, which will open with the Governor's address, may be converted into the Budget session, though no formal decision in this regard was taken by the Cabinet today.

The Cabinet today met for the first time after the aborted coup by certain HVP rebels early this month. Almost all those HVP Ministers who are considered to be involved in the aborted coup attended the meeting, which has been described as the shortest Cabinet meeting of the present Government. There was no informal discussion among the Cabinet Members after the official agenda had been disposed of. Many a time the Chief Minister and his colleagues hold informal discussions among themselves after the officers are told to leave them alone.

The Cabinet also decided to substantially reduce conversion charges for converting cinema sites or existing cinemas into commercial complexes.

It was decided that anyone converting portion of a cinema site into a commercial complex would have to pay 50 per cent of the difference of the cost of the cinema site and the current average auctioned price of the commercial sites in the same commercial areas where the cinema site is located in case of high potential zone. The rate would be 30 per cent in the medium potential zone, while no conversion charges would be levied in the low potential zone.

Earlier on March 17, 1998, the Cabinet had approved the policy of conversion of cinema sites to commercial sites falling in different urban estates of HUDA. As per this policy the allottees were given an option to first construct a cinema theatre of a minimum capacity of 300 seats and to convert the remaining portion into a commercial complex.

For the converted portion the allottee was required to pay the full difference between the cost of the cinema site and the average auction price of commercial sites in the same area.

In case of already built up cinema theatres, an option was given to the allottees to convert a portion of the cinema complex into commercial complex with a stipulation that the capacity of the threatre would not be less than 300 seats and there would be no increase in the FAR.

The Cabinet also extended the State Government's guarantee to HUDCO for its loan of Rs 230.32 lakh given to the Haryana Housing Board to construct various categories of houses at Rewari at an estimated cost of Rs 332.78 lakh.

INLD may submit memo to President
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Jan 13 — The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is planning to submit a memorandum to the President of India detailing the misdeeds of the HVP-BJP government and demanding its immediate dismissal.

Former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala said here yesterday that a deputation of party MPs and MLAs would call on the President shortly to apprise him of scandals, bungling in public funds and corrupt practices by leaders and bureaucrats as well as the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Expressing his unhappiness at the functioning of the BJP-led government at the Centre, Mr Chautala asserted that the INLD had given support to the Vajpayee Government in the national interest. His party, he said, had no option but to continue support to it because everybody wanted to prevent the Congress from coming to power again.

Addressing a meeting of party workers at Ganaur, 16 km from here, last evening, Mr Chautala alleged that Chief Minister, Bansi Lal had failed to fulfil even one pre-election promise made to the people of the state. He also accused the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues of distorting facts on the power and water supply. He also criticised the government for the deterioration in the law and order position.

Plan to curb industrial pollution
From Our Correspondent

YAMUNANAGAR, Jan 13 — Haryana will be free of industrial pollution shortly according to a high-powered Public Accounts Committee of the Haryana Assembly. The committee was here for an on the spot inspection of Ballarpur Industries here today and Chairman of the Committee Mr Vajinder Kadian appealed to the industries of Haryana to help in controlling air and water pollution.

The other team members included Mr Jai Singh Rana, Mr Balle Ram and Mr Balwant Singh Mayana, all MLAs of Haryana.

He said 2600 units had been identified in Haryana under 17 and 19 categories listed as polluting industries. These units had been advised to obtain environmental clearances and instal pollution control measures. Under the 17 and 19 categories the industries included are fertilizer sugar, cement fermentation and distillery, aluminium, petro chemicals, thermal power, oil refineries, sulphuric acid, tanneries, copper smelters, zinc smelters, iron & steel, pulp & paper, dye & dye intermediates, pesticides manufacturing & formulation and basic drugs & pharmaceuticals.

The committee lauded the efforts of M/s Ballarpur Industries Ltd and its contribution in uplifting the environmental standards of Yamunanagar district. Mr A.N. Pathak, vice-president of Ballarpur Industries Ltd said that Rs 15 crore has been spent on the control and abaetment equipment for water and air pollution. The plant is being operated by spending Rs 75000 per day. Mr Pathak pleaded the members of the committee that they should take up the issue with the government to provide adequate fibrous raw material as the industry is facing acute shortage and uncertain availability. Mr Pathak said the company has given direct employment to 4000 workers and indirect employment to 3000 workers.

Roadways staff threaten stir

ROHTAK, Jan 13 — The Haryana Roadways Workers' Union has threatened to launch an agitation if its demands are not accepted soon.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the union here yesterday.

Mr Mahavir Madinwal, secretary of the Rohtak depot unit of the union said a memorandum was submitted to the General Manager, Haryana Roadways, on November 25 last year. But no attention was paid to it. Delegations of the union met the GM several times but to no avail.

The union criticised the violent attacks on the General Managers, Haryana Roadways, of Dadri, Bhiwani and Karnal, saying that these were an outcome of the 'faulty' government policies.

College students go on fast
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Jan 13 — Under the aegis of the Haryana Chatra Kalyan Sangh, students resorted to a fast at the Hansi intersection here today.

Mr Anil Bamlia, state president of the sangh, led the batch of students.

The fast was resorted to in support of their demands which include the withdrawal of hike in fees by MD University, and taking back students of the local Government College who were recently suspended. They also demanded that police cases against these students be withdrawn and the supplementary examination of BA (I) and (II) be conducted again.

HAU to start 2 PG courses
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Jan 13 — Two new postgraduate courses will start at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Prof JB Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, said here yesterday. The new courses cleared by the Academic Council (AC) are M.Sc in industrial mathematics and informatics and Ph.D in agro-forestry.

Prof Chowdhury, said the AC had approved the proposal for the grant of one increment to the teachers for winning a national award. A committee comprising all Deans, Directors of Research, Extension Education and Students' Welfare, Dr Randhir Singh, President of HAUTA, and the Registrar had been constituted to discuss such cases and decide the national awards to be considered for the purpose. It had been decided to discuss follow recommendations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in selecting HAU teachers for the best teacher award.

Panel of officers being prepared
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 — The Haryana Government has asked all the heads of departments to send the names of those officers who intend to get their names considered for the panel being prepared by the Central Government to appoint officers abroad. This panel will be for foreign assignments in the field of public administration under the United Nations and its allied agencies.

Such desirous officers should have good office record and have no pending departmental or vigilance inquiry against them. The department should also be able to relieve such officers after their appointment.

The Government has asked the heads of departments to ensure that the applications of desirous officers duly filled in the prescribed proforma in duplicate should reach the Chief Secretary by February 1.

46 CPM workers get regular bail
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Jan 13 — Mr R.K. Khanagwal, Chief Judicial Magistrate, yesterday granted regular bail to 46 CPM workers, including 21 women, in a case registered against them under Section 188 for violating prohibitory order during the nationwide strike on December 11. Till now they were on interim bail.

Workers of the CPM, including Mr Prithi Singh Gorakhpuria, member, state executive, Mr Dayanand Punia, district President Kisan Sabha, Mrs Jagwanti Sangwan, state President, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, and Mrs Jasbir Kaur, state President, Haryana Nursing Staff Association, are among those granted bail.

MC official accused of misusing funds
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Jan 13 — The Chairman of the local municipal council, Mr Amar Singh Shorewala, in a statement here today, levelled charges of financial mismanagement against an executive officer of the municipal council.

He said due to inaction, illegal constructions were being made in the town. Mr Shorewala said the sanitary conditions were deteriorating due to the apathy of the officials of the council.

He said in spite of directions to take action against some employees found absent during checking, the executive officer, Mr V.K. Singh, had not taken any action against them.

When contacted, Mr V.K. Singh denied all charges.

Liquor seized
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Jan 13 — The Excise and Taxation Department yesterday seized a huge quantity of liquor from two trucks near Nirankari Bhavan here.

Disclosing this, Mr S.B. Khanagwal, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, said today that during the checking the staff of the department seized over 12,900 bottles of foreign wine from two trucks parking near the road.

He said 10,500 pouches of wine were also seized from the truck. Both trucks have been handed over to the police.

A case under the Excise Act has been registered.